WORST DISNEY DINING EXPERIENCE

[snoopy352]

One of two possibilities for anyone who doesn't respond to this post with Tony's Town Square:
1.) They haven't been to Tony's; or
2.) I haven't been to the place mentioned and there really is another place in the world worse that Tony's Town Square.

 

[85glht]

Pepper Market at CSR...used to be good years ago, last trip it was horrible. A member of our party became so ill he could not fly home with us.

Agreed. Had breakfast there last week.... ugh, it was horrible. The Mickey waffles were hard as rocks and my pancakes just plain sucked. Did not go back.

 

[leebee]

Okay, slightly off topic but want to get your opinion. I just realized the day we plan to spend at Hollywood Studies is the same day we have Chef Mickey dinner reservations. Considering the majority of this forum has indicated that a lot of the HS restaurants are a no-go (50's, Vine, Mama Mel) I am worried we will have an entire days worth of bad food, lol. We are stuck with CM for DD sake, so does anyone have any suggestions for HS that would be good (so we don't go to CM starved and end up possibly being disappointed)

Honestly? Unless you want to waste valuable park time going someplace else for lunch, I'd suck it up, have QS lunch at HS, and then do CM for dinner. We find both the TS and QS to be lack-luster at HS, and we don't do 2 TS meals a day. We've enjoyed 50sPT and Mama Melrose, but haven't been to either for at least 5 years. Most of the QS at HS isn't inspiring, so don't expect much. We used to enjoy Backlot Express (enjoy? Well, like better than other QS options at the Studios) but I believe it's closed now.

I have had the mac-and-cheese dog from the food court over by Beauty and the Beast and my recommendation is DON"T. Not much dog or pasta, and a LOT of roll. Resign yourself to a McDonald's-quality lunch and pay as little as possible. Bad food tastes "better" if you haven't had to take out a mortgage to pay for it!

SO... I have spent the past three days reading this ENTIRE thread; it's the end of the school year and we aren't terribly busy at work, apparently, LOL! Some things that stand out:
This is a thread about WORST dining experiences, so why do folks post about how they can't understand how anyone has a bad experience, or ask why are people complaining? You are going to find WORST experiences here- if you don't like that, go find a "favorite restaurants" thread!
Also... somebody's worst is always somebody's best. Nature of the beast. I've had good and bad at lots of restaurants, and decide whether or not to return based on my experience. Yes, it's nice to read what others have experienced, but let's face it- Many of these restaurants serve thousands of people every single day. YES they will have off days, cranky waitstaff, etc. It's up to you to decide if it's a big enough risk to turn you off of a place.
There are certain restaurants that seem to trend in the "never again" category: Chef Mickey's, Hollywood&Vine, Tony's, Coral Reef seem to be at the top of that list. You need to decide if the character interaction (if there is any) is worth risking a mediocre meal. I usually say yes.
Finally... people don't complain. Why? You are paying for this food. If it's inedible, SAY SO. I don't mean that you should complain if you discover you don't care for ostrich, if that's what you ordered, but if something is truly prepared improperly, or has hair/plastic/shells in it, TELL SOMEONE. If waitstaff is truly rude or lazy, talk to a manager. If management doesn't know what's going on, they can't fix/change things. Unless you complain, all Disney sees is that they are making $$$ or not- and remember, just because you vow "never again" for a restaurant doesn't necessarily hurt Disney, because chances are VERY good that you will just end up choosing ANOTHER Disney restaurant... and the bottom line never really changes, as Disney has your money, one way or another.

NOW... off to decide where we'll eat on our trip this summer!

 

[Bethany Robben]

My mom & I went to 1900 Park Fare. Server was nice, but a very rude woman kept kicking us out trying to get us to eat the food, which looked nasty. Almost walked out crying when the rude woman kicked us out the first time. But the actress playing Anastasia was very friendly!

 

[Squirlz]

My mom & I went to 1900 Park Fare. Server was nice, but a very rude woman kept kicking us out trying to get us to eat the food, which looked nasty. Almost walked out crying when the rude woman kicked us out the first time. But the actress playing Anastasia was very friendly!

I know what kicking out means to me, but it must mean something different to you. I can't make sense of this, can you explain?

 

[Bethany Robben]

The first time we went in & she told us we needed a reservation to get pictures with the characters, which was fine, but she told us that in a rude way. She said, then you can't be here. Then we made a reservation, & she came to our table & said "Excuse me, do you have a reservation?" My mom said yes. She wanted us to prove to her we had a reservation because she thought we were sneaking in or something. She also was really rude because we didn't get any food.

 

[Bethany Robben]

I know what kicking out means to me, but it must mean something different to you. I can't make sense of this, can you explain?

L

She said we couldn't be there because we didn't get any food.

 

[KrazeeK120]

L

She said we couldn't be there because we didn't get any food.

I'm a little confused by your post. You paid for a character meal, but didn't eat any food?

 

[North of Mouse]

My mom & I went to 1900 Park Fare. Server was nice, but a very rude woman kept kicking us out trying to get us to eat the food, which looked nasty. Almost walked out crying when the rude woman kicked us out the first time. But the actress playing Anastasia was very friendly!

L

She said we couldn't be there because we didn't get any food.

You mean you were willing to pay approx. $75 w/tips and not eat any food?? Something has to be missing here!!!

 

[theflyingTosher]

First I thought it was crazy to read that so many people have had a negative experience at Chef Mickeys. When my Wife, Daughter, and I went on our first trip to Disney two years ago we had dinner there the first night. Seemingly the only negative aspect of it was the wait, which I found to be strange (and far too long) considering we had reservations and there were many open tables upon our arrival. Once we were seated however, everything was nice, the food was good (exceedingly so, for a buffet) and the characters came through twice during our reservation, all of them stopping to sign my daughters book and take pictures with her. I did also find it strange at the end of the meal when we saw the suggested gratuity on the bill, for a buffet.

