Big changes to the bars at Disney resorts

[jarrdisney]

I know I'll get flamed for this, but it seems to me that disney is really forcing out the non-child crowd. I know, I know, Disney is for children, but Walt wanted it to be for "Children of ALL AGES". Most of the new plans and actions seem to be motivated towards the family crowd. Some of the things that I liked best about Disney were the fine dining opportunities and unique cocktails to be found around the World. If I wanted the same menu that can be found at TGIF's, Applebees, etc. I would go there. It was fun to go to the Tambu lounge and get some rum concoction served in a pinapple, it made each place unique and worthy of a special trip. I guess I am in the minority though, or the bean-counters wouldn't be going ahead with this stuff.

I agree with you for the most part. I just believe wdw is trying to make money, and if dumbing down the menu achieves that goal, then so be it. I think most of us are in the minority unfortunatley. If I want a great meal I usually travel off disney property. I just don't think there's enough of us to hurt them by doing that.

 

[holcomb-mania]

oops.....

 

[holcomb-mania]

No Tusker Lager, something about it not being produced this year? I wanted to cry.

<<looks for matches>>

 

[MarieA]

Who says Disney has lost its focus? They're operating on a business plan that would be envied by Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Walgreen's...Oh wait, they're all operating with the same plan? Nevermind.

I never shop at Wal-Mart and Walgreens and if this standardization continues probably won't dine or have a cocktail at Disney owned restaurants or lounges. Another poor business decision IMO.

 

[gokenin]

I know its just me but does anyone really think that Disney has never used premade cocktails? do you think the bartender actually makes the bitters each day for drinks that need them ? do you think that they squeeze every juice as is needed for drinks? the frozen drinks do they not use the fillers that come in a box already mixed so the bartender doesnt have to spend 20 minutes making a frozen drink? so what if disney is using items in there drinks like flavors which is what the O/P complained about do we really think that all or these have always been made to order? I dont see this as the downfall of drinking at WDW.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I know its just me but does anyone really think that Disney has never used premade cocktails? do you think the bartender actually makes the bitters each day for drinks that need them ? do you think that they squeeze every juice as is needed for drinks? the frozen drinks do they not use the fillers that come in a box already mixed so the bartender doesnt have to spend 20 minutes making a frozen drink? so what if disney is using items in there drinks like flavors which is what the O/P complained about do we really think that all or these have always been made to order? I dont see this as the downfall of drinking at WDW.

not sure what you mean...I can watch them make my drink. I can see them make a cosmo with cran juice, triple sec and vodka...or use a cosmo mix and add vodka. A cosmo made with a mix will not taste the same. No one ever thought they were out fermnting grapes for wines, or squeezing oranges on the spot for a screwdriver. But they have always mixed up drinks to order rather than relying on premade syrups and mixers that only call for booze to be added to make the drink. I think that is the concern here.

 

[MarieA]

The OP also stated that they eliminated the speciality cocktails from the various bars and have put a standardized menu in place. I enjoy trying different speciality drinks from various restaurants/lounges and I don't care for drinks made with mixes.

Since we are doing an adult trip in Jan. and I'm sure we will want to stop for cocktails I would like to check out the lounge menus. I looked at the allears website but the lounge menus are old. Does anyone know where I can find updated menus for the lounges?

We will be at BCV so I guess if this is true we can walk over to the Swan or Dolphin for drinks.

 

[gokenin]

not sure what you mean...I can watch them make my drink. I can see them make a cosmo with cran juice, triple sec and vodka...or use a cosmo mix and add vodka. A cosmo made with a mix will not taste the same. No one ever thought they were out fermnting grapes for wines, or squeezing oranges on the spot for a screwdriver. But they have always mixed up drinks to order rather than relying on premade syrups and mixers that only call for booze to be added to make the drink. I think that is the concern here.

I was simply trying to say that every bar that you can think of uses materials already mixed that are ingrediants in drinks, I just dont think this is a reason to stop going to a lounge because the use a syrup that tastes like pomagranted (if there is one) instead of real juice. The specialty cocktails may be another casualty of Disney making things simpler for its employee's and getting rid of something that does not have a high order rate.
We are all bemoaning the loss of our favorite food/drink/resturant from disney but you have to know they are tracking everything that gets sold and how long it takes to sell the stock they have and they are not going to keep something that isnt selling for them. Thats my feeling anyway and am not really looking to start a world war over this just stating my opinion
remember we all do to a place started by a mouse afterall to relax and enjoy ourselves

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

jarrdisney, so it's OK with you if Disney just turns their back on the basic premises that the business was founded upon? i.e. 'profit maximization' (Eisner & Iger) over 'exceeding a guests expectations' (Walt & Roy), for example...

