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!