NEVER thought I'd start a jello thread!

[tammydel]

The jello saga has had the drama of a character in a thrilling novel!
I didn't think I'd ever want to open that can of worms, but here I go opening it and diving in.

I am not crazy about my kids eating sugar and am very wary of them having sugar substitutes. Having said that I have a 10 year old who likes sugar free Jello brand jello. Because he hardly ever eats sweets (he is more of a salty kind of guy) He gets to have an some artificially sweetened Jello at home, not tons, but some.
So I thought OK vacation, 9 year old gets jello with her meal, 10 year old gets chocolate cake they switch, everyone is happy. After vacation we won't eat dessert as often, it is vacation, a treat.
Well we tried it. Remember, the 10 year old likes sugar free Jello. He hated the Disney stuff. I thought "How bad could it be?" Kid complains too much. I tried it. They need to get rid of it. Yuck! Sugar, artificial sweetener, who cares when it just tastes BAD!

Plan B - skip dessert at lunch (dessert at lunch! I love vacation!) buy 10 year old an Itsakadoziesomething from a cart. All is good in the world.

So my contribution to the jello saga is (as if it needs my contribution!) the jello tastes bad.
The end - from me.

Tammy
NEXT!

 

[Albertan mom]

Then there are the other 'ingredients' that you find in Jello....

http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/jello.asp

Yuck!!!

 

[bicker]

Plan B - skip dessert at lunch (dessert at lunch! I love vacation!) buy 10 year old an Itsakadoziesomething from a cart. All is good in the world.

This is the winner. You've come up with the correct answer in your first message on the subject. Good for you!

 

[Katiebell]

Then there are the other 'ingredients' that you find in Jello....

http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/jello.asp

Yuck!!!

Yep, gelatin is such an appetizing product...and it's found in many, many processed foods we eat: marshmallows, gummy candies, frostings...eww.

One thing I did see that was pretty cool -- KozyShack, the company that makes that SF gelatin, also makes a product, marketed towards kids, called Jammin' Gels -- 25% or less total weight from sugar, 50% real fruit juice - equivalent to 1/4 cup of fruit, carrageenan based - no animal by-products, gluten free, no trans fats, and Kosher parve. It comes in two flavors: Cool Berry Burst, and Fruit Punch Fusion. Would be a little better than SF gelatin, and at least has real fruit juice in it. They also make 4 oz cups of "Poppin' Pudding" -- no more than 10% of calories from fat, no more than 7% of calories from saturated fat, 25% or less of total weight from sugar, good source of calcium (10%) and fiber (3%), gluten free, no trans fats, all natural (no artificial colors or flavors), Kosher dairy, comes in flavors: Crazy Chocolate, Very Vanilla, Ballistic Banana.

If the cost was similar to their other 4 oz cup products -- how hard would it be for Disney to offer these alternatives at kids' meals? There should still be SF available for kids who are diabetic or might otherwise need/want a SF product, but at least these other items would offer a little variety of flavors -- and might not be "healthful", but would still offer some nutritional value. And they are both gluten-free and Kosher, either no-fat or low-fat with no nasty trans-fats. The gelatin would be fine for vegan kids (no animal by-products), and the pudding would be ok for lacto-vegetarian kids.

 

[bicker]

If the cost was similar to their other 4 oz cup products -- how hard would it be for Disney to offer these alternatives at kids' meals?

And that If is the rub. I bet if the cost was similar, Disney would be perhaps positively inclined towards making the change. They can get some good PR by doing so, since they can sell the Jammin' Gels as "healthier" than the GelTreats.

There should still be SF available for kids who are diabetic or might otherwise need/want a SF product

Now you may have blown your budget, by cutting the volume of your order for each item in half.

 

[englishrose47]

I think we'll be paying OOP for dessert for DGS. But honestly for the cost for Kids plan and the fact that we all have snack credits I'm not upset. We plan on sharing meals at c.s when we can, doing lots of buffets, which we all love I think DDP will save us a bundle!!

 

[Katiebell]

And that If is the rub. I bet if the cost was similar, Disney would be perhaps positively inclined towards making the change. They can get some good PR by doing so, since they can sell the Jammin' Gels as "healthier" than the GelTreats.

Now you may have blown your budget, by cutting the volume of your order for each item in half.

Nope. I'm the Queen of Disney Dining, remember? (Hey this is my fantasy, play along...) Kozy Shack wants my business. They are not the #1 company out there. I could always contact Kraft about Jello products, or ConAgra Foods regarding their Swiss Miss products -- they'd certainly like to have my business, too. So, the If factor may be in my favor -- even if the retail cost to the consumer isn't the same, if I am ordering huge volumes of their product, they may be willing to give me a great deal. If not, Kraft or ConAgra might.

But Kozy Shack...I already have a contract with them for these SF gelatin things. I'd like to give them even more business -- because if I start ordering some of their product line that's a little more appealing to kids, a little "healthier" to pitch to the parents -- then fewer parents will say "no thanks" to the kids' dessert or to the whole kids' meal period, and think, "Forget it, the kids' menu is gross, we'll just share our meal with Junior."

