Frozen Character Dining?

[A Mickeyfan]

[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]

Of course they have the right to do it. Frozen is a Disney IP. They've simply decided not to do it. Akershus is already booked solid. There's no financial incentive for them to add A&E to the present mix of princesses. You can meet them right next door, and the wait times are minimal compared to even a year ago.

Disney is only going to create a new character meal if they can profit from it, and wouldn't hurt their existing restaurants in the process by taking away their customers.

Did you not read all of my post? I said Olaf too, where is he next door, he isn't? There are plenty of younger children, girls and boys, who would love to meet him. In fact my post said not just Anna & Elsa. Where can Olaf be found??? As far as I know, no where in EPCOT. Last summer I think he was in DHS, at least in the stage show

 

[minnie mum]

[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]
Did you not read all of my post? I said Olaf too, where is he next door, he isn't? There are plenty of younger children, girls and boys, who would love to meet him. In fact my post said not just Anna & Elsa. Where can Olaf be found??? As far as I know, no where in EPCOT. Last summer I think he was in DHS, at least in the stage show

Sheesh. Relax. If meetng Olaf is a big deal, he can be met at DHS.

 

[Shanti]

Speaking as a grandparent of a 2 and a half yr old little girl, I wish they had a Frozen character meal, complete with Olaf as well, not just Anna & Elsa. If Disney cannot do that because they don't have cross rights, then how did they create a fake Country in EPCOT based on them???

They have every right to do it, but have chosen not to at this point. Disney has been stingy in recent decades in regards to adding new attractions to the parks, if you haven't noticed. They prefer to focus on building more resorts, which gets them a lot more profit than extra attractions or restaurants in the parks.

I'd love to see a Frozen-themed restaurant, based on Elsa's ice castle, in which you were greeted by Olaf, and during the meal met Anna, Elsa and Kristoff.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

They have every right to do it, but have chosen not to at this point. Disney has been stingy in recent decades in regards to adding new attractions to the parks, if you haven't noticed. They prefer to focus on building more resorts, which gets them a lot more profit than extra attractions or restaurants in the parks.

I'd love to see a Frozen-themed restaurant, based on Elsa's ice castle, in which you were greeted by Olaf, and during the meal met Anna, Elsa and Kristoff.

Actually, that's the type of character meal I was thinking of lol...not just sticking Elsa and Anna with Princesses. ..but and entire Frozen theme so boys can enjoy too

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I would think Disney would recognize a money making opportunity. Put them anywhere as part of a character

1) Disney already pretty much fills up Akershus.
2) Thus, no reason to add Frozen characters, especially with the M&G to draw guests to the pavilion.
3) Additionally, adding Frozen characters to a meal will COST big bucks . . . not just in CM labor costs, but, lost revenue
. . . when new and favorite characters are added, kids want to spend more time with them
. . . this slows the meal time for the family, and thus, reduces "table turns" as the folks stay longer
. . . sometimes, kids want to stay longer to see the characters a second (or third) time
. . . the fewer table turns means fewer paying guests, not counting longer ADR delay times to get seated
. . . so, adding Frozen to Akershus or another character meal is actually counter-productive for WDW

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Princesses aren't just for girls, and Star Wars isn't just for boys.

Sigh.

Entertainment is for people.

 

[AshleeH]

Disney misses the mark with a lot of meal opportunities. A Frozen meal would be great (don't like it, don't go, but there is a market that would fill it up every day of the year). Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff would be a great idea for a restaurant.

And I've said for years that HS needs a Pixar theme. Anytime I send the idea for Disney I get the response that "they don't think the market would support it". Really? Because the line for Buzz and Woody is always out the door, no matter what time of day. And the other Pixar character M&Gs remain popular.

 

[Missyrose]

And I've said for years that HS needs a Pixar theme. Anytime I send the idea for Disney I get the response that "they don't think the market would support it". Really? Because the line for Buzz and Woody is always out the door, no matter what time of day. And the other Pixar character M&Gs remain popular.

But beyond Buzz and Woody, who (logistically) could work? Mike and Sully aren't exactly portable. Disney has barely gotten Joy and Sadness up and running at Epcot. The Incredibles could be an easy add, but no one was really banging down the door to meet them at DHS.

A Pixar meal sounds great in theory, but it's not quite as simple as people make it out to be.

 

[AshleeH]

But beyond Buzz and Woody, who (logistically) could work? Mike and Sully aren't exactly portable. Disney has barely gotten Joy and Sadness up and running at Epcot. The Incredibles could be an easy add, but no one was really banging down the door to meet them at DHS.

A Pixar meal sounds great in theory, but it's not quite as simple as people make it out to be.

Remy, Russell, and Dug all have had M&Gs - and The Incredibles/Frozone, like you mentioned. I figure if they have a meal with the cumbersome H&V characters (Sofia, Doc, Jake, and Manny), they could find two more Pixar characters to round out a comparable meal somewhere. Especially with the addition of Toy Story land. After all, if they think Winnie the Pooh is a big draw for CP, Buzz and Woody would definitely be good for HS. And I personally don't think of Winnie the Pooh characters being the draw for CP - when we eat there, it's to get pictures in front of the castle before park open, not an overwhelming desire to eat with those characters. Disney tends to miss the mark for older boys and this would be a good way to fill in that gap.

