Changes to Garden Grill and LTT

[bicker]

No offense, but since when does Disney make decisions based on what the public claims to want ? If anything, lately, it seems that all they're doing is taking things away that the guests liked - especially in the food/wine department.

I think that is a misconception. Rather, Disney is among the best at learning very well what guests want and do cater directly to that. Occasionally that does mean they replace offerings that some fans love, but fans are only a small percentage of guests.

If they're planning to move character meals over to DTD / PI, that explains a lot. DTD would be more kid friendly, hence more families would go, and would spend their money in the shops. I wouldn't be surprised if they turned PI into a large Toontownish shopping/dining center.

And keep in mind that folks have been clamoring for a fifth park. Well that seems very unlikely, because there is probably already enough attraction capacity in the parks they have now, but by turning DTD into more of a destination that most guests will want to spend a day at every trip, they've really hit the goldmine.

As usual it's all about the bottom line. How do we get guests to spend more money than they already are ?

Absolutely. As I often remind folks, Disney's first obligation is to their owners.

 

[TiszBear]

Does anyone know why Liberty Tree will no be having the character dinner anymore? I loved that and so did my family. I think that is a shame, that reservation always seemed popular.

 

[disnyfan89]

They feel that without the characters people will eat faster and LTT will have a higher turnover rate. This, when mixed with keeping the price of the meal the same and having less staff to pay will result in a higher profit margin for Disney.

You can however voice your concern about the characters and the overall lessening of the guest experience by signing the petition located in my signature.

 

[bytheblood]

For this particular restaurant, I think this is a good change, provided they are going to change the menu as well. If they keep the same tired menu, I do not anticipate the number of guests will be high.

 

[ellenmiele]

I think they should put character meals in DTD and keep the characters at LTT. I love the colonial theme of LTT but as someone above said, I don't think I'd eat at LTT without the characters - and it sure will be missed at the Christmas holidays!! Besides, isn't LTT the only character dining location in MK with Minnie (and Mickey?)) - or am I forgetting something - and I know Chef Mickey is close-by but it isn't in the park. Lastly, I love the idea of DTD becoming more of a "destination" rather than just a shopping experience.

 

[wdwfab3]

So, let me get this straight. Magic Kingdom, the home of Mickey himself, no longer will offer a character dining experience that includes Mickey? I find that very sad for the kids that really want to see Mickey and get his autograph. We do enjoy the Crystal Palace with Pooh and Friends, but maybe it would be more popular to move Mickey in there ?

 

[marivaid]

So, let me get this straight. Magic Kingdom, the home of Mickey himself, no longer will offer a character dining experience that includes Mickey? I find that very sad for the kids that really want to see Mickey and get his autograph. We do enjoy the Crystal Palace with Pooh and Friends, but maybe it would be more popular to move Mickey in there ?

Mickey was never at Liberty Tree. The characters were (are) Goofy, Chip & Dale, and Minnie.

 

[danielle782001]

Mickey was never at Liberty Tree. The characters were (are) Goofy, Chip & Dale, and Minnie.

and Pluto

 

[marivaid]

and Pluto

Oh my I forgot Pluto !!! Our fave ! Sorry Pluto

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I would love for them to turn LTT into a quality restaurant. Now, we only go before MNSSHP or MVMCP for the atmosphere. We definitely don't go for the food. W/o the characters, we wouldn't be going in Oct. We wouldn't go for Toy Story characters either. We wouldn't go for Toy Story characters either. IMO, the colonial atmosphere & costumes fit well together.

 

[disnyfan89]

Just really quickly to help clear some things up about LTT. As of July 6th, the Dining reservation system will be updated to show that LTT will no longer have characters as of Jan, 5th. Don't anticipate an "official" announcement through a press release to confirm these details. It would trivial for Disney to announce this minor detail.

As for the Toy Story Rumor, don't expect it to happen. They are taking away the characters and have no plans to replace them.

The menu and price (currently set at $32.00) will NOT change. They are keeping it the same to help maximize profit and turn around.

For those of you who say MK needs less character dinners I couldn't agree more. However, the MK also needs more sit down restaurants in general! Every night every restaurant is booked, including the majority of the off season. By removing the characters from LTT they are taking the cheap way out.

For those of you that haven't, I strongly encourage you to sign the petition located in my signature. This petition is to help save LTT because it is a popular character meal that both guest and the characters enjoy working. It is also ashame to lose one of the few character meals where the characters are not told to speed through the restaurant so they can complete their rotation. I understand if the MK needs to lose a character meal to allow more openings for dinner. I however feel that Crystal Palace is a better option. It can continue to offer its character breakfast and lunch with Winnie the Pooh and then convert to a non-character dinner. This is a win win for both guest and the characters. It just saddens me that Disney is removing an experience that the Characters absolutely love while keeping the dinning experience know to many characters as Crystal Prison due to the characters poor vision, size and speed at which they must complete their rotation.

