What's with the Menu Changes?

[Laugh O. Grams]

Now that I got that mini-rant out of me, I'd like to pose the question again. Let's say the people who say that Disney is getting rid of the expensive food items to do free DDP on the cheap are 100% correct. Would those of you who partake in the DDP happily pay full price for the steak/lobster if Disney discontinued DDP and simply offer high quality food, including the great steaks you love as well as upscale alternatives?

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Okay. How about the dining ROOM at, oh, I dunno – Spoodle’s? Care to join us?

I'm so there!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Let's say the people who say that Disney is getting rid of the expensive food items to do free DDP on the cheap are 100% correct.

No. I’m not one of those people, but if there were no dining plan, I would probably go to:
Narcoosee’s for the risotto entrée (I can’t believe how hard it is to find risotto as a main course, and I do NOT cook – anybody know if there’s a microwave version?)
Brown Derby for the Cobb Salad
Neither of the above because I’m cheap, but because THAT’S what I want for my meal at each of those restaurants.
Kona Café for the Char-Crusted Filet.
Spoodle’s for an as-yet-undetermined dish because I want to eat there.
Ditto for Raglan Road.
Boatwright’s midweek because I’ve heard good things about the food and then I can stick around and be entertained by Bob Jackson. Or Boma, because I haven’t been there for a few years and there’s a great variety of familiar and unfamiliar (to me) foods.
And, oh, I dunno – California Grill because it’s trendy… no, I’m kidding. But for a ‘treat myself’ restaurant, probably Jiko. I do that at least once every trip, no matter where I go.

 

[bavaria]

My ENTIRE point was we are choosing a different resturant that will meet our group needs ~ since resturants like WGP have been forced to change their menu. And your kidding right? Disney doesn't own the entire world, WGP chains and all? Shoot, I'm surprised they don't own Emerils!??! Oh and what about Hard Rock Cafe? Thank you for that little tid bit I would have never guessed that!!! Just because I like American food doesn't make me stupid...or was that just an assumption you make about everyone?

oh, and in case you didn't know, Wolfgang Puck is Austrian. He prides himself on putting a local flavour on his food, so if you are looking for American food, you may not want to visit a restaurant started by an Austrian chef

And if you are upset about 'trendy', his restaurants were once some of the trendiest spots in California.

But then again, what do I know? I'm just a German who trained in the kitchen under a Chef of the Year.

I know nothing.....

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I understand and even agree with some points you have made on this thread (and other threads you have posted to also). Just because I suggest the comparison of two different businesses should involve businesses of similar standards and products. If I wanted to compare two automobiles I would not compare a Dodge Neon with a Volvo XC40........it would be an unfair comparison to the lower end vehicle. That is the point I was trying to make.

Just trying to keep all things fair!

Purely a tounge in cheek comment on how neither side seems to be listening much. I understand that my example used upscale chains but if I speak of my personal restaurant favorites of stand alone restaurants it would mean little because you probably haven't heard of them anyway.

Menus have changed. They changed before the advent of DDP and they're changing now with DDP. Simply because the nature of the beast is change does not mean that in this instance DDP is not at least to some degree responsible. My proof is in the type of changes we often see and the fact that perhaps other more significant changes will probably once again happen after free dining is through. Further I know for a fact that many Chef's at WDW are not content (as evidenced by the loss of what? Three Executive Chef's in the past year). I know two current chef's, one is unhappy and looking for a way out the other isn't happy but content. Another I know (one who left) LOVED what he did for a living but felt totally shackled by Disney's ever increasing restraints and emphasis on what some here call 'American food'. There is no challenge or pride to be derived from the dumbing of menus from their standpoint. So while I agree that WDW restaurants have always 'changed', my feelings on why they have been changing recently lean toward corporate interference rather than chef's doing what chef's do (which I've pointed oput, they are no longer allowed to do much of) and in the long run this will hurt both side of the fence in this argument, IMO.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Purely a tounge in cheek comment on how neither side seems to be listening much.

