Is Disneyland trying to turn their shows into dinner theater type shows?

[DodgerGirl]

With the news that Rogers The Musical will have a lunch and dinner package when it debuts I wonder if Disneyland and DCA are planning to turn the shows into dinner theater type shows? Because I find it odd that Fantasmic has dinner packages that guests can reserve ahead of time but who wants to pay big prices for a dinner package when you are watching a show? Is this something new that Disneyland is experimenting with to get more guests into the parks? Because for as long as I can remember Disneyland and DCA shows have always been free with admission and the first shows to offer dinner and lunch shows were The Golden Horseshoe and Aladdin's Oasis. But ever since those two shows began and Aladdin's Oasis closed I think this started a new trend for Disneyland to do. But I cannot imagine paying $30 for a lunch or dinner package and they should lower the prices if they want this trend to be successful

 

[GBRforWDW]

With the news that Rogers The Musical will have a lunch and dinner package when it debuts I wonder if Disneyland and DCA are planning to turn the shows into dinner theater type shows? Because I find it odd that Fantasmic has dinner packages that guests can reserve ahead of time but who wants to pay big prices for a dinner package when you are watching a show? Is this something new that Disneyland is experimenting with to get more guests into the parks? Because for as long as I can remember Disneyland and DCA shows have always been free with admission and the first shows to offer dinner and lunch shows were The Golden Horseshoe and Aladdin's Oasis. But ever since those two shows began and Aladdin's Oasis closed I think this started a new trend for Disneyland to do. But I cannot imagine paying $30 for a lunch or dinner package and they should lower the prices if they want this trend to be successful

The dining and the shows are separate experiences tho. The extra cost is typically to get a reserved viewing spot, sometimes better than a normal view, likely the case with Rogers, and sometimes just to get a Decent spot without lining up super early.

I’m sure most locals don’t take advantage of something like this typically, though with the short run of Rogers, some might, but for us non locals that like to visit once a year, it can be totally worth it. We did this for the Main Street Electric Parade last summer with the Plaza dining package and got a great spot in front of the train station.

 

[DodgerGirl]

I think this is a new trend that Disneyland has begun to do with it's shows. Because the way I see it I think they are trying out new experiments with their dining experiences at shows. Because like what some movie theaters are doing with people who watch movies and select from a special menu before the movie begins what foods they want and Disneyland decided to copy this trend themselves because that's what's in now. But I cannot figure out why they made The Golden Horseshoe's menu pricey and I think out of all the Disneyland shows with lunch and dinner this is one of the expensive restaurant/lunch/dinner shows in Disneyland and I think seeing how this worked at the former Aladdin's Oasis and The Golden Horseshoe Disneyland started doing this to shows like Fantasmic and certain parades and what I mainly think is the top selling food people get is the foods like barbecue ribs and salads and popcorn in souvenir buckets which I think the popcorn sells because people collect the buckets. But if Disneyland continues to do this I think many people will skip the shows on their Disneyland trips and focus on other things to do

 

[Dug720]

Wait...where was the dining package announced? I saw the package with popcorn and a soda - but that's not what I'd call a dining package.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think this is a new trend that Disneyland has begun to do with it's shows. Because the way I see it I think they are trying out new experiments with their dining experiences at shows. Because like what some movie theaters are doing with people who watch movies and select from a special menu before the movie begins what foods they want and Disneyland decided to copy this trend themselves because that's what's in now. But I cannot figure out why they made The Golden Horseshoe's menu pricey and I think out of all the Disneyland shows with lunch and dinner this is one of the expensive restaurant/lunch/dinner shows in Disneyland and I think seeing how this worked at the former Aladdin's Oasis and The Golden Horseshoe Disneyland started doing this to shows like Fantasmic and certain parades and what I mainly think is the top selling food people get is the foods like barbecue ribs and salads and popcorn in souvenir buckets which I think the popcorn sells because people collect the buckets. But if Disneyland continues to do this I think many people will skip the shows on their Disneyland trips and focus on other things to do

This is not a new thing at all. They did the same.for Frozen at the Hyperion. They have done it for parades, Fantasmic and World of Color.