So, instead of 50,000 units of SF gelatin, I'll order
5,000 SF gelatin
5,000 SF pudding
15,000 Jammin' Gels
15,000 chocolate pudding
10,000 vanilla pudding
5,000 banana pudding
Oh, and while you're at it...I'll take another 5,000 butterscotch pudding, and maybe another 5,000 SF pudding in a different flavor just for variety.

At each CS I'll offer a SF gelatin or pudding (for those who want/need it, including diabetic or carb-conscious adults), another gelatin choice and another pudding flavor. There. And then we'll take inventory of what flavors are ordered the most, and adjust our next order accordingly. If I end up with a lot of butterscotch or banana leftover, then I won't order so much next time, and the ones I have will be shelf stable for a while.

And I'll also start pricing a single cookie or package of mini cookies as another kid's dessert offering. Then I'll tackle the no kids' hamburger/pizza issue.

 

[bicker]

Since you're the Queen, why not just order them to provide the goods gratis?

 

[The Sweetness]

And throw in a basket of fresh fruits for ppl to pick from as their dessert if they preffer

 

[Katiebell]

Since you're the Queen, why not just order them to provide the goods gratis?

Well, I'm the Queen of Disney Dining...Kozy Shack is a totally different realm, and I must abide by their customs -- which, unfortunately, includes paying for their products...

And throw in a basket of fresh fruits for ppl to pick from as their dessert if they preffer

That is a great idea, would require no prep; they are perishable, but the turnaround should be so fast that there would be minimal spoilage. Biggest problem I can see is that I can't provide an apple as a child's dessert in a $4-$5 kid's meal, and sell the same apple for $2.50 on the fresh fruit cart outside. But Disney is already serving carrot sticks, grapes, and unsweetened applesauce as kids' sides, but I've thought of a few other fruit and veggie options:

small cups of mandarin oranges, diced peaches, or pineapple chunks
a couple of orange wedges
juice frozen in a small cup to be eaten with a spoon as a fruit slushie
celery sticks, maybe with a little packet of peanut butter or spreadable cheese for dipping
apple slices (the prepacked kind, treated with ascorbic acid to prevent browning), maybe with a little cup of caramel sauce for dipping
4 oz cups of fruit yogurt
small dill pickle (yep, some little kids really like 'em)
little boxes of raisins
half (or even a third) of a banana dipped in chocolate and frozen on a stick (best for storage because bananas are highly perishable)

Not every item on that list may be practical or would be the same cost to Disney, so some may not work; they'd have to shop for vendors, or make what they could in-house, to average costs across the board. Not every place would need to serve every item -- maybe just 3 or 4, and for a kid's meal you could pick 2. Just like now, except the only choices are grapes, carrots, and applesauce. At least it would provide some variety, and the kids wouldn't be totally sick of the sides by the third day.

 

[bicker]

Well, I'm the Queen of Disney Dining...Kozy Shack is a totally different realm, and I must abide by their customs -- which, unfortunately, includes paying for their products...

But but but, you said, Kozy Shack wants your business, and that's how you were going to get them to give you the volume discounts on smaller volume orders. So why can't you just get them to keep lowering their prices until nothing costs anything??????

 

[Katiebell]

But but but, you said, Kozy Shack wants your business, and that's how you were going to get them to give you the volume discounts on smaller volume orders. So why can't you just get them to keep lowering their prices until nothing costs anything??????

Because I'm the Queen, not Tinkerbell. If I could do magic like that, I'd just get rid of all of the cranky bean counters in their suits and ties and make everything free I'd also install teleporters all over the parks, make lines magically non-existent, and make everyone be nice to each other. Oh, and hot fudge sundaes and creme brulee would have zero calories...

I'm not asking for volume discounts on smaller orders -- I'm asking for a larger order of assorted products at the same average cost per unit. My original order (which was within budget for per unit cost) was for 50,000 units of SF gelatin, about 50% of which would end up in the garbage, uneaten. This lack of variety is making my guests unhappy, and when the guests are unhappy, the Queen is unhappy. So, instead I am asking for 5,000 SF gelatin, 5,000 SF chocolate pudding, 5,000 SF vanilla pudding, 15,000 Jammin' Gels, 15,000 chocolate pudding, 10,000 vanilla pudding, 5,000 banana pudding, 5,000 butterscotch pudding. That's 65,000 units, a 30% increase (because this is our first order with some variety, and I have to experiment and see what my guests will actually prefer). If certain choices are less popular, their shelf life is still long enough that it's reasonable they will be served considerably before the expiration date.

