Popularity & Peer Pressure

[HouCuseChickie]

Have you ever tried a WDW restaurant because it's popular and everyone says "you have to try it!!!!" And how did it all turn out if you did? On the flipside, have you ever tried a place that everyone bashes or at least says is overrated? And how did that go?

Sometimes I think it's hard for any of these places to live up to expectations when people make some of these places sound like the greatest thing since sliced bread. Examples: I think I would have gone in with more normal expectations and had more positive take aways on places like Le Cellier, 'Ohana and Boma had people been like "it's good." vs. "IT'S TO DIE FOR!!!!" On the flip side, the "most overrated" threads aren't much better b/c some people interpret overrated to mean bad...when in some cases, it's just not the mind blowing food someone else said it was.

Sorry, it's just been irking me of late that popularity(or lack there of) and the related pressurre (from bold accolades/bashing and strong recommendations, etc.) can really impact the various restaurants. I mean, I know it's inevitable when we all have strong opinions on a destination we love, but it really has me thinking about the power of an opinion.

 

[LizC]

YES! I tried Le Cellier on my last visit, and was a bit disappointed. I went in expecting a top notch service coupled with a perfectly cooked high quality steak. This is not what I got, although I will admit the sauce that comes with the filet was AMAZING. I really do not understand the appeal of this restaurant.

On the "flipside" my family and I tried 'Ohana because of its rave reviews and we loved it! A fun buffet atmosphere, but they bring the food to you! A huge plus with 2 toddlers.

I agree the impact of other people's opinions on this site does help shape my Disney trips. But that is the fun of it. Usually it encourages me to try new restaurants or experiences I wouldn't have otherwise, some work out and some don't. But either way, I'm still at Disney!

 

[Figgy1]

I have my must do list and my I won't go back to list (1 place,) but I'll try any place at least once and my goal is to visit every restaurant on property! That being said 1 new place for my next trip gets great reviews one place mixed reviews and the other seems off the radar! I'll admit the one with the great reviews is the one I'm most looking foward towards, but I wanted to go there when I read the menu! Always looking foward to new Disney experiences!

 

[disney magic 06]

I have my must do list and my I won't go back to list (1 place,) but I'll try any place at least once and my goal is to visit every restaurant on property! That being said 1 new place for my next trip gets great reviews one place mixed reviews and the other seems off the radar! I'll admit the one with the great reviews is the one I'm most looking foward towards, but I wanted to go there when I read the menu! Always looking foward to new Disney experiences!

I would have liked you to name those places Figgy!!

 

[LizC]

I have my must do list and my I won't go back to list (1 place,) but I'll try any place at least once and my goal is to visit every restaurant on property! That being said 1 new place for my next trip gets great reviews one place mixed reviews and the other seems off the radar! I'll admit the one with the great reviews is the one I'm most looking foward towards, but I wanted to go there when I read the menu! Always looking foward to new Disney experiences!

Just out of curiosity, what is the one place you will never go back to?

 

[MouseDreaming]

The place we tried that people seem to love and we were very disappointed was 50's Prime Time. DH didn't know what to get so I said people seem to really love the fried chicken. It was not so great. DH said it was almost as good as KFC, and we aren't big fans. DS and I got the pot roast which was good, but we can get it at other places. DD got something from the kids menu. The service was OK, no show though. We now refer to it as one and done.

Places that we like that not many other people seem to? Sci-Fi (have our ADR for June) and Tony's (skipping it for the first time to try some new places. Have promised DD that it will be our one ADR for Dec.).

 

[PUSH]

I haven't really done either since I haven't gone to Disney since joining this site, and there's no one around here who knows Disney as much as I do.

However, my relatives took us to 50s Prime Time and said it was just great. I found the food to be subpar and and "Cousin Mark" paid more attention to "Dwayne" and his family than anyone else in our room.

And I don't think Pizza Planet is a bad as everyone says.

 

[luv]

Boma, Le Cellier and Ohana have been overrated. They aren't as good as people make (and made, in the case of Boma) them out to be. They're fine, they just aren't all THAT good.

