Does cost affect your enjoyment of your meal?

[BoarderPhreak]

It doesn't bother me unless the meal doesn't meet my expectations for a meal of that price.

Exactly... Or the service is underwhelming. But definitely the food. Another consideration would be characters (e.g. Crystal Palace) and if they "perform" well.

We know theming will generally be in line with expectations... It's Disney - and surely that's part of why you chose the place with.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

We won't book an ADR without checking the menu first now. A few years ago we had a ate at LeCellie and after we finished our meal my husband said we can cross that restaurant off our list. The service was good and the we have always liked the at atmosphere but the price of the entire meal was too high and he didn't enjoy it.

 

[BASS]

In short, no. If you go to some of the higher-end restaurants on property, you know what you're getting into. The prices aren't secrets. You shouldn't suffer from sticker-shock.

That said, a bad meal is a bad meal, whether it's $50 or $250.

As an aside, the only bad meal I've had at Disney is Artist's Point. Jiko/Flying Fish/Bluezoo have always been fantastic, despite the fact they're pricey. Me personally, I remember a good meal; I usually forget the cost (consider it selective memory).

 

[TheGuyThatMakesSwords]

No.

 

[21stamps]

I dont remember exactly because it was 3.5 years ago, but I got some kind of steak (expensive but no better than Outback Steak House) and some kind of squash dish I didnt like. My husband also got a steak and side. The bill was huge for this small amount of food. That was the last of our money, and I cried afterward. You might wonder why we went. It was supposed to be a real special meal we were splurging on, but it ended up being the worst meal and a huge waste of our limited money.

I’m sorry that happened to you! I think this is a problem with expectations in general.. especially WDW clientele.

If someone has saved and sacrificed for a vacation, a park ticket, a meal, whatever.. then their expectations are even higher than what they would be if they wouldn’t have saved and sacrificied.. almost impossibly high.

I’m not saying that your meal was great, or that you should have liked what you ordered, but I kind of used your post to comment on what I perceive as a common problem at Disney. (At least from posts online)

Additionally, A lot of ‘expensive’ restaurants have smaller portions (unless a churrascaria ), and I think many people are shocked by that.

 

[durangojim]

Same. Our biggest splurge so far was brunch at the California Grill and were disappointed at every turn. It wasn't just "not spectacular" -- it was actually bad. We've had better meals (better executed, with better service) at a fraction of the cost at places like Yak & Yeti, Raglan Road and Via Napoli. The more Disney restaurants we try, the more I become convinced that the less expensive non-signature restaurants make objectively better food than the pricier venues, and that there's no sense whatsoever in paying more.

I’m sorry to hear that! We did the brunch there a little over 2 years ago and it was great. Almost too much food! What didn’t you care for about it?

 

[Weather_Lady]

I’m sorry to hear that! We did the brunch there a little over 2 years ago and it was great. Almost too much food! What didn’t you care for about it?

It wasn't the amount of food that was the problem -- it was the quality, execution, and service we received that were all sub-par (not just in comparison to other upscale restaurants, but sub-par for any table service restaurant). I've discussed it a couple of other places, but here's a link to the overview: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads...a-grill-for-brunch.934560/page-2#post-8197642

 

[danyoung56]

I've been to most of the WDW restaurants enough over the years to where I know pretty much what I'm getting. I know, for instance, that I'll be spending over $100 for my solo meal at the California Grill, but I'll be getting a great meal with an amazing view. And I don't write off a restaurant because of one bad meal. Everyone can have an off night. But there are so many choices at WDW that it's no problem to put a restaurant on the back burner for a few years.

 

[ThanksPhoenicians]

I've said in another thread that I'm awful at budgeting, and would probably end up blowing all my money within the first few days, so I get the DDP because it works for my personality. In that case, I can pretty much eat wherever I want without regard to cost. If it were the other way around, I think a high price would force me to take notice of what I was really getting for the money. I'm not saying I take anything for granted on the plan, but I'd imagine you'd feel more strongly in either direction about something that just cost you a ton of money.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

While I'm sure it's a budgeting matter for some, for me it's about the price to quality relationship. I can afford it, but I've hit that wall where I'm tired of paying high prices for lesser quality meals. Just because I can doesn't mean that I should.

If I'm paying signature prices for a meal, I expect elevated food quality. I understand that Disney grossly inflates their prices on many things and you won't see as big of a difference like you might in the nicer restaurants outside of the bubble, but that still doesn't excuse them in instances when they've provided a sub-par to mediocre dining experience. So, while we're taking a break from Disney trips altogether, future trips will be much lighter on all TS meals since I'm tired of feeling foolish for wasting my $ on mainly mediocre at best food. That's not to say that some of the places we've had consistently good experiences couldn't trickle into our plans, but no more trips with 1-2 TS meals per day. I'm sure I can find better ways to spend my money.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Same. Our biggest splurge so far was brunch at the California Grill and were disappointed at every turn. It wasn't just "not spectacular" -- it was actually bad. We've had better meals (better executed, with better service) at a fraction of the cost at places like Yak & Yeti, Raglan Road and Via Napoli. The more Disney restaurants we try, the more I become convinced that the less expensive non-signature restaurants make objectively better food than the pricier venues, and that there's no sense whatsoever in paying more.

