Disney World may be magical, but it’s not always perfect.
Sometimes things go wrong. Sometimes rides close. Sometimes plans have to change. Sometimes that notorious Florida weather rears its ugly head. Sometimes it’s just our own perceptions that make us annoyed, especially when it comes to dining in Disney World restaurants.
So we turned to Facebook and asked you, our readers, about your biggest pet peeve at Disney World restaurants. Over 200 of you responded, and we got a LOT of opinions, but some things came up a lot.
Reservations
A lot of our readers are peeved by the reservation system. Some wish we’d go back to when you could make reservations 180 days out from your trip (currently, it’s only 60 days out). AllEars reader Donna said, “That they haven’t gone back to 180 days for reservations.”
Many of you just find making reservations frustrating. Dana answered, “Making reservations.” Josh agreed, and answered: “Only being able to make dining reservations for Disney hotel say 60 days before and not 180 like in the past.”
Ryan commented, “There being no reservations but when we are in the restaurant they are only 60% full.”
Gail stated, “Just trying to get a reservation. Period.”
We also saw some complaints about how reservations are made and how a recent cancelation policy could be a problem (you can now wait up to two hours before a reservation to cancel). Heather said, “That people can overbook and then cancel at the last minute. So that makes it hard for others to get a reservation. Or they just decide hey we don’t want to go. Well if u are not going to go don’t make reservations!!!”
Food Quality
Many of you also found the food quality to be lacking. Maryanne told us: “We took our children for every Thanksgiving week starting 30 years ago. We always raved about the food , anywhere in WDW. Now I go with my grandchildren and the food???? Meh.”
Davenna agreed, “The way they have cut back on the quality choices while prices keep climbing.”
Timothy said something similar: “The quality does not match the price.”
Nick had an even more specific suggestion: “Disney needs to learn to put down the salt shaker.”
Being rushed
A lot of you also feel like you’re being rushed through meals at Disney World restaurants. Dawn said, “Being rushed to eat & leave… The first time we ate at a character meal at a certain resort, the waiter was running like a track star (& it wasn’t too busy), and rarely filled our drinks or anything.”
Many of you agreed and answered “being rushed.” Louise commented, “Being rushed by waiting staff, particularly them not waiting until everyone has finished the course before clearing plates.”
Prix Fixe meals
We’re not surprised at how many Disney World visitors do not like pre-fixe meals. Rachel simply answered, “Prix Fixe!” We get it, being locked into a number of courses for a certain amount isn’t always the best option.
Noel mentioned skipping a restaurant because it became prix fixe: “Prix fixe menus. Haven’t been to California Grill for a few years now.”
Fred agreed, “I dont like the ones where the only choice is the prix fixe menu.”
Paul said, “Do not care for price fixed meals. I want to order what I want and how many courses I want.”
Price
Okay, so the majority of our answers had to do with price. We’ve already mentioned some of you who commented about the food quality not living up to the prices, but some of you were more specific. Margie thinks the drink prices are too high: “Drink prices – last visit we had mixed cocktails and while neither of us are big drinkers, we didn’t ever feel buzzed, even after ordering flights. Most cocktails are $14 and up, glasses are small. It’s insane. I don’t know how anyone affords drinking around the World at EPCOT!”
Lisa said, “Obscene prices at the best table service restaurants. $$$$$$$$$”
Shannon commented, “Smaller portions, lower quality and taste, for higher and higher prices!”
In fact, a LOT of you just said “the prices” to answer the question.
You can follow us on Facebook to participate in these discussions. Also, check back with AllEars again soon for more.
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What are your pet peeves about Disney World restaurants? Let us know in the comments!
I agree that some of the food quality has gone downhill. I used to Tutto Italia and Rose & Crown in Epcot and I won’t eat at either anymore because they’re no longer good. Not worth my hard-earned money.
If the beverage is included in the price of the meal, it is very frustrating when they don’t serve anything that I can drink. In the evening it not only has to be sugar-free but also caffeine-free. I get tired of having water when all Disney would have to do is to add Sprite Zero to the menu. I can’t be the only one with this issue!
I will never go to the Beast’s castle for a meal ever again…Twice before we had a couple of dump-and-run waitresses who filled our table up with the main entree while we were still chowing down our salad…in and out in 39 minutes…