New Things Coming To Dining!

[kesharn81]

thanks for the info - useful thread...

this seems useful information...thanks for sharing...

 

[ElizabethB]

Well, when we ate at Narcoosee's recently to celebrate my dad's 80th birthday, they did up special menus for the dinner, congratulating my Dad on his 80th birthday, which we took away. They also gave us a wonderful table with a gorgeous view of the fireworks. These were nice little extras considering we were celebrating an important milestone.

So, will Disney next start auctioning off the best tables to the highest bidders??? After all, a good table with a great view can really enhance the dinner and makes a special event even nicer. And, plenty of people are willing, no doubt, to pay for a better view. In fact, I'll wager that is an unstated benefit of the "Sweetheart Deal". So, those of us who aren't interested in paying $150 for one dessert and a cheap champage toast with cheap flutes are out of luck.

I can see it now -- an extra $50 for a table with a view at CG. An, extra $25 for the next row back. And -- your table charge is $0 if you're willing to sit on the bad side of the restaurant next to that obnoxious family with four noisy awful kids that no one else will sit near. They already do this at HDDR. Why not CG?

And, I guess they already do it in some respects since when we stayed GF RPC and our restaurant reservations were made by the concierge there, we were never led to any table but the best one in the house.

So, can I get a better waiter if I pay more? Can I get the chef to come out and chat with me if I pay more? Or, does he have to do that if I have allergies due to the ADA?

How much to sprinkle some confetti on the table? Can I get nicer plate, silverware and glassware if I pay more. How about better quality napkins. Is it paper napkins unless I pay more?

Do I have to pay more for a booth? Can I pay even more and get them to leave the table next to me empty? If I pay a whole bunch, can I get them to kick out the noisy family with the crying baby? Or, those crass people who insisted on wearing cargo shorts, T-Shirts and sandals to dinner?

And, where does it all end?

 

[katieam1]

no one is forced to into these, but there are many who WANT something special at the table. This will remove the geez, will something special happen at dinner

Now people can plan on what they want and purchase these add ons if they want. Spend 5 minutes on the cake thread and you will see that there are many that want and are willing to pay to make their event special

Oh I the cake thread!! I actually am looking forward to these new celebration offerings. I was considering getting a big cake but for two adults and two children it would be way too much! My kids will like this and it will be something special that does not cost a ton of money!

 

[catne]

Hey, any of you parents with little ones looking to make "goodie" bags yourself...was at Walmart yesterday on the Christmas aisle they had like a whole wall of Disney goodie bag stuff...there was Cars, and I think both Princesses and Hannah Montana, maybe HSM? Anyway, was multi-packs of individual wrapped 4-pack crayons (just like some restaurants hand out), also little sticker booklets, and note pads....everything Disney themed (some of it was Christmas themed...like the princesses were depicted holding a little bit of holly or evergreen boughs. But not glaringly holiday.) Anyway, I suppose it's supposed to be stocking-stuffers, but sure would work well for goodie bags at Disney...and at Walmart prices instead of Disney prices! And it's all tiny stuff, so wouldn't take up much luggage space (or if you have a rental car, stop at walmart in Orlando. Even if they don't have the Disney Christmas stuff, the birthday party-goods aisle has lots of Disney themed stuff.)

 

[jenjersnap]

no one is forced to into these, but there are many who WANT something special at the table. This will remove the geez, will something special happen at dinner

Now people can plan on what they want and purchase these add ons if they want. Spend 5 minutes on the cake thread and you will see that there are many that want and are willing to pay to make their event special

I agree with you in some ways. When we are celebrating a special occasion and want to ENSURE our celebration, I am always willing to pay for whatever is required so this adds to the options available.

BUT with a turn toward nickeling-and-dimeing every possible celebratory or, heck, kid distracting option, I suspect it means Disney will be reducing the pixie dust ... you know, those magical moments that are unexpected. They haven't happened to us often but, when they have, they are more special because of the surprise factor. Time will tell, I guess.

ElizabethB, if Disney could figure out the operational aspects of making you pay for "view" seats, I bet they would! I wouldn't be surprised at all if it happened.

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't see the problem. Those that wish to add something special, can. Those who don't want to, don't need to pay anything for it.

