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

[Belle5]

That may be the consensus, but that doesn't mean it is accurate. The anti-DDP thing has kind of taken on a life of its own, I think. It has gotten to a point where in some people's minds every single shortcoming of every one of the hundred+ DDP participants is ascribed to the plan, with no tolerance whatsoever for an off night or a bad server or any of the other one-off things that effect the overall dining experience.

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!

If I'm in the MK, I am probably going to make my way to a monorail resort for my QS meal.

If I am in Epcot, I am probably going to visit Kringla, Tangierine, or Sunshine Seasons.

If I am in DHS, I am probably going to hit Starring Rolls or Studio Catering.

If I am in AK, I will probably continue to hop over to the AKL for Mara.

If at all possible, I am finding my way over to DD for some WPE or EOS. I even like the foodcourts at POR and POP.

I would dine at any one of the above mentioned places before I would eat the typical theme park fare offered at places like Cosmic Rays or CHH.

Just for the record, I often purchase whole wheat buns for my family and they are soft, moist, flavorful and delicious. Those crumbly "whole-grain" buns that WDW now serves with their burgers and hot dogs are truly a disgrace! If someone is trying to make the menus healthier--I can find other areas where they can start correcting....

 

[GeorgeG]

I like a good meal, really. But, I also like a good hot dog. I'm probably different than most because I always eat my hot dogs plain, not even a little mustard. Because of my little quirk, I can taste the actual hot dog and not be swayed by the toppings. I believe that gives me an edge when it comes to knowing a good hot dog from a not-so-good one. The first negative clue to the CS hot dogs currently being served at WDW was that they are now offering them with toppings already on them and I have to ask for mine plain. I have to tell you the hot dogs that are being served at WDW these day are not good. Of course, that's my opinion, but it seems I'm not alone.

The issue with the buns that some people call "crumble" buns is that they are tasteless and fall apart in your hand. I don't now if they are being used because they are cheaper or healthier or what, but I don't see it as Disney just giving people what they want, as some have suggested.

I don't believe we should have to go searching for decent food when in the parks. It's obvious that many people actually like what is being served. I just don't think it should be across the board to the point there aare few choices.

 

[mcd2745]

That may be the consensus, but that doesn't mean it is accurate. The anti-DDP thing has kind of taken on a life of its own, I think. It has gotten to a point where in some people's minds every single shortcoming of every one of the hundred+ DDP participants is ascribed to the plan, with no tolerance whatsoever for an off night or a bad server or any of the other one-off things that effect the overall dining experience.

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.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

That may be the consensus, but that doesn't mean it is accurate. The anti-DDP thing has kind of taken on a life of its own, I think. It has gotten to a point where in some people's minds every single shortcoming of every one of the hundred+ DDP participants is ascribed to the plan, with no tolerance whatsoever for an off night or a bad server or any of the other one-off things that effect the overall dining experience.

Then again you could be wrong.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

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.

So you're basically saying there is no incentive for a first class restaurant to be better than McDonalds?

 

[Rumpus]

So you're basically saying there is no incentive for a first class restaurant to be better than McDonalds?

You are right. A first class restaurant can be as bad as McDonalds ONCE. WDW depends upon repeat business. The number of first timers has to be far less than those who have been a number of times.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

There is no way for Disney to come out ahead in any direct comparison of CS food to typical fare served by the big chains much less a good mom and pop burger,pizza,sandwich or even falafel shop.And is is nothing like street food vendors here in the states or overseas.The food is not as good for the most part with a few exceptions.

The economics are what they are,I pay a little more than I would for the same cuisine locally but not significantly more and the local places are not themed nearly to the same degree.

TS food is not significantly more expensive than CS for a wise shopper so it is a no-brainer for us.TS for every meal possible,the apps in most places will be far better than any CS food and the price is a wash.Entree's are a bit more but the food is a quantum jump better than CS.

As for a direct answer to the OP ?Yes

 

[Colleen27]

I like a good meal, really. But, I also like a good hot dog. I'm probably different than most because I always eat my hot dogs plain, not even a little mustard. Because of my little quirk, I can taste the actual hot dog and not be swayed by the toppings. I believe that gives me an edge when it comes to knowing a good hot dog from a not-so-good one. The first negative clue to the CS hot dogs currently being served at WDW was that they are now offering them with toppings already on them and I have to ask for mine plain. I have to tell you the hot dogs that are being served at WDW these day are not good. Of course, that's my opinion, but it seems I'm not alone.

The issue with the buns that some people call "crumble" buns is that they are tasteless and fall apart in your hand. I don't now if they are being used because they are cheaper or healthier or what, but I don't see it as Disney just giving people what they want, as some have suggested.

I don't believe we should have to go searching for decent food when in the parks. It's obvious that many people actually like what is being served. I just don't think it should be across the board to the point there aare few choices.

The hot dogs aren't worth the calories since they stopped serving kosher dogs and went to the typical, cheap mixed-meats variety. I'm ridiculously picky about hot dogs, and I won't eat them at Disney any more.

The crumble buns I have a theory on - I buy wheat buns for my family at home and I"ve noticed that if we don't finish a package when I first open it, they're crumbly and all but useless as leftovers even as soon as one or two days later, sooner if the kids leave the package open. They also don't seem to freeze & thaw for later use as well as the moister white buns. I think Disney's problem with those buns is the freshness factor - they go south fast if the packages aren't closed immediately and carefully, if they sit out for any length of time, or if they're otherwise too exposed. In a food service setting, the conditions for serving fresh wheat buns are virtually unattainable.

