Via Napoli Pizza Window

[marivaid]

I certainely do not plan on suing Disney over a slice of pizza but I do disagree with the principle of the thing. I hold Disney to a high standard, and I also don't believe that a company of that size makes "innocent" mistakes. Especially if they turn out to be in their favor.
If things were reversed and they were selling a higher-quality product at CS price, that "mistake" would have been fixed a long time ago.

That said, in the big scheme of things, is this a big deal ? Nope. It's not even a grain of sand. As far as I'm concerned, I can barely manage to eat pizza sitting down without sharing it with my shirt, pants, and a couple of unlucky neighbours, so I'm not gonna be walking around eating a slice anytime soon.

 

[Respect]

and that's all you can do. Seriously, this thread is way out of proportion. Like guests want to sue Disney or have them arrested because they sell different pizza outside the restaurant from inside.

Nobody mentioned anything about a lawsuit. The bottomline is Disney is pulling a fast one over its guests by connecting their own junk pizza window to an authentic italian pizzeria. And if I recall correctly, Via opened first, and guests were clamoring for a Via Take-Out window, where you know, you could actually get slices of Via pizza. So Disney decided to open their own window, attach it to the Via brand, serve trash pizza, and hope it sticks.

 

[sjs314]

Perhaps Disney will get wind of the ******* brewing over the take out window at Via Napoli and put up a disclaimer notice to the effect that it is not the same pizza as served inside Via Napoli.

I do not think Disney intended to decieve the guests at all. Via Napoli opened up many guests expressed being upset that it was not a counter serve type restaurant to which Disney heard the guests crys

I think it is probally safe to say the contractural agreement between the owners of Via Napoli and Disney did not include a "take out" venue.

To keep their guests happy Disney added on a "take out" by the slice window.

Honestly I do not see what all the hype is about, especially since I am of the oppinion if the window was run by Via Napoli the slices would be more expensive and that would give guests something else to complain about.

Another thing I doubt whether the pizza served inside appeals to many childen, I am forever reading about the "picky eaters" I just do not see those children eating pizza with melon or basil leaves on it.

The pizza that is served at the window looks more like what most children would eat.

 

[Respect]

Perhaps Disney will get wind of the ******* brewing over the take out window at Via Napoli and put up a disclaimer notice to the effect that it is not the same pizza as served inside Via Napoli.

I do not think Disney intended to decieve the guests at all. Via Napoli opened up many guests expressed being upset that it was not a counter serve type restaurant to which Disney heard the guests crys

I think it is probally safe to say the contractural agreement between the owners of Via Napoli and Disney did not include a "take out" venue.

To keep their guests happy Disney added on a "take out" by the slice window.

Honestly I do not see what all the hype is about, especially since I am of the oppinion if the window was run by Via Napoli the slices would be more expensive and that would give guests something else to complain about.

Another thing I doubt whether the pizza served inside appeals to many childen, I am forever reading about the "picky eaters" I just do not see those children eating pizza with melon or basil leaves on it.

The pizza that is served at the window looks more like what most children would eat.

The time I ate at Via, there were tons of kids inside. I mean they were all over the place. There are margherita pizzas with cheese, and pepperoni. If kids won't eat those, they just don't like pizza.

But once again, people were clamoring for a Via take-out window, just not a run of the mill pizza stand run by Disney. People can get that kind of pizza in multiple places like the Boardwalk Take-Out window, the pizza place at AK, and the pizza place at DHS (the one close to Mama Melrose's that's more fast food style).

 

[chicagoshannon]

So glad I didn't cancel my Via Napoli reservation. I almost did thinking we'd just get some pizza at THEIR window.

I was also planning on trying some Yack and Yeti counter service this trip and will no longer do that either. If there is a take out connected to a table service I expect it to be the same food. It's about the convenience not the price. Not to mention I don't necessarily look at all the table service prices to see that they're different then counter service for the same food.

