Big changes to the bars at Disney resorts

[ModestMouse]

This is sad to hear--wondering if all the wines and beers are going to be standardized as well. (although I would guess the World Showcase restaurants would still have wine/beer from their respective countries).

 

[La2kw]

Yes, but this is one that can't be blamed on the DDP though!

I disagree. Since food & beverage are the same department, cutting costs on drinks and standardizing those menus as well, boosts overall profit and helps offset the loss of dining profits due to the DDP.

 

[smjj]

Boy where did I read this? At OKW they were bringing back some of the favorites once a week. Maybe it was a thread here. Anyway I know when they took the menu at Olivia's generic they got a lot of complaints(us included) the waitiers were very upset and blamed it on the centeralization of the food due to DDP. He stated that Disney has a large offsite kitchen near DTD where a lot of the food is prepared now and then sent to the various restaurants. I know that Olivia's "was" one of our favorites and we ate there often. Our last trip, we ate there once, the once was when we found out that the food there now is no different than the food every where else...smjj

 

[CamColt]

Since I saw this thread got bumped up I wanted to give my latest experience, 6 months after the initial changes.

At the Tambu Lounge, although it is not on the menu, I was able to get a Tradewinds and no one batted an eyelash. The same at the Outer Rim when I ordered a Space Monkey. In fact the Space Monkey even came up printed on the receipt so it would seem it is still "in the system".

At Mizners Lounge I asked if I could have a Mizner's Sidecar. The waitress checked with the bartender and she "thought" she knew what was in it. What she was saying sounded right to me, but then they had another woman (manager?) go out back and look it up. What she thought was was right and she made me one.

Now my big disappointment! After the original changes took effect in the fall I was at Marthas Vineyard Lounge in December. The very nice bartender there, Lynn, was able to make me an Oreo Martini even though its not on the menu...just without the Oreo. I was then back a few weeks later and went to visit Lynn again for the Mintini. DH and I went back a couple weeks ago and there was a new bartender, I believe his name was Jared. When we asked about the Mintini he looked at us like we were nuts. Here we had to stick to the standardized menu. The part that bothers me is that we would always go out of our way to visit MVL for that drink. Now, knowing there is a good chance we wont get it, I certainly wont waste my time getting over there anymore. Since we were in the area anyway DH and I ended up spending time at Kimonos at the Swan(try the Island Punch here!)

I just hope as new bartenders come in all the lounges over time all these great drinks of the past aren't forgotten.

 

[ModestMouse]

CamColt, thanks so much for the update. Especially glad to hear about the Tradewinds at the Poly.

I do understand that WDW's a business (I'm a shareholder, like many people here I suspect) but also, I hate to see the unique venues at WDW lose what makes them memorable and appealing to shave costs here and there. Too much standardization basically takes away all the incentive to explore different venues across the World. Surely there is a happy balance to be found.

 

[DisOrBust]

w when they took the menu at Olivia's generic they got a lot of complaints(us included) the waitiers were very upset and blamed it on the centeralization of the food due to DDP. He stated that Disney has a large offsite kitchen near DTD where a lot of the food is prepared now and then sent to the various restaurants. I know that Olivia's "was" one of our favorites and we ate there often. Our last trip, we ate there once, the once was when we found out that the food there now is no different than the food every where else...smjj

If I remember correctly this was how WDW did food service in the 90's and was regularly slammed for it. It was seen as a great improvement when the kitchen was decentralized back to letting indivdual chefs having control over the menu. Now it seems with the DDP its reverted to its former self. It may not make much difference to the one time visitor, although,I have many friends complain on the lack of variety on their first visit. For the repeat visitor and the locals it gets old fast. I really never thought dining woud drive us offsite but I am really considering it.

As for the drink menu. The bartender I had talked to in November mentioned that there was a deal between Disney and the drink company that has the same menu everywhere. I am guessing its the reason they can't advertizt the old favorites.

 

[marivaid]

I disagree. Since food & beverage are the same department, cutting costs on drinks and standardizing those menus as well, boosts overall profit and helps offset the loss of dining profits due to the DDP.

Do we have a proof anywhere that the DDP is causing Disney any financial loss ?

Quoting a post from another thread :

Revenue from Parks and Resorts is up 10%. Operating Income is up 30%, and occupancy and per room spending is up as well. In fact here is a quote from the 2006 Disney Annual Report.

"Revenues at Parks and Resorts increased 10%, or $902 million,
to $9.9 billion due to increases of $647 million at our domestic resorts and a
net increase of $255 million at our international resorts.
Domestic Parks and Resorts: At our domestic parks and resorts, increased
revenues were due to increased guest spending, theme park attendance,
and hotel occupancy, as well as higher sales at Disney Vacation Club."

Seems to me like they're doing just fine and there isnt really a NEED to cut costs. There is however, such a thing as greed.

 

[smjj]

I don't know, its just that now with the kids grown up and us going by our selfs every other trip down, we enjoyed the variety each restaurant offered. But now other than the differences in the decor, there is none. As mentioned by an earlier poster the once in a while visitor or new visitor will not notice but for us regulars who spend,spend and spend again, I guess we are just left out in the cold. Olivia's will never be the same to us..smjj

 

[cougartrace]

It doesn't matter that Disney is a business. Their business is to make money by satisfying their customers. We let Disney slide too much on things like this because its Disney. That's just wrong.

 

[richard_andmel]

At the end of your trip write a letter to Disney detailing all of the drinks you didn't order because they aren't available anymore, what you think of the standardization, and how until they change it back you'll be bringing your own and drinking it in your room.

 

[smjj]

We let Disney slide too much on things like this because its Disney. That's just wrong.

Boy isn't that the truth. Some feel to critisize Disney in any way is sacreligious. My view is the door that squeaks the most get oiled first. By that I believe enough folks complainted about Olivia's new and not improved menu that is why they now offer some of the old favorites once a week(or so I read somewhere)..smjj

 

[ModestMouse]

Boy isn't that the truth. Some feel to critisize Disney in any way is sacreligious. My view is the door that squeaks the most get oiled first. By that I believe enough folks complainted about Olivia's new and not improved menu that is why they now offer some of the old favorites once a week(or so I read somewhere)..smjj

I won't have any trouble complaining or complimenting what I like; but I'll wait and do that after my trip.

 

[HappyandDoc]

Gees...Disney better wise-up!! This budget approach to standardize meals and drinks is going to backfire!! The uniqueness of each location and menu, along with quality, is what draws SO MANY visitors! It really won't matter where you chose to eat or drink, Disney will lose profits on this one!!

 

[ekball]

We didn't take it when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor and we're not gonna take it know, are we?

Have only read a couple of posts in this thread, so I can't comment on the drink situation. But I must comment on this post! That is, bar-none, one of my absolute favorite movie scenes of all times! Thanks for the belly laugh.