Disappointing changes at the Tambu Lounge

[Forever42]

My fiance and I went to the Tambu Lounge for dinner last night, we tend to do it about 1-2 times a month because we like the atmosphere after the dinner rush, and the food is very good and inexpensive.

Well, there have been some changes, and not for the better. The bar foods have been completely switched around, according to our server, because the chefs don't want the food at the bar competing with the restaurants. They sure don't, now! Apparently everyone's been complaining about it, as well.

We usually go for the wonton chips and the egg rolls, but last night they had "breads and dips" and were out of the egg rolls, but apparently they were smaller and very different. The breads and dips were served in one of those cone shaped metal holders that I've seen fries in, and had three dips: sundried tomato, baba ghanouj, and I think a red pepper hummus. The breads were a foccaccia and a crisp bread. These were completely underwhelming and very forgettable. There's really not much to say about them.

We also ordered the wings, which have completely changed as well. They're somewhat Asian spiced, and have three sauces - hot mustard, sweet chili, and I think a peanut sauce. There were 6 wings total (unlike a plateful that it used to be), and they weren't meaty. They were fairly tasty, but other than that, pretty unremarkable as well.

We didn't try it, but the cheese plate changed as well. We used to be able to count on it for a simple, protein filled appetizer (with pepperjack, cheddar, and swiss - nothing out of the ordinary, but good), but now it's changed. I don't remember exactly what's in it besides the fact that there's blue cheese now.

There is no flatbread anymore. I think this is one of the most disappointing parts - it was a large flatbread with pulled pork, cheese, pineapple, and cilantro. Very delicious (could rival those at CG) and inexpensive. There's no replacement for it.

We told our server that we wouldn't be coming back, and she said she'd been hearing many people say that. This was one of our very favorite dinner places, and now that's been taken away. I now remember that I noticed the appetizer menus at the Outer Rim and Victoria Falls had changed completely as well, but we hadn't tried anything at either place.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Another slap at local business. 'Ohana, while still very good apparantely, especially to those who've never been there before, ain't what it used to be. How long before they have hamburger and fries on the regular menu?

Also, over the last year I've notices the price of the drinks increase while the sizes have gotten much smaller. Tsk, tsk, tsk ... But those scalloped potatos sure are good!

 

[bicker]

This reflect a very strong trend in the industry, backed-up by substantial research: Bar menus have been having significant negative impact on core restaurant sales, and since the bar exists to serve the restaurant, the restaurant gets to call the shots in this regard.

 

[Peter Pirate]

I don't think Forever42 or I would argue that fact bicker...Still doesn't make it consumer friendly or a sound long range plan for WDW.

 

[bicker]

I agree, it's definitely NOT consumer-friendly. However, that doesn't mean it is a poor long-range plan.

 

[BCV23]

I don't see how this is a loss for the locals anymore than it is for all of us who frequent the Polynesian.

But it sure is a shame.

 

[Betsyt82]

Well that just stinks!!! Some how I can't imagine that there is a great flocking to the lounge that would cause the other restaurants to loose people. I say that when there are many times you can't get a ADR for the other restaurants. Oh well.

 

[Peter Pirate]

No, it doesn't mean it 'makes it a poor long range plan' and this argument can certainly not be much more than speculation but the way Disney is alienating the local, especially the true local like Forever42 is very disturbing. The locals, including Florida and part time Central Florida locals like myself, have saved WDW's butt on numerous occasions (IMO) by patronizing favorite Parks and haunts over and over and over again, mostly during low times at reduced prices in return for the loyalty. Currently many are finding other places to spend their discretionary dollar. City Walk is way more local friendly than WDW as is USF, btw. I have a home in Celebration and these local freindly restaurant etablishments now get at least one visit from me instead of WDW, twice monthly. I'm sure other locals have other stories, but the point is why chase us away? Profit is always the motive but short term thinking can be dangerous. Another terrorist strike and WDW will need locals again and many of them may have comfortably moved on to other spots...

 

[Forever42]

I'm nervously starting to agree - we're still relatively new "Disney locals" (only had our passes two full years now), but the changes we've seen in that short time are serving to push us away.

One of the worst was the change in DDE from FL residents to all AP holders - it destroyed the flavor of the program. And with all of these menu changes and some restaurants going downhill, we're slowly prepping ourselves for when we may not be going as often.

We probably won't turn to Universal/IoA, though, because we've had APs there in the past and just weren't thrilled with it.

I do understand that the restaurants don't want to be competing with the bars (seeing as how we've eaten at the Tambu Lounge more than Kona and 'Ohana put together), but I think this is a bad way to go about it. It's not going to push us into going to the other restaurants at the Polynesian more often, it's just going to push us away.

 

[bicker]

You strike me as a very loyalty-motivated patron, Peter. Patrons like that are comparatively few-and-far-between. More generally, if there is another terrorist strike that undercuts patronage across-the-board, Disney will offer incentives, and that will bridge the gap for the vast majority of folks, who are driven more by getting the best they can now, without regard to what any specific provider gave them in the past.

 

[DreaminDisney]

That's too bad. Sure does seem like a lot of changes lately.

Hopefully we won't be seeing anymore "Not for the better" ones anytime soon.