Every other restaurant (non Disney) serves the same food regardless if you drive up, go to take out window, or eat in the restaurant.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

So glad I didn't cancel my Via Napoli reservation. I almost did thinking we'd just get some pizza at THEIR window.

I was also planning on trying some Yack and Yeti counter service this trip and will no longer do that either. If there is a take out connected to a table service I expect it to be the same food. It's about the convenience not the price. Not to mention I don't necessarily look at all the table service prices to see that they're different then counter service for the same food.

Every other restaurant (non Disney) serves the same food regardless if you drive up, go to take out window, or eat in the restaurant.

We ate at the Yak & Yeti take-out and it's wasn't that bad. It wasn't Nine Dragons honey sesame chicken good. But, edible. I DID make an ADR for Yak & Yeti for our upcoming trip. I've read rave reviews and want to see what all the hoopla is about.

 

[sjs314]

We ate at the Yak & Yeti take-out and it's wasn't that bad. It wasn't Nine Dragons honey sesame chicken good. But, edible. I DID make an ADR for Yak & Yeti for our upcoming trip. I've read rave reviews and want to see what all the hoopla is about.

Yak & Yeti does seem to be on the "HOT" list of ADRs. DH wanted to eat there to try there Kobe beef burger but now we have decided to skip AK this trip so he will have to wait on tasteing that burger

 

[vellamint]

The logical assumption is that it is a take out window of the restaurant, therefore serving the same food. Several people keep pointing out how everyone knows it is not the same food being served. I don't understand why folks on these boards keep justifying the crappy mediocre, just fell off the back of a sysco truck food to the ridiculous prices they charge. The disboards fanatics always leaving me wondering WTH???? crap food at ridiculous prices, you are a captive audience and Disney is counting on that. I could and have eaten McDonalds all week when at Disney, at least their food is consistent and priced accordingly. What do I know though??? as I have a Michelin star restaurant 200 meters from my house, and eating there costs less than most table service restaurants at Disney. I am also served a great meal with no attitude and no tip is expected as they value their customers, and no, they do not have a built in captive audience.

Tell us how you really feel!! LOL!! JK....I agree with you on this.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Yak & Yeti does seem to be on the "HOT" list of ADRs. DH wanted to eat there to try there Kobe beef burger but now we have decided to skip AK this trip so he will have to wait on tasteing that burger

If you plan to skip DAK, you can still get a great African-inspired burger at Sanaa located inside the Animal Kingdom Villas. We went there during our last WDW trip and I had the best burger on naan bread at Sanaa. The restaurant is ground level with a great view of the free-roaming animals at the resort. Since it is located at AKV, it is over-looked by many. A "Best Kept Secret" for now ...

 

[sjs314]

If you plan to skip DAK, you can still get a great African-inspired burger at Sanaa located inside the Animal Kingdom Villas. We went there during our last WDW trip and I had the best burger on naan bread at Sanaa. The restaurant is ground level with a great view of the free-roaming animals at the resort. Since it is located at AKV, it is over-looked by many. A "Best Kept Secret" for now ...

Sanna is on my list of "must try" but unfortunately no way to squeeze it in on this trip

 

[Cafeen]

I am also served a great meal with no attitude and no tip is expected as they value their customers, and no, they do not have a built in captive audience.

Reading your location, you're in Germany. In Europe and elsewhere (at least so I've heard), tips are not part of a server's salary. Hence the tendency and expectation to only tip for exceptional service.

It works different over here, as servers typically make significantly less per hour than other industries (we're talking $3-4 per hour, whereas minimum wage is around $8), this is because the tips are included as part of their salary. It has absolutely nothing to do with Disney (or other restaurants) valuing (or not valuing) their customers. It's just how these things work around here. Just thought I'd point that out as it's quite important to the servers over here and is a completely understandable misconception from foreign tourists who don't know how it works (and if you do know how it works, and don't tip because you're sticking it to the restaurant itself, the servers STILL have to claim a minimum of 10% food sold as tips, whether they receive it or not).

