Popularity & Peer Pressure

[JenniferS]

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...

I was reading your post and thinking - geesh people, you can't go wrong with a burger and a shake ....

We had ADR's for Sci Fi during our last trip in mid November, but swiftly canceled them when we were able to score a dinner ressie for BOG. Glad we tried it, but not sure I would get up at 6:00 a.m. at 180 (+10) days to book again.
Maybe it's because they were in the very first days of training, but the food was just okay. It didn't come close to an earlier dinner at The Wave, or a later dinner at Kona.

For me, Boma is the most over-rated restaurant. The first time we went with the kids, we had over-done it at the parks and were exhausted. The service was lousy - we got our first drink refills with our bill. And the zebra domes which I had practically dreamed about, were gross. Vile even. The second time we went, it was adults only, and as much as I really, really wanted to love it; I didn't.

To date, Kona (breakfast and dinner) has consistently never let us down. Big fan of The Wave too, although I know a lot of people are ambivalent.

 

[Figgy1]

that's cause figmentfan423 is nuts

I resemble that remark!

 

[eddiemcgarrigle]

I prefer to for my own opinion and pay no heed to the doom-mongers. I find that most people who leave reviews of restaurants are those with a particular problem, while those who have enjoyed the experience go home fat and happy with nothing on their mind other than a lie down and not, a desperate need to fire up the Internet and vent.

 

[alissafalco]

I no longer read reviews about restaurants because everyone's taste is always different and I have read so many bad things about le cellier/Tony's/coral reef/ CRT/50's, and when I ate there I really enjoyed all of my meals -at all of them. You have to go for yourself and see.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

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?

We found WDWMagic when we needed help/direction in choosing! Le Cellier (at the time we joined) was the impossible ressie, so we focused our efforts on snagging a dinner. We loved it!! Another held in high regard was Jiko’s….we tried it and didn’t get it! Decent, but not great. We have given it two more tries and still don’t get it.

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

I agree totally.....We have given popular places a try (as long as the joint is something we would actually entertain trying) and some have been winners, others have left us scratching our heads.

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.


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

I hear ya...we like Sci-Fi, Pizza Planet, but don't care for many Sigs. The most inconsistent place we have been is Mama Melrose; at times it has truly been one extreme to the other.

 

[Ariel484]

Boma still ranks as the most disappointing restaurant I've been to at Disney. We were SO excited to eat there in 2009 after reading so many rave reviews...and it wasn't bad by any means, but we were expecting a really spectacular meal and it was so...bland. That was the first Table Service of our honeymoon and it really took the wind out of our sails. I'd venture to say the same (though not quite to the same extreme) about Le Cellier - good but not as incredible as we'd been led to believe. We don't plan on going back to either place, especially now that Le Cellier is Signature.

We DO think that 'Ohana lives up to the hype.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

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.

This is an excellent question!! I am the Queen of Menus in my home LOL and before we dine anywhere, I have to sit down to my trusty steed (my laptop) and check out the offerings. The only time I was extremely disappointed was back in the day, with two restaurants... L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Restaurant (now gone thank goodness) and Mama Melrose back in the 90s. AND I even went back to L'Originale Alfredo di Roma!!!!!!! What the heck was I thinking?!?!?!!? (who the heck makes alfredo sauce with NO cream.. just parmesan and butter.... UGH) Since joining wdwmagic I have to honestly say, I haven't had a bad experience, after reading the pros and cons of each restaurant... Good job all... good job!

 

[Tuvalu]

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.

The serving size of Tonga Toast at Kona's is ridiculously huge. If you want to sample Tonga Toast, go downstairs in the GCH to Captain Cooks...smaller sized, cheaper and tastes the same.

 

[mrdisman]

well said...

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.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

The serving size of Tonga Toast at Kona's is ridiculously huge. If you want to sample Tonga Toast, go downstairs in the GCH to Captain Cooks...smaller sized, cheaper and tastes the same.

