BOG breakfast........just thought

[johnsonet]

The people who are willing to pay a premium for MK breakfast have chosen to spend that money at CP or CRT according to July ADR availability.

yes, but WHY? If people are looking for a cheaper, quicker b'fast in a "castle" then won't they be choosing BOG?
Plus, so many people are clueless about park touring. Seems they'd be happy to book a b'fast at BOG.
Sounds like Disney should make it a character meal, TS, and charge $$$$

 

[Jing]

I truly wanted to eat there for the charcuterie plate - I would drop CP pre-park breakfast in a heartbeat!

 

[AriesAriel]

The meals DID appeal to me. I am surprised to see so many not like them. Were they just poorly made or "too fussy" for lack of a better term. I know some in my family would scrunch their nose at the offerings. Totally not their type of food.

My sister and I both THOUGHT our meals sounded delicious. The presentation and taste did NOT live up to the expectation, especially for the price. I think my daughter with the fruit plate was the only finished plate.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My sister and I both THOUGHT our meals sounded delicious. The presentation and taste did NOT live up to the expectation, especially for the price. I think my daughter with the fruit plate was the only finished plate.

Probably good we cancelled then. Such a bummer to hear/read about.

 

[tony609]

If it becomes a character breakfast I'm there, love starting a Disney day with characters and breakfast.

 

[Capang]

We had an 8am ADR when the park opened at 9. Then the hours changed but we kept the ADR anyway. Our food was delicious. So happy we kept it. A few days later we went back for a pre-park opening ADR. Food wasn't as good but still pretty good. I hope they keep breakfast in some form.

 

[I M Fearless]

I think the answer is to make it the only quick-service buffet on property. Drinks are already unrestricted, so why not just charge people a flat fee. Keep the offerings simple, but quick: fruit, pastries, croissants. Set the buffet out in one of the smaller rooms (or both). Get people in and out. Make it a definite step down from Crystal Palace offerings.

It would then be less of an issue, as it could operate like every other quick service from park opening with people heading through, grabbing a quick selection or two and heading on again. Just have ADR's for pre-park opening.

Everyone pays like a buffet, take lots of walk-ups. I think a big part of the test lacking success is that it is overly complicated at the moment.

Keeping it quick service, but a buffet would massively reduce staff costs, it would make it a highly attractive option on the dining plan and could still be priced fairly for OOP guests. It would be no more expensive food wise as people could just take what they want, not get given a selection they would not necessarily choose.

Hell, if you really want to pack the place you could have Gaston's cinnamon rolls on the cards... people would head there for a buffet with those bad boys on offer.

 

[I M Fearless]

Another factor is that although the folks on the DIS are very aware, a few months for testing is not really a massive amount of time to change what is essentially quite a new phenonenum in MK.

The masses need time to learn of this option and adapt their touring. There has been zero counter service breakfast presence at MK for so long people probably just overlook it, most no doubt grab stuff at the resort if they are going for quick service breakfast, as up until now there was no other choice. I think the ongoing popularity of CP and CRT shows people will eat breakfast at the parks. These meals did not start off being so popular at breakfast, they have become highly sought after over time.

I think there is room for a solid counter service option in MK. It needs to not compete with the existing TS, but perhaps be better than the cr*p they serve as food in MSB/SB these days. At times we've been hungry but a lengthy TS like CP is overkill if you have more dining later in the day. Middle ground would be good, a bit more than a coffee and a muffin, but not a 90 minute extended affair. Price it in between also.

 

[supersnoop]

I think the answer is to make it the only quick-service buffet on property. Drinks are already unrestricted, so why not just charge people a flat fee. Keep the offerings simple, but quick: fruit, pastries, croissants. Set the buffet out in one of the smaller rooms (or both). Get people in and out. Make it a definite step down from Crystal Palace offerings.

It would then be less of an issue, as it could operate like every other quick service from park opening with people heading through, grabbing a quick selection or two and heading on again. Just have ADR's for pre-park opening.

Everyone pays like a buffet, take lots of walk-ups. I think a big part of the test lacking success is that it is overly complicated at the moment.

Keeping it quick service, but a buffet would massively reduce staff costs, it would make it a highly attractive option on the dining plan and could still be priced fairly for OOP guests. It would be no more expensive food wise as people could just take what they want, not get given a selection they would not necessarily choose.

Hell, if you really want to pack the place you could have Gaston's cinnamon rolls on the cards... people would head there for a buffet with those bad boys on offer.

