Where is the outrage over food price increases??

[MouseMomx2]

The kitchen in our villas saves us from the DDP and rising prices. And I don't have to get up early 3-6 months out to make ADRs. Breakfasts and lunches are covered, and we cook a few dinners in as well.

We are DVC members as well and cook about 50% of our meals in our villa. This includes all breakfasts (I can make Mickey waffles for all of us for less than it would cost to order one in a restaurant!) and some dinners. We eat out for most lunches, although we do pack a lunch if we are going to the water parks. Dinners are 50% in the villa and 50% out. I understand everyone does not have the advantage of a full kitchen while at WDW, however it is still possible to have a light breakfast in the room no matter where you stay.

I do agree that food prices are rising at WDW, but they are rising everywhere. We get creative by eating at full-service locations for lunch and sharing meals rather than wasting food. We also skip dessert at full-service restaurants and stop by counter-service locations instead. By going to the bakery in France instead of getting a dessert at Chefs de France we save at least $15 for the 4 of us.

I'm not about to stop going to WDW, so I work within the parameters that have been set. There are ways to save money on your dining if you are creative and open minded.

 

[patsal]

Complaining here does nothing to fix it.
Complaining to Disney does nothing. The standard response is "that is what guests ask for" or "so many are happy with it this way".
Taking myself off site for meals or cooking in my villa helps me to avoid the overpriced, uninteresting food choices that Disney now makes available to me.

 

[sherabby]

I just went to Burger King yesterday and a kids meal and one whopper no fries or drink cost me $8.98. One sandwich and a kids meal.

 

[ransom]

Compared to other theme parks, ball parks, etc., the prices are perfectly reasonable. At my local Six Flags, it costs $15 for a burger, fries and a soda. A large fountain drink alone is $4 plus tax. A bottle of water is outrageously expensive...and they won't let you bring your own into the park.

I don't see any reason to be outraged at the current prices at WDW.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Food prices have gone up everywhere, not just at Disney. Just last week I ate at Wendy's and it was almost $7 for a regular size meal. I would much rather have a Disney CS meal for about the same price. I don't think Disney's prices are outrageous at the TS restaurants either, the atmosphere makes it worth more then restaurants at home.

 

[eliza61]

:

I was all excited about our budget trip in planning the food, but seeing the price increases at the buffets have me bummed. Now I have done my fair share of table services. I think we have experienced the bulk of them and to be honest it has become overrated. The food is nothing like it once was so now we are up for cs, a few classics and themed stuff we have not done. I wanted to hit the value stuff like the breakfast and lunch buffets. Now I am going to have rethink my plan.

So what is your best value for the $$ (cash, not dining plan)???

I don't mind the increase in price as much as I do the decrease in quality. Every year it seems TS food gets more and more mediocre.

This year I did exactly what many disser's here have suggested. We took the car and ate a lot of meals offsite. It was fabulous. we mainly ate dinners off site so as not to interrupt our park times and there are many good restaurants within 4 miles of disney. Crossroads right outside of DTD has good chains so if I'm going to eat Olive garden or TGIF food at least I'm paying TGI fridays prices.

I went for 10 days in August and had 3 sit down dinners. Once again Le Cellier was nothing special (not bad but definitely not worth the hype). Any time you go to a steak house and the best thing about it is the bread, you know your in trouble..

If I wanted 6 flags quality food, I'd go to six flags. I expect more from disney (maybe that's my problem, I should lower my expectations)

I don't forsee me eating much on site any more.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Hmm...

Hotel Prices..way too high

Ticket Prices...way too high

Gift Shop items...way too high

Only makes sense to have the food prices way too high!

When I go on vacation I plan on expensive everything...if I cannot afford a trip to WDW I stay home.

 

[cymbaldiva]

I agree - the prices are outrageous ... perhaps it would be one thing if the food were actually good, but it's not.

One pp mentioned 6 Flags - I can't speak for any park but the one near me (6 Flags Fiesta Texas). At that park they serve actual chicken fingers - full sized, delicious chicken fingers... big portion too - far better food value than the nuggets WDW is currently serving.

Another pp mentioned Wendy's and that they would rather pay the same $$ for Disney counter service - that statement stuns me. One fact no one disputes is that WDW's counter service burgers are horrible - why on earth would you want to pay lots of good $$ for a bad (not mediocre, but bad) burger? At least Wendys does a decent burger...

It really does surprise me that there's not more of a revolt - am I the only one who's really not okay with paying way too much for poor quality counter service food?

 

[Schmoodle]

It really does surprise me that there's not more of a revolt - am I the only one who's really not okay with paying way too much for poor quality counter service food?

I'm not okay with it, so I don't. I vote with my $$, and I've never been one to think that only Disney can feed, house, and entertain me while I'm in Orlando. It's okay if I find a better deal offsite. Now, if there are plenty of folks that are okay with paying what Disney charges for what is offered, that's okay too. I fully understand that Disney is a business and wants to maximize profits, and more power to them. I actually think there is great value in some of the things they offer - a park ticket, for example. My DH is appalled at how expensive they are, but really, for what you get, and particularly if you are buying a multi-day ticket, I think it's great value.
I don't think a mob of angry guests storming the gate at MK is the way to go, but if food sales took a dive, then Disney would for sure notice!

 

[Shenanigoat]

The holiday surcharges are the only thing that really get to me. They don't put anything extra for buffets and people are already spending a lot to be there at the holiday peak season.