Our side doesn't have to listen. We're right

 

[Tricia1972]

For the sake of discussion, is it possible that if Disney dumbs down their menus slightly for Free dining partly due to increased volume?

I ONLY looked at Whispering Canyon Cafe and I noticed the removal of the cheese and sausage plate (labor intensive) and the ice cream with Cinnamon Tortilla with vanilla topping topped with fresh sliced bananas. Both items are slightly more labor intensive and also more choices = more time deciding = more time taking up a table. Not everyone is as obsessive as me when it comes to planning thier menus before they get to the resaurant

This is JUST a thought I had and really to make a judgement I'd need to read all the menus.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not everyone is as obsessive as me when it comes to planning thier menus before they get to the resaurant

Okay, first, you're NOT the only person that obsessive (not mentioning any names), which gives me an idea… which would cause a MUCH greater outcry than any current one… require all DDP Guests to place their entire orders in advance. Doesn’t mean your food will be ready and waiting for you when you get seated (what if you don’t show up? what if the tables are slow to empty?). It just means that the kitchen will know exactly what to have on hand for 60+% of its diners at any given meal period; it would save time for the server to attend to other matters like refilling drinks and checking on the meal’s progress (you’d just get seated and give your order number), everybody would be happier, right?

 

[Tricia1972]

Okay, first, you're NOT the only person that obsessive (not mentioning any names), which gives me an idea… which would cause a MUCH greater outcry than any current one… require all DDP Guests to place their entire orders in advance. Doesn’t mean your food will be ready and waiting for you when you get seated (what if you don’t show up? what if the tables are slow to empty?). It just means that the kitchen will know exactly what to have on hand for 60+% of its diners at any given meal period; it would save time for the server to attend to other matters like refilling drinks and checking on the meal’s progress (you’d just get seated and give your order number), everybody would be happier, right?

You've just solved all of the Disney Dining "problems" Congratulations! You should be nominate for a Nobel Peace Prize!!

 

[Minnie0107]

Now that I got that mini-rant out of me, I'd like to pose the question again. Let's say the people who say that Disney is getting rid of the expensive food items to do free DDP on the cheap are 100% correct. Would those of you who partake in the DDP happily pay full price for the steak/lobster if Disney discontinued DDP and simply offer high quality food, including the great steaks you love as well as upscale alternatives?

Yes we would pay. We did not do DDP on our last trip and paid for all of our meals. After seeing people that were on the DDP getting the same meals as us and more we decided to give it a try this time. However, now some of the things that we were going to get w/ the DDP are not on the menus. I am not getting emotional nor am i upset. We will just not use DDP in the future and I changed my ADRs to better suite our needs. In my original post I was just trying to find out if there was a known reason.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Following Trends = trendy - look it up in the dictionary as I'm sure I'm right.

My reading comprehension is excellent, thank you. A trend is not necessarily a thing to be followed, it’s a tendency or general course or direction. That there is a trend toward restaurants serving, say, raspberry vinaigrette does not equate to raspberry vinaigrette being “trendy”. If, on the other hand, the ‘foodistas’ (made-up word, approximates fashionistas in the, well, fashion industry) convince the public through People Magazine and PR releases that raspberry vinaigrette is the hot new dressing for salads, then it becomes “trendy”, although not a trend.
Another example: In an economic downturn, there is a trend to spend less money; but spending less money is not trendy.

You've just solved all of the Disney Dining "problems" Congratulations! You should be nominate for a Nobel Peace Prize!!

See? I told you “our side” is right But, first, you gave me the idea – thank you VERY much – you can have the Nobel Peach Prize. All I need is some Dream Ears…. Or the DVC membership….

