Walt Disney World has many nice eating places which might be very fashionable, and some well-liked eating places that aren’t so nice. This record of overrated desk service eating places at Walt Disney World for 2024 takes a have a look at ones which might be worse than their status or hype may counsel. (Up to date December 20, 2023.)
It’s not straightforward to outline what makes a restaurant overrated. In our view, Advance Eating Reservation (ADR) availability, pricing, and delicacies high quality are massive elements. Equally vital is uniqueness–if a selected restaurant brings nothing particular to the desk and is surpassed by similarly-situated counterparts which might be much less well-liked, cheaper, or serve higher meals, it’s extra prone to be overrated.
The essential factor to underscore is that “overrated” and “unhealthy” are usually not synonyms. There are many infamous eating places at Walt Disney World with deservedly poor reputations. These are simply unhealthy–not overrated. At the least, that’s our perspective on what makes for an overrated Walt Disney World desk service restaurant. Not all the eating places on this overrated record are universally beloved, however all of them aren’t pretty much as good because the consensus suggests.
Clearly, that is extremely subjective and never even remotely scientific, however a minimum of it comes with identifiable standards contemplating eating places overrated. Consider me, it was very troublesome to withstand my impulse to easily bash eating places that I dislike. That’s one purpose why this record was tougher to place collectively than our Underrated Desk Service Eating places at Walt Disney World.
There are a number of eating places at Walt Disney World that I don’t like for one purpose or one other. Whereas it’s tempting to pile on to Rainforest Cafe, Tutto Italia, Planet Hollywood, Rose & Crown, Paddlefish, or Crystal Palace (to call a couple of), I’m unsure it’s honest to name any of these overrated.
That might indicate that the consensus on them is optimistic, and I simply don’t suppose that’s true anymore. If something, I would nonetheless be together with a pair eating places on this record which might be not highly-hyped. Time has handed them by as Walt Disney World followers have moved on to greener pastures.
To that time, Be Our Visitor Restaurant shouldn’t be overrated over one decade after it debuted. For one factor, it’s the place that Walt Disney World followers like to hate. It could have been overrated, however that’s not even remotely the case now. Advance Eating Reservations are a lot simpler, and for those who ask 100 random followers their opinion on Be Our Visitor, you’ll get greater than 50 unfavorable responses and fewer than 25 optimistic ones.
If something, Be Our Visitor Restaurant is now underrated. There’s way more hate than hype for it, and other people pile-on to an excessive diploma that, in our opinion, shouldn’t be warranted by the precise high quality of the delicacies or ambiance of the restaurant. However I do know I’m not successful any pals with my defenses of Be Our Visitor Restaurant, so I’ll simply lower that brief earlier than I lose too a lot of you!
There are literally a number of eating places that, opposite to well-liked Walt Disney World fan sentiment, are usually not overrated. So keep tuned for an “unpopular opinion” record of eating places you (as a group, not you as the person reader) suppose are overrated however truly are fulfilling for the ambiance, theme, or delicacies.
However even this explainer is now tangential to the subject of the publish, so let’s lower to the chase and begin itemizing some Walt Disney World’s desk service eating places that we expect are overrated…
Seashores & Cream Soda Store – That is one in every of two modestly priced meals we had been on the fence about together with, with the opposite being Plaza Restaurant. Each was advisable for having entrees at counter service costs, however at the moment are an upwards of $20.
The distinction, and why Plaza Restaurant escapes inclusion, is the competitors. In Magic Kingdom, there are not any good alternate options at or round that value level. You’ll spend much less for one thing inferior or rather more for one thing superior. In contrast, Seashores & Cream is surrounded by nice eating at a spread of value factors. Even with that stated, Seashores & Cream does have a few tasty entrees (and I’d fortunately take away the restaurant from this record in the event that they’d simply convey again the Patty Soften and Pork Stomach Cuban Sandwich).
Then there’s the ice cream, which is actually simply Edy’s. That’s proper–the ice cream so many Walt Disney World followers completely adore might be bought in bulk at Sam’s Membership for like $5. Don’t get us fallacious, the novelty shakes are a ton of enjoyable, and we’re suckers for a No Approach Jose or Kitchen Sink, however the hype is an excessive amount of. There are superior scoop outlets throughout Walt Disney World, together with a brief stroll away in Epcot’s France pavilion.
