Yachtsman Steakhouse: One of Disney’s Best

Andrew Rossi

I am always excited to try a new restaurant that I have never dined at before, especially when I constantly hear people singing its praises. However, all this hype can be a double edged sword because it puts you into a mindset where your expectations are so high that no restaurant could possibly meet them. This was the situation I faced prior to dining at the Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Yachtsman Sign

Talking with friends and family, as well as reading other reviews, people always rave about the Yachtsman Steakhouse as one of their favorite restaurants in all of Disney World. Even Disney itself sets Yachtsman apart by classifying it as a Signature dining location, one of few such restaurants across Disney property that are noted for their high quality selections of food and wine in addition to their refined atmospheres. For this reason, I went into my meal at the Yachtsman Steakhouse expecting something truly special and it is safe to say that I was not disappointed at all.

Overview:
Disney defines its Signature restaurants as dining experiences that “provide unparalleled cuisine served in elegant and relaxed settings.” These are restaurants that Disney considers to be the best of the best and they seek to offer guests a meal unlike any other. For this reason, Disney’s Signature restaurants feature a dress code to accompany their more refined settings. For men, Disney recommends khakis, slacks, jeans, or dress shorts along with collared shirts. Women are asked to wear capris, skirts, dresses, jeans, or dress shorts. Among the articles of clothing not permitted in the dining room are tank tops, swimwear, hats, cut-offs, or torn clothing.

Personally, I have no problem with these restaurants having a dress code and applaud Disney for attempting to create a more upscale atmosphere by putting these criteria in place. However, I was greatly disappointed to see that this dress code was not very strictly enforced. Seeing so many people casually dressed really did take away from the ambiance of the meal.

Located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, the Yachtsman Steakhouse certainly lives up to its Signature status. The Yacht Club brings the grandeur and grace of nautical New England to the middle of Florida and, next to the Grand Floridian, might be the most upscale resort on Disney property. The Yachtsman Steakhouse matches this overall feel of the resort and, combined with its Signature status, makes for the perfect dining location if you are looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks.

This is a restaurant that can make you forget about all the crowds and possibly make you forget that you are in Disney World altogether. If you are looking for a romantic night out this is certainly the restaurant for you. While there were some families with young children present during the course of the meal, the predominant demographic were couples or families with teenagers and older children. Whether on a date, celebrating an anniversary, or just looking for a quiet meal with a spouse, friends, or family, the Yachtsman Steakhouse is sure to deliver a truly special dining experience.

Atmosphere:
The Disney World website describes the Yachtsman Steakhouse as having a New England theme and with the restaurant’s location at the Yacht Club resort one would expect this to be the case. However, I think Disney is a little mistaken with this description. I am originally from New England and I found very little in the Yachtsman Steakhouse that reminded me of home. Unlike the rest of the resort, there are few nautical touches to be found in the décor besides a sailboat on the restaurant’s sign. I felt the restaurant focused more on the steakhouse angle rather than a seafaring theme. Instead of having the feel of nautical New England, I would describe the restaurant’s atmosphere as having more of an upscale rustic feel.

From its wooden floorboards and wood-paneled walls to the wooden beams supporting the ceiling, the Yachtsman’s dining room suggests more of being on the prairie or the frontier rather than at a pier or wharf along the seashore.

Dining Room1

Even the artwork adorning the walls reinforces this theme, with paintings of cattle, cowboys, and rodeos.

Cattle Painting

Nowhere in the restaurant will you find model sailboats, oars, anchors, brass compasses, or any other details you would normally associate with a nautical theme. That being said, the overall décor of the restaurant is fairly simple and plain. This is a restaurant that truly lets its food do the talking because there is really nothing about the atmosphere of the dining room that makes it special.

I found the restaurant to be fairly dimly lit and, although it features some large windows that let in natural light, after sundown it is somewhat dark inside. This helps create a more mature, intimate, and romantic setting that is great for adults and probably not the best choice if dining with small children.

Dining Room2

Although the dining room is large, it is divided into a series of smaller rooms and the tables are spread out rather than right on top of one another. This adds to the restaurant’s intimacy and creates a quiet, relaxing environment in which to enjoy your meal.

Dining Room3

While there is nothing spectacular about the Yachtsman’s décor or atmosphere, there are a couple of things that stood out. First, as soon as you enter the restaurant you are greeted by a large butchering room where all the steaks served in the restaurant are hand-cut. It is very interesting to see the different types of steak that are served and there is also a very useful diagram that lets you see from which parts of the cow certain cuts of beef come from.

