Re: Tusker House--What is Disney's e-mail re: dining??? anyone???

[clkelley]

It's called "Donald's Safari" so I'd expect the Restaurantosaurus characters in new safari gear.

The buffet will be a character meal only for breakfast, not lunch or dinner. Which tells me it's more about converting the restaurant into a table service venue than it is about characters. Not to mention the fact that they will be discontinuing Breakfastosaurus, so AK will not have two character breakfast buffets.

I'd also think that now that WDW will have its own TS restaurant in AK, DDE members won't be able to get discounts at the remaining CS restaurants.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Somebody decided that Animal Kingdom needed a "Disney" sit down restaurant for the Dining Plan and for DDE and converting TH was the easiest way to do it. Neither Rainforest Cafe or Yak & Yeti is owned by Disney, so they needed a sit down for all day for these plans.

I'm also wondering if the location of Donald's and Everest had something to do with it. We started booking 8am Donald's meals because we could get to Everest ahead of the crowd. We did actually eat breakfast, but I would imagine some "rule bending" guests were booking 8am Donald's meals, not actually entering the restaurant, and waiting on rope drop to get to Everest earlier.

With the Donald meal now too far away to be an advantage for Everest, there will no longer be an incentive.

 

[onelugnut]

while i didnt have time to read all the posts, but just wanted to put my agreement in on this.
tusker house was my favorite tip to my friends. why mess with it?
but i am happy for Donald (my favorite)

i think they just had to get that character breakfast out of mcdonalds style restuarant,
i know i was booked there once and realized it was a mcdonalds and canned it.

 

[bicker]

Do you know what I also mentioned in my e-mail to Disney--How they really stick it to those of us who choose to have a decent meal, however, they charge us (2) credits to do so!!!

Seems fair to me: Give better; charge more.

 

[bicker]

I'm also wondering if the location of Donald's and Everest had something to do with it. We started booking 8am Donald's meals because we could get to Everest ahead of the crowd. We did actually eat breakfast, but I would imagine some "rule bending" guests were booking 8am Donald's meals, not actually entering the restaurant, and waiting on rope drop to get to Everest earlier.

That would be a shame, and yet another for the list of abuses that have caused Disney to curtail or eliminate guest services.

 

[Olaf]

We had sit down buffet breakfast at Tusker House after our Sunrise Safari last December. Best breakfast I've had on property. I hope they keep up the quality when they open as a buffet restaurant.

 

[maddhatir]

Seems fair to me: Give better; charge more.

Well a few years ago that wasn't Disney's policy-- we ate at The Brown Derby for (1) credit. And I have a feeling the food quality was better then.

 

[bicker]

I've been visiting WDW for many years -- it's always been their policy. Indeed, previously, their policy was "only charge a lot for a lot, and people who can't afford it, do without (eat junk food)". Now they're willing to charge either a lot or less, giving in each case a commensurate offering.