Originally Posted By RoadTrip What are your LEAST favorite WDW table service restaurants, and why? MK - Tony's Town Square There is always a long wait for this place, even when you have a reservation. Because of the long waits, the lobby is always over-run with noisy, bored kids. Once you are finally seated and receive your meal the mediocre quality leaves you wondering why you bothered. Epcot - San Angel Inn It pains me to say that... it used to be a must-do for the great atmosphere. But the crammed-together tables, generally poor service and mediocre food now over-ride the great atmosphere for me. Margaritas are very good though... I'll give them credit for that. Disney Studios - Mama Melrose Out of the way location combined with forgettable food combine to keep me from going back. AK - Rainforest Cafe The theme was cute... 20 years ago. Now it just seems stale. Overpriced sport's bar food just doesn't do it for me. Hotels - Boatwright's at POR I've really wanted to like this restaurant every time I've dined there... Dixie Landings/POR is one of my very favorite WDW resorts. But I just never have been able to like it much. The atmosphere seems food-courtish and although the menu tries, it just never really gets there.
Originally Posted By danyoung How long since your last meal at the San Angel Inn? I agree that it used to be a pretty poor experience. But they've had a huge turnaround within the past year. They no longer serve Tostitos with bland tomato sauce. Now it's tasty, delicate triangular chips with a zesty (but still a bit thin) sauce. I've had 2 meals there in the past year, and both were reallye excellent on all fronts - great food and great service.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip ^^^ Thanks for the info... I'll try it again. Our last time there was September 2010. We skipped it our last two trips to Orlando.
Originally Posted By danyoung I like the atmosphere so much (very Blue Bayou-ish) that I kept on trying it every couple years or so. And they finally seem to have it right!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I am glad to hear that Dan. we had a great meal there in 2000, bt steered clear last time after so many bad reviews at the time. For me, I thing the Liberty Tree and 50's Prime Time Diner (our waitress was not in role, we didn't get the viewmaster menues and the food was bland and cold) are highly overrated. Very highly. Other than that, I have pretty much loved all the table service meals I have had at WDW.
Originally Posted By magic0214 I am a huge fan of Liberty Tree, but I am always disappointed by 50's because I have had the same problem. I mean, I enjoy the Pot Roast, but I hate not having the full experience
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I also decided to give the San Angel Inn one more try last visit and the service was excellent. Including the old fashioned traditional snap of the napkin as the maitre'd placed it in my lap! I figured I better behave myself and mind my manners! It is back on my list of restaurants to recommend.
Originally Posted By hopemax Unfortunately, I'm to the point where almost all WDW restaurants leave me dissatisfied. The cost and selection, and booking annoyances have tipped the scales in just not being worth it. I guess eating at Mythos and Tchoup Chop kind of does it too you too. However, we were extremely disappointed in our visit to 1900 Park Fare last year. It had been many years since we had last eaten there, so the menu changes were very noticeable instead of the gradual change this, then change that. Plus, the demand for character meals is so high, that you feel a bit stuffed in like a sardine. And since we were a party of all adults, the service appeared to be lacking...until my Mom took off her coat and you could see her birthday button. And that just struck me really the wrong way. Acceptable service should be for every table, not just the ones with cute 5 year olds dressed as a princess or someone celebrating something.
Originally Posted By DisneybyMark Ak = Sanaa review here: <a href="http://www.disneybymark.com/2011/10/07/sanaa-at-animal-kingdom-kidani-village/" target="_blank">http://www.disneybymark.com/20...village/</a> Epcot = San Angel Inn and Rose and Crown MK worst = Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe review : <a href="http://www.disneybymark.com/2011/10/14/worst-sandwich-worst-entertainment-all-in-one-place/" target="_blank">http://www.disneybymark.com/20...e-place/</a>
Originally Posted By submarine-maniac Sci-Fi Diner. I think my expectations were too high for it. All I heard was how great the atmosphere is and how much fun it is to eat there. We had 3 people in our group so one of us had to sit by ourselves because of the weird bench seating thing. I felt like the food left so much to be desired as well. Like glorified quick service food. The chicken sandwich I got was so dry, I had to ask for something else
Originally Posted By leobloom Mark, interesting that you complain about the Sonny Eclipse entertainment at Cosmic Ray's. The show could be updated (I guess, though not sure how it's "dated" as it is). But it's one of the few bits of unannounced entertainment at MK. In fact, it's one of the more attractive things about Cosmic Ray's. The last burger I had there was horrible. And the place is forever crowded. Yeah, Sonny Eclipse is probably the only thing that would get me to eat at Cosmic Ray's.
