With the assistance of MouseDining.com, I recently acquired two very hard to get dining reservations for my Orlando area “work” trip.  As a result of this good fortune, I needed to adjust my dining schedule slightly. I cancelled a dining reservation in Disney Springs since it no longer worked with the new dining schedule. Since I also have a carriage ride scheduled at 7:00pm at Port Orleans-Riverside for that evening, I decided to book Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Port Orleans-Riverside. In the tiny circle of theme park food bloggers, this place earned a reputation for being average at best. Yet, my decision led me to question everything I know about advance dining reservations at Walt Disney World.

Photo courtesy of BrianAndAmanda.net

I will attempt to explain. Then, I opened the My Disney Experience app. I went to make a dining reservation as I have done countless times. I searched for dinner times on the night desired. However, I did not see Boatwright’s available. I thought this perhaps was a glitch. Due to this, I checked other sources. I still saw no reservations available that night at Boatwright’s. This place, in the past, rarely filled all their reservations. I knew the food quality improved since reopening. However, I still sat surprised looking at no reservations available.

I did devise another plan that I think my spouse will appreciate before our carriage ride (BTW, she does not know about that- I think!). Yet, I needed to do more research into why a lowly regarded dining option would be full on a moderate crowd level weeknight. Yes, the food quality rates higher now. However, guests staying at Port Orleans-Riverside can take a relaxing boat ride to Disney Springs from their resort.

I found a plausible answer. Boatwright’s Dining Hall offers an all you care to eat option. The “All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Chef’s Platter” costs $35 here. This platter comes with ribs, Nashville hot chicken, smoked sausage, barbecued beef brisket, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, roasted corn with Cajun butter, and green beans. The concept of unlimited food to a Walt Disney World guest sounds unbelievable. However, this table service location offers a $35 meal with unlimited food featuring 3 different types of meats. If my memory serves correctly, this all you care to eat options appeared on this menu only a few years ago. Perhaps coincidentally, the reservation at Boatwright’s got a little tougher to get here. Also, guest satisfaction went up slightly since reopening.

So how is this chef’s platter? I shall start with the best part, the barbecued beef brisket. By no means will this cause you to feel this is the best barbecued food you have ever had. However, the beef works being tender and full of positive flavor. In addition, the meat comes with the right level of juiciness. I think that the meat has a bit too much fat on it. However, I have heard other people I trust say this brisket tastes as good as other dining options at Walt Disney World.

The other two meat options, Nashville hot chicken and smoked sausage, bring positives to the table. Both provide decent flavor. In my opinion, this flavor works but not as much as the brisket. The quality of meat that the chefs start with pales in comparison to other Walt Disney World dining options though. Still, this is all you care to eat. If you find a piece you do not like, skip that one and ask for more.

The mac & cheese, corn, and green beans simply serve as filler for this meal. The corn and green beans do offer some needed nutrition for your vacation but not much else. Regarding the mac & cheese, the quality ratings from guests show inconsistent flavor and texture. Since Walt Disney World restaurants tend to offer well above average mac & cheese, please bear this in mind.

The mashed potatoes rank high in terms of this side dish on Disney property. The side comes prepared well with lots of butter to amplify the flavor.

Overall, with the exception of perhaps the brisket, nothing served with this platter tastes far above average. However, did I mention it was all you care to eat for $35? Sure, not everything with this meal shines. Yet, even outside the Disney bubble, you might struggle to find a table service place providing this type setting with this level of unlimited food for $35. Sure, they exist but not many as in years gone by. As always, eat like you mean it!

If you are staying at one of the Port Orleans hotels or nearby, Boatwright makes a reasonable option to consider. Unless you are unlucky like me, reservations can be acquired inside the 60 days window here. However, based on my experience, I suggest booking early and/or setting an alert at MouseDining.com. As always, eat like you mean it!