Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt No Le Cellier? You should have had the ribs at Cosmic Ray's at MK..they're kicker!
Originally Posted By MPierce I think Le Cellier is way over rated. I'm never at the Magic Kingdom for dinner.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Are these the only meals you had in EIGHT days? Or were the others off property or not worth mentioning? << That's it with a snack every day around noon. That could be McD's french fries, a small is $2.39 compared to an even smaller serving of WDW fries at $3.28, Maybe a Dole Whip or a churro or some nachos. We really aren't big eaters, and my wife does well to eat 2/3 of her meal. >> You should never have burgers at Epcot. Never. << We ate at both places a couple of years ago, and they were both rather tastey. The EU had a coleslaw with pinneapple in it that was great. No more though. >> I could have saved you some money and sent you to some better choices, but you didn't ask! << Tutto Italia was new for us as well as Tokyo dining so we wanted to try them out as well as visit some old friends.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I'd definitely drop a line to the head of Epcot food and beverage since it appears most of your dining was at 'his' park and he ran California Grill ... so he knows quality and he knows when you're not giving it to guests. << Sound advice.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> overall I think a lot of how one feels about the pricing depends on what you are used to paying. In my case in and around Chicago those prices match fairly closely better than average restaurants and some very average restaurants. << Price has never been an issue with me. Quality for your money however is.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 true - really go hand in hand somewhat though quality to price relationship similar to where I live
Originally Posted By MPierce When it comes to dining Chicago is in a league of it's own. I guarantee that very few WDW restaurants would be a big hit in the Windy City.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 WE do have great dining- especially the range of ethnic dining.... yet again why the lines outside Olive Garden sometimes baffle me
Originally Posted By MPierce Evidently some people like it. I've never eaten there myself. My wife, and I went to one about 10 years ago. After sitting at the bar for over an hour I decided to dine somewhere else for the rest of my life.
Originally Posted By JenniBarra >> I think the DDP has ruined dining at WDW for the most part.<< I dislike that the DDP has made getting into places so difficult. We did not purchase the plan and I tend to have some ADRs but don't book every meal. Even with the reservations I made in advance, when I tried to make tweaks (even just to *reduce* the size of the party) it was an ordeal. Even during off season, it kills any spontaneity.
Originally Posted By MPierce I was talking to a couple of CM's and they said Mickey makes out like a bandit with all the unused portions of the DDP. I really don't get that at all. I would use mine up even if I had to buy other folks meals for them.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Tutto Italia was new for us as well as Tokyo dining so we wanted to try them out as well as visit some old friends.>> Those two would absolutely be the best locations on your list. No doubt.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmmm, interesting. I would say the answer to this question depends. In 2000, we felt the value of the restaurants were excellent. In 2006, not so much. DDP has definately ruined the quality of the experience. I think venues like Ebi, Nine Dragons, Biergarten, Le Cellier, California Grill, Victoria and Alberts, Whispering Canyon, Boma and Jiko offer value for their meals. And the counter services in World Showcase and DAK are good (not in DHS or the MK though - rubbish). Most places in WDW seem to sell the same junk and of dubious quality. So the answer to the question is a really mixed bag. I don't mind if they are a little more expensive than off property, as long as the quality, choice and service is good. To me, dining at WDW used to be an e-ticket. But sadly, since Michael Eisner's departure, and Ed the b'stard came on the scene, dining is worsing in all the western resorts (Ca, WDW and DLP)
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Although I wouldn't be caught dead eating at Rose and Crown, or drinking tennants (that is the choice of scottish hobos), I must comment on the peas. The brits love them. When I moved in the UK in 1986, it was pretty much the only vegetable served in restaurants (thank god, this has now changed). There are three key types - Garden Peas (big and round, light green and yucky), Mushy Peas (garden peas mushed up with a little lard and cream) is the traditional with fish and chips, and petit pois (smaller, darker green, not as bitter, and much much nicer). To not have peas with UK pub grub is really breaking with the theme (no surprise, Disney has forgotten what theming is about unless a toon is involved).
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Although I wouldn't be caught dead eating at Rose and Crown, or drinking tennants (that is the choice of scottish hobos), I must comment on the peas. << That explains it then! Me paternal Grandmum comes from the McNeese Clan. Love that Tennants. I just wish I could get it here. The peas that use to come with the fish, and chips were very tasting. I love english pea salad, so I definetly miss the peas. Oh well, that's just another little cut that no one will take seriously because they really don't care as long as it doesn't effect them or they didn't know it was once available.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Sadly so, but even though I am not a huge fan of garden or mushy peas, the authenticity is going out of the window. Something tells me MPierce, if you were willing to get on a plane, I could show you a wonderful time on the food and drink front in the real UK.
Originally Posted By MPierce I would love to Dave, but I'm the proverbial white knuckle flier now. I don't think I could ever make the flight across the pond. The 2 hours to Orlando darn near killed me. Captain Rick also gave me a very rough landing which added to the misery I was fixing to encounter at the Disney Magical Express lines.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Disney Dining is over priced and limited. But I don't mind paying more money for something I can't get anywhere else. So there are a few places I always hit while at WDW. Otherwise I eat off property.
Originally Posted By The Duck Although Disney food is usually ranging from pretty good to great, my recent trip to the Prime time TV Cafe' in the DHS was a bit underwhelming. I had the chicken pot pie which was OK but it was a small portion with not much chicken and my friend had meatloaf which seemed a fair portion. We both drank cokes and my friend had a PBJ milkshake and our lunch tab came to over $50.00 plus tip. The next day, we ate dinner in Morocco in Epcot. We both had couscous (mine with beef and my friend had the lamb shank). Mine was good but my friend's lamb was mostly bone with a few shreds of meat. It tasted good but why pay for a bone? We both drank water and our dinner tab was over $60.00 plus tip. Bottom line, I don't mind splurging once and a while at Disney but I wish that we had eaten at Wendy's a little more often.
Originally Posted By dshyates I really only snack while on Disney property. The great options surrounding WDW are too tempting to pay Disney prices for mediocre at best food. A $60 meal at a real restaurant is WAY different than a $60 meal on-prop.