It is not to late to Liberate your Appetite! Please sign the petition located in my signature!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Agree the root problem is the lack of decent eateries in MK.
Too bad they don't revert to CRT being at least one meal princess-free. But since BBB is right there, I suppose that will not happen.
I can take or leave a character meal. But I have that option of eating elsewhere, as we all do. (Haven't been back to CRT or Akershus since the princess takeover.)
It would be nice to see a trade off from characters at CP.
Since LTT has a character free lunch, I would think a character meal at dinner is not unreasonable. I suppose it is due to the popularity of the restaurant that really made this change. However I think it was popular due to the characters.
Yes, the LTT food is fine. But nothing Wow by any means. It is a good comfort meal. But esp now w/o characters, pricey. (But all restaurants everywhere are and will be pricey from here on out due to the current gas prices.)
It will be interesting. Another time where guests need to speak with their $.
You would think they could at least put Mickey and his friends (and actually use MICKEY) at Tony's. Now THAT is a restaurant with a bad food rep (at least here on the Dis) and could use a boost I would think. (Tony's is the one WDW restaurant DH refuses to give a second try.)

 

[disneypolybride2008]

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think Pluto usually appears at the Stitch breakfast at the Poly? Perhaps you could do a late breakfast and count it as lunch?

oh yeah, i got a pic w/ Pluto at Ohana's character breakfast!

 

[NOLA_Tink]

I don't think I'd want to go to either w/o the characters. We'll definitely be checking out LTT one last time before the change.

 

[Nancyg56]

For those of you that haven't, I strongly encourage you to sign the petition located in my signature. This petition is to help save LTT because it is a popular character meal that both guest and the characters enjoy working. It is also ashame to lose one of the few character meals where the characters are not told to speed through the restaurant so they can complete their rotation. I understand if the MK needs to lose a character meal to allow more openings for dinner. I however feel that Crystal Palace is a better option. It can continue to offer its character breakfast and lunch with Winnie the Pooh and then convert to a non-character dinner. This is a win win for both guest and the characters. It just saddens me that Disney is removing an experience that the Characters absolutely love while keeping the dinning experience know to many characters as Crystal Prison due to the characters poor vision, size and speed at which they must complete their rotation.

I couldn't agree with you more, a non character experience at CP for dinner would be so nice. We love character meals but my entire family has no interest in Winnie the Pooh for dinner. The restaurant is lovely and I'm sure that it would be a bigger draw.

 

[momross]

It is true about the lack of characters at the Garden Grill after 10/5/08... I personally believe that they should have kept them through 180 reservations but that is neither here nor there... Anyway, I have reservations at the Garden Grill for lunch on Christmas Day. We were eating there for the characters and revolving factor... not for the food.
We are going to spend Christmas morning at MGM and afternoon at Epcot... any suggestions? I was even thinking of Beaches and Cream for a fun alternative, since it sits between the parks.
Any favs at Epcot or MGM for lunch on christmas? (we are already eating at Hollywood and Vine on another day)

Thank you so much and good luck if you had reservations at Garden Grill

 

[danielle782001]

It is true about the lack of characters at the Garden Grill after 10/5/08... I personally believe that they should have kept them through 180 reservations but that is neither here nor there... Anyway, I have reservations at the Garden Grill for lunch on Christmas Day. We were eating there for the characters and revolving factor... not for the food.
We are going to spend Christmas morning at MGM and afternoon at Epcot... any suggestions? I was even thinking of Beaches and Cream for a fun alternative, since it sits between the parks.
Any favs at Epcot or MGM for lunch on christmas? (we are already eating at Hollywood and Vine on another day)

Thank you so much and good luck if you had reservations at Garden Grill

I agree that Disney should have stopped taking ADR and should have kept it open for those that already had ADR...I am so sorry that your plans were messed up by these turn of events...

We like Beaches and Creme.... BUT the only problem with Beaches and Cream is that they do not take ADR...I hate the idea of you wasting time waiting for a table...I don't know how mnay people will think of eating there on Christmas Day...But would imagine that many people staying at the resort will be staying at the resort for the day to avoid the park crowds and may look to eat there as well...But I am just guessing...

Tutto Italia is Epcot is very nice....Our kids like it because they will bring them pasta with the sauce on the side...This would be my choice on Christmas...

Our family also enjoys Sci-Fi at DHS for the atmosphere and simple menu...50s Prime Time is another good choice because the servers are fun and you can get an all-American meal there...

Good luck getting a new ADR

 

[Luv2Roam]

Not long ago someone posted a very nice, long, photo packed thread for an alternative to Beaches & Cream. Their thread was on The Fountain at either Swan or Dolphin. (At the Dolphin, I think. But do not recall for certain.)
Looked like a great alternative, unless you are on DDP. But apparently the Fountain accepts AAA membership for a discount.
DH and I also have unplanned meals at Big River Grille on the Boardwalk.