Have the menus changed because of free dining?

[Evan&Kimberly]

Cheshire is right. I was speaking with a manager at one of the restaurants about free dining a year or so ago. He said he was glad they did away with including appetizers.

One reason was that people insisted on ordering the most expensive appetizer, since it was free, regardless of what it was or whether they even knew what it was.

The restaurant's most expensive appetizer was mussels. He said you could not believe the number of people who ordered mussels having no idea what they were simply because they thought ordering the most expensive appetizer was the way to maximize the free dining.

He said he'd bring out the dish of mussels and they'd be like, "What in the world are those?" They'd refuse the dish and insist on something else at that point.

He said he dumped so many mussels in the garbage it was unbelievable.

Ahhh, the joys of free dining.

Wow I guess Ignorant people visit WDW, why order something you have no idea what it is, and then send it back, If I was the manager on duty I would have not let them changed it for another appy! that’s really sad those type of people are probably the reason that they stopped including the appetizer in the regular dining plan, People should order based on what they like not what the cost is, like me if they had wings as an appy at 7.99 and Escargot at 11.99 I am ordering the wings cause hey I know I like wings and rather forgo the snails lol!

 

[Planogirl]

Has anyone been during periods where free dining isn't offered and noticed a change in the menus and quality? I keep wondering if there is any point in trying to go during those times.

 

[mickey2000]

With the great economy, free dining might be all year long except Christmas

 

[TDC Nala]

Honestly, in my opinion the decline is overall and not just during the free dining period. The Walt Disney Company is no longer interested in an emphasis on quality dining and is going for quantity. My usual way of handling it is to try and stick with Disney signature restaurants and the restaurants that don't accept the dining plan.

Menu changes referred to include the removal of the lobster tails entree at Cap'n Jacks - that was done in October 2008, after the public free dining period. I do not think it's all because of FREE dining.

 

[smylie1]

Cheshire is right. I was speaking with a manager at one of the restaurants about free dining a year or so ago. He said he was glad they did away with including appetizers.

One reason was that people insisted on ordering the most expensive appetizer, since it was free, regardless of what it was or whether they even knew what it was.

The restaurant's most expensive appetizer was mussels. He said you could not believe the number of people who ordered mussels having no idea what they were simply because they thought ordering the most expensive appetizer was the way to maximize the free dining.

He said he'd bring out the dish of mussels and they'd be like, "What in the world are those?" They'd refuse the dish and insist on something else at that point.

He said he dumped so many mussels in the garbage it was unbelievable.

Ahhh, the joys of free dining.

Oh that just kills me!! I could eat my weight in mussels!

 

[TeresaWen]

We have been going to disney 2-4 times a year for the past 10 years and continue to notice a decline in quality. This trip we have only 4 dinners planned for a 9 night trip. The rest we will wing it...counter service...food and wine snacks...swan and dolphin. Aside from quality - I do not like how structured my trip would need to be as well if I wanted to have a sit down dinner every night...I remember fondly the days when I could walk into EPOCT (because that is were we felt like going when we woke up) going to Guest Relations and booking a dinner for that same evening. No more! For the past two years we have made only one trip during food and wine - found out there are other places to vacation! If this decline continues, we will replace our October trip woth something else. I am SOOOOO glad I did not buy into DVC a few years ago when we were going so frequently. I would have never guessed back then how things would have changed. I agree the decline is due to the DDP.

The apps were most likely removed from the plan to keep people from taking up a table for a longer time. Desert is quick and cheap. I love to linger over apps and wine. We pay ooo and I do not order my main course until we are finisned with our apps. If we don't do this...they come within minutes of each other! Usually though when we let the server know we are not on the DDP we get much better service. Don't know why...maybe because we spend so much on drinks and apps.

 

[singnring]

There was mention of filet being removed from one of the menus.

Does anyone know if this is true for Narcoossee's as well?

I hope not!
I am surprising DH with a dinner there for our 25th anniv and plan to order the filet.

That was what we had the night he proposed to me back in 84 in NC while we were in the service.

I'd hate to think I made that ADR for nothing!

 

[B-Ride]

Funny our family quite enjoys our meals at WDW. I have eaten at Ponderosa before and would never return. Yet we happily visit places like Chefs de France, Le Cellier, Boma, Kona Cafe and 'Ohana every year.

Sure you need to visit a Signature restaurant for a fine dining experience, but I don't think you are getting fine dining at most of the comparable restaurants offsite either.

I guess we aren't on our own from what I read about the difficulty of getting ADRs even outside of Free Dining periods and most of the people posting on these boards are not first timers either.

 

[Joshua_me]

Oh that just kills me!! I could eat my weight in mussels!

Me, too !

I can't imagine not knowing what mussels were, but on the off chance I didn't I certainly would have asked before ordering.

