Expensive Meal prices

[nicho1120]

Im must say after just returning from DLP how expensive the meals were as a whole. We ate in Annette's diner and had 3 burgers and chips and 3 soft drinks and it came to £45. The quality of the meals were nothing special and seemed to get better quality in the McDonalds. Looking at the menus in most the restaurants around the resort the prices were vastly inflated and in some respects this spoilt the holiday having to spend so much of the spending money we took on food.

[BONITATIME]

I always feel it is very reasonable for an amusement park. One of our great joys is the quality of other food.
I hope you enjoyed the rest of your holiday.

[Cyrano]

Personally I find the prices about right for a theme park and actually find the mix of counter service and table service means you can find a menu to suit your taste and budget.
Hopefully you enjoyed the rest of your holiday :goodvibes

[nicho1120]

I must totally disagree. To pay £45 for 3 burger and chips I believe is extortionate even for a theme park. I have been to many theme parks and have not had to pay anything in this price range. I must also disagree that there is a menu for every budget. I do not believe that you would be able to have a meal including just one drink for 3 (1 of those being a child) for any less than £45. I must also comment on how disgusted I was with the price of alcohol whilst in the resort. To pay 6 euros for a 330ml of beer is terrible. We resorted to going to the train station and buying a bottle of wine from there for 3 euros and having that in our room.

[Bexx]

Just wondering where you had that beer, as I'm fairly sure you can buy it cheaper than that in the resort. They do a strange thing at DLP (is it the same at WDW?) but you are charged more for drinks in the more expensive onsite hotels!! And at least you managed to find some amazingly good value alcoholic refreshment. :)

Also, I don't think that the change over to the Euro has helped prices anywhere in France.

[disneyangel]

I would agree that £45 for 3 burgers seems expensive but part of the reason you pay more at Annettes than MacDonalds is because of the theming and atmosphere. I think the food in some places is overpriced but in other places you get very good value for money. The daily special menu (3 courses)in the table service menus (Steakhouse/Auberge De Cendrillion) is only about 22-27€ per adult and for that you get a wonderful choice and much better food than you would get in a themepark here in Britain.

The best way to drink beer we (well my hubby and friends hubby :thumbsup2 )found was to add it to a menu pluto (1€ surcharge) or drink the large 1litre glasses at King Ludwigs (especially at the happy hour times).

We had a meal for 6 at King Ludwigs (4 adults and two children) , both men had a litre of beer , I had a litre bottle of water and the others had soft drinks . We all had a main meal and the children a pudding too for £70. This was about our average and I never felt ripped off. I do however grudge paying a lot for 'fast food' so we do tend to stick to table service mainly.

[jillrobinson]

Personally I really like Annettes, I always find it a great value meal, lots of food, good service, fun atmosphere and a reasonable price compared to other table service restaurants at the resort. Although again I do think the table service (esp. the all you can eat buffets ) are better value for money than the fast food restaurants.
I do think the prices are comparable to themeparks in the UK, at Legoland for instance I paid £10 for 4 hot chocolate drinks, nothing fancy they came out of a vending machine and around £40 for 4 burgers/chips, and I paid a similar amount this summer at Flambards too.
I do agree with you about the prices of alcohol though, it's the only time I can get DH out of the bar after just 2 halves, he's too mean to pay for any more than that - perhaps I'll treat him to King Ludwig's next time. :)

[Ware Bears]

We enjoyed Annettes too, we thought it was good value for after all what is a table service restaurant. I don't think the prices at DLRP are too high but then living on the south coast I am used to paying high prices for everything! ;) And I won't even go into how much they were asking for counter service food at London Zoo but it was more than at DLRP!

