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Everyone's Best and Worst Dining Experiences?
- Thread starter Princess_AmyK
- Start date
KathyM
New Member
I'm curious..... what put Cali Grill on your worst list?
drwadadli
Well-Known Member
It was very noisy including the bar area. It was not a quiet romantic restaurant as all the other signature dining restaurants (except The Hollywood Brown Derby, which is why we don't eat there either) are. The food was just okay but nothing to "write home" about. I have had better sushi at Kona Island.
I think the only thing it has going for it is the view to watch the fireworks but then again you can find great other great views at 'Ohana or the beach of the Polynesian Village.
We were there in 2013 and I understand that they have changed head chef's since then. I have also been told to ask for the Monterey Room if we ever go back as it is quieter than the main dining room. I want to give it another try but my wife also wasn't very impressed with it on the first time. I know there are a lot of people that rant and rave about the California Grill but to us, it is the most overrated signature restaurant at WDW. When you look at the signature restaurants throughout WDW, they are all quiet romantic couple restaurants and for us, California Grill is the further from that. THAT is why it is on my worst list.
KathyM
New Member
ah. now I understand. We have ONLY eaten in the back room, and it's quiet!
Brit Girl Lynne
Member
Magic Kingdom - best meal - V and A (not tech MK but pretty close) and we love the Crystal Palace. We had a fabulous waiter called Vinny who was one of the best waiters I’ve ever had. The tip reflected that as well 
LTT serve up pretty good fish and chips. Not really had anything really bad at MK apart from Afternoon Tea at the GF. Curled up sandwiches, a tiny amount of cream for the scones, a waitress who actually looked down her nose at me when I asked if our son could just have cheese in his sandwiches. She flounced off with the words, ‘well I suppose we can always rip the ham out of them for you’ so when they came out, they fell apart, I asked for butter only to be told they had none, and they didn’t put butter on sandwiches anyway! Last time we visited them.
EPCOT - best for us is Via Napoli. We were late discovering it, but it’s been a must do for us for a few years now. Noisy, but the pizza is for us, some of the best. Cocktails are good too
. Love Sunshine Seasons - but only because the treats are so goooooood. Where else could you get a cupcake with real edible flowers on and a red velvet whoopie pie 
Worst - (and we used to love it here) Le Celier. I asked if they could do just a plain chicken breast and some fries for our son who had eating difficulties. To be fair, they did, but when the bill came it was $32 for a small bit of chicken. Last time there too, took the shine off it for us.
Hollywood Studios - best is Brown Derby without a doubt. Even when I had to complain about the sinew in the steak, they were gracious and apologetic. We loved the Starring Rolls Cafe - nearly cried when that went.
Worst - ABC Comissary. Dang it, that was dreadful.
Animal Kingdom - we love the Yak and Yeti. Worst we had was a character breakfast - can’t remember what it’s called, but it’s where the dinosaur stuff is. Rude waitress, poor food.
My worst experience ever was Whispering Canyon Cafe - we weren’t warned about it.... even after I’d worked out you have to put the ‘watch from the fence’ coaster on the table, the waitress was still rude and threw straws at us. Being Brits, you can guess how well that sat with us
Food mediocre at best, and when at the end after paying she asked why we were still at the table, I had to admit to her that it would be rather nice to actually get my credit card back...... 
LTT serve up pretty good fish and chips. Not really had anything really bad at MK apart from Afternoon Tea at the GF. Curled up sandwiches, a tiny amount of cream for the scones, a waitress who actually looked down her nose at me when I asked if our son could just have cheese in his sandwiches. She flounced off with the words, ‘well I suppose we can always rip the ham out of them for you’ so when they came out, they fell apart, I asked for butter only to be told they had none, and they didn’t put butter on sandwiches anyway! Last time we visited them.EPCOT - best for us is Via Napoli. We were late discovering it, but it’s been a must do for us for a few years now. Noisy, but the pizza is for us, some of the best. Cocktails are good too
. Love Sunshine Seasons - but only because the treats are so goooooood. Where else could you get a cupcake with real edible flowers on and a red velvet whoopie pie Worst - (and we used to love it here) Le Celier. I asked if they could do just a plain chicken breast and some fries for our son who had eating difficulties. To be fair, they did, but when the bill came it was $32 for a small bit of chicken. Last time there too, took the shine off it for us.
