Just returned - quite surprised at the empty tables

[Tumbleweed]

HI Kelldawn,

We have the same problem. Same family business for 31 years and,
while better last year. The 2 years before and this year have been
dreadful! We are a service industry.

 

[Colleen27]

It's definitely hard to get a handle on what's going on. The parks are full of people who need to eat and by far the most convenient restaurants are those in the parks. Besides the empty tables in popular restaurants, many no longer even serve breakfast and/or lunch. It wasn't that many years ago when all those restaurants were pretty full for all meals, even on a relatively slow day. I haven't seen slow days like what used to be in a long time, despite a struggling economy. It's almost as if Disney wants people to go off-site for meals. It just doesn't make sense. At least for me, if I'm going off-site other than Downtown Disney where most of the restaurants are not run by Disney (and better), I can just as easily go home to eat.

Again, I think it does have something to do with the fact that Disney already has the dining dollars of most people who plan to eat on site because they are the ones who book the dining plan. People staying offsite to save money are going to eat offsite to save money, and foodies have long since given up on Disney dining. I think OOP guests who are interested in theme park table service have become such a small sub-set of park guests that Disney isn't all that interested in courting them.

Whatever the reason, I miss Tusker House lunch. There are so few options in Animal Kingdom and we like a sitdown lunch. Tusker House was the only buffet that we enjoyed for the food and I much preferred it to Yak & Yeti. It just doesn't make sense to take away one of the table service options in a park that only has 3 (and only 2 for us dining plan guests).

 

[toocherie]

Whatever the reason, I miss Tusker House lunch. There are so few options in Animal Kingdom and we like a sitdown lunch. Tusker House was the only buffet that we enjoyed for the food and I much preferred it to Yak & Yeti. It just doesn't make sense to take away one of the table service options in a park that only has 3 (and only 2 for us dining plan guests).

I must have missed something--is Tusker house not serving lunch now?

 

[photobob]

I've noticed this too, and I can't help but wonder if a large number of people are making ADRs and just not showing up. If so, I wonder what Disney's going to do about this practice. I've been unable to get ADRs at a few places before my trip, only to go to the resturant in question when I get there and get seated right away as a walk-in.

Last year we had an ADR for Wolfgang Puck Cafe for lunch. We tried to get around noon when I made the ADR and they tell me the only opening they had was 1:40. When we arrived there may have been five tables in use.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In December 2010 my family and I were walking past the Captain's Grille at the Yacht Club and happened to over hear a guest asking why he and his party had to wait for their table because there was a lot of them that were empty.

 

[StarHeart1]

So with the empty tables and no ADR's available can I then walk up to say a character meal and be able to be seated? I leave in a week and have been unable to get a few meals that we really want. I tried a few years ago to walk up with no success. Maybe I'll get lucky and be able to walk up?

 

[GeorgeG]

I'm afraid I'm going to have to concede that we are seeing the beginning of the end for the old WDW many of us came to know and love. I really don't think Walt would approve, but that has not been a consideration for some time.

 

[Colleen27]

I must have missed something--is Tusker house not serving lunch now?

They haven't officially done away with it, but it has been consistently unavailable even first thing in the morning at the 180 mark for a while now. It seems they aren't booking lunch ADRs at all any more, though I'm not sure exactly when that started. They may still be serving lunch now but won't be for the fall free dining crowds.

 

[bcrook]

I'm afraid I'm going to have to concede that we are seeing the beginning of the end for the old WDW many of us came to know and love. I really don't think Walt would approve, but that has not been a consideration for some time.

I wouldn't go that far. I'm not sure high quality food at reasonable prices was ever part of Walt's dream. It is obvious that the dining model is changing.

 

[sotoalf]

When it comes to food I wouldn't trust Walt Disney's judgment.

 

[goofy4prez]

How is that possible? Any double ressies I have made, I have had to cancel one.

And I have to disagree, the food there is MUCH better than most amusement parks and not that much more. I just paid $45.00 at hershey park for a 2 corn dog meals, one order if cheese fries and 2 $.99 refills for junky corn dogs!!!

Not picking on you, I just picked your reply cause I haven't been able to double book any ressies

The difference between WDW and a place like Hershey Park or a Cedar Point is they are amusement parks, not theme parks. They sell themselves on thrill rides and spend no money advertising food offerings.

WDW is a theme park that advertises the excellence of it's four "theme" parks, it's many resorts, and it's many many restaurants. It's the whole package they are selling in their promised "magic". Just go to WDW's website and read how they give glowing statements to their restaurants.

So yes, you are correct, WDW restaurants are better than the corn dog meal you had at Hershey and much better than the cheeseburger I had at Cedar Point two weeks ago. But considering that the dining experience is part of the Disney magic I personally feel they are coming up short in this area. Sorry, Just my opinion.

 

[inkedupmomma]

The difference between WDW and a place like Hershey Park or a Cedar Point is they are amusement parks, not theme parks. They sell themselves on thrill rides and spend no money advertising food offerings.

WDW is a theme park that advertises the excellence of it's four "theme" parks, it's many resorts, and it's many many restaurants. It's the whole package they are selling in their promised "magic". Just go to WDW's website and read how they give glowing statements to their restaurants.

So yes, you are correct, WDW restaurants are better than the corn dog meal you had at Hershey and much better than the cheeseburger I had at Cedar Point two weeks ago. But considering that the dining experience is part of the Disney magic I personally feel they are coming up short in this area. Sorry, Just my opinion.

totally get it, I do. I just happen to LOVE the food at WDW. So much so that I make sure we do DxDP. I have yet to be truly disappointed. I'm not a snobby foodie, but I eat well and work for a chef who is highly sought after. I know decent food well, and it certainly knows me ( and my waist!)