I agree it's definitely better value to eat at table service rather than counter service, especially the buffets. Eating at one of DLRP's many lovely restaurants is a very important part of our holiday! :wizard: :wizard:

Aside from this, hope you enjoyed your holiday. :goodvibes

[SandraVB79]

If you think Disney exaggerates on its prices, check this: last weekend at Cirque du Soleil (went with DBF to see Alegria), they charged 4,50 EUR for a soda (35 cl). Now that's exaggerated :)

[Bilboo]

Hi All,

I've always enjoyed Annette's, don't think you can compare it to McDonalds plus always found it quite reasonably priced (for DLP!).

I've got to say that I do find the fast foods places to be overpriced for the standard of the food, but I do take the point that it's comparable to other Theme Parks with a captive audience.

However one point that I do think is valid is the price of drinks in DLP, and I don't just mean beer/wine.

The kids meals arn't to bad as you get a drink included, but adding soft drinks to an adult meal really bumps up the price.

Cheers
John.

[marcus.ka]

We always take a 1 litre bottle of water at the restaurants. The bottle is about 3-5€ and is enough for 2 adults! :thumbsup2

[NIK]

I don't 'do' theme parks other than DLP so I can't really compare but I did tend to feel that for snacks and drinks they were a little pricey. Perhaps the problem is not so much with DLP itself as with theme parks in general if the prices there are comparable. You need to keep yourself fed and watered and I have generally stuck to the burger bars rather than full service restaurants but I do feel that they charge a bit much for a simple drink and a hot dog

[Crokette]

Im must say after just returning from DLP how expensive the meals were as a whole. We ate in Annette's diner and had 3 burgers and chips and 3 soft drinks and it came to £45. The quality of the meals were nothing special and seemed to get better quality in the McDonalds. Looking at the menus in most the restaurants around the resort the prices were vastly inflated and in some respects this spoilt the holiday having to spend so much of the spending money we took on food.

During my first trips to DLP, I thought that everything was very expensive. Then I went to Paris and found that it is not expensive because of the park, but because it is Paris' neighbourhood! :sad2:

[Groovee]

We ate at counter services for lunch and the best value one we found was Bella Notte in Fantasyland. I don't think you can compare Annette's Dinner to McD's as one is counter service while one is table service. We paid 147€ in Billy Bobs Buffet for 8 of us while our other 4 in the party ate at Innoventions for 120€. But I would say there is a huge difference in the food and service as well as one having the characters.

[nbodyhome]

During my first trips to DLP, I thought that everything was very expensive. Then I went to Paris and found that it is not expensive because of the park, but because it is Paris' neighbourhood! :sad2:

Paris doesn't have to be expensive to eat at - DLP IS expensive, but it is in a theme park (just like WDW is much more expensive than eating off property). You can get a much less expensive meal down at the Latin Quarter than in the Louvre. If you eat at/in an attraction, it's more expensive (usually).

We stayed in the 12th Arrondisment on this trip, and found a lovely restaurant we really liked. 7 Euros for the spagetti bolognaise, my husband enjoyed their rib steak for 10 Euros. I can't wait to go back! I haven't been to Annettes in a few years - I don't remember it being horribly priced for a theme park, but the food was decent and the atmosphere was as well. But it certainly wasn't as well priced as where we ate in Paris.

[dlpSteve]

We went for the first time this visit and found it reasonably priced for a premium holiday location restaurant, just like everywhere in DLRP. Lots of the restaurants and foodoutlets in DLRP do €9,90 meal deals so there are plenty of places to eat at a cheaper price if neceesary. You can't compare Annettes with McDonalds, they are 2 very different kinds of eatery, and McDonalds is on location anyway if price is a major factor, just don't ask what they put in the burgers!

The Blue Lagoon cost us no more than a visit to our local Zizzi and had a far better menu, undescribably better atmopshere and DLRP is far more of a premium location than Hitchin.

