What is up with the LUNCH & DINNER combined MENU's?

[brunette8706]

Hey ALL!

Happy Thursday! We are headed to Disney today and noticed on the Sci Fi menu and the 50's Prime Time menu that the dinner and lunch menu's are the same. So essentially we will be paying DINNER PRICES at lunch time. Is that right? If so I really find this very disconcerning to say the least.

What do you guy's/girl's think?

Thanks again!

Brunette

[Hopefully]

Originally Posted by brunette8706

Hey ALL!

Happy Thursday! We are headed to Disney today and noticed on the Sci Fi menu and the 50's Prime Time menu that the dinner and lunch menu's are the same. So essentially we will be paying DINNER PRICES at lunch time. Is that right? If so I really find this very disconcerning to say the least.

What do you guy's/girl's think?

Thanks again!

Brunette

Or if you look at the half full glass rather than the half empty glass, you are paying LUNCH prices for dinner.
I am sure this is a way to reduce food costs, and I think it is fine.
If you aren't happy, look for another restaurant. There are over 100.

[OhThePain]

I don't see the issue. Tons of restaurants outside of WDW use just 1 menu and 1 set of prices all day. For example, if you go to Applebees or a diner or something you are going to pay the same price for a burger at 11AM and 10PM. Do you find that disconcerning too?

[brunette8706]

Hi you guys!

Thanks for your quick response. I did look at the All Ears menu and it looks like they have more expensive menu items (dinner prices) for lunch. For example the lunch prices used to be very reasonable with burgers/fries various sandwiches all of which were under $12.00. It's not the case anymore the prices seem to be much more expensive. I know, it sounds like I am whining (I guess I am, lol). But, I just find it more and more annoying. First the holiday pricing, which can span over a few months now this. AGHHH! lol!

Of course we may check out other restaurants.

Okay, that was just my .02 cents.

[Planogirl]

I would find it annoying too. We purposely eat our bigger meals at lunch time and traditionally it has helped a bit with budget. I guess that some people see that as a bad thing but I don't.

[jennylyn_b]

I don't see a problem with the combined menu because they have items on both end of the price range. The Reuben is only $12.49 and other options are available under$15 while they have a few heavier and more expensive dinner type options (ie. steak ). As long as its balanced this way it doesn't bother me.

[smiths02]

Originally Posted by OhThePain

I don't see the issue. Tons of restaurants outside of WDW use just 1 menu and 1 set of prices all day. For example, if you go to Applebees or a diner or something you are going to pay the same price for a burger at 11AM and 10PM. Do you find that disconcerning too?

Most restaurants outside WDW have a different menu for lunch or a lunch specials menu or a reduced portion size and price. I haven't been to Applebee's in about a year, but there was most definitely a lunch menu with specials that were significantly cheaper than dinner (Pick N Pair). At least for a weekday lunch.

[TDC Nala]

This has been going on for a while. It has several advantages for Disney.

Same price at lunch versus dinner - no "discount" for eating lunch.

People on the dining plan aren't flocking to dinner, since dinner isn't more expensive, so they spread out the demand a bit.

Restaurants don't have to keep two sets of ingredients on hand or have a separate prep period between lunch and dinner.

I think you will see this popping up at more WDW restaurants in the future, particularly those inside the parks.

Besides the restaurants at DHS (and it's all the restaurants that have the all-day menu now, not just Sci-Fi) Le Cellier now has an all day menu. So does Via Napoli, but they've had one since they opened.

[Hopefully]

Originally Posted by brunette8706

Hi you guys!

Thanks for your quick response. I did look at the All Ears menu and it looks like they have more expensive menu items (dinner prices) for lunch. For example the lunch prices used to be very reasonable with burgers/fries various sandwiches all of which were under $12.00. It's not the case anymore the prices seem to be much more expensive. I know, it sounds like I am whining (I guess I am, lol). But, I just find it more and more annoying. First the holiday pricing, which can span over a few months now this. AGHHH! lol!

Of course we may check out other restaurants.

Okay, that was just my .02 cents.

I understand your point, but I do think you are looking at it wrong. They are not charging more for the same item at lunch. By that I mean they aren't suddenly charging $25 for a burger. They aren't offering it at all. They aren't charging more for the steak at lunch than they used to at dinner.
They have taken away the less expensive burgers and sandwiches and they offer more complete dinner like meals.
I agree with TDC Nala, I think we are going to see this more and more.
Personally, I am fine with it.
I can eat QS if I want a burger. If I want a TS meal at lunch time, I expect to pay the TS price.
Good Luck

[TDC Nala]

The above is pretty much what I was told about the Prime Time all day menu, by someone who works there, as I usually went in to have a sandwich at the bar. They removed all the sandwiches from the menu when it went all-day.

The CM there said the thinking behind it was that if a guest wanted a sandwich, they could get one at counter service.

Don't know how much insight most individual CMs have, but hey. Sci Fi still has sandwiches on their menu, but no bar that you can just walk into at lunchtime.

[jiminyfan]

We have been regulars for over 20 years and noticed that "Free Dining" offers and the Dining plans have really taken a toll on the quality of food and food options. Most menus have the basic sets of meats.

The one size menu is the latest. For Disney it is a win-win, they now have one set of food purchases to make for a venue (saves money) and staff training. as previously stated it opens up more ressies for those wanting dinner. They get more $$$ from guest paying out of pocket (if they choose to eat at one of these restaurants).

The biggest loser are the OOP dining guests as the lower end options at sit downs are being eliminated slowly. Being an AP holder and using TIW, we now are losing some cheaper sit down offerings with our discount.

Tome it is not a big deal as we will just bypass the places we do not feel offer the quality for the price. But, we do like having more seatings for Le Cellier.

It is what it is. No complaints, just have to change your approach to dining at WDW.

[disnut8]

Originally Posted by brunette8706

Hey ALL!

Happy Thursday! We are headed to Disney today and noticed on the Sci Fi menu and the 50's Prime Time menu that the dinner and lunch menu's are the same. So essentially we will be paying DINNER PRICES at lunch time. Is that right? If so I really find this very disconcerning to say the least.

What do you guy's/girl's think?

Thanks again!

Brunette

At least it's stopped all the "I see burgers on the menu at Sci Fi for lunch but not for dinner. Can I still order a burger at dinner?" posts.

I personally don't mind it at all. I'm not a huge eater and it's nice to be able to get lighter things or sandwiches at dinner. I can see the prices, I can see the selection and I can make my choices based on the current menu. If I don't see anything I want/like, I go somewhere else.

[mickeysbestfriend]

all day menu is that some of the best sandwiches are gone! Most counter services have not picked up these on their menus. As to the burgers, the TS burgers have always been better than the CS ones.

They took the steak off 50's menu as well as the shrimp cocktails that I loved!