Drops in quality have changed our Dining Plans

[sportears]

To my wife and I, dining at WDW is as much apart of the Disney experience as going to the parks. For the past 10 years, we've tried as many Disney Restaurants as possible, though always save room for return trips to our favorites. We've come to the conclusion, however that the OVERALL food quality at most of the restaurants has dropped somewhat in the past few years. I have a few theorys why, one being basic cost cutting.

In the past, Disney offered late summer/fall discounts to its packages. Now, the same discounts are being offered, but they are just giving food away instead. There are only a few restaurants that we've found where the food quality hasn't dropped. For the most part, they are the signature restaurants. I think Disney knows that very few people will give up 2 tables service meals for one meal at a signature restaurant. Most people will pay for those out of there pocket.

From now on, our dining program consist of the following: we normally stay 4 nights/5 days during the fall. Using the free food upgrades, we will not use the dining program for breakfasts. We will bring snacks with us from home. All lunches will be counter service. With 4 Table service meals we will eat at 2 signature restaurants for dinner. We will eat two other Table Service dinners at a few of our other favorite restaurants and pay for those out of our pocket. Our last dinner is always at the airport on our way out.

 

[scanne]

Just out of curiosity, which restaurants do you feel have maintained their quality where others have slacked off?

Thanks.

 

[jarrdisney]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Most believe that the decline goes hand in hand with the DDP. I am curious what restaurants you feel have not been impacted? I have yet to dine at Narcossees or Artist Pointe. I've pretty much hit every other restaurant.

 

[bicker]

There are only a few restaurants that we've found where the food quality hasn't dropped. For the most part, they are the signature restaurants.

Just out of curiosity, which restaurants do you feel have maintained their quality where others have slacked off?

The signature restaurants are Artist Point, California Grill, Citricos, Narcoossee, Flying Fish, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Jiko, and Brown Derby.

 

[bavaria]

Spoodles is an example of a menu revision which occured after the DDP became popular. A number of items which made the restaurant somewhat unique at WDW and were in keeping with the original theme of the restaurant are gone, and the menu is pared down. (I will admit that I have not eaten there since Oct 05, so the menu may have improved, but I have not heard that is the case)

Is this due to the DDP? I was a regular there for years, and some of the long term CMs volunteered this information to me (I did not ask if the DDP had the impact; when I mentioned the chagnes they said taht it was due to the DDP). A manager was adamant that the reduction in menu was not due to the DDP (but the same manager insisted that there were never bussers there, and the chagne to servers bussing their own tables was not new; same manager denied that the banana nut french toast was ever on the menu)

I cannot say that it ws in direct relation to the DDP, but I have certainly seen menu changes in some restaurants which indicate an even greater emphasis on reducing food cost.

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

Compared to the food at WDW in the early to mid 80's the food there now is outstanding! Even if in decline it isn't anywhere near as bad as it was then!

 

[kbmoo]

I've eaten at quite a few of the resturants. The food is good but expensive for what you get. I am so excited for the ddp because I will get to sample the appetizers and desserts. The food is good quality but not wonderful.

 

[ElizabethB]

Sportears --

I agree wholeheartedly, and I think the popularity of DDP is the reason. Ultimately, the food will fall to the level of a mass-market cruise line, IMO. Plenty of food and none of it very good.

 

[bicker]

Spoodles is an example of a menu revision which occured after the DDP became popular.

Actually, many of the changes pre-dated the Dining Plan. Many changes started once Marianne Hummel and her crew moved on to other assignments. There were comments back in February 2005 about the menu revisions.

but expensive for what you get

That pretty-much defines Walt Disney World -- hotel rooms, restaurants, admission tickets, souvenirs, etc. -- except for the fact that it is Disney, and holds an attraction just because of how special the location is.

 

[bavaria]

I agree somewhat Bicker, but there were changes which occured between May and August 2005, too - those were the specific ones I noticed.

 

[majortom]

That pretty-much defines Walt Disney World -- hotel rooms, restaurants, admission tickets, souvenirs, etc. -- except for the fact that it is Disney, and holds an attraction just because of how special the location is.

