Babycakes Closing

[scoutie]

I haven't seen any threads about Babycakes and reactions. I just searched for it and came up empty

There were two that I recall which got quite heated. I think one was in the restaurant forums? I searched "Babycakes" as well, and there were pages and pages of threads with the name Babycakes in it. If I have time later, I'll sift through them to show you what I'm talking about.


Edited to add: Here's one thread about how Babycakes "falsely" advertises they are allergen-free. This isn't the thread I'm remembering, but a simple search turns up this: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3155815&highlight=babycakes+reaction

 

[mistysue]

There were two that I recall which got quite heated. I think one was in the restaurant forums? I searched "Babycakes" as well, and there were pages and pages of threads with the name Babycakes in it. If I have time later, I'll sift through them to show you what I'm talking about.


Edited to add: Here's one thread about how Babycakes "falsely" advertises they are allergen-free. This isn't the thread I'm remembering, but a simple search turns up this: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3155815&highlight=babycakes+reaction

Two is different than quite a few. I found plenty of threads where somebody talks about Babycakes and a totally unrelated allergy reaction somewhere else, or how they won't eat there because they don't like or had an issue in the past with Bob's flours. That is not the same thing as Babycakes causing the reaction.
Your post made it seem like Babycakes is a common problem, which I do not believe is true. I usually check this board at least once a day specifically to see updates about allergy issuesso I guess I thought I would know if people were coming to the boards in droves to complain Babycakes caused them to require medical care and threatening to sue. With the frequency allergy people eat an item from that particular place if there are two allergy incidents that is a really good track record for any dining establishment, including those at Disney.

Either way it doesn't stop the fact that it's sad they might not be there, especially if Disney is not going to offer anything else. They can hardly continue to offer dining plans and behave like they have all inclusive options if they are phasing out serving food many people can eat. Nobody is going to convince me it is ridiculous to ask for allergy options until they go on a week long vacation eating identical lunches and dinners every day with the same seasonings and paying the same prices as people getting a wide variety. I don't mean just eat chicken every meal, eat the exact same pan fried chicken with salt and pepper, steamed rice, and plain rice ice cream - then tell me it's crazy to ask for variation.They had the products and discontinued them- it's not that they aren't out there and they often aren't more expensive than what others are getting, it's just an arbitrary weird choice made by people who don't have to live with it.

 

[Hannathy]

Do you for some reason think people have not been buying more expensive allergy products?
Most of the allergy items do not cost more to make.

You're saying when you go into a grocery store gluten free flour and mixes aren't more expensive? that specially made "rice Krispies" aren't more expensive than mass produced ones? That soy milk isn't higher than reg milk, Don't believe you. And we are talking about bakery product not substituting green beans for creamed cauliflower.

Then add on the extra cost for special cleaning, storage, training and added insurance.

Bottom line Babycakes wasn't making money for Disney.

 

[SteveMouse]

Bottom line Babycakes wasn't making money for Disney.

I thought Babycakes was a tenant, not Disney-owned. There are locations in NYC and LA.

 

[Hannathy]

I thought Babycakes was a tenant, not Disney-owned. There are locations in NYC and LA.

but they must not have been generating the amount of business and foot traffic that Disney would want to make a place for them.

Like finding a place for Starbucks within the MK

 

[firstwdw]

WOW!! We are a family with food allergies and 2 very dedicated Vegans and it has never even crossed my mind that a restaurant , theme park , hotel, school ect... is responsible for providing us with a FRESHLY made treat. You do realize that not being able to eat a cupcake in Disney isn't/shouldn't ruin you vacation and for most people those with special dietary issues this wouldn't even show up on their radar. Disney is a business solely based on making money not a non profit charitable organization.

I never said it would ruin our vacation……..yes we were looking forward to Babycakes, yes it was nice to walk into a bakery and be able to choose anything we wanted, yes we are disappointed but it will not ruin our vacation.
no need to talk down to people on the Dis-we all have our differing opinions and that doesn't make one person right or wrong over the other.

 

[firstwdw]

one more thought to add: the only treat that anyone in my family can eat at Disney is Enjoy Life cookies- no ice cream, no rice krispy mickey heads, no cupcakes, no other OMG allergy free treats, no Udi's muffins etc, no brownies-NO DESSERT at all…….so Babycakes closing hits those families a bit harder.

