Just Say No!...to the $12.00 Cannoli.

[eliza61]

I agree with that! Frugality should be a virtue, if it isn't already.
Even if you can afford to buy it, why would you? That may be the big question. The answers to that question might be very interesting.

Oh that's an easy one for me, because I'm in the restaurant and want to try the canoli. If I'm already at disney, a $12.00 canoli is not really going to rock my budget but then again we did the private 5 course dinner at V&A. ouch!

We're trying the restaurant in November. We like trying new restaurants. Born and raised in NYC so it turns out to be a not so great meal, it will not have been the first time (and will probably not be the last time) we've blown a couple of hundred bucks on bad meal.

 

[bop28]

We got the cannoli on the DDP on Wednesday. The first thing I said when it hit the table was, "Where is the other one? Surely for $12 they serve two?!?" But alas it was only one, small-to-average size cannoli, with a candied orange peel slice on one end. The cream was delish and the cannoli was crisp and fresh. But it was still one cannoli. I would have been irate if we were paying cash.

Just what I thought. Afterall, a $12.00 cannoli would have to be the size of a volkswagon to make it a good deal for me!

 

[DisOrBust]

The canoli on the kids menu is only 5$. I wonder if its the same canoli?

Tutto is run by the Patina group thats has many sucessful restaurants on both coasts. I wonder if their prices are so high at EPCOT to compensate for the loss es from the DDP. Anyone know if the non Disney restaurants still only get 25$/person on the DDP reimbursed?

 

[christinou]

For $12 it better be the size of the giant Canoli, that they had an display at Alfredo.

I agree that the prices are now crazy, we go to WDW once a year, and used to eat all of our dinner in sit down restaurant, now we just have a few, between the higher cost and the kids getting bigger, it is just too high, for what you get.

 

[ReggieB]

Maybe they figure since it's temporary, they will see how high they can go? lol

I think you are spot on. They will overhaul the menu, and are probably testing to see what the price point needs to be.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

We got the cannoli on the DDP on Wednesday. The first thing I said when it hit the table was, "Where is the other one? Surely for $12 they serve two?!?" But alas it was only one, small-to-average size cannoli, with a candied orange peel slice on one end. The cream was delish and the cannoli was crisp and fresh. But it was still one cannoli. I would have been irate if we were paying cash.

I stand corrected.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

People with money are lining up. Or people who have saved for years to go to Disney are lining up. I have asked people that have moderate incomes. First they don't go to Disney every year. Second they don't do many big meals while they are there. Alot of people buy off property for breakfast and lunch. When you think of the prices that Disney charges it is VERY expensive!! You don't have to be a brain scientist to figure that out. The average family should be able to go to Disney and still be able to afford food.

I'm gonna have to agree in part with this poster. We have one modest income and DO travel to WDW once or twice a year, but would never have eaten on property for every meal without the DDP (and a discounted/free DDP, at that!). There is just no way for us to reasonably afford outrageous prices OOP at the TS restaurants. Since we'd rather go more often with fewer frills than less often with the works, we are willing to make adjustments in 2008 and beyond. Right now we're discussing whether to get the DDP at all for our December 2008 trip, and if we don't, we will most likely stick to eating breakfast in the room and then having CS for lunch and dinner. Disney won't be getting more money out of us...they'll be getting less! And I suspect it will be that way for a lot of families in our financial situation.

FWIW, I also agree with Mr. & Mrs. Smith that Disney is under no obligation to make onsite dining affordable for the average family. But they will be very sorry if they don't! Yes, many people will pay high prices (and already do) to eat in the TS restaurants. However, I think the line will absolutely be drawn with the new (read: crappier deal) dining plan for 2008 and the OOP prices at Tutto Italia. The good news is that you can bet they'll change the pricing if revenue falls off. After all, they are in it for the money! (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

 

[las3888]

Let's just say that while I am in COMPLETE agreement with a fair market place and let the competition drive the price, I will definitely NOT be eating at this restaurant at these prices. I am hoping that a lack of attendees (darn that DDP) would drive the prices down or make them change their tact. I would love to try a new Italian restaurant at WDW but definitely NOT at these prices!!!

 

[Ciao Mickey]

We got the cannoli on the DDP on Wednesday. The first thing I said when it hit the table was, "Where is the other one? Surely for $12 they serve two?!?" But alas it was only one, small-to-average size cannoli, with a candied orange peel slice on one end. The cream was delish and the cannoli was crisp and fresh. But it was still one cannoli. I would have been irate if we were paying cash.

