Where NOT to eat in WDW?

[UKDEB]

Hmmm, this thread has really got me thinking (something I normally try to avoid this early in the week! ).

It really is all about expectations. We took our first Disney cruise last December and, having consumed many meals at various locations throughout WDW over the years, the standard of dining aboard the Disney Wonder was exactly as I expected. Not fantastic, but not awful either.

The three main restaurants were on a par with the Epcot full-service eateries and I would put Palo in the same category as some of the 'better' resort restaurants such as Flying Fish Cafe, Artist Point, Citricos and Jiko, but not as good as California Grill. Funnily enough, this is one of only a few Disney restaurants which I do think measures up to the hype. I agree that it's noisy, but then so are many of the hip restaurants in the World's major cities.

To answer the OP's question, the following are amongst some of the worst places we've eaten:

Tony's - totally agree with what's already been said;
Pizzafari;
CRT (lunch);
Coral Reef - not dreadful, just overpriced (and significantly so, IMO).

I can think of loads more which I'd describe as disappointing, but I'm still glad I've tried them all.

 

[SimonV]

Here are a few more which are, at best, only ordinary (especially for the prices):

Restaurant Marrakech (Morocco pavilion), Nine Dragons (China) and Rose & Crown ($15.99 for sausage and mash? Come ON!) at Epcot; Cindy's at MK (as most people suggest. It's worth popping in for a look, but WAY overpriced); Pizza Planet at Disney-MGM (why can't Disney do good theme park pizza? This is a recurring theme and plumbs new depths in DLP!!) while Hollywood & Vine is pretty uninspiring, IMHO; Pinocchio's and Pecos Bill Cafe are also worth avoiding. Victoria & Albert's (GF) is hideously overpriced compared to places like Artist's Point (Wilderness Lodge) and bluezoo (Dolphin), while I always find Bongo's Cuban Cafe at DD rather disappointing.

The main thing I find these days is that prices are creeping up to an uncomfortable level; theme park food should not be THAT expensive, but it is now often at least $10 a head just for counter service. When the likes of Sweet Tomatoes, Boston Market and Panera Bread (all outside Disney) offer great food for half the price, it is definitely worth being very careful with your holiday budget. The new Whistle Junction Grill & Buffet on I-Drive is also great value, too, while Bear Rock Cafe near Mall at Millenia is worth seeking out.

PS: If you like Olive Garden, you should definitely check out the Macaroni Grill chain. Excellent value, too.

PPS: Best value at DD? Check out the Earl of Sandwich; some of their hot sandwiches are plenty for 2 and start at just $4.99.

 

[tim june and sam]

PPS: Best value at DD? Check out the Earl of Sandwich; some of their hot sandwiches are plenty for 2 and start at just $4.99.

Good comments Simon, agree with most but mostly agreed with this one! The line was enormous one night in mid-October and their system seemed to leave a lot to be desired (resulted in order numbers being shouted out across the shop floor), but the sandwiches were excellent and very generous portions too.

They also did an excellent Michelob bottled beer - "Amber Bock" I think it was called(?). Anyone know if that is available in the UK?

 

[Honeibee]

Well, I thought the character breakfast at 1900 Park was awesome! The characters were great fun and I loved the food. I really didn't want to leave!

We ate at CG the night before our wedding. I don't remember it being noisy, but I do remember the food being really delicious. We had a great server. But to be fair, we were on the old Gold Plan so I really didn't worry about how much it was.

 

[Merylj]

Last New Years day, we had dinner at CG and it was one of the best dinner experiences I`d had ever. However me and DD ate there in Aug and the food was`nt nice at all.
I think alot of the restaurants at WDW suffer from inconsistency with food and service. We thought Alfredo`s was terrible - many people seem to think it`s great. You pay your money and take a chance.

 

[UKDEB]

Victoria & Albert's (GF) is hideously overpriced compared to places like Artist's Point (Wilderness Lodge) and bluezoo (Dolphin)

Now, Simon; you know I would normally bow down to your superior knowledge, but I really have to take issue with you on this one!

bluezoo is currently amongst my favourite restaurants on WDW property and I also enjoy Artist Point, but they really are not in the same league as V&A's. For me it's the only true upscale eatery at WDW and deserves its AAA 4 Diamond (or is it 5; I lose track?) rating. The prices are precisely what I'd expect to pay for this standard of dining and no more than comparable places.

Can you tell me more about the Whistle Junction Grill & Buffet and the Bear Rock Cafe? Did you ever try Texas de Brasil?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have never eaten on-site apart from Chef Mickey's which we liked.

Did consider the Rose and Crown a couple of times but never got round to it.

For value and quality we tend to stick with Olive Garden/Outback/Golden Corral/Sweet Tomatoes for quality and value for money.

As well as cooking for ourselves also

 

[Pootle]

Places I wouldn't go back to:

Sci-Fi (well maybe for dessert only because it is a fun place)
Coral Reef - way overpriced
Spoodles - disappointed after the hype it gets
Hollywood & Vine - now you are talking noisy, good value though
Restaurant Marrakesh - didn't care for the food

I usually have one visit to California Grill and have never been disappointed and agree with Simon on Macaroni Grill - good food and nice place; I prefer it to the Olive Garden.

 

[maggs]

The worst place I have ever eaten at in WDW was Beaches and Cream. We were all totally unimpressed with the disgusting dry wraps which had one piece of processed turkey in each. The chips (crisps) that came with them were soft and the cookie burnt. The milkshake was horrible and the service lousy. I cant even bear the thought of going back.