 

[Missyrose]

Remy, Russell, and Dug all have had M&Gs - and The Incredibles/Frozone, like you mentioned. I figure if they have a meal with the cumbersome H&V characters (Sofia, Doc, Jake, and Manny), they could find two more Pixar characters to round out a comparable meal somewhere. Especially with the addition of Toy Story land. After all, if they think Winnie the Pooh is a big draw for CP, Buzz and Woody would definitely be good for HS. And I personally don't think of Winnie the Pooh characters being the draw for CP - when we eat there, it's to get pictures in front of the castle before park open, not an overwhelming desire to eat with those characters. Disney tends to miss the mark for older boys and this would be a good way to fill in that gap.

Rusell and Dug are solid characters to add (but, like the Incredibles, not huge draws in and of themselves), but Remy is a holy grail-type character that's hardly ever met at WDW. I can't imagine they'd trot him out for a character meal. But weirder things have happened.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

And I've said for years that HS needs a Pixar theme. Anytime I send the idea for Disney I get the response that "they don't think the market would support it". Really?

1) Sure, people will go ONCE for the novelty.
2) But, how often afterward?
3) Princess meals succeed because little girls want to go back - often.
. . . it has been shown that "boy meals" do not do as well
. . . boys do not demand such meals from their parents as often
. . . and, the parents do not dolt upon boys as they do on girls
. . . sorry, but just facts (and common sense)
4) And, parents do indulge their princesses.
5) Studies and surveys have shown that other meals (eg. Star Wars) are not repeatable year-after-year from the same guests.
6) Although some people disagree, Disney relies upon figures/studies/surveys. *
7) If anyone has other studies/surveys, it would be good to submit them to WDW for consideration.

* EVERY RESORT and EVERY PARK has 2-4 people doing nothing but stats on actuals-studies-surveys (some parks have whole teams of CM's). They analyze everything - and down to the smallest decimal point on a spreadsheet. This is how they predict their revenue and profit.

 

[AshleeH]

1) Sure, people will go ONCE for the novelty.
2) But, how often afterward?
3) Princess meals succeed because little girls want to go back - often.
. . . it has been shown that "boy meals" do not do as well
. . . boys do not demand such meals from their parents as often
. . . and, the parents do not dolt upon boys as they do on girls
. . . sorry, but just facts (and common sense)
4) And, parents do indulge their princesses.
5) Studies and surveys have shown that other meals (eg. Star Wars) are not repeatable year-after-year from the same guests.
6) Although some people disagree, Disney relies upon figures/studies/surveys. *
7) If anyone has other studies/surveys, it would be good to submit them to WDW for consideration.

* EVERY RESORT and EVERY PARK has 2-4 people doing nothing but stats on actuals-studies-surveys (some parks have whole teams of CM's). They analyze everything - and down to the smallest decimal point on a spreadsheet. This is how they predict their revenue and profit.

As a mother of two boys, #3 could not be more false and frankly concerning that it's "common sense" that girls are indulged or doted upon more than boys. My daughter is a girly girl to the extreme - she loves sparkles and shoes and princesses, so we do indulge these things. My boys love video games and super heroes and Under Armour clothes, so we indulge these things. Just because the girl items have more flash, does not mean she gets more.

I've had this discussion with several mothers when I was pregnant with my daughter, and the most common thing I was told is that girls are more expensive in the baby stage because the clothes are more fun, but boys are more expensive after the toddler years. I've found this to be 100% true. Parents tend to spend more on boys because the items they prefer are so much more expensive. A PS4 might not be flashy and glittery, but it's certainly more expensive than a Barbie doll who looks like Ariel or a Princess dress of Belle's.

As for repeat business, here's one example: The first thing out of my boys' mouths when I book a Disney vacation is, "Can we eat at Chef Mickey's?!" and we always do. Do we love the food? No - we don't hate it, but it's certainly not a compelling reason to book the restaurant again and again. Do we love the characters? *Shrug* They're so accessible throughout the parks and at other meals, they're not a draw. Are we going to eat there when it's just my husband and me next year? No. We go because of the joy it gives to my boys and because we want to dote on them. We would do the same with a Pixar meal or Star Wars. My boys like it because - on our next trip - at 13 and 10, it's nostalgic for them but it's also the only characters they are still somewhat interested in. We go to Crystal Palace, but we would go there regardless of what characters rotate - Winnie the Pooh is certainly not a draw for my boys, and never have been at any age they've been to Disney. But the atmosphere of a character meal at MK is the draw. I would be thrilled if they would update that with different characters, but they don't.

