Between its 4 theme parks, 25+ hotels, and the Disney Springs shopping district, Walt Disney World has A LOT of restaurants. These range from quick service spots to table service restaurants to a literal MICHELIN Star winning restaurant. However, for every winning spot, there are some that are arguably dipping in quality.
Recently, we asked our readers, “Which Disney World restaurants do you think have gone downhill?” and they were quick to respond! We were shocked at how many popular restaurants our readers say have gone downhill, and we think you will be surprised, too.
Sci-Fi Dine In
We recently saw a review for Sci-Fi, and it caught our attention…
“Sci-Fi had been a family favorite for years. Its fun atmosphere, good food at a decent price put it at the top of our list. I finally had success at getting a reservation after several unsuccessful attempts the last few trips.
Unfortunately Sci-Fi just ain’t what she used to be. The old movie trailers are still great so the atmosphere is unchanged. The food is ok… My husband got the prime rib sandwich and it wasn’t good at all. It was very dry and lacked flavor. Our waiter wasn’t bad fine but he seemed disinterested and didn’t check on us much.”
Sci Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Services: Table Service
‘Ohana
‘Ohana is a very popular restaurant, and it can be difficult to secure a dining reservation here. So it surprised us that this was our readers’ most popular answer! One reader wrote, “Ohana since covid. Quality not anywhere near as good, meats were very fatty, sides served cold“.
Several more posters agreed that meats were tough and they felt rushed here. If you are wanting that same style of food, but in a different way, we suggest heading to Tambu Lounge. This is the bar located directly beside ‘Ohana; however, you can find the ‘Ohana noodles, chicken wings, and pot stickers here. Now this bar is popular as wel,l so you might have to wait, but our last experience here was good!
'Ohana Restaurant
Services: Table Service
Coral Reef
Coral Reef is another restaurant we saw often as a reply. A recent reviewer on our site wrote, ” Coral reef has never recovered from covid-19. Mahi-mahi was dry and rice was with coconut but they could not provide rice without, all premixed. Menu is limited. We were there at 12:30, place was only half filled.”
This one has such a great atmosphere with the huge windows into the tank of the Living Seas. But many readers agreed that the food is lacking, especially since the closure in 2020, which is going back 6 years at this point.
Coral Reef Restaurant Restaurant
Services: Table Service
Chef Mickey’s
Chef Mickey’s is a character meal located inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort. It is a VERY popular meal as you can meet Mickey and his pals. But it is not known for great food. It is also one of the most expensive characters meals there are.
While it is a great place to knock out a bunch of main characters, readers complained about feeling rushed, the quality of the food, and the atmosphere as a whole. If you are looking for a breakfast to meet Mickey and pals, check out Cape May or Topolino’s Terrace.
Chef Mickey's Restaurant
Services: Buffet/All You Care to Eat
California Grill
This one was also at the top of our readers’ list, California Grill. The views of the Magic Kingdom and surrounding areas are breathtaking, and the lounge or outer balcony is a perfect spot from which to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. However, since 2021, the restaurant switched to a pre fixe menu and that is the main complaint here.
The menu initially changed for Disney World’s 50th anniversary, but it hasn’t changed back and has stayed a pre-fixe menu over the last 5 years. One reader wrote… “California Grill was just ok for the outrageous prices.” If you want to get a limited menu and not do the pre fixe, you can still check out the lounge. While it is first come, first serve, you can still get that great atmosphere and food without that hefty price point.
California Grill Restaurant
Services: Table Service
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I Can’t Be the Only Disney Adult Who Thinks About This Abandoned Restaurant in the Middle of the Night
What is your favorite Disney World restaurant? Tell us below!
100% agree about California Grille. We still go, but only for that fantastic (and semi private) view. But we now sit at the bar. The restaurant I miss most is Marrakesh, in the abandoned Morocco pavilion. Hope it comes back, but I doubt it. Wish Disney would concentrate on reopening the Morocco pavilion before building new lands.
Certain places still live up to the memories, but they are becoming few and far between. Yachtsmen, Flying Fish, Morimotos.
These days we tend to go off property more. Flamingo Crossings is easy to get to, usually not over crowded.
All of the restaurants have jacked prices to the point where the food quality is not even close to being what one should get for the cost. The butchered post-COVID menus are shameful. As for Sci-Fi it is time to update the show.
Unfortunately the Disney restaurants have out priced their food and ambience. Why pay the price for food barely above the quick service level? Seems like lounges and quick service are now better options. My family still enjoys Biergarten and Whispering Canyon. You do feel like you’re getting your money’s worth. I know Whispering Canyon gets a lot of criticism, but we’ve never been disappointed.