Butchering Room

Cuts of Steak

Beef Diagram

Another nice feature is an open kitchen where you can see the chefs hard at work preparing steaks on the grill. The aroma that comes from the kitchen is amazing and gets you very hungry before even being seated at your table. Restaurants that feature open kitchens can sometimes get a little noisy with all the hustle and bustle, but I did not find that to be the case here; there was no loud crashing of pots and pans, no shouting among the chefs, but instead just the sizzle of cooking steaks.

Open Kitchen

The Menu:
One of the hallmarks of a Signature restaurant is that the menu changes very frequently in accordance with the seasons and what ingredients are most fresh at the time. Being a steakhouse, steaks are always going to be a constant on the Yachtsman’s menu, but how the steaks are prepared and what accompanies them can change regularly. The following is what the menu was like when I dined here at the beginning of August.

The appetizer selections offer a little taste of New England not found in the restaurant’s atmosphere, with seafood predominant among the various choices. There is an Ahi Tuna Crudo ($16.00) with celery mignonette, salt cod aioli, and American osetra caviar, Escargot ($15.00) with pork sausage, garlic, and herbs, Lobster Bisque ($11.00), and the Pan-Seared Diver Scallops ($14.00) accompanied by a roasted pepper hummus, olive chermoula, and summer radish.

If you are looking for something other than seafood there is the Charcuterie Board ($15.00) featuring smoked duck sausage, venison terrine, black and blue beef tartare, and artisanal cheeses. On the lighter side there is the Caesar Salad ($9.00), Heirloom Tomato Salad ($13.00) topped with a lemon-basil emulsion, olive tapenade, and goat brie cheese, the Summer Beat Salad ($11.00) served with assorted baby greens, prosciutto, avocados, and a sherry-mustard vinaigrette, as well as the Assortment of Artisanal Cheeses ($14.00) accompanied by a toasted sourdough baguette.

When it comes to entrees, steak is the star of the menu. I am not really picky when it comes to particular cuts of beef, so I based my selection on what accompanied the steak; the sauces and sides are just as important to the entree as the actual steaks themselves. The steaks on the menu come in different cuts and different sizes (which is another factor to consider when ordering). It should also be noted that if you have your heart set on a particular type of steak and do not like its accompaniment substitutions can be made (including baked potatoes which are not found on the menu).

In order from smallest to largest there is the 8oz Center-Cut Filet Mignon ($40.00) accompanied by mashed potatoes and a cabernet wine sauce, the 12oz Prime New York Strip Steak ($42.00) served with carmody potato gratin and a peppercorn brandy sauce, the 16oz Boneless Ribeye ($43.00) which comes with sweet potato beignets and red wine butter, and the 24oz Center-Cut Porterhouse ($44.00) accompanied by smoked paprika fries and roasted garlic butter. The menu also featured a Beef Wellington Deconstructed ($47.00) served with a trio of wild mushroom duxelles, puff pastry, parsnips, potatoes, carrots, and cabernet wine sauce.

If you are not in the mood for steak, there are still plenty of other options on the menu. There is a Braised Beef Ravioli ($32.00) with crispy wild mushrooms and summer radishes, Copper River Stockeye Salmon ($38.00) with white asparagus puree, English peas, fava beans, olive oil, and herbs, a Young French Hen ($30.00) accompanied by wild rice hash, rhubarb preserve, and a poultry jus, and the Parmigiano Reggiano-Riccotta Gnudi ($29.00) which is a type of gnocchi made with ricotta cheese and comes served with heirloom tomatoes, artichokes, eggplant, sage, peaches, and a garlic emulsion.

The menu also features a variety of intriguing side dishes. Among these are the Truffle Mac & Cheese ($9.00), Pot-Roasted Root Vegetables ($9.00) that includes turnips, carrots, and onions, Caramelized Onions ($6.00), Sautéed Mushroom Caps ($7.00) with garlic, cream, and a cabernet wine sauce, Sautéed Green Beans ($9.00) with a butter and garlic crumb topping, and Creamed Spinach ($8.00).

If you still have room for dessert there is an assortment to choose from including the Creme Brulee($8.00) topped with fresh berries and rolled chocolate, a Sorbet Trio ($7.00) that includes pineapple-chili, blueberry-cassis, and strawberry-basil sorbets, the Yachtsman Sundae ($8.00) featuring a trio of gelato topped with amarena cherries, and the Chocolate-Peanut ($11.00) which features a flourless chocolate cake topped with peanut butter mousse and served with vanilla gelato.

