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

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

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.

I wasn't aware we could share at BOG breakfast. To me, prix fixe means every guest pays the same price. I assumed it worked like a buffet and everyone (except those under 3) had to pay. As others mentioned, when I first learned of the BOG breakfast, I checked out the menu and said, "No way. Too expensive for breakfast." Then, when I realized that I could get in the park early with an 8am, I booked right away for our July trip. The experience seemed worth the cost. Also, as others have said, I would not book a breakfast at BOG after 8:20 in the morning, and never on a day when the park opens at 8 am.

We have a reservation for 4 at BOG breakfast, and if we could just purchase two meals, that would work really well for us. We are not big eaters. From what I understand from this thread, I could do that without offending the CMs, or would it make me look cheap?

Right now we have an 8:20 at CP for our September trip, but I would gladly change that for an 8 am at BOG. We will have FD, and I would rather use a QS credit than a TS credit to get into the park early. I realize this statement is good evidence for Disney NOT to open BOG for breakfast during FD.

 

[HopperFan]

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.

I don't think you understand what we are saying in the sub-conversation. There is a requirement that everyone pays at some Disney TS, and that is the type meal Fearless proposed. Fearless was talking about a QS Buffet. Disney buffet everyone pays. Others were questioning how would you make sure everyone paid for that buffet when they aren't even making them pay the Prix Fixe (which by name everyone has to pay). I think it should be straight TS with a menu where you pay for what you order. They can then adjust the menu and prices accordingly so the fiscal result would be positive.

Disney announced BOG breakfast as a Prix Fixe. That means EVERYONE has to pay to sit. You either have a fixed menu with no options or as Disney presented a choice of entrees. No one shares or doesn't eat. Many are not booking it because it was announced this way and they assume they have to pay per person. Disney did not enforce the actual prix fixe so now tables are being booked and used with many ordering minimal, having a small breakfast only to get in early to park for pictures and getting to 7DMT and A&E. Later times are plentiful.

But I agree with your last statement, that sharing may not fill anyone. It depends on what you get. We did have breakfast (3 of us). All our meals filled so that we didn't even want the pastries so if we had shared and eaten the pastries we would have been fine. We ate late (it was our first meal to kick off 24 Hour Day and we'd been there 3.5 hours already) after many rides. But for those using it to get in early and be in line for 7DMT or A&E buying a couple plates to split is totally worth it. It's one of the few "pay for FP+" opportunities and probably the most reasonable one now.

 

[HopperFan]

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.

Maybe but remember that DIS folks are uber-planners. What we think is normal is not normal for most people. I know the deal and I am still one who has never booked at 180. I'm still booking eats 10 days out and even change them while I am there. Read all the stories of people who know people who don't book ADR early. My DD just came back from working there a year and she laughs at me now saying most guests did not understand they needed to book FP+ or ADRs long ago. I would say the majority of people do not book anything until 60+ days out. DIS is the minority.

 

[HopperFan]

I wasn't aware we could share at BOG breakfast. To me, prix fixe means every guest pays the same price. I assumed it worked like a buffet and everyone (except those under 3) had to pay. As others mentioned, when I first learned of the BOG breakfast, I checked out the menu and said, "No way. Too expensive for breakfast." Then, when I realized that I could get in the park early with an 8am, I booked right away for our July trip. The experience seemed worth the cost. Also, as others have said, I would not book a breakfast at BOG after 8:20 in the morning, and never on a day when the park opens at 8 am.

We have a reservation for 4 at BOG breakfast, and if we could just purchase two meals, that would work really well for us. We are not big eaters. From what I understand from this thread, I could do that without offending the CMs, or would it make me look cheap?

Right now we have an 8:20 at CP for our September trip, but I would gladly change that for an 8 am at BOG. We will have FD, and I would rather use a QS credit than a TS credit to get into the park early. I realize this statement is good evidence for Disney NOT to open BOG for breakfast during FD.

You are a perfect example of why many are not booking. $20/$12 Prix Fixe for QS. I would not have except I try everything once. I won't go back "to eat" or with late time, it was not worth it. I would go back for snack to share and get pre-park benefits. If they changed park open hours on me, I would cancel.

Yes, you can go in and order one meal for four people if you want and you'll get a refillable drink and you'll get a plate full of pastries. I even heard some are ordering bottled milk or juice and still ordering a cup for soda with one meal. So that family can spend $20 with no tip for a light breakfast and be riding 7DMT over and over before the park opens or be first in line for A&E or get the coveted photos of empty Main Street.

