I will never complain about Disney's food prices again

[goofy4prez]

The Las Vegas Strip is a tourist destination, and Manhattan is also a tourist destination. Of course people live in NYC, but that's not my point.

And no, Disney isn't better than many of the upscale restaurants in Las Vegas and Manhattan, which are similarly priced to Disney's signature restaurants. But again, that wasn't the point of my post.

The biggest standard that I compare Disney to is itself. And right now, Disney dining isn't living up to that standard.

We may not be in agreement on another topic left nameless here, but I cannot agree with you more here on this one. I don't think it's really about price, it is what you alluded to, the standard they are failing to meet. WDW use to offer in the not so distant past excellent quality food in their TS restaurants. While the prices have escalated at an unbelievable pace, the quality has diminished equally at an unbelievable pace.

 

[JohnNYC]

I thought the same thing until I read this. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/via-napoli/



Good news is that the local spring is a source in PA chemically the same as the water they would import, not Florida.

Interesting. The waitress must've been mistaken. Still a good pie though!

 

[JohnNYC]

Oooh ohh I know the answer to this one. My family owned a restaurant in Harlem up until my uncles died a few years back. Anyway, water and soda have the greatest markup. No work is involved in serving them, pretty standard taste that doesn't change and no matter what your taste, every body will want a drink.
for some reason, mentally people will pay 5 bucks for a water where they may skip a 2.00 bag of chips.

see its interesting because while napoli serves good pizza, we ate there 2 larges and 4 soft drinks ran us 80 bucks. The place I go to in NYC 1/3 the price. heck here at Citizen ball park they make a good pizza 1/2 the price

Yeah, I know drinks are all profit. Hate it.

And while the price for a pizza at Via Napoli is a little high (athough the "individual" for $18 can actually feed two), a similar fresh, top quality ingredient pizza here in Brooklyn is over $20, easy. There is a place near me (DiFara) that is now so popular that there are lines all day...at $5 a slice!!!

 

[kmedina]

I don't mind paying if the food is good. We went to Elitch's in Colorado and couldn't even find anything we wanted to eat, let alone pay the prices for! It was awful! I understand things will be more pricey, but at least make it good. I'm from Vegas and, yeah, a high end buffet will be 20 bucks a person. However, it will be some good food! That counts for something!

Agreed. It is worth it if the food is good. However, $20 will not get you into any of the premier buffets. The Cosmopolitan is $27 pre tax and tip, while the Rio is $25 pre tax and tip for dinner. There are some that are higher, but those are the best two in that order in my opinion. If you have not tried the Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan yet, stop what you are doing and go now. You will thank me later. I am not a buffet person, but that one is worth it!

If you want to eat at a nice restaurant on the strip, you can find a few gems (for other cities prices) like Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris or Beijing Noodle #9 at Caesars Palace. Most of the other restaurants are higher than the prices a previous poster mentioned for Atlantis. The average cost for two people to eat with tax and tip without alcohol is about $260. We have paid that at Kraftsteak at MGM (worth it, our favorite), Prime at Bellagio (not worth it, our least favorite) and many others.

Victoria and Albert's is more than $260 with tax and tip, but it is worth it. It is still cheap compared to similar restaurants here though. The point is I agree with the previous poster who mentioned it is what you are used to at home that makes you think a price is expensive or not. I also agree with the moderator who said the difference is that you are at Disney all week. I would not eat a $260 dinner two nights in a row at home but frequently have high priced Disney meals many days in a row.

I find Disney prices are good. Whoever posted Disneyland is more expensive than Disneyworld is also right. Disneyland dining packages do not save any money, so it is pointless to buy them. We go to both parks and spend more at Disneyland usually. It is still cheaper than the touristy parts of my city at both locations, so it is okay with me. If there are tourists around, the food prices are always higher than elsewhere in the city.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Is Disney (World and land) CS food more than McD's, Subway, Del Taco (here in California), or any other fast food chain you can name? Yes.

Is it pretty tasty? Yes

Are most of the other theme parks, amusement parks, water parks, stadiums, bowling alleys, movies, etc. more expensive and less appetizing? Yes.

We are APH at DLR and go there quite often. Since we are there as day trippers, not vacationers, we don't eat a meal there everytime. And when we do, we (DD11 and I) will frequently share and rarely get a drink. I bring in my own soda (Diet Coke) and we will also get cold, or hot water (for free) many times. If we are going to DLR close to lunch time we will drive thru someplace like Del Taco and eat for under $5. If we are leaving around dinner we may stop on the way home. We will also bring along some snacks.