Actually, Disney used to charge less for most items in its parks than Six Flags, Kings Island, etc even if its admission prices were higher. We used to note how often it kept prices below "the pain threshold", something I find no longer to be true.

I certainly find most restaurants at Disney World to be inferior to what they were from 1987-2000 or so.

I think that Disney's Dining Plan is not completely responsible, but certainly has hastened it decline.

I also think that Disney is at risk of becoming irrelevant. Disney ceded the younger market to Nickelodeon and has let its parks rot. I have had more problems with rude cast members this year than all other previous years combined. People used to go to Disney World because their kids asked for it. Now, it seems quite often, people are going because they want to go and think their kids will like it. I think that Disney's real risk is that when today's kids are parents, they will not have enough positive experiences to bother taking their kids

/carmi

 

[Mamu]

I agree wholeheartedly about whats happening at the Disney Restaurants. I also feel it's not just Disney I'm finding this to be the case in so many restaurants.

I've crossed of so many of my used-to-be favorites because there have become no better then the counter serve restaurants, but your paying 4 times more. Maybe it's the Dining Plan or maybe it just the over-all pre-packaged, almost tasteless food that so restaurants are serving these days.

I still enjoy the signature restaurants but am finding even some of them are changing.

There a saying "Carbs from Heaven, Carbs from H***" Not that vacations were even great for your overall dietary needs. But it's getting harder and harder to avoid those Carbs from H***. We as Americans have settled for a fast food life style that does nothing but pack on pounds and hold no nutritional value. You have only to look around at whats happening to our overweight society and realize something is definitely wrong.

While the Magic Kingdom was never a culinary delight, I'm also finding Epcot to be headed in the same direction. World Showcase has been going downhill for years. The only good restaurants have become the resort signature restaurants. So use those 2 credits and get yourself a good meal.

 

[bicker]

Actually, Disney used to charge less for most items in its parks than Six Flags, Kings Island, etc even if its admission prices were higher.

Not in my experience!

I certainly find most restaurants at Disney World to be inferior to what they were from 1987-2000 or so.

I think Disney is adjusting to its market. I know a lot of folks who were very uncomfortable with what they felt was frou-frou food at WDW.

I also think that Disney is at risk of becoming irrelevant.

No, not at all. It is as relevant today as ever, in the realm of theme parks, as Universal and the second-tier offerings fall further behind.

 

[davisaim855]

People used to go to Disney World because their kids asked for it. Now, it seems quite often, people are going because they want to go and think their kids will like it. I think that Disney's real risk is that when today's kids are parents, they will not have enough positive experiences to bother taking their kids

/carmi

Well, I am certainly not a big Disney person, My husband and I both have only been once in our lives and that was when we were little kids, but I do want to say that the quote above definitely pertains to us. We have 2 boys, ages 10 and 9, who have never expressed an interest in going to Disney World (but they watch the Disney Channel avidly, lol!). Even now, less than 48 hours until our 10-day trip that has been planned for 2 months, they are only lukewarm excited; more excited about watching Dad skydive in Deland and going to Skyventure. For 2 boys who are counting the days until their 16th birthday so they can skydive themselves, I really wonder if DW will pack a punch for them? I loved it as a kid. Of course, we're doing Universal, as well as just about everything else there is to do. I am going to ve over-the-moon excited about Disney just because I love the whole "larger then life" feel about the whole thing, DH will be thrilled because we'll get to eat something other than the spaghettios we've been eating for the past 2 months to save up to go, LOL. Other than that, I hate to say, but my boys haven't even seen any of the "classic" Disney movies all the way through, they always got bored.

We are planning trips to Bridge Day in West Virginia (A day when BASE jumping is actually legal, lol); yes, we will just watch as much as DH will hate it, lol. We are also going to Salem, Mass for Halloween this year. I must say, the kids are more excited about those trips. I really hope they change their minds once we get to DW though, if for no other reason but because I spent so much darn money on this trip, lol!

 

[bicker]

never expressed an interest in going to Disney World

That describes my parents as well, but they raised their children in the 1970s. I don't think there has ever been an institution that everyone, uniformly, considered relevant to their life, so I wouldn't expect it of Disney, ever.

