What was your biggest surprise and disappointment?

These are based off of my past 2 trips...

Biggest disappointments: Le Cellier and Boma (dinner).

Le Cellier was over salted but otherwise bland food. I can cook a better steak at home for a lot less money. The tables were so crammed in together that you might as well be sharing your meal with the people next to you.

Boma was just eh. I was expecting more based off of reviews but the food was just boring and not well cooked at all.

Biggest surprises: Raglan Road and Flying Fish.

Raglan Road is now one of my favorite all time restaurants. I can not go to Disney without heading there. I am even treating friends there in June so I can get to go!

Flying Fish I expected to be good, but it was even beyond that. Service was also amazing.
 
I have been many many times and I have been to many surprising places. However here are my few extremes:

Dissappointments:
Chefs de France - worst table service at Disney, food was awful and server was not good either
Teppan Edo - I thought I would love this but the food was bland, portions varied greatly as some people at our table got a lot and we got very little, and the "show" is very over rated in the reviews

Pleasant Surprises:
Rose and Crown - wasn't expecting too much but the surf and turf was the best meal I have ever had at Disney, lots of food, all of it was good, the steak was the best I have had at Disney imo. And we could have watched Illuminations from our seat had our reservation been at the right time.
Wolfgang Puck Express - we go here every trip because it is so great as a counter service credit, nothing else comes close
 
Biggest pleasant suprise was dinner at 1900 Park Fare. We had gone purely for the charecter experience and very low expectations for the meal. I found the options to be enjoyable. Not the best meal I've ever had but well above our expectaitons. We also enjoyed at Sci-Fi this time around more than I expected based on prior experiences. We stuck to burgers and shakes and found them to be better than the average Disney burger.

Biggest disappointment was Yachtman's Steakhouse. I had high expectations and it was terrible. We had a terrible waiter and service was both unfriendly and slow. My steak was WAY over cooked which is pretty much inexcusable for a steak house at this price point. We've put it on our never again list.
 
Biggest surprises:

Teppan Edo ~ Did this as a filler reservation because we wanted Epcot and something new and different... The food ended up being outstanding, the service top notch, and the cooking was beyond facinating to watch. A fantastic adult experience.

Earl of Sandwich ~ I don't like sandwiches. I really don't. But my other half insisted these guys were awesome, so I gave it a shot. We ate there 4 times. LOL! They weren't sandwiches, they were works of art. So good.

Wolfgang Puck Express ~ Was told it was a great deal, figured I'd give it a shot and get really decent mall-style food, but was SHOCKED when it was full, sit down, table service quality with HUGE portions. Love, love, loved it.

Tusker House ~ A last-minute reservation because we wanted a character dining experience and that was all we could get. The food ended up being amazing and our face time with the characters was a good few minutes per person, per character, which was super nice because we were just two adults (no kids) in our party and we were worried they'd just come and go and that was it. In the end, Mickey booted my fiance out of his seat and sat down to eat with us, Donald stole my ears, and Goofy kept taking "wrong pictures" (looking the wrong way, turning his back, etc) and then giggling about it.

Biggest bummer:

Rose and Crown ~ The service was just kind of meh. They seemed to forget about us, honestly. Actually, our whole section. The food was fine, but not really anything special. Standard pub food that was probably fresh-frozen and then heated and served. Good, not great.

All-Star Music Food Court ~ I guess I'm used to the moderate level food courts... Because this one was just gross.

The other places we ate... Coral Reef, San Angel Inn, 50s Prime... They were all fabulous. But we expected them to be since we have nothing but awesome experiences there.
 

Our biggest surprise was Rose & Crown, I had the Bangers and Mash and Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert and absolutely loved it!!!!

Our Biggest disappointment was POR CS. The food was mediocre and was always packed! We were also disappointed in WPE, the food did NOT live up to the hype that we'd heard here and from friends who have been to Disney. I don't get what people are talking about.

I am so glad we are going back to CBR this summer. I love the Food Court there. Much better food!
 