I've eaten in all the Disney restaurants I wanted to try (most of them multiple to many times) and have my favorites. Le Cellier is definitely not on the list, lol. But I'm glad that the places I like best aren't the popular ones. For a while, Les Chefs was pretty popular and it was more difficult to get a table there. It was fine, because Marrakesh is my top in Epcot and it is not on the popular list. So, yay for me. But I'm glad people have calmed down about Les Chefs a bit.

A lot of restaurants at Disney are very hit-or-miss as far as the quality goes. LTT is an excellent example. Sometimes it's great, other times it is terribly dry. You never know what you're going to get when you go in there. WCC was another one, but seems to be more on top of things lately.

But the only place that is consistently below par is Tony's. Tony's isn't terrible. It just isn't any good. And they charge so much more than the Olive Garden, which is better.

I like 50s Prime Time for the experience. Some of the food is not good, but some is okay. Depends what you order. LOVE those PB&J shakes, though. Yum.

T-Rex surprised me the most. I thought it would be terrible, but have thoroughly enjoyed every meal I've had. I don't love the noise and stuff, but the food is really good. IMO.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

YES! I tried Le Cellier on my last visit, and was a bit disappointed. I went in expecting a top notch service coupled with a perfectly cooked high quality steak. This is not what I got, although I will admit the sauce that comes with the filet was AMAZING. I really do not understand the appeal of this restaurant.

On the "flipside" my family and I tried 'Ohana because of its rave reviews and we loved it! A fun buffet atmosphere, but they bring the food to you! A huge plus with 2 toddlers.

I agree the impact of other people's opinions on this site does help shape my Disney trips. But that is the fun of it. Usually it encourages me to try new restaurants or experiences I wouldn't have otherwise, some work out and some don't. But either way, I'm still at Disney!

I had a very similar Le Cellier experience, although even my sauce was lacking. I was wondering if it was just me because we are so spoiled steak-wise locally...still I don't think I would have been as critical of it had it not been so hyped. We also really enjoyed 'Ohana...oddly enough though, it was the heavily hyped bread pudding that fell a bit flat with me. You are right ... 1) ultimately, all of this is fun - and yes, 2) we're at Disney

I have my must do list and my I won't go back to list (1 place,) but I'll try any place at least once and my goal is to visit every restaurant on property! That being said 1 new place for my next trip gets great reviews one place mixed reviews and the other seems off the radar! I'll admit the one with the great reviews is the one I'm most looking foward towards, but I wanted to go there when I read the menu! Always looking foward to new Disney experiences!

Would this be "Hollywood & Vile" you speak of?

The place we tried that people seem to love and we were very disappointed was 50's Prime Time. DH didn't know what to get so I said people seem to really love the fried chicken. It was not so great. DH said it was almost as good as KFC, and we aren't big fans. DS and I got the pot roast which was good, but we can get it at other places. DD got something from the kids menu. The service was OK, no show though. We now refer to it as one and done.

Places that we like that not many other people seem to? Sci-Fi (have our ADR for June) and Tony's (skipping it for the first time to try some new places. Have promised DD that it will be our one ADR for Dec.).

We found 50s to be very meh this last time we did it. DH LOOOOOVES fried chicken and he did really enjoy his, but it still was't something you'd qualify as "best." I've had the meatloaf and pot roast there and both were more average. And it's funny that you bring up Sci Fi and Tony's as both are places where negative opinions have pushed me away...still I'm thinkint we may pop into Sci Fi for a snack if we opt to hop because it seems to neat to not at least give it a chance.

I haven't really done either since I haven't gone to Disney since joining this site, and there's no one around here who knows Disney as much as I do.

However, my relatives took us to 50s Prime Time and said it was just great. I found the food to be subpar and and "Cousin Mark" paid more attention to "Dwayne" and his family than anyone else in our room.

And I don't think Pizza Planet is a bad as everyone says.

My issue with Pizza Planet is the same issue I have with most WDW pizza, but it's also b/c I grew up in NJ and am extremely picky. DH sooooo doesn't get it. Of course the kids have a blast in Pizza Planet though- so I do see value in it and the sweet treats are yum!

That may be the other thing...we recently had a big mgmt change in our area at work and I suddenly have 2 supervisors who are also really into WDW. Nothing like going in to discuss monthly #s and spending half your time mapping out dining plans for trips.

