Most Disappointing Meal in WDW?

[gettingsmaller]

easily, the rose and crown.

after working in the UK pavillion shops for a year i constantly heard great things about the food but never got round to going there untill i recently came back on vacation.

the service was fine, but the food was bland, i felt it was a very poor interpretation of British food. It just completely lacked flavour.

This is the feeling I've gotten about a lot of the World Showcase food. It's like it's "dumbed down" so that it is not too 'offensive' to people who are not from those areas. Am I imagining that? Maybe it's just that it is hard to make food in those quantities AND make it good? I don't know.

Maybe it's more a matter of the management, procurement, etc.. I have a feeling that the food is decided/purchased (whatever you'd say) at a level higher than the individual establishment. If each establishment were left to its own devices (food decisions, wait staff--everything), I have the feeling that quality would improve. Maybe I'm wrong and things already function that way, but given the uniformity of the kid offerings, I don't think so...
I guess I'm thinking about Wolfgang Puck Express and how MUCH I liked it. Somehow, they were able to offer food at similar prices--COUNTER SERVICE PRICES--that rivaled the table service food at many of the WDW places. I realize that Wolf gets considerably fewer customers than "Cosmic Rays", but still... they are in a high volume environment and are still turning out good, fresh, customizable food WITH flavor. My theory is that a big part of the difference is that Wolf has to stand on its own (and is ALLOWED to stand on its own).

It would be interesting to see a British entrepreneur get to manage the Rose and Crown and keep a fair share of the profits. Would he improve the food? Alter the kids menu? Of course, he would have certain limits (has to stay British, provide "Disney-level" service, etc.).
Not to get too political, but it's just like government--would you rather have some fool in the national government deciding what your 2nd grader should read, or would you rather have a school board, principal, or teacher deciding? I think more you move things up the ladder, the less personal and bland they get...
Well, I'm rambling, but my point is that I think the "bigness" of DIS, along with bean counters, is responsible for the pervasive blandness in its dining establishments. Although, I do still wonder if WS meals are 'dumbed down' so that they are 'acceptable' to people from diverse backgrounds...

 

[KingStefan]

This is the feeling I've gotten about a lot of the World Showcase food. It's like it's "dumbed down" so that it is not too 'offensive' to people who are not from those areas. Am I imagining that? ...

I do not believe that you are imagining that. In order to appeal to as wide a population as possible, many of whom are coming from places where they are not accustomed to foods heavy with herbs and spices, I believe that the food is altered from a traditional taste to a more universally acceptable taste. I don't know whether "dumbed down" is the term I would use. But it seems that many places are trying to please everybody, and end up with less overall "taste".

Akershus (at least 2-3 years ago) is an exception to this. When I went in 2005, I found the food to be very interesting. Around the same time, however, I heard someone say on a forum (not WDWMagic) that the food was "the worst mean EVUH!", because all the food was "wierd tasting".

I was disappointed in that meal, however, because they didn't have the cold buffet (my favorite part). They said they had suspended it "temporarily" since they had just started up the princess lunches, and it was confusing enough as it was without people getting up in a very small space for appetizers. I thought is was a weak excuse. They brought us more food to make up for it, but not the cold meat and fish I had anticipated. I still don't know whether they have re-started this.

 

[disneydiva72]

This is the feeling I've gotten about a lot of the World Showcase food. It's like it's "dumbed down" so that it is not too 'offensive' to people who are not from those areas. Am I imagining that? ...

I have never (that I can remember) had a full meal in Epcot because I hear that alot. I always just get a little taste of the nations....for example, I always get a pastry from France and Cheesecake from Italy, that sort of thing. I have never been disappointed that way. lol

 

[Phonedave]

Tommorrowland Noodle Terrace

The only place in WDW where I thought the food was BAD. As in this is so bad I don't want to eat it.

Tony's Town Square

Not bad, but nothing great. Over cooked pasta and canned sauce. I'll eat it and not complain, but it was no great thrill

Le Celliar

Yes, this place really let me down. After so much hype about it being such a great steakhouse, I was server an marginal cut of meat. Again, it's not a bad place, I will gladly eat their food, but it's really not a great steakhouse.

Yak & Yeti

Slapdash menu, the place cannot decide what its supposed to be. Nothing really stands out as far as the food is concerned. Most of it is Chinese take out fare.