Hollywood Studios - best is Brown Derby without a doubt. Even when I had to complain about the sinew in the steak, they were gracious and apologetic. We loved the Starring Rolls Cafe - nearly cried when that went.
Worst - ABC Comissary. Dang it, that was dreadful.
Animal Kingdom - we love the Yak and Yeti. Worst we had was a character breakfast - can’t remember what it’s called, but it’s where the dinosaur stuff is. Rude waitress, poor food.
My worst experience ever was Whispering Canyon Cafe - we weren’t warned about it.... even after I’d worked out you have to put the ‘watch from the fence’ coaster on the table, the waitress was still rude and threw straws at us. Being Brits, you can guess how well that sat with us
Food mediocre at best, and when at the end after paying she asked why we were still at the table, I had to admit to her that it would be rather nice to actually get my credit card back...... 
James J
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
I don't believe that butter is typically put on sandwiches in the USA, so I kind of get that bit. Not trying to excuse the waitress looking down her nose, just that my American other half says it would be seen as an odd request.
Hcalvert
Well-Known Member
My dad puts butter on his bread before peanut butter--although I don't know anyone else who does.
Brit Girl Lynne
Member
I think what put me off was how it all fell apart without the butter- he ate it, deconstructed style, like you would get in a high end restaurant
But yes, from American friends, I believe it would be a strange request.
Brit Girl Lynne
Member
Guilty as charged...
Think Tink
Premium Member
- In the Parks
- No
Best - San Angel Inn - I was surprised how much I loved the food!
Worst - Honestly, I might get flack for this, but BOG for dinner. I was very unimpressed with the food. The atmosphere was great, but the food didn't live up to it.
Worst - Honestly, I might get flack for this, but BOG for dinner. I was very unimpressed with the food. The atmosphere was great, but the food didn't live up to it.
wdwfan757
Well-Known Member
Best Overall Experience: Cali Grill May 2015. I'm not sure why this one stands about above everything else. It was the night before 24 hour day, and we gorged on sushi and wine. I don't remember our actual entrees or dessert being that memorable, but that spicy kazan roll gets me every time.
Best Overall Food: Trails End... every time. Living in DC, there's plenty of options for "fine dining", and I do enjoy a nice signature at WDW.. but theres something about piling up all the meat I can physically handle and then topping it off with some concoction of apple pie, red velvet cake, and soft serve. I once went with the biggest eater I know and when we were done an older lady sitting beside us remarked "In all my hears, I have never seen such an impressive display of eating". We were so proud. Trails End is always my favorite meal on property. Even if it takes a couple naps of carousel of progress for me to really recover.
Worst (Biggest letdown)... Sorry Think Tink, but i've got to go San Angel. It was 2014, so maybe it's different now, and I've always had an uncanny fondness for the Mexico pavilion so maybe my expectations were too high, but the meal fell flat for me. And the tables are so close together. Interestingly, I was similarly unimpressed with the DL restaurant that goes through Pirates. Maybe I just get too excited about restaurants that sit in rides.
Worst (Least favorite that people keep making me go to)... BOG. I understand that it's exciting to eat in the castle, but this place haunts me like the plague. Everytime I bring someone new to MK, they have to eat here, and I play the game of "which entree on the lunch menu is going to be the least oversalted". The food here isn't awful, I just don't think it's good.
Bonus: Biggest positive surprise: Spice Road Table. I don't recall how we ended up going here the first time, but spent a solid hour outdoors at a lakeside table just eating appetizers, and it was a really relaxing experience. It's actually become one of my favorite epcot things to do. I'd recommend it to anyone who just wants a respite with good food. If you have a very "american" palette, just get the lamb sliders. They're goooood.
Best Overall Food: Trails End... every time. Living in DC, there's plenty of options for "fine dining", and I do enjoy a nice signature at WDW.. but theres something about piling up all the meat I can physically handle and then topping it off with some concoction of apple pie, red velvet cake, and soft serve. I once went with the biggest eater I know and when we were done an older lady sitting beside us remarked "In all my hears, I have never seen such an impressive display of eating". We were so proud. Trails End is always my favorite meal on property. Even if it takes a couple naps of carousel of progress for me to really recover.
