A couple weeks ago, I stayed at the Polynesian with my family, and a couple people were disappointed with the counter service location. I think the main complaints were:

- Limited offerings. There's only one CS location, to begin with, and if you're a picky eater (as these two are), then you're even more limited.
- Small size. Obviously, the amount of seating at Captain Cook's can't compare with what you'd find in a moderate or value resort food court.

Would the situation be different at other deluxe resorts? I'm trying to think back to the Mara at AKL, but it's just been too long (and my stay was too short).

As always, thanks for any advice.

I noticed years ago that the deluxe resorts are lacking in food court areas and/or selections. It's not just you, none of the deluxe resorts has a large one, though the Mara combines some grab-n-go there too. The moderates and values have great food courts.

Of course, the deluxe have at least two table service locations, three of the moderates have just one (and some like Shutters are small), and the values have none.

Why does Disney assume that if I stay at a deluxe resort I want to have a sit down meal all the time?

I was super disappointed in the Beach Club and Boardwalk. I've eaten at the Contemporary one before, and it was 'ok' but seemed to be full service at least (with a grill, which the Beach Club did not have) I've never made my why to Mara, but from what people say, it sounded like it was a little closer to a moderate CS than not.

Now I made a point of looking at all the CS/grab and go places at the deluxes we visited this last trip and while they all had less seating and less choice than the CS at POFQ I'd have happily traded for them in a heartbeat, because what they offered was far more to our tastes. Just a different view.

Why does Disney assume that if I stay at a deluxe resort I want to have a sit down meal all the time?

I'm guessing it's because most people who stay at the deluxes DO want to sit down for meals. Disney isn't a stupid company - if there was money to be made by putting in larger food courts in the deluxe hotels, they'd be on that in a heartbeat. But I'm betting there just isn't that much demand for CS in the nicer hotels.

Would the situation be different at other deluxe resorts?

I think that exactly the same problems beset us at the WL; there is only one CS place and it was subject to very long queues at busy times of day. suffered from very limited offerings (basically fried foods from one counter, and salads and sandwiches from another). on the other hand, the restaurants at WL are fabulous, and there is in-room dining.

We've stayed at the Contemporary, the Beach Club, the WL, and the AKL. I think the Mara, at the AKL had the best selection, and was closer to the more full-service counter service places you would find at the moderates. You could get a pretty good hot meal there. We ate there at least twice, and had both dinner and breakfast. There was plenty of seating. The worst was the Contemporary. We last stayed there about five years ago, and you got all the noise from the game room, and there were very limited food options. The Beach Club was OK for a quick breakfast, but there is very little seating, and we ended up taking our food to the atrium-I don't know why they encourage people to sit on nice furniture, with coffee tables to eat. At least the Beach Club also has Beaches and Cream, but that doesn't help you for breakfast. The "moderate deluxes" (WL and AKL) had better, counter service food options, with ample seating, and decent selection.

When we stayed at the Poly we hated the CS options. I understand that many people that stay there are looking for sit down options, but it is different when staying at Disney. When I stay at a hotel elsewhere I can walk down to their sit down restaurant and be seated with maybe a wait but I can still be seated. When we were at the Poly we called downstairs to see if we can have dinner at Kona or Ohana and they were both full for the night. If you don't make ADRs then you don't have a choice and have to eat at the CS. We went off-property that night.

The BC has the marketplace..its not that great IMO.Only the breakfast choices were decent and we tried lunch(sandwiches) ugh not so great.They have frozen custard and fruits and bagged snacks but I would rather get a burger at Beaches and Cream.YC AND BWI lack counter service.