And, FWIW, there have always been "private dining rooms" with special views---views that you have to pay for. My SIL had dinner in the executive dining room at Living Seas that looks into the aquarium, complete with Mickey in a diving rig, for a business function.

 

[MODisFan]

It sounds like to me all of this is going hand in hand with Disney's "What Will You Celebrate?" theme next year. They're hoping more people will come to WDW to celebrate that special moment and why lug the goodies yourself when Disney will provide them (for a fee)? Good tie in/maketing on their part.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I think its great. So many people are complaining they didn't get anything 'special' done for their birthday, now they can pay for it and guarentee it. Disney probably got sick of people complaining the noted birthday or anniversary got overlooked and no one got their 'free stuff', so they are now charging. I say good for them.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I can only imagine the poor little kids looking at the "decorated" table and wondering why they couldn't have that too. While I agree, it isn't expensive I'm sure there will be some families that will have to skip the frivilious things. Its kind of sad.

I would think kids would understand that some might have a decorated table because its a birthday, and if they still put up a fuss I would consider them spoiled rotten and tell them YOU ARE ON A TRIP TO DISNEY THAT COST 1000s of $$$$$, and you are going to throw a fit over not have a table decoration?? Time to go home!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I think its great. So many people are complaining they didn't get anything 'special' done for their birthday, now they can pay for it and guarentee it. Disney probably got sick of people complaining the noted birthday or anniversary got overlooked and no one got their 'free stuff', so they are now charging. I say good for them.

Our next trip is to celebrate my son's graduation. I'm willing to pay for the extras we want.

I would think kids would understand that some might have a decorated table because its a birthday, and if they still put up a fuss I would consider them spoiled rotten and tell them YOU ARE ON A TRIP TO DISNEY THAT COST 1000s of $$$$$, and you are going to throw a fit over not have a table decoration?? Time to go home!

 

[hildarumpole]

I love this idea! We don't happen to be travelling when it's a birthday or anniversary, but we'll still be able to do something special for the kids. It will make a fun 1st night surprise for them at dinner.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Although I understand the posters who say that this gives people who want something special for a birthday/anniversary etc. a guarantee that they will have what they want, I'm with ElizabethB on this.

A friend and I were talking about this very subject recently, and we both agreed that a lot of the "magical moments" that used to just be random events are now something that have to be paid for. Special fireworks viewing areas, for instance, have now been roped off for paid events.

Disney is a business, yes - and that means they can conduct business any way they choose. But this kind of thing diminishes the "magic", which is a big reason we return to WDW so often. If it turns into just another theme park, without the pixie dust, we won't feel the need to hurry back! We used to visit 2-3 times per year, but lately we've cut down and in fact, spent our vacation dollars elsewhere for all of 2008. That seems to be an OK trade-off for the execs, and that is certainly their prerogative.

 

[brittsmum1998]

I would think kids would understand that some might have a decorated table because its a birthday, and if they still put up a fuss I would consider them spoiled rotten and tell them YOU ARE ON A TRIP TO DISNEY THAT COST 1000s of $$$$$, and you are going to throw a fit over not have a table decoration?? Time to go home!

I don't know that I would consider a toddler (my post said "little")asking those questions to be "spoiled rotten" . My DD is almost 11 and been to WDW over 15 times but I could see a younger child during their "once in a lifetime" vacation asking alot of questions.

Again, I wouldn't consider that spoiled rotten.

I agree w/ the pp who said the "magic" now comes w/ a pricetag.

 

[Lynn5700]

OOh I want to do the sweetheart table for 2 on our anniversary dinner at Cali Grill.

 

[Pumbaa_]

the internet has changed things, IMHO

People now have access to see what others have gotten for pixie dust and now want/expect it for themselves. Some have the unrealistic expectation that they will have pixie dust at every CM encounter.

now you can guarantee your pixie dust.

We are also in a recession. Disney is not exempt from the financial impact every American is facing. And bottom line, yes they are a business and yes they have stockhoklders to answer to (and I would like my Disney stock to rise, not fall, TYVM )

Those that have gone for years and see this as another trend in cutbacks, yup it is.

Those that have never been, won't notice the difference. I never expect anything and have arranged in advance for the magic that I wanted for special events.

All in all, i think Disney is listening to what their guests want and providing the opportunity to make your own pixie dust be guaranteed

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

The 'magical moments' are lost because of people DEMANDING THEM.