Did you get a picture of the infamous cannoli?

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

My family has been in the food business a long time and I wonder how long they can stay in business with those prices. I really dont care who you are the bottom line is if it costs to much people wont come. I will be curious to know how much business they are getting from people who are not on the DP. And the tip on that meal for 2008 will be huge. I would much rather have a meal at FF or Jiko for those prices you wont find me there.

I'm sorry but you think that they won't stay in business?? There are lots of restaurants in this world with much higher prices than that that seem to do very well for themselves. Last night, we went out for dinner and my entree alone was over $40. The restaurant we went to was quite busy and has been there for a hundred years. I really don't think their prices are putting them out of business. It has been proven time and again that the popularity of a restaurant has little to do with the prices they are charging and more to do with the quality of the food, the atmosphere, and the service. I mean, this place has nothing on Victoria and Albert's and there's not a night goes by that that establishment is at max occupancy. So, time will tell with this new restaurant. Maybe it will go out of business but in my opinion, that would have little to do with the prices.

 

[ElizabethB]

Looked at the menu -- we won't be paying those prices for spaghetti! We'd rather have steak at Shula's for about the same price!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Most of us agree that $12.00 is outrageous.
2) But, a lot of folks fall for it.

 

[GinnyFavers]

I do have to say, the restaurant is evidently serving up excellent food. Not just good, but excellent.

Perhaps, with the rent Disney charges, these are the prices the owners have to get to serve excellent food.

Remember how poor/mixed the reviews were all these years for Alfredo's? They were cheaper...

 

[Sugardimples]

No matter how expensive it is, people will pay. Sometimes the fact that is is expensive makes it more attractive to some people. Also, many people will be suffering with "vacationitis", which I define as "an uncontrolable urge to spend money on stupid stuff". I see this affliction anywhere people gather for their vacation. Just think about the shops that you find in any seashore town!

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO HEAR....great food, I have no problem paying, and just for the record I have never used the DDP...........But I want to see great reviews, not just for food but for service as well.

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

I just read some reviews over at Deb's website http://allearsnet.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=392&cat=34
Doesn't seem to have that many fans of the resturant

 

[itchin2go]

Ok, $12 is alot for one cannoli. But seriously, I don't understand the uproar. If the price is too high, don't go there.

We're doing DxDDP in January and I thought about going there, but honestly, there are other places I'm more interested in.

I'm wondering if they didn't price things the way they did to ensure a SOFT opening. At these prices, I'm guessing they're not going to be inundated with business, and can work out the kinks.

 

[Lewisc]

I just read some reviews over at Deb's website http://allearsnet.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=392&cat=34
Doesn't seem to have that many fans of the resturant

Four of the five posters recommend the restaurant. Three out of the five posters described the food with words like excellent, great and very good.

There doesn't seem to be many people who reported a dining experience but I don't know how you can say there aren't that many fans?

Nothing wrong with having some restaurants that are expensive but have superior food.

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

Four of the five posters recommend the restaurant. Three out of the five posters described the food with words like excellent, great and very good.

There doesn't seem to be many people who reported a dining experience but I don't know how you can say there aren't that many fans?

Nothing wrong with having some restaurants that are expensive but have superior food.

I agree with you, when I was saying not that many fans I was talking about this thread. I should of read the reviews before I posted the above. As I posted before in an earlier post I have no problem spending the money as long as it's good. What would you think after reading 2 different posters saying that the Lasagna tasted like a frozen entree..........

 

[bop28]

Four of the five posters recommend the restaurant. Three out of the five posters described the food with words like excellent, great and very good.

There doesn't seem to be many people who reported a dining experience but I don't know how you can say there aren't that many fans?

Nothing wrong with having some restaurants that are expensive but have superior food.

Yes, some restaurants that are expensive serve superior food. But, getting back to the original thought, what is it that makes a cannoli you can get for $1.50 @ a bakery, cost $12.00 (without tip) @a restaurant? How superior can it actually be, and what makes it superior? A cannoli is a cannoli....not much to improve upon. Simply charging an extraordinary price alone, doesn't make it superior, right? Is it possible that when restaurants charge such high prices, customers sometimes just think the food is superior?