Originally Posted By liveforvacations DWB, yes, you should persevere! I always enjoy your posts and because I have been here for a little while and I am an avid reader of all the topics even if I don't always comment, I know that you, like me, are a great lover of Disney. I take your comments as if Disney was a life long friend that just isn't acting like him or herself lately and it disappoints you IMHO, that is okay! If you didn't care so much, you wouldn't be so passionate about it! As Spiritof74 said, when is the last time we had a topic in Dining that has elicited so many comments, controversy and excitement! I had almost given up on this section! I know that you really want to enjoy your upcoming trip to Disneyland and I think that despite its' shortcomings, you will just because it has "that feel" that I have heard that none of the other parks have. I just wish that I was planning a trip during the time that you were going to be there because judging by the LP Meets being planned, it looks like there are going to be some very special people meeting you there. Alas, the timing is just not right for me! llanatoye, if you are still reading this thread, please don't let a heated discussion with varying opinions send you away. IMHO, everyones opinion is welcome here and everyone should feel free to express theirs as long as they follow the guidelines. Remember, everyone here loves Disney or otherwise they would be on some other board so don't take things so personally. Have you every read the DCA, Future Expansion threads? Those threads can get very heated but those LPers still keep posting even if everyone else disagrees with them! So, does anyone else have comments on the new Riverbelle Terrace or the dining at Disneyland in general and whether being from out of town or local makes a difference in your expectations?
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Well, DWB isn't coming 6,000 miles to eat a sandwich. If some people think's it's acceptable to pay what amounts to a $66 cover charge for the privilege of paying another $$ to eat a sandwich. then great for them. I see his point 1,000 percent, and I'm as local as one gets to DL. My recommendations for "on property" eating- Hook's Pointe, Steakhouse 55, Napa Rose, ESPN Zone (lunch or dinner, more lunch), Plaza Inn, and Catal/Uva Bar. Haven't tried Tortilla Joe's but many like it. Notice that only one place is within DL itself. And since you're going to be in Newport for a week- there's a Cheesecake Factory in Fashion Island you'll like, right next to a P.F. Chang's. My wife worships at the altar of P.F. Chang's.
Originally Posted By liveforvacations It is also funny that the one place that is in Disneyland, the Plaza Inn, is a place that I had never tried on previous trips but tried it last time at the recommendations of others and was very disappointed. First of all, I was shocked that the mashed potatoes were instant! No one had mentioned that when they talked about this place. We went later at night when the place was almost empty and we found all of our food to be luke warm,at best and although my family said that the beef was good, they hated the gravy. I found that the side salad was surprisingly inexpensive for Disneyland but would not pay for the overpriced Cobb salad everyone raves about. I also don't like getting my food and then waiting to pay for it while it is getting cold! I know that we will never go back to Plaza Inn and would rather pay a little more and go to Storytellers where we always enjoy the buffet and they have "real" mashed potatoes! Their soup is wonderful and hot!! I cannot say that I have eaten everywhere in Disneyland so I am no expert but based on where I have eaten, I cannot say that I could suggest anywhere in Disneyland that I think serves good food with good value that you don't have to wait in a line for! I used to love the gumbo in the bread bowl but I find that each year it gets more expensive and although the bread bowl remains the same size, there seems to be less and less soup in it. My husband is convinced that they dig less and less bread out of it every year! We like to eat breakfast before we come as we want to spend the early morning time riding and then we snack all day. We do love the snack food at Disneyland! We are fond of the fries you get at the Conestaga Wagon! They may be McDonald's fries but they are hot, relatively inexpensive at $3.00, especially compared to the price of a bag of chips. They are also quite filling!. We also enjoy the churros, ice cream, fudge and a big favorite, the Dole Whip! Then we ususally have a late lunch/early dinner between 2:00 and 3:00 in Downtown Disney or one of the hotel restaurants and then return to Disney and snack in the evening. We just find that we would rather spend $50.00-$60.00 and get a nice hot meal while sitting in a restaurant than spend $40.00 buying hot dogs or hamburgers or pizza and having to wait in a line and then find a seat. I also find that there offerings for children are not very good. It seems that they used to have chicken fingers for the kids but now it seems to be peanut butter and jam sandwiches and macaroni and cheese. My children don't like peanut butter and jam sandwiches and the macaroni and cheese we tried was disgusting. I would love to try Cafe Orleans but my kids don't like anything on the menu. I would also like to try the Carnation Cafe. We will definitely be trying the Cheesecake Factory when we come next even if it is a bit of a walk.