For an appetizer I chose the Lobster Bisque. I have had lobster bisque at multiple dining locations across Disney World, and while the one at Yachtsman Steakhouse was very good it was not my favorite. I could tell from its dark orange color that this would be a more strongly flavored bisque. I prefer my lobster bisques to be on the more cream-flavored side and the one at Yachtsman had a very distinct lobster taste. I am not saying that the bisque was bad, just not the type that I enjoy most. My favorite lobster bisque in Disney World continues to be that found at the Coral Reef Restaurant in Epcot.

Lobster Bisque Bowl

That being said, the bisque at Yachtsman was extremely smooth and creamy in texture and had large chunks of lobster. Accompanying the bisque was a delicious pepper biscuit that was especially good when dipped in the soup. Something that I also thought was a nice touch was that when two members of my party said they would be sharing a bowl of the lobster bisque, instead of bringing out one bowl and two spoons they actually divided the bisque into two smaller cups.

Lobster Bisque Cup

It took me some time to decide upon which steak I wanted to order because many of the sides sounded unique and tasty. I finally chose the 12oz Prime New York Strip and I was certainly not disappointed. I would not hesitate to say that this was the best steak I have had at any restaurant in Disney World or elsewhere. Everything about this dish was top notch. The steak itself was extremely tender and seemed as though it could almost melt in your mouth. In addition, there was hardly any fat to be found and it came cooked perfectly just as I had ordered it, medium-well with just a little bit of pink inside.

New York Strip

The steak came topped with a peppercorn brandy sauce that really added a nice kick. This sauce is certainly not for the faint of heart and the peppercorns give it a strong and distinct flavor. If you are not a big fan of pepper, you may want to opt for a different sauce. That being said, I did not find that the sauce overpowered the steak, but rather enhanced and complimented its flavor. The steak was also accompanied by a generous portion of carmody potato gratin, which was made up of thinly sliced potatoes layered with cheese. This was a very rich and filling side and a nice change of pace from your average mashed or baked potato. The only disappointing aspect of the meal was that it did not come with a vegetable (however there are vegetable side dishes available for an additional charge).

Dessert was the big disappointment of the night. After such a delicious entrée I really was not very hungry, but the Chocolate-Peanut sounded so tempting. This dessert was a classic case of something sounding better than it actually is, described as a flourless chocolate cake topped with peanut butter mousse and accompanied by vanilla gelato.

Chocolate Peanut Dessert

When the dessert was placed in front of me I thought, “This is it?” It was so tiny that I had trouble believing that they would actually serve it to people. That being said, the chocolate cake was very rich, the peanut butter mousse smooth and creamy, and the vanilla gelato provided a nice refreshing contrast. The dessert itself was good, but just not at all what I was expecting. After being blown away by my steak entrée, the dessert just did not live up to my expectations and certainly was not worth the $11 price. The next time I dine here I will probably just skip dessert altogether.

Service:
A Signature restaurant is marked not only by its fine atmosphere or exquisite foods and wines, but also by some of the most attentive service you will receive at any Disney restaurant. I was very impressed by my server because he really took his time to describe the various items on the menu. He went almost item by item on the menu and offered a little description along with his own opinions on which were his favorites and which were the most popular. Throughout the course of the meal he would constantly check-in to make sure everything was to my liking. Even though he was serving other tables, his attentiveness made it seem as though he was my own private server.

Another nice touch during the meal came when one of the members of my party had to send back her steak because it was not cooked well enough for her. Rather than the waiter returning the steak to the table it was actually one of the chefs who brought it to her. He apologized and then stood by the table while she cut into the steak to make sure it was completely to her liking. To me this was something that truly separated the Yachtsman Steakhouse from any other restaurant I have been to in Disney World. The service here was impeccable. You can tell that the entire wait staff truly cares about creating a memorable dining experience for their guests.

Dining on a Budget:
This is something that is a little difficult to do at the Yachtsman Steakhouse. Unfortunately, while a Signature restaurant offers the best of the best in terms of atmosphere, location, food, and service, you are also paying for that high quality. The price of an appetizer here would be the equivalent of an entrée at some other Disney restaurants. If you are looking to splurge a little on a meal during your vacation this would be the restaurant to do it at because you certainly get what you pay for.