Boma, Le Cellier and Ohana have been overrated. They aren't as good as people make (and made, in the case of Boma) them out to be. They're fine, they just aren't all THAT good.

I've eaten in all the Disney restaurants I wanted to try (most of them multiple to many times) and have my favorites. Le Cellier is definitely not on the list, lol. But I'm glad that the places I like best aren't the popular ones. For a while, Les Chefs was pretty popular and it was more difficult to get a table there. It was fine, because Marrakesh is my top in Epcot and it is not on the popular list. So, yay for me. But I'm glad people have calmed down about Les Chefs a bit.

A lot of restaurants at Disney are very hit-or-miss as far as the quality goes. LTT is an excellent example. Sometimes it's great, other times it is terribly dry. You never know what you're going to get when you go in there. WCC was another one, but seems to be more on top of things lately.

But the only place that is consistently below par is Tony's. Tony's isn't terrible. It just isn't any good. And they charge so much more than the Olive Garden, which is better.

I like 50s Prime Time for the experience. Some of the food is not good, but some is okay. Depends what you order. LOVE those PB&J shakes, though. Yum.

T-Rex surprised me the most. I thought it would be terrible, but have thoroughly enjoyed every meal I've had. I don't love the noise and stuff, but the food is really good. IMO.

Gosh, I remember the days when Les Chefs was a tougher spot. We ended up dining in Morocco back in 1985 b/c we couldn't get an open table in France. We'd have to wait 2 years before we got to try it. We also tried LTT way back when and dry was my main memory. We did at least enjoy Les Chefs a lot when we did get to try it.

T-Rex is funny...DH really enjoyed his food while mine was OK, but the biggest thing- I always hear how loud it is and maybe I'm just half deaf but we didn't even notice the noise.

***** So right now -the biggest thing I'm getting is a lack of consistency. Of course there are different tastes and preferences...but that's what's jumping out at me as a whole.

 

[rufio]

I most definitely listen to the advice of folks here! If I'm unsure of where to go I always ask and usually go with the general opinion. But before I knew about this place I went to Sci Fi and LOVED it! Meanwhile, everyone here says it's not that great. If I'd asked here first, I may not have tried it and I would've missed out!

Some I did get recommendations for here include Raglan Road, Sanaa, and Flying Fish, which were great! But I also got many recommendations for Narcoossee's and didn't really enjoy it, and people also told me how bad Artist Point was and we enjoyed it!

I guess the moral of the story is that you really have to try everything out for yourself!

 

[Disvillain63]

Restaurants seem to be a personal choice...
We love 50's Prime Time and have a blast with our 'cousins' every time, but have disliked Sci-Fi each time we've tried it (3 times)...each kid has had to experience it.
Even though we liked the antics at 50's Prime Time, we didn't care for Wilderness Canyon...just not our cup of tea.
In November, we tried Kona Cafe but weren't 'blown away' by the experience or food...although others have raved about it and the Kona Cone...the main reason we went there.
The first 2 times we did T-Rex, we LOVED it...this past November, poor service (3:30 pm) and the food wasn't great either.

I agree with @HouCuseChickie...seems there is a lot of inconsistency with the dining.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I most definitely listen to the advice of folks here! If I'm unsure of where to go I always ask and usually go with the general opinion. But before I knew about this place I went to Sci Fi and LOVED it! Meanwhile, everyone here says it's not that great. If I'd asked here first, I may not have tried it and I would've missed out!

Some I did get recommendations for here include Raglan Road, Sanaa, and Flying Fish, which were great! But I also got many recommendations for Narcoossee's and didn't really enjoy it, and people also told me how bad Artist Point was and we enjoyed it!

I guess the moral of the story is that you really have to try everything out for yourself!

Funny you say this... I have a friend who says Artist Point is a must do for her on every trip, but they don't care for Narcoosee's. I'd always heard the opposite on here, so totally agree- trying it out for yourself may really be the only way to know. Which is probably the foundation for a lot of this...i.e. we don't get to go to WDW all the time and we want our dining to be great...so sometimes we rely more heavily on the opinions of others rather that trying it for ourselves.