For you to eat you checked in with CM at kiosk, CM at head of line, CM in the interior line, CM at kiosk room (if you didn't order online), possibly pay at a CM register, your table was bused by a CM, you food is delivered by CM, the room and fountain area maintained by CMs and all the behind the scenes CMs in kitchen. How is that a wise money decision for Disney? It's not.

I think they realized once it was too late that Prix Fixe was too high from all the comments so they didn't enforce it and started the test. They added on some time to test I think in hopes all the talk, the summer guests and demand for more dining would help. Still plenty of open time slots.

No one cares what you order. Take advantage while you can.

 

[I M Fearless]

Yes, that is exactly what I proposed.

Have it as a sort of limited buffet, price it fairly, charge people on the way in. It could even be mainly continental offerings. Pastries, fruit, yoghurt, drinks are there already, maybe have a few well chosen hot dishes.

Nothing to compete too much with the TS offerings. Just a solid, quick, grab, eat, refuel, in and out.

Basically an alternative to snacks which is the only real breakfast offering we have now. If it was a similar price to a quick service lunch say $15 for adults they could still make money if they had it as a buffet and cut down on the huge numbers of staff.

People could get their own drinks and food. Just have people charging them on the way in and others clearing/restocking the food.

 

[supersnoop]

If they can figure out how to make everyone pay, then I bet it will continue. But it's probably turn into a pre-paid meal. Really, a pre-paid quick service? That just sounds far fetched. But we'll see what they can come up with.

 

[I M Fearless]

If people are so keen to get in the parks a bit before everyone else why doesn't Disney just make a "head start option" on the tickets for $10 a day. A bit like paying extra for the park hopper. They could just let people in to wait around for the rides to open. It's not really any different to paying for an ADR.

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

If they can figure out how to make everyone pay, then I bet it will continue. But it's probably turn into a pre-paid meal. Really, a pre-paid quick service? That just sounds far fetched. But we'll see what they can come up with.

Am I missing where they would have to do more than just announce the policy and enforce it? Every adult pays $19.99 and every child pays $11.99 or you can't go into the restaurant and forfeit $10 a head for no-show. No need to pay months in advance like CRT.

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

If people are so keen to get in the parks a bit before everyone else why doesn't Disney just make a "head start option" on the tickets for $10 a day. A bit like paying extra for the park hopper. They could just let people in to wait around for the rides to open. It's not really any different to paying for an ADR.

Demand for pre-park breakfast would drop. People would get confused and be mad they were paying for an hour with nothing to do but stand around. Most people don't want to get up that early anyway. I doubt it would be worth it for Disney.

 

[jlwhitney]

Maybe but remember that DIS folks are uber-planners. What we think is normal is not normal for most people. I know the deal and I am still one who has never booked at 180. I'm still booking eats 10 days out and even change them while I am there. Read all the stories of people who know people who don't book ADR early. My DD just came back from working there a year and she laughs at me now saying most guests did not understand they needed to book FP+ or ADRs long ago. I would say the majority of people do not book anything until 60+ days out. DIS is the minority.

I really wish ADR's weren't bookable to to about 60 days. With FP + reservations made at 60 out for resort guests it just makes sense. I am also one that never books 180, its just to far out and its such a pain.

 

[HopperFan]

I really wish ADR's weren't bookable to to about 60 days. With FP + reservations made at 60 out for resort guests it just makes sense. I am also one that never books 180, its just to far out and its such a pain.

Completely agree from the point of view that it would make more sense for us to not have to make such huge decisions that far out. 60 is perfect to coincide with my FP+ decisions. But am sure it's all part of the Disney algorithm that locks guests into a trip 6 mos out, the hard sell of the Dining Plan (look at the crazy when Free Dining happens,) which your dining location then determines your FP+ decisions - both dining and FP+ reservations are spreading bodies across parks and hotels and Downtown Disney (crowd control). It has probably also helped Disney determine some dates for Free Dining when they see high or low weeks. Booking both sooner than later creates supply and demand causing folks to be afraid to change or cancel reservations. Everyone thinks they won the lottery when they get the coveted seats on an attraction or in a hard to get restaurant and hold on tight. The frenzy makes them more inclined to commit their entire trip to Disney and they won't spend any time planning days away from property. While we are all free to not eat at TS or even eat at Disney at all (I've been there a week with minimal money spent on Disney food) they've brilliantly created a demand as high as or more than some of their big attractions.

