What if...

[cbg1027]

I for one would not like that at all...if you want chain stuff go on 192 or I-Drive....when I go to Disney I want out of the norm stuff

Totally agree with Nicki on this one.

So, all the threads and posts knocking Disney dining over the past six months have been in jest? All I've heard is how the quality of food has declined, not to mention service, while the prices for OOP guests has gone up. One would think a few options would be welcome.

Of course, there have been a lot of posters who admit the food sucks, but it's all worth it as long as they get the character interaction and Disney experience. There have been posters who think the food is among the best they've ever had, but most of us who remember the real Disney dining experiences of the past readily disagree. A significant number of posters say they would rather go off-site for most of their meals. Another common issue is that the menus have become very generic with fewer choices. That's not coming from me (although it could be), but what I've been reading here for months.

Once again, I'm merely suggesting there could be options. If you like what Disney has to offer these days, that's fine with me, but if you're like me and would like more options within the parks, Disney is big enough that it should happen.

More opinions, please...

I'm not one of the people knocking around Disney dining. I like dining at Disney and I want it to remain a unique experience. I think there are plenty of options. I'm so glad they got the McDonald's presence out of the parks. Maybe the standard Disney fast food isn't any better...but for me, it's unique to Disney and that makes it tastier to me because when I eat it, I know I am at WDW.

 

[cymbaldiva]

This is a very interesting topic to me - thanks GeorgeG

Not interested in chain restaurants. If you want the same old-same old stuff, go off property.

I don't want same old stuff or chains, however it really does chap me to pay park admission then inflated prices for food that isn't at least equivalent to a decent chain...

I wouldn't say that food on Disney property is the best I've ever had in my life. On the other hand, it's not about the food when I go to Disney. I can get stuffed french toast anywhere. But there's only one Cinderella castle to eat it in. I can make french onion soup at home. But there only one place in the world where I can enjoy my soup and a show with Remy. It's true that Disney isn't known for their gourmet status like it was many years ago, but I'd rather have a bad meal at Disney than a good meal at home

I don't get this either - I have had a wonderful meal in the Castle...anyone remember King Stefan's Banquet Hall? I just really can't justify paying so much for a meal anymore just because it's in the Castle - it used to be good. And no, Remy circling Chefs de France occasionally isn't going to make up for subpar food either.

The bolded gets me the worst though - why would the powers that be even consider decent food when so many people have that mentality? "I don't care if it's horrible I'm at Disney so it's great?" To me that's unacceptable - period. Disney can do better - they're just choosing not to.

I'm not one of the people knocking around Disney dining. I like dining at Disney and I want it to remain a unique experience. I think there are plenty of options. I'm so glad they got the McDonald's presence out of the parks. Maybe the standard Disney fast food isn't any better...but for me, it's unique to Disney and that makes it tastier to me because when I eat it, I know I am at WDW.

I hated McDonalds in the parks too; glad it's gone - but for me? Pixie dust doesn't fix the food ~ if anything, such mediocre offerings in such a magical place taste even worse.

Bottom line? If Disney can't/won't offer food that are is least a little in line with their pricing? Perhaps some upscale chains are the answer ~ maybe the quality would be there

 

[GeorgeG]

Another poster who gets it... yay!

King Stefan's Banquet Hall is a good example of the special dining I refer to. Great prime rib and they had a hot fudge sundae that could qualify as a meal by itself.

I remember when people used to rave about the hot dogs at Casey's Corner. The last handful of posts I read were about how the hot dogs had gotten so bad the posters couldn't even finish them and threw them in the trash.

Let me put another twist on this thread... how about if Disney maintained all the "magical" and "signature" dining, but served decent quality chain food? Would you still prefer the crappy hot dogs on crumble buns over, say, a Nathan's or Sabrett on a traditoinal bun? (sorry for the constant return to hot dogs, but it's a simple example everyone should be able to relate to).

 

[Sadie22]

I wouldn't say that food on Disney property is the best I've ever had in my life. On the other hand, it's not about the food when I go to Disney. I can get stuffed french toast anywhere. But there's only one Cinderella castle to eat it in. I can make french onion soup at home. But there only one place in the world where I can enjoy my soup and a show with Remy. It's true that Disney isn't known for their gourmet status like it was many years ago, but I'd rather have a bad meal at Disney than a good meal at home

I agree. I had my first French onion soup last summer. After my meal four French waiters sang happy birthday to me in French and presented me with a delicious ice cream dessert, and then the maitre'd visited my table. It was a pleasure to meet Remy!