Originally Posted By JeffG So, has anyone actually tried the River Belle sandwiches? Are they any good? -Jeff
Originally Posted By juicer My opinion is when the Disney parks raised the restaurant prices to its current levels - It must raise the bar on quality - I won't pay $7+ for a funky burger and coke basket type of thing they are offering - I now go to DD or the Whitewater Snacks at the GC to eat now - And for me - I did'nt really realise that I was doing this until I started reading this topic - But I used to go to the Hungary Bear Restaurant all the time - And come to think of it I have'nt gone there to eat in 3 years! I wonder if Disney could out price themselvs?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Interesting how this thread has piped up. Many thanks for your kind thoughts liveforvacations. It sounds like we are quite similar. We found on all our DLP visits, a good breakfast before opening, a nice main meal in a restaurant at about 3pm and snacks works out much cheaper, relaxing and a better experience than counters. That said, with a 4 and 2 year old, sometimes the counterservice options have there place for us, especially if like at Epcot and DAK, they offer different value options. Riverbelle Terrace and the Frito Place used to offer this. But nope, I will not pay for rubbish junk. Therefore, at best we may go to the Riverbelle Terrace for pancakes out of nostalgia.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo SPP - thanks for the updates. We have decided to definately make reservations for the Vineyard Room, BB, and Goofy's and then see how we go. Likely try Tortilla Joe's as we have eaten at all the others a few times, and of course we will go to Storytellers. I would love to dine at the Napa Rose again, but because of our little ones means a raincheck for a few years. We will definatelt try Cheesecake Factory at FI. Is PF Changs any good then?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo juicer - I think there will always be someone willing to pay for the convenience. For me it's not the price, but the quality that bothers me.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 DWB, in addition to the Vineyard Room, the Trattoria downstairs has gotten high marks from many here for good food at surprisingly reasonable prices (much cheaper than Vineyard Room). In fact, someone said it was probably the best value for money of any eatery at either park. Can't speak to that myself as we didn't try it this time, even though I wanted to. D'oh! I'm also with you on the dumbing down of eating options (and of merch, which is far worse), but agree with Spirit of 74 that the situation at DLR isn't nearly as bad as at WDW. Not even close. We also travel thousands of miles and only come every couple of years, and though it's sad to see the menu change at RBT, I think if you haven't been since 2002 (and enjoyed your trip then), you'll likely enjoy it MORE this time. I think, despite some missteps like the new RBT menu, that DL has gone uphill since then. IMO, DL hit something of a low point in the late 90's/early 00's. The Ouimet team really spruced things up for the 50th, and you'll notice a difference. The place just LOOKS great now. Plus, you'll get to enjoy the new subs, Pirates Lair on TSI, TOT and Monsters at DCA, the changes in POTC, and even little surprises like new effects in Alice. And the newer, smoother, darker Space Mountain is great. Plus, if they bring back the Remember fireworks show, you MUST see it. It's the best fireworks they've ever done, and if you love Disney and DL in particular, it WILL get to you. If you'll be there 5 days, it's worth it to block out some time to get a good view on the castle side of the hub. I think you're going to have a great time.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks Dabob2 - it's great to hear! If things stand, Remember will be on for 2 nights as will DEP!!! Fantastic. We are looking forward to so many new things: Spruced up park, the 50th exhibit, refurbed Tiki Room, Pirates Lair, PotC update, Pooh, HM upgrades, Remember Dreams, the parade, new Monorail, Subs, Buzz, Monsters Inc, ToT, Aladdin, Turtle Talk, and Flik's Fun Fair. I am starting to get very excited.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well meeting our LP friends is what we are looking forward to the most.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Lisa and I had a couple fo the sandwiches, we ordered a Prime Rib and BBQ Pork, then had a half of each. They were both very good, the sides were OK, and the fixin bar, the Garlic Horseradish Mayo is excellent. But even with a Premium AP discount, it was over $14 each for a Sandwich and Soda, and the sandwich size is just a standard "small" at Subway or Quzino's (about 6 inches). It is also disappointing that it is now plastic plates and cutlery, there is something about using real plates that make the meal seem a bit nicer. So if I was getting the food for free, I would eat there once or twice a week, if the meal with drink was under $10, once or twice a month. Now, more than likely will bypass the place unless we are with friends that want to eat there.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << and the sandwich size is just a standard "small" at Subway or Quzino's (about 6 inches). >> Which is a perfectly acceptable portion for someone on a healthy diet. Do you know how many calories are in the 12" sub? I, for one, appreciate when a restaurant serves a right-sized portion instead of me having to throw away food at the end of a meal.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer ^But I get the same sandwich for $4.99 (or less with a coupon or frequent visitor programs) at Subway/Quizno's, and more fixin's. At RBT, it is $12.99, over twice as much. IMHO, overpriced.
Originally Posted By dlkozy >>>"Which is a perfectly acceptable portion for someone on a healthy diet..."<<< NOT at THAT price! The price ALONE could cause cardiac arrest!
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << IMHO, overpriced. >> In the same way that popcorn at the movie theaters is overpriced, etc., etc. Disney's revenues from selling tickets only amount to about 1/3 of the operating expenses for the theme parks. In order to cover the rest of their expenses and make money on top of that there has to be a lot of overpriced junk sold each day at DL.
Originally Posted By dlkozy It's not just the junk that is overpriced! There is a difference between making a profit and gouging.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << There is a difference between making a profit and gouging. >> So, you would prefer that food be priced more reasonably and tickets cost twice as much? Either way, they make the same profit margin.
Originally Posted By dlkozy More and more people are choosing other options than the over priced and under whelming food choices that DLR now offers. People will pay for good food, good ambiance-but that does not seem to be the case at the New and NOT improved Riverbelle. So much for profit margins!