 

[jimmytammy]

I think our overall experience of eating in WDW has been very good since '99. With that said, we have had hit and miss experiences. A good example is San Angel Inn. We have been there when it is really good and other times when I would just as soon eaten somewhere else. Le Cellier, though it is one of our favs, again has been hit or miss recently.

On the other hand, Ohanas to me has improved. Im not so crazy about the menu change, like rice for potatoes, but it has been consistently good our last 3-4 trips.

I hope the DP doesnt affect WDW the way that others feel it has. I guess for me personally, time will tell.

 

[traviesojmt]

Actually, Disney used to charge less for most items in its parks than Six Flags, Kings Island, etc even if its admission prices were higher. We used to note how often it kept prices below "the pain threshold", something I find no longer to be true.

I certainly find most restaurants at Disney World to be inferior to what they were from 1987-2000 or so.

I think that Disney's Dining Plan is not completely responsible, but certainly has hastened it decline.

I also think that Disney is at risk of becoming irrelevant. Disney ceded the younger market to Nickelodeon and has let its parks rot. I have had more problems with rude cast members this year than all other previous years combined. People used to go to Disney World because their kids asked for it. Now, it seems quite often, people are going because they want to go and think their kids will like it. I think that Disney's real risk is that when today's kids are parents, they will not have enough positive experiences to bother taking their kids

/carmi

Disney won't lose us. Our family loves it. We were there 12 days last summer and will be there 10 days in Aug. I have to say that I must just be in my own world when we go to WDW. The crowds to do not bother me. I think the food is great overall. Sure some are better than others but that is to be expected. I find people to be pleasant. I read a post yesterday that said they are expecting pre-911 crowds this summer. Can't vouch that this is true, but if it is then I think Disney is just as alive and well as ever.

 

[webray]

Hubby and I agree with you 100%. The quality of food/service in Disney's restaurants has declined greatly through the years. From food courts on up, if you are a regular visitor to WDW and its restaurants you can definately tell a difference.

The only ones that stay at the top of their game are Artist Point, Jiko, Flying Fish and V&A's. Other than that..it is the luck of the draw.

Now, the new Raglan Road, while not a disney owned restaurant, is outstanding. Fresh at the Dolphin, again, not disney owned and is fantastic.

 

[firemanx]

somethingthing to remember when looking @ the restaurants.

Menus have been pared down, and i think some of this has to do with the food cost of alot of produce, and seafood. The gulf coast and East coast have both been hit hard by huricanes and such natural disasters over the last 4-6 yrs that alot fo produce and seafood has increased so high that in order for disney to turn a profit on these items they would have to charge outrageous prices. I read a story about a yr ago where wendy's removed tomatoes on there sandwhiches, and was charging .29 a slice of tomatoe for sandwiches. Also i work in the restaurant biz for a large corprate place, and the procude itself has fallen off in quality. Theres been days when we have gotten 4 cases of tomatoes, and had to return 2 because they were not ripe yet, over decayed, or just bad quality. Remember disney cant just run to the local publix or winn dixie to grab soem tomatoes or potatoes.

In conclusion i think some of the problem is disney trying to produce high quality food @ low prices, but also the farming and seafood buisness's have turned very down hill.

 

[kjs1976]

I'd like to comment on even the water parks lowering their standards since I did the CP at Blizzard Beach in various areas of food service in 1996. I was sooooo impressed by the quality of food at a "water park" when I worked there. There were three chefs who came in about 3AM each morning to start preparing things like the salads. There was a real variety of foods offered at Lotta Watta Lodge and fantastic care was taken in preparation, serving, and clean up. Our bossess and managers were true hard a@@es about everything and even though I dispised most of them, they were doing their jobs and upholding the highest quality. I was disappointed in the change in food selection after returning back to BB in 2001 for our honeymoon. It had been scaled down to more hotdogs and chicken fingers and there was fewer options. I do realize that money is a factor in all of this and if they were losing money because people weren't buying certain items, they changed it. But the overall quality and care doesn't seem to be there like it was when I began. I also notice this overall in the resort food court grab and go items. I remember buying fresh cut up fruit each morning of our trip in 1995. My friend and I would split a large one. Now you can buy a measly little protion for like three bucks...nothing close to what we used to get.