Disappointing Desserts at Counter Service?

[pschnebs]

I just got back from the World a couple of weeks back, and for the second trip in a row, I noticed something my fiancee and I weren't too thrilled about.

We noticed that when we ordered desserts at several park counter-service restaurants, we were given pre-packaged desserts (they even had the label from the outside manufacturer still on them!). The counter-service places at the resorts and the table service restaurants still appeared to have the desserts made in the Disney kitchens.

I'm guessing that the change has something to do with the DDP, since it seems to have only affected the counter-service restaurants at the parks; whatever the reason, it's really disappointing, because one of the reasons my fiancee have always enjoyed eating at the parks were the wonderful desserts.

Has anyone else noticed the change, or found any counter-service restaurants where the change wasn't made? What are your thoughts about the change?

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Yes, the desserts are hardly a mouthful any more -- which is okay, because once you taste them, you really don't want a second bite anyway. (The "brownies" are so dry it's hard to swallow!) I don't know if it was the DDP or not; if so, I think it would have impacted the resorts, too. In any case, I'm with you WRT being disappointed.

 

[Tricia1972]

We too weren't crazy about the desserts. In fact when we figured our CS meals when deciding to DDP or to not DDP we didn't figure on paying for desserts OOP.

If I want a specialty sweet, then I'll buy one separately later on. I hate to think of giving up my Dole Whip Float for a CS dessert.

 

[FoggyToad]

Totally agree with previous comments. I'll save my money and buy something appetizing instead of a bad tasting overpriced brownie!

 

[mom2my3kids]

Yep they could of took that out of the dining plan also the CS deserts are nasty and something most people don't really want..

 

[BadgerBruce]

I also agree. We especially used to love the carrot cake at Tusker House. I was hoping that with them ruining TH by making it a buffet, at least the "bakery window" would sell the old version of the carrot cake again. No such luck---the same pre-packaged little thing they switched to a couple of years ago! It would be great if they brought back decent desserts to the CS locations!!

 

[abminer]

I also agree. We especially used to love the carrot cake at Tusker House. I was hoping that with them ruining TH by making it a buffet, at least the "bakery window" would sell the old version of the carrot cake again. No such luck---the same pre-packaged little thing they switched to a couple of years ago! It would be great if they brought back decent desserts to the CS locations!!

I so agree! I *loved* the carrot cake at the Tusker House as much as some of the TS desserts.

Which CS places had real desserts was a big reason I chose some of the ones I did on my last trip. I know a couple other places in the AK have real desserts. Pizzafari has an apple pie type thing (it was just ok) and Yak and Yeti and Flame tree might have real ones too. In Epcot the desserts at Sunshine Seasons are GREAT. They have a bakery tight there and many choices.

 

[ElizabethB]

We had some kind of chocolate cake/brownie thing at Cosmic Ray's. It was inedible.

 

[jenfur]

We noticed the same thing. Most of the people in my party always choose the chocolate cake (which used to be really good) but now it is like a little cup of cake with a thin layer of chocolate coating on top. I tried the cannoli in Fantasyland, but it was dry and nasty. DH likes to get the frozen lemonade where it is available and the mango pie from Yak and Yeti counter area was good (as were the meals with it). The desserts at the resorts were much better though and I hope that doesn't change.

 

[gobo2]

Last year we usually asked for fruit and took it back to the hotel for the morning. I so hope that they still do this. Anyone?

 

[SnwflkCts]

I forgot about the cake at Tusker! gone! I think my fav was the chocolate cake though!

Now once at Columbia Harbor House we got the most fabulous apple pie! I noticed that they have an apple tart sort of dessert now.

Anyway ... OP is right that the CS desserts weren't much to write home about, but I did like to take the sugar free brownie from Electric Umbrella to eat later! At least it was packaged to save.

 

[TDC Nala]

Here's my opinion...the best counter service desserts are at the Land food court. Butterfinger cheesecake...

When I used DDP I brought home two bread puddings from Earl of Sandwich on the plane. They were good, too.

 

[simonkodousek]

Here's my opinion...the best counter service desserts are at the Land food court. Butterfinger cheesecake...

Yes, agreed! The parks in general are going downhill in terms of snack and desert options, but since Sunshine Seasons (I think the restaurant you mention) makes all of their food, it's still a good place to eat.

Mmmmmm... butterfinger cheesecake... *Homer Simpson drool*

 

[pschnebs]

I forgot about the cake at Tusker! gone! I think my fav was the chocolate cake though!

Mine, too. That thing that replaced it reminds me of one of those awful cupcakey things that you can buy at 7-Eleven.

I'll defintely have to remember Sunshine Seasons. All the food I've had there is pretty good, IMO...

 

[DOOM1001]

We had some kind of chocolate cake/brownie thing at Cosmic Ray's. It was inedible.

I've had that brownie at Cosmic Ray's and all I remember from when I was eating it was how I was comparing Disney CS food to Busch Gardens Counter service.There are a couple decent CS restaurants in WDW property but overall the quality of food compared to the Busch parks is not even close.This obviously has to do with the amount of people Disney restaurants serve,in 2006 Busch Gardens Tampa had 4.36 million visit compare it to Disney parks.Animal Kingdom 8.9 million,MGM 9.1 million,EPCOT 10.5 million and Magic Kingdom at 16.6 million and you see why Disney has to get outside manufacturers.Overall Disney does an OK job in my opinion but they always need to think about ways to improve the food quality.