Originally Posted By danyoung >I mean, I enjoy the Pot Roast, but I hate not having the full experience...< I actually don't like the 50's Prime Time for the exact opposite problem. When I'm eating dinner, especially after a full day of park storming, I don't want to be nagged to finish anything or to get my elbows off the table. I had a "cousin" serving me who was way over-zealous in her schtick, and I just wanted her to shut up! I'd probably have a lot more fun with a group. But as a solo diner it really didn't work for me. >MK worst = Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe review< WHATTT? Someone DIDN'T like Sonny Eclipse??? I always make a special effort to schedule a meal there, as I really enjoy the SE show. I have the whole soundtrack on my mp3 player, but it's still very cool to see him live. And I always get a pretty tasty burger there too, along with the fresh sauteed mushrooms, grilled onions and tasty cheese sauce slapped on top. But to each their own . . . . .
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Talking about these "least favorite restaurants" makes me want to go back just to visit them again. I love Liberty Tree, SciFi,Cosmic Ray's and they are always on my list of advance reservations to make.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I actually don't like the 50's Prime Time for the exact opposite problem. When I'm eating dinner, especially after a full day of park storming, I don't want to be nagged to finish anything or to get my elbows off the table. I had a "cousin" serving me who was way over-zealous in her schtick, and I just wanted her to shut up! I'd probably have a lot more fun with a group. But as a solo diner it really didn't work for me.>> I feel the same way. I was going to list Prime Time as my least favorite restaurant at the Studios, but decided to give it a break since my feeling was based entirely on the shtick. I only at there once, and my late wife Rosie got really irritated with it. She asked for a small plate for her portion of the appetizer and was told by "sis" to use a napkin, that she didn't want to have to wash an extra plate. She asked nicely again and then not so nicely when "sis" refused to budge. Sensing a major scene was about to occur, I gently but firmly told the waitress "Please get my wife a plate or we will be leaving the restaurant". I know it is all supposed to be fun. But when a customer is clearly irritated the games should stop and the customer should get what they want. One thing I learned during the thirty years of our marriage... DON'T MESS WITH ROSIE!
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper 50s Prime Time is easily one of my favorites. Love the act, and the food, while simple, has always been delicious and well prepared. Sci Fi Dine-In, on the other hand, is super-mega terrible. Cute idea, but impossible to hold a conversation and the food is the only theme park food I'd call disgusting. I also found Teppan Edo to be incredibly disappointing. Small portions, less food, and comparable quality to my local Benihana.
Originally Posted By PotNoodle We went to Via Napoli and I know everyone raves about it, but I thought it was "OK." The way everyone was carrying on about it on message boards and blogs, you would have thought eating there was some sort epiphanic moment. But no, it was meh and overpriced to boot. Our server was creepy, too. He kept giving me these saucy looks when he put my plate down and winking at me. Enough with amorous Italian man act, please.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub It seems the newer Via Napoli is slightly casual vs Tutta Italia which is classic but a little too much. The standards seem strict but the food is really better.Both places are pricey! Occasionally the VIA will have a walk-up pizza window which is great. I don't know why they don't offer that nightly!
Originally Posted By dagobert I've only been once to WDW and back in 2008 we have only been to a two table service restaurants. One was Plaza Restaurant and the other one was Tutto Italia. Tutto Italia is nicely themed, but the food was okay, but I've expected more for the money and the food was definitely not that good as in other Italian restaurants in the US or over here. The Plaza Restaurant was a good experience and besides a very unpolite and unfriendly family on the next table, we had a wonderful time there. So according to my limited experiences, I have to say that my least favorite restaurant is Tutto Italia.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I guess I should have added I have only ordered off the appetizers due to portion controls. I was just at DL and found everything seems to have a different theme park standard and would never survive in the real world. I guess this could be said of WDW also. Usually I find myself craving something extremely simple at the final days of my visits...like an old fashioned pbj sandwich or a bowl of soup. Hey Dan I don't care for the Prime Time either but sitting at the bar is still recommended!
Originally Posted By danyoung >I know it is all supposed to be fun. But when a customer is clearly irritated the games should stop and the customer should get what they want.< This was exactly my problem with the Prime Time. "Cousin" didn't know when to knock off the schtick and just be a waitress. > Hey Dan I don't care for the Prime Time either but sitting at the bar is still recommended!< Ahhh, the Tune In Lounge makes a pretty decent martini!