That being said, if you choose to eat at Yachtsman Steakhouse there are a couple of ways to keep the bill low. First, don’t order any alcohol. Beer and wine can often run up a bill, so you may want to consider a glass of water or soda. Second, share an appetizer rather than getting one just for yourself. Not only does this save money, but it also prevents you from filling up before your entrée arrives. Finally, skip dessert and coffee. The entrees are certainly big and filling enough that you do not really need to have a dessert and this will also help in keeping the cost of your meal down.

If visiting or staying at the Yacht Club Resort and looking for a slightly cheaper option for dinner, you may want to consider the Captain’s Grille, which offers a menu featuring several steak and seafood options for a cheaper price in a slightly more casual, but still quiet, setting. On the menu here you can find a Grilled New York Strip served with cheddar-bacon mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and red wine sauce for $28.99 or a Grilled Rib-Eye with horseradish mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and herb butter for $27.99. While still slightly expensive, these dishes are far cheaper than those found on the Yachtsman’s menu. In addition, the Captain’s Grille offers some dishes that cannot be found at the Yachtsman Steakhouse, such as the Lump Crab Cakes with fennel, arugula, and fingerling potatoes and a mustard sauce for $23.99. While I am not saying that the Captain’s Grille is on the same level as the Yachtsman Steakhouse, it does offer a viable alternative if you are looking to save some money but still looking for an intimate and relaxing meal.

The Yachtsman Steakhouse is on the Disney Dining Plan, but its Signature status means that it will cost two dining credits rather than one. Also, the restaurant does offer the 20% Tables in Wonderland discount. No Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club discounts are offered, however.

The Overall Experience:
After dining at the Yachtsman Steakhouse for the first time I can say, without hesitation, that it is now one of my favorite restaurants in all of Disney World. I have always said that Le Cellier in Epcot’s Canada pavilion is my number one restaurant, but Yachtsman Steakhouse is certainly challenging it for that spot. That, however, is a debate for another day. I went here with extremely high expectations based on all the hype I had heard and the Yachtsman Steakhouse delivered by exceeding my expectations in every way.

While it is not the type of restaurant that is going to blow you away with a brilliantly themed atmosphere and detailed décor, it relies on its fresh, high quality food as well as its passionate and dedicated service to create a dining experience that is unforgettable. Not only was it one of the most refined meals that I have had at any restaurant in Disney World, it is also one of the best tasting. While it may be expensive, if you want a dining experience on your vacation that is truly special the Yachtsman Steakhouse is certainly worth a try. You definitely will not be disappointed. Personally, I cannot wait for the opportunity to dine here again.

See past restaurant reviews by guest blogger Andrew Rossi.

Check out Reader Reviews of the Yachtsman Steakhouse and post your own too!

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21 Replies to “Yachtsman Steakhouse: One of Disney’s Best”

  1. The Yachtsman is our favorite restaurant on Disney property. We dine here every trip and whether as a couple or with our teenage kids, the service and attention to our table is excellent! I am not a fan of sauces on my steak so I order with a side of Bearnaise and potato gratin which is always perfectly done and never with question. The wine list is excellent, the creme brûlée wonderful. While we visit WDW a few times a year, I would never expect the wait staff to remember us, yet they have. One trip sans kids, a waitress we have had in the past came over to say hello and asked how our three boys were. Blew me away! Yachtsman, walk around the lake and a stop into JellyRolls is my idea of a PERFECT evening!

  2. Thank you for the review – we’ve included Yachtsman’s in our plans for many, many years and have always had wonderful food and service. When you walk in and see all that beautiful beef you just expect the best.

    We were there in June of this year and found ourselves very disappointed with the quality of the meal. We, too, started with the Lobster Bisque which was great. However, when ordering our entrees, the server was unable to tell us if the meat was Select, Choice or Prime. Now, don’t think we’re food snobs but we are a little choosy about steaks, especially at a Signature dining spot. And at the price of Yachtsman’s you might as well go for the best!

    After he checked with the kitchen (I thought this was information he should have) he said the only Prime meat they offer is the NY Strip, which my husband & both kids ordered. The meat was so incredibly tough, all three were “sawing” through it. BTW, my kids are college age and know how to cut meat. One of the steaks was actually lukewarm and we sent it back.

    I will say our service was impeccable (despite the lack of knowledge about steak cuts). We’re headed back in October for Food & Wine and have decided we’ll try Shula’s – never been – heard great things. What a let-down from one of our favorite Disney restaurants – maybe it was a bad night for the Chef?

