What’s Wrong With Disney World Restaurants...

[Phonedave]

First - I realize it is WDW - you are open 365 days a year, and you are doing hundreds, if not over a thousand covers a night in each restaurant. You also have a large number of patrons who base there decision to dine at a location on a menu they looked at over three months ago (and this is WDWs fault too) so you cannot go changing the menu depending on what you can fresh and local that week (unless you are Artist Point and we are talking about Copper River Salmon). That forces you to buy a lot of your stuff from a provider such as Sysco.

Second - I realize it is WDW and there is going to be a mark up because you have a captive audience.

However, the food had gone well below Sysco levels. It is for the most part unadventurous, uninspired, and lacking in any real identity. Same breast of chicken, same side of green beans, same side of three or four starches that are on the rotation. Just add a different sauce (from a bag) to make it "unique" to a given restaurant. Then charge DOUBLE what the same quality food would get you in the real world. Not a 10 to 20% theme park mark up, but damn near double the pricing.

There are some places in WDW that do have a decent product, and where I have been pleasantly surprised. But most of the times I leave feeling like I ate at the local bar down the street and was robbed in the process.

-dave

 

[MikeyK72]

There are some places in WDW that do have a decent product, and where I have been pleasantly surprised.

Would you mind sharing which ones please? Would love some fresh ideas.

 

[Phonedave]

Would you mind sharing which ones please? Would love some fresh ideas.

Off the top of my head

Trattoria Al Forno - Good food, great service, and a surprisingly reasonable bill.

Brown Derby - Not good from a value standpoint, but when they are on their game their food is interesting and good.

Chefs de France - Maybe it's just because I like duck - but I enjoy the food here (even if they use the wrong steak for the steak frites)

Boma and Saana are maybe the most interesting "normal" restaurants on property.

Victoria & Alberts is not a "normal" WDW restaurant but is in a class by itself.

Artist Point - They have nice cheeses and charcuterie. They have Copper River Salmon when in season. They have a hanger steak (they should send it over the Chef de France so they can use it with the steak frites). However their meat is pricey - very pricey. I just don't see the justification in the quality


Now that I think of it, I believe that Chefs de France is one DDP credit and Artist Point is 2.

Onglet (hanger steak) used be to cheap as chips until everyone started going ga ga over it about 5 years ago, then the price went through the roof (don't get me started about the same thing happening to short ribs and flank steak). Artist Point still serves a hangar steak, most likely because they can afford the price given 2 credits

Steak Frites at Chefs de France uses flatiron steaks, which are cheaper (they are not bad by any means, but cheaper). Normally you would find a sirloin or an onglet. I would wager they go with the flatiron because they cannot afford the other based on 1 TS credit. I am waiting for the price on flat iron steaks to go up as well.


-dave

 

[SteamboatJoe]

I recognize and mostly agree with the often cited faults of the DDP; however, one positive of it for me personally was the ability to eat at certain restaurants and/or order certain dishes I would have never felt comfortable with otherwise on my budget. Last year it afforded me the ability to go to Le Cellier and order some really fantastic, albeit relatively expensive, food.

Granted, it's admittedly more of a psychological advantage as opposed to a quantitative financial advantage.

 

[xdan0920]

In a nutshell. This...

Chef Mickey's

View Gallery

Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Disney's Contemporary Resort

Buffet/Family Style, Character Dining
$$$ ($35 to $59.99 per adult)

Bolded is the real issue.

Sixty dollars for a buffet. "Kids" aka a 3yo is $30 for a buffet. A three year old eats one Waffle. $30. Hard to walk out of a place like that with even an ounce of dignity left.

I actually think Food and Bev at Disney is a pretty decent quality. Especially for the numbers they turn over, and the fact it's a theme park resort. The prices though, they are exorbitant. I can't remember the last time I got the check at a Disney F&B location and didn't feel ripped off.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I generally don't have a problem with the prices, with the exception of how Disney classifies kids and adults. Take Boma as an example.

$45 for adults (10+)
$25 for children (3-9)

Depending on age, those prices range from "reasonable and appropriate" to "absolutely insane." I'm a grown man with a large appetite, so I'm perfectly fine paying $45 because I'm going to eat a lot of food and I'm gong to eat expensive things (beef, fish, etc.) I'd say the same thing about a nine year old with a healthy appetite. But for kids or are 3 or 4 (or "adults" who are 11 or 12) I don't see any way you can get enough value for the price. I feel the same way about the dining plan. It was fine when my daughter was free, but there's no way she'll eat a full kids-share amount of food at age 3.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Disney is an interesting place when it comes to wining and dining. By and large, I've been moderately happy with the balance between price and quality, but...