Now, that's not to say we deny ourselves all the time. Last Sunday we weren't hungry on the way to DLR so we didn't stop to eat. About 1 p.m. we decided to split some ice cream. About $6 at Golden Horseshoe for 2 scoops. Later in the day we needed some lunch so we shared a grilled chicken sandwich, with onion rings (so good!) from Taste Pilots Grill for around $10. 2 glasses of water. Before we left we stopped in at Bakersfield Bakery and had a delicious, heated, choc. chip muffin (under $3) and 2 cups of hot water (I bring tea bags) We sat there enjoying our hot tea and muffin while enjoying the ambiance. Sunday was unusual for us as we shared 2 snacks and one meal. Usually it's one or the other.

When we go to WDW we are on vacation and eating out is part of the budget. We still economize by eating breakfast in our room most of the time. Bowl of cereal, bagels, toast, fresh fruit, etc. Saves time and money. And if we aren't on the (free) DDP than we share many of our meals as well as eating off property.

My DD is 11 and she knows that when we go places we aren't always going to get something to eat/drink. When we do, it's a treat.

For example when we go to the Angel's game with her grandparents we eat (Del Taco) on the way and I don't spend anything on food or drink there. It is incredibly expensive! I bring in our own water and my Diet Coke. Sometimes peanuts. Usually her grandpa will buy her a frozen lemonade, like the ones they sell at Disney. But at the stadium the are like $5.50!

 

[kmk1180]

Yesterday I went to Kings Dominion (a Cedar Point Park) and made an expensive mistake. My DH, DD and DD friend went to eat a CS meal. I saw that the hamburger and chicken sandwhiches were $6.98. I didn't see that the small fries were $3.49 and the drinks were $3.50!!! My DH ordered a large fry at $5.98!!! At least Disney gives you some fries and a drink for 7 or 8 dollars. Our lunch total was $59 for four people! The girls did get a dessert but shared a drink.
The real kicker was the food was horrible, my daughters chicken sandwhich was black, pure burned all over. She was too embarrassed to let me take it back. The rest of the food was bad as well. Sixty dollars and we are still hungy.
So Disney I think you prices are pretty reasonable and tasty.

I agree and understand.
We took a day trip to Chicago and ate at the Rainforest cafe there.
$78 plus tip.
For a family of 4!

Disney's prices aren't any worse. In many cases better.
It's tourist pricing.
Can you eat cheaper out at home? Sure, but most people don't live
in tourists spots.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

We may not be in agreement on another topic left nameless here, but I cannot agree with you more here on this one. I don't think it's really about price, it is what you alluded to, the standard they are failing to meet. WDW use to offer in the not so distant past excellent quality food in their TS restaurants. While the prices have escalated at an unbelievable pace, the quality has diminished equally at an unbelievable pace.

I agree. Honestly, I'm surprised that Disney prices fare so well when compared to amusement parks, sports stadiums, etc. But in the past Disney never set itself up to be compared to a local amusement park.

Disney is supposed to be far above that, based on the standard it set, and we've seen a relapse. I'm surprised that so many people here feel comfortable justifying Disney's prices; with that attitude, things don't need to get better, which seems to be the attitude that management has in several areas.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Disney is supposed to be far above that, based on the standard it set, and we've seen a relapse. I'm surprised that so many people here feel comfortable justifying Disney's prices; with that attitude, things don't need to get better, which seems to be the attitude that management has in several areas.

This is the sentiment I was going to express. Disney PR folks must love, love, love it when they see a thread titled like this one and then see that many people agree. If people will pay big money for crap and Disney can figure what the dollar v crap level is, you can expect them to try and get to that point (the breaking point).

I had hoped that we were nearing that low point with so many people expressing regret over true fine dining losses at WDW but then this post comparing and praising disney dining to Old dominion theme park (a long time bastion of fine dining, I'm sure) shows up and throws water on my hopes.

 

[maxiesmom]

This is the sentiment I was going to express. Disney PR folks must love, love, love it when they see a thread titled like this one and then see that many people agree. If people will pay big money for crap and Disney can figure what the dollar v crap level is, you can expect them to try and get to that point (the breaking point).

I had hoped that we were nearing that low point with so many people expressing regret over true fine dining losses at WDW but then this post comparing and praising disney dining to Old dominion theme park (a long time bastion of fine dining, I'm sure) shows up and throws water on my hopes.

I don't agree that the food at WDW is "crap". In fact, I have only had one meal that I considered bad. And that was breakfast at a resturant that no longer serves breakfast, so it apparently wasn't just me who found the food bad.

