Quick Service Podcast

[mjp12831]

Couple of thoughts after listening:

- the thought was discussed that QS dining was primarily families on the QS dining plan - that's definately not the case as anyone on the regular DDP has a QS and a TS option daily. as a DDP user, I'm familiar with most of the places discussed.

- agreed that the food is not great accross the board at QS locations, and that it meets expectations. Pete's point of what a WOW factor it would be if it actually exceeded expectations was well taken, but you could extend this point of accepting mediocrity accross to almost everything in America anymore.

- Theresa made the point that kids were stuck ordering from the kids menu. Last year after our 3rd trip, a CS employee at Flame Tree told us that in fact kids are allowed to order off of the adult menu. We were pleasantly surprised but skeptical and did this the remainder of our trip and were not turned away.

- agreed that many of the options, especially kids options are not healthy. we actually enjoy this - we eat VERY healthy throughout the year and rarely go out to eat, so endulging for a week at WDW and eating garbage (speaking healthy wise, not tase wise), and consuming outrageous quantities of food, is a treat for us. we allow our kids to eat anything they want that week which is a big departure from how we operate on a daily basis.

- like many of the crew, I am also disapointed by the parenting that is too common - where parents justify giving their kids garbage food because "it's all they eat". If I were a kid again and didn't know any better about the damage it does to my health, I'd refuse to eat healthy stuff too. Just don't come down too hard on the parents that are feeding their kids this stuff at WDW because once in a while it may just be an exception.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Please understand that I am not judging parents in any way, shape or form.

I apologize if that's how it came across.

I have no opinion on what, when or where you feed your children. I don't have horse in that race.

It's my opinion that if chicken nuggets are all your child will eat, then they, at the very least, deserve better chicken nuggets than the ones currently being served.

I even went on to say that I liked McDonalds nuggets with spicy mustard.

I don't have a problem with nuggets in general. I have a problem with those nuggets.

As for accepting mediocrity in other parts of life.....I'm not good about that either.

If I'm spending my hard earned money, it's either got to be good or I show my disappointment by not spending my money there again.

If the issue is truly egregious....then I speak up and ask for the issue to be fixed or ask for a refund if the issue can't be resolved.

If you accept mediocrity, you will get mediocrity.

Talk with your wallet.

 

[disneysteve]

I just listened to the episode on the quick serve places (I'm a bit behind but catching up ). I have a few mixed comments.

Having been to WDW nearly 30 times as well as visiting many other amusement/theme parks in other places, I have always felt that Disney has, by far, the best counter service food around. I dread spending a day at Hersheypark or Great Adventure or other places, not because the parks aren't fun but because I know I'll be relegated to eating crap. At Disney, I know I can at least get a decent meal. That said, I'll agree with the crew that it isn't all good. There are good choices and not so good choices.

Regarding the kids meals, I think what we have done in this country regarding "kid" food is an utter disgrace. When I was a kid, there was no "kid" food. There was just food. Parents, kids, didn't matter. Everyone ate the same thing. The kids just got a smaller portion. The way we now market certain foods (usually deep fried and shaped like dinosaurs) as especially for children is, IMO, a significant reason why the obesity epidemic continues to spiral out of control. I am very glad that Disney finally added healthy side options. It used to be fries or nothing. Now you can get grapes, carrot sticks, applesauce or apple slices most places. Contrary to what was reported in the podcast, we've never had a bad pack of any of those things. Our only complaint has sometimes been that the applesauce is room temperature and we prefer ours cold but that's a minor inconvenience.

There are even a few QS meals that we actually look forward to at Disney. We certainly can't say that about any other amusement park food. I love getting a veggie burger at Cosmic Ray's and piling on the fresh lettuce, sauteed mushrooms and onions at the toppings bar. Yum. My daughter loves getting the tofu, veggies and noodles at the Asian station at Sunshine Seasons in EPCOT. Just try finding tofu at any other amusement park.

I totally agree with the team that there is no excuse for serving garbage at any price point. Whether it is a signature dining experience or a hot dog at Casey's, it should be the best it can be at that price. I also agree that the American pavilion restaurant needs a serious makeover, though I must say that although I typically avoid fried foods, I've found the chicken strips there to be pretty tasty (the adult ones, not the kids ones).

 

[mjp12831]

the other thing that occurred to me is that what in many cases is considered to be a "healthier option" often is not.

Just how do they keep apple slices from getting brown and soggy? I know that if I cut an apple at home it doesn't last 15 minutes. Chemicals?

Are carrot sticks really a healthy option if they come with a side of ranch dressing to dip them in?