Oh, the waste...The ignorance. I don't know how the servers keep from strangling some of their "guests".

 

[Sammie]

The problem is Disney is going to only be concerned with numbers. As long as the numbers support these changes it will continue and sadly many first time guests are very satisfied with the way things are now at Disney.

They do not have the comparsion of what Disney used to be, so they don't complain.

Disney could care less if they lose some long time visitors as long as they are replaced by a first timer.

Please send your comments to Disney, it can't hurt and just maybe it might help.

 

[lizandjason]

We are looking forward to free dining. To get the most 'bang for our buck' we are going to places where we actually enjoy the food and most of those places are buffets or family-style so we get a ton of variety.

Free dining is what you make it, and you have to do your research so you won't make bad decisions. Our ADRs aren't fancy but they are very tasty...'Ohana, Biergarten, LTT, Boma, Le Cellier and Crystal Palace Breakfast. Our CS choices are WPE, Tangiere Cafe, CHH, and we'll be enjoying the Food and Wine festival options with our snack credits. We're also trying T-Rex OOP because the atmosphere is fun, the entrees are huge and can be split, and we hear the food is great. We KNOW that we're going to enjoy our food choices and we're looking forward to an awesome vacation. I hope everyone else can do this, too.

 

[jcemom]

Honestly, in my opinion the decline is overall and not just during the free dining period. The Walt Disney Company is no longer interested in an emphasis on quality dining and is going for quantity. My usual way of handling it is to try and stick with Disney signature restaurants and the restaurants that don't accept the dining plan.

Menu changes referred to include the removal of the lobster tails entree at Cap'n Jacks - that was done in October 2008, after the public free dining period. I do not think it's all because of FREE dining.

I agree.

However, this was just posted on another thread I've been following. I haven't seen any confirmation yet, or read of any similar incidents elsewhere, but here's what the poster said, posted this evening:

well......we ate at Tony's at the MK today. We were given a paper menu with limitted choices on it and then when it was time for dessert we were just given a plate with samples on it, yes there was PLENTY, but we didn't like 1/2 of what was on it and would have like to order our own, something we would have liked....

 

[funfam]

I guess that I am lucky to live in a foodie city. As such, I do not feel the need to do my fine dining at Disney World. Also, since I am traveling with my kids, fine dining is not the best option for the little ones. While at Disney we tend to do Character meals more than anything else. I know that they aren't the best bang for a DDP credit, but we like them. We have wonderful steak, seafood, and international cuisine close to home but I can't eat with Mickey or Cinderella anywhere except Disney! I guess I am one of those odd people who cares less about eating the most expensive meal and more about having a great time!

 

[The House of Mouse]

We are looking forward to free dining. To get the most 'bang for our buck' we are going to places where we actually enjoy the food and most of those places are buffets or family-style so we get a ton of variety.

Free dining is what you make it, and you have to do your research so you won't make bad decisions. Our ADRs aren't fancy but they are very tasty...'Ohana, Biergarten, LTT, Boma, Le Cellier and Crystal Palace Breakfast. Our CS choices are WPE, Tangiere Cafe, CHH, and we'll be enjoying the Food and Wine festival options with our snack credits. We're also trying T-Rex OOP because the atmosphere is fun, the entrees are huge and can be split, and we hear the food is great. We KNOW that we're going to enjoy our food choices and we're looking forward to an awesome vacation. I hope everyone else can do this, too.

We're doing this too! Restaurants we know we will like, in a magical place that we love! We have never had a bad meal at a table service restaurant whether we were doing the DDP or not. Maybe my expectations are lower than others, but I love almost anything that I don't have to cook myself. Bring on the DDP and all our ADRs, can't wait...only 5 more sleeps!

 

[luvpooh]

We have been going to disney 2-4 times a year for the past 10 years and continue to notice a decline in quality. This trip we have only 4 dinners planned for a 9 night trip. The rest we will wing it...counter service...food and wine snacks...swan and dolphin. Aside from quality - I do not like how structured my trip would need to be as well if I wanted to have a sit down dinner every night...I remember fondly the days when I could walk into EPOCT (because that is were we felt like going when we woke up) going to Guest Relations and booking a dinner for that same evening. No more! For the past two years we have made only one trip during food and wine - found out there are other places to vacation! If this decline continues, we will replace our October trip woth something else. I am SOOOOO glad I did not buy into DVC a few years ago when we were going so frequently. I would have never guessed back then how things would have changed. I agree the decline is due to the DDP.

The apps were most likely removed from the plan to keep people from taking up a table for a longer time. Desert is quick and cheap. I love to linger over apps and wine. We pay ooo and I do not order my main course until we are finisned with our apps. If we don't do this...they come within minutes of each other! Usually though when we let the server know we are not on the DDP we get much better service. Don't know why...maybe because we spend so much on drinks and apps.

