Still no duck?

[cajun_angel21]

Just wondering if anyone has been to Chefs de France recently? I heard there wasn't duck anymore, I'm wondering if it's still gone or not.

 

[bicker]

Still gone as far as I've read, from the most recent reports this past week.

 

[CPM]

probably gone because of the DDP. All the good stuff is gone now
Personally I think they should just have a separate menu for the DDP.

 

[gokenin]

probably gone because of the DDP. All the good stuff is gone now
Personally I think they should just have a separate menu for the DDP.

I dont think that a seperate menu would work but maybe a surchage could could be used to people on the dining plan so that the out of pocket people can still get the high end foods that have gone missing from the menus during DPP. course that would probably be too much trouble for disney

 

[CPM]

They do separate menus for the Fantasmic dinners. But, I wouldn't mind a surcharge either. I just want the good stuff back on!!
I noticed a few places have replaced filet with flank steak too.

 

[bicker]

Rather, I think that either a separate menu or a surcharge will reduce the attractiveness of the Dining Plan to too many people, that it doesn't make sense for Disney to pursue that idea. They did try surcharges, and there was definitely some guest resentment. Guests like the "you can order anything you like" and "everything is included" aspects of the Dining Plan.

 

[gokenin]

Rather, I think that either a separate menu or a surcharge will reduce the attractiveness of the Dining Plan to too many people, that it doesn't make sense for Disney to pursue that idea. They did try surcharges, and there was definitely some guest resentment. Guests like the "you can order anything you like" and "everything is included" aspects of the Dining Plan.

I agree that is the big selling point of the the plan but then disney should bite the bullet and keep the menus as they were and not decrease the number of things on the menu you cant have our money then decrease our selections of things to eat at the same time.

 

[DaisyD]

probably gone because of the DDP. All the good stuff is gone now
Personally I think they should just have a separate menu for the DDP.

I think there should be a dollar limit like with the snack. Like maybe $20 for a TS entree. Going with seperate menus might be a pain. They need to do something because no matter what some folks say, the menus are dumbing down because of the DDP.

 

[DaisyD]

Rather, I think that either a separate menu or a surcharge will reduce the attractiveness of the Dining Plan to too many people, that it doesn't make sense for Disney to pursue that idea. They did try surcharges, and there was definitely some guest resentment. Guests like the "you can order anything you like" and "everything is included" aspects of the Dining Plan.

Then they need to increase the DDP price substantially. It is kind of silly to think one deserves so much food for only $38 a day!

 

[bicker]

I agree that is the big selling point of the the plan but then disney should bite the bullet and keep the menus as they were and not decrease the number of things on the menu

If it were me, I wouldn't bite the bullet unless it would be better off for me to do so. I'd figure out what is the offering that gets the best response from guests overall, rather than trying to find something that will satisfy every customer, completely.

 

[bicker]

Then they need to increase the DDP price substantially. It is kind of silly to think one deserves so much food for only $38 a day!

I think a big part of the allure of the Dining Plan is that, unlike previously incarnations, it is reasonably affordable by a great number of guests. For those of us who could never afford the more expensive Premium Plan or Platinum Plan, the Dining Plan is priced "just right".

 

[ElizabethB]

Disney faces resentment from customers either way -- if they add surcharges for certain entrees or prevent you for ordering certain entrees if you're on the DDP, then DDP customers resent it. But, if they remove good entrees from menus and fill the menus with burgers and flank steak, take fondly remembered things off the menus and reduce the quality by buying cheaper food (such as farm-raised rather than wild salmon) then customers who want a good meal and remember when Disney was something of a foodie destination resent it.

Either way, some people are unhappy. I think the answer is simple -- they need to increase the price of DDP and the reimbursement rates for the restaurants. And, when I say increase, I mean increase. Not just a couple of dollars. Anything short of that and we will just see a continuing decline in selection and quality, IMO.

