H&V meal - send a note to Customer relations

[pooh2001]

What if they could mix 2 of the Playhouse characters with 2 of the Power Rangers or Hercules & Genie ?
Maybe that would bring in more families of different age groups.

Not sure what Disney was thinking - but it is a good deal for younger kids families - just like the free dining deal from Aug 13 till the end of Sept.
All kids are going back to school or already are in school, all around the US and maybe other countries too.

The free dining deal appeals only to non-school aged families or people without kids who can go anytime they can get vacation from work.

Anyway - let the young ones have a meal for themselves at Hollywood and Vine and our 50's Prime Time lunch will be quieter
No offense to little ones who like to burst out at a dinner table - we hear enough crying and whipering at Church services.

 

[Cruz Family]

You don't pay for 2yo and under, but I believe this demographic is from that age to nearly 10yo. That covers quite a big age group of Disney fanatics. Plus, think of it this way...what other character breakfast options are in Epcot aside from the Princess breakfast? In way, they're also isolating many patrons in Epcot.

10yr olds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I teach preschool and I dont think most of my four and five year olds would be nearly as excited for this as they would be for another character meal. By the age of 4 or 5 the girls generally seem to be all about the princesses and the boys more into the whole power ranger/masculine type heros. Please no flames I'm just generalizing , I know many girls who would love a heros meal, especially tarzan in his loin cloth! or is that just me?

 

[Aristomommy]

This post on the AllEarsNet website explains why Disney is now courting the preschool age kids:

"Recent research released by travel marketing experts Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell (YPB&R) shows that eight out of ten families believe the ideal age to take a first major vacation with children is when the children are five years old or younger. The research revealed the families are seeking family-friendly destinations that offer activities for both kids and parents. Florida and California are the states family travelers want to visit most, with Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort as the preferred destinations. And nine out of ten preschool parents would consider taking their young children on a theme park vacation as long as the park offered age-appropriate rides and services."



This is all part of the new Magical Beginnings package Disney offers. DS will enjoy some aspects of this new program, as explained in detail on the website, but DD7 will find it boring. That's why they will offer it during the free dining when older kids are in school.

 

[vacationbound]

My DD, who is six, loves Playhouse Disney and is excited about meeting the characters. My two other children are older (DD 11, DS 8) but they grew up on the Disney channel -- they won't admit it to their friends but they want to see The Wiggles too. We booked the H&W meal for our August trip. Before the character meal, I wouldn't have eaten at H&W -- just my preference not to eat at buffets, but if there are characters there that my kids like, then sign me up!

I agree a Heroes or Pixar character meal would be great but I have to marvel at the marketing genius that is Disney. The Magical Beginnings offerings should be very successful. Think about it -- many children 5 and under aren't bound to a school schedule and can go to Disney the last week in August, when Disney is otherwise slow. Magical Beginnings should be a successful counterpoint to Universal's marketing strategy.

I am happy to see Disney continuing their commitment to families and young children. Just wish they thought of it sooner...

 

[lillygator]

Now I am all about Tarzan in his loin cloth - but as far as face male roles - I am not sure but I would bet they are pretty hard to fill...any theatre or any auditioning I have done there were millions of gals but they were always scrambling for men!

 

[thelionqueen]

I for one and head over heals excited that they are going to do this (if they really are) I know my child will be too Yes there are the meals that have pooh and mickey and stuff but if you ask my kid or any kid her age who she wants to see. She will scream JOJO or LITTLE EINSTEINS. I am happy for Disney and will sned them the letter telling them Thank You to counter your letter.

Some people forget there are older kids and toddlers and there needs to be a balance for what is offered.

I have called Disney Dining and they said there is no planns for any Character meals at MGM for the summer or this year.

I'm glad that there are going to be families to enjoy this meal, surely there are many.

However, in 2 years or so, you will be in the exact same boat as a lot of the rest of us. It is very age specific, therefore limited to a general population of guests. I would venture to guess, that unless you go every year to WDW, your children will have outgrown this meal by your next trip.

I've written a note, very diplomatically, describing this and my personal wish for a more "all age" friendly meal.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

10yr olds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So you laugh at me?

I don't get it. Perhaps teaching preschoolers you would know that if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all? Treat others the way you want to be treated?

 

[Disneynutbsv]

You don't pay for 2yo and under, but I believe this demographic is from that age to nearly 10yo. That covers quite a big age group of Disney fanatics. Plus, think of it this way...what other character breakfast options are in Epcot aside from the Princess breakfast? In way, they're also isolating many patrons in Epcot.

10 years old??? My kids are 9 (boy and girl) and they said there would be no way they would want to attend something for toddlers. And I know if this were available when they were toddler's I would have had a hard time having their older brother go. But ...I think the younger ones will definitely enjoy it and they will have to "try" it out to see how it goes...there are also quite a few character breakfasts: Donald's Breakfastasaurus, Chef Mickey's, O'hanas, Crystal Palace, the princess breakfast in epcot, CRT, Cape May....We'll just have to wait it out I guess...who knows it could be a big success!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

10 years old???

I know of 3rd and 4th graders who are definitely into Playhouse Disney. In fact, I think a couple others on this thread have mentioned kids this age with similar interests.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Not sure what Disney was thinking - but it is a good deal for younger kids families - just like the free dining deal from Aug 13 till the end of Sept.
All kids are going back to school or already are in school, all around the US and maybe other countries too.

The free dining deal appeals only to non-school aged families or people without kids who can go anytime they can get vacation from work.