Biggest disappointment - Citricos. The food was so-so and the waiter was slow as molasses, nice enough, but we were there for over three and a half hours. With them counting our infant as a party of 6, he was sure to get a tip which was reversed the following day.

Coral Reef - we got seated next to the aquarium, which was awesome, so it made the atmosphere great, but the food was not my thing, the family liked it.

Brown Derby - Dont think anyone was happy with the good, but the waiter was awesome. Which was great seeing how the night before we were stuck at Citricos forever and a day. Also the longest wait we had to be seated, even with ADRs

Nicest Surprises : 1900 Parke Fair. I expected it to be good, but didnt expect it to be THAT good. It was awesome food. Definitely going back there.

Wishes - Big selection of deserts, we really didnt encounter rude guests, might be a hit or miss place in that regards and no fault of WDW. Was expecting it to be not nearly as enjoyable as it was. My DH and daughter had stayed back at the resort while the rest of us still made the reservation. Will be attending again next time, in January, so the hubs and little one can experience. View cant be beat IMO.
 
Our biggest surprise was La Hacienda. It was the ADR I was most nervous about, I wasn't sure if the family would enjoy it. It actually ended up being our favorite TS restaurant of our trip. Just booked another ADR for our May trip.

Biggest Diappointment- I guess it would have to be Wolfgang Puck express. We had ate there several times and loved it. Went back again six months later and the menu had changed. The menu was half the size it had been before. Many of our favorite items were no longer on the menu. Plus no more salads with the pasta entrees. It's still OK but was just disppointed from what we'd had before.
 
Based on my last trip~

Biggest Disappointment: Peco's Bill-I've heard great things about their burgers. Not a big fan!!

Biggest Surprise: Cape May Clambake~I don't like seafood so I was worried about going here and it turned out to be one of my favorite meals of the trip!!
CBR food court was surprisingly good too!!:goodvibes
 
Suprise- Chefs! Love the atmposphere, loved the food, loved the service!

Disappointment- Hoop Dee Doo :( The sangria tasted like cough syrup, the food was gross, & our server was terrible! Plus, I got very sick later that night & I think their gritty & mushy fried chicken was to blame. The cuplrit certainly wasn't the lukewarm beer because she only gave us one of those & ignored us for the remainder of the meal.
 
Biggest surprise
TS: Wolfgang Puck Cafe. I'm a picky eater and love Italian and Italian restaurants are usually my favorite. However, the food and service were excellent.
CS: Cosmic Rays. I know it gets good reviews but it's one of the last meals we ate and up to that point our QS service meals were subpar at best. The grilled chicken was very good.

Biggest disappointment
TS: Mama Melrose. I know it doesn't get good reviews but everywhere at HS is a mixed bag. However, the food was average which is fine. The problem was overall service. We didnt get seated until 45 minutes after our ADR (we were on time). Also, our service was slow and the tables to either side remained not bussed for the duration of our meal which made no sense considering how long we had to wait. Also, it took about an hour for our food to come out. Never again.

QS: Columbia harbor house and Backlot Express.
CHH: just disappointed considering all the great reviews it had. I thought it was average at best. Plus it took about 35 minutes to get our food.
Backlot: terrible. I've had better sandwiches at fast food joints. It was just really bad.
 
Let's see, kinda tough question...

Biggest surprise(s):
Olivia's at OKW: great service, great food, nice atmosphere. We ate there a couple of times on our last trip, and we really enjoyed it
Tusker House b'fast: despite some "disappointing" reviews on this thread, we really enjoyed Tusker House! We skipped the "picture with Donald" bit and went straight in. We had great food, good character interaction, and a nice breakfast. Maybe it helped that we went way early?
Cape May dinner: we'd eaten here before, on our first trip to BC, but I don't really remember that. We decided to try it b/c we had a night w/ no adr, and we were right there. It was really good! Everything was hot and fresh, and it wasn't too crowded. We're going back on our next trip.

