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Popularity & Peer Pressure

erasure fan1

erasure fan1

Well-Known Member
I make my decision based on the menu not the reviews but the one thing I did try (and this might be unpopular) was the dole whip. And I have to say I was pretty underwhelmed, it wasn't bad but I didn't see the mass appeal and following it has. :eek: I am pretty sure this comes as close to Disney blasphemy as you can get. ;)

**ducks and runs away from angry mob!**
 
D

DisneyDebNJ

Well-Known Member
Tuvalu said:
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.
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'
I just realized, after all my experiences with Tonga Toast at Kona, I have never been able to finish it!! It is exactly the same, except Captain Cook's doesnt offer the strawberry sauce which is fabulous!!!!
 
bethymouse

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
I was disappointed in 1900 Park Fare dinner, but hubby liked it!:confused: Actually, all of the breakfast buffets we've been to ( including 'Ohana-family style") have been disappointing!:( There really hasn't been any dinner buffet that particularly stands out for me either.:( ( except we loved 'Ohana AUCE shrimp, potstickers... YUM!:)). The character interaction is always good ( except I was disappointed w/ Lilo & Stitch.:().
My favorite and most memorable meal was Flying Fish Cafe. We also quite enjoyed our meal @ Whispering Canyon Cafe!:)
Nothing is ever "horribly" bad mind you, but the "hype" is a bit ridiculous!:eek:
 
JenniferS

JenniferS

When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
erasure fan1 said:
I make my decision based on the menu not the reviews but the one thing I did try (and this might be unpopular) was the dole whip. And I have to say I was pretty underwhelmed, it wasn't bad but I didn't see the mass appeal and following it has. :eek: I am pretty sure this comes as close to Disney blasphemy as you can get. ;)

**ducks and runs away from angry mob!**
Click to expand...
Disney blasphemy - that all depends. What do you think of School Bread?

Re - Dole Whip. This past November, in an effort to save calories, I ordered Dole Whip in a cup, rather than as a float. No comparison! Dole Whip floats are absolutely the way to go!
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
DisneyDebNJ said:
'
I just realized, after all my experiences with Tonga Toast at Kona, I have never been able to finish it!! It is exactly the same, except Captain Cook's doesnt offer the strawberry sauce which is fabulous!!!!
Click to expand...

Well that answers that question for me... I mean, strawberry compote just sounds like a must have element in my stomach's eyes ;)
 
bdearl41

bdearl41

Well-Known Member
dreamfinder said:
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.
Click to expand...

Not true, Sanaa is fantastic! A real treat!
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
erasure fan1 said:
I make my decision based on the menu not the reviews but the one thing I did try (and this might be unpopular) was the dole whip. And I have to say I was pretty underwhelmed, it wasn't bad but I didn't see the mass appeal and following it has. :eek: I am pretty sure this comes as close to Disney blasphemy as you can get. ;)

**ducks and runs away from angry mob!**
Click to expand...

I for one agree with you. I don't see what is so all fired great about Dole Whips. (or floats for that matter)

I like pineapple and all, but the Dole Whip is not something I would go out of my way for. Heck, simple grilled pineapple with some brown sugar on it would be more "special" if you ask me.

-dave
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
JenniferS said:
Disney blasphemy - that all depends. What do you think of School Bread?

Re - Dole Whip. This past November, in an effort to save calories, I ordered Dole Whip in a cup, rather than as a float. No comparison! Dole Whip floats are absolutely the way to go!
Click to expand...

School bread I like. But then I had a Norwegian granmother, and she baked with a lot of cardamom (very popular spice in Norway) and school bread has cardamom in it, so it reminds me of the stuff she used to me.

-
-dave
 
dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
erasure fan1 said:
I make my decision based on the menu not the reviews but the one thing I did try (and this might be unpopular) was the dole whip. And I have to say I was pretty underwhelmed, it wasn't bad but I didn't see the mass appeal and following it has. :eek: I am pretty sure this comes as close to Disney blasphemy as you can get. ;)

**ducks and runs away from angry mob!**
Click to expand...

But this can actually be a totally different situation. Dole Whips are something that is has a fairly limited subset of locations where you can get them. I only know of Aloha Aisle and Captain Cooks, and no place off property. So the food itself may not be worthy of 3 Michelin stars, but the fact that people associate with the a happy place, and fond memories with family can easily impact their perceptions of the food. The same goes for something like a Mickey Bar. Despite just being chocolate covered vanilla ice cream on a stick, plenty of people swear that they taste better than anything they can get at home. Once again, more than likely their perception is impacted by the fact they are on vacation, at WDW/DLR, etc.

But a normal entree? How many meal choices can you find in a local/chain restaurant by your home? Or heck, even make at home, and have it taste just the same or better? Odds are, most of them. So the food doesn't end up standing out in your mind and possibly getting elevated to a higher plane than it would otherwise deserve because you can get it elsewhere.
 
dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
bdearl41 said:
Not true, Sanaa is fantastic! A real treat!
Click to expand...

And I would classify Sanaa in the TS at the deluxes that I mentioned. Same for Jiko, the Wave, and Artist Point. (And most likely Citricos and Narcossee's when I get there) All offer a wonderful meal, and I think that they are all hands down better than the other normal TS locations. But I can find restaurants of that caliber by the dozen in a mid-major city. But for me to be served an outstanding meal, give me something that will wow me. Doesn't have to be completely fancy like V&A's, but let the chefs out of their box. WDW has some outstanding culinary talent, that needs to be allowed to shine once in a while. When did you last see a daily special on the menu at any WDW restaurant? And outside of Chef TJ if you can find him, when has anyone raved about any food item that wasn't made day in and day out?
To quote Ratatoiulle,
The old standby, used to be famous for it.
What does the chef have that's new?
Click to expand...
 
RedDad

RedDad

Smitty Werben JagerManJensen
Everyone raves about how Sunshine Seasons is one of the best CS restaurants on property, but our experiences there have been just ok. The last 2 meals I've eaten there were really not very good. On the flip side, everyone knocks Coral Reef, but our meal there 2 years ago was great.

I think you have to remember that every restaurant can produce a poor product once in a while, so even the best places will sometimes disappoint.
 
wdwmagic

wdwmagic

Administrator
Moderator
Premium Member
RedDad said:
Everyone raves about how Sunshine Seasons is one of the best CS restaurants on property, but our experiences there have been just ok. The last 2 meals I've eaten there were really not very good. On the flip side, everyone knocks Coral Reef, but our meal there 2 years ago was great.

I think you have to remember that every restaurant can produce a poor product once in a while, so even the best places will sometimes disappoint.
Click to expand...
A big issue with Sunshine Seasons is how long the food has been sitting out under those heat lamps. If the place isn't busy, the food can sit there for a while, dry out, and be nowhere near its best. On a busier day the turn over rate is fast and the food is fresh and at its optimum.
 
RedDad

RedDad

Smitty Werben JagerManJensen
wdwmagic said:
A big issue with Sunshine Seasons is how long the food has been sitting out under those heat lamps. If the place isn't busy, the food can sit there for a while, dry out, and be nowhere near its best. On a busier day the turn over rate is fast and the food is fresh and at its optimum.
Click to expand...
Exactly - I had heard the best reviews about the pork chops, so was excited to try it last time. Unfortunately, it was very close to closing time, and it was very dry...just not good. We've had good meals there before, though, so we'll try it again!
 

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