Still no duck?

[PlutoLuvr]

Just as a little update for the OP and anyone else interested in the lack of duck, I just returned from Orlando and had dinner one night at Jiko. I was told by one of the chefs over the phone before we went down and our waiter while we were eating that the duck would return after the FREE DDP.

Our waiter even made the comment that while the Free DDP is being offered, if folks like exotic/higher-priced items, it's not the time to visit because some menu items will not be offered at all.

I don't know if this will be the case for the duck on Chef's menu.

Soooo, sounds like it's not a permanent change

 

[Sammie]

If you are on the DDP, I agree. Thirty eight dollars per person, per day is a good value for decent food at a medium priced restaurant. Throwing in a counterservice meal, breakfast and snack....it's all gravy and good value. However, if you are not on the plan and are paying OOP, the choices and quality at the mid-priced restaurants easily lose their allure.

I guess I go back to my original plan of action. Eat counter service, eat upscale or eat offsite. Avoid the mid-range restaurants. They're no longer offering creative quality but they are filled with patrons. So for those who like the food and like the price, it's a win-win. It's a win-win for WDW. It's not for me. And I guess there's not enough of "me" around for it to matter.

You make some very going points Gina, I am sure some are disappointed in the changes, but Disney can not cater to the wants of a few or even the minority. They cater to the masses. And if the restaurants are full and the majority of guests are pleased with what they offer, then as you said others will just have to make other arrangements. To expect Disney to cater to the wants of a few is unrealistic. And your last comment sums it up in a nutshell.

If you have a car or want to take a taxi the Venetian Room has duck.

 

[ElizabethB]

For some time, Disney has made an effort to attract and cater to those of us who are not their "traditional" demographic. So, it is incorrect to say they only cater to the masses, although that plainly is changing.

Disney started the Food & Wine Festival, they hired chefs and sommeliers, they opened restaurants that served excellent food and beverages, etc. Trust me, the average WDW guest couldn't care less about fine wine. But, WDW invested plenty of time and money to attract those of us who do, not to mention chefs and sommeliers who do, as well.

And, we're not the only non-traditional demographic Disney pursues. They also seek to attract and cater to the Palm Beach crowd at their golf courses. If you don't believe me, head over to the Magnolia and Palm courses. You'll find tall and tanned golf pros, manicured courses, a country club atmosphere, absolutely no children and hardly a hint that MK is less than a 1/2 mile away.

For a time, it seemed that Disney marketing was determined to attract people to WDW who would otherwise never set foot there. They did quite a good job of it. So good, that we've made it an annual destination for several years now, and I've suggested to friends who are lovers of food and wine that they give WDW a try. I no longer make that suggestion, as it seems clear that the era of working to attract any clientele other than big families with a fondness for turkey legs is over.

Fine, I'll take my vacation dollars elsewhere, as you, Sammie, so wisely and accommodatingly suggest!

One thing I can assure WDW, however -- when DH and I go to WDW, we stay only at deluxes, we stay at least 10 days, we buy annual passes and we spend gobs of money on restaurant dining with the works, bottles of wine, full course meals, etc. So, the MBA's should sharpen their pencils and take that revenue loss into consideration before simply abandoning the bulk of their restaurants to crowded mediocrity.

 

[Cool-Beans]

For some time, Disney has made an effort to attract and cater to those of us who are not their "traditional" demographic. So, it is incorrect to say they only cater to the masses, although that plainly is changing.

Disney started the Food & Wine Festival, they hired chefs and sommeliers, they opened restaurants that served excellent food and beverages, etc. Trust me, the average WDW guest couldn't care less about fine wine. But, WDW invested plenty of time and money to attract those of us who do, not to mention chefs and sommeliers who do, as well.

And, we're not the only non-traditional demographic Disney pursues. They also seek to attract and cater to the Palm Beach crowd at their golf courses. If you don't believe me, head over to the Magnolia and Palm courses. You'll find tall and tanned golf pros, manicured courses, a country club atmosphere, absolutely no children and hardly a hint that MK is less than a 1/2 mile away.

For a time, it seemed that Disney marketing was determined to attract people to WDW who would otherwise never set foot there. They did quite a good job of it. So good, that we've made it an annual destination for several years now, and I've suggested to friends who are lovers of food and wine that they give WDW a try. I no longer make that suggestion, as it seems clear that the era of working to attract any clientele other than big families with a fondness for turkey legs is over.

Fine, I'll take my vacation dollars elsewhere, as you, Sammie, so wisely and accommodatingly suggest!

One thing I can assure WDW, however -- when DH and I go to WDW, we stay only at deluxes, we stay at least 10 days, we buy annual passes and we spend gobs of money on restaurant dining with the works, bottles of wine, full course meals, etc. So, the MBA's should sharpen their pencils and take that revenue loss into consideration before simply abandoning the bulk of their restaurants to crowded mediocrity.

I go for at least 10 days, too and can usually be found in Deluxe hotels (though my goal is to try them all!!) We've got APs, too. There are many, many people with APs who stay in Deluxe hotels. It isn't like it is a big deal. We also squeeze in lots of weekend trips.

...and you are right, the vast majority of us don't give two hoots about wine tasting. We're perfectly happy at San Angel Inn, Crystal Palace, Beaches and Cream and the Tusker House. Them's eats!!

The golfers in my family don't like the Disney courses as much as the ones at that hotel where you have to stay there if you want to golf there...I forget what it is called. I doubt the Disney execs are crying into their pillows over it! They still hit the parks a little and have a few meals. But, they prefer golfing, so they take a different kind of vacation.

If wine tasting is your thing, you'd probably be better off taking a different vacation.

I'd even venture to say that if all the folks who go to WDW for its wine tasting stopped going it would have no impact on anything. Disney brings Eddie Money in to sing, too...but I doubt if the Eddie Money fans disappeared that the company would go broke. So, do a Disney YAGE if you want. Seems like cutting off your nost to spite your face to me.

 

[Sammie]

Elizabeth, I am not saying I don't see everyone's point that things have changed. I guess I just am too realistic to think Disney cares about it. Therefore one can accept it or go elsewhere. I just can't understand why anyone would want to support something they are so against. To me that is similiar to buying a car one knows one will not like but buys it anyway and then complains.

I guess I agree with Cool-Beans that WDW is not my destination for gourmet food and wine, regardless of the Epcot F/W Festival. I go to WDW for the parks.

I am sure at one Disney did try to attract a more diverse audience to fill in the slack times hence the F/W and Flower show but obviously that was not enough to fill the rooms and restaurants enough so the DDP was brought into play.

I feel Disney offers enough variety to not be boring and yet appeal to those with less exotic tastes. Which is as it should be.

I wish Disney World could be everything for everyone but that is not possible and I understand why they do what they do whether I agree with it or.

 

[BCV23]

Elizabeth, golfing at WDW has always been child friendly. Our sons are now 26 and 24 but have been found on the courses at WDW since they were very young. I've read that one reason the pros enjoy the Funai Classic is precisely because families are made so welcome.

I think WDW has always tried to attract all demographics. In fact, it would be interesting to see a breakdown of resort rates at the Polynesian and CR in the 70s versus today. It would not be surprising to me if it were relatively cheaper to stay at the deluxe resorts now than it was back then. It was certainly more difficult to obtain a resort reservation back in the 70s and early 80s.

I do think that during free dining, there may be some changes to help absorb the loss. We had lunch at Chefs last week and the cheese plate was not nearly as good as the one we enjoyed in May. But overall, there are still many restaurants that serve fine food IMO.