Margaret

 

[arieliwish]

As we were on the dining plan this year we got to try out loads of disney eating places. Most were good or better than good, however....

Sci - Fi - we loved this place last year and had a great server - Hi Patrick!! Unfortunately our expectations were high and we visited on our first day in Orlando this year. We were given the lunch menu, then told by our uninterested server that we had to choose from the dinner menu, couldn't be bothered to bring one and she just told us what to choose from! Food was not good, kids glo-cubes never came, and it was the only place we were charged extra for DS second juice - dining plan didn't cover it - as it was our first day we went along with it, but everywhere else over the next two weeks gave free refills.

CRT B/F - as said before, good experience, food was ok but not fantastic (Ohana character B/F much better food).

PSB Norway - felt very rushed, food not great, and still as expensive as other character B/F.

Just for info - best meals were Boma, Le Cellier (most expensive but don't care as on dining plan!!), Cali Grill - setting takes your breath away! Kona cafe was surprising good too, only went as we couldn't get in Ohana one evening.
And excellent service at these 4 too, it does make a difference.

 

[princess jackson]

We also used the dinning plan, and got to try out loads of places. We normally eat outside the parks, but this year we spoilt ourselves and not going back. LOL

We did not like the CRT dinner, overpriced and the food was no the best.
Sci Fi, not impressed, waited ages for our main course.
Pizza Planet, waited in line for 30mins, for 1 pizza!!!!

I love Crystal Palace. DH likes spoodle and tony's

We thought, mama melrose, liberty tree tavern, 50's prime time were average.

We much perfer the buffet meals.

Trying Chef Mickey, Ohana, 1900 park fare, and Garden Grill in 5 weeks time

 

[SimonV]

Hi Deb!

I guess I don't really enjoy the V&A formality in informal Florida, although I have to admit the food is superb (but I still think bluezoo and co are better vfm; you can also add Roy's on Sand Lake Road to our current list of good up-scale dining, along with Zen at Champions Gate Resort).

Whistle Junction Buffet is a new chain version of the Ponderosa/Golden Corral-type all-you-can-eat buffets, situated just on the right of I-Drive north of Kirkman Rd as you go north towards the old Belz Outlets (and right opposite a new Sonic Drive-in restaurant). It has a vague train-type theme but the spread of food (especially fresh veg, a carvery and steak station) is way above the others, IMHO. You do pay a few dollars more, but it was hard to stop eating here on our first visit!

Bear Rock Cafe is in the Target/Home Depot plaza opposite Mall at Millenia on Millenia Boulevard, and is a variation on the Panera Bread theme, which we really enjoy. They do some excellent salads and sandwiches, great coffee and pastries, and have been featuring some excellent-value specials recently (2-for-1, etc).

Haven't made it to Texas de Brasil yet, but it does get good reviews from the locals. We also have two other good 'local' recommendations for you on your next trip!

 

[lagunn]

Loved the food at Princess story book at Norway in Epcot. (was a bit rushed though)
Did'nt like Hollywood and Vine at all.

 

[UKDEB]

you can also add Roy's on Sand Lake Road to our current list of good up-scale dining, along with Zen at Champions Gate Resort

That's good to hear - Zen is on our list for January, partly due to some good reviews, but also as an excuse to check out Champions Gate Resort.

We also have two other good 'local' recommendations for you on your next trip!

Is that my cue to sign up for my next PIP? I would, of course, expect the Brit's Guide team to accompany me!

 

[angel659]

Rose & Crown at Epcot. Food, service, quantity and price very poor.

Garden Grill as the menu has changed, but love the atmosphere so not sure now on this one

Sci-fi and 50 prime at MGM is a no no for me. Not value for money at all and service very poor

 

[dalymum]

Hi
After reading this and other sites, I wanted to have a Disney Dining experience. I rang through one evening from the hotel on the off-chance and the only availablity was at Maya Grill at Coronado Springs. The meal was poor and expensive. Because DD and her firend were 15 they had to pay double to eat from the kids menu which meant chicken nuggets and chips cost 18 dollars each, the portions were large but very very ordiinary. DH and I had steak and it was chewy. Put me off DD for a long time!

 

[Rella Bella]

These are really our only two experiences that were disappointing...
and we've had LOTS of DD meals...

Pizza Planet
food was lame, took a long time and it was SO noisy because of the arcade. But DS had fun... because he was VERY into 'Toy Story' at the time

and

Biergarten Restaurant
Atmosphere was great! We had fun! My DS got to direct the orchestra... he loved it. But the food was marginal. We were very excited because we had lived in Germany... but it was just not what we expected. It's a buffet and there was a good selection, we did okay, but they did not have a childrens menu and finding something for DS who was 6 or 7 and picky was a real challenge. We probably won't go back.

 

[mushumadness]

we didnt like the rose and crown in epcot last year and havnt made an adr there this year, food was very poor and cold to boot,

we did really enjoy crystal palace for both breakfast and dinner

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
On our last visit to the Rose & Crown we were late getting seated, got inside seating despite requesting outside. Service was apalling, our main course was brought out before we finished our starter and the Hostess said "shall I just leave it with you..?" when we said no thank you she tutted and took it away. When we were ready for the main course she brought it back and of course it was cold..! One of the few occasions in USA when I left a $1 tip. It wasn't until later that I thought perhaps I was being a bit unfair and they were only trying to make it an authentic British dining experience....
Have to say as much as I love to stay onsite (DVC) I rarely eat onsite as I think most of it is overpriced compared to dining elsewhere.

Mick.

 

[pauldickinson]

over priced
noisy
very average food
enormous queues

what else can i say?