Y'all have me nervous now!

[keahgirl8]

I'm reading all of these bad reviews and opinions about the places where I have ADRs!

My issues are:

1. I don't know when I will get to go to WDW again, so I want to go somewhere that has not only good food, but good atmosphere.

2. I am an EXTREMELY picky eater. Not by choice, but for health reasons. I can't eat red meat, anything fried or greasy, or lettuce salads.

I have ADRS at San Angel Inn, Sci-Fi, Kona, and Rainforest Cafe @ AK and Coral Reef. Now I'm worried about my choices. Any advice?

 

[Aimeedyan]

My advice: stick to what you have.

There is not one restaurant in the World that EVERYONE loved or even liked. That's what makes us different - we all like different things and have different experiences. Seriously - we'd all starve if we didn't eat anywhere that others didn't like. Besides the hype is often part of the problem. I know it was with my most disappointing meal.

Go in with a positive attitude and enjoy your vacation. And report back =)

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

In another thread, a poster had a great piece of advice. Look for specifics on what made a meal good or bad. My family had been on Soarin' at DCA many times before I ever did. They told me how great it was. Well, after going on the ride I was very disappointed. It couldn't possibly live up to all the hype I'd heard about it. Do I hate the ride? No. Is it my favorite? No, but it has grown on me. Choose your meals based on the menus and what sounds good to you. Reviews can be helpful if you're trying to decide between two places, but everybody has a different opinion, and those could end up confusing you. You know what you're looking for in a meal, and choose your meals based off of that.

 

[jonimce]

We have been to all of the places you chose except for Kona, and we enjoyed them all.

 

[phyllis1966]

Ditto what everyone has already said. We like places that have gotten some bad reviews and we hated some places that get some rave reviews. It's bound to happen because we all have different tastes. Stick with what you have and see how you like them.

I'm pretty picky and I love San Angel Inn (mostly for the ambience, but I like the food, too). We've only had breakfast at Kona Cafe, but it was good and I've read mostly great reviews of the food there. We ate at Rainforset Cafe in AK and while the food was good, the service was not (we waited forever with a 3 1/2 year old - ugh!) - cool atmosphere, though. Never been to the others...

Don't sweat it and have a great time!

 

[TTA Deb]

I think you've made great choices. We enjoyed Christmas dinner last year at San Angel Inn. You can't beat the atmosphere! And our food was delicious. Sci-fi is one of our favorites due to the atmosphere. During one of our trips, I was on a restricted diet and had difficulty finding a good choice on the menu. The kids menu featured something that would be perfect, and our server allowed me to order it ...she was very accomodating. So enjoy your choices and if you have problems with the menu, talk to your server. Most we've had have been extremely helpful.

 

[Mike N Kathy]

Ok im kinda going off the bandwagon here but....If you are worried about your choices maybe u should switch some things up a bit ...First off : rainforest cafe -is like whatever i would totally ditch it they have locations all over the US no need to eat there while on vacation at disney...Coral reef is more about atmosphere the food isnt all that good....Sci fi- if u stick to burgers and shakes u will be fine...Kona- GREAT ...San angel inn- More about atmosphere then the food :/ ....thats just my 2cents....I can speak my mind or tell you what u want to make u happy and im not gonna do that :/ If u want PM me with what you CAN eat b/c i see u have some restrictions there and i can try and make some suggestions

 

[MICKEEP]

If there are 50 restaurants at WDW you will find exactly 100 different opinions on them. You will find there is someone who loves and someone who hates every one of the restaurants. A case in point is our experience at Marakesh. In our two visits to this restaurant we have had one of our best WDW dining experiences and one of our worst. So you never know.

The best direction to go and the best resource for making decisions is reviewing the menus and deciding which restaurants serve the food that you find interesting.

Your choices are fine. I would not have chosen Rainforest because I don't consider it "Disney". As an alternate, if you are looking for atmosphere, how about a Character buffet such as Crystal Palace


PS - I don't think you will be happy with the food choices at Sci-Fi, because of your health reasons, but the atmosphere is great and everyone has to do Sci-Fi at least once.