Worst (Biggest letdown)... Sorry Think Tink, but i've got to go San Angel. It was 2014, so maybe it's different now, and I've always had an uncanny fondness for the Mexico pavilion so maybe my expectations were too high, but the meal fell flat for me. And the tables are so close together. Interestingly, I was similarly unimpressed with the DL restaurant that goes through Pirates. Maybe I just get too excited about restaurants that sit in rides.
Worst (Least favorite that people keep making me go to)... BOG. I understand that it's exciting to eat in the castle, but this place haunts me like the plague. Everytime I bring someone new to MK, they have to eat here, and I play the game of "which entree on the lunch menu is going to be the least oversalted". The food here isn't awful, I just don't think it's good.
Bonus: Biggest positive surprise: Spice Road Table. I don't recall how we ended up going here the first time, but spent a solid hour outdoors at a lakeside table just eating appetizers, and it was a really relaxing experience. It's actually become one of my favorite epcot things to do. I'd recommend it to anyone who just wants a respite with good food. If you have a very "american" palette, just get the lamb sliders. They're goooood.
Songbird76
Well-Known Member
Really? One of the things I HATE about sandwiches that I don't make myself is that they always put butter on them and I don't like butter if it's not melted. My mom insisted on putting butter on my PB&J for the longest time, even knowing I wouldn't eat it. And whenever there was any sort of luncheon where sandwiches were served, there is always butter or mayo on it....and rolls always come with butter. Then I moved to the Netherlands, and it's the exact same here...you can't get a sandwich without butter to save your life. So where is this magical place you are from that doesn't insist on ruining good bread by slathering grease on it?
Songbird76
Well-Known Member
I'm going to put a disclaimer here and say that I know many people will disagree with me, but I have somewhat different standards about what makes an experience good or bad. As a picky eater, and my son being even worse, part of it for me is how well they deal with special orders....like asking for bread without butter, or no tomatoes and no condiments on my burger, etc. So, while some of these places might be GREAT for someone who is not picky in the same way I am, they are misses for me, and some places that other people may find bland, I might really like, because it's not got a bunch of stuff I don't like on it. So take it with a grain of salt.
One of our BEST experiences was at Nine Dragons in Epcot, way back in 2001. We were there just 2 weeks after September 11th, we were on our honeymoon, and the entire park was completely dead. I don't know if it was a promotion they had at that time just to get people in there, or if it was a standard, but they had 7 course meal....kind of a tappas type thing where they brought us small items one at a time, and we could order more of anything we liked. And the price was so great....I don't remember now how much it cost, but for an all you care to enjoy meal, it was more than reasonable, and every dish they brought out to us was superb. It wasn't at all like a mass produced buffet kind of food with a lower quality....it was all really fresh and cooked perfectly, and lots of flavor without being overly salty, etc. All the sauces were on the side so my husband could enjoy and I didn't have to eat them. I remember the dumplings being my favorite...we ordered more of those. And the red bean ice cream was so good. Everything was great, and the service was fantastic. I'm so sad that everyone says it's not very good anymore, and we can't eat there because my son won't eat anything on the menu, and my daughter might not either.
We had a few stand-outs on our last trip, in 2016. We LOVED the character interactions at 1900 Park Faire for dinner. We mostly enjoyed the food....I particularly liked the carving station. The kids section wasn't fantastic, but then, most people aren't going there for the pizza, and it was fine...great for most kids. We also LOVED the antics at Whispering Canyon and the service was great, even though my friend's service dog tried to take a bite out of the guy who brought out our food. I was horrified, but they were so amazing about the whole thing. I was sad to read this week that they have "gone quiet" on the shenannigans and are figuring out "what's next" for the restaurant. We have penciled it in for our next trip, but will change it if they don't bring the fun back. The food was good, but we went there for the experience. The other amazing one was 'Ohana. The food was excellent and our server was so great. He noticed my son wasn't eating, came and asked if there was something he could bring that he would enjoy, and went and got a hotdog for him from Kona. The only thing I didn't like about the experience was the performer....she was "singing" and playing the Ukulele, and she was a really terrible singer. I was relieved when she had a break. Everything else was great. We also had a great experience at 50s Prime Time. I wish we could have had a bit more of the antics, but I had asked for the server to go light with my son because he can't handle as much (he's autistic) and so she took it light with all of us. It was still lots of fun and we played along a bit with the table next to us, but she really nailed it with the level of theming for my son. Fun, but not picking on him or over-stimulating him. And I LOVED the food....all the things I missed from the US....fried chicken, pot roast, meatloaf (without the tomato glaze)...and the peanutbutter and jelly shake.....yum!!!
