Other messsage board lighting up over no more characters at LTT

[disneyin2008]

If this is true then it must be an EXTREMELY recent decision. Garden Grill is listed as a lunch option for the Candlelight Processional package, which of course was just announced last week.....they've been taking reservations for the GG CPP all week. I have no interest in paying $27 for lunch with no characters.

 

[cmf06]

I also called to check as I have reservations on 12-2 for lunch at Garden Grill, the CM told me also that as of 10-5 there will be no lunch served, and I had to reschedule my lunch to a dinner! Jump on it if you have lunch reservations! I am glad I have this board to keep me informed!

 

[Katiebell]

If Disney is making these changes to cut costs, I wonder if they realize they could be killing their goose that lays golden eggs? LTT and GG aren't really known for fabulous food (I know, there are some folks who are fans, but just as many who say that the food at LTT tastes like frozen Stouffer's entrees ) So...if people are primarily making ADR's for here just to have a character meal...unless the menu changes to something more exciting and appealing, I would think that Disney will lose money at these two locations.

 

[RichmondTiggerFan]

If Disney is making these changes to cut costs, I wonder if they realize they could be killing their goose that lays golden eggs? LTT and GG aren't really known for fabulous food (I know, there are some folks who are fans, but just as many who say that the food at LTT tastes like frozen Stouffer's entrees ) So...if people are primarily making ADR's for here just to have a character meal...unless the menu changes to something more exciting and appealing, I would think that Disney will lose money at these two locations.

That's exactly right! Even though the food at LTT isn't bad, IMHO, it's not worth what they charge for it (by itself). However, the characters make this meal worth its cost. Without the characters, I probably won't go back to LTT again.

 

[Tricia1972]

That's exactly right! Even though the food at LTT isn't bad, IMHO, it's not worth what they charge for it (by itself). However, the characters make this meal worth its cost. Without the characters, I probably won't go back to LTT again.

I agree, and if enough people stop eating there then they'll bring the characters back or improve the food.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We're eating at LTT, before MNSSHP, for the festive atmosphere. After going once, we know the food's going to be edible, but that's about it. Without the characters & the party atmosphere, we definitely wouldn't be going there. I wonder how many people would go for the food & location alone? My guess is not nearly enough to fill the restaurant. They'll have to change something.

 

[pigletto]

Yeah, while it's not official, I too have seen credible sources of info confirm the rumor. I am hoping that the fact that John Lassiter was there doing some research recently means that while we may be losing LTT's current character dinner, that maybe it could be the new rumored Ratatouille themed restaurant.

Time will tell. I am just glad that I am going to get a chance to dine there in December.

Geez ... good plan. Everyone wants to see a giant rat while they're dining in a restaurant

ETA... though it just occurred to me I have no issues dining with a giant mouse. I think I need a nap! LMAO

 

[stitchlilo]

If this is true then it must be an EXTREMELY recent decision. Garden Grill is listed as a lunch option for the Candlelight Processional package, which of course was just announced last week.....they've been taking reservations for the GG CPP all week. I have no interest in paying $27 for lunch with no characters.

I read on another site that the Garden Grill is not participating in the Candlelight Processional at lunch time.

 

[Katiebell]

Yeah, while it's not official, I too have seen credible sources of info confirm the rumor. I am hoping that the fact that John Lassiter was there doing some research recently means that while we may be losing LTT's current character dinner, that maybe it could be the new rumored Ratatouille themed restaurant.

Time will tell. I am just glad that I am going to get a chance to dine there in December.

Cafe Orleans at DL is "Ratatouille-themed", but only in the vaguest sense. The menu and the atmosphere are essentially the same -- cajun-creole-New Orleans influenced -- but there is a cute window display with a Ratatouille figurine, and the kids menus also featured the character. At least that theming makes a little sense in New Orleans square, with the ties between New Orleans and France, but I'm having a hard time seeing the links for that character in Liberty Square

 

[Laumau]

I called Disney Dining today to confirm some of my ADR's for our trip. The lady I talked to said that she was just informed today that LTT will not have character dining as of 1/05/09. The last day of character dining will be on 1/04/09. Ironic, considering how we were planning on booking LTT for dinner on 1/05/09. Figures.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Ya, there saying without the characters, tables will turn over more quickly. More people served, more $$$$ for Disney.

1) I don't know many people who think that Disney does things solely for profit.
2) Oops.
3) Sorry.
4) Must be a "Senior Thing".

 

[Wendy31]

Oh, wow. I'm so sad about LTT. LTT was our traditional "first night in Disney World" dinner. And we always ate lunch at Garden Grill on our Epcot day - it was a nice break in the middle of a hot day.

