Big changes to the bars at Disney resorts

[Devil_Dog99]

Next thing you know they'll be replacing all the good beers with Schlitz, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Keystone, Carling Black Label...........................

This is all very weird - I just don't understand why - the resorts are differently themed, why not let the food/drinks reflect that???

 

[jess20k]

This is some bad news! Although I am not suprised. But, I will refuse to purchase anymore specialty drinks if this is the case. I am glad for the heads up!

 

[oogieboogie]

This is all very weird - I just don't understand why - the resorts are differently themed, why not let the food/drinks reflect that???

because it's cheaper to buy in bulk. Standardizing everything means less production costs = bigger profit margins = increased revenues = stock prices go up. That's the bottom line.

 

[Forever42]

Not much of a liquor drinker, so I don't really have a beef with this.

But if they stop serving Tusker Lager, something's gonna BURN!

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

As far as that goes, I'm going to wait and see other reports. Sometimes we on the DIS take a "sky is falling" approach to a single report based on what two bartenders told Forever42. Remember the monorail through the Swolphin...how many of us have been told that by CMs?

Well, for this, the fact is that the menus have been changed and that they are using flavored beverage syrups, nothing that I was told offhand - saw them and tasted the drinks myself. The drink descriptions even state the flavored syrup that's being used.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We don't drink a lot at Disney, but I like to treat myself to a couple of specialty drinks at the resort bars and dh enjoys a beer or two at Epcot. It would be a shame to lose our favorite drinks.

 

[Exevale]

When I read about this it brought a bit of sadness into my day. While it is minor in comparison to most disappointments in life it feels to me that this is just the newest phase in a continuing slide towards mediocrity. I can find mediocre close to home at a cheaper price. I choose to spend my hard earned vacation time at Walt Disney World because of the Disney difference. Without this it is just another vacation.

With all of the things we have been forced to give up in recent years the magic that is a Disney vacation is needed more than ever. It would be a shame if this escape from modern ills, no matter how brief became part of the “remember when” section of our memories.

Why do I get the feeling that locked in a bottom drawer somewhere in a corner office at Disney’s headquarters there is a folder marked “year of a million schemes” and today it is a few memos heavier. I hope and pray that I am wrong and this is just a minor adjustment in the Disney business plan but I have the gut feeling it is not.

 

[gina2000]

Time to go back to Portofino and drink their fabulous martinis.

 

[Densgirl]

When I read about this it brought a bit of sadness into my day. While it is minor in comparison to most disappointments in life it feels to me that this is just the newest phase in a continuing slide towards mediocrity. I can find mediocre close to home at a cheaper price. I choose to spend my hard earned vacation time at Walt Disney World because of the Disney difference. Without this it is just another vacation.

With all of the things we have been forced to give up in recent years the magic that is a Disney vacation is needed more than ever. It would be a shame if this escape from modern ills, no matter how brief became part of the “remember when” section of our memories.

Why do I get the feeling that locked in a bottom drawer somewhere in a corner office at Disney’s headquarters there is a folder marked “year of a million schemes” and today it is a few memos heavier. I hope and pray that I am wrong and this is just a minor adjustment in the Disney business plan but I have the gut feeling it is not.

Well said brother!

 

[ufgator]

Thanks for the info about the standardization. That stinks they're doing that.

 

[G8RFAN]

While a well stocked bar is expensive, if you ask any bartender anywhere, they all hate specialty drinks. They throw off your rhythm, particularly the frozen ones and the tip isn't much more than a simple pour drink. With all the premixes, I have a suspicion that it is not cost factor but more of an HR thing.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

When I read about this it brought a bit of sadness into my day. While it is minor in comparison to most disappointments in life it feels to me that this is just the newest phase in a continuing slide towards mediocrity. I can find mediocre close to home at a cheaper price. I choose to spend my hard earned vacation time at Walt Disney World because of the Disney difference. Without this it is just another vacation.

With all of the things we have been forced to give up in recent years the magic that is a Disney vacation is needed more than ever. It would be a shame if this escape from modern ills, no matter how brief became part of the “remember when” section of our memories.

Why do I get the feeling that locked in a bottom drawer somewhere in a corner office at Disney’s headquarters there is a folder marked “year of a million schemes” and today it is a few memos heavier. I hope and pray that I am wrong and this is just a minor adjustment in the Disney business plan but I have the gut feeling it is not.

sing it, brother!

 

[disneytraveler]

I heard this before but i also read that you can still order the fancy drinks
if you ask the bar tender.

 

[skuttle]

Ugh...what's with all the standardization?? They just keep making WDW a little less special every day!

 

[salmoneous]

because it's cheaper to buy in bulk. Standardizing everything means less production costs = bigger profit margins = increased revenues = stock prices go up. That's the bottom line.

My guess is it has at least as much to do with CM training as materials costs. With a standarized menu, you can have one training course and rotate bartenders around as needed.

 

[tlev]

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.

 

[Devil_Dog99]

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.

Please don't take this as a flame, but I don't think they are driving away the 'non child' crowd. I think it's a matter of inconveniencing the least amount of people with a cost cutting move. I am not saying I agree with Disney's moves, in fact I cannot understand the customer relations logic behind it. From a business perspective, it does make a little sense (training, inventory control, overall cost). As for the food changes, I am glad to see them add some generic items to all menus as I like to try new things while DW is a picky eater. Before, a lot of WDW restaurants were off limits due to what was on the menus. That being said, I think Disney has gone too far with giving every restaurant the same menu. You are right - it sounds like it is becoming very homogonized, a la Fridays, Applebees, etc. We can only hope that Disney makes the proper adjustments. They always seem to.

 

[weluvslinkydog]

Am I understanding correctly that what is being said is that all restaurants will have the same, standardized menu? I really can't imagine this is true...it makes no sense to me at all and I feel as if somewhere I'm missing something. Can someone please explain?

 

[Devil_Dog99]

Am I understanding correctly that what is being said is that all restaurants will have the same, standardized menu? I really can't imagine this is true...it makes no sense to me at all and I feel as if somewhere I'm missing something. Can someone please explain?

I think what is happening is that there si a standardized base menu being developed - a steak dish, a roasted chicken dish, a pasta dish. Then each restaurant can add it's own spin to the dish. You are not going to see the exact same menu at every single restaurant (a la Applebee's) but you will start to see the same types at more and more locations. True specialty places (Ohana, for example) will probably not change. But that steak dish you ordered at Boatwrights will probably look similar to the steak dish you will order at Shutters.

Kinda dumb if you ask me. What I would have liked to see is the addition of generic dishes to existing menus instead of replacments.

 

[ReallyFunMom]

The server at the Tambu Lounge was telling us that she'd heard nothing but complaints non-stop for the previous two days since they had changed the menu. The drink quality is "eh" and they're now using Monin brand flavored syrups to give different flavors to the beverages instead of using real ingredients.
.

Somehow I bet we won't see a decrease in prices even though they have decreased their costs. Drinks are a premium splurge item, if you are going to spend that much, you want them to be excellent.

 

[weluvslinkydog]

thanks for clarifying--that makes much more sense to me--though I am disappointed to hear it. Esp. about the lounge menus and drinks...we'll be there next week and looking forward to F & W--they certainly can't standardize that in any way! Thanks again!