Boardwalk area….. who’s running this dumpster fire?

[MarriedAtDisney]

We own at Beach club and just checked in for our first stay in a year. Walked over to the boardwalk area. Now I realize, we’re still suffering the pandemic, and in a challenging environment to hire people. But the whole area is a train wreck. ESPN, closed. Flying Fish, closed. The pizza window had a two hour wait. The food kiosk, closed at 8….with a line of people wanting food. There are a handful of tables and chairs, with people hawking any that free up. At least there is some entertainment, but I don’t think the acts stack up well to those performing in recent years. Nice people trying to entertain, but nowhere near the number that used to stop and watch.

1 open the restaurants! Put a counter service mini mall in the espn building with self seating. open flying fish!
2. hire jugglers and magics that have 2-3 acts. A singing group and jump rope crew will not attract enough viewers.
3. place 30-40 tables and chairs up and down the boardwalk.
4. bring a few food trucks to either end of the boardwalk, keep something open until 10pm.

 

[Joe Brig]

Unfortunately, Disney has realized that the extras,"magic", aren't necessary to sell resort rooms and park tickets. The parks are sold out and boardwalk area rooms are going for over 800 a night, even as entertainment options are diminished. I wonder if the old Disney will ever return.

 

[rwdavis2]

I would assume part of the problem is the inability to find willing workers.

 

[maxiesmom]

Stayed on the boardwalk in October and thought it was great. Of course some things are closed, due to covid and the lack of employees. But it is like that a lot of places, not just Disney World. We can moan and complain that things are not open 100%, or enjoy what is there. I choose the latter.

 

[Lizgistix]

Not sure a food truck could navigate over to the Atlantic Dance side of Boardwalk. There is a service road behind Boardwalk on the ESPN side but that pass through area to backstage is a little narrow.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Not sure a food truck could navigate over to the Atlantic Dance side of Boardwalk. There is a service road behind Boardwalk on the ESPN side but that pass through area to backstage is a little narrow.

Then maybe we hope for a food VW Bug?

 

[Tink415]

Honestly, IMO the Epcot resort area lacked enough food options before the pandemic, can’t imagine what it’s like now. It seems like there are plenty of food options, and there are if you include EpCOT and have dining reservations, or eat early, otherwise, prepare to wait or forget about getting some food.

 

[Pickles516]

I’ve been scoping the boardwalk area for my trip, and I hope things are back to normal everywhere by the time we go in 2023. My kids have never been so they’ll probably be amazed by anything, but I truly feel for people that are used to a higher standard.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

Then maybe we hope for a food VW Bug?

VW van?

 

[jimmymc]

For the food selection, it's half struggling to find workers and half not being able to buy supplies for restaurants. Both are in short supply and expensive at the moment.

I also found the boardwalk area overrated even back in 2019. The food selection is a little better than the average deluxe resort but nothing spectacular. I do agree they should add more tables, since people are using the food windows as meals.

 

[EricLaurie]

We’re at WDW this week. Not quick service, but had an amazing meal at II Mulino the other night at the Swan. Quick walk over!

 

[Anthony1971]

Big River has a to go Menu and is open later. Trattoria Al Forno has some outside tables that for them only which you can get food and eat at. The bakery always has a few options as the Pool bar at the BW. The pizza window has been a long wait for a while around Dinner time but mostly 40min- 1 hour if you walk up but you can mobile order as well. The snack places are very limited with options and hours these days...

 

[Ninja Mom]

I would assume part of the problem is the inability to find willing workers.

IMHO, Disney is not willing to PAY workers what the market will bear, that is why they are having problems. They will continue to inconvenience their guests as long as the guests continue to put up with it.

I sense the days of Disney making their problems the guest's problem to have to deal with coming to a closer end. This is evidenced by the backlash on social media. Long time fans are dropping out, and are recognizing that a Disney vacation is a rip off for the prices that they are charging and the experience that Disney is providing.

The new generation of Disney vacationers is not even considering coming at this point because of Covid and the demographic in the middle is not liking what they are seeing when they price it out and find out all the stupid hoops they have to jump through just to navigate the experience.