Chef Mickey’s (Dinner Solely) – Chef Mickey’s is overrated for its dinner buffet–which means it’s high quality for breakfast. In case you’re high quality with amount as an alternative of high quality, you ought to be high quality. To be clear, that’s not amount over high quality–it’s as an alternative of, as there’s no high quality to talk of. The substances are low-cost, dishes are bland and flavorless, and simply usually low-quality. It’s among the many worst meals you’ll discover wherever at Walt Disney World–even by buffet requirements–nearly inexplicably unhealthy. Including insult to damage, it’s actually costly.
The traditional breakfast buffet at Chef Mickey’s is a distinct expertise. To make certain, it’s nonetheless not the head of the culinary arts, but it surely’s completely passable. The type of amount over high quality breakfast you’d anticipate from a buffet. Our recollections of Chef Mickey’s at breakfast are fond; it’s usually a superb expertise that additionally prices much less. Each meals are overpriced given the delicacies, however there’s one thing to be stated for the expertise of those characters of their culinary costumes earlier than a day in Magic Kingdom.
Le Cellier Steakhouse – How the occasions change. A decade in the past, this is able to have been a extremely controversial decide. Then, Le Cellier was an ideal worth on the Disney Eating Plan, whereas providing some wonderful appetizers and good (albeit barely over-buttered and over-salted) cuts of meat. It was nearly inconceivable to land an Advance Eating Reservation at Le Cellier.
Over time, buzz elevated and reservations turned tougher to land. Disney made adjustments to the Eating Plan and, finally, to Le Cellier’s standing at dinner. Lastly, Le Cellier turned a two-credit restaurant for lunch, too, making it a full-time Signature Restaurant. It additionally moved to a lunch/dinner menu, eradicating many cheaper choices that had been well-liked with these paying out of pocket.
By now, I believe the notion of Le Cellier has soured with many Walt Disney World followers. However, it stays a troublesome ADR at the same time as many steakhouses in or round Epcot have ample availability. On that foundation, Le Cellier stays overrated regardless of not being as overrated as earlier than. It’s nonetheless a superb restaurant with some strong choices, simply not deserving of its enduring recognition or value factors.
Cooks de France – One other World Showcase entry joins Le Cellier on the record of overrated eating places. Though Cooks de France by no means had the identical buzz as Le Cellier, it has had excessive value factors and loved recognition due to comparatively approachable and crowd-pleasing delicacies.
The one downside? It’s overpriced, pedestrian, and just like the fourth greatest eating choice within the France pavilion. Really, it’s the fifth greatest if there’s a competition occurring that has a moderately-good menu–so just about at all times! It doesn’t assist that the restaurant is at all times chaotic and there’s no ambiance to talk of–it’s a get individuals out and in as rapidly as potential type of place that focuses on effectivity over expertise.
That is most likely going to be a controversial decide, however we simply don’t suppose Cooks de France lives as much as the hype, and we’ve had eerily related meals from Costco’s premade bulk meals. (In equity, these had been superb, however frozen meals shouldn’t examine to one in every of World Showcase’s hottest eating places.)
Hollywood Brown Derby – There are two eating places from Disney’s Hollywood Studios that we routinely see Walt Disney World followers name overrated: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater and 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Neither of them made this record. This comes all the way down to each not likely being rated that extremely (in that case many individuals hate them, it’s powerful to say they’re overrated) and, frankly, followers lacking the purpose. Disney is greatest at ambiance and theme, so if a restaurant excels at these issues, it’s deserving of reward.
As an alternative, our first of two picks for overrated eating places at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the Brown Derby. It is a powerful one, and at the same time as I write this, I’m prepared for it to have a redemption arc. It pains me to see Brown Derby, a restaurant we as soon as beloved, on this record. Nonetheless, our final couple of meals right here have been unhealthy. Low high quality dishes poorly ready in small portion sizes at astronomical costs.