As far as the great pizza window debate....

I will say that by using the terms fraud, false advertising, and bait-and-switch (to a lesser extent), those who are going to that extreme are accusing Disney of not only misleading customers (which, I'm in slight agreement with), but committing actual crimes. So I understand Nala's comment regarding lawsuits and arrests.

Fact is, Disney does make mistakes, quite often in fact. Even on things that are part of the show. Is it intentionally misleading? I highly doubt it. They saw a call for take-out pizza, they had a pizza restaurant in Italy. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that people who want pizza will go to the Italian pavilion (ok, some will go to the American thinking that pizza is American, but we won't go there ). They had some spare real estate and instead of building a new structure (costlier permits, materials, higher labor, and bigger footprint) for something seasonal, they used the available space. At least, that's my take on it.

In the end, you can only control what you personally do. Rather than worrying about what some random person you don't know, have never met, and likely doesn't know you exist eats for pizza, just don't get it yourself. I may sound selfish for this part, but really, I don't care about those who don't seek out research in booking a several thousand dollar, potentially once in a lifetime trip, and anyone who looks into this just a little bit, will see that it's different.

But then again, some people just like to stir the pot.

 

[Respect]

Fact is, Disney does make mistakes, quite often in fact. Even on things that are part of the show. Is it intentionally misleading? I highly doubt it. They saw a call for take-out pizza, they had a pizza restaurant in Italy. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that people who want pizza will go to the Italian pavilion (ok, some will go to the American thinking that pizza is American, but we won't go there ). They had some spare real estate and instead of building a new structure (costlier permits, materials, higher labor, and bigger footprint) for something seasonal, they used the available space. At least, that's my take on it.

1) The call for take-out pizza was started after Via was built. People wanted VIA NAPOLI to create a take-out window. They did NOT want a pizza window managed by Disney that dishes out the trash pizza the rest of the park serves.

2) Disney is well within their rights to have a pizza window next to Via. But they need to put a sign and clearly state that the window is in no way associated with Via. To just have a window with no identification next to Via is a bait and switch.

Quite frankly it doesn't make sense. There already have been numerous examples stating that if you go to a certain establishment and there is a take-out window attached to it, you don't expect to be given food served by another organization.

 

[BriarRosie]

1) The call for take-out pizza was started after Via was built. People wanted VIA NAPOLI to create a take-out window. They did NOT want a pizza window managed by Disney that dishes out the trash pizza the rest of the park serves.

2) Disney is well within their rights to have a pizza window next to Via. But they need to put a sign and clearly state that the window is in no way associated with Via. To just have a window with no identification next to Via is a bait and switch.

Quite frankly it doesn't make sense. There already have been numerous examples stating that if you go to a certain establishment and there is a take-out window attached to it, you don't expect to be given food served by another organization.

But you don't seem to understand the concept of third-party participants within boundaries owned by Disney. You can't compare establishments outside the Disney bubble with those within it. Well, you can, but it still won't be that accurate to do so. Patina does not have control of Italy pavilion public spaces, so it's not realistic to say they have any control of the pizza window.

I don't think anyone can prove to me that Disney had an ulterior agenda in a deliberate "bait and switch". I thought Cafeen pretty much summed up what TDC Nala had been saying all along. They both presented logical discussion about why there's pizza in ITALY of all places, regardless of the source of the pizza.

I don't paint Disney as all hearts and flowers. I have been vocal at my dislike of the food at ABC Commissary, and how I was disappointed in my last visit to a place I used to love, Tangierine Cafe. But there are always going to be exceptions in Disney food. I think the "Disney pizza" sold on property is pretty bad, but I think most places that serve specialty pizzas and flatbreads do those well.

I won't make excuses when they do things wrong, but I think in this case, calling it fraud is a bit excessive. No, I take that back. It's VERY excessive. Misleading would be the term I'd use, but I wouldn't make this much of a stink about it because I just wouldn't buy the "Disney pizza".