And, DDP isn't priced "just right" if every 1TS restaurant becomes something of a glorified McDonalds. DPP won't be priced right until Disney can offer it and still ensure that the restaurants (especially the non-Disney owned ones who are not eager to play "loss leader" for Disney) can offer good quality and selection AND turn a profit.

 

[bicker]

Disney faces resentment from customers either way

Of course, so they need to gauge which way is going to satisfy customers more, overall. Sometimes pleasing a smaller group of customers is good, because those folks are willing to pay so much more to be satisfied. However, in this case, I suspect that satisfying the larger group of customers is going to have a better overall effect.

Either way, some people are unhappy. I think the answer is simple -- they need to increase the price of DDP and the reimbursement rates for the restaurants.

I don't see that as an "answer" since I believe that will reduce the number of folks who would be satisfied with the Dining Plan.

And, DDP isn't priced "just right" if every 1TS restaurant becomes something of a glorified McDonalds.

Well, first of all, your premise is off-base. A portion of the 1TS restaurants are becoming more like Chili's, not McDonald's, and most are still far better than that. By missing the mark with that aspect of your analogy, you whole point misses the mark, because you're not allowing for a very large number of guests (1) wanting dining at WDW to be more affordable, and (2) either wanting* or at least not minding the comparatively mild changes to the menus that folks have been noticing. (*Remember: There have been a significant number of complaints in the past about how everything at WDW restaurants is "weird" or "strange" -- specific complaints about how everything has a sauce, etc.)

Those of us who love finer food still have that option available to us, and no one has provided any evidence indicating that foodies like us make up more of a population of Disney guests than is commensurate with the proportion of signature restaurants they've made available to us. Why should every restaurant be "high-faluting" when the majority of guests don't want that? Each need should be satisfied in proportion to the size of that need.

 

[honeymo78]

I really hope they sort out how they want to deal with the overwhelming response to DDP, free or otherwise. I eat at those same restaurants when on premium/platinum packages and I get discouraged when I see some of my favorite items take off the menu in exchange for a lesser valued meal. I'm sure those who pay cash feel the same way. Hopefully they can strike some sort of balance b/w menu diversity and the impact of the DDP.

 

[Lewisc]

Probably the best description. The restaurants are starting to be more like the "chain" restaurants such as Chili's. Reasonably good food but nothing exceptional.

Although I think allowing an "upcharge" for a few signature menu items makes sense from the posts on DIS it's clear the vast majority don't want to be treated as second class customers.

A surcharge for lobster might work, but a surcharge for anything else is going is going to get more complaints that it's worth.

Guests looking for "fine dining" may have to look more to signature restaurants and restaurants not on the plan such as Bistro and blueZoo.

A portion of the 1TS restaurants are becoming more like Chili's, not McDonald's, and most are still far better than that. By missing the mark with that aspect of your analogy, you whole point misses the mark, because you're not allowing for a very large number of guests (1) wanting dining at WDW to be more affordable, and (2) either wanting* or at least not minding the comparatively mild changes to the menus that folks have been noticing. (*Remember: There have been a significant number of complaints in the past about how everything at WDW restaurants is "weird" or "strange" -- specific complaints about how everything has a sauce, etc.)

 

[the Fidge]

Just wondering if anyone has been to Chefs de France recently? I heard there wasn't duck anymore, I'm wondering if it's still gone or not.

He flew the coop!!! No duck but maybe you would care for some

I just Quack me up!!!!!! think I need more sleep enough out of me!

 

[ElizabethB]

Since I don't want to eat at either McDonald's or Chili's when at WDW, the difference is lost on me. Further, I don't consider substituting flank steak for the filet mignon to be a "minor" menu change.

When I go to a World Showcase restaurant, I want to eat fairly high quality food that is fairly authentic in terms of the country it purports to be from.