It looks as if Brown Derby’s status because the “fancy” restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has made it extra well-liked and is resting on its laurels in consequence. Regardless, we’d fairly dine at any of the the desk service eating places at DHS–together with the subsequent entry–earlier than overpaying for an additional mediocre meal at Brown Derby.
Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ – Two years from now, Roundup Rodeo BBQ most likely received’t make this record. However as of 2024, it nonetheless will attributable to having that new toy-restaurant scent. Critiques amongst Walt Disney World followers haven’t precisely been glowing, and phrase has already gotten out that Roundup Rodeo BBQ shouldn’t be nice.
There are a variety of causes Toy Story Land’s new restaurant doesn’t dwell as much as the hype. For one, it’s not a personality restaurant neither is it Pizza Planet–two issues nearly each Toy Story fan would’ve most popular. Past that, it’s basically a windowless warehouse, with ambiance that’s loud and chaotic (unsurprisingly, given the target market).
On the meals entrance, there’s each unhealthy and good at Roundup Rodeo BBQ. High quality is mostly about on par with Regal Eagle Smokehouse, a counter service restaurant at Epcot. Even with the great gadgets, you’ll doubtless discover that Roundup Rodeo BBQ is extra about amount than high quality. All in all, Roundup Rodeo BBQ is an fulfilling restaurant in Toy Story Land for households wanting a spot to eat limitless crowd-pleasing delicacies whereas immersed in characters from the films, and having enjoyable within the course of. Anybody with out younger youngsters ought to keep far-off.
Chef Artwork Smith’s Homecomin’ – We’ve loved each meal we’ve had at Homecomin.’ We’ve met Chef Artwork Smith there on a number of events, and he looks as if an ideal man who actually cares about his visitors and the standard of the meals being served to them. From these experiences, I can perceive why Homecomin’ routinely ranks because the #1 restaurant at Disney Springs in fan polls.
However c’mon. In a spot with Jaleo, The Boathouse, Morimoto Asia, STK, and Raglan Highway, it’s very troublesome to crown a consolation meals spot #1. There’s simply a lot bold and envelope-pushing delicacies at Disney Springs, whereas Homecomin’ is serving up fried rooster, doughnuts, nation fried steak, brief rib, and different such specialties.
Don’t misread this: Chef Artwork Smith’s Homecomin’ is excellent for what it’s, and we take pleasure in it! Once more, “overrated” and “unhealthy” are usually not synonyms. We’re not making an attempt to troll or fire up controversy…we’re simply saying that perhaps Homecomin’ shouldn’t be best-of-class and its legion of diehard followers make it out to be greater than it truly is.
If this choice made you mad, you most likely aren’t going to like our alternative for this record’s remaining entry, both…
‘Ohana – Our most up-to-date assessment of ‘Ohana encapsulates the emotional highs and lows of a meal at this beloved restaurant much better than a few paragraphs on this run-down. In a nutshell, ‘Ohana is a Walt Disney World establishment for good purpose–however that purpose shouldn’t be the meals. It’s additionally not the costs. Or its ease of reserving.
For a lot of longtime Walt Disney World followers, revisiting ‘Ohana is an emotional expertise evoking all kinds of nostalgia and fond recollections. There’s additionally one thing to be stated for the precise ambiance, with the fireworks, views of Cinderella Fortress, and Electrical Water Pageant. Then there’s the communal vitality and vibe that sure, in actual fact, ‘Ohana does imply household.
Given all of that, we will hardly fault Walt Disney World followers who love ‘Ohana. We love ‘Ohana! Nonetheless, our love for ‘Ohana relies extra on the concept of the restaurant because it exists in our hearts and fond recollections of previous experiences. Making an attempt to untangle that from as we speak’s precise ‘Ohana expertise is messy, however to the extent that we will, our perspective is that present-day ‘Ohana is overrated. If we had been first-timers visiting Walt Disney World, reserving ‘Ohana based mostly on all the suggestions, we’d depart scratching our heads, questioning what all of the hype is about. Walt Disney World first-timers, eat at Sebastian’s Bistro as an alternative of ‘Ohana. Belief us on that.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Which Walt Disney World desk service eating places would you take into account overrated? Do you agree or disagree with our record? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
