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

[lisaviolet]

That's unfair to them, I feel. Their obligations are quite clear, and there are no obligations that require them to leave things as any of us specifically want them to be.

Obviously.

I don't own Disney. They can do whatever they like with their business.

And as a frustrated customer, for once, I can to..do whatever I like. I can express to change a wonderful, healthy, loved CS to another buffet is a poor choice. And they of course can do whatever they want with that.

I should have started off with the positives in the letter.I usually do when I address issues to others. However, I wanted them to really take a look at this choice. And if I rewrote it I would be much less harsh. Much friendlier. For sure. I let my "DVC renters are now 10 days late on payment and I'm two days from 31 day penalty" frustrations infiltrate the beloved restaurant board. Bad human me.

"Irresponsible" was strong but I'm sticking by it. TH had many healthy choices. As does a buffet. And one can eat healthy at a buffet. However, I would guess that most people, not all but most, eat too much at a buffet. If you eat too much, or me, it's obviously none of my business. Not at all. But Disney has stated that they are concerned with the health of children with their food choices. Disney is not responsible for that in my opinion, parents are. And our choices in public planning to some extent when extending that to obesity on this continent (well not really I'm sure Mexico is way behind US/Canada). However, to state that but add yet another buffet is going against that, in my opinion only, especially when it's replacing such a healthy and wonderful restaurant to do so.

Health issues/food choices aside..

I'm going to miss Tusker House. Hopefully, they might reconsider. Of course they don't have to....

 

[bicker]

Wow. What? Bicker, that came off as patronizing to me.

No not at all. Just saying what we've found to the be the case, taking a positive attitude on the issue.

 

[lisaviolet]

Thanks,

I'm going to write to Disney right now and tell them thanks. I love the idea of another TS restaurant in AK; I never thought Rainforest Cafe was enough and its all the way at the beginning of the park. I hope there are characters at TH - maybe jungle characters (lion king, jungle book, etc)

And even though I obviously disagree, and hate characters at meals, I am happy to see this post. For one, I'm really into positive feedback for a company that goes out of its way to please. And two, I think feedback on this issue, good and bad, helps them immensely in their decisions.

 

[bicker]

And as a frustrated customer, for once, I can to..do whatever I like.

Absolutely. I see it differently, and wished to say so.

I should have started off with the positives in the letter.

That is always a good idea.

"Irresponsible" was strong but I'm sticking by it.

I guess my question is what responsibility are you referring to?

 

[lisaviolet]

Absolutely. I see it differently, and wished to say so.

That is always a good idea.

I guess my question is what responsibility are you referring to?

I'm so unskilled. Don't know how to separate quotes. So I'll number:

1) That statement is now out of context. Of course you see it differently (from prior posts) and of course can say so and that's certainly none of my business. That's not what I was addressing at all. I felt told (and I think told was the real issue) by you that positivity, supreme appreciation for Disney and how they bend over backwards in customer service, enjoying vacations to the fullest are incongruent with having a somewhat emotional response to a fabulous, healthy CS being closed for yet another buffet. For the first time at that. That I wasn't all that, or able to think that just b/c I think it is a poor choice. You can't say you were merely expressing your opinion. You were making a point to me too. I don't know just found it __________. Don't have a word to suffice. And I said, over and over, that I regretted my tone, words and would change that.

2) Thank you for your support on my usual writing style. I really don't know why that was posted in isolation when I clearly said I do that all the time and regret not doing it this time. Once again felt patronized. Or are you really supporting me and I'm taking you wrong? Perhaps.

3) I already said why "irresponsible" was used in one of my novels. And how it probably wasn't the best word. It was about Disney's statement about striving to have more healthy options for children this year and even though buffets can be healthy for some how I felt closing a fantastic, healthy CS for yet another buffet isn't in line with this in a lot of ways. But I don't want to say any more because it would only be out of context.

I am happy for those who wanted a TS and a buffet. Just concerned and saddened that a great, healthy CS is going to accomplish that.

 

[Huff]

There is already way too many character buffets around WDW and not enough good counter service restaurants. Tusker House was the best in any of the parks. If I want a buffet the selection is far greater than any other type of venue. Disney must see high $'s from buffets and decided there wasn't enough already.

Poor choice Disney!! Buffets are not lacking in WDW. Good CS is.

 

[shovan]

I totally agree with the OP on this! And I will write to WDW to say so. I don't see the need of another buffet much less another character meal. AK already has one character meal, the decision to remove the only edible (and one of the best in all of WDW) counter service in AK for a buffet, just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[bicker]

Or are you really supporting me and I'm taking you wrong? Perhaps.

Definitely.

3) I already said why "irresponsible" was used in one of my novels.

Sorry, I must have missed it. If you don't mind, could you help me understand it better -- or, if it bothers you to explain, never mind. No patronizing -- I swear. I've had no intention to patronize you in this thread.

 

[hmp2z]

However, I would guess that most people, not all but most, eat too much at a buffet.

Very, very true. "Researchers have found that people (and animals) presented with large portions will eat up to 30 percent more than they would otherwise." Hence the fact that since 1977, the American's average daily intake of calories has jumped by more than 10 percent. See The Omnivore's Dilemna (pages 102, 106, 424 & 425) for sources.