But how do you make sure that every pays? I think that was the intention with the current pricing, but there's no enfocement.

 

[HopperFan]

Another factor is that although the folks on the DIS are very aware, a few months for testing is not really a massive amount of time to change what is essentially quite a new phenonenum in MK.

The masses need time to learn of this option and adapt their touring. There has been zero counter service breakfast presence at MK for so long people probably just overlook it, most no doubt grab stuff at the resort if they are going for quick service breakfast, as up until now there was no other choice. I think the ongoing popularity of CP and CRT shows people will eat breakfast at the parks. These meals did not start off being so popular at breakfast, they have become highly sought after over time.

I think there is room for a solid counter service option in MK. It needs to not compete with the existing TS, but perhaps be better than the cr*p they serve as food in MSB/SB these days. At times we've been hungry but a lengthy TS like CP is overkill if you have more dining later in the day. Middle ground would be good, a bit more than a coffee and a muffin, but not a 90 minute extended affair. Price it in between also.

- Be Our Guest is not one of the hardest to get ADRs because of DIS folks. The general population that goes to Disney wants to eat there and when they open MDE and a breakfast drops down, they are all over it ............ but then they see the price. Disney set it with a TS price. They probably don't know Disney is not enforcing the "prix fixe" and so they don't book it. The restaurant is probably losing money at breakfast. How do you fix it? Stop breakfast, back to drawing board and bring it back later with changes.

- Not sure how long you've been going to Disney but CRT and CP are easy to get now compared to how it was 20+ years ago. Crowds of folks used to hover outside begging to get in.

- MK needs no more counter service restaurants. They are all busy but not busting at the seems. MK needs more TS restaurants because that is what guests are demanding. The DDP has driven up the demand. People like me that want to be waited on and a decent meal over a burger or chicken nuggets want more TS. I don't want buffets and I won't go to Tony's and I won't pay for CRT anymore. I'm tiring of LTT and Plaza ..... give me more TS. If you want a counter service breakfast eat at the resort before you go, land is too valuable in MK to waste on more QS. I believe the reason they are upping the food at the "windows" like fancy mac & cheese, waffle sandwiches etc is to bring more QS without investing in construction and giving up land.

- BOG needs to be 3 meals a day ALL TS. The kiosks need to be removed and repurposed at other QS so there are a couple "check yourself out" lines for those of us who know how to use them. Part of BOG problem is all the guests staring at the machine and not getting it done backing the line on the bridge.

But how do you make sure that every pays? I think that was the intention with the current pricing, but there's not enfocement.

- I believe it was their intention. They screwed up. They announced a prix fixe and then didn't implement it come payment time. How do you make everyone pay? Table Service.

 

[I M Fearless]

But how do you make sure that every pays? I think that was the intention with the current pricing, but there's no enfocement.

The same way they do at any other buffet.

 

[I M Fearless]

- MK needs no more counter service restaurants. They are all busy but not busting at the seems. MK needs more TS restaurants because that is what guests are demanding. The DDP has driven up the demand. People like me that want to be waited on and a decent meal over a burger or chicken nuggets want more TS. I don't want buffets and I won't go to Tony's and I won't pay for CRT anymore. I'm tiring of LTT and Plaza ..... give me more TS. If you want a counter service breakfast eat at the resort before you go, land is too valuable in MK to waste on more QS. I believe the reason they are upping the food at the "windows" like fancy mac & cheese, waffle sandwiches etc is to bring more QS without investing in construction and giving up land.

I would argue that what MK needs is better QS options as opposed to more TS.

The reason you want more TS options is presumably because the QS options do not appeal to you?

I feel much the same, I get sick of the same mediocre QS options, it would be great to have a few different options. I love the QS lunch at BOG. It is amazing value on the Dining Plan and the food is great in my opinion. It would be nice to have a few QS offerings that are more like this.

I think there is a place for a mid range breakfast. I love Crystal Palace when we go, but it is not what we want every time in MK.

I'm not a fan of eating at the crack of dawn personally, I'd rather grab a shower and a coffee, get out the door to be at rope drop, once the lines start to build then stop mid morning for a breakfast.

Especially when MK opens at 8am it would be nice to have this option. Otherwise your choice is:
- eat at QS at the resort between 6am and 6:45am
- have a leisurely TS breakfast at MK
- go without
- eat your own food
- eat snack items at MK

If BOG could pull off an equally good breakfast, like they've done with the lunch, people would go. Much as I love Disney TS, I would not want to waste time eating 3 TS meals a day. It's too much food every day.