Biggest disappointment(s):
Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco TS): another one we tried on a whim, and we were really excited. Sadly, our food was dry and bland, and we were disappointed. The whole place (menu, interior, everything) needs a complete makeover/updating. I think American palates are more sophisticated than they were when the restaurant opened.
Beaches and Cream: formerly a must-do for us, we usually skip it now. The ice cream is still delicious as ever, and I love the chicken noodle soup, but everything else is just blah. It used to be so yummy. :( I hate that they changed the burgers and ruined it!

But the BIGGEST disappointment, by far, was... The Wave: another one we were excited to try! We made a last-minute ADR (we do that a lot--our dining plans are always fluid), and hurried over to CR. The service was good, but we thought the restaurant itself looked like a convention meeting room w/ some tables and chairs (at least where we were sitting), and the food was only ok. I did get chili as an appetizer, and it was delicious. For our entree, we split a surf and turf type thing. It had filet medallions w/ barbecue sauce, spicy greens, and shrimp cakes. The shrimp cakes were inedible. Honestly. Neither of us could even eat them. The sauce on the steak was overpowering, and the greens were way TOO sharp. Overall, the dish had no balance and was poorly planned and not well executed (can you tell I watch Top Chef?). Dessert was ok, but we aren't all that excited to ever return. :(
 
Our last trip I had a few things turned on their head; I walked away surprised more often this trip than any other.

Biggest Surprises:

Rose & Crown: Generally I'm not a fan of battered, savory fried items. I do like fish fried with corn-meal, but that's my roots ;) For some reason I went out on a limb and ordered the fried fish at R&C, and OHHH my goodness was it tasty. No denying it's fried, but it was very well done...crisp, not dripping in oil. And that tartar sauce was delish. Even skeptical DH liked it.

LTT: Meaning forever to go here and try the yummy looking toffee cake. Finally made a ressie, and onestly went in expecting any entree to be so-so Stouffer's variety filler...with dessert as the start. I'm not sure why, but I ordered the pot roast despite the warm afternoon. PlusI went crazy over the pot roast! Nice big veggies, yummy, tender meat. I made num-num noises the whole time ;) DH ordered the special, a tilapia...which is not really his favorite fish, but he wanted something "light." He said it was very good. Now this should go in the disapppointments catagory, but it was a surprise -- we really didn't like the toffee cake! I was so disappointed :( It was just..well, SWEET. Which would be fine, except it just tasted like sugar -- not chocolate, or toffee, or even buttery...just sugar. And the ice cream was very cheap; very thin and weird.

Y&Y: the lettuce wraps were so-so, but the dim sum entree was quite enjoyable. DH LOVED the sweet and sour Mahi Mahi. Service was great, and this has to be the best place to cool down in the entire park.

Toy Story Pizza Planet: More a surprise we didn't loathe it. Now I didn't expect this to be quality pizza...even close. But we were STARVING, wet and ready to just stop walking. And this was the closest place. I expected something like student union pizza...warmed-over brick with sauce. But this was definitely better than that -- fresh, warm, chewy crust, and oddly the simple little salad on the side really hit the spot. Nary a wilted leaf in sight and perfect light amount of dressing.

Disappointed:

LTT: see above about the ooey gooey toffee cake...sadness!

Karamelle Kuche: was so excited to try the caramel popcorn, but it was a great disappointment. Tasted more like the karo glaze that goes on popcorn balls than a caramel flavor. And honestly I think caramel popcorn needs a little salt to give that contrast for amazing flavor, but this was just sugary. Was also a little flat/stale...like cracker jacks.

Kona Sushi Bar: Tasted like supermarket sushi. And somehow, even though we sat and watched them make it, it tasted like it had been sitting around. Sushi rice was SO soaked in rice vinegar it killed all other flavors. The crab cake roll was acceptable, though DH didn't care for it at all. Plus, place was packed, and only one waiter was handling everyone.

