WDW Restaurant that surprised you

[MargaretJ]

Have you been to a WDW restaurant that really surprised you - good or bad? Was there a restaurant that you put off for a long time that when you finally dined there turned out great? How about one that you have always wanted to go to that disappointed you?

[Belle]

The Plaza Restaurant was wonderful on our last trip. We had a dinner PS at Crystal Palace, but there was a mix-up when we made our PS and unfortunately were not able to dine there. The manager at The Plaza, even though there were no PS's left for the night, was able to get us in right away, even apologizing for the mix up at CP! The service was wonderful, and DD was even able to get a PB&J - whew! The staff were wonderful and the prices were very resonable for casual fare. Just one more way Disney's CM's went out of there way to help us. I had never been there before, but will definitely return!

{hugs}
Belle

[mickeefan]

We ate at two this trip that we have never eaten at before.
Have always been going to try the Sci-Fi Dine in so this trip we did.
It was ok, but I like to be able to see what I am eating. For the price we were not impressed and do not plan on returning there.
Since it was so cold in the evenings on our Anniversary we cancelled out at the Cinderellas Royal Table and made a PS at the Concourse Steak House so we wouldn't have to go back out in the cold. This was a great choice and we loved it there. They greeted us with a Happy Anniversary, brought us sparkling cider and didn't charge us for it. Our meal was excellent and the service outstanding.
We also had breakfast there a few times and was very pleased.

Before this in our many trips we had never eaten at either.

[Collette]

Had never read many good things about Sci-Fi, but we really enjoyed it. Tried a shrimp/penne pasta dish that we really liked. The pork medallions were also recommended. Considering the atmosphere, I'm thinking that a hamburger, fries and a coke would have been great which wasn't offered at the time of day we were there. My meal enjoyment always comes as a package with the food sometimes not being as important as the other elements. It is often about the company, atmosphere, service, where I'm seated. When everything comes together for a great dining experience, I love it!! That's what happened here. Especially the company of my niece and family which included their two darling boys telling about their day. It was just plain fun!

I have also mentioned this before, but our experience at Flying Fish wasn't as positive. Service was very good as was the food - what little we had. For me, I think I didn't enjoy this experience as much because I really didn't like where we were seated (very close to the front check in desk) which detracted from enjoying the atmosphere and made the meal feel way too expensive. I don't know if that makes any sense. Someday I will have that particular dining experience figured out :D

Collette

[Barb D]

Collette we had a similar experience at FLying fish. We had PS reservations made a long time before our trip yet they were so over booked we couldnt get in for a while and it was only two of us so they talked us into eating at the bar. It was cool to get to talk to the chef and he een made us a special dish just for us but the atmosphere was lost sitting there.



Our best was back in 1998 we went to Primetime with our teenage daughters. Our waiter did what he was suppose to do adn my oldest daughter (17 back then) didnt finish all her dessert so he pulled the table out because she sat in teh back, then spoon fed her like an airplane. Was so funny to see and experince with a teenager.

Another memorable meal was that same trip at Garden Grill. The characters went so much extra to make us have fun. One of them tried to get my daughter to dance around the floor near us and another tried to chase the other daughter (That was chip and dale for you) Its a rather expensive meal since its one of those all you can eat but I have to say the character interaction was a step above everything else. I have to say the food was fantastic and my picky teenagers wouldnt venture to try most of the food so they brought out a kids macaroni and cheese/chicken nugget platter for them. Its normally served to younger kids.

[3princesses]

I have always wanted to try the Prime Time Restaurant and finally did on our last trip. I was disappointed. I heard so much hype about the service but we had a man who was not entertaining at all. The food for the price was not that impressive. I don't think we will eat there again.
We also tried O'hanas at the Polynesian for breakfast this trip and loved it. That it was one restaurant we will be go back to! The characters were great and so was the food.

Wanda

[mickeefan]

Would also like to add Ohanas to our list. We went there for the first time last year when we stayed at the Polynesian. This year we ate dinner there and it was every bit as good as last year. At the end of our meal they brought us a cupcake with two lighted candels on it.

We also liked Kona cafe and thought their food was very good.

[Belle]

I have to agree about Garden Grill - excellent character interaction :D We go for the Ice Cream Social every trip - that way we can visit Mickey without waiting in line, hehehe 8) Dessert with the big guy himself - how can you go wrong? One time we were there, we were one of 3 families in the whole restaurant - it was like a private party with Mickey, Chip, Dale and Pluto. They played, colored and danced with the kids the whole time, got together for group photos with the families, etc.

I also have to say, I love the Sci Fi dine in. Because the prices are a bit high, we go for lunch - and we share entrees/dessert. The food is average, but it is the atmosphere and milkshakes we truely enjoy. The 3 of us ALWAYS share one row of the car (so no one is alone in the back) and we laugh at the "B" horror movies - so campy :lol:

Well, 2 more cents from me, lol!

