Should the signature restaurants serve breakfast/brunch?

[DonaldDoleWhip]

This is something I've wondered about for a while. I know that California Grill (before it was Cali Grill) had a Sunday brunch, and Artist Point had a character breakfast at one point (there was a thread about AP's delicious blueberry-stuffed french toast).

Besides that, Narcoossee's recently had a Tables in Wonderland brunch event. An allears review is here, and I think the food looks great.

I think there's so much potential for the Disney signature restaurants to do a breakfast or Sunday-brunch kind of meal. Firstly, it would make it possible to enjoy the beautiful locations of these restaurants (Cali Grill, Narcoossee's, Artist Point, etc) while it's still daytime. In addition, there's so much inspiration for each restaurant. Artist Point could include several dishes with berries and perhaps a buffalo steak & eggs dish, while Jiko could serve upscale versions of African breakfast foods, etc.

Does anyone else think this would be a good idea? Maybe the demand for an upscale breakfast/brunch offering isn't strong enough, but I can honestly say I would love to try the Narcoossee's brunch foods in that review.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Does anyone else think this would be a good idea? Maybe the demand for an upscale breakfast/brunch offering isn't strong enough,.

1) Not a good idea.
2) Who would pay $40-$60, or more for lunch?
. . . entree
. . . dessert
. . . beverage(s)
3) If they made the price more reasonable, then then they are not Signature.
4) Don't look for this to happen soon, if ever.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

1) Not a good idea.
2) Who would pay $40-$60, or more for lunch?
. . . entree
. . . dessert
. . . beverage(s)
3) If they made the price more reasonable, then then they are not Signature.
4) Don't look for this to happen soon, if ever.

A lot of breakfast entrees at WDW sit-down restaurants cost $10-15. I'd be willing to pay $25-30 for an upscale brunch entree, which I think is priced reasonably enough (for Disney) if the dish is creative and upscale.

Keep in mind people are willing to pay $40+ (or 2 credits) for mediocre breakfast food at Cinderella's Royal Table. And the buffets are also quite expensive for mediocre food (albeit a large volume of food).

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We would definitely book an upscale breakfast/brunch once a trip. We wouldn't do it daily like we do with signature dinners though. What I would really like to see is non-character, TS breakfast options in the parks.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

We would definitely book an upscale breakfast/brunch once a trip. We wouldn't do it daily like we do with signature dinners though. What I would really like to see is non-character, TS breakfast options in the parks.

I think that's a good point. I wouldn't want a meal like this every day, but I think a nice breakfast/brunch on Saturday or Sunday would be a wonderful option.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

I could see it doing really well on holidays especially. Thinking Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I could see it doing really well on holidays especially. Thinking Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving.

I like that idea, and I think these meals would be really popular if they were only done for special occasions and holidays.

 

[chartle]

I could see it doing really well on holidays especially. Thinking Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving.

There used to be an Easter or Mothers Day brunch but for whatever reason they stopped it.

 

[chartle]

1. Keep in mind people are willing to pay $40+ (or 2 credits) for mediocre breakfast food at Cinderella's Royal Table.

2. And the buffets are also quite expensive for mediocre food (albeit a large volume of food).

1. Most would say they eat at CRT for the castle not the food.

2. Most buffets have characters again its not for the food.

 

[chartle]

If there was a need you know Disney would fill it.

I wonder if the DDP has something to do with it also.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

If there was a need you know Disney would fill it.

I wonder if the DDP has something to do with it also.

Agreed - maybe it wouldn't work every day of the week, but I still think a nice weekend brunch with good food at California Grill, Narcoossee's, etc. would be a hit. I know where I live in NY, people are often looking for a high-quality Sunday brunch, and none of Disney's current breakfast/brunch offerings satisfy that desire.

 

[chartle]

Agreed - maybe it wouldn't work every day of the week, but I still think a nice weekend brunch with good food at California Grill, Narcoossee's, etc. would be a hit. I know where I live in NY, people are often looking for a high-quality Sunday brunch, and none of Disney's current breakfast/brunch offerings satisfy that desire.

Actually the reason it may not work is that these kinds of things are generally weekend things. For most travelers I think weekends are travel days so they would have to rely on locals and they probably eat at much cheaper places off site.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Actually the reason it may not work is that these kinds of things are generally weekend things. For most travelers I think weekends are travel days so they would have to rely on locals and they probably eat at much cheaper places off site.

Good point. From a food standpoint, there's limitless potential, but I guess the logistics just don't make it a feasible regular option.

 

[cymbaldiva]

1. Most would say they eat at CRT for the castle not the food.

2. Most buffets have characters again its not for the food.

1. For as much as it costs to eat at CRT? The food should be good.

2. Same idea as post 1 ... same idea applies.

 

[Quin]

There are a couple non-character resort TS breakfast locations now. How busy are they? Do you need ADRs now for Boma, The Wave, Captain's Grill? If the answer is yes, then I think Disney would seriously consider adding breakfast locations. If they are walk-ups nearly all the time, then it is less likely.

Since I expect Disney will continue its Dining Plan options, we also need to look at the question through that filter. I see a lot of angst now on the boards with people agonizing over whether it is "worth" it to spend a TS meal credit on breakfast. Since it would really NEED to be 2TS at a Signature, even fewer people would take them up on it.

That said, I would love the option of a high-end breakfast buffet on Sundays and holidays. I don't know if the staffing issues and operating costs would be worthwhile for Disney but it certainly would be a nice option. Back in the Dark Ages, memory says that there was something like this at the Contemporary.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm not a breakfast person so I am not really interested. But if Disney thought they could make big money selling a signature brunch, they'd be doing it already.

And whether or not one thinks it should be correct that guests crowd CRT and character meals to see the characters and don't care about the food, that's what happens. The food is mediocre, but they continue to pack 'em in at high prices, and the characters and atmosphere are the reasons why these places are feasible and people pay for them. Not the food.

 

[Hopefully]

Personally, I don't like the idea at all. I would not partake of a high end buffet while in WDW. That is something I can do any weekend at home. I am not spending my Disney time in the middle of the day at brunch.

 

[chartle]

Personally, I don't like the idea at all. I would not partake of a high end buffet while in WDW. That is something I can do any weekend at home. I am not spending my Disney time in the middle of the day at brunch.

After I posted above I also thought the same thing.

Sunday or a Holiday Brunch is usually something that is done after church and starts late morning too late for Rope Droppers and the like.

 

[sotoalf]

A brunch serves more than breakfast though, which is I prefer paying for one than a breakfast buffet.

Many years ago, Top of the World at the Contemporary offered Sunday brunch. So did the Lake Buena Vista Club.

If it's once a week and character-free, I don't see why, say, the GF couldn't turn the Cafe into a Sunday brunch location.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Can't speak to Brunch as we never do it.

As for breakfast, Disney has already closed breakfast places (Boatwrights, Tonys) so I can't imagine they would even consider opening new ones for TS breakfasts.