 

[DonMacGregor]

But I cannot figure out why they made The Golden Horseshoe's menu pricey and I think out of all the Disneyland shows with lunch and dinner this is one of the expensive restaurant/lunch/dinner shows in Disneyland and I think seeing how this worked at the former Aladdin's Oasis and The Golden Horseshoe Disneyland started doing this to shows like Fantasmic and certain parades and what I mainly think is the top selling food people get is the foods like barbecue ribs and salads and popcorn in souvenir buckets which I think the popcorn sells because people collect the buckets.

Ok, aside from this being one VERY long sentence, I'm not sure what you mean by the Golden Horseshoe's menu being "pricey". It's a walk-up quick serve, almost identical to Stage Door Café, but with a few extras and some dessert offerings. Plus, it isn't a true dinner show as you can walk in at any time and just visit the counter. I wouldn't call $10.99 fish and chips "pricey".

Oh, and the first true "dinner show" type experience at Disneyland was Tahitian Terrace, which opened WAY back in 1962 and occupied the space subsequently occupied by Alladin's Oasis and now Tropical Hideaway. Yes, Golden Horseshoe was an opening day attraction, but it was always more show than a dining opportunity. Hoop Dee Doo took the idea and ran with it and is a true "dinner show"

 

[GBRforWDW]

Wait...where was the dining package announced? I saw the package with popcorn and a soda - but that's not what I'd call a dining package.

Pretty sure that’s all there is.

From the Blog Disney site:
You may choose to buy a “Rogers: The Musical” Premium Viewing Experience package from the Studio Catering Co. Truck in Hollywood Land. Available in limited quantities per performance, the package includes a “Rogers: The Musical” popcorn bucket with kettle corn and choice of bottled beverage, plus access to lounge seating before the show, priority choice of seating in the theater, a souvenir lanyard and access to a unique photo opportunity.

I guess anything with food and special access to a show could be generically referred to as a Dining Package

 

[Dug720]

Pretty sure that’s all there is.

From the Blog Disney site:
You may choose to buy a “Rogers: The Musical” Premium Viewing Experience package from the Studio Catering Co. Truck in Hollywood Land. Available in limited quantities per performance, the package includes a “Rogers: The Musical” popcorn bucket with kettle corn and choice of bottled beverage, plus access to lounge seating before the show, priority choice of seating in the theater, a souvenir lanyard and access to a unique photo opportunity.

That's what I thought.

I guess maybe the discussion of the specially themed food confused the OP - because popcorn and a soda is hardly a "dining package".

 

[DonMacGregor]

Fun Fact:

While Golden Horseshoe/Stage Door Cafe have never had more than a tiny fast-food type kitchen space shared between them, the old Tahitian Terrace shared a massive kitchen with the former Plaza Pavilion restaurant (now Jolly Holliday Bakery). The Pavilion was a great place to eat but sadly closed in 1997 and the space used for all sorts of non-dining purposes until it reopened as Jolly Holiday in 2012.

 

[DizMe]

Fun Fact:

While Golden Horseshoe/Stage Door Cafe have never had more than a tiny fast-food type kitchen space shared between them, the old Tahitian Terrace shared a massive kitchen with the former Plaza Pavilion restaurant (now Jolly Holliday Bakery). The Pavilion was a great place to eat but sadly closed in 1997 and the space used for all sorts of non-dining purposes until it reopened as Jolly Holiday in 2012.

Tahitian Terrace was AWESOME. They had dancers, torch twirlers (not sure what the official term for that might be), characters dressed in island garb, and a really wonderful buffet. We sat by a waterfall, ate a "luau" type dinner, and watched the show. I imagine it took too much time and resources for today's crowds.