But all in all I think Disney does a good job with the variety, cost, and quality of the food they serve. I can tell you too that it is cheaper to buy a pop at WDW then it is at my local movie theater. Last week I paid $21 for 4 pops and a box of candy. Talk about expensive!

 

[newdeal]

I could spend $60 at disney on lunch for 4...although it would be at cosmic rays and we would get 4 chicken and rib combos lol. I live in niagara falls, try going out near the falls to TGI fridays and a hamburger meal is $50

 

[Planogirl]

There is decent food to be had at WDW but the point is that the food has been on a steady decline for some time now. Some of us might be a bit worried as to how far that slide down will go and I agree that based on a thread like this that there is no reason for it to stop. I suspect that it might get worse before it gets better and I don't blame Disney a bit.

I also agree that comparing Disney food to food at amusement parks is like comparing apples and oranges. Those amusement parks don't usually claim to have great food whereas Disney does. It's also usually easy to escape an amusement park to find a decent meal while Disney tends to have more of a captive audience.

I don't think that really comparing snack prices at a theater or sports venue is the same either. You don't HAVE to buy a snack during a two hour movie or three hour sports event. I can't remember the last time we've bought a thing at a theater. Again, a person tends to be more of a captive audience at WDW.

 

[maxiesmom]

There is decent food to be had at WDW but the point is that the food has been on a steady decline for some time now. Some of us might be a bit worried as to how far that slide down will go and I agree that based on a thread like this that there is no reason for it to stop. I suspect that it might get worse before it gets better and I don't blame Disney a bit.


I don't think that really comparing snack prices at a theater or sports venue is the same either. You don't HAVE to buy a snack during a two hour movie or three hour sports event. I can't remember the last time we've bought a thing at a theater. Again, a person tends to be more of a captive audience at WDW.

I don't agree that the food at WDW has been on a steady decline. Unless you are talking about choice, and then I agree, the choices have been narrowed down.

As far as not comparing WDW with a movie theater, I have to again disagree. I can't remember the last time I haven't purchased at least a drink when I go to the movies. You can't bring in your own. WDW lets you bring in as much food as you want with you into the parks. Just no glass or alcohol. You don't have to spend a penny on food at WDW unless you choose to.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

As far as not comparing WDW with a movie theater, I have to again disagree. I can't remember the last time I haven't purchased at least a drink when I go to the movies. You can't bring in your own. WDW lets you bring in as much food as you want with you into the parks. Just no glass or alcohol. You don't have to spend a penny on food at WDW unless you choose to.

A movie lasts two hours - it's pretty easy to go that long without a drink. And I've never had a problem bringing a bottle of water into the theater. If there's a girl in the group, just put it in her handbag.

Disney, on the other hand, is usually a several-day experience for most guests. By charging inflated prices for the rooms, Disney encourages most people to take Magical Express to their resort so they think they're saving money on transport. But then people can't go to an off-site supermarket and buy groceries. Even if they could, the rooms don't have nearly enough space to store fresh food for a week, let alone a few days. But when people are on vacation anyway, most people really don't want to cook, prepare food, or miss out on their vacation by going shopping for groceries. It's a completely different setting, and I highly doubt that any person who thinks it's necessary to buy a drink at the movies, will also eat supermarket food for their whole week at Disney.

 

[maxiesmom]

A movie lasts two hours - it's pretty easy to go that long without a drink. And I've never had a problem bringing a bottle of water into the theater. If there's a girl in the group, just put it in her handbag.

Disney, on the other hand, is usually a several-day experience for most guests. By charging inflated prices for the rooms, Disney encourages most people to take Magical Express to their resort so they think they're saving money on transport. But then people can't go to an off-site supermarket and buy groceries. Even if they could, the rooms don't have nearly enough space to store fresh food for a week, let alone a few days. But when people are on vacation anyway, most people really don't want to cook, prepare food, or miss out on their vacation by going shopping for groceries. It's a completely different setting, and I highly doubt that any person who thinks it's necessary to buy a drink at the movies, will also eat supermarket food for their whole week at Disney.

I was responding to the statement that Disney was holding you captive, and forcing you to buy, what is to your mind, overpriced and bad food. I'm simply pointing out that that is not the case. Buying the food inside the parks is a choice. Many people bring in their own, or go off site for some of their meals. Disney doesn't force you to stay in the parks, or force you to buy their food.

Heck, the whole trip is a choice. If you don't want to buy the food, then don't buy it. Bring in your own, go off site, or just don't go. You don't HAVE to buy the food and you don't HAVE to go to WDW. Statements such as the one that Disney holds you captive and forces you to pay for food in the parks are simply not true. And shouldn't be stated as fact on a board that so many people turn to for facts and good information.