  3. Yachtsman Steakhouse is, by far, my family’s favorite Disney restaurant. We tried Le Cellier on our last trip in April so we could try something different. While we liked Le Cellier, we didn’t like it enough to go again when we return (we are DVC members at The Beach Club). Instead, we are now looking forward to Yachtsman even more since we didn’t go last time. Le Cellier is very different, everything on the menu is extremely heavy and weighted down with cheese. It’s distracting and takes away from the main menu items. On one large extended family trip, we dined at Yachtsman, having been there many times before, and while the food was good, the service was awful. We were so surprised and disappointed because that had never been our experience there. We were a party of 12, 8 of them being dining plan diners and the other 4 were children under 3. So, although they weren’t eating on the dining plan, we did have to pay separately for their meals. When I voiced concern and disappointment to the Manager over how long it took and some of the food being cold when we received it, he immediately apologized, and COMPED our ENTIRE meal! We had already ordered drinks (cocktails), wine, soda, etc. and eaten them. We were actually already on dessert. So, that means they comped 16 table service credits (because Yachtsman is a Signature Dining restaurant) and all of the children’s meals and drinks. In addition, he offered for us to come back another night! I would have loved to but it didn’t fit into our schedule. Needless to say, not only do we LOVE the food and it’s our favorite at Disney, but since the Manager handled the situation so impressively, it made us even more sure of our opinions of the restaurant. I highly recommend Yachtsman, you will NOT be disappointed in the food!

  4. Great blog, Andrew. Always enjoy your articles. On the Yachtsman vs. Le Cellier debate, I would have to say Yachtsman is the winner. At least when it comes to the steak. Le Cellier might have them beat when it comes to appetizers. Their Cheddar Cheese soup is to-die-for!

    Shula’s Steak House is also right around the corner from the Yachtsman and they are neck & neck for a wonderful steak dinner.

  5. While not our favorite restaurant at WDW, (that would be JIKO) the Yachtsman is our go to place for a great steak. We personally know one of the waiters there, but even when he is not available the service has been superb. It is a great place to visit as a couple for that special occasion or to go to with friends and you can talk in a normal voice without having to shout.

  6. I dined at the Yachtsman steak house a very long time ago (15 years). I had buffalo prime rib and it was, without a doubt, the best piece of meat that I have ever had. I gave my husband a taste and he agreed! We are considering going to Disney for our 20th anniversary and staying at the Yacht Club Resort and I hope to dine their as well.

  7. Have eaten at Le Cellier and have to say it was barely okay! Will be dining at the Yachtsman when we are back in December, and hoping it indeed lives up to its reviews.

  8. The wife and I ate at the Yachtsman in Late May of this. It’s a very nice restaurant, but I would visit other Signature restaurants before heading back to the Yachtsman. It’s not special. If you live in a large metropolitan area, you could have a better steak at a local steak house. Also, the service was very much inferior to the service you would receive at Gibson’s, Morton’s, Shula’s, or Capital Grill

    Other signature restaurants seem more special. I much preferred my experiences at Flying Fish, Jiko, or Citrico on the same trip. If I’m going to spend $200 on dinner for two, I want something special and the Yachtsman is not special.

  9. My wife and I have dined at Yachtsman a couple of times and during each experience we had nothing but good things to leave with.

    If you’d like to make a contest of this vs. Le Cellier I once would have said hands down Le Cellier. Le Cellier taking the cake primarily due to the 1 dining entitlement vs 2 for Yachtsman. HOWEVER, since that has now changed and Le Cellier is also signature, the pendulum may now be balanced.

  10. I’ve been a couple of times to the Yachtsman, the first time was prior to it being a two credit meal on the DDP, I enjoyed it so much that when it did change to a two credit meal, it was already a ‘must do’ and was factored in accordingly. We took our two children on the second occasion (6 and 9) and they enjoyed the experience also. Our next trip is in September next year, and does not include the DDP, however, the Yachtsman is already planned in.

    The service, experience and quality at the Yachtsman have yet to be surpassed by any other restaurant that we’ve encountered, truly fantastic.

  11. The “Yachtsman” is a definite on our reservations list every year. I find the attentiveness of the staff and the consistent high quality of the menu a no brainer when it comes time to decide whether to go back or not. I have spent many a long, leisurely meal with my family enjoying the good service, good food and great memories at the “Yachtsman”. And as for the desserts…I applaud the more reasonable size…just enough to top off the meal, the main attraction is the main course. “Quality not quantity”…something to live by concerning desserts!

  12. Thank you for your review. We plan on dining here for the first time on our upcoming trip. One thing to note about the lobster bisque is the cream dollop that was on your crisp bread is supposed to be stirred into the soup.

