For Disney Regs. Any noticeable changes in meal quality for any reataurants?

[CamColt]

Thanks for this thread! It reminded me I never did send my letter I had put togther about our dining experience in December. I will be sure to get to that today.

I have to say, after hearing much about the service going downhill, in August I was surprised at how great the service was all around. In December we had a totally different experience with only 1 really good server.

We too were disappointed in the standardization of the kids menus and especially the lounge menus.

As for regular restaurants menus, again we were very disappointed to see some items gone (the Hockey Puck at ESPN) and some very small portion sizes. My meal at Alfredos was about the size of a Lean Cuisine meal.

While we still ate good (not on the DDP) and had some of our favorites, I have to say we had more disappoinments based on overall experience on this last trip, than any other. I wouldn't say any restaurants were bad becuase of it and we didn't hate any of our meals, but we weren't raving over great dining experiences like usual.

 

[rcraw45425]

...... some very small portion sizes. My meal at Alfredos was about the size of a Lean Cuisine meal.

I agree about portions! Our honey sesame chicken portion at Nine Dragons had about 12 small pieces of chicken on the same large platter! We used to split two of those entrees with our daughters, this time it was a good thing we had ordered extra egg rolls and planned for dessert at the French pastry shop.

 

[rayelias]

And if that group is more profitable than we are, then they deserve to be served more than we do. That's the real take-away. Until recently, Disney dining had been neglecting the majority of its guests, providing offerings that were too high-priced for them, and instead pandering too much to upper-middle-class foodies, like us. Disney dining's brilliant stroke here was to recognize that they could provide two separate offerings: A high quality offering (the truly excellent and wonderful Signature restaurants) for those willing to spend the extra money, and a mass-market offering for the majority of guests who they've been neglecting all these years.

This is exactly what I would like to see. Take all the "2-meal" restaurants off the menu, and take 5-6 "1-meal" nicer/unique restaurants off the plan. Genericize the rest of the restaurants menus. I don't mind paying full-price cash for a nice meal, special ambiance, excellent service.

 

[rcraw45425]

I agree, I think that 'Ohana and some of the others are just overpricing themselves!! It wouldn't be so bad if they hadn't also implemented the 9 & over is an adult, that's ridiculous! I mean, neither one of my girls eats $30 worth of food a one meal. Heck, they don't eat $30 worth of food in a week. . I'm now rethinking my ADRs, it's not like we HAVE to do characters, we have done them so many times that the kids don't feel the need, but I like the food at places like 1900 PF and Cape May, why do they have to charge so much? I'd rather pay a per meal charge instead of an all you can eat price!

 

[bicker]

I mean, neither one of my girls eats $30 worth of food a one meal.

Generally, a $30 restaurant meal involves about $10-$11 worth of food, so folks should be sure you're making these judgments based on that conversion.

 

[donaldtutter]

Absolutely. I see in these discussions a distinct lack of perspective with regard to comparing changes seen at WDW with changes we see in the broader market. ("Yes WDW has changed, but show has everything else...") Portion sizes is another one of those issue. Portion sizes are shrinking at restaurants nationwide. This stems from industry experts advocating this as far back as 2003. (As an aside, my TiVo recorded a show called Restaurant Make-over, which I watched yesterday. It's where a renowned chef goes into a struggling restaurant and helps redesign the menu to help the restaurant be more successful. Indeed, in this episode, the chef's biggest problem with the current restaurant menu was that it was too large. He made the point to the restaurateur that they should focus on a smaller number of options, and do them very well. Interesting to see this making it from the industry trade papers all the way to the mainstream television screen.)

Absolutely that makes business sense -- in light of understanding the relationship between these changes they've made and the success they've derived from it, it would be irresponsible to reverse the changes (or in retrospect, to have not undertaken them). There is a fiduciary responsibility to owners here that shouldn't be ignored.

I have no problem with smaller but filling portions. My main problem is with lower quality and poor service. I have had very disappointing dinners in the past year at Citricos, Bistro de Paris, Flying Fish, Brown Derby, and Jiko. Many times I orderd the same meals at these restaurants as I had ordered on previous visits and they didn't compare very well. Also the service is in general substandard for restaurants of this quality. On my next visit to WDW, I am considering eating only counter service meals rather than paying for overpriced, unsatisfying dinners. (I didn't mind paying the high prices when the food and service were better.)

 

[bicker]

Most folks I've spoken with aren't having that kind of experience at the Signature restaurants. I'm sorry you've had such bad luck.

 

[LSUDis]

Why not, at non-buffets, offer a section on the menu specifically for DP people? That way, everyone might be happy. DPers still get a choice of what to eat, but at a cheaper price, non-DPers can get what they want-- especially pricey items, and the restaurants can include items on DP menu that would allow them to meet their margins while still making foodies happy. They could call it their "signature selections" or something.

They already offer a set kids' menu, so it's a small step to a set DP menu.

Then, other, original-to-the-restaurant choices could be offered ala carte to non-DP people or to people on-plan who want something different.

On a side note, on a trip a couple of years ago, I got very good NY strips at both Rose and Crown and Whispering Canyon. This past Dec., after raving about them and getting friends/family to order them, I was embarrassed when I got these again--the cuts of meat were tougher, thinner, and less seasoned.

 

[TDC Nala]

Food has definitely gone down in quality across the board. Specialty items are disappearing.
The only places that I haven't see any downgrade are Victoria and Albert's, Citricos and Jiko's.

Jiko has eliminated two items that I know of from the menu - the duck and pork firecracker appetizer, and the Tanzanian chocolates dessert.