I've seen the pics...looks big...but ya never know, I might just have one of those competetive eating moments Seriously though, I've heard the one at Kona has the compote but that's not available at Cptn Cooks. Not that it's a huge deal, but the compote sounds delish

 

[gwhb75]

I'll chime in and say Biergarten is the one that we went to because of the rave reviews, and was completely underwhelmed. Maybe it was because I don't drink, but I just didn't get what the hype was about. The theming was cool, the band was great, but the food was "meh" at best. The weird thing to me was how packed the place was. Again, maybe the huge servings of beer are the main attraction, but I just didn't find the food that great at all.

I'll also say Kona didn't live up to the hype either (at least for dinner). Nothing overly wrong with it, just didn't find it anything special (BTW, we did breakfast there a few years ago and loved it. Tonga toast was really good).

However, we love 'Ohana and Boma, so I guess it's a "to each his own" kind of thing.

 

[networkpro]

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.

Agreed that tastes vary, but consistency can be an issue. We love the menu at Narcoosee's but the staff can be snarky at times. While at Artists Point the staff is absolutely wonderful but the menu has quite a few clinkers. My wife usually picks Diver scallops where ever available so that's a deciding factor, who has the best presentation and value (and BTW she's not a fan of risotto so Artists point is less favorable). I have been traveling for about the last 12 years regularly to Seattle and don't get their PNW flavor a bit.

 

[bmarkelon]

I agree with you on this as well! I always try my hardest when we are trying something new to go in with low expectations, even when I read these rave reviews. I do always use this site to help me in choosing new places but I also always read the menus and talk with our whole travel party before booking a "popular" meal. This is why we have never eaten at Prime Time, whenever I go over the menu with everyone I get too many "meh's". And there are always so many others that beat it out.
I tried Kona's Tonga Toast and Ohana's dinner based on all the rave reviews here and those both turned out great! I LOVE Tonga Toast and have had it twice now and am sad that I have to take a break from it next trip. While I do not think that the meat skewers are phenomenal at Ohana, a bit dry at best, overall the meal is a hit for us.
I was completely underwhelmed by the dinner buffet at 1900 Park Fare last trip. I will say it was one of the most entertaining and fun character experiences, but I left hungry and just thought the food choices were pretty nasty. I went up probably or 4 times hoping to finally find something I would enjoy and fill up on. I think I only ate Shrimp cocktail and some potato side dish.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

We've been dining at Le Cellier since before it became the MUST DO place for lots of people. We've always loved it. Never had a bad meal there. We tried Ohana due to the rave reviews and loved it. Same thing with Cali Grill.

On the other hand, we tried Kona Cafe based on the rave reviews for dinner and I thought it was just ok. I did not like my meal very much but maybe if I ordered something different, I might have liked it more. We are all for giving something a go one time around, just to try it. If we love it, great. If not, we just won't book it again.

There are some places we absolutely LOVE that other people just don't like... Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch (amazing pot roast) 50s Prime Time Cafe (again, amazing pot roast and great atmosphere) and Les Chefs De France (the half chicken was so good, although the restaurant itself had a somewhat funny smell to it)

 

[WDW 3]

DH and I tried Tony's and had a great meal. Quiet atmosphere and very enjoyable despite all the hate it's given here.

We think the HDD is overrated. For us it's a one and done and others loooove it and it's a must do every trip. I'm not a big Kona fan. It's just a big open restaurant... nothiing special.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

The restaurants that I tried because of Raves were Oliva's, Kona Cafe, and Le Cellier.
Oliva's: very enjoyable and my lunch was great, I would like to go back but it is kind of a hassle to go to if not staying there which is why I haven't gone back.
Le Cellier: nice, but wasn't anything super different than a regular steakhouse. I can make their recipe for the cheese soup better at home. So it definately isn't worth a signature to me. I would go back, but not in a rush to.
Kona Cafe: had lunch there and was SO disappointed. Food was a little bland, service wasn't good, and my hot dessert was lukewarm. I wouldn't go back, and would never choose this after Ohana again!

People have told me that some hidden gems are Captain's Grille, and Boatwrights. I totally agree and rave about them to others.