[TotallyAngelic]

I also disagree that the food in DLP is generally exorbitant! We only paid 95 euros for a 3 course meal for 1 person and 2 courses for 3 people, with a bottle of wine for us and drinks for the kids in Blue Lagoon last trip. If we went out to a decent restaurant locally we would probably pay about £50-£60 for the two of us for 3 courses with wine!
As for Annettes being compared to McDonalds.....I can't see it myself, sorry!
I think Annettes is expensive in that the price compares to the Blue lagoon and Cafe Mickey, but the value for money and quality in cafe Mickey and the Blue Lagoon is far better. However, the quality of produce in Annettes is far better than McDonalds, and as others have mentioned you are also paying for the atmosphere and the fact that you have table service.

[nicho1120]

£45 for 3 burgers and chips and 3 soft drinks I think is well over the top. I am really sorry for those that don't agree but I wouldnt pay that again. I wouldnt say that the restaurant was anything special and the atmosphere was not something to pay for. We also went to the Lucky Nugget saloon for the dinner buffet and paid 82 euros for 2 adults and 1 child. £58 for a basic buffet, it was scandalous.

[Dizzydreamer]

Is there anywhere that DLRP displays the menus and prices on the net so that visitors can plan (and book tables) according to budget. A few conflicting stories here but nasty surprises can spoil a holiday....Just a thought. :surfweb: :surfweb:

[Cyrano]

Is there anywhere that DLRP displays the menus and prices on the net so that visitors can plan (and book tables) according to budget. A few conflicting stories here but nasty surprises can spoil a holiday....Just a thought. :surfweb: :surfweb:
You'll find reviews and a link to such a website at our Restaurant FAQ here (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1181765)

[Ware Bears]

Is there anywhere that DLRP displays the menus and prices on the net
If you look at the link to the DLP Food guide website Reid gave you, you can see the menus and prices. It usually works out very good value to purchase from the set menu which is sometimes two courses, sometimes three. For example at Annettes you can buy a classic burger and fries with a soft drink as a set menu for 18.50 euros each, working out as roughly £13.

[Groovee]

£45 for 3 burgers and chips and 3 soft drinks I think is well over the top. I am really sorry for those that don't agree but I wouldnt pay that again. I wouldnt say that the restaurant was anything special and the atmosphere was not something to pay for. We also went to the Lucky Nugget saloon for the dinner buffet and paid 82 euros for 2 adults and 1 child. £58 for a basic buffet, it was scandalous.

Why are you sorry? If I choose to go to these places then I choose to pay the prices. If not then take your own or do Maccy D's. There's no point complaining afterwards as you chose to do it.

[NIK]

The argument is I suppose that most people go to DLP with kiddies in tow, they want a memorable holiday and that includes the food. Some of the restaurants have fantastic theming but personally I'm put off by the prices - I wouldn't pay them at home to be honest. But because they have pretty much got a captive audience and parents want to give their children a holiday to remember they want to eat in these wonderfully themed paces. It seems a shame then to charge over the odds for a burger and chips which is what a lot of young 'uns want to eat.

Just my opnion though


Why are you sorry? If I choose to go to these places then I choose to pay the prices. If not then take your own or do Maccy D's. There's no point complaining afterwards as you chose to do it.

[toony]

I think its all a question of the perspective and where you're from and what you earn. I'm from a small german town and compared to the prices for a meal here DLRP is expensive! And it depends on what one want to eat and what one is expecting for that price. Some prices are more or less comparable with german prices others not, some are ridiculous.

I couldn't imagine what your main dishes prices are in the UK compared to the ones in DLRP but here are some data from Germany.

