Aulani Dining - Ama Ama gonna rip you off!

[apollosdad]

I haven't seen it posted on here but the table service menus for Aulani are now posted on the website. My wife and I have a trip scheduled for November, so we were more than excited to see these pop up. All I can say is WOW! I admit, the menu looks delicious, but the pricing is just way too over the top. I know everyone's first response is "captive audience", "paying for disney atmosphere" and all that other jazz, but this still seems just way out of line.

http://resorts.disney.go.com/media/resorts/pdf/menu/WDPRO_AMA_AMA_Dinner_Menu_5-23-11.pdf

I'm from the Northeast so WDW prices have never really blown me away, even for Signature dining, but Ama Ama brings it to a whole different level. When your cheapest entree is $31, that's going to scare a few people off. With many entrees in the $50+ dollar range, I look forward to trying a significant amount of local fine dining. My suggestion to everyone is make sure you have a car!

 

[chalee94]

I know everyone's first response is "captive audience", "paying for disney atmosphere" and all that other jazz, but this still seems just way out of line.

my first response is actually: it's more expensive since it's on an island that's a long way from the mainland. i vaguely remember the mcdonald's on hawaii costing twice as much as on the mainland...that's just a tradeoff you have to make.

i don't think in terms of "captive audience" as i assume the marriott is within walking distance if you wanted other options...but i suspect their pricing will be in the same ballpark.

 

[scauzilloc1121]

I have been to Hawaii quite a few times and the majority of the top of the line restaurants are this pricey. Plus Hawaii's prices have always been a little higher than the rest of the U.S. When I do Hawaii for vacation I tend to try and save up double I would for any other vacation in the U.S. But this is just me and I am sure there are quite a few others that have some really good ideas on how to get the best dinners for much cheaper than this.

 

[DenLo]

Wow, $7 for water? $31 for cheese ravioli, I don't care if it's goat cheese? It's a little over the top.

Although I wouldn't dine there every night I probably would once during the vacation and figure prices are higher in Hawaii. But if all of the Aulani restaurants have exaggerated pricing at Aulani, we will be eating off property or in our villa more.

The more I think about it the prices remind me of the prices at fancy restaurants at high end resorts in Puerto Rico. We didn't always eat there either along with many of the other guests.

 

[bwvBound]

Thanks for bringing this up -- I should get planning for our Sept visit. For comparison, we enjoying eating at Duke's occasionally ... their entrees range $23-33.

 

[adminjedi]

For fine dining this is an average price range slightly elevated for Hawaii/resort costs. A steak isn't always just a steak, and ravioli isn't always just ravioli.
I am looking forward to dining at AMA AMA and at Roy's (across the way) again! After all, I will be on vacation!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, food in Hawaii is very expensive. I never understood why the things produced there should be as expensive as the things they import, but it seems to be that way too. We usually end up going to the market and roadside stands and doing a lot of meals in the kitchen. You have to be careful with that though too. Last trip I ended up with an intestinal parasite that the Doctor figured I got from the roadside produce in Hawaii.

 

[Chuck S]

Those prices don't surprise me for Hawaii. Prices were pretty high when we were in Honolulu in 1976. Those prices are likely pretty normal for resort restaurants there.

 

[mike9950]

Prices seam about right for Hawaii... I also had read somewhere that Disney hired a previous chef from Ritz Carlton. If that's the case, and it's near that kind of quality -- the prices appear totally in line.

I would rather Disney offer quality and exclusive experiences and charge for them VS serving boring average cusine.

 

[adminjedi]

I would rather Disney offer quality and exclusive experiences and charge for them VS serving boring average cusine.

I like how you think!

 

[bwvBound]

I would rather Disney offer quality and exclusive experiences and charge for them VS serving boring average cusine.

Only if the food and experience are both truly quality. Our recent experience on the DCL Wonder reminded us, "Just because is it Disney doesn't mean it will be good." (Yeah, it wasn't even "good" much less quality. Guess I'll be taking a "wait and see" position.)

