Home » Forums » Trip Planning » Dining » 'Never Again' dining experiences

'Never Again' dining experiences

Login to post comments
39 posts / 0 new
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 17:15
Imagineer
Offline
Joined: 12/05/2008
Posts: 521
'Never Again' dining experiences

One place that I tried and will probably never be back to is Toy Story Pizza Planet at DHS.

Bad pizza and mediocre salads in a noisy, video arcade atmosphere. sarcastic At least they offer some outdoor seating for a slightly better experience. As far as counter service at DHS go, I think the ABC Commisary is a much better choice.

Which places have "left a bad taste in your mouth".

__________________

mickey Upcoming Trips mickey

July 2010 - Old Key West

Oct 2010 - Boardwalk Villas

Tags:
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 18:55
dsoup
Offline
Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 2884

I've never even noticed that place (It also has a terrible name). I'm assuming it's near TSM?

Mon, 02/09/2009 - 19:12
Imagineer
Offline
Joined: 12/05/2008
Posts: 521

dsoup wrote:
I've never even noticed that place (It also has a terrible name). I'm assuming it's near TSM?

It's not far from there, but it's actually closer to Muppet Vision 3D. It's in the Streets of America section, around the corner from Mama Melrose's.

__________________

mickey Upcoming Trips mickey

July 2010 - Old Key West

Oct 2010 - Boardwalk Villas

Mon, 02/09/2009 - 23:39
ZapperZ
Offline
Joined: 08/30/2008
Posts: 3555

In my book, there's no decent counter service in all of DHS. I hate ABC Commissary. Bad food (have you tried their disgusting chicken curry?), and very slow service for something that is already pre-made. I've been in Pizza Planet just once, looked at what people were buying, and walked out.

Other than getting rolls and pastries at Starring Rolls, I try not to eat lunch, much less dinner, at DHS. Even the sit-down restraurants are nothing to write about. Sci-Fi has good hamburgers, but it is more of a "gimmicky" place than anything else. I wasn't impressed with Mamma Melrose, and I don't have any compelling reason to go back to the Brown Derby since I can't even remember about the food other than that orange or lemon cake that peole were raving about. And don't get me started about the Prime Time Cafe! Smile

Zz.

__________________

No longer an active member.

Mon, 02/09/2009 - 23:55
bali
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3444

ZapperZ wrote:
And don't get me started about the Prime Time Cafe! Smile

Zz.



Please do get started. I'd love to hear your take. I've been pro/con 50's Prime Time for a while now.

Also, I agree with the consensus on Pizza Planet. Pizza in WDW is generally abysmal, and fast food pizza even more so. Plus, that place is as exhausting as a Chuckie Cheese in terms of little ones running around like crazy! laugh

I haven't been to ABC Comm in a long time. What's the other counter service there--back by Star Tours with all of the old props as decor?

My bad dining experiences include Artist Palette in Saratoga Springs. I went when the resort first opened and it was just awful--bad decor, bad food, bad service, just bad!
__________________


May 2008 CSR mickey

Tue, 02/10/2009 - 00:43
ZapperZ
Offline
Joined: 08/30/2008
Posts: 3555

bali wrote:

My bad dining experiences include Artist Palette in Saratoga Springs. I went when the resort first opened and it was just awful--bad decor, bad food, bad service, just bad!

Oh, do try it again. It is not a bad place to eat at all! They have flat bread pizzas that are actually quite good. And so are their soups.

Zz.

__________________

No longer an active member.

Tue, 02/10/2009 - 16:37
Annie
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 1610

I wasn't really impressed with San Angel Inn when we went there. The food wasn't excellent (an authentic Mexican restaurant that serves Tostitos?), and the service was awful. Although the atmosphere is fun, and definitely worth going once.

Wed, 02/11/2009 - 11:51
Hypermommy
Offline
Joined: 01/20/2009
Posts: 101

I didn't like San Angel either. I was okay with the service and the food and the atmosphere was kind of cool. But the tables are SOOOOO close together. I'm a rather Rubenesque (read: large) woman and there was hardly enough room to push my chair back a bit.

As for Pizza Planet, I think it would be a mistake on the part of the guest to go in there and expect it to be anything but a noisy knockoff of Chuck E Cheese. Actually, it's very well themed for what it's supposed to be. We took the Eating Machines there when they were 4 and 6 (and weren't eating machines yet) and they loved it! It was just like going to Chuck E Cheese for them and that's exactly the experience we expected, based on the characterization of the place in the movie.

