Sorry...need to vent...FINISHED

[DISNEY1975]

I deleted my post. Like humans, we all agree or disagree to anything! I think my point was missed somewhere along the way..probably my fault, which is why I am not in the PR or marketing field!


I hope everyone has great vacations at DISNEY!!

 

[disnut8]

I think Disney should have at least one affordable character dining spot, preferably the castle as its an icon and dream for so many. Also a couple of reasonably priced table service restaurants would be nice too. Every child deserves a magical vacation.

OK...vent over...I feel a tad bit better.

I know you were just venting but what is "reasonable"? That's so subjective as each person has their own idea of what reasonable is. Your definition is going to differ from mine and just about every person on this board.

 

[TDC Nala]

Park admission gets you in the park but it doesn't get you the extras...if you can't afford the extras then that's when making your own "magic" comes in, like bringing in sandwiches (which Disney allows guests to do - many other parks don't) and eating in the shadow of the castle, then going to meet a princess. A lot of folks can't afford even the park admission, is it Disney's obligation to lower prices, and then at what point are they low enough? It's a nice dream but it's not feasible.

 

[Planogirl]

We eat a portion of our meals offsite. I dislike paying a ton for pizza so if we get pizza we find somewhere more reasonable. The pizza usually tastes better too even though I can't comment on the new place yet.

As for eating in the castle, that's a bit different IMO. It's a special thing to do so they charge a premium and they are justified in doing so. That said, I think that all of the buffets at WDW are overpriced nowadays. Since most of them involve characters that might limit some people's enjoyment of them too.

 

[mitsybella]

I know you were just venting but what is "reasonable"? That's so subjective as each person has their own idea of what reasonable is. Your definition is going to differ from mine and just about every person on this board.

I dont think too many people would think that $32+ for a child to have a hot dog for lunch at the castle is reasonable, I know they get pictures and a sword or wand and character interaction and much of what you are paying for is not the food but I agree with the OP that disney prices are higher than I would pay at home.

 

[mandyb]

I tend to agree with you OP. I think Disney's table service is ridiculously over priced. We are going during free dining and that is the only way we will patronize most of the restaurants. I would not pay the ridiculous prices for food even though I can afford it. However I also appreciate the fact that they allow you to bring in your own food and I think for the most part the CS options are pretty reasonably priced. That makes it more accessible for a lot of people.

But I can say that when I was a kid, we were the ones that brought in our own sandwiches, no way could my parents have afforded for us to go any other way. I didn't even know Disney restaurants existed, lol. And it didn't detract from the "magic" for us. I have only great Disney memories and even though we couldn't afford all the special things some others did, we never felt deprived at all.

 

[2Tiggies]

I was just thinking, my DD has never asked to eat at CRT. She is 8 now. I had tried before (reservations are much easier to get now than they were a couple of years ago) but never managed to get the breakfast.

That brings me to realize I had better hurry up and take her before she becomes a Disney adult.

 

[Dizzyworld]

I tend to agree with you OP. I think Disney's table service is ridiculously over priced.

I agree. I just know going in the food cost is going to be high, and we are lucky enough to be able to afford our choices. I know we can always make a different choice to eat TS or not.

One things that bugs me is that I would like the portions of the food to be smaller and the price to be dropped to match the smaller portions. At TS places the amount of food seems too much. I know we can share meals, but since I have a shellfish allergy my DS and I often are eating different things.

By biggest issue with Disney is there seem to be only a handful of the many restaurants on the property that still seem to be of good quality. Just read the many threads and trip reports of complaints about the food. For the prices Disney charges, the food should be of a higher quality. I understand that Disney is in the business to make money, but how many of these places would still be open in the real world?

My vent is over.

 

[LilyWDW]

I know you were just venting but what is "reasonable"? That's so subjective as each person has their own idea of what reasonable is. Your definition is going to differ from mine and just about every person on this board.

I agree with you. I am willing to pay a lot more to eat at Disney then I am willing to pay here at home. It's a part of a Disney vacation for me. Plus, at home, I can't eat in a castle, with Mickey Mouse, at a German Buffet, or attend a Polynesian Luau. I can only do all those things at Disney.

If one can not afford it, then one can not afford it. There is no "right" to be able to eat at the castle.

Plus, there was a thread not too long ago about the cost of food at Disney compared to other parks/events. It was actually shown that Disney, for what it was, had prices lower then many other places. Is it cheap? No, but a Disney vacation is not cheap.

 

[maxiesmom]

It does cost a lot to eat at WDW, and pretty much any other theme/amusement park/movie theater/sporting event. They have a captive audiance for the most part. At least you can bring in food to the Disney parks, which cannot be said of most other places.

Disney doesn't have to lower prices for people. Going to WDW and eating at their restaurants is not a right. Disney is a business, and they will charge what most people are willing to pay. And I have been willing to pay $30+ to be so busy taking pictures than I'm not even eating the ok meal provided, just so that my niece can be in her extreme happy place for a while. And I am blessed to be able to do so. But I don't think Disney needs to lower the price just so I can do it more often.

I know I am blessed to be able to do that every so often. My parents were not so lucky when I was little, and that was ok too.

 

[catne]

Disney prices are "reasonable" for theme park/destination restaurants -we've been to regional amusement parks & paid $20 for a hot dog/coke/chips - and it was a yuck hot dog, too. So paying $20 for a good counter service meal at Disney doesn't faze me at all.

...No, I wouldn't pay $32 for a hot dog meal for a child at home. But home does not have Cinderella's castle for a meal-setting, either. Nor does a home-restaurant hot dog meal come with a picture of the child & Cinderella, or include visits by a bunch of beloved princess characters. You're buying experiences at Disney, not just the food.