When it comes down to it, how bad can it be ....... YOUR AT WDW

 

[Mad4Dizne]

We stuck to burgers and such (lunch was about $68/with tip); we really
enjoyed it--the atmosphere was OUTSTANDING!!!! The pictures--priceless. We had heard alot of bad reviews, but stuck to the burgers/sandwiches/etc and were really happy with our dining experience. Just like at home though--all dining experiences are subject to personal opinion and most places have at least a few good things/or a few things you will like. I'm sure your choices will be fine!! You'll be in Disney after all!

[I would make sure when you book your AR's that all your dietary restrictions are noted]

 

[Peter Pirate]

I agree that you should review the menu's for your choices ahead of time, then perhaps you can garner some reviews of those specific items that you are interested in.

As to WDW restaurants everyone is correct who says all restaurants will get positives and negatives - although some more than others. The trick is to ascertain which kind of diner you are in conjuction with those doing the reviews (sometimes tough).

Right here on this thread Mike'n'Kathy don't reccommend Rainforest because it's a chain found in numerous locations. But if you don't happen to live near one of those locations this restaurant will be a first for you. Further their review on Kona was while I find Kona totally mundane (although most people around here DO seem to like it a lot).

Don't fret, it'll be good!

 

[SandraVB79]

Have you looked at the menu's of the restaurants? Do you like what's on? If yes, just go for it!

There are people that like/ don't like exotic food, there are people who don't like the hamburger places, and there are people who don't like the fancier restaurants.
Was it easy to get adr's for those restaurants? Did they have all possible time slot on each possible day left? NO?? Oh, that means other people also want to eat there! See, nothing to worry about!

 

[kizmac]

I'm reading all of these bad reviews and opinions about the places where I have ADRs!

My issues are:

1. I don't know when I will get to go to WDW again, so I want to go somewhere that has not only good food, but good atmosphere.

2. I am an EXTREMELY picky eater. Not by choice, but for health reasons. I can't eat red meat, anything fried or greasy, or lettuce salads.

I have ADRS at San Angel Inn, Sci-Fi, Kona, and Rainforest Cafe @ AK and Coral Reef. Now I'm worried about my choices. Any advice?

I know exactly how you feel because that was me last year. I spent hours reading reviews and second guessing my choices because it was our first time on the dining plan and we had only eaten at a few of the places before. Didn't think we'd do the dining plan again so I wanted to pick some places we may not be able to afford to do otherwise. The only place I really let the reviews sway me against was WCC. We choose Boma, 'Ohana, 50 PT, CM,Le Cellier,CP, CRT, LTT and LOVED every single one of them. Many of those choices you can find bad reviews on. The only one I'm not doing again is CRT because of the crazy changes for dinner and I do have to agree with the many reviews about the food being lack luster at Chef Mickey's but hey....can't beat the atmosphere for a first night in Disney so we'll be returning there.

Review the menus and if they appeal to you....don't worry! We've eaten at Sci-fi quite a few times and always have enjoyed the meals. The atmosphere is great for kids. Same with Rainforest...we have been to the DTD one many times but not the one at AK. I assume they would be the same though. Relax and while reviews can be helpful, just look at them and make note of exactly where the majority of complaints are coming from. Is it service? Some people are never happy with service that is anything less than fantastic, and it can ruin the whole meal for those people. I tend to not be hugely bothered by off service maybe because I waitressed for 10+ years.

As for the food critics....some people on the DIS are excellent food critics and you can usually tell by how in depth their dining reviews are, and how frequent they go to WDW. I do take stock in their opinions, but I do keep in mind, different strokes for different folks. Continue to check out the reviews if there is still a lot of time till your trip for changes, just take them each for what their worth beause some are worth more than others. If you are getting close to your trip, then my advice is to quit reading reviews, relax and look forward to a great trip!

 

[Christine]

kizmac gives good advice!!

One thing to look at is: what kind of "dining" do you enjoy at home?

