Coral Reef Now one TS?

[freediverdude]

formernyer, a 12 oz sirloin steak in place of the filet mignon is better than any food you've had at any other restaurants??? You can get that menu item very cheaply at any Ponderosa. Also, you presume to be the typical Disney guest??? How arrogant. Goodbye!

 

[formernyer]

formernyer, a 12 oz sirloin steak in place of the filet mignon is better than any food you've had at any other restaurants??? You can get that menu item very cheaply at any Ponderosa. Also, you presume to be the typical Disney guest??? How arrogant. Goodbye!

It was probably closer to a 14oz. NY Strip Steak and it was excellent. Coral Reef still offers the Filet Mignon at dinner. That part of the menu never changed. And yes, I'd rather a large Strip Steak than a small filet, but that's just me. I love both of them, but I'm entitled to my opinion about which I enjoy more.

And yes, I'm a typical guest. I'm not rich; I'm not poor. The dining snob arguing with everyone here (majortom) is not the typical guest.

 

[formernyer]

Can't help but notice that majortom is still hasn't addressed the opinion poll on the dining plan...

 

[dmillerdmd]

This is too funny. How serious this discussion becomes! I only checked this thread because we are doing the 'FREE" ddp on our next trip. In the past, we have done really nice restaurants because it made my husband very happy to go to WDW, and now he is hooked (sneaky me!). I will tell you that our worst dining experiences in Orlando are 1) TCHOUP TCHOUP and 2) Le Celleier GO FIGURE!!! The best were 1) Citricos and 2) Yachtsmans Steakhouse- YUM!!! it's really funny to read everyone's reaction to the "DINING" comments! Enjoy dinner everyone!

 

[majortom]

I don't care about appearances at all. All I want is a good meal and my opinion is that the Disney restaurants provide just that.

Actually, you seem completely focused not on Disney's restaurants, but on their table service restaurants. There are many counter service restaurants and off property table service restaurants that have better food than many of Disney's table service restaurants. I would rather eat at Wolfgang Puck Express, Earl of Sandwich, Dakshin (an inexpensive, excellent Indian restaurant in the Crossroads - 407-827-9080) or Chevy's (also in the Crossroads) than at Liberty Tree Tavern, Whispering Canyons Cafe, or Garden Grill.

Perhaps you don't find them to be as good as they were in the past, but I think they're just fine now and they're certainly a much better value for the money with the DDP.

They simply are not as good, not an opinion. Bulk Food with little selection replaced excellent full service menus.

You're the restaurant snob here, not me. I don't give a darn about appearances. I just like good tasting food that's also a good value.

Why then is it that you only want to eat at table service restaurants no matter what their quality and I am happy to eat most anywhere that serves good food and has good service. My favorite Thai restaurant in Orlando averages $6 a person for a complete lunch and $12 a person for a complete dinner with more food, higher quality and better service than almost any of Disney's non-signature table service restaurants. While I have been to Arun (a AAA 5 diamond rated Thai restaurant in Chicago), I would rather eat at Thai City in Orlando (Sandlake Road - 407-859-2168, reviewed here) or at Pam's Place in Venice, CA).

I can't help but notice that argue just about every point I've made other than the link to the poll on DDP satisfaction. I guess you just can't argue with the numbers? Clearly you are in the minority on this issue.

I did not respond to your poll because it is irrelevant to my point. I have never said that you or those that participate in these plans were unhappy with them. You may love them. It does not change my point on their impact.

Prius owners are universally pleased with their cars and will rave about how much they save on gas. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports and most other ratings organizations point out that because of these cars substantially higher initial cost, higher insurance premiums, lower resale values and higher maintenance costs, it is impossible to ever save enough in gas to offset these other costs. Just as these owners are happy and are sure they are saving money, your dining plan poll does mean anything in this discussion.

/carmi

 

[slcmkh]

Great thread folks. Very interesting commentary. My only observation here is that the comment (in so many words) that the DP somehow means that off site guests are less able to get ADRs for the TS restaurants. Whether DP or not, off site or on site, everyone has approximately equal opportunity to make ADRs. Granted, one must be a savvy guest in order to do so six months out, but you don't have to be an on site guest on the DP to make an ADR.

 

[majortom]

Whether DP or not, off site or on site, everyone has approximately equal opportunity to make ADRs.

Incorrect. Disney allows those guests staying at Disney hotels to make dining reservations 180 days plus 10 days. That means that those staying off property have less access to these restaurants then those staying on property.

/carmi

 

[formernyer]

Why then is it that you only want to eat at table service restaurants no matter what their quality and I am happy to eat most anywhere that serves good food and has good service.

Did I ever state that I only eat at TS restaurants? I had the plan...I used both TS and CS credits.