 

[Hopefully]

I remember when my DH ( a carnivore) stated that the steak at Le Cellier was the best he has ever had in his life. Now we do not go to Le Cellier because it is just so so. I remember "Broadway at the Top" the wonderful show in the space that is now the Cali Grill. I remember when each resort lounge had adult beverages especially themed to that location. I remember when WDW food was something special, and I miss that a lot. Dining is important to us on vacation.
However, I do not see the introduction of chain restaurants as the answer. The answer, to me, is for Disney to return to the attention to detail and the care in food presntation that they once had.
If they insist on "dumbing down" the options to meet the volume generated by the dining plan, at least offer some special - off plan - entrees that I am willing to pay for.

 

[jdisnut]

George, I understand and appreciate your point. The logic is sound: If people on this board complain constantly that they can find better food at their local chain restaurants than at Disney, it stands to reason putting those places in the parks would improve dining across the resort.

I argue that there are still enough restaurants on property to superior to places like Olive Garden and Applebee's, but I admit that number seems to be shrinking. Still, it would just feel strange seeing Outback in the Animal Kingdom. It's weird enough walking past Haagen-Dazs in Downtown Disney. We have this illusion of Disney being separated from reality, and adding destinations from our normal lives would make it more difficult to suspend our disbelief.

So I propose this novel concept: Instead of resorting to chain restaurants because they are superior to Disney's options, why not improve the quality of current restaurants?

Or is that just wishful thinking?

 

[Colleen27]

I remember when my DH ( a carnivore) stated that the steak at Le Cellier was the best he has ever had in his life. Now we do not go to Le Cellier because it is just so so. I remember "Broadway at the Top" the wonderful show in the space that is now the Cali Grill. I remember when each resort lounge had adult beverages especially themed to that location. I remember when WDW food was something special, and I miss that a lot. Dining is important to us on vacation.
However, I do not see the introduction of chain restaurants as the answer. The answer, to me, is for Disney to return to the attention to detail and the care in food presntation that they once had.
If they insist on "dumbing down" the options to meet the volume generated by the dining plan, at least offer some special - off plan - entrees that I am willing to pay for.

From a business standpoint, Disney has nothing to gain and a lot to lose by allowing chains in the parks/at the resorts. There are a lot of people who would choose the familiar chain over the unknown Disney restaurant, and since Disney wouldn't have menu and pricing control over the chains they would lose business based on both of those factors as well.

I think the problem right now is that Disney has become just another corporation, with a primary responsibility to deliver maximum profit rather than a quality experience. Until that changes, none of the things long-time guests are complaining about will change. It isn't just dining and it isn't because of the DDP. The same trends are shaping the bar menus and the merchandise quality and selection.

It is all about higher profit on standardized, lower quality items because the fact is most Disney visitors are going to eat on property regardless of the food quality, buy souvenirs because that's what you do on vacation, and have a few drinks even if there is only a handful of choices to pick from. Those of us who go frequently enough to notice these changes are a minority, and Disney is catering to the "once in a lifetime" guests who simply don't know that you used to be able to get lobster tails at Teppan Edo or resort-specific souvenir mugs or uniquely themed drinks in each lounge.

And from a business standpoint, this model is more successful when it comes to dining. Sure, some of us complain on message boards, but the fact is that in the heyday of Disney dining that so many wax nostalgic about it was possible to be seated as a walk up or make a same-day ADR for most Disney restaurants. That certainly isn't the case now that they've "dumbed down" the menus to the tastes of middle America rather than appealing to a foodie minority. So why would Disney want to change something that is working for them?

ETA: Just for the record, I'm not one who compares Disney dining to the major chains. I wouldn't eat at Outback or Olive Garden if the meal were free, and we've certainly had much better Italian (Tutto Italia) and steaks (at multiple restaurants) at Disney.

 

[Hopefully]

ETA: Just for the record, I'm not one who compares Disney dining to the major chains. I wouldn't eat at Outback or Olive Garden if the meal were free, and we've certainly had much better Italian (Tutto Italia) and steaks (at multiple restaurants) at Disney.

I agree completely! I too would not eat at an Outback or an Olive Garden. And I have had much better food in many Disney restaurants than these chains. I just miss the uniqueness and quality I expereinced in the past.