 

[d-r]

I think what people are concerned about is the specialty drinks that indivdiual bars and lounges have (had?), like the lapu lapu (and many others) at polly, or the pepper pine cone and raspberry rapids at territory lounge or the intergalactic cosmic funky monkey whatever its called at outer rim, etc., etc. A lot of people have a favorite and they like going back to get that familiar favorite. If they are making the same standard drinks everywhere then people won't be able to enjoy that special favorite drink at a favorite place, and that is the sort of personal connection to wdw that a lot of people really like. Also, I think this sounds really bad for beer, which has always been terrible in terms of choice, but at least there were a couple of places with one or two drinkable beers. If they standardized that as well, well, that's just pretty lowsy.

 

[jenelope]

I just dont think this is a reason to stop going to a lounge because the use a syrup that tastes like pomagranted (if there is one) instead of real juice.

Grenadine. Can't make a Tequila Sunrise without it. (Or a Rum Runner or Zombie, IMO.) Strangely enough, it's one of the few fruits where you always use the syrup and never actual pomegranate juice.

I think the biggest loss would be the specialty drinks at Tambu at the Poly. The Backscratcher is neat, but the Ohana Colada is a thing of beauty.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I was simply trying to say that every bar that you can think of uses materials already mixed that are ingrediants in drinks, I just dont think this is a reason to stop going to a lounge because the use a syrup that tastes like pomagranted (if there is one) instead of real juice. The specialty cocktails may be another casualty of Disney making things simpler for its employee's and getting rid of something that does not have a high order rate.
We are all bemoaning the loss of our favorite food/drink/resturant from disney but you have to know they are tracking everything that gets sold and how long it takes to sell the stock they have and they are not going to keep something that isnt selling for them. Thats my feeling anyway and am not really looking to start a world war over this just stating my opinion
remember we all do to a place started by a mouse afterall to relax and enjoy ourselves

who said anything about a world war???

If you like to pay a premium price for subpar quality, then you are sure to be content with whatever is served to you. I think that is wonderful you are so easily pleased, actually. I have always enjoyed Disney because while it is expensive, I felt always got great quality. Friends and family ask me time and time again why I keep going back to the "same place" on my vacations. I try to explain that, to me, going to WDW was like visiting several destinations, depending on what resort you stayed at, where you drank and ate, etc. I always felt like I got a lot of "bang for my buck" so to speak. If I want premade generic cocktails, I will go to Applebee's!

 

[tlev]

I have always enjoyed Disney because while it is expensive, I felt always got great quality.

I agree, I too am often asked why Disney is so great and worth the extra money. And I like to be able to say 'because of the special touches that can't be found elsewhere.' The themeing of the resorts is a HUGE factor in the overall Disney Experience to me. And I believe that everything, including the food and drinks should contribute to that themeing. What's next? Will all Deluxe rooms be exactly the same so that all the paint that Disney buys will be the same? In the big scheme of things not being able to get a Lapu-Lapu is not the end of the world, but it is just one more special little touch that will go missing and I think when you add all of them up and continue down this path of corporate thinking, you will have just another hotel in just another amusement park.

 

[gokenin]

who said anything about a world war???

If you like to pay a premium price for subpar quality, then you are sure to be content with whatever is served to you. I think that is wonderful you are so easily pleased, actually.
I actually do not drink these specialty cocktails I am one of those people that prefer to have a nice glass of wine or high end liquor myself. to tell the truth Disney tends not to have that many single malt scotches to begin with so I tend not to be dissappointed by the lack of "specialty cocktails" at the resorts. I would prefer it if we didnt make assumptions about our fellow Disney fans when they post something contrary to our own personal opinions. lLets all remember however Disney never claims to be five star dinning everywhere instead they are a park the allows us all to remember our childhood and the memories that come from being at a magical place with people that we care about

 

[robinb]

If you like to pay a premium price for subpar quality, then you are sure to be content with whatever is served to you.