I think for example a Schnitzel might be very "exotic" in Paris because one can have one with french fries and vegetables in Germany for about 10-12 euros (and not only in my small town) and it costs in the KIng Ludwig's Castle about 18,50. :faint: If they wouldn't have pigs or veals in France, i think not even the import costs for ready-made Schnitzel really wouldn't exculpate that high price. I really think one pay for the name Schnitzel then. It sounds foreign and so its expensive.
Or for example mexican food. In Germany one pay about 8-12 euro (depends on the town/city) for a burrito or fajitas. For the Fajitas one pay in Anettes Diner 19,50! :sad2: Something that is really o.k. are Pizzas: 6-9 Euro in Germany 7-8 in Colonel Hathi's Pizza Outpost. :thumbsup2

But it is also a psychological thing. Since we have the euro in Germany and France everything is much easier to compare. As there was no euro i said to myself: You're now in France in a foreign country, with a foreign currency and foreign prices. Eveything was o.k.! Now one better recognize what one pay for and sometimes the quality of the food (especially fast food) does not exculpate the high prices. And that's what's sometimes annoying.

Because most of you on that board are from the UK and you calculate with pound sterling - so the psychological thing is not a problem for you, is it? :confused:

The huge but: I know I'm in a amusement park, in that amusement park par excellence. In Paris. One of the worlds famoust European cities. And so the prices are indeed sometimes annoying, but one may reckon that it is expensive. And so I do (though i'm sometimes annoyed)! And I'm glad that the magic there makes amends! And it does. For me!! :goodvibes

And if you don't want to drive far away to eat, you have to grin and bear it (IMO)!

[Crokette]

I think its all a question of the perspective and where you're from and what you earn. I'm from a small german town and compared to the prices for a meal here DLRP is expensive! And it depends on what one want to eat and what one is expecting for that price. Some prices are more or less comparable with german prices others not, some are ridiculous.

I couldn't imagine what your main dishes prices are in the UK compared to the ones in DLRP but here are some data from Germany.

I think for example a Schnitzel might be very "exotic" in Paris because one can have one with french fries and vegetables in Germany for about 10-12 euros (and not only in my small town) and it costs in the KIng Ludwig's Castle about 18,50. :faint: If they wouldn't have pigs or veals in France, i think not even the import costs for ready-made Schnitzel really wouldn't exculpate that high price. I really think one pay for the name Schnitzel then. It sounds foreign and so its expensive.
Or for example mexican food. In Germany one pay about 8-12 euro (depends on the town/city) for a burrito or fajitas. For the Fajitas one pay in Anettes Diner 19,50! :sad2: Something that is really o.k. are Pizzas: 6-9 Euro in Germany 7-8 in Colonel Hathi's Pizza Outpost. :thumbsup2

But it is also a psychological thing. Since we have the euro in Germany and France everything is much easier to compare. As there was no euro i said to myself: You're now in France in a foreign country, with a foreign currency and foreign prices. Eveything was o.k.! Now one better recognize what one pay for and sometimes the quality of the food (especially fast food) does not exculpate the high prices. And that's what's sometimes annoying.

Because most of you on that board are from the UK and you calculate with pound sterling - so the psychological thing is not a problem for you, is it? :confused:

The huge but: I know I'm in a amusement park, in that amusement park par excellence. In Paris. One of the worlds famoust European cities. And so the prices are indeed sometimes annoying, but one may reckon that it is expensive. And so I do (though i'm sometimes annoyed)! And I'm glad that the magic there makes amends! And it does. For me!! :goodvibes

And if you don't want to drive far away to eat, you have to grin and bear it (IMO)!

I totally agree with you :Pinkbounc
I live in the south west of France and most of the times it's cheaper than Paris.

[Bilboo]

Hi again,

I've been thinking about this again, and to be fair to nicho1120 there is a point to be made here.

Firstly I would say again that I like Annette's and probably will go the next time I'm at DLP, however...

The first time I went back in 2001 we were seated at a table at the front (where they park the buggies) and there was no real atmosphere (servers on roller skates, dancing etc). I ordered a set menu (forget how much) which if I remember correctly was the Be Bop burger, a soft drink and brownie, and I wasn't impressed to be honest and I wondered what all the fuss was about.

The burger wasn't much better than what I would have got in McDonalds, there was plenty of chips but they hardly cost the earth, and the brownie was just a small piece on a plate with a quick squit of cream.