If Disney thinks parents of boys do not go for repeat meals, they need to update their surveys. Or simply open their eyes and look at their own clientele. And repeat business brings in money, sure, but what about those once-in-a-lifetime trips? Those types of families are there every single day, so the demand would warrant the supply.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

If Disney thinks parents of boys do not go for repeat meals, they need to update their surveys. Or simply open their eyes and look at their own clientele. And repeat business brings in money, sure, but what about those once-in-a-lifetime trips? Those types of families are there every single day, so the demand would warrant the supply

1) Your point could be well taken.
2) But, Disney does what Disney wants.
3) And, Woe Be to the one who goes against "the numbers", the surveys, or the current consensus.
4) Have to remember, at this time, there are no full-time character meals for such extreme favorites as
. . . Pirates
. . . Toy Story
. . . Star Wars
. . . Cars
. . . Villains
.
NOTE: At one time, there was a Toy Story meal at WDW, but it fizzled, as repeat business could not sustain it. This gets brought up in lots of Team Meetings when alternative character meals are mentioned. It has almost gained mantra status.

 

[Nancyg56]

As a mother of two boys, #3 could not be more false and frankly concerning that it's "common sense" that girls are indulged or doted upon more than boys. My daughter is a girly girl to the extreme - she loves sparkles and shoes and princesses, so we do indulge these things. My boys love video games and super heroes and Under Armour clothes, so we indulge these things. Just because the girl items have more flash, does not mean she gets more.

I've had this discussion with several mothers when I was pregnant with my daughter, and the most common thing I was told is that girls are more expensive in the baby stage because the clothes are more fun, but boys are more expensive after the toddler years. I've found this to be 100% true. Parents tend to spend more on boys because the items they prefer are so much more expensive. A PS4 might not be flashy and glittery, but it's certainly more expensive than a Barbie doll who looks like Ariel or a Princess dress of Belle's.

As for repeat business, here's one example: The first thing out of my boys' mouths when I book a Disney vacation is, "Can we eat at Chef Mickey's?!" and we always do. Do we love the food? No - we don't hate it, but it's certainly not a compelling reason to book the restaurant again and again. Do we love the characters? *Shrug* They're so accessible throughout the parks and at other meals, they're not a draw. Are we going to eat there when it's just my husband and me next year? No. We go because of the joy it gives to my boys and because we want to dote on them. We would do the same with a Pixar meal or Star Wars. My boys like it because - on our next trip - at 13 and 10, it's nostalgic for them but it's also the only characters they are still somewhat interested in. We go to Crystal Palace, but we would go there regardless of what characters rotate - Winnie the Pooh is certainly not a draw for my boys, and never have been at any age they've been to Disney. But the atmosphere of a character meal at MK is the draw. I would be thrilled if they would update that with different characters, but they don't.

If Disney thinks parents of boys do not go for repeat meals, they need to update their surveys. Or simply open their eyes and look at their own clientele. And repeat business brings in money, sure, but what about those once-in-a-lifetime trips? Those types of families are there every single day, so the demand would warrant the supply.

I have two sons. Adults but still my sons. I love them. I also have one daughter. I love her too. So I understand why you were a little offended when rusty said parents do not dote on the boys. Maybe he meant that girls are easier to indulge in Disney when it comes to character meals, etc.
I have granddaughters now, and I will take them to evey character meal they want, but it is the Pincesses they will sit though again and again. But to be honest, it is more for me than them......I would neve get one of my grand nephews to dress up fo me! LOL!

 

[DrunkJam]

It is not so Boy / girl centric either.
My son, when he was little, went to WDW and LOVED the sparkly princesses.
My daughter, when we go again likely will too, since her goal in life currently (she's 3) is to be a princess.
But, they both also love the other things too. My son is older now, and while he still dreams of owning his own sparkly heels, is interested in other things. He, however, is the one who would repeat visit something he loves, being as he has ASD and thrives on repetition (Oh man, how many times didwe ride the people mover?! The CM just let us go round and round in the end!)
I personally find character meals to be quite stressful, so we limit to Tusker house breakfast and 1 princess meal (and then to M&G for the ones they want to meet)

 

[TheRustyScupper]

My daughter, when we go again likely will too, since her goal in life currently (she's 3) is to be a princess.

1) This somewhat proves my point.
2) Disney sells a lot more merchandise and experiences based upon Princesses/Girly-centric items than on Boy-Centric things.
3) Next time you are in a souvenir store or WDW merchandise store, count the Girly or Princess items versus Boy items.
4) Let me know whether girl or boy items prevail.

 

[DrunkJam]

1) This somewhat proves my point.
2) Disney sells a lot more merchandise and experiences based upon Princesses/Girly-centric items than on Boy-Centric things.
3) Next time you are in a souvenir store or WDW merchandise store, count the Girly or Princess items versus Boy items.
4) Let me know whether girl or boy items prevail.

except you missed the point where my SON loved them too...And HE will be the one making the repeat visit not my daughter

 

[TheRustyScupper]

except you missed the point where my SON loved them too...And HE will be the one making the repeat visit not my daughter

OK.

 

[Nancyg56]

except you missed the point where my SON loved them too...And HE will be the one making the repeat visit not my daughter

The point is that princesses sell..... Over and over and over again.

 

[DrunkJam]

The point is that princesses sell..... Over and over and over again.

Which is fine, but they are not FOR girls or NOT FOR boys