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Just returned and disappointed in Dining
We just returned home this morning from a 14 day trip to Port Orleans Riverside. I have to say that We are deeply disappointed in the dining this year. We ate at the following restaurants:
Coral reef
Rose and Crown
les chefs de france
1900 park fare-breakf.and dinner.
ohana
Narcoosee's
Akershus
Teppan Edo
Le Cellier
Boma-Break and dinner
Grand Floridian cafe
Narcoosee's, G.F.C, Le Cellier, and Teppan Edo were excellent!
The rest were nothing to write about and 1900 park fare was downright inedible. Their dinner is now teriaki, spanish food, gristly meat, and several salads. The counter services were sooo bad that we gave up and brought home 40 snacks; the best places being the contempo cafe and boardwalk bakery. We returned there several times to eat and I think they were starting to believe we were staying there; lol. Riverside Mill was absolutely gross. So sad. Free dining is ruining what we have at WDW for food. There are so many cutbacks. They dont even have mickey plates for the kids anymore and that was very disappointing to us. I recommended 1900 park fare to friends who went with us, as a must do, and I am completely embarassed.
A man should never neglect his family for business.-Walt Disney
Apr07-FW
Feb08-FW
Sep08-BC
Sep09-POR
Nov-Dec09-FW
Dec09-BC
Aug10-WL
Jan11-SSR
Oct11-ASM/FW/CBR/BC
Dec11-ASM/BLT
Jan12-WD
Feb12-Off
Sep12-BCV/Pop
Jan13-FW/AOA
Feb13-CBR
Sept13-Dland
Dec13-FW
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Sorry to hear that...what Counter Service's in particular were really bad
Dec.11-18, 2021 Port Orleans Riverside
Jan. 25-Feb. 1, 2017, Port Orleans Riverside
Oct. 29-Nov.4, 2014-Yacht Club
Dec. 17-23 2011-Wilderness Lodge
Dec. 20-30, 2008-Pop Century
Dec. 25,2005-Jan.1, 2006-Coronado Springs
Jan. 1-7, 2003-All Star Movies
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Well out of your list we only have Le Cellier, Ohanas and Teppan Edo, So i guess we still have a chance.
Sorry your meals were so horrible.
Brian
December 9 -December 18, 2015 POR
Sept 24 - Oct 4, 2009, POFQ
September, 2008 - CBR
April, 1988-offsite
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Originally Posted by BelleKP
I remember a waiter at Portobello Yacht Club suggesting to my DH that he get a 'side' fillet mignon and lobster tail with his pasta!!
1) People didn't know why they were offered so much food.
2) The first years, waiters got automatic 18% tips.
3) So, they greater the bill they got you, the bigger the tip.
4) The saying was to offer dessert, even if the guests were full.
5) Waiters said, "It's included, whether you eat it or not.".
6) There was a lot of food wasted - even more than currently.
NOTE: Yes to the OP, the DDP has ruined the eateries. I eat lunch with many of the line cooks, and there is not one single say that someone doesn't complain about the food they have to prepare for the people. And, most of them are disgusted, because many went to cooking schools and want to serve great food.
Average Banjo Picker. Pretty-Good Sailing Master. Newly Ordained.
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Originally Posted by TheRustyScupper
NOTE: Yes to the OP, the DDP has ruined the eateries. I eat lunch with many of the line cooks, and there is not one single say that someone doesn't complain about the food they have to prepare for the people. And, most of them are disgusted, because many went to cooking schools and want to serve great food.
This obsession with food has me totally stumped. I love a GOOD meal, a MEMORABLE meal, but I don't think about eating 24/7.
Can anyone tell me what Disney gains by offering the Free Dining? Is it just to fill rooms during a relatively slow time?
Just Jill.......
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I am so sorry to hear you had a bad dining time. 1900 Park Fare was one of our favourites on our last trip
Heather aka ibelieveindisneymagic
INTERCOT Staff
Engaged at the castle!
My Disney Home is POFQ
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Originally Posted by jonahbear2006
1900 park fare was downright inedible. Their dinner is now teriaki, spanish food, gristly meat, and several salads. I recommended 1900 park fare to friends who went with us, as a must do, and I am completely embarassed.
I hear people rave about how 1900 park fare is one of the best buffets in WDW often, but our entire group of over 15 felt the way you did. It was by far one of the worst meals we've ever had in WDW, or anywhere for that matter.
Denise
Resorts we've stayed at in 20+ trips: ASMo, ASMu, ASSp, PC, CSR, CBR, POR, POFQ, WL, AKL Jambo, AKL Kidani, Poly, Contemporary, BC, YC, BWV, OKW, SSR, Swan, Shades of Green, Vero Beach, Disneyland Resort
Next Trip: ???
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I guess timing is everything. We were there last month and never had a bad meal. My wife is an extremely picky eater and she did not complain once. Of the restaurants you went to, we did 1900 PF (breakfast & dinner) and had GF Cafe (dinner) twice. Our experience was very positive.