So yes, Hershey isn't a fair comparison I suppose, but man when I was whipping out $50.00 for corn dogs I was sure loving WDW and the value it is for my family. And really, I feel every ounce of magic when we eat there.

Again though, I'll get back to you next month after our trip and tell you if I feel the same way! We haven't been since September 2009, so things may very well have drastically changed?

 

[goofy4prez]

totally get it, I do. I just happen to LOVE the food at WDW. So much so that I make sure we do DxDP. I have yet to be truly disappointed. I'm not a snobby foodie, but I eat well and work for a chef who is highly sought after. I know decent food well, and it certainly knows me ( and my waist!)

I will agree with you with being on the DxDP and going to signature restaurants; I loved it when we did the DxDP. Places like California Grill, Artist Point, Flying Fish, Jiko and a few other signature restaurants are very good. I just think many of the 1TS restaurants are underachieving and rely on the DDP far too much and offer some very average at best offerings.

 

[DVCPAT]

I will agree with you with being on the DxDP and going to signature restaurants; I loved it when we did the DxDP. Places like California Grill, Artist Point, Flying Fish, Jiko and a few other signature restaurants are very good. I just think many of the 1TS restaurants are underachieving and rely on the DDP far too much and offer some very average at best offerings.

I made last minute reservations at California Grill Friday night at 6:00pm with no problem and noticed many empty tables. Theme park attendance has to be down,…our average wait time for most rides was 10-20 minutes. Disney seems to be relying on new guests and has given up trying to please long term, return customers that remember Disney quality of the past.

 

[Simba's Mom]

They haven't officially done away with it, but it has been consistently unavailable even first thing in the morning at the 180 mark for a while now. It seems they aren't booking lunch ADRs at all any more, though I'm not sure exactly when that started. They may still be serving lunch now but won't be for the fall free dining crowds.

That stinks! I'm one of those people who enjoy eating TS at lunchtime (and CS at dinnertime). Over the years the number of TS resturants serving lunch seems to have decreased. I'd hate to see another one bite the dust.

 

[sharadoc]

How is that possible? Any double ressies I have made, I have had to cancel one.

And I have to disagree, the food there is MUCH better than most amusement parks and not that much more. I just paid $45.00 at hershey park for a 2 corn dog meals, one order if cheese fries and 2 $.99 refills for junky corn dogs!!!

Not picking on you, I just picked your reply cause I haven't been able to double book any ressies

Separate names, or separate accounts on the website, or even call with a name of someone else in your party. It's true you can't book two ressies under your own name - the website won't let you.

 

[GeorgeG]

I made last minute reservations at California Grill Friday night at 6:00pm with no problem and noticed many empty tables. Theme park attendance has to be down,…our average wait time for most rides was 10-20 minutes. Disney seems to be relying on new guests and has given up trying to please long term, return customers that remember Disney quality of the past.

I agree. Kinda like a kick in the teeth after all the money we've spent over the years. After reading the posts about how Disney not caring because they already have their money from those on dining plans, I feel we've been justified in blaming the dining plans for the decline in quality over the past several years. I'm also convinced even more that we will see the majority of dining in the parks switch to independent providers (chains and privately-owned restaurants). In a way, that could be a good thing since they would likely care about everyone and be competitive like in the real world.

 

[bcrook]

I agree. Kinda like a kick in the teeth after all the money we've spent over the years. After reading the posts about how Disney not caring because they already have their money from those on dining plans, I feel we've been justified in blaming the dining plans for the decline in quality over the past several years. I'm also convinced even more that we will see the majority of dining in the parks switch to independent providers (chains and privately-owned restaurants). In a way, that could be a good thing since they would likely care about everyone and be competitive like in the real world.

Competition and independents would be great if they could stick with some kind of theming. I hate to see Le Cellier be bought out by Longhorn Steakhouse.

Blue zoo fit category? Not on dining plan independently operated? Outrageously expensive.

 

[inkedupmomma]

I will agree with you with being on the DxDP and going to signature restaurants; I loved it when we did the DxDP. Places like California Grill, Artist Point, Flying Fish, Jiko and a few other signature restaurants are very good. I just think many of the 1TS restaurants are underachieving and rely on the DDP far too much and offer some very average at best offerings.

See, I have had no issues with the 1ts places, although I do prefer the 2TS. I also do not eat dinner buffets so I cant comment too much on that

Separate names, or separate accounts on the website, or even call with a name of someone else in your party. It's true you can't book two ressies under your own name - the website won't let you.

yes, a couple of other people have answered this. I just didnt even think of that

 

[kelldawn]

HI Kelldawn,

We have the same problem. Same family business for 31 years and,
while better last year. The 2 years before and this year have been
dreadful! We are a service industry.

It terrifies me so much to lay my head down at night and think what are we going to do...Not enough money to even pay home bills each month, how do we build and make new products on no money. Customers think where we sell at is a place to copy from and then they start up a business, only to be gone in a month or 2.I used to say NO PICTURES,,, not so much anymore, if I cannot sell how do they, back to the subject. Would any one in their right mind pay $8.00 for a burger at a fast food place in your town?? NOT here. In Texas you might pay 5.95 for burger and a side and they bring it to you,at a good steak house AND they serve it on real bread, not fall apart bread.. I have seen pics at some of the 2 TS places,not even ENOUGH for my 8 yr old grandson to get full on.. He weighs maybe 56 pounds.