 

[JimMIA]

I would rather Disney offer quality and exclusive experiences and charge for them VS serving boring average cusine.

I hope they don't offer Free DDP!

 

[Brian Noble]

Add me to the "pretty standard pricing for Hawaii" list.

I never understood why the things produced there should be as expensive as the things they import, but it seems to be that way too.

Presumably, it is because calories are fungible. If locally-sourced food were so much less expensive, everyone would buy it instead of imported food. But, there's not enough that is locally-sourced to feed the island, and demand would outstrip supply, raising prices.

The problem isn't (just) that imported food is expensive. It's also that the islands are not self-sustaining with their current populations.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Thanks for bringing this up -- I should get planning for our Sept visit. For comparison, we enjoying eating at Duke's occasionally ... their entrees range $23-33.

Wow. Duke's looks pretty good. I'm going to have to try and make a reservation there.

 

[Anal Annie]

After reading thru that menu I wouldn't classify much of it as "typical". It appears to be "fine dining" and the prices reflect that. The new adult restaurant on the Disney Dream charges like $75 pp extra to dine there. I think the menu looks pricey but on par for what it is & where it is.

Get in your car and drive into Waikiki. Try the Hula Grill ($8.45 - $17.45 apps / $16.95 for veggie stir fry - $32.95 for steak + sides $3.95 - $5.95 or go to Dukes as mentioned above. (But these menus are more "common" in nature.) Or you go to the Shore Bird Restaurant (where you grill your own food) for $18.95 - $27.95. If you island hop on Maui we like the Lahaina Fish Company where apps run $10.95 - $14.95 and entrees run $18.95 for chicken to $34.95 for surf & turf.

 

[lilpooh108]

Wow. Duke's looks pretty good. I'm going to have to try and make a reservation there.

Duke's is not tasty (just my 2 cents). Unless you'll be in Waikiki anyway, I don't think it's worth the drive. The breakfasts on the beach there are pretty good, but there's tons of food in the Honolulu area that's much better than Duke's (at $30 per entree).

Do a search on Yelp and you'll find much better. The atmosphere and scenery at Duke's, though, can't be beat.

If you walk two steps left and go to the Sheraton Moana for drinks, the drinks are much better there than at Duke's. Same view. Try the Tropical Itch. It comes with a wooden backscratcher and lots of rum.

 

[rocketriter]

I imagine that groceries are also more expensive than on the mainland. But I'd like to hear from someone with experience whether grocery prices are up by the same percentage as restaurant prices. Given a 1- or 2-bedroom with a kitchen, cooking in might make sense.

 

[crisi]

I imagine that groceries are also more expensive than on the mainland. But I'd like to hear from someone with experience whether grocery prices are up by the same percentage as restaurant prices. Given a 1- or 2-bedroom with a kitchen, cooking in might make sense.

I thought so. Probably about a 60% markup on groceries and restaurant prices. This was Maui last March. But eating in was still a lot cheaper than dining out.

Hawaii was wonderful, but between airfare, occupancy taxes, and food, Hawaii is not a bargain vacation.

 

[slum808]

I live in Honolulu and yes food is expensive, as is everything else. These prices are common for fine dinning in the Waikiki/Honolulu area. Some sample super market prices for you. Milk $4-8/Gal, Rib eye steak $13/lb, name brand ceareal $5-7/box, Coke/Pepsi $4/12 pk. Some random things I know but that's off the top of my head. Local grown produce is sold at a premium, because land, water, and labor is so expensive. There is very little local beef and pork production. Most local product are marketed to fine dinning resturants because they like to market the fact that its local grown and can charge the premium that is required. Okay last one, Imported strawberries $$2.50-$5, local grown strawberries $8. Guess which one I eat?

 

[Dean]

These seem a little high to me even for HI fine dining, not a lot but some. I wonder how they compare to Roy's next door? or Longhi's. They are a little higher than Hy's it seems.