 

[phyllis1966]

I can completely understand where GeorgeG is coming from, but I would hate to have chain restaurants in WDW. I avoid them at home, I sure as heck won't spend my money to eat there on vacation!

As far as the hotdogs go, DH is totally bummed to hear about the crumble dogs at Casey's - he used to love lunch there...Nathan's dogs are yummy, but I don't think I'd like to see Nathan's stands while I'm walking around trying to forget the "real world."

 

[DisneyMim]

No, I would hate this. I don't want to see chain restaurants at WDW. I go to Disney to get out of the real world. You can eat at chain restaurants any time, why would anyone want them in the parks? If you really want to east at Olive Garden or Outback, go offsite. There are plenty of places off property. I actually like Disney restaurants. It's one of my family's favorite thing to do, have a nice dinner. We eat out often at home and go to many chain (and non-chain) restaurants. Don't want them on vacation. Heck even Rain Forest is out for us at Disney. We have one very close to us. I hope Disney never does this. It would ruin the magic for me.

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[BLTLDZ]

I would be very upset.
So upset, in fact, that we would reconsider our DVC purchase. FH & I love going to disney for amongst other things, the food!!

If they changed that, man, I would not like it one bit. I can go to chain whenever I want to here, than kyou very much.

 

[Tara922c]

I doubt they would ever replace their current places to eat with chain restuarants. Disney makes tons on the sale of food, and I would bet money they aren't going to bring a third party in to share the profit. I can eat at chain restuarants anywhere, so I like the options at Disney. I guess it would be nice to have a chick fi lay on property, but if I have my car at wdw I can get to one in 5 minutes.

 

[JacksLilWench]

I don't get this either - I have had a wonderful meal in the Castle...anyone remember King Stefan's Banquet Hall? I just really can't justify paying so much for a meal anymore just because it's in the Castle - it used to be good. And no, Remy circling Chefs de France occasionally isn't going to make up for subpar food either.

The bolded gets me the worst though - why would the powers that be even consider decent food when so many people have that mentality? "I don't care if it's horrible I'm at Disney so it's great?" To me that's unacceptable - period. Disney can do better - they're just choosing not to.

That just happens to be how I feel. I've never had a bad meal at Disney(even in the castle), but I would rather have a bad meal there then a good meal at home. Because if that DID happen, it would mean I'm in my absolute favorite place on Earth.

Again, I've never had a bad meal in five trips down there, with a sixth trip planned for this September. Then again, I don't go looking for stuff to complain about while I am there.

 

[Pugmalion1]

Hmmm... this is interesting. A lot of the threads lately have been comparing many of the the Disney restaurants to places like Olive Garden with some people giving Olive Garden at least a slight edge over the Disney Italian restaurants. I've read quite a few posts where people have tossed the Disney hot dogs in the trash barely half-eaten.

I don't see why some of these chain providers couldn't be on the dining plan while providing OOP diners a better bargain. Note that I'm not suggesting replacing all the Disney restaurants, just offering some options for those who are necessarily caught up in "magic" regardless of food quality.

I'm still looking forward to more opinions, though.

When people compare the Italian eateries in the parks to the Olive Garden, it's not a good thing. If the quality of the food isn't as good as Olive Garden, the solution isn't to replace them with the Olive Garden. The solution shouls be to make the restaurants better than the Olive Garden.

Replacing not so good with barely palatable is not an improvement.

 

[cbg1027]

I hated McDonalds in the parks too; glad it's gone - but for me? Pixie dust doesn't fix the food ~ if anything, such mediocre offerings in such a magical place taste even worse.

Bottom line? If Disney can't/won't offer food that are is least a little in line with their pricing? Perhaps some upscale chains are the answer ~ maybe the quality would be there

What do you mean by "upscale"? I hope you're not referring to Olive Garden and Outback!

Let me put another twist on this thread... how about if Disney maintained all the "magical" and "signature" dining, but served decent quality chain food? Would you still prefer the crappy hot dogs on crumble buns over, say, a Nathan's or Sabrett on a traditoinal bun? (sorry for the constant return to hot dogs, but it's a simple example everyone should be able to relate to).

You know maybe I'm just not as aware of this because I eat most of my meals at signatures.
I don't approve of the downgrading of the buns or the hot dog quality (or anything else) in any way, but I would still rather not see chain food presence in Disney.

 

[GeorgeG]

Okay, it's a little less than amusing that so many people can't stand chain restaurants, but don't mind inferior food as long as it's in a Disney themed or "signature" restaurant.

