Disappointment at Contempo Cafe

[horizons82]

Being locals, my wife and I have "dined our way around Disney" over the years, enjoying good service and food at both upscale and counter service restaurants.

We've always loved Contempo Café in the CR because it was casual and self-serve, the food was decent for the price, and what's not to love about being able to watch the monorail go through the CR's concourse as you eat your meal!

However, this past weekend was very disappointing and I don't know if we'll ever go back...

For one, does anyone know why they removed the automated self-ordering kiosks that were there the last time we went? I felt they made the café feel "contemporary" and up-to-date, but now the ordering is done at the register...this seems like a step backwards.

Another issue was with service. My wife ordered the pasta marinara without meatballs because she is a vegetarian (we asked about this before ordering and was told this would be no problem).

Her pasta still arrived with meatballs in it and we asked for a replacement. We waited and waited and waited until I ended up waving down the same CM who took the dish back and told her we were still waiting on the correct replacement, which still took another 10-15 minutes to receive. From the time they took back the first order to the time we received the correct one, it must have been 25-30 minutes. I had already finished my meal by then (it would have been cold had I waited that long), so we didn't even get to eat together.

The irony is that this problem would have been resolved more quicky and may not have happened in the first place if (a) we had been able to order from the touch-screen, and (b) if I had picked up the plate at the counter myself I would have been right there waiting at the counter for the replacement and it would have come more quickly I imagine.

(To their credit they did offer us a free snack or dessert on our way out, but the damage had been done).

On top of that, the food certainly didn't seem to be at the quality we had on previous visits. The pasta looked almost no better than something microwaved from a frozen meal, and my sandwich wasn't as good either. Just between the lower food quality and service issues, the café really feels like it's taken several steps backwards...even the cool touch-screen ordering is gone.

 

[Tuvalu]

Captain Cooks at the Poly also had the touch screen ordering kiosks which have since been removed. We were told it was too confusing/time consuming for the guests to place their own order; for those of us who knew how to use the kiosks, it was certainly more efficient and convenient!

We have found the Contempo Cafe to be hit or miss over the past couple years. When it first opened, the food was fabulous and fresh with many offering unique to that restaurant. And like you said, you can't beat the coolness of watching the monorails while you dine! But the menu was scaled back and prices increased; most of our meals have been okay, but there have been times we have had to wait extraordinarily long for our food (like you.)

It is no longer on our to-dine list, but we always stop by to check out the cupcake selection .

 

[horizons82]

Tuvalu...you are SOOOO right about the cupcakes at Contempo...that was the single highlight of our otherwise not-so-good dinner. The desserts and cupcakes there have always been really good.

Thanks also for advising as to the reason for taking out the self-serve kiosks. I personally prefer self-serve machines, but I guess some people can't handle modern efficiency

 

[wdwmagic]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience.

I've never been impressed with the Contempo, so I'm not really surprised by what you are saying. Unfortunately I can't really think of any quick service at a resort that is worth visiting. I think the best bet is to spend a bit more and do something like Grand Fla Cafe.

And about the kiosk. Just like at Pecos Bill, Poly - they were great for those that could use them, for the rest, it was a problem.

 

[Jon81uk]

I do think in general something needs to be done about deluxe counter service locations.

I assume the original thought when the resorts were built was the deluxe guests would mainly be eating at table service, so they made sure there was multiple table service at each resort. But now that most of the people eating at the restaurants aren't guests of that resort, you can't get dinner without a reservation. This means that quick service has become more important.

I find it strange that you can get a better meal at Port Orleans than at one of the deluxe resorts (unless you booked a reservation).
Also the lack of QS at Beach/Yacht club put me off those resorts, there are sometimes days where you need to eat at 9pm after driving back from Busch Gardens etc but don't want to risk making a reservation and I didn't like the idea of being stuck with few options.

 

[NormC]

My family enjoyed Contempo Cafe and the ordering Kiosks were part of the thrill for them. The food was never stellar but it was good cafeteria food. As a BLT owner we ate a lot of meals there because of convenience. I also enjoy watching the Monorails pass through as we eat.

 

[rucifee]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience.

I've never been impressed with the Contempo, so I'm not really surprised by what you are saying. Unfortunately I can't really think of any quick service at a resort that is worth visiting. I think the best bet is to spend a bit more and do something like Grand Fla Cafe.

