New Things Coming To Dining!

[Momto3Girls&Max]

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.

Exactly! Too many parents reinforce the whole "woe is me" attitude which is why there are so many bratty kids running around feeling entitled.

I think this is a perfect way to guarantee a celebration for special times. Pay for it. If you'd like, you can still have special occasions noted on your reservation and you may get something extra but, if not, at least you've made arrangements for yourselves.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

None of the special new items really appeal to our party but I do think it's a good idea. I was really hoping they would have something for anniversaries. We are taking my parents there for their 30th and would have considered adding something to the table.

I am wondering though why we haven't seen a link yet on the WDW website for this new promotion. Wasn't the info supposed to be released December 5?

Yes, the Sweetheart Dinner sounds like no bargain at all. And, you only get one dessert! Sorry, but the apple cider or cheap champagne toast in glasses that can't cost Disney more than 50 cents a flute doesn't make up for that!

I think people are confused about the dessert. You get a dessert designed for two people. It's a special dessert that is no doubt the equivalent in quantity to two desserts. They do this at a number of restaurants around here. It just adds to the romance factor.

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.

The magic ALWAYS came at a price tag. Why are the new table additions any different than all the other things available for purchase at WDW? Couldn't you say the same thing about children seeing other kids with fancy hats or balloons or light-up gadgets walking around the park? They are just as likely to want all of these things as well. That is life.

Sorry if this has been posted already, but I just called to get the centerpiece for our dinner on tues the 9th of Dec, and the woman told me that it doesn't start til JAN 5th. Kinda bummed, but it saved me $6!

Yes, the OP did clearly state that.

 

[DisFlan]

Oh well. With the random and unexpected "magic" going -- and in some respects already gone (or at least getting a price put on it), it's a good reason to start looking elsewhere for our vacations. We're seriously considering going back to Kauai. We thought the snorkeling in Kauai was truly "magical". Disney stockholders beware!!!!!

Just FYI - Disney recently broke ground on a new hotel/DVC resort in Hawaii.


DisFlan

 

[disneyfav4ever]

The magic ALWAYS came at a price tag. Why are the new table additions any different than all the other things available for purchase at WDW? Couldn't you say the same thing about children seeing other kids with fancy hats or balloons or light-up gadgets walking around the park? They are just as likely to want all of these things as well. That is life.

I agree.

 

[declansdad]

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?

If people are willing to pay for it, why wouldn't they offer this? Afterall, they are trying to make a profit.

 

[declansdad]

I have to respectfully disagree with the posters who say that WDW guests have unrealistic expectations for "magic" - Disney has promoted itself as the magical destination. What was the Year of a Million Dreams promotion? I think that raised some pretty high expectations, and that was not brought on by DIS posters sharing online. There was a massive push by Disney in their marketing to get their guests to expect those kinds of random acts by cast members, so if they were feeling that guests expect too much, why the two-year YOMD?

I agree that those types of moments should not be demanded, but on the other hand, Disney can't point to others for all of that expectation.

Disney did deliver on the special magic they promised during this celebration. They awarded the prizes and pixie dust just like they said. On the other hand, there have been way too many posters on the Disboards alone that have expressed unrealistic expectations about a trip to WDW. These people only set themselves up for disappointment and then complain that their vacations were ruined by Disney.

Sorry, have to quote myself on this one...

So I'm at Disney, paying to be in the parks, overpaying for in most cases pretty darn mediocre ( to downright bad) food "for the experience" ... only now "the experience" costs even more?

Yeesh.

Can't agree with the food. For the most part, we've been pretty happy with the food. Nobody is forcing you to buy any of these extras or eat at the restaurants.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Sorry, have to quote myself on this one...

So I'm at Disney, paying to be in the parks, overpaying for in most cases pretty darn mediocre ( to downright bad) food "for the experience" ... only now "the experience" costs even more?

Yeesh.

Can't agree with the food. For the most part, we've been pretty happy with the food. Nobody is forcing you to buy any of these extras or eat at the restaurants.

I can't complain about the food either. I've eaten a lot of different things, at a lot of different restaurants, and most of it was quite good if not excellant.

 

[cymbaldiva]

Can't agree with the food. For the most part, we've been pretty happy with the food. Nobody is forcing you to buy any of these extras or eat at the restaurants.

And I don't, not worth the price

I can't complain about the food either. I've eaten a lot of different things, at a lot of different restaurants, and most of it was quite good if not excellant.

Seriously, taste is strictly a matter of opinion - if you guys enjoy the food, go for it. I just don't think it's all that ... it would be acceptable if it were resonably priced, but for the $$ it's mediocre at best.

Just my .02

 

[Nancyg56]

Disney did deliver on the special magic they promised during this celebration. They awarded the prizes and pixie dust just like they said. On the other hand, there have been way too many posters on the Disboards alone that have expressed unrealistic expectations about a trip to WDW. These people only set themselves up for disappointment and then complain that their vacations were ruined by Disney.



Can't agree with the food. For the most part, we've been pretty happy with the food. Nobody is forcing you to buy any of these extras or eat at the restaurants.

When I was planning our trip to Disney after 18 years I found the DIS. I saw all kinds of wonderful things happening to people and there was a part of me that wanted the upgrades and the "pixie dust". It seemed like everyone was getting tons of animals, upgrades to Club level and rides withe the characters. Thankfully there were folks who warned that these were not meant to be taken for granted, they were random little surprises that might happen. So I booked Club level, ordered a birthday cake sent to our room, and paid for any other things that I really wanted. Not expecting the little things that happened throughout our trip made the experience that much better. I have found that if you are open to the little things they happen, you just have to get rid of all the expectations of extras and enjoy them when they occur.

I truly believe that being able to pay for the extras that you want ensures that you get them. There will still be the little things that happen to make the trip magical, they just may not be cupcakes.

And I don't, not worth the price



Seriously, taste is strictly a matter of opinion - if you guys enjoy the food, go for it. I just don't think it's all that ... it would be acceptable if it were resonably priced, but for the $$ it's mediocre at best.

Just my .02

I wanted to add that I enjoy the food throughout Disney. I know that I am paying theme park prices but then I am in a theme park. If you really want mediocre food at inflated prices try Six Flags . I almost fainted when I added up what we spent in one day for my family and it was no where near good.

 

[declansdad]

When I was planning our trip to Disney after 18 years I found the DIS. I saw all kinds of wonderful things happening to people and there was a part of me that wanted the upgrades and the "pixie dust". It seemed like everyone was getting tons of animals, upgrades to Club level and rides withe the characters. Thankfully there were folks who warned that these were not meant to be taken for granted, they were random little surprises that might happen. So I booked Club level, ordered a birthday cake sent to our room, and paid for any other things that I really wanted. Not expecting the little things that happened throughout our trip made the experience that much better. I have found that if you are open to the little things they happen, you just have to get rid of all the expectations of extras and enjoy them when they occur.

I truly believe that being able to pay for the extras that you want ensures that you get them. There will still be the little things that happen to make the trip magical, they just may not be cupcakes.

quote]

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Tink_Kel]

1 Takeaway commemorative etched champagne flute and menu per Guest

Anyone know if the takeaway commemorative menus will be similar to the personalized ones you can get at the Coral Reef? (which are being discontinued in 2009)

TIA!