 

[LKing]

But I cannot imagine paying $30 for a lunch or dinner package and they should lower the prices if they want this trend to be successful

But if Disneyland continues to do this I think many people will skip the shows on their Disneyland trips and focus on other things to do

As long as guests are interested, they will continue to offer it. Personally, I thought Genie+ and LL would die a quick death. Who in their right mind would pay a premium on top of already outrageous ticket prices? Obviously, many people feel that it is worth it.

I'm not a popcorn bucket collector, but my understanding is that they start at around $13 for a basic bucket. Bottled drinks in the park are $5 and regular popcorn is $5 (assume kettle corn is more). If the "dining package" is $30, that's not much more than the a la carte prices.

Edit to add: I don't know the value/price of a lanyard, but add that in as well.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

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[joseph821]

We do the plaza inn package every visit. Fried chicken and short ribs, veggies and a desert. Get the food for a late lunch around 2-3pm and then a prime seat for the parade later in the day.

I am doing that for the first time for my August trip. Looking forward to it. I love the Plaza Inn.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

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[DonMacGregor]

Tahitian Terrace was AWESOME. They had dancers, torch twirlers (not sure what the official term for that might be), characters dressed in island garb, and a really wonderful buffet. We sat by a waterfall, ate a "luau" type dinner, and watched the show. I imagine it took too much time and resources for today's crowds.

Here's a good Wiki article:

Tahitian Terrace

I need to seacrh Wikipedia first before typing responses, it would save me time and effort as this one says pretty much exactly what I said...LOL.

Additional fun fact: Jungle Cruise boat storage is behind main street, basically behind the Candy Shop and Crystal Arcade (you can see the boats if they open up the overflow exit during parades). Back in the day, if you were bringing another boat on, you'd walk this really narrow little path from JC behind the big tree that served as the backdrop to the Tahitian Terrace stage, and through a little backstage area used by the hula dancers while in costume, to get to the boats. Always a nice, slow walk through that little path if the dancers were there...LOL.

 

[Kit Jackson]

$13 for a basic bucket. Bottled drinks in the park are $5 and regular popcorn is $5 (assume kettle corn is more). If the "dining package" is $30, that's not much more than the a la carte prices.

Edit to add: I don't know the value/price of a lanyard, but add that in as well.

I couldn't find the cost of a lanyard without pins on ShopDisney, but the first page of search results at the online Universal Orlando store has lanyards between $13-$15.

 

[Mr. Mike]

... torch twirlers (not sure what the official term for that might be)

It's called "Fireknife." There is an annual Fireknife competition in Hawaii featuring contestants from across the Pacific Islands.

 

[DodgerGirl]

I also think that by turning the shows into dinner theater type shows Disneyland is hoping that this will make them huge money and get more people into DCA and Disneyland. Because people have always been fans of dinner theater and dinner theater shows are very popular. I bet once Rogers The Musical opens on Friday Disneyland will make a ton of money from the people buying the dinner packages. Because when a new show opens up at Disneyland it usually means big money for dinner packages and with Rogers The Musical opening Friday this will be the ticket for Disneyland to make money off the dinner packages

 

[Dug720]

dinner packages and with Rogers The Musical opening Friday this will be the ticket for Disneyland to make money off the dinner packages

Once again, popcorn and a soda does not a true "dinner" make. I'd call it a snack and seating package.

 

[mom2rtk]

I also think that by turning the shows into dinner theater type shows Disneyland is hoping that this will make them huge money and get more people into DCA and Disneyland. Because people have always been fans of dinner theater and dinner theater shows are very popular. I bet once Rogers The Musical opens on Friday Disneyland will make a ton of money from the people buying the dinner packages. Because when a new show opens up at Disneyland it usually means big money for dinner packages and with Rogers The Musical opening Friday this will be the ticket for Disneyland to make money off the dinner packages

The only dinner theater Disney does is Hoop De Doo at WDW.