{hugs}
Belle

[Joe]

The only restaurant on property that has sadly disappointed me was Spoodles on the Boardwalk. I'm not too sure what I was expecting from a Medeteranian eatery, but what I got was not really to my liking. I know there are a number of folks that really like to eat there, I just think it's not for me.

Now for one that very pleasantly surprised us, I have to chime in with Belle (pun intended :lol:) and the Plaza. This is a little, out of the way, place just off Main Street. We have always made it a point to have at least one meal there when we are at MK. The food has always been great and the desserts are dynamite.

One of each from me, and as always this is JMHO, your mileage may vary......

[Cinderella]

Well, we tried BOMA for the first time and loved it. AKL is beautiful - loved the lobby and decorations. Some food I wouldn't try again but some I liked. I would never have had the opportunity to try African food anywhere else. The desserts were to die for. :roll:

We also tried Mama Melrose for the first time at MGM and loved that too.
The food was great and so was the service. :eat:

Only place I would never go again was the Rainforrest Cafe at DD. Service was terrible and the food was cold. Overall terrible meal.
:hppmad:
Cinderella

[cshore]

We tried Narcooses at GF on December trip and were VERY suprised! Ali and I both absolutely loved it! Great view of the castle, it was a MVMCP night and we loved watching the colors change. The food and service were both incredible. The only draw back was that out table for two was very cramped, and it was as if this table was just put in for lack of seating. That was the only fault with the restaraunt that we could cite though. We were both extremely suprised at how good everthing tasted and the presentation was superb.

[Connears]

Just back from WDW and tried Dinner at the castle in MK. One of the best meals of the week. DH had prime rib (wonderful), I had roast pork with mushroom and DS had lamb( amazing. Service was wonderful and we would definitley return!
Connears

[PoohbearFan]

California Grill and Artist's Point are two of my absolute favorite restaurants at WDW. I tried both during a trip 4 or 5 years ago and have been back often since. Another one I tried on a whim and loved is Boma.

I tried Flying Fish Cafe several years ago and was less than impressed with the food, portions and service. I haven't been back since.

On my last trip, I finally tried The Brown Derby and really liked it. I had heard mixed reviews, but I thought the food was very good and the grapefruit cake was excellent! :D

I would like to try Ohana for breakfast sometime and also plan to try Jiko soon, too. Yummy!

Poohbear

[LimeGreenCheri]

:eat: :eat: As many of you know, there was a huge discussion about where to eat on my first night at Disney with Betsyann and the mom. We didn't make the decision until the last minute, but we ended up going to 'Ohana. Oh my word!! This is my new most favorite place to eat! The steak and shrimp are to die for. The salad with honey lime dressing, scrumptous! I would love to eat there again, but there is nothing there my picky DD would eat. So, it'll be saved for adults only trips.

Another place that surprised me was Marrekesh. MargaretJ, Matt, Betsyann, the mom, and I ate there spur of the moment on the last day of mousefest. MargaretJ and I had the chefs special and it was really really good! I would eat here again with friends.

The one place that I probably won't return to, is Boma. While the desserts were out of this world, the main dishes did not really impress me.

[Rosebud]

Boma's is the one place that I thought would be so good. It smelled wonderful every time we passed, but we weren't impressed at all. We thought the food was kind of blah and nothing special. Because of the wonderful smells, and high praise from some people I will probably give this one another chance though. But next time I'll skip the Zebra Domes - didn't like those at all.

LGC, did you ask for kid food at 'Ohanna? I thought I heard you could ask for that there and they would give you mac & cheese or something. Of course I don't know what price they would charge for that.

[Joe]

LGC, you can ask for a kids dinner at 'Ohana. They have Mac-n-Cheese or PB&J. Not sure if there are other selections as the Mac-n-Cheese did the job for DD when we were there. Just want to be sure you have the opportunity to go back if you are so inclined.

[LimeGreenCheri]

Did someone say Mac-n-cheese?!? Then it's a done deal, we'll be having dinner at 'Ohana in April!!!!! Thanks for the tip you guys and gals!

[Stinkerbelle]

First for the bad surprizes:

1.) Alfredo's in Italy in Epcot. :devil: It was a beautiful atmosphere with awful service and TERRIBLE food. Probably my worst ever meal in WDW.

2.) Boma :shrug: - went in prepared to love it, ended up not liking anything except the chicken fingers from the kiddie bar. I was so dissappointed because it was our last night farewell meal and we had been hearing rave reviews online, at the resort and from several cast members. It was pretty bad.

