Originally Posted By Chelledun Sorry to all those who love this restaurant, but our meal here did not go so well, to save the least. Maybe the worst service I've had at WDW - tough call between this and our Mama Melrose ordeal. <a href="http://www.epinions.com/content_273504636548" target="_blank">http://www.epinions.com/conten t_273504636548</a> On the bright side, Le Cellier was amazing for the second year in a row.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Sorry for the bad service... I'm glad that Le Cellier was good, I'm going there next month.
Originally Posted By Chelledun You will LOOOOOVE it. Have you been before? The pretzel bread is amazing, the steaks are fab, and the dessert menu is creative. We've tried four different desserts there, all wonderful!
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 No I've never been there. I've just read great reviews on it. I've also heard that the bread is wonderful, expecially the pretzel bread. How about the cheese soup? Have you tried that?
Originally Posted By danyoung Chelledun, I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but I've got to challenge you on a couple of things. First, there's just no way I would ever be forced to order appetizer, entre and dessert all at once! If the waiter wants to take it all at once, I just say I haven't decided on dessert yet. She shouldn't have even asked, though. And not bussing your dishes is unforgivable. But please don't give up on the restaurant just because of one bimbo. I've eaten there many times, and have had mostly terrific service. The worst it's ever been has been a bit slow, but most of the time they're right on top of things. I urge you to let a little time go by and try again - they almost always do a MUCH better job than what you experienced.
Originally Posted By Chelledun Yeah, Dan, you're right about that - we shouldn't have ordered all three dishes at once. Clearly we never would have if we hadn't been on the dining plan, but I guess it sort of threw us off. I guess its just as well, because if she would have had to come back to take our orders for each course separately I might still be sitting there. I won't say I'll never dine there again, but it will be a while. There are so many places at WDW that I LOVE, and several that I would like to try but haven't yet. We only make it once or twice a year so I am pretty stingy with my picks. I'll probably wait until I have kiddos and then give it another shot.
Originally Posted By Chelledun Oh yeah, Disneymom I have not tried the cheese soup. I would love to and I've hear dit is GREAT, but my tummy just can't handle many soups, and this one sounds creamy. Have some for me, okay?
Originally Posted By jkayjs It is unfortunate you had such a bad experience. Perhaps next time you should speak up as I'm sure they would prefer fixing a problem as it occurs as oppose to having a negative review posted. This would also help others that may get the same server. Like Dan I have always had a very good experience @ Coral Reef. We like sitting on the 2nd or 3rd level as we feel it gives a better overall view of the sealife. We have been @ both lunch and dinner. Our fave time to go is an early dinner. Yes it can get a little loud but this is a popular place for families and inside the park so I expect as much. I too hope you give it another chance as I think you may be pleasantly surpized. Next time try the bisque it is wonderful. BTW the cheese soup @ Le Cellier is beyond "Great". We love to dip the pretzel bread in it.
Originally Posted By jkayjs You may not only be "surpized' but surprised as well. I've got to quit typing without my glasses.
Originally Posted By Chelledun I did send a letter to Disney with no response yet, but did not want to add further stress to our evening. The situation was already very uncomfortable and my mom is very shy. Posting a review of my personal experience is fair game, as far as I'm concerned. I'm not purporting to represent the restaurant on any other evening than the one we visited, or with any server besides ours. Just one person's experience, of greater value than combined with others. I'm glad so many enjoy this place.
Originally Posted By LacyBelle Sorry you had such an unpleasant experience, Chelledun. I've never dined at Coral Reef, so I can't comment further on that. I have had dinner at LeCellier and it was fantastic! The cheese soup was great (I only wished I'd thought of dipping those yummy pretzel breadsticks in there). We had the creme brulee duo and the sorbet sampler. Both were excellent! You will definitely enjoy LeCellier, Disneymom443. OK, back to your regularly scheduled Coral Reef discussion. ;-)
Originally Posted By VCR_Pongo Long story short... I expect the more expensive places at WDW to have better service, in short I expect to get what I pay for. Last week I went to the4 Grand Floridian for a character breakfast. I am not loaded or anything by any means, but I do carry a single 100 dollar bill in my wallet for emergency. I pulled up to valet my car, which had 6 kids and NO wife enclosed. The valet approached...I realized I only had my trusty Ben Franklin. I asked, "Do you have change, this is all I have." He replied flatly, "no." He told me to go over to the valet desk and get change there. I went, I asked, the girl there said she did not have it, but she waved said valet over. He approached and she asked him to go to the front desk and get change. He replied, "That's not my job." She told me, "I cannot leave my post, not even for a minute, he is supposed to get you change." I said, "I hope you went to the restroom before you came on shift," and winked at her. She looked at me furioius with him and apologized. I went back to my car that still contained my 6 kids, I could not go in myself and get change. I proceded to unload my car and go inside. The valet (same valet) wrote me a valet ticket and had that sort of slow, soft hand over that expects a tip in return, being very socially graceful all the while. I looked at him and said, "Well this hundered dollar bill is all I have, and frankly that is a little steep even for Oprah's limo, so it looks like I'll have to catch you in 9 hours, when we get back from Epcot." He was pissed. I had a fleeting thought that he might do something to my car, but I honestly don't really care. So off he went to my car, and off I went with my kids. I stopped and called to him, he came over to me. I said, "You know, at any other resort, I wouldn't think this to be a big deal. But this is supposed to be WDW's Flagship Resort, which means you are supposed to be WDW's flagship CastMember." He looked at me stunned. I swear, if he would have tried even the slightest hint of making amends, I would have given him a tip after getting change myself but he didn't. Now I was about to be seated, when the same girl that was at the vallet desk 15 minutes ago approached me inside with change for $100 and a huge apology. I was surprised. I said, "How is it you are away from your post?" She said, "I needed a bathroom break." LOL! We laughed and I gave her the same story, "Anywhere else and no big deal, but here at Grand Floridian, and you two are going to argue over who is going to get some change????!!!! This is WDW's Flagship resort which means you are WDW's flagship Cast Members, like it or not. You did your job well, and are still doing it, but the valet just don't get it I guess." She asked if there was anything she could do to make amends, and I said yes, gimmie that change, here is the $100. Give the guy $5, and you take the other $95 for yourself. And tell that valet what I have done, and that if he had tried even a little bit, I would have given him the entire $100."
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Uhm ... should I even point out that it is NOT standard practice to tip the person who takes your car, just the one who retrieves it.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Uhm ... yeah, it is. Some folks who aren't familiar with valet parking or feel guilty or feel their car will get abused decide to tip the valet on both ends ... but it's not standard etiquette nor required.
Originally Posted By danyoung Sorry, Pongo - Spirit is correct on this one. Tip at pickup, not at dropoff.
Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1 Pongo - I have to agree with Spirit and Danyoung as well. We never tip the person when we arrive just when we leave. We stay at the GF all the time and I have heard some rather rude valet personnel. Not a good thing for a flagship resort or any resort for that matter.
Originally Posted By Chelledun I just wanted to pop back in and say Disney made a very nice phone call to me, apologizing for this incident. They read my review and said my concerns were totally valid and the service was unacceptable. That's all I really wanted, so yay Disney.
