Originally Posted By vbdad55 while I experienced some of that the previous year to be sure - this year I have to say service was excellent, and I do not have one restaurant where I can say I waited any kind of time for anything. that includes: Cali Grill Le Cellier Olivia's Brown Derby LTT ( lunch ) Cindy's Royal Table Sci Fi Diner Prime Time Cafe Blue Zoo in fact - drink etc at the buffets were also timely: Crystal Palace Boma Askerhaus Breakfast Biergarten was very pleased with the service this year - of course I was not there during 'free' dining plan time - even for a planner like me - I find the plan more restrictive than I like ( although next year the deluxe plan - for an arm and a leg- looks more flexible for someone who loves to eat while at WDW) - I'll stick with my DDE as long as they offer it...
Originally Posted By danyoung I agree with dad - I've almost always had great service in WDW restaurants. Sport Goofy's experience is totally different than mine. I will also agree that the restaurants are trending toward simpler menus and blander food, as mom & pop and their 12 kids from Padukah eat in a fancy restaurant for the first time on the DDP and complain cuz they can't get a burger and some chicken fingers.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^ which is why even a place like Boma has the 'kids' section with mac and cheese / chicken fingers etc -- and often you see adults loading up there. nothing like paying $25 for that as an adult -- and actually Dan, this trip ( maybe because I chose my places to eat with certain dishes or tastes in mind) - although some menus were smaller - the food was very good. Also Olivia's had far more on the menu the night we went than I expected - and it again is on my hidden gem list for eating.
Originally Posted By danyoung Great to hear, dad. Eating is a very important part of a WDW vacation for me!
Originally Posted By DLFAN1979 Yep, Spirit, the BURGER is back on the Lunch menu at Chefs, though it DID disappear this past summer.
Originally Posted By MPierce I have never, and will never participate in the DDP. I have not really noticed the change in service, but I sure have noticed the decline in quality, and portions. Also the dificulty in getting an ADR (isn't that right Dan). Some people think that the experience still remains high, however my tastebuds tell me something different. I'm talking about places I use to love eating at. Now I find most places just mediocre. Curse you DDP.
Originally Posted By danyoung >Also the dificulty in getting an ADR (isn't that right Dan).< Yup. Anyone remember the video kiosks at the entryway to Epcot (sorry, EPCOT)? That was a fun start to the day - booking THAT DAY'S dining! >Some people think that the experience still remains high, however my tastebuds tell me something different.< I'm betting a lot of the "some people" are those who formerly did a burger & fries for most of their meals, and now are getting to enjoy "fine dining" at a low cost. More power to them - I just wish this didn't mean a cheapening of the experience for those of us who have been enjoying the fine dining for years.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 yet I have NEVER been a burger-fries guy there ( nor most places for that matter) - and my dining experiences as noted above were all very good this trip -- and I am not an easy person to please. Now again, I have never been there was free DDP was going on- so I do not know if there is a noticeable let down during that period - but most of my meals - especially Cali Grill / Olivias /Le Cellier / Drown Derby were as good as any other time I have been there, and certainly would not call any of them mediocre-- so I am interested in what places - what entre's etc. I certainly don't want to experience what you have - so maybe I need to make sure I avoid certain places. I certainly have had mediocre meals at WDW in the past - but I usually stopped going to those restaurants ( i.e. Mama Melrose) - and I travel and eat enough globally to know mediocre when I get served it... Am I just getting lucky - or all there certain places more prone to that than others ? Oh btw -- add Raglan Road to the list of places where the food was absolutely top notch last time - Danny if you haven't been there - it is worth a visit
Originally Posted By danyoung >...Cali Grill / Olivias /Le Cellier / Drown Derby...< You've listed top places in WDW, all of which I continue to enjoy (except never been to Olivia's). I think the average restaurant has taken a hit. I know the Coral Reef menu is much shorter than it used to be. Still good food, but not quite like it used to be. And I haven't had the pleasure of Raglan Road yet, but I've heard good things. Maybe this trip.
Originally Posted By MPierce I'm sure Victoria and Albert's remain high quality also. However I found the quality of food to have deminished at San Angel Inn Nine Dragons Rose and Crown Alfredo's Le Cellier ( that's right my steak was mediocore last visit) One of my biggest disappointment's was Roaring Fork. I am slowly running out of places that are a treat for me, and I am not a picky eater.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 We always eat at Nine Dragons, and last year it was hard for all 4 of us to find anything we wanted, my Sesame Chicken was really delicious though. Would the outdoor restaurant have more choices? I know the atmosphere isn't the same.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys First the Wand, now I see the end of DDP coming. I love it. Couldn't be happier. Both make for a better Disney.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys >Le Cellier ( that's right my steak was mediocore last visit)< Not only is Le Cellier no longer great, it's barely average. The best steaks at WDW are Shula's and Yachstman Steakhouse. Try the Flying Fish for some very good(but pricey) food.
Originally Posted By danyoung >First the Wand, now I see the end of DDP coming.< What gives you an indication that the DDP is on its way out? The changes that they've made for 2008 seem to be universally despised, but that's no sign that Disney is getting its dining act together.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Le Cellier ( that's right my steak was mediocore last visit) < I had the salmon I understand what you are saying, just my experiences the only one x'd off my list after 2 mediocre meals in 2 years was Mama Melrose - which gave me the type of experience you are xplaining
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Yep, Spirit, the BURGER is back on the Lunch menu at Chefs, though it DID disappear this past summer. >> Yeah, but is it on the dinner menu and has the filet disappeared? That's what they pulled last year during the free dining period. And I'm scheduled to have dinner there in a few weeks! $23 hamburgers, mac n cheese, veggie lasagna and a quarter chicken just isn't French cuisine no matter the spin from management.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Anyone remember the video kiosks at the entryway to Epcot (sorry, EPCOT)? That was a fun start to the day - booking THAT DAY'S dining!>> Yeah. Back in the day ... now you need to plan a lunch six months in advance. Crazy! >Some people think that the experience still remains high, however my tastebuds tell me something different.< <<I'm betting a lot of the "some people" are those who formerly did a burger & fries for most of their meals, and now are getting to enjoy "fine dining" at a low cost. More power to them - I just wish this didn't mean a cheapening of the experience for those of us who have been enjoying the fine dining for years.>> WalMarting. Simple as that. You want a plain pizza or chicken fingers with fries? Just go eat at quick serve and leave the other places alone.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I have two meals booked at Le Cellier during the free dining period and they had better be up to the quality I expect ... or I will demand they send someone over to Yachtsman to pick up the quality beef. And DDP isn't over at all ... it's being offered for free again right now to people staying on property now who book it for next fall.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys >What gives you an indication that the DDP is on its way out? The changes that they've made for 2008 seem to be universally despised, but that's no sign that Disney is getting its dining act together.< Just a feeling I have that this is the start of Disney trying to make it less attractive for guests to buy. First they eliminate the appetizer and the included gratuity, next year, perhaps they take something else away and little by little, they make it worthless, rather than just come out and axe the whole program all at once.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ but they did that by offered the deluxe DDP or whatever it is called- you get all that back and for a much increased price - my guess is they are trying to ge people to go with the more expensive plan - that's all