I am not sure it's a dining plan thing. There was a post on these boards that says they were eliminated because WDW wants to cut back on fried food offerings.

The DDP won't be going anywhere. Too many guests love it, and it makes WDW way too much money.

I'm a DVC member and stay there a lot. There's this thing called Magical Express which saves me the escalating cost of car rental. Unfortunately it also prevents me from joining the protesters who will eat offsite. Not sure I would go offsite much anyway, since if I am going to be driving I won't be able to have wine with dinner.

Thank goodness for Bluezoo. Maybe I'll also patronize a lot more of the Swolphin and DTD places that don't take the dining plan and aren't subject to this Disney health kick.

 

[bicker]

Why not, at non-buffets, offer a section on the menu specifically for DP people?

Mainly because that's something that Dining Plan people would really react negatively to. One of the most common questions I see is, "Do we have to order from a limited menu?" I can almost feel the sign of delight when they learn that they can choose from anything on the menu. The value of the lack of exclusions cannot be understated.

They already offer a set kids' menu, so it's a small step to a set DP menu.

It may not sound good, but the reality is that many people don't care anywhere near as much about what their children are offered as they care what they themselves are offered. Severely limiting choices for young children is readily accepted, while is an anathema if applicable to adults.

 

[TDC Nala]

.......the little touches, hell Leota, they've taken some dishes and removed some of the MAIN INGREDIENTS. Spoodles fetuccini is a fine example. It used to have fresh snap peas and proscuitto ham in it. Now it's just noodles and cream sauce and we're not supposed to notice the missing items?
Take away two main ingredients and keep the price the same?

There's a thread around here somewhere that states Spoodles doesn't even have fettucine on the menu anymore. Could be it wasn't healthy enough.

Of course I think the new menu looks pretty good but I will try it this weekend and see how it is.

 

[leanan]

There are some items on the menu that require extra points if you are on the DP. The nicest appetizer on the menu in Italy requires 3 extra points. I just happen to know that from when I went at christmas time. Of course I think it was worth the 3 extra points if you were that hungry. It was a sampler of items which had a lot of food to offer.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

It's ridiculous that those of us who notice specific changes to the WDW dining and answer the OP's question honestly get ridiculed by the same few cast of characters, with sideswipes and using the same sad logic that since the restaurants are full everything must be OK. Well that's fine for Disney and that's fine for people who are willing to pay Disney for food just because it's Disney.

But if you're interested in food, as the OP seems to be, the fact is things are not as good as they were. Things are obviously being homoginized to meet DDP requirements. There are simply too many folks, most of whom have been 'regulars' who notice the changes. End of story, IMO. The fact that the restaurants are full and lots of people enjoy paying a seemingly reduced price for inferior food doesn't change that fact.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's ridiculous that those of us who notice specific changes to the WDW dining and answer the OP's question honestly get ridiculed by the same few cast of characters, with sideswipes and using the same sad logic that since the restaurants are full everything must be OK. Well that's fine for Disney and that's fine for people who are willing to pay Disney for food just because it's Disney.

But if you're interested in food, as the OP seems to be, the fact is things are not as good as they were. Things are obviously being homoginized to meet DDP requirements. There are simply too many folks, most of whom have been 'regulars' who notice the changes. End of story, IMO. The fact that the restaurants are full and lots of people enjoy paying a seemingly reduced price for inferior food doesn't change that fact.

Doesn't change the fact. But it does seem to indicate that the changes are not temporary and are in fact here to stay. Complaining about them isn't going to change anything. We're either going to have to find other things to like at Disney restaurants or eat elsewhere.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

You're probably right TDCNala in that numbers are what's driving everything at WDW but I still think vocal dissent should be put out there when possible so the powers that be can see (as well as mail and email and in person complaints when possible).

Also, the OP was asking about this issue specifically so it seems the perfect forum for these comments.

 

[bicker]

Indeed, each person should definitely be able to have their own say. As long as folks don't start attacking what other members are posting, it's all good, eh? Just say what you believe and leave it at that.

 

[jodifla]

Yes, dining at Disney has taken a nosedive with the horrible, awful, Disney- dining-magic-killing DDP.

Menus are suffering from terrible standardization, restaurants are packed to the gills with people getting their "deals" and item quality has plummeted in lots of areas, particularly red meat. Service is suffering as well, they seem understaffed in January when we were there. And having to plan your meals out six months in advance puts a stake in the heart of a fun day.

Those of us who remember the glory days of the 90s miss them terribly.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Perhaps both sides need to pontificate less but it won't work unless both sides try.

I agree with jodifla's sentiments totally.

 

[DaisyD]

Perhaps both sides need to pontificate less but it won't work unless both sides try.

I agree with jodifla's sentiments totally.

Me three!

 

[Uncleromulus]

This may be off target just a bit, but I've always felt the menus at Disney Restaurants were a bit "lean" anyway. Most of the Disney Signature restaurants have about 8 (on average) entree offerings. That's not really a whole lot. I just had a look at Spoodles new menu (tho it's not a Signature Restaurant) and there were only 6 entrees. Most of the restaurants around here have that many different steaks on the menu!!
Just to compare, I made an entree count of similar (Signature type)restaurants in my area, to see if any seemed to be cutting back. I just did 6 of our area favorites, and there were an average of 28 entrees offered on those menus. None had any less than 15. Portion sizes at all of them are above Disney levels.

I'm not sure what my point is exactly, but Disney restaurants (at least the Signature spots) have little room to get any leaner-- menu or portion wise.