The next time I went last year; after all the great reviews on the board; it was a totally different experience. We were seated in a booth right in the middle near the counter, there was plenty of singing and dancing and the food was much better.

I got the Double Bacon Chili Cheese Burger which was great; and much more like I expect a burger to be (and only a couple of euros more than the desparate Be Bop); with a soft drink and couldn't manage a dessert. My son had the kids hot dog (which I wasn't to impressed with as it was just half a adult hot dog, do they really cost that much they have to cut them in half), plus an ice cream and a shake (which was very expensive for what it was but he loved it). My Mum got a huge salad and a banana split which again she really enjoyed.

Overall it was a great visit and we couldn't wait to go back again this year.

However, this year there was 8 of us and again we got stuck with the table near the buggie parking, there was no entertainment and the meal felt rushed, although again the food was fine.

I think the point I'm making is a lot of value in Annette's comes from the atmosphere and if that isn't there then I can see how £45 for burger and chips 3 times does sound outrageous.

I image nichol1120 went for the set meal so they would have got a Classic Burger (which arn't great), plus a drink and I've already said in my earlier post the price of drinks are over the top.

Anyway, just my thoughts
John

[wideeyes]

to be honest when we went to Annette's we did not think it was anything great just okay for the price. we prefer the burgers at rain foresr cafe however this was double the price of annette's and we did not feel it was okay for the price. However my dd loves rain forest cafe due to the theming so we will go back in march.

[BONITATIME]

In Germany one pay about 8-12 euro (depends on the town/city) for a burrito or fajitas. For the Fajitas one pay in Anettes Diner 19,50! :sad2:^


Have you actually ordered this meal. It is an enormous portion which anyone would have trouble finishing. The plan for the next time we go to Annette's is to eat it between 2 of us.

[Torchy]

The trouble with the prices is you have nothing to compare them to as there are no independant food outlets in the parks/village. To be honest, the prices at DLRP are no worse than any other european theme resort. Try feeding a family of four at Legoland Windsor or Alton Towers for example.

Where there is no outside competition for customers the prices will always be high. IF DLRP allowed external vendors on the site, they wouldnt be so keen on theming (to keep prices down), DLRP would have to lower prices to compete so their facilities would suffer and you'd get a downward spiral resulting in the absolute rubbish that UK theme parks offer.

You simply HAVE to take food prices into account when you budget your holiday. For example, we are staying at the Cheyenne instead of the NPB and this allows us a good restaurant meal every night with the price difference. There is enough info on the multitude of websites for DLRP so that no-one needs to be surprised when they arrive. Yes, £45 for burger & chips IS expensive, but you have the choice of not paying it if you dont want to. There are enough places at DLRP where you can get meals at (relatively) reasonable prices.

[toony]

Have you actually ordered this meal. It is an enormous portion which anyone would have trouble finishing. The plan for the next time we go to Annette's is to eat it between 2 of us.

No honestly i didn't. The price scared me off!

To eat the meal with a party of two might be a good solution. In case both want to eat the same. DBF and I mostly don't order the same entree. So bad luck for me or our purse. :rolleyes:

[Ware Bears]

It is an enormous portion which anyone would have trouble finishing. The plan for the next time we go to Annette's is to eat it between 2 of us.
Nikki is right ~ someone at the next table had fajitas and the serving was enormous. I had the burritos and that was a large enough serving as this photo demonstrates!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/45513Disneyland_Resort_Paris_August_2006_124_600_x _450_.jpg

[toony]

mmmm ...looks yummy, Elaine! I think the half of the meal would be enough for me ... but I'm not quiet sure if DBFs healthy appetite wouldn't thwart that sharing-plan. :teeth:

[dlpSteve]

I couldn't even eat half my salad, it was immense! It was lovely though and Denise's Chilli was great too. We shared a portion of cheesecake which came with 3 banana halves and 3 brownies. With drinks the bill came to about €40 and we were so impressed with the food and service that our waitress got a generous tip.