 

[goodeats]

I remember when the menu at the Territory Lounge was unique and themed toward the Wilderness Lodge. Now it's just one of those booklets you'd see at Claim Jumpers or any other chain restaurant. They had one page of WL drinks and the rest is what I suspect they had at every other lounge in the world.

 

[bavaria]

Forever42, once again we are on the same page....

I am concerned about a number of changes that I have seen recently on menus. I am all for seasonal changes in menus, or rotating out items, but a lot of the changes seem to be with an eye to reducing food cost.

While I understand the business side of that, many CMs have speculated (and I tend to agree) that it is to offset the dining plan. While the dining plan has filled hotel rooms, it has also had an impact on food cost and dining revenues, and I imagine that we are seeing changes as a result.

Having said that, I realize that WDW is a business. I also realize however that there are many types of travellers, and like you, I have changed from a guest looking for a budget experience to one looking for quality and uniqueness in my dining experience. (A good portion of my vacations now include time to enjoy good quality meals)

I am curious to see how things continue to 2006, and if we will continue to see significant changes to menus around WDW.

 

[bicker]

What would be interesting to see is if an alternative destination presents itself, where the limited number of folks who have very high or specific culinary standards can get their Disney along with their unique food preferences. In a way, that's probably what Disneyland Paris could be. The food there is excellent, and doesn't reflect the preferences of the vast majority of American guests. (By the same token, I suspect that the food there, though truly excellent, does reflect a somewhat narrow view of culinary breadth, i.e., that of the vast majority of French guests.) It could very well be worth the extra money, for folks who have very high culinary standards, to look into that option.

 

[bavaria]

What would be interesting to see is if an alternative destination presents itself, where the limited number of folks who have very high or specific culinary standards can get their Disney along with their unique food preferences. In a way, that's probably what Disneyland Paris could be. The food there is excellent, and doesn't reflect the preferences of the vast majority of American guests. (By the same token, I suspect that the food there, though truly excellent, does reflect a somewhat narrow view of culinary breadth, i.e., that of the vast majority of French guests.) It could very well be worth the extra money, for folks who have very high culinary standards, to look into that option.

Interesting! I am actually looking into a trip to DLRP in 2006 as opposed to my frequent WDW trips. Part of my research is considering dining options. I will be honest that I am looking at European reviews and sites, mainly because I am from Germany and do want to hear about DLRP from a European viewpoint.

For instance, it has been interesting to read reviews from Germans about the German restaurant in DLRP.

 

[BCV23]

How did extending DDE destroy the flavor of the DDE experience? I think those of us who have had APs for many years continued to give WDW business after 9/11. We make 3 or 4 long week or longer trips each year including 2001/2002 and dine almost exclusively at TS restaurants. I think DDE is a great benefit for those of us who are loyal to WDW but live further away.

Or perhaps it should only be available to diners with APs....as in each diner must show an AP to use the DDE card. Now that might improve the flavor of the program.

 

[Peter Pirate]

It hurt us because at the same time AP'ers were offered the 20% discount most all prices at WDW restaurants were raised by 20% (within a very short period of time) thus eliminating the savings we had been receiving. To be sure we are still gettting our 20% off along with the AP'ers and it's better than the poor schmow's who are paying full but the move was very transparent to us. Again, I think locals tend to notice the little price changes more because we're going more frequently.

 

[BCV23]

Oh, I noticed a price increase as well although I would not have pegged it at 20% across the board. Also noticed a similar jump maybe a year or so after 9/11. But we probably eat around 55-60 meals a year in TS restaurants at WDW...more during years we go four times. So I imagine we dine there as often as many locals. Not sure why those of us who go often but live farther away should not share in the discount.

The menu selection changes themselves have been later in this year IMO. I suspect the MYW plan would have far more to do with that although that is a guess. The DDE would only have affected that if visitors were less discriminating than locals which I seriously doubt The rest of the world has good restaurants too.

 

[nbodyhome]

The food prices have definitely gone up substantially over the past few years. Some restaurants more than others.

I am a local, and I tend to go more to the non-Disney owned restaurants on property - such as Cheesecake Factory express, Earl of Sandwich, Wolfgang Puck Express (I've not been to the latter in a while, since Earl opened). The food tends to be better, fresher and often less expensive. I do like Morocco and the fast food Boardwalk restaurant, for value and freshness as well as a few others that are Disney owned. Raglan Road rocks, too.

I didn't even realize you could get appetizers at the bar at the Poly - it's too bad they've stopped, though. Instead of making some money, they will likely make none from yourself. IMHO, if someone wants to eat at Ohana, they will. If not, at least this way the lounge can made a bit of extra money.

Denise

 

[Peter Pirate]

BVC I'm not saying you shouldn't get the discount...I'm saying we lost ours when it was given further distribution, that's all.

The prices weren't strictly across the board but the buffets like Boma and 'Ohana jumped from 21.99 to 23.99 (now they're at 25.99!!!). The NY strip at FF jumped from35.00 to 38.00 and so on...But if you could look at the prices say 3 months before the DDE card was given to Ap'ers and 3 months afterward, I'd bet my bottom dollar you'd see a darn near, too close for comfort 20% price hike.