Also, on that trip in 1999 (remember, this is back when Disney food wasn't anything to write home about) we went to the hibachi grill in the Japan pavilion. I wasn't impressed at all. The food was okay, but the "show" was about the same as I'd get at my local Japanese steakhouse. Given Disney's reputation for putting on a good show I expected some kind of world class, Benihana and then some experience. I was disappointed. But then again, that was 10 years ago and a lot may have changed since then. I might give it a go again next time I'm there.

__________________

Pixie Dusted and Prepared,
Hypermommy

Scouting with the Mouse - Getting prepared with the magic of Disney.
News, articles, forums, and information on how to meet Scouting requirements and educational goals in a pixie dusted, pleasant way.
Find me on Facebook and Twitter

Wed, 02/11/2009 - 13:48
Imagineer
Offline
Joined: 12/05/2008
Posts: 521

Hypermommy wrote:
I didn't like San Angel either. I was okay with the service and the food and the atmosphere was kind of cool. But the tables are SOOOOO close together. I'm a rather Rubenesque (read: large) woman and there was hardly enough room to push my chair back a bit.

As for Pizza Planet, I think it would be a mistake on the part of the guest to go in there and expect it to be anything but a noisy knockoff of Chuck E Cheese. Actually, it's very well themed for what it's supposed to be. We took the Eating Machines there when they were 4 and 6 (and weren't eating machines yet) and they loved it! It was just like going to Chuck E Cheese for them and that's exactly the experience we expected, based on the characterization of the place in the movie.

Also, on that trip in 1999 (remember, this is back when Disney food wasn't anything to write home about) we went to the hibachi grill in the Japan pavilion. I wasn't impressed at all. The food was okay, but the "show" was about the same as I'd get at my local Japanese steakhouse. Given Disney's reputation for putting on a good show I expected some kind of world class, Benihana and then some experience. I was disappointed. But then again, that was 10 years ago and a lot may have changed since then. I might give it a go again next time I'm there.



You bring up a good point hypermommy, and it makes me think that the same dining experiences can be different for different people, depending on your situation.

Your visit to Pizza Planet was a much different one than ours, because of the fact that you had kids. And because of that, the restaurant delivered exactly what you needed it too.

The funny thing is though, we went in there with very LOW expectations (for our situation) and we're STILL disappointed.

I went to that hibachi restaurant in the Japan pavillion in the 90's too. It was called Teppanyaki Dining Room as I recall, and yes, it was no different than a Benihana in any suburb in America. I believe it was even run by the Benihana people if I'm not mistaken.
__________________

mickey Upcoming Trips mickey

July 2010 - Old Key West

Oct 2010 - Boardwalk Villas

Wed, 02/11/2009 - 16:00
Brad
Offline
Joined: 08/05/2008
Posts: 4357

I still don't think the hibachi (Teppan Edo) is much different than your average Hibachi. (Other than being in World Showcase)

Wed, 02/11/2009 - 16:04
bali
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3444

ZapperZ wrote:
bali wrote:

My bad dining experiences include Artist Palette in Saratoga Springs. I went when the resort first opened and it was just awful--bad decor, bad food, bad service, just bad!

Oh, do try it again. It is not a bad place to eat at all! They have flat bread pizzas that are actually quite good. And so are their soups.

Zz.



Thanks Zz. I imagine it has gotten better since they opened. I'll try to overcome my initial distaste and jump back over there again at some point.
__________________


May 2008 CSR mickey

Wed, 02/11/2009 - 16:06
bali
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3444

Brad wrote:
I still don't think the hibachi (Teppan Edo) is much different than your average Hibachi. (Other than being in World Showcase)


I haven't been to many "average Hibachi" places, but I really enjoyed Teppan Edo.

__________________


May 2008 CSR mickey

Wed, 02/25/2009 - 00:35
DisneyLove
Offline
Joined: 12/05/2008
Posts: 120

bali wrote:

My bad dining experiences include Artist Palette in Saratoga Springs. I went when the resort first opened and it was just awful--bad decor, bad food, bad service, just bad!