 

[Colleen27]

So you're basically saying there is no incentive for a first class restaurant to be better than McDonalds?

Only if they value their reputation as first class. I'd argue that Disney isn't worried about their dining reputation at the moment; they are relying upon the captive audience factor, the fact that their parks offer an experience that can't be had elsewhere, and the massive number of first time guests to come through the turnstiles every year. And it is working - DDP or not most guests aren't going to spend 2-3 hours of their park days driving offsite in an unfamiliar area to find cheaper/better fast food, so there's no incentive for Disney to offer the best now that it is no longer an ingrained part of their corporate culture.

I live in a town with one drive through. It is a McDonalds that messes up 9 orders out of 10, and yet it is still busy. Why? Because when people want fast food, they don't want to drive 10 miles to Taco Bell, KFC, or Burger King to get it. The "fast" is the appeal, not the "food". Disney knows the same thing is true of their counter service restaurants - the appeal isn't the menu or the food quality, it is being able to grab a quick bite without leaving the parks. So why go above and beyond, particularly at extra cost and therefore lower profit?

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Only if they value their reputation as first class. I'd argue that Disney isn't worried about their dining reputation at the moment; they are relying upon the captive audience factor, the fact that their parks offer an experience that can't be had elsewhere, and the massive number of first time guests to come through the turnstiles every year. And it is working - DDP or not most guests aren't going to spend 2-3 hours of their park days driving offsite in an unfamiliar area to find cheaper/better fast food, so there's no incentive for Disney to offer the best now that it is no longer an ingrained part of their corporate culture.

I live in a town with one drive through. It is a McDonalds that messes up 9 orders out of 10, and yet it is still busy. Why? Because when people want fast food, they don't want to drive 10 miles to Taco Bell, KFC, or Burger King to get it. The "fast" is the appeal, not the "food". Disney knows the same thing is true of their counter service restaurants - the appeal isn't the menu or the food quality, it is being able to grab a quick bite without leaving the parks. So why go above and beyond, particularly at extra cost and therefore lower profit?

Oh my ... We really are near the end of civilization as we know it.

 

[pigby]

I am not saying that WDW is always fantastic, but we think that most of the offerings are pretty good to excellent in WDW - but then you should see the theme park food we are subjected to over here (in the UK)

 

[Sugardimples]

the food is NOT bad at Disney! Some places might be better than others in one person's opinion and someone else has a completely different opinion. Overall the food is good, some is very good and some is excellent.

I can count on one hand the "bad" meals we've had at WDW. On our last trip (September 2010), the only disappointing meal was at ABC Commissary.

When you consider how many meals are prepared each day, WDW does a remarkable job.

 

[mcd2745]

So you're basically saying there is no incentive for a first class restaurant to be better than McDonalds?

The discussion in this thread has bascially centered on CS restaurants. I don't think anyone thinks of any CS restaurant, anywhere, as "first-class" Now, TS would be a different arguement altogether.

Oh my ... We really are near the end of civilization as we know it.

Why? Beacause some people choose a quicker (albeit, yes at times, lower quality) meal as opposed to dedicating a much longer amount of time for their meal - especially when including time to and from said meal? It may not be ideal to you or many others...but for many people, when they visit WDW, all they want to do is maximize park time (particularly first-timers). That is their priority. The folks at Disney realize this and are leveraging this as much as possible. It just makes sense from a business standpoint. Do I want better hot dog and hamburger buns? Of course I do. But Disney is not going to give them to us until they have a compelling business reason to do so - i.e. no one is buying hot dogs anymore. But, do you see that happening anytime soon? I sure don't.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

yup.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have to tell you the hot dogs that are being served at WDW these day are not good.

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

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).

 

[mcd2745]

yup.

While I agree that it's not necessarily a good thing...I think "the end of civilization" my be a tad too dramatic.

 

[♥Cleo]

I was wondering why the food is so bad at disney? The counter service is what I am talking about. Mac and cheese is terrible, burgers dry the buns stale, I don't get it when I went to disneyland in the late 90's the food was good. Is it because everyone is watching their weight and they are trying to go fat free or something? Or is it the free dining plan? Disney should cut a deal with 5 guys burger and fries, in 'N' out burger even burger king and Mc Donalds. What is up with the crappy food. Everything else is great in Disney why let the food go to crap. The fine dining is excluded such as epcot and the hotel food is pretty good but the counter service in the parks is a big let down.

I don't know about Cali but in Fl it's awesome, wayyyy better than BK. Please don't put a burger butt in my WDW!!! I love the wheat buns & burgers. I think THEY should open a world wide chain called Mickey's or something. lol! They r the best w/ the fixin' bar. Yummy. Besides does anyone think McDonalds is GOOD??? eeek!!!

 

[drenalin'junkie]

What Nala said.... and long time visitors who have been eating there regularly notice the decline more than someone who has been 10 times in 25 years,that's just human nature.That ingredients and portions have changed is evident.Some folks don't mind and some don't notice.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

While I agree that it's not necessarily a good thing...I think "the end of civilization" my be a tad too dramatic.

'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! ...

 

[emmabemmainc]

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


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