BOMA -- You've got to be kidding me, right?

[NMW]

Not saying deluxe dining plan isn't a great deal for some (it's a terrible deal for me, I go to signatures but I wouldn't eat appetizer, entree AND dessert all the time.) Just that the price of it is going up along with everything else.

I'm not cutting back on TS meals. Just buffets.

I don't always eat dessert at signatures either. Sometimes I get the dessert for my daughter because she loves desserts and the choices for adults are almost always better than the kids choices, especialy at signatures. I do like appetizers however.

The only non-breakfast buffet at WDW we have ever done is Cape May Cafe's clam bake. I can understand cutting back on buffets.

 

[TDC Nala]

I like appetizers too, so much that I will often order two of them and no entree. Generally I don't want a dessert. Not good value on the dining plan. So I just don't do any dining plan and order what I want. It's too bad about the buffets (they used to be better, maybe back then they would have been worth $40) but I got tired of having Disney tell me which courses I could order. I have a TIW card now.

It's really only bothered me to give up Boma and Biergarten but there were some instances of cutbacks at both of those as well.

 

[AquaDame]

Holy moly that IS a big increase and may well be enough to stop us from trying this for the first time.

I can't see paying as much for a buffet as we are guessing we will spend at California Grill and Le Cellier!

 

[Tiger926]

So, I just called Disney to get accurate prices for Akershus breakfast buffet, as I think it might add to the discussion, since it seems people might be comparing prices and whether to eat at buffets or not:

Peak season - Dec, March - April and June - August $39.40/adult (tax included) and $23.42/child (tax included) BREAKFAST

Non-Peak season - most of January - February - May $35.14/adult (tax included) and $21.29/child (tax included) BREAKFAST

These prices are crazy for eggs and muffins, IMHO. So, All Ears has the surcharge prices on their website, since that is applicable at this time. You still need to add a tip on top of this as well. Holy cow!!! I wanted to get a price for something like Crystal Palace since it doesn't have a photo package, but my boy was helping himself to milk in the fridge, and we had a spill - LOL!

Hope this info helps, Tiger

 

[Ella's Mom]

I wonder what effect these high buffet prices are going to have on the servers' tips.

 

[TDC Nala]

Please, no discussion of tips on the main board - there is a sticky thread for tip discussions. It's the policy of the retaurant board that all discussions of tipping be on that thread.

 

[brunette8706]

So, I just called Disney to get accurate prices for Akershus breakfast buffet, as I think it might add to the discussion, since it seems people might be comparing prices and whether to eat at buffets or not:

Peak season - Dec, March - April and June - August $39.40/adult (tax included) and $23.42/child (tax included) BREAKFAST

Non-Peak season - most of January - February - May $35.14/adult (tax included) and $21.29/child (tax included) BREAKFAST

These prices are crazy for eggs and muffins, IMHO. So, All Ears has the surcharge prices on their website, since that is applicable at this time. You still need to add a tip on top of this as well. Holy cow!!! I wanted to get a price for something like Crystal Palace since it doesn't have a photo package, but my boy was helping himself to milk in the fridge, and we had a spill - LOL!

Hope this info helps, Tiger

*
HOLY *&(&(*&^(_{(!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought at first you were talking about dinner prices and I re-read it and it's BREAKFAST!!!!! This is ridiculous! What person in their right mind would pay that for breakfast, especially if you have a few children!

Further, if Disney lowered their price point, or kept the price point at the NORM, it would attract many more people!!! This is insane!

 

[TDC Nala]

What person in their right mind would pay that for breakfast, especially if you have a few children!

Those who are interested in the princesses, not necessarily the food. Disney discovered a long time ago that people were willing to knock each other out to see princesses while they ate. There was even a group brokering CRT reservations for a time, which is probably why you have to pay for that in full at booking now. (Tiger had a good idea to also check with a restaurant that doesn't include a photo package, but I'm sure while not as high, these will still be high)

 

[apcs]

*
Further, if Disney lowered their price point, or kept the price point at the NORM, it would attract many more people!!! This is insane!

Exactly why they are raising prices. They don't NEED many more people at certain restaurants. (From reading these threads and trying to get ADRs, I'm fairly sure that they have plenty of excess demand even at these higher prices). They are playing a yield management game, and I suspect Akershus will still be full for breakfast with the Princesses around the holiday season.

Not sure about Boma, but even if they are not full, they break even on this price raise with fewer patrons.

The trick is for them to balance the percentage of DDP users with OOP users so they continue to get OOP diners at expensive places if possible. If they go too high, they might find that they underoptimize the dollar yield by driving all the OOP spenders only to CS.

 

[mickaholic4077]

I ate at Boma for dinner on December 4th and the price was $32.99.

 

[Tiger926]

I ate at Boma for dinner on December 4th and the price was $32.99.

That would be non peak time, and you still need to add tax, so you are around $35.00. So, with the peak surcharge of $4.00 plus tax added on (I think peak pricing went into effect this week?), you are a bit over $39.00/adult (tip not included).

Tiger

 

[goofy4prez]

It's basic pricing strategy. Raise the price until you encounter resistance, then back off. If people continue to eat at $25, raise it to $30. If they continue to eat, raise it to $35. And so on until traffic begins to decrease.

As long as people are willing to pay those ridiculous prices, those prices will be ridiculous.

This is correct, in economics it's called equilibrium. This is where supply and demand are equal; both seller and buyer are happy with the price of the product.

