Disappointing changes at the Tambu Lounge

[BCV23]

Pirate, of course of your examples only the 25.99 for buffets represents almost a 20% hike.

I'm not a business person at all but wouldn't your theory only apply if now everyone was getting APs and DDE? I will give you that a certain portion of the cost increase is likely due to wider distribution of DDE. But increases in costs, wages, health care coverage etc. would be a bigger factor I would think. But again, I've not taken a single business course in my life so !

BTW, do you like Antonio's? We had dinner there in Oct for the first time and I really enjoyed it. It's a favorite of our DS1 and DIL.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Very disappointing to hear. With all the changes at WDW lately, if it wasn't for our DVC, I'm not sure if we'd be going back anytime soon. It's a shame, really.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Yes we like Antiono's very much and the Town Tavern for a more relaxed meal (plus they have at least 99 beers always).

 

[TDC Nala]

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.

This may have been what was going on at the Wilderness Lodge's Territory Lounge, where they've gotten rid of the pizzas. The nachos were pretty good but really all they have left there is finger food. I liked eating at the bars because I didn't much like sitting alone in the restaurants.

Interestingly enough, they had "breads and dips" too...wonder if they're the same breads and dips as Tambu. Diana the bartender described them for me and they sound exactly the same. I believe all that was left on the menu was the wings, nachos and cheese plate and you didn't have the option of ordering maple barbecue wings.

I did say that after two of the north flight martinis I wasn't going to care what I was eating. The napkin would have tasted good.

oh, and another bartender I know says the drink menus are now standardized throughout the resort lounges. There are a few specialties listed on the first page, but other than that the menus will be identical at all resort bars. Doesn't mean you can't ask for something you want, but you probably can't count on too much inspiration from the menu.

I'm not a local, and I don't like this either. I don't know what difference it makes whether you're a local or not. They are pretty sure they can get more cash out of you if you're in the restaurant ordering an entree, so that's where they want you. I think the dining plan is greatly responsible for the changes in the restaurants themselves...and maybe they feel they have to get more paying customers in there.

It'd be pretty difficult for me to run out to France for a weekend every month or so. I'd rather not consider that option.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Nala, being local isn't necessary in seeing these issues but it seems more locals are probably apt to bar hop, notice price increase timing, notice the standardized drink issues that you mentioned than most tourists because of the frequency of our visits and the often single mindedness of our visits...You are certainly an exception (IMO) and I appreciate your insight, as well. We are not all cut from the same cookie cutter and I only try to share my perspective as a Florida local and part time Celebration resident.

 

[suzannews]

I was just going to add that I heard they changed the menu at Territory Lounge at the WL but saw someone else posted it also. I haven't seen the new menu yet but heard about the "breads and dips".

 

[nbodyhome]

It sounds like the bar menus are like the menus at many counter service and table service restaurants. Being local, I liked to try different places - but even Gasparillas at the GF is now mostly chicken fingers and burgers (they used to have a great philly cheesesteak).

The minimal diversifying they have tried (like the chicken curry at the Commissary) - yuck!

That is too bad on the bars, though - I suppose they consider it saving them some money. Not sure how, with fewer people likely to visit.

Denise

 

[bicker]

I suspect the research shows something like this: Fewer people eating at the bars equals more people drinking at the bars plus more people eating in the restaurant.

 

[Forever42]

How did extending DDE destroy the flavor of the DDE experience?

I was out of town for the weekend, so I didn't get a chance to see this, sorry.

The major thing that has happened is that there are no special lunches/dinners/teas now that DDE has been opened to all AP holders. Yes, there are the Jiko wine dinners, but that's open to everyone and I'd much prefer it to go back to the way it used to be. That's the "flavor" that I miss now.

Also, we can no longer use the discount on holidays, and we visit the parks/resorts on most holidays - another big point for us. Before, we were always allowed to use DDE on holidays. Now they're even cracking down on holidays like Labor Day.

And now the price increase for DDE.. we're just holding our breaths for the day it's cancelled outright.

And ugh for the Territory Lounge - that was another favorite of ours. Are you still able to order appetizers/desserts from AP next door?

 

[bicker]

Exclusivity is a major draw for things like DDE, but of course, that flies in the face of all the dissatisfaction that fosters in those who are excluded. I think we can expect to see exclusivity offered when there is a lot of extra profit to be made, but if something gets to the point where patrons are really getting such a "good deal" we can expect soon that either the price will go up, or the exclusivity will be lost, or some combination of the two.

 

[BCV23]

Of course the pool of FL residents must be much larger than that of AP holders so not much exclusiveness there.

On the other hand, AP holders are probably much more likely to purchase DDE than a typical Floridian.

 

[bicker]

Thanks for coming full-circle, all within a single message!