Disney doesn't "need" to do what people like us tell them we want them to do unless we vote with our dollars and stop buying the product.

 

[marivaid]

I'm really trying to understand other people's points of view here but I still see it as misleading.

OK so there's a Rainforest Café in DTD. Say Disney opens a take-out window, sets it up inside the existing RFC structure, right under a RFC logo, and sells guests their usual nasty CS burgers. How is that right ?? And how is it not deceitful ?
I don't get it.

 

[Cafeen]

1) The call for take-out pizza was started after Via was built. People wanted VIA NAPOLI to create a take-out window. They did NOT want a pizza window managed by Disney that dishes out the trash pizza the rest of the park serves.

No, the call was before it was built. It was subdued (or maybe caused) by speculation that VN was going to include one, but before it was built, it was announced there would not be one. That's when the outcry started. I was here and following along (and keeping most everyone on these boards updated at the time).

Whatever their expectations of it, Patina was not willing to sell their pizza by the slice via take out window. So it was either Disney or nothing.

2) Disney is well within their rights to have a pizza window next to Via. But they need to put a sign and clearly state that the window is in no way associated with Via. To just have a window with no identification next to Via is a bait and switch.

Quite frankly it doesn't make sense. There already have been numerous examples stating that if you go to a certain establishment and there is a take-out window attached to it, you don't expect to be given food served by another organization.

Disney is well within their rights (depending on contract with Patina) to do whatever they please within the law. They don't advertise that it's the same as inside, so they're within their rights as the landowners and corporation running the place. They don't need to do anything.

Now, I do agree that it's misleading, there's no denying that. It's just the intent and degree that I do not. Some are making it out to be that Disney is intentionally doing this and that they deserve to be arrested, sued, shut down, or what-have-you. The scale of the matter is where I disagree. And, any consumer should be informed enough to know what they're getting. Being informed means at least looking at the pizza coming out of the window first, or even asking the CMs on duty if it's the same as inside (which, I'm sure by law and policy they will have to tell you it's not).

 

[Respect]

But you don't seem to understand the concept of third-party participants within boundaries owned by Disney. You can't compare establishments outside the Disney bubble with those within it. Well, you can, but it still won't be that accurate to do so. Patina does not have control of Italy pavilion public spaces, so it's not realistic to say they have any control of the pizza window.

I don't think anyone can prove to me that Disney had an ulterior agenda in a deliberate "bait and switch". I thought Cafeen pretty much summed up what TDC Nala had been saying all along. They both presented logical discussion about why there's pizza in ITALY of all places, regardless of the source of the pizza.

I don't paint Disney as all hearts and flowers. I have been vocal at my dislike of the food at ABC Commissary, and how I was disappointed in my last visit to a place I used to love, Tangierine Cafe. But there are always going to be exceptions in Disney food. I think the "Disney pizza" sold on property is pretty bad, but I think most places that serve specialty pizzas and flatbreads do those well.

I won't make excuses when they do things wrong, but I think in this case, calling it fraud is a bit excessive. No, I take that back. It's VERY excessive. Misleading would be the term I'd use, but I wouldn't make this much of a stink about it because I just wouldn't buy the "Disney pizza".

Disney doesn't "need" to do what people like us tell them we want them to do unless we vote with our dollars and stop buying the product.

I'm sorry but the people who are defending Disney are just completely dead wrong. You're entitled to your opinion but in this case, it is very misguided. Whether or not Disney is within their rights doesn't mean it is ethically the right thing to do.

I just don't even understand how it can even be justified. And I'm getting tired of repeating myself but I cannot explain it in a better way.

If Disney was so hell bent on opening a take-out window, why did they only do it after Via was opened? Oh that's right because once again, people wanted VIA NAPOLI, VIA NAPOLI, VIA NAPOLI, to serve pizza by the slice. People did NOT want average Disney pizza by the slice.

For the last time, if you open a take-out window attached to an already established restaurant without any signs that detail that is not associated with Via, it is misleading, it is a bait and switch, and it is a fraud.