3.) Storybook Princess Breakfast @ Norway - This is going to sound absolutely terrible but it seemed like we had second rate Princesses. After having had breakfast in the Castle 2x before I did this breakfast it seemed like these were the understudies or something. They just weren't as polished as the ones in the castle and in some cases physically bore little or no resemblance to the princess they were representing. The food was pretty poor as well. Now when we attended this breakfast it was still pretty new so maybe they have tweaked it into perfection by now.

:minnie: Good surprises! :minnie:

1.) Liberty Tree Tavern - On my first adult trip to WDW I wanted to do as many character meals as possible which means I ate alot of bad buffet food. Since that trip I tend to try to only have 1 character meal per trip because I do not enjoy the food and it gets to be quite costly. I was delightfully surprised at LLT. While still all you can eat, its pre-plated and it was very good. Surprisingly good and the characters in their Colonial Dress could not have been any cuter. I liked it so much we are planning on returning their on our next trip in either March or April.

2.) Columbia Harbour House - I had read the rave reviews but nothing prepared me for how fantastic the Garden Galley Salad is. Nothing. It is out of this world and better than many entree salads I have had a much more upscale places than a theme park counter service restaurant. Delish!

3.) The biggest and best surprise ever was O'Hana. :eat: I randomly picked it out of the 2000 Unofficial Guide - which didn't even give it a good review - and was bowled over. This isn't my favorite restuarant in WDW, it is my favorite restaurant in the world. I have been back 5 times and its always just as wonderful as the first time. I am going to turn into a caramel coated pineapple one of these days.

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

I agree with all your "good choices " Stinkerbelle! Liberty Tree has pretty good food and the prices are not bad either. Le Cellier at Epcot has good food as well.

LindaC :sun:

[DocTinkStat]

I didnt relaly like Akershus...atmosphere was cool but too much cold food..other than that i dont think i have had a bad dining experience at disney...even with the places that arent rated high at all and places no one else likes lol

[Cosmic Amanda]

I was surprised by Le Cellier in Canada at Epcot. Mom Pixie wanted to go because of the great things she heard here, but not being much of a meat eater, I wasn't so convinced. We scoped out the menu, though, and the trout salad at lunch caught my eye...so lunch we had. It was delicious! By far the best meal of the trip. I loved the pretzel bread, and the trout was soft and sweet with a flaky salty skin. Yum! Also, MP had a beefsteak tomato that looked amazing! An entree in itself!

Mmmm...now that my mouth is watering, I also must mention the Land bakery and their great veggie wrap. All of the veggies are super fresh and wonderfully tasty, and the wrap is glued together with what I think is cream cheese with dill or chives. Soooo good!

[MissBianca]

We went for a late spur-of-the moment lunch at the Castle and were totally surprised at the quality of the food and at getting to meet Cinderella and the Prince in the lobby.

We went to the CA Grill and were surprised that the choices were so boring and bland after hearing so much. I think I was expecting something comparable to a Seattle destination restaurant and instead got "upscale theme park."

Oh, and I was delightfully surprised by the cheese soup at Le Cellier! I knew it would be good, but I didn't realize it would be so light (if cheese soup can be light, that one is!). Alas, that's one place that we won't get to on our next trip as Emma's parents are not big meat eaters.

[Aimfred]

LGC-
A few years ago I took my VERY picky godson to Ohana. He was five at the time. We tried to get him to eat the regular meal, but when he would have nothing to do with it. The server noticed him not eating and came over and asked if he would like something different, and went and got it for him. I believe he requested mashed potatoes and mac n cheese. They charged us the regular kid price of $10, but we were happy to pay it since the server was so sweet! Plus, my godson loved the coconut races! Ohana has been my favorite WDW restaurant since it opened. :)

[LimeGreenCheri]

Aimfred, I've convinced my DD to try 'Ohana and I've also heard that you can order from the Kona menu for them. They have chicken fingers which is right up DD's alley. Thanks for the info! :sun:

[JJ]

We're hugs fans of the Coral Reef - my kids LOVE the peanut butter playdoh and make your own sundaes and the food overall has been wonderful every time we've eaten there.

We also love to eat at the Liberty Tree Tavern in the MK - it's a wonderful break from the craziness.

This trip I'm getting to Beaches n Creme for a Kitchen Sink!

[MargaretJ]

JJ welcome! I want to try Liberty Tree Tavern on my next trip & you just can not go wrong at Beaches and Cream. Hope to see you around the boards.

[BetsyAnn]

Just wanted to add my welcome JJ!:wave:

So glad you came in and are making yourself right at home!

I too, love Liberty Tree Tavern both at lunch and dinner- Never tried Coral Reef - but anytime you can play with your food has to be a great time! :lol:

[pixie]

Welcome JJ!!! I'm glad you found us and have already joined in the fun of planning. When will you be eating that kitchen sink? I hope it's soon!

:tink: Barbara