My Restaurant Rant...Please No Flames

[crisi]

All this price increase talk got me curious, so...
The average rate of inflation in 2005 was 3.39%, and in 2004 it was 2.68%
Yes, Disney is a business, and their primary goal is to earn money. But come on - a 40% increase in some meal prices in two years?
I know somebody pointed out that a five day MYW hopper costs less than a five day PHP did three or so years ago. But the PHP included water parks and/or Pleasure Island, and never expired. A base hopper has neither of those features.

Inflation is an average, though. Some things outpace inflation - notoriously anything with a heavy service component, including restaurants. Some things actually go down in price (like technology) making the average lower. Some things are very sensitive to energy prices - food is because of the amount of fuel it takes to produce and move food around.

And Disney is not only covering costs - they are a business looking for optimal pricing for profit. With the dining plan, they aren't exactly experiencing a shortage in their restaurants and needing to lower prices to fill them. While it isn't great for the consumer, Disney will charge what the market will bear. Apparently, since its still difficult to walk up to these restaurants, the market is bearing the increase.

 

[melomouse]

- While your observation is exactly right, prices for "enhancing" that Disney experience outside of general park admission has always been expensive. But that's why there are so many options - onsite or offsite for accomodations, CS or TS, and a huge range for each individual's discretionary spending.
One of the things that makes WDW wonderful is that we all have a wide array of options. I seriously doubt I'll be doing GF concierge anytime soon, ditto CRT or an Illuminations Cruise - but isn't it great that we can all "have it our way" - whatever that WAY is???

melomouse

 

[NancyIL]

I will be at WDW for one week in March with my teenage son. I made dining reservations for one table service meal per day, and the rest will be counter service or snacks from the grocery store. I looked at menus/prices at http://allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm before deciding where to eat. I made more lunch reservations than dinner ones, because it costs less to eat at a sitdown restaurant at lunchtime than for dinner. I have an AP and the DDE card to save a bit on expenses. Glad I enjoyed several meals at Cinderella's Royal Table in the past, because I sure wouldn't pay the asking price now!

As far as theme park admission - the old multi-day tickets were less expensive if you wanted to visit WDW for a few days and save remaining days for later. However, I just ordered an 8-day expiring park hopper for my son for under $250 - the difference between 6 days and 8 days was only $4! My current AP was purchased in 2004 when I got a cast member discount (Disney Store CM) for ~ $364. An AP in 2006 costs $442! Once my AP expires at the end of November, no more AP's for me. I will start using my 10-day non-expiring premium pass that I bought for $353 at the end of 2005. (It went up to $422 in 2006 from the same discounter!)

I have had a lot of nice trips to WDW - quite a few of them solo. But I think 2006 is the last year that I will visit WDW several times in one year.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Actually, I think Disney Prices have tracked the popularity of the DIS.

When I first started DISing this board had less than 50,000 members. Now it has doubled.

Every time there is alot of buzz on this board about a WDW offering, it has increased in price or taken away completely if it was a really good deal. I think we are a self fulfilling prophecy. We go often and we all want the best experience. This causes us to compete for limited resources and the prices increase.

I dont think many DISers realize the influence and impact we have on WDW as a whole.

Some examples I can think of, QC Vouchers, DDE, AP's, CRT, Ice Cream Social, Room Rates. I predict the next thing will be plate charges for sharing meals. They are basically closing all avenues to saving money.

If you read Disney's 1st Qtr Earnings Report they cite increased room rates and daily charges as factors for their increased earnings.

 

[Dina]

I really agree with the OP. The price increase at CRT is crazy. We used to do one table service a day. On our upcoming trip, we are doing three character breakfasts (because their cheaper than the dinners)-- and eating them as brunches in the park (with a small breakfast in the room from our grocery stop), so we don't have to do lunch. The rest of our meals will be Counter Service. I might spring for one dinner, but this is a budget trip, and we have to pay for MNSSHP tickets.

 

[Lewisc]

"Captive audience" restaurants are always expensive, not just at WDW. Look at movie theaters and ball parks.

The increase in price doesn't bother me as much as the deterioration of the food quality in some restaurants. Chef Mickey's isn't much better than Golden Coral or Sizzler.

The food plan does a good job of giving value to guests who elect to purchase it.

CRT is a popular meal. It makes sense for Disney to charge more for guests who want that experience.

NO FLAMES, current pricing may stop some guests from eating as many meals in Disney restaurants.

 

[mitros]

Food quality ebbs and flows at WDW. There are times when almost every meal you have is miserable, then there are times when every meal you have on property is great. We have noticed these changes in food quality at different times over the years. The way I understand it, there is actually one head chef at Walt disney World resort who has his nose {pardon the pun} in all of the dishes served on Disney property.
I'm wondereing if this head guy {chef} has perhaps been around in that position for too long now {read: Ei$ner-type situation}, and he is starting to lose it.
About 2 years ago, there was a show on the travel channel regarding this particular position {head chef} who actually checked on the quality of the meals all over WDW. Maybe this guy, who's name I cannot recall, has been around long enough to become stale at his job. Or, maybe with all of the cuts that went on for such a long time on property this guy, may have lost his position and they hired the head chef from Arby's to run things. Just my thoughts.....