Having read through nearly this whole thread now, I can see how our experience at chef mickey's could have been entirely different or even bad if even just a few things were different. There was one kid who followed mickey for several tables, luckily his parents intervened before he reached our table. On a busier visit, with more kids (and careless parents), I can see how it would easily get out of hand and be a hassle to deal with. Also had the food been sitting for a while or cold that would certainly influence the experience, luckily that was not the case. Although I mostly think of our first WDW trip as magical and there were no stand-out negative things, my wife and I had already decided we wouldn't go back to Chef Mickeys in the future, instead opting to try different eateries and character dining experiences. Seems like that is the consensus opinion.

 

[fla4fun]

Well, my worst experience personally was a long time ago, and I didn't actually end up dining. We had reservations for the Jolly Holiday Dinner Show at the Contemporary, and didn't realize we would be seated with strangers eating food served family style. That kind of grosses us out, since other people may, or may not, have the same idea of hygiene that we do. So we went in, and were seated, and when we realized what was going on, we left and went upstairs to the Concourse Steakhouse for dinner. That meal was fine. I guess we could have stayed for the entertainment - but we were tired and hungry.

My worst actual dining experience was at Le Cellier. Actually, there was a trip where Le Cellier was my worst meal and my best meal (I ate there twice). The worst one, the service was non-existent - literally. I sat there for 45 minutes waiting for a server, the server was rude when they showed up, I waited forever for my food, which was overcooked to the point it was nearly inedible, never got a drink refill, and had to wait another 45 minutes for the check. From beginning to end, it was a total fiasco. But the second meal later in the trip was the exact opposite - excellent service, food cooked precisely as asked, etc. I know every restaurant can have an off day, but that one meal at Le Cellier was beyond off.

 

[Belle5]

Via Napoli... Then, one pizza came out burnt completely and they argued that it had to be taken back. NHL hockey pucks were softer.

It may not be to your taste, but you do realize the charred (black/burnt) pizza crust is intentional and considered perfection by many? I would be very disappointed if Via Napoli brought a soft, Americanized, golden-brown bottomed pizza to my table!

 

[BigredNole]

It may not be to your taste, but you do realize the charred (black/burnt) pizza crust is intentional and considered perfection by many? I would be very disappointed if Via Napoli brought a soft, Americanized, golden-brown bottomed pizza to my table!

I am not talking about little burnt ends or bottom. I am talking it was so burnt that if you soaked it in water for an hour it would still be crispy.

 

[Belle5]

I am not talking about little burnt ends or bottom. I am talking it was so burnt that if you soaked it in water for an hour it would still be crispy.

Agreed, that is not acceptable. I have seen folks furious over a charred bottom at Via Napoli and have always wondered if they realized it was supposed to be that way. Doesn't sound like you are in that category!

 

[gypsy_at_heart]

L

She said we couldn't be there because we didn't get any food.

So... let me see if I have this right. You made a reservation, took pictures with the characters, but didn’t pay for the buffet and eat?

 

[Pygoplites]

Worst cheap meal: Dried out cold, gray burger with a stale bun and rotten (literally) green beans at Contempo Cafe. This was quite a few years ago and I still remember it well.

Worst expensive meal: Artist Point; bison was cut the wrong way on the grain and loaded with connective tissue. It was inedible and the situation was poorly handled by the restaurant.

Worst solo-dining service experiences: WDW has the dubious honor of being the only place where I have gotten up to use the restroom between entree and dessert and came back to discover that my table had been cleared off and the next party seated! It happened TWICE. Both times at signature restaurants!! The second time it happened, I went ballistic. However, they made good on it in a "pixie dust covered" way.

 

[KenHutch]

This tale has both a good and a bad side. In our 4 trips we have had close to 200 table service meals and only one place in all the time has made my never again list.... Hollywood & Vine. We went there and the waiter took 15 minutes to get our drink order and another 15 to bring them (and that was the last time we saw him until the check). A busboy dropped off a cart right next to our table and I thought he was cleaning up next to us no biggie. Forty five minutes later it wasn't so funny. When we got the bill I told the waiter to bring the manager because I wasn't paying the tip (he didn't). I had another waitress call the manager and started to take his waiters side but after about 10 minutes of standing next to the cart of dirty dishes he asked how long that had been there. Long story short he wanted to comp the meal but we said we couldn't get another reservation during our last 3 days anyways but the apology was nice. He took the bill and said wait a second. He came back and said where were we going to eat breakfast the next day. We said counter service at Riverside. He said no you have a prepaid meal at Ohana's tomorrow at 09:00. I do appreciate the professional manner he treated us but never again. The only other place to make my banned list is Crystal Palace but that is over the signature card thing. My girls want real autographs.

 

[KrazeeK120]

So... let me see if I have this right. You made a reservation, took pictures with the characters, but didn’t pay for the buffet and eat?

Unfortunately, that post was made months ago and the person never came back to clarify. I was curious too!!

 

[Melissa Perez]

Talk about turning (over) a profit! I'm so sorry this happened but I can believe this would happen there...

 

[starousse]

So... let me see if I have this right. You made a reservation, took pictures with the characters, but didn’t pay for the buffet and eat?

It looks like she made a reservation to get a table in the restaurant, with her only intention was to meet and greet characters. She never had any intention on eating nor paying the bill and she's mad that they wanted to kick her out.