Worst was Tusker House, hands down. Not much for picky eaters at all...everyone said there was plenty for non-adventurous eaters, but that was not the case at all. Everything was either heavily seasoned or in a sauce. I found a few things to peck at, but left without really feeling satisfied. My son ate nothing but chocolate chip cookies...I think we ended up going somewhere to get fries for him later. Most of the food was not very warm, the hot chocolate was like luke-warm water. We informed the waiter and he brought us some warmer hot water, but still no chocolate taste. It had been pouring outside and we were damp despite our ponchos and it was FREEZING in the restaurant. We got there 30 minutes early and they wouldn't let us check in for another 20 minutes, meanwhile people without an ADR came up AFTER us and were escorted right in, and the outdoor patio had some cool live music and people were dancing, but all the covered tables were taken, so we were all crammed under a little umbrella trying not to get any more wet than we already were before we were allowed to check in. By the time we were seated, we were already cold and uncomfortable, so the lack of food was frustrating. Even my husband, who will eat just about anything was less than impressed. And then I went to the bathroom and it was dirty. Finding a stall without toilet paper hanging out of the toilet, or without a clogged toilet, etc was difficult. And as the characters went around, one of them skipped our table and there was no attendant in sight. When the attendant returned, we were able to get the character (I think it must have been Goofy....I was thinking Tigger, but I don't think Tigger is at Tusker House, so it must have been Goofy) to come to our table, but he took a couple of pictures without interacting at all and that was it. We had done the dining package with the Jungle Book show and we handed our tickets in to let someone else enjoy and we went back to our resort and called it a very early night. Maybe we were just in a bad mood because our whole day had been like that, but it's one we aren't keen to repeat, so as much as I'd like to do a Rivers of Light dining package, I'm not willing to go to Tusker House to do it, and we can't afford Tiffins even if there was something on the menu my kids and I would eat.
The other bad experience was at Tony's in Magic Kingdom, which makes me so sad as I am a huge Lady and the Tramp fan and we had gone on our honeymoon and had a great experience. We went again in 2010 and it was ok, but it was just not good in 2016. My daughter's favorite food was spaghetti, so that's what she ordered....it was terrible and she wouldn't eat it, and she's not my picky one. I don't remember what I ordered, but I remember it was not great, and as I've posted in other threads, we were shoved in a corner in the back where all the servers were bringing the dirty dishes and complaining with each other about various things, and where people kept disturbing our meal to come pick up or plug in their cell phones as the outlet was right behind our table. And being stuck in that little corner, the servers ignored us as they went by to dump the dirty dishes. And it was SOOOO cold. I heard people complaining about it in the bathroom, and my husband heard someone complaining to a manager about it, so I know it wasn't just us.
Those are the only two I can think of off the top of my head that were bad. There were for more great experiences than bad ones on all of our trips. And there are so many we want to try, so it's good that there are a few we can cross off the list for next Summer. Though Tony's makes me sad, because it's Lady and the Tramp!!!
One of our BEST experiences was at Nine Dragons in Epcot, way back in 2001. We were there just 2 weeks after September 11th, we were on our honeymoon, and the entire park was completely dead. I don't know if it was a promotion they had at that time just to get people in there, or if it was a standard, but they had 7 course meal....kind of a tappas type thing where they brought us small items one at a time, and we could order more of anything we liked. And the price was so great....I don't remember now how much it cost, but for an all you care to enjoy meal, it was more than reasonable, and every dish they brought out to us was superb. It wasn't at all like a mass produced buffet kind of food with a lower quality....it was all really fresh and cooked perfectly, and lots of flavor without being overly salty, etc. All the sauces were on the side so my husband could enjoy and I didn't have to eat them. I remember the dumplings being my favorite...we ordered more of those. And the red bean ice cream was so good. Everything was great, and the service was fantastic. I'm so sad that everyone says it's not very good anymore, and we can't eat there because my son won't eat anything on the menu, and my daughter might not either.