I don't care so much about TS restaurants at the other theme parks. But, WS purports to be about other countries. I do not go to Epcot to get streamlined, chain restaurant American food. The very point of WS, in my opinion, is to find items in the stores you wouldn't see in your local Wal-Mart and to find and eat items in the restaurants that you wouldn't ordinarily find in your local Chili's. If people complain that it's wierd or off-beat, then they should confine themselves to places that purport to serve chain restaurant American food (or to turkey legs!).

Once WDW removes the unique aspect from Epcot restaurants and stores, I'm not sure what's left other than a couple of mildly amusing rides in Future World. Once you've seen the 25-year-old films of the countries, WS is pretty ho hum without shopping and eating. Certainly not worth a $65 admission fee, IMO.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I don't think it would be a big deal to throw some asterisks on existing menus (well, how they were before things started being removed) for select items for those who choose the DDP. Restaurants -- heck, even the City of Orlando is doing a promotion right now using this -- have done this for years. Speaking of Chili's, Applebee's has something similar going on right now at our local one. I think Friday's did one recently, as well.

WDW wouldn't have to lock guests in, either. Make the DDP like the tix, expand as much or as little to suit the family's needs.

Another option would be to do away with this DDP altogether and expand upon the DDE for everyone. Everyone gets discounts, everyone is enticed to eat on site, add some incentives there for DVC, AP & FL residents during the slow months, restaurants stay busy, chefs can stay creative, WDW could then appeal to everyone -- the foodies, the meat & potatoes crowd, the penny pinchers, the picky eaters.

There's some smart folks who work at Disney. I'm sure over time, dining at WDW will get tweaked so everyone's happy. Remember the '70s where all you could get at WDW was hockey-puck burgers and something resembling pizza? They've come a long way since then to strive to keep all of their guests' experiences as magical as possible in the dining department. I trust that this is just a bump in the road, and they'll get this tweaked.

Until then, we'll eat our fine dining off site. We'll come back for our nice dinners when the menus return. Not hard at all


Hmmm...my ticker's off. I'm not in WDW yet

ETA: While we may only eat TS/Signature possibly once now per trip, we have noticed a serious improvement in WDW's CS in the past several years. Less fuss, no ADRs required, less time, still leaves plenty of room for being spontaneous. Still no duck or filet, but we really look forward to many CS options now per trip as opposed to, say, ten years ago (except with MGM).

 

[Disney Planner Mama]

Since I don't want to eat at either McDonald's or Chili's when at WDW, the difference is lost on me. Further, I don't consider substituting flank steak for the filet mignon to be a "minor" menu change.

When I go to a World Showcase restaurant, I want to eat fairly high quality food that is fairly authentic in terms of the country it purports to be from.

I don't care so much about TS restaurants at the other theme parks. But, WS purports to be about other countries. I do not go to Epcot to get streamlined, chain restaurant American food. The very point of WS, in my opinion, is to find items in the stores you wouldn't see in your local Wal-Mart and to find and eat items in the restaurants that you wouldn't ordinarily find in your local Chili's. If people complain that it's wierd or off-beat, then they should confine themselves to places that purport to serve chain restaurant American food (or to turkey legs!).

Once WDW removes the unique aspect from Epcot restaurants and stores, I'm not sure what's left other than a couple of mildly amusing rides in Future World. Once you've seen the 25-year-old films of the countries, WS is pretty ho hum without shopping and eating. Certainly not worth a $65 admission fee, IMO.

I agree completely.

 

[CPM]

I really hope they sort out how they want to deal with the overwhelming response to DDP, free or otherwise. I eat at those same restaurants when on premium/platinum packages and I get discouraged when I see some of my favorite items take off the menu in exchange for a lesser valued meal. I'm sure those who pay cash feel the same way. Hopefully they can strike some sort of balance b/w menu diversity and the impact of the DDP.

That's exactly how I feel.
Don't forget when you are on the DDP, you are also also paying full price for your room. That can be upwards of $150.00 extra pn.
I feel worse when I'm paying cash and my favorite items are not on the menu. This is why I'm doing the DDP next trip. I may as well since I'm not getting the food I want anyway.