Also, people often think salads are healthier options (Cosmic Ray's was mentioned) - not always the case - salad adds like cheese and croutons are not good for you, then there's the dressing. Ever look at the side of a package and see what's considered a serving? Most people probably dump 4 serving sizes of dressing on their salad.

Outside of this however, I'm generally ok with WDW counter service places serving things that are not considered to be "healthy options" because people aren't eating throughout the year at WDW (it's a moment in time and not a lifestyle choice). I do agree 100% with the podcast crew and Kevin that some of the CS places should be making more of an effort (serve hot food, serve real chicken, ...), but I've also eaten at a bunch of really good CS locations where they do seem to be putting in a great effort (Morocco, China, Starring Roles, Flame Tree BBQ, Columbia Harbor House all come to mind immediately).

 

[disneysteve]

the other thing that occurred to me is that what in many cases is considered to be a "healthier option" often is not.

I'm a physician so I have that conversation on a daily basis. People, in general, just don't "get it" when it comes to healthy eating. What they think is healthy usually isn't when it comes to restaurants. Grilled chicken is better than fried, right? Not necessarily when they've soaked the chicken in oil before grilling it. Broiled fish is good, right? Except the cup of butter and cream sauce they serve it with spoil the benefit. And yes, "salad" is a pretty broad term that gets way distorted.

Probably the biggest problem is serving sizes. Even healthy things, like a good veggie salad, can just be way, way, way too big. I was at a diner last night an ate maybe half of the salad I was served. It was just two of us eating and they brought a basket of 6 rolls. Now what the heck do 2 people need with 6 rolls (all white bread, of course, no whole wheat or multigrain). I've ordered chicken dishes that came with 3 entire chicken breasts. Really? Serve me less and charge me less.

 

[DreaGirl]

This is just my opinion, please take it with a grain of salt if you wish.

In our experience, Disney CS is the best we have had in a theme park. We went to Sesame Place a few years ago and the food there was so bad, and very expensive. We've been to Cedar Point, Six Flags, Dutch Wonderland, Hersey Park and they all had very mediocre to bad theme park food.

Honestly, most of the time I pack a lunch for us and we go out to the car to eat. This really isn't an option at Disney, so we eat in the parks.

I have to agree with Kevin here, if I'm spending my money I expect to have something edible AND taste good. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Our last few trips the kids have ordered off the adult menus and we have split the meals. I've taken food back up the counter for being old/cold/gross and every time I received an apology and new food.

Only one time did a manager come out to speak to me and that was at Pinnochio Village Haus. We ordered 2 pizzas. I was getting napkins etc and when I came back to the table half a pizza was gone. I took one bite and asked my husband why we were eating this. It was so hard. When I took it back I explained how the kids had eaten half of it, but that the crust was stale. A manager came over, I explained and he gave us another pizza. I've been very nice about it, but I made it known I wasn't happy.

I think if we all start doing this, things will change. Maybe not quickly, but eventually. Once again, only my opinion and experience.

 

[gr8leg8]

Just how do they keep apple slices from getting brown and soggy? I know that if I cut an apple at home it doesn't last 15 minutes. Chemicals?

I have no ideas what Disney does,
but at our house we toss the apple slices in a splash of orange juice.
Ever put lime in fresh guac? same idea.

Enjoy!

ps. that will help with brown, not sure why your apples are getting soggy??

 

[DreaGirl]

We toss ours in lemon juice to keep them from getting brown.

 

[Cherinva]

I personally like the QS at WDW...not all, but most are good. I have my favorites....and on each trip, we do try something new. I've heard so many good things about Flame tree BBQ, so on our trip last year I was really looking forward to having lunch there.....OMG....it was the worst meal....maybe it was an off day, but the food was terrible....we were sharing a table with another family and we saw them making faces at the food too. My favorite new place last year was the ABC Commosary.....in fact, we ate there twice, because the first time was so good. We also like Cosmic Rays, and Caseys...and the electric umbrella.

 

[mdvlprof]

I'm so happy to hear which QS are good [and fresh] and which are not.
We're doing the QS in Dec. Was just too much food on the TS plan.

Don't go out to eat much, so WDW is a treat. Alway lived by notion that if you didn't like what is served this meal, you can wait til the next meal to eat.

 

[disneysteve]

My favorite new place last year was the ABC Commosary

We loved their salad with edamame, which is big enough to feed 2 people easily. I was disappointed with the fish and chips, though. Seemed puny for the price and I left hungry plus they didn't have cocktail sauce so just eating plain fish filets was underwhelming. It needed to have something else with it. The fish was good - hot and crisp - but lonely.