How many people have you seen that are pizzed off they didn't get:
-special treatment on their birthday
-FREE balloons in their resort room for an occasion
-Towel animals (YES - some claim it spoiled their resort stay not to get them!)
-Etc....etc....etc....

People are actually writing to Disney and complaining 'I read on a message board that so and so got cake, balloons, confetti ,etc... on their birthday, yet I told my server and got nothing, I want my money back!'.

I don't blame Disney. The complainers have ruined it for everyone!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I don't know that I would consider a toddler (my post said "little")asking those questions to be "spoiled rotten" . My DD is almost 11 and been to WDW over 15 times but I could see a younger child during their "once in a lifetime" vacation asking alot of questions.

Again, I wouldn't consider that spoiled rotten.

I agree w/ the pp who said the "magic" now comes w/ a pricetag.

Toddlers are smart - you simply say 'Oh they are having a birthday, on your birthday we will have special decorations at home for you! Aren't they lucky to have a birthday in this restaurant?'.
And you TEACH them to be excited for the other person and not feel sorry for themselves.

I highly doubt any child under the age of 2.5 would notice it anyway, and at that age if they do, then you TEACH them why.

If they still throw a fit, then YES, they are spoiled brats and need to learn why they can't have everything.

 

[Tricia1972]

the internet has changed things, IMHO

People now have access to see what others have gotten for pixie dust and now want/expect it for themselves. Some have the unrealistic expectation that they will have pixie dust at every CM encounter.

now you can guarantee your pixie dust.

We are also in a recession. Disney is not exempt from the financial impact every American is facing. And bottom line, yes they are a business and yes they have stockhoklders to answer to (and I would like my Disney stock to rise, not fall, TYVM )

Those that have gone for years and see this as another trend in cutbacks, yup it is.

Those that have never been, won't notice the difference. I never expect anything and have arranged in advance for the magic that I wanted for special events.

All in all, i think Disney is listening to what their guests want and providing the opportunity to make your own pixie dust be guaranteed

Very well put, I agree with everything. Other than that fact that I don't own Disney stock, but I do hope the stock rises for those that have it.

I also don't think that this will preclude pixie dust filled encounters. Magic will still happen, but it will become more random.

I see this as a way to guarantee that you get what you want, versus being disappointed if you don't get a magical surprise that people have come to expect.

 

[bavaria]

I wasn't about to voice my opinion, but since two moderators have been voicing my thoughts.....

Has anyone read the Coral Reef threads? There are numerous threads requesting special menus and divers, often for nothing other than to celebrate a trip to WDW. Magic should be unexpected, not forced, yet people often plan every breath of their trip, only to be disappointed when something doesn't go as planned.

Moderators ask repeatedly not to post the Coral Reef contact information, per the CM's request, yet it is shared quite frequently. The result? In 2009 there will no longer be complimentary special menus and/or divers.

How often do we read people are upset because they didn't receive a free cupcake for a birthday? Yet we suggest over and over that if people want a cupcake/balloons etc that they should arrange it themselves, and expect to pay for it.

Sadly WDW can no longer surprise guests unexpectedly - guests now expect and even demand to be 'surprised'. I for one have long been expecting this to come at a cost.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I wasn't about to voice my opinion, but since two moderators have been voicing my thoughts.....

Has anyone read the Coral Reef threads? There are numerous threads requesting special menus and divers, often for nothing other than to celebrate a trip to WDW. Magic should be unexpected, not forced, yet people often plan every breath of their trip, only to be disappointed when something doesn't go as planned.

Moderators ask repeatedly not to post the Coral Reef contact information, per the CM's request, yet it is shared quite frequently. The result? In 2009 there will no longer be complimentary special menus and/or divers.

How often do we read people are upset because they didn't receive a free cupcake for a birthday? Yet we suggest over and over that if people want a cupcake/balloons etc that they should arrange it themselves, and expect to pay for it.

Sadly WDW can no longer surprise guests unexpectedly - guests now expect and even demand to be 'surprised'. I for one have long been expecting this to come at a cost.

It's really simple. WDW found a way to curtail the unrealistic expectations of those who get po'd when they don't get a freebie, while at the same time creating revenue from those who don't mind paying a little extra for their special occasion. Genius!!