Lapu Lapu: I know...what a shock. Now the bartender was GREAT, and it was fun to see the look on people's faces as I walked from the Tambu lounge over to the sushi bar with this. But it tasted hugely of dark rum (which may have been the bartender thinking he was being nice and upping my alcohol portion ;) ), and yet very watery. The only hint of pineapple/fruit juice I could get tasted like the kind of juice you get in those off-off-off brand tiny metal cans -- tastes metallic, harsh, etc.

Grand Marnier slush: Again, color me shocked. It was way too sweet and cloying. Perhaps I should have gone for the lemon one. DH HATED it.
 
We have gone the last 3 years so this is a composit of those trips

SUPRISES;
Chefs de France for lunch. Tried it in '09 becos we got free DDP. Loved it and have gone back the next 2trips and has gotten even better

WPE Market place. We had eaten there on prior trips as our 1st night dinner & stopping by for a salad & pizza. In '09 we ate there for 4 of our 5 CS meals ( had free DDP).We did 3 meals there each of the last 2trips :thumbsup2

Yatchsman. WOW. Decided to give it a shot last year. Loved it and went back this year.Great food & service

GFC Who knew a burger with lobster tail could taste so good:woohoo:

NOW for the other (not a big list;))
Raglan Road. I usually love Pub grub but the fish & chips were not good.The chips were undercooked but the fish was overcooked.The salad came out w/o a dressing and the server was running around so we ate it dry(not her fault she had too many tables IMO)
However we might give it another chance but at lunch;))

TuttoItalia. No second chance here.Our entrees came out in less than 10 minutes.They must have been sitting under a heat lamp or something.It was almost twice the price Carrabasa and not as good.Glad it was a free DDP
 
Best Surprise:
The Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney

Biggest Disappointment:
Chefs de France (It's kind of a personal preference thing. I just didn't care for the food choices.)
 
Biggest disappointments: has to be Chef Mickey's. We go every year and it has been going downhill every year. We always seem to get a table in the back by the server door, we miss all of the action. Also, the food is terrible now...usually cold and tasteless. And it's dirty...food on the floors etc. We used to love it but now it is off of our list. I know it's popular but imo their are so many other character meals that are better.

Another disappointment: Jiko - the cooking place. And it wasn't because of the spiciness of the food. DH and I went for a night out and it was our anniversary. We were excited. First off, we had a late ADR (8 pm) and we had to wait over 30 minutes for our table even though the restaurant was 3/4 empty. Then when we were seated, we were seated at a two person tabletop right in the middle of the room. While that would have been fine during a busy time, since the restaurant was quite empty and they knew it was a special occasion, we asked to be moved. We got a table in the corner but right near the kitchen door. Oh well. Our first course was good but it went downhill after that. Our entree and dessert were overcooked and seemed to be sitting there for a while. Also, we felt as if they were rushing us out because they wanted to close up. It was really uncomfortable and we could not wait to get out of there. It was def not worth the cost.

Now for the surprises:
Crystal Palace - We have eaten there quite a few times and we have been pleasantly surprised each time. Last May we decided to pop in at the end of breakfast to see if we could get in. it was no problem and the best experience we have ever had. Because they were setting up for lunch, one buffet was breakfast and one was lunch so we were able to choose from both. And because there weren't too many parties left, we got more character interaction then we have ever had. They kept coming around to "play" instead of the quick picture/autograph. It was awesome!

Mama Melrose - I made this reservation only because we wanted to get the Fantasmic! package. We had never eaten there and quite frankly, we weren't expecting much as we were doing it strictly for the package. Well...it was very good. The service was very quick but attentive, the food was plentiful and tasty and we didn't wait very long at all for our table. I would definitely go there again!
 
Biggest positive surprises for us were:
QS: WPE - excellent quality, portions and service. Felt more like a TS
TS: LTT - we had the pilgrim's feast. It was the best pot roast we've eaten at a restaurant
Dissapointment
QS: I personally didn't like pizza planet but the kids did. Pizza was a little too convenience food tasting
TS: la Hacienda. Of the six of us eating myself and one of the kids were the only ones to like our meal. We reserved here for a later time because the view of illuminations was supposed to be great. we didn't have any kind of view, didn't get a window seat, the service was great, but food quality was so so. We were on a free dp but if we had paid for the meal it would have been well over $200 and certainly not worth it.
 
