Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2024 Edition

[disney-inspired]

I got to say that it's been very interesting seeing people defend $8 sodas and the $18 kids meals (not this thread specifically, more referring to the Cake Shop thread in the restaurant forums). I guess that's the demographic Disney is appealing to. For me, this is a 100% skip. The prices are delusional even by Disney standards and I doubt the cakes will be worth the price.

I can go to Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie for a whole lot less $$

 

[soniam]

I'm honestly not surprised about these prices because I live in Indy where the original ones are. And the prices are really high for Indy! We were thinking that if you took the already-high prices and "Disney-fied" them that they would be unreal. I will say that the cake slices are huge. I think it took me 3 sittings last time to eat the once slice of cake. And I am a MAJOR sweets person. But the "Choose two" thing with the salad and sandwich was not any bigger than a Panera serving. I felt ripped off by the price in Indy. I can't imagine paying this one!

At the locations here, it's not the kind of place you go just to grab lunch. You make reservations well in advance. Everyone gets dressed up. It's like bridal showers and birthday lunches and things like that. But there also aren't that many places to do something upscale like that in Indy. And there are so many opportunities in Disney for special meals.

It will be interesting to see if it becomes a "thing" at Disney that people are willing to pay super high prices for the experience or if it peters out quickly after the initial vloggers hit it. I stay at Boardwalk mainly and can't see myself even popping by to do a grab and go piece of cake for that price when there are just so many other good dessert options nearby.

The Indy prices are high. I think if they were just charging that they could get more business. However, they jacked up the prices 40-50% over Indy. It’s really insulting. I don’t see us going now. I had thought that we might try it, but I’m giving my cake business to Gideon’s or Amorettes instead.

 

[jade1]

(tbh... a ghost town themed restaurant would actually be amazing)

So would a sportsbar.

 

[Smugpugmug]

So would a sportsbar.

I agree that I would rather have the sports bar but the food at ESPN sucked. If the food quality was similar to Rix (which I find underrated, btw!) then I would've been more inclined to stop by.

 

[jade1]

I agree that I would rather have the sports bar but the food at ESPN sucked. If the food quality was similar to Rix (which I find underrated, btw!) then I would've been more inclined to stop by.

It did, and I'd still take it over this.

But indeed better food would be nice.

 

[SkyGuy]

I agree that I would rather have the sports bar but the food at ESPN sucked. If the food quality was similar to Rix (which I find underrated, btw!) then I would've been more inclined to stop by.

I think Rix is the worst restaurant on property! We’ve tried it three times and every time just gets comically worse. Last time (January), the place was filthy, all of our orders were incorrect, and when corrected everything was cold and not edible - ie, they probably brought us someone else’s food by mistake and then found our items and served them to us. When we asked for it to be corrected we were told that it would be an hour because the kitchen was backed up even though the place wasn’t even half full. We were comped for one meal- woo boy. I do agree that ESPN wasn’t the best, but there was always availability, it didn’t cost an arm and a leg, and it was entertaining for the kids.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I think Rix is the worst restaurant on property! We’ve tried it three times and every time just gets comically worse. Last time (January), the place was filthy, all of our orders were incorrect, and when corrected everything was cold and not edible - ie, they probably brought us someone else’s food by mistake and then found our items and served them to us. When we asked for it to be corrected we were told that it would be an hour because the kitchen was backed up even though the place wasn’t even half full. We were comped for one meal- woo boy. I do agree that ESPN wasn’t the best, but there was always availability, it didn’t cost an arm and a leg, and it was entertaining for the kids.

That's a shame because I was there in May (was staying at Coronado) and received great food and service. It just goes to show that these places are not consistent. I've had awful service at other Disney restaurants and other people swear they're amazing.

I guess a better comparison would be City Works at Disney Springs? Though I'm less inclined to go there because they removed my go to from the menu and service there has been iffy at best. I definitely feel rushed, like they want me to leave and someone more into sports to take my spot.

 

[SkyGuy]

That's a shame because I was there in May (was staying at Coronado) and received great food and service. It just goes to show that these places are not consistent. I've had awful service at other Disney restaurants and other people swear they're amazing.