Time will tell and I don't think it bodes well for Disney.

~NM

 

[georgina]

For the large majority of people in the US, Disney has always been a rip-off. It's a luxury vacation my parents could never afford.

I agree time will tell if people will stop going. I'm not convinced.

 

[kps7795]

Unfortunately, Disney has realized that the extras,"magic", aren't necessary to sell resort rooms and park tickets. The parks are sold out and boardwalk area rooms are going for over 800 a night, even as entertainment options are diminished. I wonder if the old Disney will ever return.

Old Disney will only ever return once profits start to wane from Customers (NOT GUESTS ANYMORE!) choosing to spend their vacation dollars elsewhere. I have loved bringing my family to Disney for the past 14 years as an annual passholder, but you really get more value for your money at Universal Orlando. For the same amount that I would spend at one of the Disney World deluxe resorts, I can stay at a Premier Universal resort (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino) and get the Express Pass included in your stay. As opposed to paying the same amount of money to stay at the Yacht and Beach Club and then having to pay for Lightning Passes on top of that.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

FWIW, in October we ordered from the pizza window and were told it would be 35 to 40 minutes. We went for it anyway and the food was ready in no more than 20 minutes. It actually worked out well because we spent about fifteen minutes in line getting drinks from the alcohol stand across from the pizza window. So maybe we just got lucky or maybe they are inflating the wait times somewhat when things are busy

 

[TheDad00]

We own Now I realize, we’re still suffering the pandemic, and in a challenging environment to hire people. But the whole area is a train wreck. ESPN, closed. Flying Fish, closed. The pizza window had a two hour wait. The food kiosk, closed at 8….with a line of people wanting food. There are a handful of tables and chairs, with people hawking any that free up. At least there is some entertainment, but I don’t think the acts stack up well to those performing in recent years. Nice people trying to entertain, but nowhere near the number that used to stop and watch.

1 open the restaurants! Put a counter service mini mall in the espn building with self seating. open flying fish!
2. hire jugglers and magics that have 2-3 acts. A singing group and jump rope crew will not attract enough viewers.
3. place 30-40 tables and chairs up and down the boardwalk.
4. bring a few food trucks to either end of the boardwalk, keep something open until 10pm.

Clearly you don’t understand what it is like staffing a resort during a pandemic

 

[DizneyFamof4]

If people keep paying the ridiculous rates and just excepts the sub-par amenities and service, why would WDW be in a hurry to open these places back up.

Clearly you don’t understand what it is like staffing a resort during a pandemic

Obviously, you have no idea what WDW pays and expects from their employee's. Currently the typical Walt Disney Company Cast Member salary is $12 per hour and it comes with a lot of "Disney" rules. I know families that had their son/daughter work for WDW and none of them are still there. Once the "OMG I work at WDW" wears off and they realized that they can make more money with less headaches elsewhere they left. So, yes it is going to be hard staffing when you are paying less then a fast food place and expecting a lot more from them.

Old Disney will only ever return once profits start to wane from Customers (NOT GUESTS ANYMORE!) choosing to spend their vacation dollars elsewhere. I have loved bringing my family to Disney for the past 14 years as an annual passholder, but you really get more value for your money at Universal Orlando. For the same amount that I would spend at one of the Disney World deluxe resorts, I can stay at a Premier Universal resort (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino) and get the Express Pass included in your stay. As opposed to paying the same amount of money to stay at the Yacht and Beach Club and then having to pay for Lightning Passes on top of that.

Not to mention that US Premier hotels are a lot less $$ to begin with. We had a quote for Hard Rock for just $30 more than CSR or CBR back in October.

 

[Best Aunt]

We own at Beach club and just checked in for our first stay in a year.... There are a handful of tables and chairs, with people hawking any that free up.

Regarding the table situation - as I recall, it's been like that for years. The lack of tables is not Pandemic-related, and you can't blame that one on Bob Cheap...

 

[Jelly563]

You can always hit up Cape May Cafe or Beaches n Cream....