We had a few stand-outs on our last trip, in 2016. We LOVED the character interactions at 1900 Park Faire for dinner. We mostly enjoyed the food....I particularly liked the carving station. The kids section wasn't fantastic, but then, most people aren't going there for the pizza, and it was fine...great for most kids. We also LOVED the antics at Whispering Canyon and the service was great, even though my friend's service dog tried to take a bite out of the guy who brought out our food. I was horrified, but they were so amazing about the whole thing. I was sad to read this week that they have "gone quiet" on the shenannigans and are figuring out "what's next" for the restaurant. We have penciled it in for our next trip, but will change it if they don't bring the fun back. The food was good, but we went there for the experience. The other amazing one was 'Ohana. The food was excellent and our server was so great. He noticed my son wasn't eating, came and asked if there was something he could bring that he would enjoy, and went and got a hotdog for him from Kona. The only thing I didn't like about the experience was the performer....she was "singing" and playing the Ukulele, and she was a really terrible singer. I was relieved when she had a break. Everything else was great. We also had a great experience at 50s Prime Time. I wish we could have had a bit more of the antics, but I had asked for the server to go light with my son because he can't handle as much (he's autistic) and so she took it light with all of us. It was still lots of fun and we played along a bit with the table next to us, but she really nailed it with the level of theming for my son. Fun, but not picking on him or over-stimulating him. And I LOVED the food....all the things I missed from the US....fried chicken, pot roast, meatloaf (without the tomato glaze)...and the peanutbutter and jelly shake.....yum!!!
Worst was Tusker House, hands down. Not much for picky eaters at all...everyone said there was plenty for non-adventurous eaters, but that was not the case at all. Everything was either heavily seasoned or in a sauce. I found a few things to peck at, but left without really feeling satisfied. My son ate nothing but chocolate chip cookies...I think we ended up going somewhere to get fries for him later. Most of the food was not very warm, the hot chocolate was like luke-warm water. We informed the waiter and he brought us some warmer hot water, but still no chocolate taste. It had been pouring outside and we were damp despite our ponchos and it was FREEZING in the restaurant. We got there 30 minutes early and they wouldn't let us check in for another 20 minutes, meanwhile people without an ADR came up AFTER us and were escorted right in, and the outdoor patio had some cool live music and people were dancing, but all the covered tables were taken, so we were all crammed under a little umbrella trying not to get any more wet than we already were before we were allowed to check in. By the time we were seated, we were already cold and uncomfortable, so the lack of food was frustrating. Even my husband, who will eat just about anything was less than impressed. And then I went to the bathroom and it was dirty. Finding a stall without toilet paper hanging out of the toilet, or without a clogged toilet, etc was difficult. And as the characters went around, one of them skipped our table and there was no attendant in sight. When the attendant returned, we were able to get the character (I think it must have been Goofy....I was thinking Tigger, but I don't think Tigger is at Tusker House, so it must have been Goofy) to come to our table, but he took a couple of pictures without interacting at all and that was it. We had done the dining package with the Jungle Book show and we handed our tickets in to let someone else enjoy and we went back to our resort and called it a very early night. Maybe we were just in a bad mood because our whole day had been like that, but it's one we aren't keen to repeat, so as much as I'd like to do a Rivers of Light dining package, I'm not willing to go to Tusker House to do it, and we can't afford Tiffins even if there was something on the menu my kids and I would eat.