And about the kiosk. Just like at Pecos Bill, Poly - they were great for those that could use them, for the rest, it was a problem.

You'll be spending a lot more, but for the most part you're right. Quick service in the parks leaves a lot to be desired these days as well, that sadly goes for both WDW and Uni in-park quick service offerings. Had an awful quick service experience at a value resort a few weeks ago, we were in the area and thought we'd get a quick meal, but the menu had completely changed and the offerings were gross, and worse, cold.

 

[shipley731]

I've never been impressed with the Contempo, so I'm not really surprised by what you are saying. Unfortunately I can't really think of any quick service at a resort that is worth visiting. I think the best bet is to spend a bit more and do something like Grand Fla Cafe.

Maybe I'm the outlier, but I really like the QS at Animal Kingdom Lodge - The Mara. They seem to have some good choices that are at least a little different from the standard burgers & hot dogs. I got a chicken pita sandwich there back in September when we stayed there that was really good. I also like their not so standard breakfast offerings - the African Inspired Breakfast Platter & the Bobotie are both tasty.

I've found Contempo to be hit or miss as well, but it's been a couple years since I ate there.

 

[s&k'smom]

We were at the CR at the beginning of November and only used the cafe to get coffee etc. However I had a bunch of quick service credits to use and the CMs were awesome about explaining how I could switch to snack which they did and I hit the jackpot. CM's were very friendly and in the am it would be packed for breakfast.

 

[Rlandrigan]

Maybe I'm the outlier, but I really like the QS at Animal Kingdom Lodge - The Mara. They seem to have some good choices that are at least a little different from the standard burgers & hot dogs. I got a chicken pita sandwich there back in September when we stayed there that was really good. I also like their not so standard breakfast offerings - the African Inspired Breakfast Platter & the Bobotie are both tasty.

I've found Contempo to be hit or miss as well, but it's been a couple years since I ate there.

The options at Contemporary always seem asking more than they're worth - Chef Mickey loud and rushed, Contempo bland and seemingly part of an alternate universe denny's chain that Disney. Mara is great - in fact, I love AKL over any other restore, except for trying to get to the parks But the food at Mara made a great end of day, too lazy to make a fuss for dinner dinner, and the options were unique, which is a hard find in Disney QS.

 

[jaklgreen]

It's frustrating that they did not get your order right. I would have just pushed the meatballs off the plate. Chances are that's all they would have done in the back anyway, replate it without the meatballs.

 

[GoTheDistance]

I know plenty of people who would not be able to just take the meatballs off. I'm sure some can, but to each their own.

This may sound strange, but the biggest reason my husband and I do not fork over the extra cash to stay in the obviously nicer deluxe resorts is due to lack luster QS options. We eat one QS and one FS meal a day like clockwork and unless we are in Epcot or AK, we do not eat QS in the parks (we find it too time consuming and too poor quality, with some exceptions of course!). We like the "food court" style the value and moderate resorts have because of the variety, especially at Pop and AoA. They really need to amp up QS across the board.

 

[EOD K9]

We like the "food court" style the value and moderate resorts have because of the variety, especially at Pop and AoA. They really need to amp up QS across the board.

I think that is because at say a DVC resort, you have a full kitchen and its assumed you'll utilize it. At the lesser priced resorts, it is needed as there are no in room appliances. But that is just my opinion.

 

[jaklgreen]

I know plenty of people who would not be able to just take the meatballs off. I'm sure some can, but to each their own.

This may sound strange, but the biggest reason my husband and I do not fork over the extra cash to stay in the obviously nicer deluxe resorts is due to lack luster QS options. We eat one QS and one FS meal a day like clockwork and unless we are in Epcot or AK, we do not eat QS in the parks (we find it too time consuming and too poor quality, with some exceptions of course!). We like the "food court" style the value and moderate resorts have because of the variety, especially at Pop and AoA. They really need to amp up QS across the board.

I am not a vegetarian and am curious as to why a person can not just remove the meat balls from the plate or simply not eat them? From what I have seen they are just sitting along the side of the plate and not incorporated into the actual sauce. I am not being nasty just simply curious as to why this is a big deal? I would think that if you sent the plate back they would just simply remove the meat and replate the spaghetti.