Last week:

Surprise - KONA! :thumbsup2
BEST meals we had!

Disappointment - Boma :confused3
The place is really nice but it wasn't for us.
 
Biggest surprises:

Rose and Crown - I've been to London...and I can't say that gastro-pubs make even the top 10 of my preferred cuisines. DH wanted to go and since I'm an ENORMOUS Pride and Prejudice fan, I relented. I REALLY liked it! Shocked myself.

Mama Melrose - The service here is slllloooowwwww, but the food was delicious. Much better than I expected. I would definitely go back again.


Biggest disappointments:

Coral Reef - Everyone seems to want a reservation here, but honestly nobody in our family liked what they ordered. I had a fish dish that was so salted with cajun spices it was literally inedible. DH didn't like his steak all that much. The kids liked the dessert, but that was the only highlight.

ABC Commissary - Holy.mother.of.Moses. I cannot believe that this place is allowed to do business on Disney property. This is by some margin the worst meal I have ever had in a restaurant. I didn't go in with high expectations, but I at least expected a food-like substance. No lie, I had better food in my elementary school cafeteria back in 1980, when gelatinous green gravy ("turkey" gravy) was still en vogue. I shudder every time I pass this restaurant.
 
On my last trip:

Biggest awesome surprise: The Plaza at MK--the food was awesome and the staff suggested we scoot our ADR until just after the parade even though it was close to their closing time.

Big awesome surprise: Narcoosee's--this was an unplanned dinner, but the music piped in for Wishes was wonderful after a long day in the MK.

Big surprise: ASMo pizza delivery--surprisingly good pizza

Better than expected: Restaurant Marrakesh--we went there after arriving in the early evening. It was during record low temperatures, and it supposedly snowed--in Orlando! The hot tea was wonderful, welcome and plentiful. The food wasn't exceptional, but the service was. For a walk-in with no ADR it was terrific.

Biggest letdown: 50's Prime Time cafe--I'd eaten there years ago when I visited on a one-day trip with my mom, and it was wonderful. Maybe it was because we were there towards the end of lunch, but the experience was more rude than 50's TV-like.

Biggest letdown that turned into a surprise: Kouzzina--there was a fire in the kitchen right at our ADR time, and they had to shut down for the night. But, we went back for breakfast, and it was terrific! Anyone who complains about the coffee at WDW should try theirs.

The ASMo food court wasn't really a disappointment, but after eating crowded breakfasts with the Brazilian school tour groups (not really their fault, a bunch of teenagers at WDW should be loud when gathered all in one place), I scheduled breakfast outside of the resort as much as possible. (Plus I get to have a lot of character interaction this way :) )

Edit: After completing reading the whole thread, I have to echo the complaints about Chefs de France. I had just figured the service was slow because we walked for a late dinner. I'm also glad that I decided to hit the Sci-Fi Dine-in rather than Brown Derby for lunch in HS on my upcoming trip.
 
Just returned this past Saturday...

biggest surprise-Big River Grill at Boardwalk (this was our one free night of no reservations)What a great choice..I think my burger was the BEST I have ever eaten. Even hubby remarked that I finished the entire thing! There was about a 45 min wait for inside but immediate outside seating so we sat outside near one of the patio heaters they had-it was great for people watching!
Also we really liked Via Napoli-we had the BEST pizza for lunch one day and Earl of Sandwich (DTD) had great (and reasonably priced) sandwiches. Would definitely go back to all 3 of these places on our trip next year.

biggest disappointment-Le Chefs De France. Booked there for the CP and had the chicken, broccoli and potatoes. Food was VERY bland, potatoes were like home fries. Best part of meal was the cheese plate appetizer. We paid OOP and it was our most expensive meal of our trip.
 


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