Will Garden Grill still be open for lunch (just minus the characters), or will Coral Reef be the only sit-down lunch available in Future World now?

Like others have said, the food at LTT & Garden Grill is not nearly good enough for the price (DP or not) w/o the characters. And the character interaction was so good at both LTT & Garden Grill too! Even if we went back to either restaurant, our kids would be so disappointed to discover that the characters weren't there any longer.

Hmm... maybe they have secret plans to turn LTT into a pirate character meal! I would so be there for a meal w/ Jack Sparrow!

 

[disnyfan89]

For those of you looking for an official announcement, starting July 6th the Dining Reservation should have updated info that confirms that LTT will no longer feature Goofy and friends!

Don't expect people to vote with their feet however when the characters leave Liberty Tree. The fact of the matter is the Disney Dining plan is well over sold to point where people will take any reservation they can get.

There is still time however to stop this minor change from happening at LTT. As some of you may know I have started a petition and the link to that petition can be found in my signature.

 

[paulh]

Yeah, while it's not official, I too have seen credible sources of info confirm the rumor. I am hoping that the fact that John Lassiter was there doing some research recently means that while we may be losing LTT's current character dinner, that maybe it could be the new rumored Ratatouille themed restaurant.

Time will tell. I am just glad that I am going to get a chance to dine there in December.

its bad enougth with a mouse around the food,well what infections will a rat bring
Paulh

 

[Tricia1972]

For those of you looking for an official announcement, starting July 6th the Dining Reservation should have updated info that confirms that LTT will no longer feature Goofy and friends!

Don't expect people to vote with their feet however when the characters leave Liberty Tree. The fact of the matter is the Disney Dining plan is well over sold to point where people will take any reservation they can get.

There is still time however to stop this minor change from happening at LTT. As some of you may know I have started a petition and the link to that petition can be found in my signature.

I in NO way mean any disrespect. However, I just don't see Disney's motivation for changing it if they can make more money by not offering characters.

I think your petition is a good thing, it's good to let Disney know how you feel - I just don't see it having a big effect on their actions unfortunately.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

http://www.allears.net/din/restnews.htm

 

[Luv2Roam]

"Official" on an unofficial web site.
However too many guests have been told the same this week and had to rearrange ADRs for this not to be taken as the truth.

 

[raidermatt]

I in NO way mean any disrespect. However, I just don't see Disney's motivation for changing it if they can make more money by not offering characters.

I think your petition is a good thing, it's good to let Disney know how you feel - I just don't see it having a big effect on their actions unfortunately.

The problem is that it's not as simple as saying "turn tables over faster and don't pay the actors so they will save money".

If that were the case, there would be no characters meals at all.

The character meals carry a premium price that apparently makes up for slower turnaround and actor salaries. It also is a general satisfaction thing for guests who can't get enough of the characters and don't want to wait in lines elsewhere to meet them.

In general, character meals have been on the increase so it seems pretty clear Disney is happy with the money they make from them.

But, apparently something is causing them to change their mind with LTT (assuming the rumor is true). While I don't doubt that the reason is bottom line related, it's certainly not as simple as saying character meals cost more to put on than non-character meals.

 

[Tricia1972]

The problem is that it's not as simple as saying "turn tables over faster and don't pay the actors so they will save money".

If that were the case, there would be no characters meals at all.

The character meals carry a premium price that apparently makes up for slower turnaround and actor salaries. It also is a general satisfaction thing for guests who can't get enough of the characters and don't want to wait in lines elsewhere to meet them.

In general, character meals have been on the increase so it seems pretty clear Disney is happy with the money they make from them.

But, apparently something is causing them to change their mind with LTT (assuming the rumor is true). While I don't doubt that the reason is bottom line related, it's certainly not as simple as saying character meals cost more to put on than non-character meals.

I agree that it's not simple, and actually over many posts have more fully explained my POV on this.

The PP that I was quoting in my reply (that you quoted) stated that Talking by Walking wouldn't work because the restaurant will sell out anyway and asked us to sign the petition. I was saying that the petition was good to voice your feelings, but Disney is more money driven than opinion driven. Only when our opinions affect their bottom line will they really listen.

Maybe Disney feels that they'll sell out LTT even more when they are not a character dinner. This is a double bonus for them - more money overall (same price - no entertainment)

 

[Luv2Roam]

If Disney were truly swayed by public opinion and uproar, Mr Toad's Wild Ride would not have had it's demise way back when.
So yes, I think petitions are fine as a voice or outlet. However Disney is not a democracy.