Disappointing Changes at BWV/Boardwalk area

[crisi]

I think the DDP is a result of "variation management" and "mass customization" as well. So I think the root cause is misapplied management ideas - the result is the DDP and restaurant standardization.

 

[keishashadow]

We weren't impressed w/their rather pricey food selections anyway.

Will miss ESPN, liked the sandwiches & ability to grab a bite in the late afternoon before the bar crowd rolled in for the evening.

Guess we'll grab something @ CS in Epcot, sure won't be @ MGM unless it's a turkey leg.

 

[tjkraz]

I will miss ESPN. It's moving to Downtown Disney isn't it?

That's still just a rumor. Unfortunately it appears to be one of those rumors that has been repeated so often that it's being taken as fact.

The rumor is that sometime in '08 DisneyQuest will close and be morphed into an ESPNZone. If that does happen, much of what we know as DisneyQuest could remain intact. The ESPNZones scattered throughout the country have a lot of arcade and interactive games--they really don't resemble the ESPN Club at the BoardWalk.

Other rumors indicate that they will simply build an ESPNZone in a separate location at DTD.

But this is all purely speculative. Disney has never publicly given any indication that these moves will come to pass, and I don't see the elimination of take-out as adding any fuel to that fire. Sadly it's just replicating a move that has been made at other WDW resort restaurants.

 

[salmoneous]

It isn't the DDP, its "variation reduction" the big buzz in business.

Haven't you read the official DIS posting rules? All changes to food and beverage service must be blamed on the DDP, including changes to restaurants and products not covered by the dining plan.

 

[Desnik]

Geez. I never even thought about eating while swimming.

I rather be dressed and sitting down at a table when I eat.

These changes don't bother me.

You never get hungry when you spend a day at the pool?

 

[Boston5602]

In August we were hanging out by the pool at BWV and my 10 year old and I wanted to get something to eat. The two sandwiches they had at the pool , my kid was NOT going to eat ( neither would I ) so we end up on the BW eating Hot dogs ( my fav ) sitting out in the 95 degree heat . I thought I would drop the food going back to the pool , so I didn't want to risk that. We could not finish our lunch it was so hot.

I know the heat is not controlled by Disney I'm just saying people get hungry and it would be nice to stay by the pool to have a bite to eat.Where its easy and convenient , like someone said " hey , I'm on Vacation ! "

Are they trying out ways to get you to hate to stay at the resort during the day ,making you go to a park to even eat?

 

[bobbiwoz]

The pool bar/food service would go belly up if it depended on people like we are. We don't spend hours at a time at the pool. I guess we go to TL or BB for our major pool days. True, we've only been members since 2003, but we've never bought anything at a pool bar.

We have bought at Roaring Forks while at VWL. Something like that would be welcomed by me at BWV.

Bobbi

 

[dwelty]

DDP strikes again!

Lilstint, CUTE KID!

 

[Halle]

I know you haev to leave the BW pool area to go to the Boardwalk Bakery but they have wonderful sandwiches.

 

[JimMIA]

"No Take-out" at ESPN came on the heels of "No Take-out" at Olivias (a huge disappointment for us) which came, like a dozen other food compliants, right on the heels of DDP. You have to wonder if they are related.

Actually, DDP had been around in some iteration for quite a long time before these menu standardizations and other cost-cutting activities started. I think crisi's explanation above is sound -- but I don't think blaming DDP makes any sense.

And, for those of you who don't already know, Dumbo is grumpy with DVC because he got a nasty-gram from Disney legal...so you have to take his disgruntled comments with a grain of salt.

 

[jodifla]

It's obvious to me that the DDP is at the core of all things rotten in WDW dining. As an earlier poster said, they have to make up for all those deals people are getting, so now we're all getting screwed.

 

[deerh]

I really like the food at Leaping Horse.. We have older kids, and they like the pool or we like a "pool day" to take a break from the parks, so we like to walk over and get a bite to eat at the pool bar...

I think this really stinks, and is BAD PR for disney, dvc members and visitors to BWV...

Deerh

 

[scraptoons]

You never get hungry when you spend a day at the pool?

Who wants to spend a whole day at a pool?

I know there are some that do that.

But why would I want to spend a whole day at a pool?

Half of my post is not quoted here. I was stating why the changes wouldn't bother me.

 

[tjkraz]

Actually, DDP had been around in some iteration for quite a long time before these menu standardizations and other cost-cutting activities started. I think crisi's explanation above is sound -- but I don't think blaming DDP makes any sense.

What do you consider "some iteration"?

DDP as it currently exists has only been in existence since 1/1/05. Obviously changes like this aren't going to be implemented immediately.

Certainly Disney did sell packages before 2005 that included dining, but it was well known that they charged premium prices for those packages and their popularity was only a fraction of what it is today. The "free dining" packages--which unquestionably helped bring the dining plan into the mainstream for Disney guests--was first offered just over a year ago.

DVC members have only had access to DDP for 6 months now.

 

[Dumbo]

Dumbo is grumpy with DVC because he got a nasty-gram from Disney legal...so you have to take his disgruntled comments with a grain of salt.

Jim,

I have never gotten a nasty gram from DVC. Please don't confuse me with someone else.

Dumbo

 

[jodifla]

Food by the pool has been a standard at the DVC resorts. Where does one get food now if they want to be by the pool??


All these horrible changes really make my blood boil.

 

[keishashadow]

It's obvious to me that the DDP is at the core of all things rotten in WDW dining. As an earlier poster said, they have to make up for all those deals people are getting, so now we're all getting screwed.

IMO, it's the unauthorized pool-hoppers & mug re-users who are the true villians .

DVC was backed into a corner by popular demand, had to concede the DP to DVC members. Still confused as to why "renters" get the perc though, think it should be limited to members only.

 

[dumbo71]

Jim,

I have never gotten a nasty gram from DVC. Please don't confuse me with someone else.

Dumbo

Sorry Dumbo, that barb was aimed at the other Dumbo, Dumbo71.

There is some level of truth to what Jim states. I do have some level of anger towards DVC. I would, however, like to state that everything I've posted is my opinion based on my stays and things I've noticed. I'm not just making stuff up to bash DVC and WDW.

I've seen some resort bashing and other bashes on here. That is not my intentions at all. A big part of me still loves WDW and DVC. I guess I just need my faith to be restored a bit with some positive moves by DVC and WDW.

Sorry once again Dumbo. By the way I've never seen Dumbo post before.

I'm

 

[dumbo71]

Food by the pool has been a standard at the DVC resorts. Where does one get food now if they want to be by the pool??


All these horrible changes really make my blood boil.

That makes two of us. I'll go as far as to say BWV is now officially off of my list for DVC stays.

What is next, closing half of Stormalong Bay because they want to save on the cost of staffing lifeguards?

 

[ReneeQ]

We own at BWV, and while I can't say I'm heartbroken about the food changes at the pool and ESPN, it is disappointing. We usually take a pool day each trip, but on that day we make sandwiches and bring them to the pool with us in our cooler, along with some low fat pringles and some fruit. It gives us a chance to save some money and a break from the chicken strips and fries. BUT we live close enough to drive, so bring groceries with us. I know that's not an option for those that fly.

But don't think I'm signing the praises of BWV. I was VERY disappointed when they closed their kid's club. And I think it's absurd they don't at least have a small food court. They could even put it where the kid club was.

We also own at VWL and it's become our favorite resort, even though BWV started out as our favorite. Lately we've used our BWV points to cruise.