For the record, I would be completely in favor of a return to the quality restaurants that used to be common at WDW, before the same restaurants became "signature" in a marketing ploy to trick people into thinking they were special even though the quality declined. I am not in favor of chain restaurants in the parks, but offered that notion solely to see what others would think of them as options to what currently exists. In the end, it seems clear to me that Disney is not about to improve the quality of their food as long as people are still eating what they are served, regardless of quality.

I guess WDW is on a fast track to becoming just another amusement park.

 

[Euphoria027]

I would be okay with Sabrett hot dog carts... Universal has Nathan's and plenty of other unique offerings too, so I wouldn't lose my cool.

If they start replacing unique restaurants with chains though... I will NOT be amused.

EDIT- If they DID switch to chains, I would hope for Macaroni Grill over Olive Garden in the Italian camp... I also don't have major qualms with Outback.

 

[Colleen27]

Okay, it's a little less than amusing that so many people can't stand chain restaurants, but don't mind inferior food as long as it's in a Disney themed or "signature" restaurant.

For the record, I would be completely in favor of a return to the quality restaurants that used to be common at WDW, before the same restaurants became "signature" in a marketing ploy to trick people into thinking they were special even though the quality declined. I am not in favor of chain restaurants in the parks, but offered that notion solely to see what others would think of them as options to what currently exists. In the end, it seems clear to me that Disney is not about to improve the quality of their food as long as people are still eating what they are served, regardless of quality.

I guess WDW is on a fast track to becoming just another amusement park.

The sticking point here is that not all of us were visiting WDW during the years y'all are talking about when the dining was so impressive. My first adult trip was in 2005 and my overall impression of Disney dining is very good although there have been a few "misses". I would put even our worst Disney dining experiences on pad with an Applebees or the like (excluding the character meals, because I never go into a buffet with high expectations and have seldom been surprised), and the best (Jiko, California Grill) rank up there with some of our favorite restaurant experiences anywhere.

Have there been some disappointing changes in that time? Certainly. The hot dogs in particular; I might eat 2 or 3 hot dogs a year and Caseys was always one of them, until they did away with the all-beef dogs in favor of the cheaper mixed-meat version. I miss the orange-passion fruit smoothies Kona used to have before they went to the generic Odwalia smoothies property-wide, and I wish I didn't have to hunt high and low for a decent cup of coffee. But despite all that, we have had far, far more good experiences at Disney than bad and have found as many additions that we enjoy, like the sushi bar at Kona, as deletions that we miss.

As a dining destination, Disney isn't on par with Chicago or New York or DC (though many of the places we enjoy in those cities aren't child-friendly enough to take a toddler; that's a major thing I love about Disney dining - I can go to Jiko or California Grill with my family and not feel out of place or unwelcome). It is, however, a big step up from the choices in most family-oriented destinations and light years away from being "just another amusement park".

I would offer this suggestion for those who think Disney is in any danger of becoming "just another amusement park" in terms of dining experiences: Try the dining options at Cedar Point some time for a taste of real amusement park food. The addition of Johnny Rockets and Chick-fil-a was a MASSIVE improvement over the hockey-puck burgers and wilted fries that were the standard when I was a teen, but you still won't find ethnic foods or seafood or even a soup-and-sandwich place on par with The Plaza. It is straight out greasy American across the board, served mostly from windows and carts with no indoor seating.

 

[Planogirl]

Haha, DS would be thrilled if Chick-fil-a was at WDW but he just loves that place. It's OK.

I think when someone talks upscale chain, they likely mean something like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Personally I would rather eat there than most places at WDW. It's just better and not any more expensive.

I would also prefer if Disney would improve the quality of their food instead though. But why should they? People in general are perfectly happy with the food at WDW - just so long as it's served by Disney. I bet that the food suppliers bring pretty much the same food as they bring to other restaurants though. Disney only has to grow that magical spice they add themselves.

For me, they could also add more chains to Downtown Disney. It would be more convenient than going offsite.

 

[Colleen27]

I think when someone talks upscale chain, they likely mean something like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Personally I would rather eat there than most places at WDW. It's just better and not any more expensive.

But you really can't look at off site prices for a reasonable expectation of what those same chains would charge on site. Just like most chains charge more in New York, Hawaii, etc. any chain opened on site would likely charge a location premium over and above their normal pricing.