I can’t bring myself to go to one of the brunches because of cost - I’ll admit to that. A $300 bill for four just won’t turn out well under the conditions set forth.

 

[Master Yoda]

It only bothers me when the experience and the food does not measure up to the price I have paid.

I have paid $400+ on a single meal for two without a single regret.

In contrast, I have dropped $30 on a meal for two and left thoroughly aggravated.

 

[mmelka]

I would say that I am happy to pay the price for quality food and service. My wife and I budget for food/drinks into our trip, we usually spend somewhere around $150/day for the two of us, but we also do a lot of breakfast at the hotel before heading out with granola bars or Starbucks to save some money, or we will pack sandwiches and other snacks too to get through midday and then splurge for dinner. My favorite restaurant on the WDW property is Yak & Yeti, good food/portions, good prices, good drinks.

 

[danyoung56]

Everybody shares their own experiences. The trick is to factor all of these views together and come out with a recommendation. For me, the California Grill has been nothing but excellent in food, in service, in that incredible view. But others have had differing experiences. They're not wrong, and I'm not always right. But for me, I really love the CG, and look forward to a trip there at least once a year.

 

[Hockey89]

Everybody shares their own experiences. The trick is to factor all of these views together and come out with a recommendation. For me, the California Grill has been nothing but excellent in food, in service, in that incredible view. But others have had differing experiences. They're not wrong, and I'm not always right. But for me, I really love the CG, and look forward to a trip there at least once a year.

Have a nice martini and enjoy the weekend. Cheers

 

[CaptainJackNO]

Absolutely, price matters. With that said, I also agree that the quality of the meal comes into play in regards to how I feel about the overall bill. For example, I realize Sci-Fi is not "signature;" however, 20 bucks for an awful burger and sides annoys me, and although the theming is amazing, I will not pay that cost for that quality of food. On the other hand, dinner at Garden Grill costs the four of us about 200 dollars, but I enjoy the experience, and the food is good, so it is expensive, but I don't mind paying. I agree with a few others that I budget before hand so I don't have to stress. Also, we select the number of table service restaurants based on what we want to pay on that trip.

Disney is expensive for food regardless of dining level, and when you're from New Orleans, it's hard to find any restaurant food in any other city except maybe Chicago, LA, or New York where the quality of food is equal to the price paid. I am lucky to live in a gastronomic center, and I don't go to Disney for the food as much as I do for the unique experiences. But, yes, price matters.

 

[CaptainJackNO]

We won't book an ADR without checking the menu first now. A few years ago we had a ate at LeCellie and after we finished our meal my husband said we can cross that restaurant off our list. The service was good and the we have always liked the at atmosphere but the price of the entire meal was too high and he didn't enjoy it.

I say Le Cellier is like 5 Guys, not in menu or quality, but by reputation. Everyone always raved about 5 guys, so wen we finally got one where I live, people lined up then realized it's an overpriced Wendy's burger. I didn't get it.

Same for Le Cellier, the reputation is off the charts; however, when I finally ate there and the meal ended, I was left with a big, "Huh?" I don't get the rave reviews.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

I say Le Cellier is like 5 Guys, not in menu or quality, but by reputation. Everyone always raved about 5 guys, so wen we finally got one where I live, people lined up then realized it's an overpriced Wendy's burger. I didn't get it.

Same for Le Cellier, the reputation is off the charts; however, when I finally ate there and the meal ended, I was left with a big, "Huh?" I don't get the rave reviews.

Now that the soup is sold at the Refreshment Port I’m good.

 

[crxbrett]

Price does not really matter to me for the most part. BUT, if something I get is horribly bad or truly below mediocre and it was quite expensive, then yes, the enjoyment is severely lessened by the fact that it was disappointing and that it cost more than it should have. However, if food is absolutely mind-blowing or even great or "just" very good, then I have no problem with the costs whatsoever.

 

[Tinkswishes28jen]

We have only had the dining plan in DLRP , we didn't worry about we ordered. We have never had the dining plan at WDW because we spend so much time off-site . Because we live in the UK going to places like IHOP is a novelty we don't have anything like it back home.
All Disney meals are planned , and I check menus and budget for meal and tips . We try doing character meals so we get the food and added value of 1 on 1 time with Mickey , Pluto , Cinderella etc .
Our daughter is still only young at the moment so right now I feel the higher end restaurants do not make sense for us .