Sanaa for instance. I found the quality to be outstanding and the pricing fairly commensurate. Boma on the other hand, will never see my business again. It's pricey enough for an adult but outrageous for children. And while one could argue an adult could eat a lot of expensive stuff - there isn't that much of it. Sure, the meats are obviously it, but everything else? Meh. And what kid will eat their money's worth? Not a one. Then there's the drinks and overall experience. It takes forever to get seated, forever to get your drink ordered (and served), forever to make your way through the line for food... Yeah, I'm good on Boma.

Then there's the drinks; I'm talking cocktails and "novelty drinks" - not beer and wine, which are "known quantities." Sure, they're overpriced, but it is what it is - and you know what you're getting. All the slushies and mixed up stuff, especially in the parks though? I suppose one can't fault Disney (too much) as they stick to strict measures of alcohol (jiggers) in their recipes. A bartender giving you a "strong drink" because he likes you? Yeah, ain't happening (or at least, extreeeemely rare). Same exact deal as buying slushies in N'Orleans or Key West. It's watered down stuff for tourists - for a lot of money. Stick to the beer, wine or shots.

 

[xdan0920]

I generally don't have a problem with the prices, with the exception of how Disney classifies kids and adults. Take Boma as an example.

$45 for adults (10+)
$25 for children (3-9)

Depending on age, those prices range from "reasonable and appropriate" to "absolutely insane." I'm a grown man with a large appetite, so I'm perfectly fine paying $45 because I'm going to eat a lot of food and I'm gong to eat expensive things (beef, fish, etc.) I'd say the same thing about a nine year old with a healthy appetite. But for kids or are 3 or 4 (or "adults" who are 11 or 12) I don't see any way you can get enough value for the price. I feel the same way about the dining plan. It was fine when my daughter was free, but there's no way she'll eat a full kids-share amount of food at age 3.

@George and I talk about this a lot. Disney's "kid" classification and pricing is ridiculous. Apparently there used to be a "junior" level of intermediate pricing. That's gone now though, can't leave those extra dollars on the table, as it were.

 

[Amos1784]

I agree a lot has to do with the pacing of the meal, some of my fondest memories as a kid when we would visit with my family were memorable meals. Recently we have had some horrific dining experiences at Coral Reef and 50's Prime Time. I remember as a kid/teen going to Prime Time and the food being delicious, now what you are served is a mass produced meal that has been sitting under a heat lamp and comes out 3 minutes after you ordered it, its awful. Coral reef same thing, we had absolutely awful service. We had a reservation at 1, we were sat at 1:30 by 1:50 all we had received was our drink orders and they came out wrong. For a restaurant I am paying 30$ a plate its hard to accept. Our food came out much like at Prime Time with the plates on fire and somehow the food cold, very disappointing.

We have now recently adapted to eating at lounges and bars as we find we get better service and fresher food. Our favorites are the bar at Sanaa, Tambu Lounge, Crews Cup (not a lounge but close), Territory Lounge, Geyser Point ect. Granted I know this is not an option for most families as it is just my husband and I but we have had some great experiences.

 

[OneofThree]

A couple of observations:

1- In general, the quality of food is average to above average, and fairly pedestrian at many of the "signatures".

2- It's all overpriced -all of it.

3- The amount of guests served is no excuse IMO, because if you're going to sacrifice quality, it should come with the subsequent volume discount. It doesn't.

4- I know what I'm getting myself into when I eat there, and I just accept that before even arriving as I just take it as part of the overall expense of the trip.

 

[drizgirl]

A couple of observations:

1- In general, the quality of food is average to above average, and fairly pedestrian at many of the "signatures".

2- It's all overpriced -all of it.

3- The amount of guests served is no excuse IMO, because if you're going to sacrifice quality, it should come with the subsequent volume discount. It doesn't.

4- I know what I'm getting myself into when I eat there, and I just accept that before even arriving as I just take it as part of the overall expense of the trip.

That's a good rundown. And pretty much how we see it. We do a fair number of character meals and look at the experience as part of the cost.

 

[MomofPrincessGrace]

My biggest complaint is that you get so much food and pay so much money. I'd like to see them add an option of a smaller size main portion, like what a few places call "senior portion", for those of us with smaller appetites. You may think of child's offerings, but sadly most places with childs' meal offerings just offer things like chicken nuggets, peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese. Go to Tangerine Cafe and look for Moroccan food on the child's menu.

I know @21stamps has voiced this same problem. Not all kids like to eat adventurously, but adventurous eating to some kids is normal eating to others. I, for one, like smaller portions or eating off kids menus because I would rather have a smaller portion at 2 restaurants than a large portion at 1. I can try more foods without feeling disgusting.