[hyperheavenly]

I couldn't even eat half my salad, it was immense! It was lovely though and Denise's Chilli was great too. We shared a portion of cheesecake which came with 3 banana halves and 3 brownies. With drinks the bill came to about €40 and we were so impressed with the food and service that our waitress got a generous tip.
Was that at Annettes? I love chilli!
We are struggling to decide where to eat and Annettes is one of our options, I keep reading threads that say Annettes is great then i've read this thread and its not looking so good in places! Too many choices! lol

[dlpSteve]

It was at Annettes - Denise loves Chilli and even had it on her Pizza when we were at Cafe Mickey on Wednesday - strange topping but very nice. Denise has just said the Chilli was really nice in Annettes, came with chips and tortilla chips too, so plenty enough!

[toony]

Sounds interesting. Just viewed your pics Steve! Great! You haven't got a pic of that chili pizza that isn't online yet?

[dlpSteve]

http://www.rumgone.co.uk/dlrp/18thoct2006/photos/photo122.jpg
http://www.rumgone.co.uk/dlrp/18thoct2006/photos/photo122.html

:thumbsup2

[toony]

thanks for posting that! :) I might have missed it. :confused3 (edited: and now i know why. I thought i've seen them all, but it was only one day, stupid me :blush: off - to view them all, in peace :rolleyes1 )

And sorry for beeing off-topic... :blush:

[Crokette]

My favourite at Anette's is the chili too!! And their wonderful sundaes :thumbsup2 !

[TotallyAngelic]

Ths chilli at Anettes used to come with a really nice rice side dish...it's a pity they substituted this with boring old french fries...

Speaking of Annettes though...surely no one could complain about the cheesy hot dog being small....

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/TotallyAngelic18/Disney%20July%202006/PICT0247.jpg

[BONITATIME]

This is the Elvis pudding.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/BONITATIME/smallchip001-1.jpg

I love photos of food.

[Crokette]

I love photos of food.

So why don't we start a thread to post our DLP food pictures like the one that exists for WDW food? :rolleyes1

[TotallyAngelic]

WOW...that Elvis pudding is enormous.....what on earth goes into it?

[BONITATIME]

WOW...that Elvis pudding is enormous.....what on earth goes into it?

Now you have got me as this was nearly a year ago. There was certainly several scoops of ice cream 2 bits of brownie, and I want to say fruit but I am not so sure about that.

Here is one thats a bit smaller, a banana split
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/BONITATIME/Picture102.jpg

[NIK]

I'm sure you are right on that. I think the prices of food at these places is shocking right across the board but then, as has been said, you know you are going to get burned a little when you go. Its just what you have to put up with when you go. I do think they charge WAY too much for basic stuff like bottles of water, especially when it's so important for everyone to keep themelves hydrated - but that is just my personal beef!

The trouble with the prices is you have nothing to compare them to as there are no independant food outlets in the parks/village. To be honest, the prices at DLRP are no worse than any other european theme resort. Try feeding a family of four at Legoland Windsor or Alton Towers for example.

Where there is no outside competition for customers the prices will always be high. IF DLRP allowed external vendors on the site, they wouldnt be so keen on theming (to keep prices down), DLRP would have to lower prices to compete so their facilities would suffer and you'd get a downward spiral resulting in the absolute rubbish that UK theme parks offer.

You simply HAVE to take food prices into account when you budget your holiday. For example, we are staying at the Cheyenne instead of the NPB and this allows us a good restaurant meal every night with the price difference. There is enough info on the multitude of websites for DLRP so that no-one needs to be surprised when they arrive. Yes, £45 for burger & chips IS expensive, but you have the choice of not paying it if you dont want to. There are enough places at DLRP where you can get meals at (relatively) reasonable prices.

[wideeyes]

well I have decided that next time I am having the chili, yum :)