Is it just me, or are Tutto Italia prices ridiculous?

[kathyg]

I mean, come on, $16 for a Caesar Salad, $24 for a plate of Penne, $14 for Ice Cream with Berries?

Is it just me or are these prices way, way out of line? While I understand the food is quite good, this restaurant doesn't come close to the food and preparations at some of Disney's signature restaurants. I'm sure it's a great value if your on the dining plan, but what if you're paying out of pocket?

Frankly, I'm torn. On one hand I would like to experience the restaurant, but on the other I don't feel like I wish to support (and thereby condone) these absurd prices.

How do you guys feel?

 

[TDC Nala]

It looks tremendously overpriced, even for Disney, so I have never been there myself.

However, I am sure they fill up with dining plan customers.

 

[tonilea]

Sounds like a good way to make people on the dining plan feel like they are getting their moneys worth.

 

[Luv4Disney]

We are trying this for the first time in December. I guess we'll see what the final bill is. We were going to try it for lunch so it'd be a little cheaper, but feared our flight wouldn't allow us to get there in time.

 

[Tricia1972]

Sounds like a good way to make people on the dining plan feel like they are getting their moneys worth.

I agree!

 

[wdwhereicome]

However, I am sure they fill up with dining plan customers.

Definitely. Our gang was some of them. I wanted to try TI but the price! So we decided to use the dining plan for a recent trip after I was able to get a TI adr. I went expecting to hate it -- especially because of the overpricing -- but I really thought the food was good.

 

[Twilightlover]

I have not been to Tutto but I have looked at there menu and Tutto seems accurate in price to any Italian restaurant here in Boston. We plan on going on our next trip but we are going to do the dining plan so price won't be an option. I don't think Disney ups prices to make DDP users feel like they are getting a deal. No matter where you go using the DDP you are getting a deal because you can order what ever you want for the most part and you aren't paying the dollar amount.

 

[luvpooh]

I agree, the prices are absurd, but as a 1 TS credit on DDP, I'm sure it's a great deal for those that utilize it. Unfortunately we never get DDP, so I will never set foot in the place with prices such as that.

 

[karrit2000]

The prices are outrageous. I always say this is a great choice for those on DDP but if you are paying OOP then there are plenty of other great choices with more reasonable prices. The food is plentiful & very good but way more $$$ than I am willing to pay OOP for.

 

[Disneyhappy]

I agree that the prices are high, especially for the portion sizes in comparison to other WDW restaurants (last time we ate there was 3/08). The portions do not compare to most Italian restuarants we frequent. We are not huge eaters so it was OK. I believe this is the only restaurant we did not have to ask for a "doggy bag". I would describe the quality of food as slightly above average. The best Italian food we've eaten in Orlando is at Mama's in the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios. Excellent! Be careful though, because MaMa is known to squeeze your cheek when she comes to visit your table!

 

[LisaInNc]

I have always thought that prices there are high. The atmosphere isn't anything special and the food is just a little better than Olive Garden.

 

[kathyg]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks their prices are outrageous. I'm Italian and have been to many Italian restaurants around the country, so I have to disagree with the above poster that Tutto's prices are in line with the Italian restaurants in Boston. Maybe their pasta dishes are within reasonable limits, but their appetizers and desserts....really!! How could any restaurant justify charging $16 for a slice of romaine with some shavings of parmesan and a bit of dressing. Or $14 for a scoop of ice cream with some berries? I could go on, but I won't. Nor will I condone their prices with a visit to their restaurant!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't think Disney ups prices to make DDP users feel like they are getting a deal.

They may be overpriced for Disney because Tutto Italia is not owned or run by Disney. I don't know how much influence Disney has over the prices they charge.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Actually the Dining Plan has caused prices to increase.

Each restaurant gets a fixed dollar amount per DDP meal served and it bears no relationship to the menu price of the items ordered.

Since they have to make money, they do this by putting in a general price increase (due to a semi-captive audience) and getting more money from those paying OOP. It also makes up, to an extent, for the discount given under DiW (formerly DDE). So the people who really get hit hardest by all this are ones not on a plan.

 

[disnut8]

You really can say that about any restaurant in any city. But why go to any Italian restaurant at home when you can just throw some noodles in a boiling pot of water and make your own?

Dining out is a lot about how you feel when you walk into a place. If you go to a signature restaurant, don't you feel different than when you go to a place like Captain's Grill? Don't you expect more? Don't you expect everyone to behave differently?

You pay for more than just the food. You pay for the experience.

Personally, I would never pay the prices at Tutto Italia myself. But there are lots of people who will and do so willingly.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I mean, come on, $16 for a Caesar Salad, $24 for a plate of Penne, $14 for Ice Cream with Berries?

Is it just me or are these prices way, way out of line? While I understand the food is quite good, this restaurant doesn't come close to the food and preparations at some of Disney's signature restaurants. I'm sure it's a great value if your on the dining plan, but what if you're paying out of pocket?

Frankly, I'm torn. On one hand I would like to experience the restaurant, but on the other I don't feel like I wish to support (and thereby condone) these absurd prices.

How do you guys feel?

I think it is OVERPRICED even by Disney standards. As you stated it is NOT a signature restaurant. I would NOT eat there without FREE dine. The ICE CREAM price REALLY makes me wonder....

 

[nbodyhome]

I went 3 times on free dine last year and had great meals each time. The food was really good then. Pricey, but better than most other restaurants on Disney property - again, at that time. I didn't go this year.

 

[MyGoofy26]

Overpriced and food is mediocre at best. Tried this past trip a couple weeks ago so I can't complain too much since it was free DDP, but had I paid OOP, I'd have been disappointed if not angry. I had the penne caprese, and not trying to toot my own horn, but I can make it better (and cheaper!) from a recipe I got from my cousin's neighbor in Italy.

And you'd think for that price, you'd get more than food. . like, say a relaxing dining experience? Even though they were seating people as quickly as they checked in and still had empty tables, we (and the two tables nearly seated with us) were in and out in a half an hour. I've never been so rushed in my life.

I don't foresee a return trip anytime soon.

 

[disneybass]

I bet the waiters enjoy the high prices

 

[NC State]

Overpriced and food is mediocre at best. Tried this past trip a couple weeks ago so I can't complain too much since it was free DDP, but had I paid OOP, I'd have been disappointed if not angry. I had the penne caprese, and not trying to toot my own horn, but I can make it better (and cheaper!)
I don't foresee a return trip anytime soon.

You are so right I feel the same way and I had the same meal as you. (The waiters were not all that great...too busy with their noses up in the air.)