Restaurants seem to be a personal choice...
We love 50's Prime Time and have a blast with our 'cousins' every time, but have disliked Sci-Fi each time we've tried it (3 times)...each kid has had to experience it.
Even though we liked the antics at 50's Prime Time, we didn't care for Wilderness Canyon...just not our cup of tea.
In November, we tried Kona Cafe but weren't 'blown away' by the experience or food...although others have raved about it and the Kona Cone...the main reason we went there.
The first 2 times we did T-Rex, we LOVED it...this past November, poor service (3:30 pm) and the food wasn't great either.

I agree with @HouCuseChickie...seems there is a lot of inconsistency with the dining.

And that's what concerns me about Kona and Tonga Toast. I've heard so many raves that I feel like I must try it, but I can't help but wonder if the hype will put the expectations too far above the reality. i.e. even if it's great- if it doesn't make me want to eat every bite, lick my plate , and contemplate being a piggy and ordering a 2nd helping even if it doubles the cost of my breakfast and makes me beyond painfully full ... it will technically fall short of all of the build up I've read from other Kona fans.

 

[zurgandfriend]

my in-laws raved about the Hoop de Doo for years we finally tried it and it was okay but nothing to write home about. My son was about 8 at the time and he during the show he said "Dad this is corny can we leave?"

 

[DisneyDelirious]

Just out of curiosity, what is the one place you will never go back to?

I am fairly certain from being a regular on here that it is Hollywood and Vine. She affectionately calls it Hollywood and Vile . @figmentfan423 can confirm that for you. To address the OP, I have found that it's best to judge for myself as far as my dining choice. Any place can have an off day, and we will all use different rulers to measure the caliber of the meal off of. If you have a great italian restaraunt in your area, then Disney's offerings may well fall short. If a microwaveable fettucini alfredo is the only thing you ever get to eat, you may be wowed at WDW. Give them a try for yourself. Earl of Sandwich is my only disappointment so far, and I'd try it again as the menu is much larger than the little bit I gave a whirl.

 

[longsaber]

The food quality overall at Disney has suffered since the beginning of the Disney Dining Plan regime. But the biggest letdown I consistently have is Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom. People always seem to really enjoy the food here but honestly I find it depressing.

 

[mrdisman]

I have a friend who listens to critiques of the various restaraunts. One of the restaraunts that get a poor review is the Sci-Fi Diner. He will no longer go back because of this review. I find that a shame because if it's great themeing. It's not supposted to be a 5 star dining experience. It's supposed to be fun. It's one of those restaraunts that are a must visit on every trip...because you cannot find it anywhere else....at least not in my home town. You're having lunch or diner in a drive-in...it's so cool.

And in my humble opinion...you can't go wrong with a cheese burger and shake...

I don't listen to critics...I discover things on my own...

 

[Pooh Lover]

I totally agree about the rants and the raves. If you looked at the raves on 'Ohana, you would think it was the best place at WDW, but someone like @figmentfan423 might go there and say Whhhhaaaatttt? I read the rants, the raves but more importantly, I read the menus. If I read the menu and it doesn't appeal to me, I'm not going there no matter how good I've read it is.

 

[mrdisman]

I totally agree about the rants and the raves. If you looked at the raves on 'Ohana, you would think it was the best place at WDW, but someone like @figmentfan423 might go there and say Whhhhaaaatttt? I read the rants, the raves but more importantly, I read the menus. If I read the menu and it doesn't appeal to me, I'm not going there no matter how good I've read it is.

that's cause figmentfan423 is nuts

 

[PUSH]

I totally agree about the rants and the raves. If you looked at the raves on 'Ohana, you would think it was the best place at WDW, but someone like @figmentfan423 might go there and say Whhhhaaaatttt? I read the rants, the raves but more importantly, I read the menus. If I read the menu and it doesn't appeal to me, I'm not going there no matter how good I've read it is.

Exactly! I'm not an adventurous eater by any means, so some of the restaurants are definite no-goes.

 

[englanddg]

I'll try anything, for one simple reason.

I may like it.

I may find I don't, but what if I do? If I don't try it, I'll never know. As a result, while my normal diet isn't all that adventurous, I am not against trying something new. Worst case is, after a bite or two, I decide I don't like it, and I don't eat the rest and move on.