We have been there for both the free dining plan and when paying for the dining plan. We really did not notice any difference in quality or service.
I will admit that some fabulous places we went to in the past were definitely not so fab on return trips. We loved Sci Fi on our first trip, but we haven't eaten at SciFi for years, as that was the only restaurant where I had to send a meal back (twice) the next time we ate there. yet, I see rave reviews all the time.
Sorry it did not work out for you - hope it is better next time around.
2018 Port Orleans Riverside
2012 Port Orleans Riverside
2011 Port Orleans French Quarter
2009 Grand Floridian
2007 Contemporary
2006 Grand Floridian
2004 Polynesian
1980 Day trip to MK
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1900 Park Fare is getting hammered with bad reviews lately. I was thinking it was just a matter of taste but so many dings in a row does make you wonder.
Glad you had a few good meals, though. Narcoossee's and GF Cafe are some of my favorites. I've never gone during a free dining period, and I am starting to think it might be smart to avoid them. But then I worry that once the quality slips, it might not bounce back.
Sherri
Next: Aulani Celebration 10/2018 (50th)
Past Stays: Contemporary, GF, Poly, BC, POP, POR, Dolphin, AKL Kidani, BLT
1990 August Honeymoon- GF
Delighted Disney Return Guest since 1981, DVC (BLT) since 2014
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1900 Park Faire was a good breakfast, honestly how could you ruin that.. But i would not figure that the Dinners would be so good so will never book one even without their reviews. Ohanas was the worst our last trip. Grissle Fat undercooked and just plain yuck. We will not go back there for sure. Just because we like meat doesn't mean this place has to be good.San Angel is another do not waste your time or money on. No matter free dining or not. But I do not think it has anything to do with the free dining as to the quality. The first year we went in 2007 the food was just so so. Chef Mickeys was a real let down other than Characters for my DGS. Food was more bland than hospital food. There has never been free dining both years we went 2007 2008 and the taste was the same most all places. Not worth what they charge but edible after all its about the parks we went for. This year we shall see it is during free dining. We plan to bring extra money so if our TS is bad we can purchase something we do know will get us through.
Connie
Dec 8-15 2007 All Star Music Suites
Dec 5-14 2008 All Star Music Suites
Dec 7-16 2009 POP
Last trip for a long while JAN 20-28
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I'm glad you had a couple good meals at least!!
And, NO MORE MICKEY plates for the kids?!?!??!!? Major
*May '92 Day trip fr. Daytona
*Aug '94/July 01 offsite
*July 01 Offsite
*2005, 06, 06, 07, 08, 09, 11SOG
*Sept 05 AKL
*Sept/Oct 06 POFQ
*Dec 08 AKL
*Oct/Nov 12 Wyndham BC
*Oct 13 CBR
*July 14- weekend trips from Daytona
*July 15- day trips from Daytona
*Oct 15 CST
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Had you eaten at Boma before? I'm just curious if they changed certain items to make your experience there less than good.
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Originally Posted by lighteningqueen
1900 Park Faire was a good breakfast, honestly how could you ruin that..
Actually, they figured out a way. We went for breakfast on our last trip, and the ham was still refrigerated cold in the middle, but hot on the outside . I brought it to the server's attention, and she just shrugged. One of the other servers overheard and had it taken off the buffet. It was brought back out while I was at the buffet, only to be taken immediately back to the kitchen after one of the staff touched a slice (there's this neat invention called a thermometer, folks...). On top of this, the potatoes were undercooked, and there was half an omelet under our table...
We have dined at 1900 PF for the last time, and actively advise friends against it as well.
Daytrip 2001
HI FamilySuites (now Nick Hotel) 2003
POR - 2005
WL 2006, 2007
Cabins 2008
Jan. '10 DS turns 5 - quick trip with Mommy at ASMo
June '10 Grand Gathering at the Cabins
Fall '11 POP last minute surprise
Summer 2012 Beach Club and Cars Art of Animation
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Originally Posted by wdw_bound
Actually, they figured out a way. We went for breakfast on our last trip, and the ham was still refrigerated cold in the middle, but hot on the outside . I brought it to the server's attention, and she just shrugged. One of the other servers overheard and had it taken off the buffet. It was brought back out while I was at the buffet, only to be taken immediately back to the kitchen after one of the staff touched a slice (there's this neat invention called a thermometer, folks...). On top of this, the potatoes were undercooked, and there was half an omelet under our table...
We have dined at 1900 PF for the last time, and actively advise friends against it as well.
The omelet is what sets me off! That is unnaceptable! If you are going to leave an omelet under a table, leave the WHOLE thing or dont leave any of it! You know what I mean?
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Not to make excuse but there is a large turn over in the food service business. I would think that Disney is no exception to the rule. I did hear due to economy a lot of higher paid senior chefs were laid off. They were replaced by understudy cooks who are at a lower pay rate to save some money with the slower customer flow. This was from a very reliable cm who spends the summers up by my way.
First trip 1986 ...
Not enough since then!