Unfortunately, even before this change you couldn't expect a well-made drink everywhere. I remember ordering a mai-tai at the Polynesian and getting a kick-butt drink. It was awesome! A couple days later I ordered one from Leaping Libations at the Boardwalk Pool and *yuck* it was terrible! I learned to ask the bartenders how they made their specialty mixed drinks before I ordered one. BTW, one of my favorite tropical fruity drinks was at the Wilderness Lodge pool bar. I think it was a Lumberjack something or another ... but it was good! I had at least one per day when we stayed at the villas .

 

[just another guy]

Disney runs on complaints, and that alone. As someone who sorta knows a think og two, I know guests often say at __________ resort, and then dine over at _______ restaurant, and say, "Oh, I want that one drink I had back at our resort." Enough complaints, and tada, here's your standardized menu. Each location can still keep their select speciality drinks. I was at Ohanas tonight(don't ever get me started on that) and they had an extra page in their book then the one I was use to dealing with.

 

[jiminyfan]

I may have to thank Disney dining for making my vacation a few hundred dollars cheaper over our normal vacation time. The wife will be happy as I no longer will order a drink at the end of the day. Sure, she will miss having her two/three/four or more Not-a-zu at AK.

Is the wine list being standardized too?

At the rate they are changing the dining at WDW, I will be looking elsewhere for my vacation plans. We always bragged to people how the culinary selections at WDW were fantastic and varied that over two weeks you could always try something new and never get bored.

I loved trying the specialty drinks at each of the lounges.

This doesn't make me happy at all. First, my child will go hungry as the new kid menu has nothing he likes, then we must learn to eat the same food more or less everywhere and now our specialty drinks are gone.

Time to find a new vacation spot, well we are trying Universal for the first time this trip. Hmmmmm........

 

[MarieA]

who said anything about a world war???

If you like to pay a premium price for subpar quality, then you are sure to be content with whatever is served to you. I think that is wonderful you are so easily pleased, actually. I have always enjoyed Disney because while it is expensive, I felt always got great quality. Friends and family ask me time and time again why I keep going back to the "same place" on my vacations. I try to explain that, to me, going to WDW was like visiting several destinations, depending on what resort you stayed at, where you drank and ate, etc. I always felt like I got a lot of "bang for my buck" so to speak. If I want premade generic cocktails, I will go to Applebee's!

Exactly. I hear the same things from my friends and family. When they ask where we are going on vacation and I tell them Disney, they say "again." I can't explain to them why we return because they don't understand. Most have never stayed on property and dined there.

In January my DH and I are taking friends with us to WDW. These friends traveled the world and hardly ever go to WDW. This is the first time they will be staying on property (BCV) and I had hoped to show them what we love about WDW. I'm not sure I can do that because many of the things we love may be gone by January in the name of profit. It appears that many of the little things that make WDW so special are slowly disappearing. I don't mind paying a premium, but I want quality for the premium not mediocrity. I can get mediocrity anywhere and for less money.

 

[just another guy]

because many of the things we love may be gone by January in the name of profit.

BINGO!

Where a friend works, they have changed their lounge menu a LOT in the last 2 years. Origionally it was pizza(with many topps available) nachos, hot wings, quesidallas, spinich dip, and others. Then in the name of consistency(meaning money) they went down to only having pizza(premade frozen cheese pizza, with the option of some pepperoni being tossed on before cooking) nachos, and some sort of asian wing. Now with this new drink menu, they stopped having the asian wings, and have "buffalo chicken strips" Its the same as the kids chicken strip meal(meaning 3 strips) but instead of french fries you get celery, and blue cheese. Oh, and they dips the strips in some spicy wing sauce. The price difference is like 3.99ish for the kids meal yet 7.49 for the buffalo strips. Yeah, 3 strips for basically $8.

 

[jarrdisney]

jarrdisney, so it's OK with you if Disney just turns their back on the basic premises that the business was founded upon? i.e. 'profit maximization' (Eisner & Iger) over 'exceeding a guests expectations' (Walt & Roy), for example...

No, not at all. It's extremely disheartening. I agree with most on this thread. I just don't think there is much we can do about it. Disney feels the avg family wants to gorge themselves on burgers, chicken fingers, and steak everyday of their vacation. They feel the avg guest wants to drink bud and maybe an absolut and cran. I just think that's their justificication. I'm just as pissed as everyone else and have learned if I want a "unique" and great dining experience, most the time I need to travel off disney property.