Give it another chance! We ate there for a quick dinner one night when we just didn't have the energy to make it back to the parks and both loved it. Andrew had a flat bread pizza and I had 1/2 turkey & Brie sandwich with a cup of chili. No complaints what so ever!
__________________

Upcoming Trips:

September 2009 AKV

December 2009 WLV...hopefully!

Wed, 02/25/2009 - 14:35
marzyar
Offline
Joined: 02/16/2009
Posts: 269

I found the Rain forest Cafe very overrated.

Also even though the meatloaf was very good at the 50's Prime time Cafe having my pretend Aunt pester me the whole time and call me out for finishing my plate was a little annoying. (Ok, A LOT annoying.)

Wed, 02/25/2009 - 15:38
bali
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3444

marzyar wrote:
I found the Rain forest Cafe very overrated.

Also even though the meatloaf was very good at the 50's Prime time Cafe having my pretend Aunt pester me the whole time and call me out for finishing my plate was a little annoying. (Ok, A LOT annoying.)

I ate at an RFC in Chicago before I ever saw the Disney one and just decided that Disney shouldn't do chain restaurants, so I'd boycott it.

As for 50's Prime Time Cafe, it all depends on your server and your mood that day. I've had some great experiences and some really lacking experiences. The food isn't stellar either. sad

DisneyLove wrote:
Give it another chance! We ate there for a quick dinner one night when we just didn't have the energy to make it back to the parks and both loved it. Andrew had a flat bread pizza and I had 1/2 turkey & Brie sandwich with a cup of chili. No complaints what so ever!

Turkey and brie sounds lovely, and I will give it another chance (per Zapperz pleas as well), but it's so far off the beaten path that it might have to wait until I stay at SSR again...

__________________


May 2008 CSR mickey

Sat, 02/28/2009 - 20:25
dsoup
Offline
Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 2884

Big River Grille, or whatever it's called, on the Boardwalk was awful the one time I tried it. My expectations may have been too high, but it was a definite downer for me.

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 01:58
Ayacullo
Offline
Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 56

My last trip to 'Ohana has really put me off from thinking about a return visit there...

__________________

-Anthony

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 03:07
admin
Offline
Joined: 08/14/2010
Posts: 2733

Ayacullo wrote:
My last trip to 'Ohana has really put me off from thinking about a return visit there...


We think it's been going downhill, too--all the menu changes and some really bad service the past few times have made it not stand out quite as much as it has in the past. However, I love that place so much that I keep going hoping it will be good again soon!

I'm curious as to what you found lacking about it?

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 03:19
dsoup
Offline
Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 2884

O'hana hasn't been the same since they got rid of the potatoes! It's hard, though, to pass on the desert there. That's one of my favorite deserts in all of WDW. Even the biggest critic will admit the desert rules, right?

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 03:35
Ayacullo
Offline
Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 56

dsoup wrote:
O'hana hasn't been the same since they got rid of the potatoes! It's hard, though, to pass on the desert there. That's one of my favorite deserts in all of WDW. Even the biggest critic will admit the desert rules, right?

The lack of the potatoes too! And the rude inattentive wait staff, I was the only none CM at the table and even all of them were commenting on how bad the service was. That trip (March 2008) was the only time I've had an issue there, or anywhere on property with a dining experience.

__________________

-Anthony

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 03:36
dsoup
Offline
Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 2884

Ayacullo wrote:
dsoup wrote:
O'hana hasn't been the same since they got rid of the potatoes! It's hard, though, to pass on the desert there. That's one of my favorite deserts in all of WDW. Even the biggest critic will admit the desert rules, right?

The lack of the potatoes too! And the rude inattentive wait staff, I was the only none CM at the table and even all of them were commenting on how bad the service was. That trip (March 2008) was the only time I've had an issue there, or anywhere on property with a dining experience.

It's interesting you mention that because I would say that I have had the worst overall average service at O'hana too. I wonder if they under-staff or if we're just unlucky. The only other place I can think of where I'm generally not optimistic about the service is Le Cellier and I think it's just because they're constantly packed.

How do you know so many CMs?

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 12:49
Ayacullo
Offline
Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 56

dsoup wrote:
Ayacullo wrote:
dsoup wrote:
O'hana hasn't been the same since they got rid of the potatoes! It's hard, though, to pass on the desert there. That's one of my favorite deserts in all of WDW. Even the biggest critic will admit the desert rules, right?