 

[supersnoop]

Am I missing where they would have to do more than just announce the policy and enforce it? Every adult pays $19.99 and every child pays $11.99 or you can't go into the restaurant and forfeit $10 a head for no-show. No need to pay months in advance like CRT.

How can they enforce it when you order and pay at a digital touchscreen kiosk? And, reservations are really required except to get inside the park before it opens, so you can't base it on the reservation.

Regardless, I have a feeling they've come up with a solution and we'll find out about it after July 18th.

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

How can they enforce it when you order and pay at a digital touchscreen kiosk? And, reservations are really required except to get inside the park before it opens, so you can't base it on the reservation.

Regardless, I have a feeling they've come up with a solution and we'll find out about it after July 18th.

Couldn't they link reservation and pre-order such that you have to order the same number of meals as people (excepting infants)? And have cast members "assisting" at the kiosks? I understand it could be more complicated and require an extra person on staff which may not be cost effective, but I'm just not seeing a big problem with this system if Disney decided it was important to enforce the prix fixe.

 

[Ismo]

I really wish ADR's weren't bookable to to about 60 days. With FP + reservations made at 60 out for resort guests it just makes sense. I am also one that never books 180, its just to far out and its such a pain.

I am an "uber planner" and I do book my ADRs 180 days out. But I wish they would drop to around 60 as well. Every year I make my ADRs, and every year I have to move them around several times as park hours and park level estimates get updated and changed. We always do our best to guess which parks we'll want to do which days, but it always changes the closer we get to our trip. This next trip we booked V&As Queen's Room at 180 days and as long I want to still go there for dinner, I have to keep the ADR I booked at the 180 day mark. I would love to move it to another day and change a few parks around, but we're stuck now. Seriously, who knows where and what they want to eat that far in advance?

It's not as bad with this September trip. Two years ago we went over Easter and the entire week ended up being a level 10. We could barely get the reservations we wanted at 180 days and we definitely couldn't change them closer to!

 

[astronautmom]

This thread looks recent, but has anything possibly changed already? I see you referring to something about July 18-- It just allowed me to book an 8:30 breakfast ADR for August 4 and said I could place my order beginning July 5. We are 2 adults and 3 kids. Do you think it will allow me to order 3 kids meals and no adult meals? Can I add some pastry and/or fruit plate? Two of my kids hardly ever touch their breakfasts.
I had a lunch reservation for the same day and I just switched it because I read that all pre-park opening breakfast ADRs could get into the park at 7:45 am and with an 8:30 then we can let the 8am crowd get into the restaurant while we take our time walking and taking pictures. Right now the park is scheduled to open at 9am with no EMH.
Good plan, bad plan?

 

[sharonabe]

This thread looks recent, but has anything possibly changed already? I see you referring to something about July 18-- It just allowed me to book an 8:30 breakfast ADR for August 4 and said I could place my order beginning July 5. We are 2 adults and 3 kids. Do you think it will allow me to order 3 kids meals and no adult meals? Can I add some pastry and/or fruit plate? Two of my kids hardly ever touch their breakfasts.
I had a lunch reservation for the same day and I just switched it because I read that all pre-park opening breakfast ADRs could get into the park at 7:45 am and with an 8:30 then we can let the 8am crowd get into the restaurant while we take our time walking and taking pictures. Right now the park is scheduled to open at 9am with no EMH.
Good plan, bad plan?

You should be able to order 3 kids meals with no adult meals, but you will only get one plate of pastries and you cannot order a fruit plate. They don't do anything a la carte; just the plated items on the menu.

 

[baerchenland]

For all those looking for later dates than already open:

Looking at the Dining Plan 2016 broschure, I saw this:
Magic Kingdom® Park
Be Our Guest Restaurant (B,L)**

That would mean, they have already decided and Breakfast will be continued...

 

[dbramer]

i looked and could get an 8am for Aug. 1, so they must have extended. CP is a family tradition on Day 1, so I didn't grab it.

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

BOG breakfast has extended. Reservations can be made through 10/3, although it's been live for a week now and availability is slim or none for some days at this point.

 

[baerchenland]

Yes but my post was to those looking beyond October 3rd. If its on the Dining Plan, I would guess they already decided to extend it beyond...