 

[mickeysbestfriend]

lot of what has been said here. We go to kings island and cedar point and they are definitely not cheap when it comes to food.

I agree big time that the quality of the food at Disney has declined over the past five years. Part of it can be atributed to the free dining. Part can be atributed to bean counters deciding that they can save money by serving the same stuff everywhere. That was never what dining at Disney was supposed to be about. We love the uniqueness of the Disney restaruants. The buffets and all alike but wiht different characters.

The only thing we can hope for is that the mucky mucks at Disney occasionally peruse these boards and take to heart what the posters are saying.

Disney dining was one of the reasons we came back again and again. We are actually thinking about going back to renting a car so we can dine off property...

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I don't agree that the food at WDW is "crap". In fact, I have only had one meal that I considered bad. And that was breakfast at a resturant that no longer serves breakfast, so it apparently wasn't just me who found the food bad.

But all in all I think Disney does a good job with the variety, cost, and quality of the food they serve. I can tell you too that it is cheaper to buy a pop at WDW then it is at my local movie theater. Last week I paid $21 for 4 pops and a box of candy. Talk about expensive!

"crap" was simply a metaphor tying what many of us used to feel about Disney quality and the current spiral downward that we're seeing now. Clearly they could never get away with serving crap.

Thanks Planogirl for cleaning up after me. You've been doing it for a lot of years around here.

 

[Planogirl]

I was responding to the statement that Disney was holding you captive, and forcing you to buy, what is to your mind, overpriced and bad food. I'm simply pointing out that that is not the case. Buying the food inside the parks is a choice. Many people bring in their own, or go off site for some of their meals. Disney doesn't force you to stay in the parks, or force you to buy their food.

Heck, the whole trip is a choice. If you don't want to buy the food, then don't buy it. Bring in your own, go off site, or just don't go. You don't HAVE to buy the food and you don't HAVE to go to WDW. Statements such as the one that Disney holds you captive and forces you to pay for food in the parks are simply not true. And shouldn't be stated as fact on a board that so many people turn to for facts and good information.

When I mention captive audience, I'm referring to those who fly in and use Magical Express and so on. Of course Disney isn't forcing anyone to do anything but it is a bit more difficult than walking to a chain restaurant just outside the park gates as we can if we go to our local Six Flags. I'm personally referring more to convenience than actually being trapped. It wasn't meant to be taken so literally.

To anyone looking for facts: Disney does NOT hold you captive and force you to eat their food!

 

[Planogirl]

"crap" was simply a metaphor tying what many of us used to feel about Disney quality and the current spiral downward that we're seeing now. Clearly they could never get away with serving crap.

Thanks Planogirl for cleaning up after me. You've been doing it for a lot of years around here.

 

[jkc0325]

We switch off between King's Dominion and Hersey Park every other year. If I could bring my own food and drinks in, I would in a heartbeat!!!! The food at both places is simply awful, but I don't expect it to be good. The price of a drink is outrageous. We buy 2 refillable mugs and share them between the 5 of us. Next time we go, I think I will pack a lunch in the cooler and leave it in the car. We'll have a parking lot picnic and I'm sure everyone's tummy will be much happier for it.

I was SO happy to hear that Disney allows you to bring in your food and drinks. I plan to do a combo of TS and CS meals but for quick snacks, I'd rather bring in some fresh fruit to help with nutrition and the budget for the week.

Last time we were at King's Dominion, I bought a soda from a machine *just* outside the gate. 30 seconds later I was told I couldn't bring it into the park!!!!!!!!!!!! They could have at least had a sign that said I would have to dump it before entering the park so I didn't waste my $3

I haven't been to Disney since 2005 and I was a bit shocked to see the price increase at the TS resaurants. But I am budgeting for it and I'm sure we'll all enjoy sitting in some AC and resting our tired legs. We are staying offsite, with a car, so if the $$ is flowing out too quickly, we'll add some off site cheaper restaurants to our plan. Any good suggestions????

 

[beroh2253]

I agree. Hershey Park is the same way which is why we never eat there. And the counter service food at Disney generally isn't bad. I always tell people how reasonable I think Disney prices are compared to other parks and they look at me like I have 2 heads though

I agree Hershey Park went once years ago that was enough, If you are close try Knoebles great food and prices,we go there 4-5 times a year just to walk around and eat, on drinks there if there was a Biergarden I would go every week. So a few weeks and the will be open for the season, can't wait.