And yes, Kozy Shack definitely wants my business -- I'm probably their largest corporate contract. And instead of an order of 65,000 units, it might be 650,000 units -- especially if we discuss ordering their desserts for DL and DCA as well. It's good advertising for their brand, if the guests are happy with the product. We'll put their brand name on the menus, and emphasize that there is a sugar free and a regular choice, they are all natural, gluten-free, kosher, low-fat, the Jammin' Gels are vegetarian and contain 50% fruit juice...should meet the needs of many of my guests.

And if Kozy Shack doesn't want my business, I have Kraft and Con-Agra both on speed dial.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I was sick on our last trip. DH looked all over the parkd for Jello that was not sugar free.....none!!! Sugar free jello when you are sick is the WORST!

 

[bicker]

Because I'm the Queen, not Tinkerbell.

C'mon -- you can get Tinkerbell to do it for you.

And if Kozy Shack doesn't want my business, I have Kraft and Con-Agra both on speed dial.

Seriously, I suspect that Disney's managers exact the best deal from their suppliers -- yes: even better than the Queen could.

 

[Katiebell]

C'mon -- you can get Tinkerbell to do it for you.

Naw, she's really busy these days -- what with the fireworks, all the pirates running around WDW, free dining, and flying after all the corporate guys to sprinkle pixie dust on them to try to infuse them with magic.

Seriously, I suspect that Disney's managers exact the best deal from their suppliers -- :yes: even better than the Queen could.

Except I got rid of all the guys in upper management...remember, Jasmine said, "When I am Queen, I will have the power to get rid of *you*." And Jafar was definitely an upper management guy, he was the first to go

OK, getting serious, then -- yes, Disney's managers should definitely be able to make the best deal with their suppliers. The question is, have they even tried? Have the powers that be in Disney Dining thought, "Hmm...might be nice to offer the kiddies at least a little variety...get Fred from Kozy Shack on the phone and let's make a deal!" Or have they just said, "Sugar free gelatin -- that's good enough for those little rug rats. Market studies have shown kids under age 7 don't have taste buds anyway..."

I don't know if anyone in Disney management reads these boards -- they should, because they'd get some totally honest feedback, both good and bad about just about every aspect of their business. And they'd see the need to fix that CS loophole quick! But assuming they don't...the folks here discussing that they are dissatisfied with the children's menus should start contacting Disney directly. The more Disney hears from the public that they are unhappy with the kids' meal selections, the more likely they will at least look at the situation. One poster on here said she was part of a recent survey about the kids' meals, so that's great -- at least Disney is doing some type of market research. People here can post ideas, what they'd like to see changed, or how to make the best of the children's meals with the way things are right now -- but no actual changes will take place unless Disney sees that change would be beneficial. If the changes could be made for a reasonable cost, the increase in customer satisfaction alone may be worth it -- guests spending more money at Disney (not wanting to leave the property), and guests not being as tempted to bend the rules (ordering adult meals with kids' credits).

 

[bicker]

OK, getting serious, then -- yes, Disney's managers should definitely be able to make the best deal with their suppliers. The question is, have they even tried?

I see no reason to assume they haven't. They are really that smart.

Have the powers that be in Disney Dining thought, ...

More along the lines of, "What are the things that we need to focus our energies and attentions on to maximize long-term shareholder value. Remember, the objective is not "variety" as your analogy suggested -- rather, the objective is long-term shareholder value.

I don't know if anyone in Disney management reads these boards -- they should, because they'd get some totally honest feedback, both good and bad about just about every aspect of their business.

They do, but do not expect them to be reading the boards for feedback; they surely get qualitative feedback from all the normalized surveys they do and from monitoring guest purchasing behaviors after making changes. Expect them to read the boards for ideas -- ideas about new products and services they could offer, or changes to existing products and services they could make that would clearly be capital well-spend (i.e., would contribute positively to long-term shareholder value). And that goes not only for the boards, but also for emails and telephone calls they get. Rest assured, they have already gotten the message that guests would like other dessert options for their young children. (I think there are a few DIS members who have already, single-handedly, make that message clear.) That's not the issue. The issue is solely whether the business case for making a change in that regard can be successfully made. "Our" job -- letting Disney know we want something different -- is pretty-much done. Now, the best we can do is reflect our satisfaction or dissatisfaction in our purchasing decisions, because that will contribute to them making a different decision.

And they'd see the need to fix that CS loophole quick!

Hehe... but seriously, I doubt they don't know about the loopholes. Again, they're still waiting for a business case to make a change. In that case, abuse by guests will make the case for that change (or lack of abuse will make it clear that no change is needed).

 

[jezebella]

OT -- but I got free jello!!! I walked up to the new cart right inside MK and asked for 2 Jello's and the CM was shocked and said I was ther first person of the day to get it (this was around 2pm) and gave me one for free....Too bad it was kind of gross.

 

[Chloesmom]

I was sick on our last trip. DH looked all over the parkd for Jello that was not sugar free.....none!!! Sugar free jello when you are sick is the WORST!

The funny thing is that 2 years ago we went right after DD was diagnosed with diabetes and we could not find SF Jello to save our lives. She would have sold a toe to get some then.