I think free dining appeals to all types of families.

That depends on what part of the country you live in. In the NE, we don't start school until after Labor Day. We can take a trip at the end of the summer without worrying about out kids missing school.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

OK, I stand corrected. I just looked through the 05 Annual Report again and they clearly label JoJo's Circus as for the Preschool crowd. So perhaps these two sets of characters wouldn't reach beyond a first or second grader.

But I do strongly believe that the addition of these characters to a breakfast at H&V is directly correlated to their new Magical Beginnings marketing plan.

Disney doesn't just throw stuff like this together. I'm sure their research shows that a large number of family's bring the preschool aged crowd to Disney, otherwise they wouldn't be offering this.

And who is to say that boy-geared or Pixar-themed meal isn't in the works right now? Just because this one was announced doesn't mean that another one isn't going to be announced in the future.

And overall, if this doesn't work then I'm sure Disney will scrap it and try something else! Though, I have a feeling this is going to be very popular. Watch the crowds to MGM studios increase! They needed a reason to get people into this park and now I think between the stunt show and this new breakfast, they have the perfect solution!

 

[Cruz Family]

So you laugh at me?

I don't get it. Perhaps teaching preschoolers you would know that if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all? Treat others the way you want to be treated?

I'm sorry, I will now put myself in a "time out". (see I also have no problem laughing at myself)

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I'm sorry, I will now put myself in a "time out". (see I also have no problem laughing at myself)

It is difficult to decipher tone on the internet at times.

 

[mommyintn]

Here is the comment I sent to Guest Relations, based on what I know my 5 year old son would enjoy:

"While the Playhouse Disney/Baby Einstein characters selected might be OK for my son right now, I was hoping for some characters with broader appeal for children of all ages. Pixar characters might not be available for some time (and would be the best), but how about a 'Heroes' character meal to offset all of the princess meals in the parks? You could have the Power Rangers, Hercules, Aladdin, the Genie, the Beast, Robin Hood (and his merry men), even Mickey in his "Sorcerer's Apprentice" outfit. All of these characters would appeal to my son now and for years to come, and I think that you would get a more diverse crowd for the breakfast/lunch. "

Based on what I've read, the place would be packed if the Power Rangers were at each meal.

Love that idea!! My 3 year old son loves "Little Einsteins" and I wish it would've been going on in March when we were there. I'm thinking he might not be into next year and my older son is hoping he's not because he won't be too excited. But I will say I think the meal with Jojo and the Little Einsteins is a good idea if you have kids 5 and under they will be in heaven. Now let's get the boy themed meal as described above and it will be all good!

 

[PRINCESSMOMX3]

I am sending a message to them too. Thanks to them adding the new character breakfast/lunch and the concert series with the Wiggles and Doodlebops we have extended our vacation by two days. We are excited and think that this was a good idea. Of course we do have toddlers. But it is great to have something for them at MGM.

 

[bleeps]

I appreciated getting the e-mail address to write to, and here's what I said:

Hello!

As WDW regulars and parents of an 8-year-old boy, we were so excited about the prospect of a Toy Story character meal that we understood had been on the drawing board. While we enjoy our WDW vacations, we have always been just as disappointed as our son that there is such a lack of opportunities for boys to have a specially focused meal, while the opportunities for girls have been continually expanded.

Now we're even more disappointed to learn that the new meal that's been announced is for pre-schoolers. Our son, at 8, has absolutely no interest in the characters that have been lined up. We certainly understand the marketing opportunity that presents itself as more and more families bring younger and younger children to the parks, but we cannot understand why that market would need to be served in lieu of an opportunity targeted to boys.

We hope that, indeed, a meal is still in the works that could emphasize characters of special interest to boys. We feel that our "prince" is just as deserving as all the "princesses" out there of some special treatment.

Thank you for your consideration.

 

[Lindy Loo]

Thanks for the e mail address, i put my bit in too!
I think they could do more for boys, even though I only have a dd 4.
She isnt interested.... too babyish for her she said!

Would have liked Buzz Starwars or Villians. But hey we are all different!

 

[mugsy]

I just received a call from the "Executive Offices" at Disney, acknowledging that my e-mail had been forwarded to them, that they had shared it with appropriate departments, and thanking me for my input. It's nice to know, even if my comments ultimately go into the round file, that Disney still takes customer comments seriously!

 

[plove53]

i don't see the playhouse disney meal as the problem; toddlers are a target audience, mgm has other playhouse disney themed rides, and there is now a whole marketing campaign designed to lure families with young children to disney in september. what i do see as a problem, however, is the lack of a meal to address another target audience: boys. while places like chef mickeys interest boys and girls alike (and for that matter crystal palace interests toddlers and older children), there are several meals (1900 PF dinner, CRT, princess storybook), that are marketed almost exclusively towards girls. i dont think disney should get rid of the playhouse disney meal; i think they should add another, boy-geared meal in addition to it! maybe once the pixar issue is worked out those characters could be at it (i think the villian meal was discontinued because it scared many children...a toy story or pixar character meal may not hold too much appeal for girls, but it wouldnt scare them either!)

 

[Nienor]

I wish they had this a couple of years ago when my son was younger. He'll be nearly 7 when we go and somehow I doubt he'd find it very exciting now. Sounds like a good idea to get some people in at the less popular meals of breakfast and lunch.

Definitely agree about needing something for boys. Alot of princess theming, but nothing special for boys.


And where is that breakfast with Tarzan in a loincloth?