-dave

 

[tomm4004]

Tommorrowland Noodle Terrace

The only place in WDW where I thought the food was BAD. As in this is so bad I don't want to eat it.

As indicated in my previous post, I agree. It's only open seasonally. I don't know if that's a reason for the extremely poor quality. Like I said, I'm pretty sure the chicken was flaked chicken from a tin. In no way did it resemble real Asian food, or even fake Asian food. The fare at Anandupur Local Food Cafes was magical by comparison. Strange.

 

[happymom52003]

My least favorite restaurant is San Angel Inn. But....I think it is because I have extremely high expectations for Mexican food. I live in Austin and visit San Antonio frequently, so I have had many, many experiences with different types of Mexican food.

Mexican food is my favorite food in the entire world. And I'm not talking about Tex-Mex, although I love that too. I am talking about authentic Mexican food. We eat it at least once or twice a week, and I have a passion for cooking it as well.

Here in Austin, San Antonio and Houston there are countless restaurants that were opened by families from Mexico, serving authentic Mexican food from different parts of Mexico. Ranging from mom and pop hole in the walls to fancy expensive restaurants with award winning chefs.

So in our opinion, San Angel Inn is horrible.

If I had not had hundereds (or maybe more:lookaroun) of amazing, authentic Mexican meals, maybe I would think differently.:shrug:

But....the atmosphere is amazing. I'll give them that.

 

[lighteningqueen]

San Angel Inn was also the very worst. Its not even Mexico mexican food.. Just mush.. I only liked the soup it was great beyond that ...never ever again. Bomas another bad tasting spot. Nothing on the buffet, tasted awful. We had dinner at 730 - about 8:30 and they never refilled anything. never had any salads, meat was well Not sure what it was. Zebra Domes not so special either. Whispering canyon was great and so was O'Hanas not dried out as stated. maybe its the chef who cooks that night.. We were going to try out LTT on Xmas party night, should we not???

 

[Iknewagirlnamed]

Bomas another bad tasting spot. Nothing on the buffet, tasted awful. We had dinner at 730 - about 8:30 and they never refilled anything. never had any salads, meat was well Not sure what it was. Zebra Domes not so special either./QUOTE]
Honestly I absolutel LOVE Boma. Mayeb you just went on an off-night. All restaurants have off-meals. Meaning that the meals aren't prepared as they should be.

But I would say that I was disappointed with Marrakesh Probably because I had the vegetable couscous for like $16.00 which I can get the same thing at Boma and way more for $26.00

 

[mary219]

sci fi for dinner ,without a doubt.

 

[k.hunter30]

San Angel Inn was also the very worst. Its not even Mexico mexican food.. Just mush.. I only liked the soup it was great beyond that ...never ever again. Bomas another bad tasting spot. Nothing on the buffet, tasted awful. We had dinner at 730 - about 8:30 and they never refilled anything. never had any salads, meat was well Not sure what it was. Zebra Domes not so special either. Whispering canyon was great and so was O'Hanas not dried out as stated. maybe its the chef who cooks that night.. We were going to try out LTT on Xmas party night, should we not???

I just have to stick up for Boma a bit. I've eaten at Boma at least once every visit, twice on our last visit. About half of the time, we don't get seated for dinner until 8:30 and we've never had a problem with the buffet running out of food. The only time we've noticed something was empty was the salmon. But it's a hot item. By our second trip to the buffet they had fresh servings out and ready for us to gobble down! I LOVE that restaurant!!

 

[Dwarful]

For us it was CRT at Dinner. Way over priced, tiny portions, food over cooked. We won't go back for dinner. It just wasn't worth it.
1900 Park Fare- our group of 36 arrived early for our ADR and we weren't seated for over 2 hours! NOT fun with a group of girl scouts!

On the plus side the best two meals we had last summer with our group (Girls scouts-36 people) were at Tony's and Sci-Fi. No one ordered pasta though at Tony's so perhaps that is the downfall? But those two restaurants did the best service, let everyone sit where they wanted - we were on the dining plan- so some places insisted everyone on the same card sit together..which is not what we wanted.