I'm done replying to your nonsense. Go find some more elitest snobs like yourself and you can commiserate on the demise of quality Disney Dining together.

 

[majortom]

Just because they've changed the menu does not mean they are sacraficing quality.

Actually, it does, unless you feel that they have dropped their prices and gone from a signature restaurant to a single credit restaurant and increased their quality.

(And ...the horror to make more money!)

You keep repeating this as if you think I oppose Disney making money. My point is simple Disney has made this change to make more money. You have yet to explain how they do this with cutting costs relative to prices or getting people to pay more than they would have for dining (either by leaving credits unused or using them for less than they are worth).

They do it so that others who might not think it a possibility and affordable reality.

No, they do it to make more money. In doing it, they have necessarily cut access to these restaurants to lower income guests. In this case, I think that it would be better for Disney's long term future to broaden its base, rather than appealing only to those wealthy enough to stay on Disney property.

Since you eat off property I'd think you'd get tired of defending...to be honest I don't know...your opinions (which lets be honest here....are by no means fact).

Actually, here are facts (if you dispute them, please provide some evidence): Only people that stay on Disney Property are eligible for these plans. People on these plans eat at table service restaurants more than they otherwise would have. Disney has not added any new table service restaurants. Disney offers its dining plans all year around, including during their peak periods.

Do you dispute any of these statements as facts so far?

Given that you and FormerNYer argue that these plans encourage people that use them to eat in table service restaurants more (seems fairly obvious, or do you dispute this), those seats have to come from somewhere. As we all know, people that stay at Disney hotels get up to a 10 day head start for making their reservations over those that do not stay at Disney Hotels. It seems fairly likely that those that do not stay at Disney hotels are most likely to be shut out.

Earlier, you seemed to be arguing that opening these restaurants to "riff raff" was a good thing, you have not responded to this point. Should I take that to mean that you are happy with that only if you are part of that "riff raff".

And for me I do not think any of your "facts" are true or the opinions of the masses.

Since you claim that my statements of fact are all false, please provide some evidence of that. For example, please explain how (during peak periods when every restaurant is full anyway) these plans can be more profitable for Disney without their either decreasing costs relative to prices or expecting people to pay more for dining?

/carmi

 

[majortom]

Go find some more elitest snobs like yourself and you can commiserate on the demise of quality Disney Dining together.

I find it fascinating that you call me elitist and a snob when it is you that lauds a system that cuts access to people without the means to afford to stay at Disney hotels. You are the one that wants to eat at only Disney restaurants, while I am happy to eat any where that serves good food and provides good service.

Ad hominem attacks are always a strong argument for one's case.

/carmi

 

[majortom]

Can't help but notice that majortom is still hasn't addressed the opinion poll on the dining plan...

Sorry my dinner schedule interfered with you evening.

/carmi

 

[majortom]

Having served for years - being guaranteed an 18% tip on a dang big check, from every single table!??!?

Actually, it is not from every table, just from those on the dining plan. If you had three dining plan tables and one that was not on the dining plan, that was ordering expensive wine, multiple courses, to which would you dedicate your time? Why would you not do just enough to make sure your guaranteed tips are not angry and focus your energy on the one where your actions are likely to have the most impact on your tip?

/carmi

 

[majortom]

And yes, I'm a typical guest. I'm not rich; I'm not poor. The dining snob arguing with everyone here (majortom) is not the typical guest.

Sorry, you are not the typical guest, as you can afford to stay at a Disney hotel and most Disney guests cannot. Actually, I count five people that argue that Disney's Dining Plans have had a negative impact, two (you and jj1403) that argue that they have either had no negative impact or, in fact have had a positive effect on most people, and two other that disagreed with specific points I made (one was an opinion on which we disagree [CathrynRose] and one was a disagreement over facts, that was easily refuted [sicmkh]).

It does not seem that your view is in the majority in this discussion.

/carmi

 

[majortom]

I will tell you that our worst dining experiences in Orlando are 1) TCHOUP TCHOUP and 2) Le Celleier GO FIGURE!!!

I am very curious what made these experience so bad for you? My experiences at Le Cellier have been mixed, some good, some bad, but my experiences at Tchoup Chop have been universally great.

/carmi

 

[n2mm]

Wow. I find this all rather amusing. I just wanted to know if the menu had changed!! Not start on argument on the merits of the dinning plan.

I really find it hard to believe (quote all the social scientists you want) that the dinning plan is some sort of secret plot to offering crappy food and crappy service. There are over 100 restaurants to choose from! (And there are also some that aren't on the list) As no one is being forced to eat on Disney Property and if someone is concerned about the level and quality of food. Eat else where!!

I like the idea of a dinning plan. I like paying for my meals in advance. I like trying to set up a schedule so if I want to eat at the "hard to get in" Cinderellas castle I won't be disappointed.