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Yes we would pay. We did not do DDP on our last trip and paid for all of our meals. After seeing people that were on the DDP getting the same meals as us and more we decided to give it a try this time. However, now some of the things that we were going to get w/ the DDP are not on the menus. I am not getting emotional nor am i upset. We will just not use DDP in the future and I changed my ADRs to better suite our needs. In my original post I was just trying to find out if there was a known reason.

Makes sense to me...I appreciate your response.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Makes sense to me...I appreciate your response.

Oh? And my response is what - chopped livah? Just because I'm on your side, my answer doesn't count? Harumph!

​

Seriously, though, folks - I appreciate Minnie0107's response, too. It makes a lot of sense and, as she points out, not emotion-driven. Thanks! Enjoy your trip!

 

[pilferk]

You’re complaining so adamantly on a public forum about the food choices at Walt Disney World, then saying you’re going to eat cheesesteaks and pizza while you’re there. Just as you’re entitled to present your opinion, I am mine. Vacationing in a site with SO much variety in food choices, and eating “home” food, to me is a wasted opportunity.

My one and only comment in this thread:

The cheesesteaks at WDW are awful.

 

[pilferk]

Now that I got that mini-rant out of me, I'd like to pose the question again. Let's say the people who say that Disney is getting rid of the expensive food items to do free DDP on the cheap are 100% correct. Would those of you who partake in the DDP happily pay full price for the steak/lobster if Disney discontinued DDP and simply offer high quality food, including the great steaks you love as well as upscale alternatives?

OK, I lied. I'm commenting again:

Sure, why not. I've done it before (and eaten at many of the 2TS credit places LONG before the DDP existed) so would do it again.

For us, the DDP is a nice value/discount but not NECESSARY for us to enjoy what WDW has to offer or to vacation there. And if the food quality INCREASED and twe had to pay full price (and menu prices even increased slightly)....we'd STILL eat at WDW.

 

[naynay80]

Where are you seeing the "new" menu's? I looked on Allears and don't see anything that have changed -

 

[kaytieeldr]

Some right here www.wdwinfo.com on the DIS home site; some by Googling the restaurant.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Oh? And my response is what - chopped livah? Just because I'm on your side, my answer doesn't count? Harumph!

​

Sorry...let's talk it out at Spoodles. First round of Spoodle-Ritas are on me!

 

[MommyBoo!]

OK, I lied. I'm commenting again:

Sure, why not. I've done it before (and eaten at many of the 2TS credit places LONG before the DDP existed) so would do it again.

For us, the DDP is a nice value/discount but not NECESSARY for us to enjoy what WDW has to offer or to vacation there. And if the food quality INCREASED and twe had to pay full price (and menu prices even increased slightly)....we'd STILL eat at WDW.

OK, this is our opinion on this as well. The DDP is a discount on the food for us but we would eat at the same places and order the same food DDP or not. We have paid out of pocket for items that were not on the DDP.

I am NOT happy about using the DDP next year. I know that we will again be paying out of pocket for stuff and with the changes, we will come out just a little ahead or break even. I would rather just go and order whatever without figuring credits, etc. However, DH really likes the convenience of having the majority of our vacation and food paid for ahead of time. So really, if it means he has less stress, than I get the DDP. He has enough stress already with working 60-80 hours a week.

If the DDP is not offered the next time we go, we will just pay out of pocket and eat at a TS every night like we always do.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

For the sake of discussion, is it possible that if Disney dumbs down their menus slightly for Free dining partly due to increased volume?

I ONLY looked at Whispering Canyon Cafe and I noticed the removal of the cheese and sausage plate (labor intensive) and the ice cream with Cinnamon Tortilla with vanilla topping topped with fresh sliced bananas. Both items are slightly more labor intensive and also more choices = more time deciding = more time taking up a table. Not everyone is as obsessive as me when it comes to planning thier menus before they get to the resaurant

This is JUST a thought I had and really to make a judgement I'd need to read all the menus.

You're not the only one! I have a (flexible) plan of what I'm going to order at every TS and CS meal.