I will miss Tusker House greatly, though, honestly, I miss the old Tusker House. The one from 2006, with big, juicy salmon portions, not those piddling little dried up things they're serving these days.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[hmp2z]

I should have started off with the positives in the letter.I usually do when I address issues to others.

I think it's generally a good practice, but I disagree with Bicker on this one. You, as a consumer, have the right - nay, the responsibility - to let the company know your feelings about their practices. We definitely won't be eating at Animal Kingdom any more. You don't need to whitewash what you're saying; you said what you meant, and "irresponsible" is not too strong a word in this situation. The dearth of healthy restaurants at WDW, and the superabundance of buffets, is extremely irresponsible. I understand it's part of the mentality of offering American consumers whatever they can stuff their faces with, but it's a gross practice. And definitely irresponsible.

Cheers!
Heather w

 

[lisaviolet]

Definitely.

Sorry, I must have missed it. If you don't mind, could you help me understand it better -- or, if it bothers you to explain, never mind. No patronizing -- I swear. I've had no intention to patronize you in this thread.

Okay I'll try Bicker. Regardless, I would still love for WDW to keep all the CS and non-buffet TS restaurants they still have. For totally selfish reasons! I dislike buffets. I know a lot of people love them. And Disney has responded with having so many options for buffet lovers. Off topic again. So the use of "irresponsible":

• Disney stated last year that they were striving to have better healthy options for children
• To me it was as if they were looking at problems we are having in US/Canada, childhood obesity and all the problems whish ensue from that
• At the time I personally thought, "interesting. I think it is parents' responsibilty but on the other hand it's nice to see society, and this business, is at least looking at it
• Ie. I'm still perplexed on where we all need to go with this since parents, and their choices in lifestyle, would be the most powerful piece in this issue in society
• So here we are, Disney reached out with their postion, and yet they are closing one of their best examples of a simple, healthy CS establishment. And ordering off a menu, a healthy one at that, supports their initial thoughts
• Buffets can of course be great for a variety of healthy foods
• However, for a lot of people, they promote overeating
• Not my business for sure
• However, we have an entire generation of children who have no idea what a healthy portion of food is and buffets are not going to help that at all
• And some, not all, parents are not guiding children to learn that
• So another buffet???? Another one? That is where I find their earlier press release on children, healthy choices, and their new practices incongruent (hence irresponsible) with closing a healthy CS restaurant for another buffet.
  

Lisa

 

[lisaviolet]

You, as a consumer, have the right - nay, the responsibility - to let the company know your feelings about their practices.

Cheers!
Heather w

Thanks Heather. Much appreciated.

Lisa

 

[silverarrowknits]

I LOVE TH. It is part of the reason that I try to hit AK during all of my trips! Boo to Disney! BOO!

 

[lisaviolet]

I will miss Tusker House greatly, though, honestly, I miss the old Tusker House. The one from 2006, with big, juicy salmon portions, not those piddling little dried up things they're serving these days.

Cheers!
Heather W

Thanks for that. We thought we had a memory issue. Went in December raving to our friends about the salmon and ordered and thought, "oh was this really it all these other times?"

 

[bicker]

Okay, so if they converted it to a pre-plated character meal, it would be acceptable, but as a buffet, it is irresponsible. That makes sense to me, now. Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

Thanks,

I'm going to write to Disney right now and tell them thanks. I love the idea of another TS restaurant in AK; I never thought Rainforest Cafe was enough and its all the way at the beginning of the park. I hope there are characters at TH - maybe jungle characters (lion king, jungle book, etc)

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.

 

[cinder1]

My problem with this change is that it leaves only 1 CS in AK that has indoor seating. I love Flametree but we will be there in July this year and eating outside doesn't sound fun. I don't care if they add a buffet but to take away a CS (a great one at that) with indoor seating is poor planning. Especially during the hot months, where is everyone at AK going to eat?? There will not be enough ADRs at TH and Y&Y for everyone visiting AK even if everyone wanted to eat at a TS.

 

[TDC Nala]

My problem with this change is that it leaves only 1 CS in AK that has indoor seating. I love Flametree but we will be there in July this year and eating outside doesn't sound fun. I don't care if they add a buffet but to take away a CS (a great one at that) with indoor seating is poor planning. Especially during the hot months, where is everyone at AK going to eat?? There will not be enough ADRs at TH and Y&Y for everyone visiting AK even if everyone wanted to eat at a TS.

Restaurantosaurus has indoor seating. (And McDonald's food. Don't know if they plan to change the menu.) So there will be that, and Pizzafari.

Y&Y is supposed to have a counter service option. Don't know if it will be indoor or outdoor seating.

 

[fla4fun]

Personally, I don't eat at buffets, whether at Disney or otherwise. It's a great way to spread the Norovirus (between all the unwashed hands using utensils and then laying them back in the food - YUCK!). Of course, I never really ate much at AK anyway. I'd have a breakfast at the resort, go to the park, maybe have a snack (maybe not) and then come back to the resort for a nice dinner. So it won't be as big a problem for me as for some.

That's one of the reasons Epcot is my favorite park. There is a great diversity in both the TS and CS restaurants there, both healthy and not quite so healthy. After all, it is vacation!

 

[Snow_White]

Yuck. My husband and I will also miss the Tusker House. He can't eat BBQ or pizza due to allergies so we are now severely limited on AK dining. We HATE HATE HATE buffets because we find them to be repulsive and germy.