I truly feel we could go back and forth on this forever. I'm sorry I asked if the menu had changed at Coral reef!!!! I apologise to everyone for bringing this up!!

I thank you for asking about the menu. I took a look and was a little disappointed that the selections have changed since making my ADRs for next week. I was looking forward to the swordfish and filet. I just scrolled through the debate sections of this thread, as I really don't care (I have my own opinions of Disney since hubby was a CM for 8 years, but still visit 4-6 times a year--guess I'm a veteran). I am surprised that the moderators have not closed this thread since it's getting off topic, but maybe they have since I could only make it to page 2. We used the free dining in September and are now paying for it next week for our 13 day trip to WDW (DVC members now and can add it to our ressie). I found the free dining in September convinced us that this is a good deal and we gladly had no problem paying for it this time. (We are exactly what Disney had hoped for by giving it to us free the first time). (Of course, we plan to visit mid-August for a short 5 day trip to take advantage of the free dining too--staying at Pop.)

 

[slcmkh]

Incorrect. Disney allows those guests staying at Disney hotels to make dining reservations 180 days plus 10 days. That means that those staying off property have less access to these restaurants then those staying on property.

/carmi

My goodness. Somebody does seem to have a great deal of free time.

I said "approximately." I look at the advantage of on site guests to schedule 10 days earlier as minimal at best. I have been successfully scheduling changes in our ADRs for several months now since hitting the 180 day mark prior to our vacation, and have only had difficulty rescheduling Le Cellier. All other TS scheduling has been no problem, including park TS restaurants.

10 days is no big whoop.

 

[FINFAN]

The DDP allows WDW to offer a "land cruise" . While I have never cruised (fear of water at night) I wouldn't think that since the food is included in the package price that I would be receiving lesser service /quality than on land. It's a CHOICE people...read the menu's decide of your $$$ is best used in a way that WDW offers. No one HAS to book a room at rack rate and then get the free DDP offer...book on AAA and dine any way you wish. If you feel WDW has changed menus to accomodate the DDP free time frame, then travel at a different time. Our restaurants change their menus all the time around here...jack up the prices based on Mother's Day, Valentines etc.
Overall WDW is not known for the fab food...it's the parks. Commercials aren't drilling images of giant lobster at you...it's Cinderella and EE, Mickey holding your little ones hand. If you would like to vacation for dining experience, and at a place that never changes their menus...research that and enjoy. I know of NO PLACE that can meet every expectation, have no changes and do it all for a bargain rate...let alone accomodate which people are getting (their opinion of )the best value amount for their dollar. Sometimes it is nice to look at the glass as half full, y'know?


Pam

 

[majortom]

My goodness. Somebody does seem to have a great deal of free time.

I said "approximately." I look at the advantage of on site guests to schedule 10 days earlier as minimal at best. I have been successfully scheduling changes in our ADRs for several months now since hitting the 180 day mark prior to our vacation, and have only had difficulty rescheduling Le Cellier. All other TS scheduling has been no problem, including park TS restaurants.

10 days is no big whoop.

A one day advantage is all that is needed during peak periods for it to be the difference between getting a reservation and not getting one, particularly for popular places and times. If one compares like to like, (e.g.people that understand the need to book early staying on property vs. staying off property), those staying on property have a significant advantage. More importantly though, for those without that understanding, being told that one has 7 days worth of table service meals included in one's package, certainly provides some incentive to make all one's dining reservations right away, making it more likely that they will get what they want first.

/carmi

 

[jarrdisney]

Did I ever state that I only eat at TS restaurants? I had the plan...I used both TS and CS credits.

I'm done replying to your nonsense. Go find some more elitest snobs like yourself and you can commiserate on the demise of quality Disney Dining together.

It's unfortunate when you have to revert to name calling. Never once has majortom mentioned his status. How can you assume such things? Just because I enjoy fine dining does that make me an elitist snob? I can barely afford to make trips to disney, and save every paycheck to do so. You have stayed on disney property more than off, yet you assume so much about everyone else. Not only do I think that is not fair, but it's also completley off topic. As I posted earlier, the discussion is about whether or not the quality of service/food has slipped because of the DDP. It seems that maybe you are in the minority in the discussion. As majortom has stated the DDP actually hurts the lower income folks (such as myself) that can not afford to stay on disney property all the time. Disney is out there to make money...somewhere down the line with the DDP they are doing it. IN my experience they have lowered quality standards and changed menus.

 

[formernyer]

You have stayed on disney property more than off, yet you assume so much about everyone else.

Looks like I'm not the only one making assumptions here. Actually, the trip I made last month was the first time I ever stayed in a Disney resort and the only reason I did it was because the DDP for one adult and two children made it worth it.