Not to offend anyone but if your favorite restaurants are TGI Fridays, Chili's, Red Lobster, etc., you're probably going to be pretty happy with *most* of the food at WDW. Dining out happens to be one of my "hobbies" at home and going to some the chain-type restaurants is almost a disappointment for me. So, you can see that I'm probably NOT going to be happy with the buffet fare at Chef Mickey's, the often-dry meat at 'Ohana, and the seemingly-frozen veggies served at the Liberty Tree Tavern. I *know* that about myself now which is why I stick to Citricos, Artist Point, Flying Fish--places like that.

That's not to say everything else is "bad" because it is not. My family really enjoyed most everything about 'Ohana, for instance, but I was very underwhelmed with the meats. But I was not upset with the experience as a whole there.

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Hoop Dee Do Review but, quite honestly, the food there is quite mundane.

I guess you've got to figure out what is more important--food or atmosphere. I try to mix it up on my trips. I go somewhere where I know I'll get fabulous meal but the kids won't be entertained and then I switch it up another night and get 'ho-hum' food another night with a fun atmosphere.

It's wonderful when you get BOTH in one package (for me that was Boma) and terrible when you get niether (Liberty Tree for me).

 

[mickeyfan2]

If you have looked at the menus and the food you want is there, then keep then and enjoy your vacation.

 

[DisFlan]

If you have health issues, you can tallk to the chef at just about any Disney restaurant before you get there. They'll work with you to make your meal enjoyable.


DisFlan

 

[Ms.Mouse]

Keahgirl8, I really know what your'e talking about. I was in you're position a couple of years ago where I brought my DD, who is now grown, for the first time since she was a young teen. Her son (my DGS ) also came, as well as my DS (hasn't been there for many years also) SO, I wanted to make this trip a GREAT ONE!!!!! Well, I went on-line and there were bad reviews on a couple of places I wanted to eat. I almost didn't go to Donald's Breakfast for the bad reviews and that was one of the most fun character breakfasts we went to AND the food was hot and tasty.

My advice.... Look at the menus AND "GO WITH YOUR GUT".

 

[Amy&Dan]

I haven't read all the postings on this one, but I agree with somebody who said you will get 100 different opinions! For what its worth, I love all of your choices, have been to all of them and think you will be happy with your picks. Have a great trip!

 

[Amy&Dan]

2. I am an EXTREMELY picky eater. Not by choice, but for health reasons. I can't eat red meat, anything fried or greasy, or lettuce salads.

I have ADRS at San Angel Inn, Sci-Fi, Kona, and Rainforest Cafe @ AK and Coral Reef. Now I'm worried about my choices. Any advice?

I just noticed your health issues. All of your choices, including Sci Fi can accomodate you. My mother has cancer and cannot eat alot of the same things you can't. SciFi, made her a plain, grilled chicken sandwich and put a side of kids mac and cheese with it. No problem. Coral Reef also has grilled chicken with mashed potatoes on the kids menu and if you explain your situation they will absolutely serve you this, they did for my mom. I happen to love Rainforest but they don't have one here. Still, its one of our fave's and again, they have a huge menu with a ton of choices. I think you will be fine! All of your places have wonderful atmospheres that will make you feel like you are eating someplace special.

 

[Mamu]

With all the bad reviews about a restaurant there are just as many good reviews. We have a tendency of only hearing or reading the bad.

While I agree with some, some I do not agree about. Try a get a seat in these restaurants if you don't have ADR's, no luck. How bad can they be, someone likes them.

I often like to ask just to see what people say. Sometimes you get rave reviews and it a restaurant you do not care for. Other times you get warnings about the food or service and your experience is the complete opposite.

 

[estnh]

I think your choices are excellent and represent a pretty good cross section.

When it comes to subjective topics like food preferences, sometimes these boards can hurt more than they help. If you look long enough, you'll probably find equal "pros and cons" for any restaurant--the only way you can judge is to pick what you think your family would prefer!

Try to forget the hype and just go enjoy these restaurants--they are all fun. If you read these boards long enough, you can build the expectations so high that the reality can never compare.

You've obviously done your research, and made your choices. Now forget about it and ENJOY them!!!!