The other bad experience was at Tony's in Magic Kingdom, which makes me so sad as I am a huge Lady and the Tramp fan and we had gone on our honeymoon and had a great experience. We went again in 2010 and it was ok, but it was just not good in 2016. My daughter's favorite food was spaghetti, so that's what she ordered....it was terrible and she wouldn't eat it, and she's not my picky one. I don't remember what I ordered, but I remember it was not great, and as I've posted in other threads, we were shoved in a corner in the back where all the servers were bringing the dirty dishes and complaining with each other about various things, and where people kept disturbing our meal to come pick up or plug in their cell phones as the outlet was right behind our table. And being stuck in that little corner, the servers ignored us as they went by to dump the dirty dishes. And it was SOOOO cold. I heard people complaining about it in the bathroom, and my husband heard someone complaining to a manager about it, so I know it wasn't just us.
Those are the only two I can think of off the top of my head that were bad. There were for more great experiences than bad ones on all of our trips. And there are so many we want to try, so it's good that there are a few we can cross off the list for next Summer. Though Tony's makes me sad, because it's Lady and the Tramp!!!
Minnesota disney fan
Well-Known Member
I agree with almost everything you said. At Epcot, CR was horrible, both food and ambience wise.
We tried the new Commissary menu at HS, and it was quite good.
Love Flame tree; however, have started going to Y & Y Café for their honey chicken, Yum!
otherwise, I concur with your statement!
ELG13
Well-Known Member
Omg this was exactly us last year....we had missed that place for 5 yrs!!! Couldn't get an ADR on other trips. Finally got one and bragged and bragged and bragged to my mom about it...got there...service was TERRIBLE. So rushed, waiter was always MIA...my husband's lupa lupa was liquor only...they served it before it was mixed and I thought he was gonna die after the huge sip of liquor he unknowingly took...also had a leaky bottom that made it go everywhere. It was terrible. I was so disappointed...and we probably won't ever be back bc it's just too expensive of a meal to have gonsp horribly wrong...and from what I've heard many people have have the same experience after us.
Kristopher Rannells
Active Member
MK Best would have to be Crystal Palace breakfast. Love that puffed French toast, have always had great service, and were picked to be the Grand Marshall family for FoF parade while eating here. Worst would have to be dinner at BOG. Our food and service was horrible even though the atmosphere was awesome.
EPCOT best would be Via Napoli. Again, great food and really good service. Worst by far was Electric Umbrella
HS best is Mama Melrose's with the Fantasmic package. That 4 cheese pasta is great! Worst was ABC Comissary.
AK Best was close with Yak & Yeti table service and Flame Tree BBQ. Worst easily was the Y&Y quick service. The Kobe burgers are completely different between the table and quick service
Resorts best was Ohana dinner or Yachtsman's with the worst being the seafood place they re-theamed at Yacht Club. Captain's grille at Beach club had way better seafood
Disney Springs best was House of Blues. Worst, and this was by far the worst meal we've ever had on property was Splittsville. There just isn't one positive thing we could say. Food was really bad, service was horrible, server was rude when he did bless us with his presence (2 other tables complained to a Manager about him while we were there) and we waited forever for everything.
EPCOT best would be Via Napoli. Again, great food and really good service. Worst by far was Electric Umbrella
HS best is Mama Melrose's with the Fantasmic package. That 4 cheese pasta is great! Worst was ABC Comissary.
AK Best was close with Yak & Yeti table service and Flame Tree BBQ. Worst easily was the Y&Y quick service. The Kobe burgers are completely different between the table and quick service
Resorts best was Ohana dinner or Yachtsman's with the worst being the seafood place they re-theamed at Yacht Club. Captain's grille at Beach club had way better seafood
Disney Springs best was House of Blues. Worst, and this was by far the worst meal we've ever had on property was Splittsville. There just isn't one positive thing we could say. Food was really bad, service was horrible, server was rude when he did bless us with his presence (2 other tables complained to a Manager about him while we were there) and we waited forever for everything.
danyoung56
Well-Known Member
The official dress code at Yachtsman -
"Men must wear khakis, slacks or dress shorts and collared shirts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition. Sport coats are optional. Women must wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses or dress shorts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition. Not permitted are tank tops, flip-flops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics."
So shorts were OK. But tank tops? Definitely not!
danyoung56
Well-Known Member
I don't really dress up too much when dining at a sig, but I do have nice shorts and a collared golf shirt, which fits in with the dress code. But I agree with you - sometimes it's like there's no dress code at all!