 

[lebeau]

I just have to stick up for Boma a bit. I've eaten at Boma at least once every visit, twice on our last visit. About half of the time, we don't get seated for dinner until 8:30 and we've never had a problem with the buffet running out of food. The only time we've noticed something was empty was the salmon. But it's a hot item. By our second trip to the buffet they had fresh servings out and ready for us to gobble down! I LOVE that restaurant!!

Yeah, I'd have to chalk this one up to a difference in tastes. Boma is one of the better and more interesting buffets in WDW.

 

[k.hunter30]

Yeah, I'd have to chalk this one up to a difference in tastes. Boma is one of the better and more interesting buffets in WDW.

You're right. It's definitely not for everyone. But those who are open to it and have a palette for it, it's a must-try!

 

[fosse76]

Stitch_626_UK[/B] ]
Originally Posted by
easily, the rose and crown.

the service was fine, but the food was bland, i felt it was a very poor interpretation of British food. It just completely lacked flavour.

From everyone I know who's actually gone to Great Britain, that sounds spot on for the food.

 

[MissDiznee66]

2 bad experiences: Grand Floridian Cafe'; their prime rib was awful. And Yachtsman; for whatever reason, I just didn't enjoy it. :shrug: But that is out of approximately 20 restaurants. :slurp:

 

[piratemom]

I loved Boma, too. It let us experience very different foods and my kids loved it too.

Worst for us - Cinderella's Royal Table for Thanksgiving Dinner. Cold, pressed turkey meat, and it was horrible. It was the type of turkey you get in a Swanson's frozen dinner.
I didn't expect a totally homecooked turkey but I expected a bit better for Disney, since it was Thanksgiving Day.
and
Harbour House - my 4 year old got some bad fish and was sick the whole day at the MK. It was terrible.

 

[catne]

California Grille...May 2008

It was o.k., even good. But just that, good. NOT fabulous, NOT outstanding. Not worth 2 credits on the Dining Plan. Not worth $38 for a filet. And although we had a window table, no view, cuz they don't open blinds until dusk (they are light-filtering, so you can kind of get a fuzzy view.) Desserts were wonderful, but not worth 2 credit for just fab desserts.

 

[Phonedave]

From everyone I know who's actually gone to Great Britain, that sounds spot on for the food.

Except there was no baked beans


-dave

 

[The Adventurer]

Slightly average, but not necessarily disappointing.

While I have never had a bad dining experience at Walt Disney World, I believe that Hollywood & Vine is my least favorite of all the Table Service Meals. It is the same price as all the other buffet meals, which all feature better selections and characters. My family and I went for the second time this trip (the first was in 2004) and the buffet was pretty much hit and miss. The dessert were wonderful, but the entree selections ranged from delicious to downright odd. The crusted samon had an unexpected tangy aftertaste and the fruit salad was pretty bad too, however the cuts of steak and pinapple and ginger chicken were wonderful and the service was good given the amount of people. Maybe if some characters made the rounds I would be more forgiving. Imagine if they did a Toy Story themed lunch or a Fantasmic inspired dinner with Sorcerer Mickey and a collection of Disney villains circulating around the room? Can you say, awesome? :king:

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

While I have never had a bad dining experience at Walt Disney World, I believe that Hollywood & Vine is my least favorite of all the Table Service Meals. It is the same price as all the other buffet meals, which all feature better selections and characters. My family and I went for the second time this trip (the first was in 2004) and the buffet was pretty much hit and miss. The dessert were wonderful, but the entree selections ranged from delicious to downright odd. The crusted samon had an unexpected tangy aftertaste and the fruit salad was pretty bad too, however the cuts of steak and pinapple and ginger chicken were wonderful and the service was good given the amount of people. Maybe if some characters made the rounds I would be more forgiving. Imagine if they did a Toy Story themed lunch or a Fantasmic inspired dinner with Sorcerer Mickey and a collection of Disney villains circulating around the room? Can you say, awesome? :king:

I have to agree on this one - the food wasn't bad, I just didn't care for the atmosphere. I can see where it would be nice for kids - the kids secetion of the buffet was really nice - but as two adults, DD & I agreed that once was enough.
I also agree with Dwarful on California Grill. Did it once, had a nice time, but won't waste 2 dining credits again.
That being said, I have to put in a good word on Boma. Absolutely loved it - one of our favorites. Our ADR wasn't until 9:10PM, and the buffet was always full.