WOW! I could have written this post, word for word!

 

[jamstew]

Me, too !

I can't imagine not knowing what mussels were, but on the off chance I didn't I certainly would have asked before ordering.

I know what they are and that I don't like them (claims either). When I was in Key West at Jimmy Buffet's, I thought I should order conch fritters since that's what Key West is known for, but I had enough sense to ask what they were like before ordering. The waiter said they were similar to clams. I said never mind and had an outstanding burger instead

OTOH, I can (and usually do) make a meal off escargot and bread at Chef's de France

 

[Colleen27]

Honestly, in my opinion the decline is overall and not just during the free dining period. The Walt Disney Company is no longer interested in an emphasis on quality dining and is going for quantity. My usual way of handling it is to try and stick with Disney signature restaurants and the restaurants that don't accept the dining plan.

Menu changes referred to include the removal of the lobster tails entree at Cap'n Jacks - that was done in October 2008, after the public free dining period. I do not think it's all because of FREE dining.

I agree with the bolded. It is disappointing to people who know good food, but I think Disney is after the masses, not the foodies. They're targeting the same demographic that asks to sub fries or mashed potatoes for the mushroom risotto on Le Celler's filet, the demographic that creates the two hour wait for a table at our local Applebees on a weekend night. And from a business standpoint, it is probably an excellent strategy - there's a reason there are hundreds of Applebees and TGI Fridays and Outbacks to every one 5 star restaurant. Americans as a whole aren't exactly known for their discerning palates.

Another menu change that I don't believe coincided with free dining - IIRC, the crab legs at Coral Reef disappeared in the spring of 2008, not more than a few months after our last trip.

 

[MarkinNM]

We are looking forward to free dining. To get the most 'bang for our buck' we are going to places where we actually enjoy the food and most of those places are buffets or family-style so we get a ton of variety.

Free dining is what you make it, and you have to do your research so you won't make bad decisions. Our ADRs aren't fancy but they are very tasty...'Ohana, Biergarten, LTT, Boma, Le Cellier and Crystal Palace Breakfast. Our CS choices are WPE, Tangiere Cafe, CHH, and we'll be enjoying the Food and Wine festival options with our snack credits. We're also trying T-Rex OOP because the atmosphere is fun, the entrees are huge and can be split, and we hear the food is great. We KNOW that we're going to enjoy our food choices and we're looking forward to an awesome vacation. I hope everyone else can do this, too.

We're doing this too! Restaurants we know we will like, in a magical place that we love! We have never had a bad meal at a table service restaurant whether we were doing the DDP or not. Maybe my expectations are lower than others, but I love almost anything that I don't have to cook myself. Bring on the DDP and all our ADRs, can't wait...only 5 more sleeps!

WELL SAID!!

I wish everyone had such good attitudes about their vacations! I mean your going to Disney and not Las Vegas or New York or San Francisco…………..

News Flash, it’s not “a dumbed down menu” rather a simplifying the menu, taking off what’s not popular, finding what the consumers like, more of a refining a menu, ALL restaurants go through this period. It’s the standard evolution of a restaurant, some make better choices then others unfortunately for whatever reasons….

 

[Planogirl]

WELL SAID!!

I wish everyone had such good attitudes about their vacations! I mean your going to Disney and not Las Vegas or New York or San Francisco…………..

News Flash, it’s not “a dumbed down menu” rather a simplifying the menu, taking off what’s not popular, finding what the consumers like, more of a refining a menu, ALL restaurants go through this period. It’s the standard evolution of a restaurant, some make better choices then others unfortunately for whatever reasons….

It could also be seen as safe. Not that I blame Disney for going that route.

For me a vacation involves interesting dining if I'm going to spend a lot of money. At one time that involved characters but we're no longer interested in that so it's easier and quicker just to eat CS now. Luckily I think that there's some excellent CS to be had in the right places.

Everyone has their own ideas of what makes a vacation special and no one is wrong. JMO.

 

[jcemom]

News Flash, it’s not “a dumbed down menu” rather a simplifying the menu, taking off what’s not popular, finding what the consumers like, more of a refining a menu, ALL restaurants go through this period. It’s the standard evolution of a restaurant, some make better choices then others unfortunately for whatever reasons….

I think I will have to disagree with this. Sometimes they remove very popular items, and it's not always a seasonal thing. They have removed many of the most expensive items from various menus. To me that points to the popularity of the DDP as one culprit.

Some of the other changes appear to have been in an effort to standardize everything. You get some of the same foods at every restaurant, sometimes prepared different ways, but still many of the same food items. Like the equivalent of shopping at Sam's Club, lol. They are buying in bulk -- on a huge scale -- and using it at every restaurant.

That doesn't account for every menu change, of course. The rest seem to be seasonal, change of chef, etc.