With MK opening at 8am it would be nice to have a decent QS offering for breakfast where we could stop around 10am especially if a late lunch or early dinner is on the agenda that day.

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

With MK opening at 8am it would be nice to have a decent QS offering for breakfast where we could stop around 10am especially if a late lunch or early dinner is on the agenda that day.

I imagine a lot of people agree. Some people like to tour this way, some people want breakfast then especially when dealing with time changes, some people want to save money by doing brunch and dinner instead of three meals, etc. BOG can only serve a handful of these people though as they are cutting breakfast off at 10 during the current test. CRT and CP go until 10:40 and 10:45 respectively. BOG can't go that late without pushing back lunch which I can't picture them doing at current popularity levels.

I agree with the desire for better QS options in MK, but the fact is, if I want better QS options I don't really mind taking the monorail or boat to a MK resort for a nicer meal and break. Personally, I would like BOG to continue breakfast and lunch as QS, but so far it looks and sounds as though things may be headed in the opposite direction for good reasons.

 

[HopperFan]

I would argue that what MK needs is better QS options as opposed to more TS.

The reason you want more TS options is presumably because the QS options do not appeal to you?

I feel much the same, I get sick of the same mediocre QS options, it would be great to have a few different options. I love the QS lunch at BOG. It is amazing value on the Dining Plan and the food is great in my opinion. It would be nice to have a few QS offerings that are more like this.

I think there is a place for a mid range breakfast. I love Crystal Palace when we go, but it is not what we want every time in MK.

I'm not a fan of eating at the crack of dawn personally, I'd rather grab a shower and a coffee, get out the door to be at rope drop, once the lines start to build then stop mid morning for a breakfast.

Especially when MK opens at 8am it would be nice to have this option. Otherwise your choice is:
- eat at QS at the resort between 6am and 6:45am
- have a leisurely TS breakfast at MK
- go without
- eat your own food
- eat snack items at MK

If BOG could pull off an equally good breakfast, like they've done with the lunch, people would go. Much as I love Disney TS, I would not want to waste time eating 3 TS meals a day. It's too much food every day.

With MK opening at 8am it would be nice to have a decent QS offering for breakfast where we could stop around 10am especially if a late lunch or early dinner is on the agenda that day.

The same way they do at any other buffet.

I think we agree that MK needs better QS options - food wise, BOG has proved that they can do that, and they need to offer more substantial breakfast items without breaking the bank (aka QS).

They also need more TS and they know that which is one reason they are building the new Adventureland restaurant. They do a hard sell on the DDP and they need to provide more options. Many like myself want a TS each day, I will not eat QS all day. I tried the QSDP and did not feel it a value for us. I'm laid back and not needing fancy, I just want a better meal, be waited on during vacation and have some A/C. I travel with DS who is a disabled adult and we both need that each day.

I don't think the fiscal answer for Disney is BOG QS. It was expensive to build, QS at lunch is not functioning at full capacity and breakfast has been a dud and it is heavy in labor costs.

- They need to look at current locations, utilize their down time and re-vamp some menus.
- I eat at BOG for lunch all the time, agree good DDP value. No reason they can't offer comparable meals in other QS locations.
- They have attempted at CHH by adding some new dinner only items, do the same at the others. Menus have been stagnate a decade and those of us who are there "a lot" are tired of them.
- Open Tomorrowland Terrace for breakfast! Ample seating to handle the breakfast crowd. Low season can be closed the rest of the day. Then the dessert party is at night.
- I believe the reason there are minimal QS locations serving hot breakfast in the parks anymore is that they were not being used by the guests. Most guests are arriving early to utilize shorter lines, not to eat. Those who wanted a breakfast, wanted a TS and/or character breakfast. If Disney thought there were a market, they would be open.
- I think Disney thought BOG breakfast would be a big draw like the lunch due to the venue but they needed to price it to justify operating costs of that place. Toss in a pastry plate and they will come. They came up with Prix Fixe and then didn't implement it.
- Guests are proving they will not pay that to eat QS, even if it is pretty. There are lots of ADRs open for breakfast, but not for lunch.
- QS Buffets don't work. They once had at CSR. Fast way to lose money.
- The only way to truly implement everyone paying is make it TS. As you suggested do it the same way they do the other buffets .... they are all TS with semi-servers.