 

[Jon81uk]

I think that is because at say a DVC resort, you have a full kitchen and its assumed you'll utilize it. At the lesser priced resorts, it is needed as there are no in room appliances. But that is just my opinion.

The Contemporary isn't a DVC resort, only one wing ( Bay Lake Tower) is DVC, same at Beach Club, Poly, Wilderness Lodge. They are all mainly regular deluxe rooms and all those resorts have small counter service areas.
In fact Saratoga Springs which is exclusively DVC has more counter service offerings that Beach Club.

As I said before one of the problems is that you have to book ADRs so far in advance now, the table service locations are fully booked, or just not taking walk-ups which means the original way the deluxe resorts were run of mainly table service, no longer works.

 

[GoTheDistance]

I am not a vegetarian and am curious as to why a person can not just remove the meat balls from the plate or simply not eat them? From what I have seen they are just sitting along the side of the plate and not incorporated into the actual sauce. I am not being nasty just simply curious as to why this is a big deal? I would think that if you sent the plate back they would just simply remove the meat and replate the spaghetti.

I am not sure if this is the case for everyone (I'd love to hear other people chime in on this), but my best friend and many members of her family are strict vegetarian and will not eat anything that has been cooked in some capacity with meat. Simply removing it does not change the fact that there was meat on their pasta, and that is not in any way strict vegetarian. If my friend had been brought back a plate that had just had the meatballs removed, she would know pretty soon after trying it and she'd feel very sick.

I guess you could compare it to Kosher. You can take cheese off the burger but it doesn't change the fact that it wasn't prepared Kosher. Matters to some, not all.

 

[jaklgreen]

I am not sure if this is the case for everyone (I'd love to hear other people chime in on this), but my best friend and many members of her family are strict vegetarian and will not eat anything that has been cooked in some capacity with meat. Simply removing it does not change the fact that there was meat on their pasta, and that is not in any way strict vegetarian. If my friend had been brought back a plate that had just had the meatballs removed, she would know pretty soon after trying it and she'd feel very sick.

I guess you could compare it to Kosher. You can take cheese off the burger but it doesn't change the fact that it wasn't prepared Kosher. Matters to some, not all.

So your friend is allergic to meat and it makes her sick? In my mind that is not the same as just choosing not to eat meat for personal reasons. I can totally see sending that back and having them make a new one. But throwing away a plate of food because there is one item on there that a person chooses not to eat seems wrong to me. Such a waste of food.

 

[GoTheDistance]

I think you should do some research on what a strict vegetarian actually is. It is in the same category as other dietary needs as things need to be prepared vegetarian. For an example, one would assume that Potato and Leek soup (like the one at Be Our Guest) is vegetarian, but it is actually prepared with chicken stock and would not be an option. All of the chefs at Disney treat a vegetarian diet as well and seriously as they do gluten, soy, etc. At every place we went at DW the chef came out to speak to my friend to ensure her needs were met, just like my friend who is allergic to gluten and soy.

 

[horizons82]

IMHO, a vegetarian's needs should be met equally regardless of whether it's by choice or by dietary necessity. I personally am not one, but my wife is and I've done everything to always respect her wishes/needs.

As far as why it's a problem not to just "remove" the meatballs from the dish...
For one, the meatballs were "in" the dish, not on the side. A meatball is going to have juices or grease that will inevitably be in contact with the food that will remain even after they are removed.

Sorry to be gross, but if a roach came running out of your food, would you still eat it just because you took the roach out of it? I certainly would not, and it's not much different (in terms of perception) than just asking a vegetarian to remove meat from their dish.

Besides, not only did we ask in advance if the dish could be ordered w/o meatballs, the CM was more than cheery about it saying it was no problem. So the blame for "wasted" food should really be on the restaurant and not on the diner. Again, IMHO.

 

[rucifee]

So your friend is allergic to meat and it makes her sick? In my mind that is not the same as just choosing not to eat meat for personal reasons. I can totally see sending that back and having them make a new one. But throwing away a plate of food because there is one item on there that a person chooses not to eat seems wrong to me. Such a waste of food.

Disney should have gotten the order right, the blame falls squarely on their failure to properly deliver what was ordered. It does not matter if they didn't eat it due to choice or allergy. If it's ordered a certain way, it should be prepared that way. Period.