I guess a better comparison would be City Works at Disney Springs? Though I'm less inclined to go there because they removed my go to from the menu and service there has been iffy at best. I definitely feel rushed, like they want me to leave and someone more into sports to take my spot.

Agreed! I love the beer flights at City Works, but their food is…just there. We like to sit at the bar, so we’ve never felt rushed. Maybe we’ll get a table next time and see how it goes!

 

[Smugpugmug]

Agreed! I love the beer flights at City Works, but their food is…just there. We like to sit at the bar, so we’ve never felt rushed. Maybe we’ll get a table next time and see how it goes!

I love the beer selection (probably the most varied on property) but the food isn't the best. They got rid of my usual (pour one out for the ahi tuna BLT </3) and everything else is just fine. I usually get a table as the bar is full every time I go and I've been rushed most of the time. It's like they know they want my table in and out ASAP.

 

[Gary Stocker]

I had zero issues with Big River and was sad to see it go..especially since nothing replaced it...except some food trucks for a hot minute. The beer selection was top notch (as it was a microbrewery) and you could find a good burger..and it was reasonably priced.

 

[adamreisinger]

So would a sportsbar.

sports? Who cares about sports?! (I hope a lot of people, tbh, since it's kinda my job)

 

[Elijah Abrams]

Will Disney World get tarnished by Hurricane Milton? I’m worried, because it’s Disney’s most profitable resort.

 

[Teamubr]

Will Disney World get tarnished by Hurricane Milton? I’m worried, because it’s Disney’s most profitable resort.

It's still early to know an exact path, but this one isn't looking to be as bad as others that have rolled over the "World". Hurricane force winds are expected to be very tight (7-10 miles) around the eye wall and that's when it makes land fall. By the time it gets to the middle of Florida, it will hopefully be much weaker.

I was there 2 days after Irma rolled right over WDW as a Cat 3 and the parks were open pretty quickly and most resorts had limited damage. Fort Wilderness (where I was supposed to stay) was the exception and had quite a bit of tree damage and took a while to reopen. They put us up in a 2 bedroom condo at Old Key West, so I couldn't complain.

j

 

[lowlight]

Will Disney World get tarnished by Hurricane Milton? I’m worried, because it’s Disney’s most profitable resort.

Does Bob Iger have a home down there? Upside downside, right?

 

[BrianL]

Will Disney World get tarnished by Hurricane Milton? I’m worried, because it’s Disney’s most profitable resort.

Yeah, as @Teamubr said, the hurricanes usually lose a lot of strength before reaching Orlando. That's not to say that there won't be some storm damage, some downed limbs and minor stuff usually. Of course, there's no way to be sure and I hope that everyone in Florida stays safe! WDW is probably one of the safer places to be in the Storm's path.

 

[soniam]

Yeah, as @Teamubr said, the hurricanes usually lose a lot of strength before reaching Orlando. That's not to say that there won'd be some storm damage, some downed limbs and minor stuff usually. Of course, there's no way to be sure and I hope that everyone in Florida stays safe! WDW is probably one of the safer places to be in the Storm's path.

Let's hope it loses some strength. I'm a little more concerned, since it might have less time on land before hitting Orlando than recent ones. Hitting from more of a west->east versus south->north. Still a little concerned, since I have a lot of friends who live in Orlando.

 

[bluecastle]

I give them a year after opening before they close -- those prices are insane, even for Disney.

And they are but a hop, skip, and a jump from the French Bakery in Epcot with some of the same offerings for less. (Assuming you have a park ticket, obviously)
These prices are outrageous. My DGD loves buttered noodles, but $18.00?? No way.

 

[BrianL]

Let's hope it loses some strength. I'm a little more concerned, since it might have less time on land before hitting Orlando than recent ones. Hitting from more of a west->east versus south->north. Still a little concerned, since I have a lot of friends who live in Orlando.

It definitely has a worse trajectory as far as Orlando is concerned. I hope that everyone stays safe regardless of where they are.

 

[fatmanatee]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843718249621385539

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843718249621385539

They and WDW seemed to wait a while before deciding whether and when to close, no? Perhaps they hoped the hurricane's path would miss Orlando by a wider degree