If a take-out window is suddenly attached to Ditka's at Swan/Dolphin serving burgers, all of you would expect a Ditka's steak burger. You would NOT expect a patty and fries served by Disney.

Quite frankly, if I was the Patina Group, I would threaten to close my restaurant if Disney did not CEASE and DESIST immediately from serving that pizza unworthy of being served at Chuckee Cheese's.

 

[Respect]

No, the call was before it was built. It was subdued (or maybe caused) by speculation that VN was going to include one, but before it was built, it was announced there would not be one. That's when the outcry started. I was here and following along (and keeping most everyone on these boards updated at the time).

Whatever their expectations of it, Patina was not willing to sell their pizza by the slice via take out window. So it was either Disney or nothing.


Disney is well within their rights (depending on contract with Patina) to do whatever they please within the law. They don't advertise that it's the same as inside, so they're within their rights as the landowners and corporation running the place. They don't need to do anything.

Now, I do agree that it's misleading, there's no denying that. It's just the intent and degree that I do not. Some are making it out to be that Disney is intentionally doing this and that they deserve to be arrested, sued, shut down, or what-have-you. The scale of the matter is where I disagree. And, any consumer should be informed enough to know what they're getting. Being informed means at least looking at the pizza coming out of the window first, or even asking the CMs on duty if it's the same as inside (which, I'm sure by law and policy they will have to tell you it's not).

Just because a company is within their legal rights to do something doesn't mean that it is ethically correct. It is a bait and switch, clear as day. The onus should not be on the consumer to look at the pizza and then have to guess as to whether it is from Via or not. That's ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous!!

Also based on the responses I'm seeing, the OP has done a huge favor for a lot of people. Looks like a lot of folks who were planning on eating at the window, will not be. I will do everything in my power to shut this window down or have it changed. I'm going to start a group on Facebook as well. It's a disgrace!

 

[tomthebarncat]

Just to test this method out I went to the Burger King drive through on base. I ordered my food and when the young lady took my money, I politely asked her if I would be getting the same food as if I had actually walked in to the restaurant. Her response was surprising! She asked me if I had been drinking, and if she could smell alcohol on me, she would call the Military police. I thanked her for concern, and then explained why I asked. She called over the manager, as she thought the manager would like to hear this story. After I told them what was happening at Via Napoli walk away window, they both said the same thing "Why would Disney do that?". She also said that she was going to share this story with her mothers group as they often talk about Disney and how much everyone loves it. So, if the folks that continue to justify this shady business practice, really think this makes sense, then I have to question their critical thinking skills. There is no doubt in my mind that Disney did this intentionally and they do not make snap business decisions. They were counting on the fact that people would automatically associate the walk up window with the tasty pizza that is being served inside. Food for thought!

 

[Respect]

Just to test this method out I went to the Burger King drive through on base. I ordered my food and when the young lady took my money, I politely asked her if I would be getting the same food as if I had actually walked in to the restaurant. Her response was surprising! She asked me if I had been drinking, and if she could smell alcohol on me, she would call the Military police. I thanked her for concern, and then explained why I asked. She called over the manager, as she thought the manager would like to hear this story. After I told them what was happening at Via Napoli walk away window, they both said the same thing "Why would Disney do that?". She also said that she was going to share this story with her mothers group as they often talk about Disney and how much everyone loves it. So, if the folks that continue to justify this shady business practice, really think this makes sense, then I have to question their critical thinking skills. There is no doubt in my mind that Disney did this intentionally and they do not make snap business decisions. They were counting on the fact that people would automatically associate the walk up window with the tasty pizza that is being served inside. Food for thought!

BUT BUT BUT BUT... I thought Disney was run by Mickey and Minnie Mouse? They would never do such a thing. Never!! Tom, how dare you.

 

[CIA]

Put me in the camp that thinks Disney is being deceitful with this window as well. It's clearly a trick to capitalize on the Via popularity.