For me, I'm no longer happy with the price and the product I get for my investment, and have been pushed out of the market this upcoming year for WDW. Sure we'll return, but just not in 2011.
I still love WDW, but it will not be on our vacation plans in 2011. We have decided to spend a week in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and also we are going to spend 10 days in Hawaii instead.

 

[Planogirl]

I haven't been pushed out of WDW yet but we've pretty much abandoned being onsite and we definitely don't eat at Disney restaurants as much as we used to. Until (if) more travelers follow our lead it won't matter though.

 

[Mamu]

One way or another we are all paying for FREE DINING.

 

[eliza61]

I honestly think that food is expensive at many vacations spots, not just Disney. I think it's expensive in Las Vegas, among others. I know that I spent over $100 for food at a Phillies game this summer and the only thing good were Chickie and Pete's crab fries (fries with Old Bay seasoning). At least when I buy food at WDW, I know I am going to like it and be happy that I'm there.

Aahhh there is a big difference though, first how long are you at a phillies game? 4 hours tops. So in reality you ate there mainly because it's fun. The original Chickie and Petes is within walking distance to the park so really you could have gotten a good sitdown meal within walking distance at a reasonable price. At disney, not so much, you're locked in if you don't have other transportation. I wish they actually had some competition within walking distance, maybe it would force them to do better.

The last time I was in Vegas, buffets were stupidly cheap heck we're staying at the Monte Carlo in a few weeks for New Years. The seafood buffet with some serious king crab legs is only 24 bucks, breakfast buffet 14 bucks both for adults and thats on the STRIP in a hotel, they're cheaper once you get off the strip. sorry but not even NYC has the nerve to charge 40 bucks a head for breakfast and of course the major difference is that when you go to a steakhouse in Vegas it will be actually worth the money you spend.

I'll trip report when I get back.

 

[Tricia1972]

I agree with eliza61 about buffets in Vegas.

The buffet at Bellagio is about $37 and you have things like Kobe Beef, Lamb, Crab Legs, shrimp, oysters, scallops, Breast of Duck, Game Hens and amazing gourmet desserts that are all pre-plated for you.

So yes, Vegas may be just as expensive, but you get amazing food for the price.

You can easily find food that is as good as a Disney buffet for much less than a Disney buffet.

In fairness of disclosure Las Vegas is a culinary destination and employs many of the worlds top chefs, that's not really Disney's calling. Also, it's much easier to not be a captive audience in Las Vegas. So the comparison isn't 100% fair.

 

[NMW]

Aahhh there is a big difference though, first how long are you at a phillies game? 4 hours tops. So in reality you ate there mainly because it's fun. The original Chickie and Petes is within walking distance to the park so really you could have gotten a good sitdown meal within walking distance at a reasonable price. At disney, not so much, you're locked in if you don't have other transportation. I wish they actually had some competition within walking distance, maybe it would force them to do better.

The last time I was in Vegas, buffets were stupidly cheap heck we're staying at the Monte Carlo in a few weeks for New Years. The seafood buffet with some serious king crab legs is only 24 bucks, breakfast buffet 14 bucks both for adults and thats on the STRIP in a hotel, they're cheaper once you get off the strip. sorry but not even NYC has the nerve to charge 40 bucks a head for breakfast and of course the major difference is that when you go to a steakhouse in Vegas it will be actually worth the money you spend.

I'll trip report when I get back.

DH and I have eaten at Chickie and Petes when it was just us. This summer we had the kids with us for both of the games we went to, so we just entered the park and ate there.

I agree that the food in Vegas is better, much better really, than WDW. I just commented that it was as expensive as Disney. Meaning we spend per person almost the exact same dollar amount, if not more on food in Vegas. I may be one of the few people I know that loved Vegas for the food and shopping and the casinos were only a secondary interest to me.

We vacation in Myrtle Beach every July and I would say that our dinners are on par cost-wise with what we spend on dinners at WDW. With the kids we tend to stick to places like Barefoot Landing and Boradway at the Beach and eat at restaurants like House of Blues and Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville. Our lunches are usually at the pool bar-proably a rip-off for what you get, but easy for us. The difference is that breakfasts are extremely cheap compared to what we spend at WDW. Pancake house type places...of course there are no characters.

 

[Eastern]

I learned how to make their amazing curry pasta salad years ago. Now if I knock out that carrot ginger soup, I'm never looking back.

Do share...

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I agree with eliza61 about buffets in Vegas.

The buffet at Bellagio is about $37 and you have things like Kobe Beef, Lamb, Crab Legs, shrimp, oysters, scallops, Breast of Duck, Game Hens and amazing gourmet desserts that are all pre-plated for you.

So yes, Vegas may be just as expensive, but you get amazing food for the price.

You can easily find food that is as good as a Disney buffet for much less than a Disney buffet.

In fairness of disclosure Las Vegas is a culinary destination and employs many of the worlds top chefs, that's not really Disney's calling. Also, it's much easier to not be a captive audience in Las Vegas. So the comparison isn't 100% fair.

However WDW at one point in the past employed more sommeliers in the world AND had top chef's from around the world (mostly gone now).

 

[eliza61]

However WDW at one point in the past employed more sommeliers in the world AND had top chef's from around the world (mostly gone now).

Remember when they use to use the sommeliers in commercials.
Dining use to be heavily marketed as exceptional.