Also, Babycakes sent me a personal email message last night and they will still be taking phone orders and will still be providing their products to locations throughout WDW after the march closure of the store in Downtown Disney. We are thrilled!

 

[Wishes Count]

A PP is correct. At this time Guests at a WDW resort can order and have it delivered to their front desk who will hold it for them and Refrigerate if needed.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[blingbowsparkles]

I never said it would ruin our vacation……..yes we were looking forward to Babycakes, yes it was nice to walk into a bakery and be able to choose anything we wanted, yes we are disappointed but it will not ruin our vacation.
no need to talk down to people on the Dis-we all have our differing opinions and that doesn't make one person right or wrong over the other.

I wasn't talking down to you and I apologize if you feel that way. I do however feel the comment "we DESERVE a freshly baked treats" seems a little irrational.
Like I said I have family full of food issues and yet we have always managed to stay full in Disney and other vacation destinations even the ones who don't cater to their guest ever whim.

 

[Limes96]

I'm very sad to hear this news about Pollo Campero and Babycakes! We have two gluten intolerant people in the family and this was one of our favorite stops. Boo! Hopefully there will be news soon about how to obtain Babycakes products at other Disney locations. It was so exciting to be able to have a fresh donut!

 

[mistysue]

You're saying when you go into a grocery store gluten free flour and mixes aren't more expensive? that specially made "rice Krispies" aren't more expensive than mass produced ones? That soy milk isn't higher than reg milk, Don't believe you. And we are talking about bakery product not substituting green beans for creamed cauliflower.

Then add on the extra cost for special cleaning, storage, training and added insurance.

Bottom line Babycakes wasn't making money for Disney.

As for the rice krispies, absolutely. It is an issue of using one common brand of marshmallows vs. another.
If you bother to look at sources and pricing, the gluten free flours and mixes are not all more expensive. If I buy a mix to make DS's cookies and a mix to make "normal" cookies for my house, the allergy ones actually cost less to make. We buy my son's mix for a little under $2/box, mix in water and a little applesauce. We go through a lot of rice milk for cooking. Not only is it close to the cost of dairy if you buy it in bulk or in larger boxes, you can make it for next to nothing. A kitchen that was going to produce large quantities of baked goods could as easily make the rice/soy/oat/coconut/almond milk they wanted for pennies on the dollar compared to dairy. In that sense, it is significantly cheaper to use a milk alternative than to use dairy milk. The things you are saying are nice talking points, but if you really start getting into it, the cost of mass production of some specialty allergy foods is much lower than it's "regular" counterparts. The chef is not going to run to the store and buy the same single box of a specialty item the store charges a premium for, they are going to arrange their own source that does not need a premium because it is not stocking an uncertain sale.
There is no special cleaning, storage or training if you simply run the kitchen free of those items all the time. We don't ever make eggs- so we don't have to do a special cleaning for eggs. If they had a kitchen that switched back and forth you would be making sense. Running a kitchen free of certain things all the time is functionally no different than running any other kitchen.

 

[sleepingbean]

Also, Babycakes sent me a personal email message last night and they will still be taking phone orders and will still be providing their products to locations throughout WDW after the march closure of the store in Downtown Disney. We are thrilled!

That is encouraging!

 

[happysummer]

I just heard that it was closing I was so looking forward to going in June. I am vegan allergic to eggs. When we were there in September I went three different times. It is so nice to be able to have a treat.
My kids loved it.

 

[bookgirl]

I looked at these as I am currently not supposed to eat wheat and I'm sensitive to eggs. My last trip was my first visit anywhere since I got taken off of foods I would normally eat.

Holy Crap. Sorry but 5 bucks for a half sized cupcake (and a pretty basic plain one at that?. My local Whole Foods (who is not known for their competitive pricing) is cheaper than that.

I do think they priced themselves out. I do often pay more for things as I consider them necessary or a splurge, but I walked out. I wasn't paying that price. The cost to fulfillment ratio just didn't add up for me.

I did do without some stuff (I'm not a huge dessert eater but I do like cookies and the occasional treat as a snack) and I know that my choice as an adult was easier then a child, but if they had been slightly more reasonable more people might have done more shopping.

Jillycakes looks way more reasonable (12 for $25). I might order next time. There's a chance I'll be there a week in July.