 

[DISNEY1975]

IMO, some of the empty seats are due to the fact that they opened reservations well after the 180 dates. People on DIS may know BOG breakfast was a 90 day, but who else does? People planning their summer trips last year, or even in January would have no idea BOG is now opened for breakfast. It was never an option when they planned their trip or at their 180 mark.

 

[tony609]

But how do you make sure that every pays? I think that was the intention with the current pricing, but there's no enfocement.

Sea world has Abbycadabby's pizza buffet. You just pay before you eat. You pay when you enter. They could do that.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

yes, but WHY? If people are looking for a cheaper, quicker b'fast in a "castle" then won't they be choosing BOG?
Plus, so many people are clueless about park touring. Seems they'd be happy to book a b'fast at BOG.
Sounds like Disney should make it a character meal, TS, and charge $$$$

They are looking for a hook. And as much as people are clamoring to eat a lunch or dinner there, there is no hook
That justifies the pricing for guests.

Something about the breakfast is unappealing.
Thus the hook of early park
Entry, is only as good as
The first few time slots of the day.

With lunch slots at 10:30 and beyond, without the early entry advantage ...

It doesn't take much to decide to wait an hour or two and just eat in the castle then when the food is better and (I think) less expensive. Plus, the elusive cupcakes are available.

The lack of a hook just has people seeking something better OR just deciding they can do without. We still have our lunch reservation in August.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

- Be Our Guest is not one of the hardest to get ADRs because of DIS folks. The general population that goes to Disney wants to eat there and when they open MDE and a breakfast drops down, they are all over it ............ but then they see the price. Disney set it with a TS price. They probably don't know Disney is not enforcing the "prix fixe" and so they don't book it. The restaurant is probably losing money at breakfast. How do you fix it? Stop breakfast, back to drawing board and bring it back later with changes.

- Not sure how long you've been going to Disney but CRT and CP are easy to get now compared to how it was 20+ years ago. Crowds of folks used to hover outside begging to get in.

- MK needs no more counter service restaurants. They are all busy but not busting at the seems. MK needs more TS restaurants because that is what guests are demanding. The DDP has driven up the demand. People like me that want to be waited on and a decent meal over a burger or chicken nuggets want more TS. I don't want buffets and I won't go to Tony's and I won't pay for CRT anymore. I'm tiring of LTT and Plaza ..... give me more TS. If you want a counter service breakfast eat at the resort before you go, land is too valuable in MK to waste on more QS. I believe the reason they are upping the food at the "windows" like fancy mac & cheese, waffle sandwiches etc is to bring more QS without investing in construction and giving up land.

- BOG needs to be 3 meals a day ALL TS. The kiosks need to be removed and repurposed at other QS so there are a couple "check yourself out" lines for those of us who know how to use them. Part of BOG problem is all the guests staring at the machine and not getting it done backing the line on the bridge.



- I believe it was their intention. They screwed up. They announced a prix fixe and then didn't implement it come payment time. How do you make everyone pay? Table Service.

I agree with you mostly EXCEPT the last statement.

There is no obligation for guests to order at any TS on property.

The only obligation to pay for each person of paying age are buffets and shows and pre-pay like CRT.

If I show up at an ADR,
I am under no obligation to order a meal for everyone and we do share meals sometimes.

I really do not think people aren't aware you could not share.

But I have seen multiple pictures of the offerings--if shared, at most they are tantamount to a snack. So I realize we could share. But I don't know if that would have made a complete breakfast for my party of 6 to share 3 meals.
It is still ~$10 per person with sharing. That is pretty hefty to pay and then still be hungry.

 

[supersnoop]

The same way they do at any other buffet.

With a kiosk, and no staff doing the billing?

 

[Princess Serendipity]

I would argue that what MK needs is better QS options as opposed to more TS.

The reason you want more TS options is presumably because the QS options do not appeal to you?

Just chiming in here to add that I'd also like some more TS options in the MK and especially, while I'm dreaming, a Signature that serves lunch. Not because the Quick Service options don't appeal to me (although generally they don't), but because I don't like Quick Service. I'm with Hopperfan- I want the actual Table Service experience of sitting down inside, being waited on, and having a leisurely meal instead of rushing.

I don't mind the Be Our Guest QS so much because it's a weird hybrid of TS and QS with a stunning atmosphere, and I hope breakfast service continues in whatever capacity Disney find works for them.