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I'm really sorry to hear that you didn't fully enjoy your meals. That can be a letdown.
When we were there last October, we had amazing meals at Narcoossee's (twice), Le Cellier, Teppan Edo, Cali Grill, V&A, Nine Dragons, Grand Flo Cafe (several breakfasts), 'Ohana (dinner and breakfast), Donald's Safari Breakfast (best buffet on property), Yak and Yeti and the Plaza Restaurant. We also had a very good meal at LTT (basic, but very, very tasty).
The only bad meal we had was at the Wave. The food just had no flavor, and seemed like cheap cuts of meat and seafood (my crab cakes seemed more like a breadcrumb cake...hard to find the crab). I don't think they knew what salt and pepper were. Service was also pretty bad.
I hope things haven't changed that much since late last year. I would find that a little hard to believe.
NEXT TRIP - DCL Fantasy Oct. 2016
Yacht Club - Oct. '14, Dec. '15
Poly - Dec. '07, '09
Grand Flo - Too many times to keep track!
CBR - May '10, Oct. '10, Dec. '11
POR - Sept & Dec '03
AoA - Oct. '12, Dec. '13
Pop - May '11
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1900 Park Fare
I am so disappointed at the bad reviews for 1900 PF. We are planning our third trip. The first 2 trips we made 1900 PF our first night dinner and I was planning that again this time. We were trying to make it a tradition. We love the GF, the dinner and the character interaction.
For our spring trip, my sister and family are going with us for their first ever WDW trip. I would hate to bring them and have the dinner be that bad.
We also did Ohana the first trip and Kona Cafe the second. I agree the food was OK at Ohana, but my kids love the interaction. Not sure if we should do that again either. We are going for 7 nights. This was our plan for TS. All of them are dinners except for Chef Mickey's:
1900 Park Fare
Crystal Palace
Teppan Edo (new - never been)
Mama Melrose (for Fantasmic) have done H/V
Chef Mickey's (breakfast)
O'hana (now not sure - maybe Kona Cafe)
Le Cellier (been both trips)
We are traveling with my children (DS10 and DD8) and my sister's children (DD12, DD9, DS5) plus 4 adults.
Any suggestions??????
Thanks!
Karyn
CBR (Martinique Bldg 25): April 2006
CBR (Jamaica Bldg 45): October 2007
POR (Alligator Bayou 18): March/April 2010
POP: (70s, Building 6): September 2010
POP: (70s, Building 6): September 2011
POFQ: September 2013
POFQ: September 2015
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I hate to hear this...we are planning to dine at 1900 next month.
I do believe the DDP and all that free dining has affected the quality of food at Disney...but I always remember the WDW is a theme park...I am not expecting the same quality I would get if I go to fine dining in Atlanta or NYC. I look at the whole experience...where I am...who I am with and what I am eating.
Disney Dream'n
~Bev
"All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them." ~Walt Disney
First Trip 1977 Fort Wilderness Campground
Many trips in between!
Typical Disney Home- Wilderness Lodge - OUR NEW HOME AT WDW!!!
Last Trip Feb 2010 Princess Half Polynesian
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Okay, so we just got back from WDW on the 7th and we ate in some of the same places you did ... I can't say I noticed any appreciable difference from what Disney Dining has been the last two or three years.
In fact, we had excellent meals at The Plaza, Coral Reef, Teppan Edo, Tutto Italian, Garden Grill, and Liberty Tree Tavern.
And, although we didn't eat there this trip, I can tell you that I've eaten at Chefs De France at least a dozen times and I've never had anything but a top-notch meal there.
Ohana ... my opinion on that dump is well known. I think it has, hands down, the worst food in all of Disney World. Haven't done 1900 Park Fare for dinner in quite awhile, but my recollection is that I had largely the same opinion on it you did ... BLECH! We also tried the Yak and Yeti for the first time this trip and I didn't really care for it at all. My shrimp was really mealy tasting and the steak was more like something you'd get from a Sizzler.
As far as their counter service food goes, I think it's hit or miss. We actually had some really good counter service (Lotus Blossom Cafe, Pecos Bills, and Cosmic Ray's were the best), but we also had some disasters like at El Pirata y El Perico. That was terrible, incredibly overpriced Mexican food that was worse than Taco Bell at about ten times the price.
Also, Disney's burgers have gotten bad again. Originally, they had burgers that would make you long for McDonald's. Then they upgraded to these really nice, big, juciy burgers. But I had one on this trip at Back Lot Express was a sad, pathetic little thing with very little taste.
Anyway, I think it's a very mixed bag. Also, it must vary by individual tastes, because people just rave and rave about Ohana and yet I'll tell you quite honestly that I'd much rather drive off-property and eat at an Outback Steakhouse than I would ever set foot in Ohana again. I've had some of the worst meals ever in that joint.
Ian ºOº
INTERCOT Senior Imagineer
Veteran of over 60 trips to Disney theme parks and proud to have stayed in every Disney resort in the continental United States! º0º
Next trip:
April 2018 - Saratoga Springs Treehouse
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