The lack of the potatoes too! And the rude inattentive wait staff, I was the only none CM at the table and even all of them were commenting on how bad the service was. That trip (March 2008) was the only time I've had an issue there, or anywhere on property with a dining experience.

It's interesting you mention that because I would say that I have had the worst overall average service at O'hana too. I wonder if they under-staff or if we're just unlucky. The only other place I can think of where I'm generally not optimistic about the service is Le Cellier and I think it's just because they're constantly packed.

How do you know so many CMs?

Well...I know so many CM's because my ex is a CM. We took a trip together last year in March and thats when we ate at 'Ohana. And we both went to HS with another friend who's a CM. Spent a lot of time with cast members on that trip!

I think they understaff and sometimes you just get a waiter that just...well doesn't care and that definitely doesn't help the situation. Hopefully it gets better soon because I really liked the place.

__________________

-Anthony

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 12:52
bali
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3444

Ayacullo wrote:

I think they understaff and sometimes you just get a waiter that just...well doesn't care and that definitely doesn't help the situation. Hopefully it gets better soon because I really liked the place.


I think the waitstaff at 'Ohana acts according to how I'd FEEL if I were waitstaff at 'Ohana! I often wonder how waiters can keep a happy face on sometimes--customer service can get really stressful and downright annoying!

__________________


May 2008 CSR mickey

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 12:55
Ayacullo
Offline
Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 56

I've been there too, I've waited tables and at times it can be very not fun and stressful. I've had some GREAT servers at 'Ohana though, the last time my brother and I went the server was amazing, and it was twice as busy as when I went in 2008.

...May be they're upset too about WDW getting rid of the potatoes there rolling

__________________

-Anthony

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 13:01
bali
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3444

Ayacullo wrote:

...May be they're upset too about WDW getting rid of the potatoes there rolling



VERY POSSIBLE! When I first went after they put the kibosh on the potatoes, we asked our server--in what we thought was a nice way...--why there weren't any potatoes. She was practically fuming and made some sarcastic comment about "never hearing that one before!" or something like that! I guess she'd been asked about the potatoes one too many times that day... eek
__________________


May 2008 CSR mickey

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 15:39
Brad
Offline
Joined: 08/05/2008
Posts: 4357

The nice thing about Disney is, that usually if something is going downhill they give it a jolt in the arm eventually. O'hana used to be a 2 times per trip affair, now between our experiences and the bad ones I've read on here I'd consider doing 0. However I think the desert will get me back for at least one meal per trip!

I have noticed however that the waiters there don't necessarily seem to use a lot of common sense in their approach. Even one's who've been there for a long time seem to be doing things in nonsensical ways, which makes me wonder if there's just a training problem.

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 15:56
Annie
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 1610

Brad wrote:
which makes me wonder if there's just a training problem.


That's a really good point. Maybe just the management needs to be tweaked.

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 19:45
cdub
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3220

They do seem to have an odd set up. In Dallas we have Churascarias which are a similar concept, and they have the whole system down to an art. In O'hana it seems to be just kind of "random people do random things when they feel like it."

Mon, 03/09/2009 - 22:33
dsoup
Offline
Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 2884

I hope this is temporary. I hadn't really noticed it, but I haven't been in a while and I'd hate to see one of my favorite restaurants drop off the list.

Tue, 03/10/2009 - 13:53
bali
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3444

Brad wrote:
The nice thing about Disney is, that usually if something is going downhill they give it a jolt in the arm eventually.


I think that's the case--especially for restaurants (ahem...we all know rides that need to be booted, but have been there for quite some time...).

They can't afford to be without that daily income, so that's where their focus goes.

__________________


May 2008 CSR mickey

Tue, 03/10/2009 - 15:49
cdub
Offline
Joined: 06/20/2008
Posts: 3220

bali wrote:
Brad wrote:
The nice thing about Disney is, that usually if something is going downhill they give it a jolt in the arm eventually.


I think that's the case--especially for restaurants (ahem...we all know rides that need to be booted, but have been there for quite some time...).

They can't afford to be without that daily income, so that's where their focus goes.

My impression, and someone who's been recently can correct me if I'm wrong, is that O'hana is still a hard ADR to get. It's still getting by on its reputation, so it will be a while before it actually feels any "backlash." Moreover it might just be blamed on the economy temporarily.

 
‹ Previous topic: Can you see Wishes from Crystal Palace? Next topic: Disney Dining Plan: Le Cellier ›