 

[Phonedave]

This is an excellent question!! I am the Queen of Menus in my home LOL and before we dine anywhere, I have to sit down to my trusty steed (my laptop) and check out the offerings. The only time I was extremely disappointed was back in the day, with two restaurants... L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Restaurant (now gone thank goodness) and Mama Melrose back in the 90s. AND I even went back to L'Originale Alfredo di Roma!!!!!!! What the heck was I thinking?!?!?!!? (who the heck makes alfredo sauce with NO cream.. just parmesan and butter.... UGH) Since joining wdwmagic I have to honestly say, I haven't had a bad experience, after reading the pros and cons of each restaurant... Good job all... good job!

That was my thought as well. The first time I had it, the waiter was all fired up about it. "It is a complicated and exact technique, to make the sauce with just cheese and butter". OK, so yes it is difficult and more expensive, but that does not make it better. Other items on the menu were very good. But their signature dish did not appeal to me. Way too heavy and rich.


Now, as to the original question. I rarely go into any restaruant at WDW expecting anything higher than "good" (V&A not withstanding). Somtimes I do get better, but more often than not I don't. Restaruants like California Grill, Artist Point, etc - those are solid restaruants. Do they "blow me away" no, not really. There can be on occassion a single dish that is outstanding, but it is not consistent. Quite frankly you can find those "rare gems" anywhere. I had a Sopa Azteca at San Angel that I still remember. I can't remember anything else about that meal, but that one dish stands out.

As for reviews, I tend to ignore reviews that say places are "super yummy" or "everything was very fresh" or "all the food came out hot". Yummy is a personal evaluation. I have found that most people would not recognize processed canned industrial food if the package was sitting at the table with them, and I really hop that all the food comes out hot (if it should be hot). If not, then the place has some serious problems. I listen to reviews that desribe the food, what was done with it, how it was presented, the texture, preperation, etc.

-dave

 

[PhilharMagician]

Chef Mickey's to me is over rated. The food is good, but the noise is almost overwhelming. Just as you get your food in front of you here is the party and you have swing your napkin over your head. The you start to eat again and one of the character is at your table and repeat and repeat. I can see that with little ones it can be a blast, but I can say the only enjoyment I had there was watching the smile on my daugters face when she was younger.

Restaurant Marrakesh even with it's sub-par reviews I think it is over rated. We have eaten there 3 times and I have not once been happy with my meal. I have tried the feast and some items were good, but some I did not like at all. I tried the beef kabob and it was dry and way overcooked and I asked for it medium rare. The one shining star there is the fact that you can order a carafe (I believe one of the only on property) of wine which is a money saver compared to ordering single glasses. I did also enjoy the entertainment. Hopefully the new restaurant and the other planned changes to Morocco help the pavillion.

LTT is another one that I am so shocked that it is so popular. The food is simple and yet it seems to be over cooked and dryed out and then add in that the characters were removed.

 

[bdearl41]

Ohana, Chef Mickey's, Le Cellier = Overrated
Le Chefs, Citricos, Artists Point = Underrated
Sanaa, Restaurant Marrakech, Flying Fish = Unappreciated (the best on property)

 

[dreamfinder]

Outside of perhaps V&A's, no restaurant on property is currently setup to astonish. Yes, most of the TS at the deluxe resorts will deliver a wonderful meal. But WDW seems to feel that most tourists want fairly simple non-challenging food. Whether this is right or not is up to debate, but look at the reviews on this very site. Guests have given Narcoossee's and Jiko 4+ stars. Right about the same amount as both the Crystal Palace and Tusker House. Never in my mind would I equate the dining experience at those four locations as being the same.

Some locations get hyped up for the experience as much as anything else (character meals I'm looking at you). Others get hyped because they are all you can eat (in an age of growing waistlines) with reasonable food. And some get praised as being a truly high end dining experience that could stand on its own in a major city. And different guests focus on different benefits. So what may be the best meal on property to your neighbor, may be a waste of time/money to you. There are a few restaurants that are almost universally panned (and for good reason), but the others all typically serve reasonable food (for what it is) and will provide a reasonable meal.