  13. I have eaten at Yachtmen, Callifornia Grill, Narcoossee’s, Brown Derby, and Le Cellier (after the change to Signature Dining).

    I know it’s a matter of taste, but I couldn’t have beaten the meal at Le Cellier if I tried. It was fantastic!

    I would return to Yachtsman though. I liked it better than Narcoossee’s.

    The steak was great and the service was incredible too. Overall, I just didn’t think the overall meal was as good as CG or LC.

    As for BD, I wouldn’t go back there again. I’d rather eat at the Commissary.

    Still, Yachtsman makes a great steak!

  14. Hi, really enjoyed your blog. We hadn’t eaten here before, and, then, on our last trip, we decided to since we couldn’t get into Le Cellier. We are so glad that we did. The meal was fantastic and the service was so much better than in Canada. The tables weren’t smooshed together–it was actually a relaxing meal instead of noisy and crowded.

    Granted we were on the dining plan, but I think we would forego Le Cellier and California Grill (which has become tiring to us–they never change their menu, it appears) and splurge on one dinner here. At the time, they offered a chocolate trio dessert–can’t remember exactly what was offered–but I remember I ate every last bite.

    And, yes, it would be nice to dress up a bit, but, when in Disney, I like that I don’t have to worry about it. I can go right from the park in my shorts if I want to.

    It used to irk me that they never enforce the dress code at California Grill. My opinion is, if you’re not going to enforce it, then don’t have one.

    Still haven’t tried Victoria and Albert since I got food poisoning when I was supposed to go there for my 50th birthday and had to cancel. Hopefully someday. I’d like to see if the $ translate into a superb meal and dining experience.

  15. What a great review!! We dined at Yachtsman a long time ago, before they added the DDP and made it 2 credits. Now it is too expensive, but we had an amazing dinner when we went! We’ll be back when we take a “no kids” trip! I’m glad you reported on a perfectly cooked Medium-Well steak…..too many steakhouses simply can’t cook a steak medium well and not completely dry it out!

  16. Yachtsman is one of our favourites, we always dine there at least once every trip and I too wish that WDW would enforce dress codes in Signatures a little better. You didn’t mention the fresh roast garlic that usually comes with the bread – hope it’s still there in a few weeks when we go back! Next time, try the Creme Brulee – it’s fab.

  17. Thank you for that wonderful review! I remember dining at the Yachtsman Steakhouse a few years ago and loved it! I had my first Oysters Rockefeller there (oysters baked with breadcrumbs and cheese… yum!) and remember the steak being cooked perfectly! Another thing that made the evening memorable was a table next to the window during Illuminations. It was very romantic and we enjoyed strolling around the Yacht and Beach Club, as well as the Boardwalk.

  18. Great report! While we have enjoyed LeCellier many times, Yachtsman is definitely on our list of must visit restaurants at WDW. My 18 year old would be happy with just the Truffle Mac and Cheese–I think her description is “simply heaven!”

  19. Concerning your comment on saving the debate on whether the Yachtsman Steakhouse or Le Cellier is now your favorite for another day, I cannot offer an opinion on their relative merits, having not dined at either restaurant.

    That said I would like to offer a general comment on the widespread practice of ranking experiences. In my opinion, once a certain level of excellence is achieved, attempting to declare one superior to another is a moot exercise. Great is great and any differences should be celebrated, not relegated to first place and not first place.

    This is not to deny that one may have personal favorites and make recommendations. This is true of, this being a site devoted to Disney, favorite parks, attractions, resorts and/or restaurants. But even when experiencing these personal favorites repeatedly (if one is fortunate to be able to repeatedly visit Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and/or the overseas parks; let’s face it, for most people a Disney vacation is a rare and special occasion), the level of enjoyment will vary. Beyond pure mathematics and similar abstractions, nothing is ever exactly the same twice in this complex, dynamic universe.

    Okay, this is getting a bit excessively philosophical. Go forth and have fun!

    p.s. Back to the subject of really good steaks at W.D.W., for a splurge on my 55th birthday, I thoroughly enjoyed the filet jardiniere at Citricos.

  20. Agree with your assessment to save money, skip the dessert and coffee. My daughter also had the Chocolate-Peanut, intending to share it, and its small size barely satisfied her sweet tooth.
    My husband ordered a cup of decaf and the waiter neglected to mention it would come in a press pot (more than enough for 2)and cost $6.50! It was the most expensive single cup of decaf he has ever had.