 

[BCV23]

No problem.

Seriously, the DDE price increase doesn't surprise or bother me. It is still a great deal for AP holders or FL residents who dine at WDW frequently. But I can't see anyway that opening the program to AP holders has led to a decrease in offerings at Tambu Lounge or the other lounges.

Perhaps it is just another cost saving measure. Order the dips for all the lounges and get a better price perhaps. Kind of like the soaps that used to be specific to the individual resorts years ago. Now only the GF offers soaps with the GF label on them.

At any rate, it is too bad.

 

[DisOrBust]

The logic that Less bar food equals more restaurant and bar sales may be aconsiderations at some Hotels. However, at WDW, where there is a "fast food" option around the corner should be factored in. In our family a nice drink and a light dinner would be the reason to go to the lounge. Take that away and it just pushes us to Fast food.....and our own drinks in our room...using our view....


Sorry but it just smacks of increasing the bottom line at the customers expense. IMHO the prices have gotten out of hand since we have been going yearly since 98. Actually we had a tentative trip planned for Febuary and I cancelled it after the whole 10 and up eat at adult prices...sorry but I just can not be that wasteful in good concience. The final cherry on the top was the CRT increase...There are to many places to vacation.

So I will tell you what it did to WDW bottom line, lost 10,000 in revenue that our family of 7 (mine and my parents) usually end up spending and has me considering Univeral again for the first time in 5 years/

 

[nbodyhome]

We are local, and the way Disney has gone with their food - I often eat my meals at Downtown Disney (Earl, DisneyQuest, Wolfgang Puck express occasionally, Raglan Road), when on property. The food is usually better and cheaper than what Disney sells.

The prices over the past few years at various restaurants at Disney have gone up significantly. Possibly due to more people having DDE, or trying to make up for huge hotel discounts, I have no idea. I would guess that if the dining program was too successful, they might either cut back on portions or raise prices elsewhere. DDE likely will still be a good enough deal to buy (a friend and I split the card), but it's a hefty price increase. Any more, and I'd not see a need to get it - I'd just make sure that we didn't eat too much on property.

Denise

 

[bicker]

Perhaps it is just another cost saving measure.

Perhaps, though that would indicate not just that it costs less to make the change, but it costs so much less that it is still worth it given how much business they'd lose. That does seem very plausible, given all the other indications.

Sorry but it just smacks of increasing the bottom line at the customers expense.

I wouldn't take such things so personally. Everything companies do is aimed at getting the best return for their owners. In reality, we consumers are empowered to tell companies exactly how to do things, by rewarding them by paying extra for doing the things we want.

So I will tell you what it did to WDW bottom line, lost 10,000 in revenue that our family of 7 (mine and my parents) usually end up spending and has me considering Univeral again for the first time in 5 years/

It is always a balancing act. With each change, a company is looking at a three steps forward, two steps back scenario. However, that still leave them one step forward, and since they see that path, they are obligated by law to follow it. The best indication of whether they're making the right decisions came out this week: Attendance at all four WDW parks increased by at least 5% over the last year, while attendance at the two Universal Studios parks decreased.

 

[DisOrBust]

From my understanding to find the "real " attendance numbers is near impossible.


I do take personally in the frame of "How stupid do they think I am".


Even IF attendance is up at what cost?? Free dining and room discounts??


The other factor I forgot to mention is "word of Mouth". I have directed many friends to WDW and CRT etc...That has changed. There is to much to do in the area BESIDE WDW. Before it was a no brainer, stay onsite wdw, seven days etc...I now say consider ALL your options.... Just IMHO. Not sayiing we will never go again buy I will not be renewing our 5 APs this year ans when we do go it will be more counter service and maybe eating offsite for the first time!

 

[bicker]

And lots of the folks I've chatted with are going in the other direction: Between dining plan and Magical Express, many folks who used to split their time between WDW, Universal and Sea World are now just staying put at WDW.

 

[nbodyhome]

And lots of the folks I've chatted with are going in the other direction: Between dining plan and Magical Express, many folks who used to split their time between WDW, Universal and Sea World are now just staying put at WDW.

It has always been Disney's intention to keep guests onsite and not go elsewhere. I think especially with the MYW tickets (I am not sure the dining plan is even as big a facotr), it can cost just $1.00 or so more per day after the first 4 days to park hop, as opposed to going to Uni/Sea World.

I have no doubt this is why attendance went south at Universal this past year.

Denise

 

[TDC Nala]

Take that away and it just pushes us to Fast food.....

yeah, we don't need no stinkin' entree.

I disagree on the drinking in the room though...I'd still rather drink in the bar. They just won't get drinks AND food out of me there.

If it had to do with DDE, wouldn't they extend the policy to the lounges at the parks?