Has disney gone cheep on the food because of the free dining plan?

[mcd2745]

'fraid not my friend. I'm quite sure I heard space ships circling above my house just last night, then later aliens were in my living room reading my computer. They were very upset about the food at WDW! ...

I hope for your sake, they weren't looking to do any probing.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Another thread about the food at WDW being bad??? Shocking!


These threads are so overly dramatic--it's getting to be laughable.

Your contribution is rather comical as well.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

Counter service is crappy? I love the shrimp at CHH, the rib and chicken platter at Ray's. The ribs at Fairfax Faire, the bbq at Flame Tree BBQ, lots of stuff at Sunshine Seasons, the Mexican food at the Cantina, the sammies at Starring Rolls, etc. I even like the burgers, wheat bun and all, at Pecos Bills.

 

[ailun86]

I have not had any issues with CS food..But do a board search .

 

[goofy4prez]

Completely agree. I think Disney is just trying to cut costs (like every other business) and they would have done many, if not all, of the same things even if the DDP didn't exist. Actions such as simplifying/standardizing of menus allows them to streamline their orders with their vendors and realize some savings as well as, yes, possibly ordering lower quality products. In difficult economic times, these things probably were going to happen irregardless of the DDP.

I'm sorry, not to flame you, but in difficult economic times, I refuse to lower the quality of my product or services I offer my customers in my business, and would expect Disney to do the same. I refuse to lower my quality while raise my prices as well. I'll agree, price increases are inevitable, but quality should not suffer and be lowered.

 

[eliza61]

I agree!

We avoid burgers and hot dogs, for the most part, at WDW. We do our research and try to find some interesting, well-made QS items. With just a little bit of effort, you can still find some very good QS food! A friend went to WDW a couple years ago and for a week her family lived on QS burgers and pizza. She thought that's all that would be available in a theme park so she didn't even think about searching anything out!

But I guess for me Belle, that's one of t he problems. Seriously, how hard is it for a restaurant especially with the buying power of disney (and my family was in the restaurant business for 25 years, I know exactly how easy it would be for disney to get great suppliers) to get decent quality hamburgers and hot dogs?

Most people who see a decline in quality aren't talking about fancy dishes. We're talking about simple stuff. Like I always say, no way, no how can you tell me with a little effort Tony's could not make a marinaria sauce that didn't taste like it came out of a jar.
Watered down soda at cs? why should that ever happen? stale buns? Is any of this stuff earth shattering, no not in the least but it is disappointing and who likes going to any restaurant and being disappointed. Is it inediable, no but once again, I guess I'm weird, even with burgers I like to be able to say "hey, that was a good burger". I try not to measure a good meal by "is it the worst food ever" standard.
I don't entirely blame the DDP, I blame the powers to be at Disney, they want the most profit (see cheshires explanation) so they get the lowest quality items available and to me that's a loud signal saying "we simply don't care"

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I'm sorry, not to flame you, but in difficult economic times, I refuse to lower the quality of my product or services I offer my customers in my business, and would expect Disney to do the same. I refuse to lower my quality while raise my prices as well. I'll agree, price increases are inevitable, but quality should not suffer and be lowered.

You get a standing ovation from me. This is truly the American way, not the greedy self centered attitude that passes itself off as such these days.

 

[twooley2]

I agree and understand that the bottom line is essential but there are so many other areas that can be trimmed. Why not have good food and eliminate the half price tickets for the education youth program. Although a good program the park tickets are like half price for those attendees compared to regular admission tickets. I would rather have some quality of food on vacation. I know they probably come from different budgeted areas but sounds like the overall budget needs an overhaul look.

 

[GeorgeG]

But I guess for me Belle, that's one of t he problems. Seriously, how hard is it for a restaurant especially with the buying power of disney (and my family was in the restaurant business for 25 years, I know exactly how easy it would be for disney to get great suppliers) to get decent quality hamburgers and hot dogs?

Most people who see a decline in quality aren't talking about fancy dishes. We're talking about simple stuff. Like I always say, no way, no how can you tell me with a little effort Tony's could not make a marinaria sauce that didn't taste like it came out of a jar.
Watered down soda at cs? why should that ever happen? stale buns? Is any of this stuff earth shattering, no not in the least but it is disappointing and who likes going to any restaurant and being disappointed. Is it inediable, no but once again, I guess I'm weird, even with burgers I like to be able to say "hey, that was a good burger". I try not to measure a good meal by "is it the worst food ever" standard.
I don't entirely blame the DDP, I blame the powers to be at Disney, they want the most profit (see cheshires explanation) so they get the lowest quality items available and to me that's a loud signal saying "we simply don't care"

Yes, this is what so many of us are talking about. I think most people understand the food doesn't have to be gourmet quality, but at least keep a reasonable standard. In the real world such decline would signal a restaurant, or even a sidewalk hot dog stand, is on the brink of going out of business.

It's like Cinderella's glass slippers are now made of plastic (well, they probably really are) and Snow White only has five dwarfs because a tough economy forced Dopey and Grumpy to get laid off.

 

[mcd2745]

I'm sorry, not to flame you, but in difficult economic times, I refuse to lower the quality of my product or services I offer my customers in my business, and would expect Disney to do the same. I refuse to lower my quality while raise my prices as well. I'll agree, price increases are inevitable, but quality should not suffer and be lowered.

Let me be clear in that I was in no way defending Disney. They're cutting costs and quality has suffered. My main point was just that I don't believe the cuts were a result of the DDP and were mostly a result of economic conditions. It's good businees to look at your business(es) and see where you can realize some cost savings. That said, I'm certain there are many ways to cut costs without compromising quality - it seems they could use more effective quality control measures.

 

[nelson84]

I would pay more for a good burger. If disney bought some decent quality meat and a good bun and called it the $15 burger. If the burger was juicy and yummy I would go out of my way to get it. I would think everyone would agree and if you are on a budget than buy the cheaper not so good burger.

A few years ago I had a good burger in MGM it was near the star wars ride and they had alot more extras in there burger bar with the cooked mushrooms and all the fixin's. I loaded it up with sauces and it was pretty good but the last few times I have been to DWD or DL its not so good.

 

[2Tiggies]

They have changed. The previous standard was all-beef hot dogs. WDW now uses a beef/chicken blend (mostly chicken).

Chicken hot dog? What a strange blend.

Some of the disappointment is going back for the items you loved on a previous trip and finding out they have changed (and not for the better).

That may explain my aversion to all the meals I had this October in Frontierland. The chicken I used to love was suddenly the one ingredient I was actually picking out of the food each time. I wondered if it was just me and my tastes had changed, but perhaps it wasn't me after all.