 

[The Mom]

Arguing with other posters will not be tolerated. Let it go.

 

[21stamps]

I agree a lot has to do with the pacing of the meal, some of my fondest memories as a kid when we would visit with my family were memorable meals. Recently we have had some horrific dining experiences at Coral Reef and 50's Prime Time. I remember as a kid/teen going to Prime Time and the food being delicious, now what you are served is a mass produced meal that has been sitting under a heat lamp and comes out 3 minutes after you ordered it, its awful. Coral reef same thing, we had absolutely awful service. We had a reservation at 1, we were sat at 1:30 by 1:50 all we had received was our drink orders and they came out wrong. For a restaurant I am paying 30$ a plate its hard to accept. Our food came out much like at Prime Time with the plates on fire and somehow the food cold, very disappointing.

We have now recently adapted to eating at lounges and bars as we find we get better service and fresher food. Our favorites are the bar at Sanaa, Tambu Lounge, Crews Cup (not a lounge but close), Territory Lounge, Geyser Point ect. Granted I know this is not an option for most families as it is just my husband and I but we have had some great experiences.

We eat at lounges often too! My kid loves them. More relaxing, good food, fun beverages.

My biggest complaint is that you get so much food and pay so much money. I'd like to see them add an option of a smaller size main portion, like what a few places call "senior portion", for those of us with smaller appetites. You may think of child's offerings, but sadly most places with childs' meal offerings just offer things like chicken nuggets, peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese. Go to Tangerine Cafe and look for Moroccan food on the child's menu.

I know @21stamps has voiced this same problem. Not all kids like to eat adventurously, but adventurous eating to some kids is normal eating to others. I, for one, like smaller portions or eating off kids menus because I would rather have a smaller portion at 2 restaurants than a large portion at 1. I can try more foods without feeling disgusting.

Yes, this is my biggest complaint at Disney. We ended up splitting a shawarma platter last year because so much of kiddo’s meal went to waste the year before.
Those type of restaurants really should have kid’s meals, or smaller portions, that align with the rest of their menu, even one choice would be ok.

Garden Grill is another one where we waste soooo much food. Same with the skillet at WCC.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

My main issue with the restaurants is the food quality. I love love love eating at Cinderella's Royal Table. Good service and get to meet princesses, and you are in the castle! (Hopefully one day, i will win a contest so I can actually stay there one night). The experience is amazing. But the breakfast food? ...um the All Star Resort cafes have better quality for a much better price.

 

[MomofPrincessGrace]

My main issue with the restaurants is the food quality. I love love love eating at Cinderella's Royal Table. Good service and get to meet princesses, and you are in the castle! (Hopefully one day, i will win a contest so I can actually stay there one night). The experience is amazing. But the breakfast food? ...um the All Star Resort cafes have better quality for a much better price.

Yes! I loved the ambiance of CRT, but the breakfast food was super disappointing. I got the shrimp and grits (wouldn't get again) and my sister got the french toast. She didn't tell me until later that she didn't think it was cooked all the way through. I loved being able to start our first full day off at CRT, but left disappointed.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

@George and I talk about this a lot. Disney's "kid" classification and pricing is ridiculous. Apparently there used to be a "junior" level of intermediate pricing. That's gone now though, can't leave those extra dollars on the table, as it were.

The kid / adult thing works fine for admission IMO, but it doesn't make much sense for food.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Those type of restaurants really should have kid’s meals, or smaller portions, that align with the rest of their menu, even one choice would be ok.

This. Flame Tree BBQ, for example. Adult menu is smoked chicken, ribs, and pulled pork. Kid's menu is plain chicken sandwich, baked drumstick, hot dog, or Uncrustable. How hard would a 1/4 portion of pulled pork be?

 

[OneofThree]

How hard would a 1/4 portion of pulled pork be?

The fact that it would be so incredibly easy leads me to believe their metrics indicate other reasons for not doing so.

 

[21stamps]

This. Flame Tree BBQ, for example. Adult menu is smoked chicken, ribs, and pulled pork. Kid's menu is plain chicken sandwich, baked drumstick, hot dog, or Uncrustable. How hard would a 1/4 portion of pulled pork be?

At least they’re trying with the drumstick! It’s in line with the theme. I’ve never been there so wasn’t aware. I’m not a huge smokehouse/bbq fan.

The fact that it would be so incredibly easy leads me to believe their metrics indicate other reasons for not doing so.

I think their kids meal prices are extremely reasonable. My issue is the food waste.