And if you don't want to, or can't afford those meals you can have plenty of wonderful experiences, including pictures with characters, for just the price of your tickets. There's something for everyone at Disney...

Many moons ago when we had 4 kids aged 3-13, we stayed on I Drive at a suite-style hotel w/full kitchen and did not eat a single meal in the parks...we could just barely afford the park tickets & the occasional Mickey bar in the parks. Did our kids miss not eating in the castle? You know what, our kids didn't even know that people could eat there, lol. They were so busy enjoying themselves on all the things that DO come with park entry, not having meals in the parks made no difference to them at all.

Now, we easily afford to stay where we want on property, have APs, and eat in all the Disney restaurants. And we love it...

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I do not think eating in the castle is that big of a deal to every kid, and if it is, then they can save their money and do it. It is possible.

I know it seems exorbitant, but I just spent $40 for a to-go order of pasta the other day at Noodles. I looked at the dish when I got home and realized that I could have made the same thing for $2.

Kids spend money on Nintendo DSi's and cool shoes and dance lessons. It's all about priorities. And if the castle is a priority, it is possible to save for it. It just may take a long time for some. And with some careful planning, the Disney Dining package does offer parents a discount. There is even free-dining at certain times of the year, which is a great discount for large families.

To me, more important than having a meal in the castle, is being able to spend a night there. In an ideal world, every human being on earth would have an opportunity to spend a night in Cinderella's castle. At least, if they wanted to.....

 

[ladyvader]

My family went quite often as I was growing up. We stayed off property and basically just did one day at MK, and eventually an additional day at EP. Not only did I never eat in the castle, I didn't even know it had a restaurant. My mom lied when I asked what was in the castle - said there was nothing in there, and it was just for show. I never questioned it, ate food we brought in, never got even a drink at the park, and it was still magical. So magical in fact that even though I kind of had a crap childhood in other ways, our vacations always stood out as the bright spots. It's possible to go to WDW, not do every "experience" they advertise and still give your kids, or yourself, the trip of a lifetime.

 

[marivaid]

The harsh reality is that WDW is a business and as a business, their goal is to make money. If enough people are willing to pay $30 for a kid to eat at CRT, then they will charge that. The place is packed full every day, they have no reason to lower the price.

 

[snykymom]

We went to Disney more than 25 years ago, and were astounded at how many different names they had for a hamburger! There weren't many sit-down restaurants, counter service was only hamburgers/cheeseburgers/hot dogs, and it was extremely expensive. (There were also many fewer resorts to eat at.)

Now there are great restaurants in Epcot, in the resorts, and in Downtown Disney. Yes, they're more than I might pay regularly, but that's true in every tourist area. I was in Italy recently (yes, I am grateful I could afford it), and we went to the Amalfi Coast. The food there was at least 50% more than the food in Rome. And don't even talk about eating out in New York City! Businesses will charge what the market will bear.

 

[B-Ride]

My family went quite often as I was growing up. We stayed off property and basically just did one day at MK, and eventually an additional day at EP. Not only did I never eat in the castle, I didn't even know it had a restaurant. My mom lied when I asked what was in the castle - said there was nothing in there, and it was just for show. I never questioned it, ate food we brought in, never got even a drink at the park, and it was still magical. So magical in fact that even though I kind of had a crap childhood in other ways, our vacations always stood out as the bright spots. It's possible to go to WDW, not do every "experience" they advertise and still give your kids, or yourself, the trip of a lifetime.

I agree completely. Our first couple of trips to Disney when we were trying to save money we ate at CS and offsite without a single TS restaurant and we still had a "magical time".

 

[DISNEY1975]

I understand and agree for the most part, but we enjoy the character spots so much when the kids are little that I just wish every child there could have the same opportunity... at least once. I have a picture of my daughter with Stitch that I look at all the time. She was in PURE HEAVEN and I will always have that memory. Its sad that I couldnt give that to my older boys when they were little.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I LOVE that picture of your daughter with Stitch. She does look like she is in pure bliss! So sweet! Looking at the picture of your sons makes me realize that they do grow up fast. I wish for you that you could have given those moments to them, too. But I am sure you did give them many fantastic moments and still do! Not to mention, when they have children one day, you can make sure that their children get to experience what your daughter experienced. And truthfully, any joy I ever experienced at Disney doesn't hold a candle to seeing my daughter enjoy it. That is where the real bliss lives for me!

 

[kimbo0569]

Disney's not the only one charging high prices for food, etc. Last summer we went to Dorney Park and it was $7 for two ice cream cones. $25 for a large pizza for a family to share.

Recently went to the New Meadowlands Stadium and it's $25 to just park your car. That I think is absolutely insane.

We don't go to Disney but every 3-4 years but because we wait, we can save and do it the way we want to and enjoy it the way we want.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Disney's not the only one charging high prices for food, etc. Last summer we went to Dorney Park and it was $7 for two ice cream cones. $25 for a large pizza for a family to share.

Recently went to the New Meadowlands Stadium and it's $25 to just park your car. That I think is absolutely insane.

We don't go to Disney but every 3-4 years but because we wait, we can save and do it the way we want to and enjoy it the way we want.

I can understand day trips, but when you are there for a week and are paying thoses prices, it gets hefty. Im not asking for them to lower their prices everywhere...just ONE character meal that could be affordable to anyone lucky enough to get a reservation.

Oh well..I said my peace, maybe someday there will be a perfect world!!!