 

[mistysue]

Does anybody know if other places make gluten free AND vegan? (they all list gluten free, a price, then vegan, a price) I emailed Jillycakes to see what they say, but is there anywhere that specifically does this in that area if Babycakes is gone?
Bookgirl- Jillycakes are $3 each if they are without egg/dairy, or $2.50 each if they are without wheat. That $25/dozen is not for wheat free or egg free. They do not list a price for both of those options combined, if that is even a thing. Babycakes was a little over $3 each, so Jillycakes isn't much better. (do you know if there is a delivery fee?) My daughter, without allergies, made the observation that the Babycakes taste better and cost less than the more exciting looking ones over at Goofy's.

ETA: Yes, you can combine gluten free and vegan for Jillycakes.
The thing they can NOT do is be both soy and dairy free. (one or the other, yes) In addition to using soy cream and butters to substitute the dairy, if anybody is allergic to soy the normal icing is both dairy and soy- so you would have to ask for soy free icing specifically. (which can be done, but not dairy free)
Also, the egg replacer is potato starch based and they use rice flour to substitute wheat.

 

[bookgirl]

Does anybody know if other places make gluten free AND vegan? (they all list gluten free, a price, then vegan, a price) I emailed Jillycakes to see what they say, but is there anywhere that specifically does this in that area if Babycakes is gone?
Bookgirl- Jillycakes are $3 each if they are without egg/dairy, or $2.50 each if they are without wheat. That $25/dozen is not for wheat free or egg free. They do not list a price for both of those options combined, if that is even a thing. Babycakes was a little over $3 each, so Jillycakes isn't much better. (do you know if there is a delivery fee?) My daughter, without allergies, made the observation that the Babycakes taste better and cost less than the more exciting looking ones over at Goofy's.

ETA: Yes, you can combine gluten free and vegan for Jillycakes.
The thing they can NOT do is be both soy and dairy free. (one or the other, yes) In addition to using soy cream and butters to substitute the dairy, if anybody is allergic to soy the normal icing is both dairy and soy- so you would have to ask for soy free icing specifically. (which can be done, but not dairy free)
Also, the egg replacer is potato starch based and they use rice flour to substitute wheat.

See when I was there the cupcakes were over $4 (with tax around $5). $3-$3.50 is much more reasonable. That was this month, maybe Babycakes had prices higher for spring break?

Oh course if I have to continue to eat wheat free (I can have rice and potato flours as of now) $5 may look a whole lot more reasonable after a longer withdrawl. And I'll be honest I'd just as soon have a plain cupcake. I don't like icing in the first place. I usually end up dumping most if not all of the icing off of anything I buy.

 

[dreamcatcherkwe]

This is a huge bummer to read! Darn. My son really enjoyed their cupcakes in November.

 

[livndisney]

I looked at these as I am currently not supposed to eat wheat and I'm sensitive to eggs. My last trip was my first visit anywhere since I got taken off of foods I would normally eat.

Holy Crap. Sorry but 5 bucks for a half sized cupcake (and a pretty basic plain one at that?. My local Whole Foods (who is not known for their competitive pricing) is cheaper than that.

I do think they priced themselves out. I do often pay more for things as I consider them necessary or a splurge, but I walked out. I wasn't paying that price. The cost to fulfillment ratio just didn't add up for me.

I did do without some stuff (I'm not a huge dessert eater but I do like cookies and the occasional treat as a snack) and I know that my choice as an adult was easier then a child, but if they had been slightly more reasonable more people might have done more shopping.

Jillycakes looks way more reasonable (12 for $25). I might order next time. There's a chance I'll be there a week in July.

Babycakes closing was not due to financial problems. They stood in the way of Disney's current "Grand scheme" for DTD. I was told they DO plan to reopen-they just don't know where yet.

The are continuing to provide products to WDW. You can also continue to special order cakes.

 

[Coonhound]

People with special dietary needs should be able to have what others have, not just pre -packaged stuff. Disney is fully capable of affording to accomdate this need. People come to WDW from all over the world because they know they can eat safely here. Being able to get special bakery will only enhance that.

I disagree. It would be nice in theory but in actuality it would be impossible for them to have things for every type of allergy, disability etc under the sun- think how many very specific allergies there. It is not cost effective to provide for all of those, especially at a moments notice. Disney should just make what they make, and if you can't eat it, you can't eat it. Their only obligation is to make sure have everything labeled so people won't accidentally eat something they're allergic to.

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

Having Cupcakes isn't a necessity, its a shame that they are closing.