 

[Bete]

I don't want the hassle of eating off site. Been there, done that and so not worth it to me to be off site for meals. I'll pay the premium to stay in Disney. They do have a captive audience, but I just consider it as part cost of doing a WDW trip. I find the park eating to be a good rest/break at the parks. There are some giant meals that can be split very easily if you want to save some money. Share a drink or drink tap water. Skip the appetizer and/or dessert if OOP. Get appetizers as a meal. Do whatever to cut back and make those hard choices while you are there. You can opt for a cheaper value resort or cut back on souvenir spending, etc.

I love the dining plan. It saves money if you use it in the right way. I love the challenge of eating at the so-called best places and getting ADRs for them. The Fantasmic meal package is great as a TS credit at Mama Melrose since it includes an appetizer. I love the characters at the restaurants; it's a little entertainment while you eat. I like talking with the waiters at the WS restaurants; it's very interesting if they are willing to chat with you. I find the food acceptable at Disney World, not exceptional. If you want exceptional you'll need to pay top dollar and go to Victoria and Albert's at the GF.

I will say I try to plan trips with a discount; so, I can have the extras like a meal at Disney. I jump at the free dining plan every time I go lately. I've done it that way at least eight times, now. I'll pay full resort rack rate for it.

If you desire to go off site to eat there's nothing wrong in doing so. If you have a car you can bring food into the resort. I've seen people using the food court microwaves for TV dinners. You have options and Disney is not forcing you to eat there or get the dining plan.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

Now I realize that this board is filled mostly with people on the dining plan, however I am curious why no one is on a rampage about the price increases in the food? Have we become so fixated on the dining plan we pay no mind to the actual price of the meal? You all do realize that this dining plan is not going to last forever and one day there will be many more who are cash customers. So come on dissers do what you do best and complain about how we are getting gouged!

I was all excited about our budget trip in planning the food, but seeing the price increases at the buffets have me bummed. Now I have done my fair share of table services. I think we have experienced the bulk of them and to be honest it has become overrated. The food is nothing like it once was so now we are up for cs, a few classics and themed stuff we have not done. I wanted to hit the value stuff like the breakfast and lunch buffets. Now I am going to have rethink my plan.

So what is your best value for the $$ (cash, not dining plan)???

You're @ Disney World - expect to pay more for everything there - food is no different

 

[skier_pete]

TS prices have always been outrageous...I remember back in the nineties feeling the gouge over paying $65-$70 for dinner at Epcot restaurants...we never spent more than $40 going out locally. Well, now it cost $60 to go out at home, it makes sense it's going to cost $80 for me to eat out at Disney World.

Choices are:
1) Pay the price (or DDP)
2) Don't eat at the TS restaurants.

We are completating a short budget trip next year, if we did that, it would be a NO TS trip. While I love to eat, and enjoy most meals at Disney TS restaurants (unlike what seems like most people here) I do not find that to be the be-all end-all of my Disney vacation.

If you want to eat TS and save some money:
1) Avoid the buffets - yes they are expensive, but that's because they are "all you can eat".
2) stick with lunches.
3) Try places with a more sandwhich orientation (Sci-Fi, WCC).
4) Just order an appetizer and a desert rather than a full meal.

SkierPete

 

[cymbaldiva]

You're @ Disney World - expect to pay more for everything there - food is no different

You pay more for a Disney park because it's better than the other parks; if it was an inferior park we wouldn't pay - why in the world would you pay more for inferior food?

That kinda of mentality is going to have Disney driving us all into debt just because they can...

 

[tp1830]

Agreed, it is outrageous, but you can't say that you didn't expect it. Its almost with everything in disney, you're paying for more than just food; you're paying for the environment that you're in, the free fireworks shows, the free parades, the free buttons, the free mickey confetti, the free side street entertainment (singers, dancers, performers, etc.)...it all comes at a cost. If you tried to do that all individually, you'd rack up a hefty bill.

BUT there are ways around the madness. Split meals. I usually order an app and a main course and split it all with my wife...we're full and ready to rock and roll afterwards.

Go to Mexico (inside in the san angel inn)...and you can stock up on some free chips and salsa (great way to save on a appetizer)...or grab some extra bread rolls if you're in france. If you're in Magic Kingdom, grab a pretzel...they're the price of an average happy meal BUT they'll also keep you full for a good deal of time (if you can finish one that is).

Drinks...you can try refills (there are places where you can refill your cup) or go for the largest size and carry it around with you..or better yet, bring your own water bottles (nobody stops you).

If you're in the mood for a snack...there are tons of small places where you can save a dime and grab a great meal. Take the Land (or even some of the pizza places around the world)...get an order (or two) of the breadsticks and ask for a side of sauce...throw some parmesan cheese on it, you got a pizza...but you saved yourself a good deal of money.

Or if you're in the parks, go to the closest resort...they all have lil cafes inside and the cafe prices are cheaper than those in the park for the same thing...plus you can see something different.

I agree, its crazy high, but there are ways around it!

 

[ReneeA]

You pay more for a Disney park because it's better than the other parks; if it was an inferior park we wouldn't pay - why in the world would you pay more for inferior food?

That kinda of mentality is going to have Disney driving us all into debt just because they can...

That's the thing...I don't pay more for meals at a WDW park than I do around here at parks. I take my family to the Detroit Zoo for the day and I'm looking at paying $35 for a CS meal. I wouldn't spend any more than that at a WDW CS meal.

I do think the cost of their buffets is too much (at least for my budget). If we had to pay OOP for TS meals, there would be fewer of them, for sure. It's one of the reasons we end up with the DDP every trip.