Why did Olivia's @ OKW have to change?

[Stitch 03]

Has anyone noticed if the standardization of menus is happening at the top tier restaurants (i.e. Jiko, FF, CG, Citricos etc.).

Maybe the restaurants should look back to the time when you could smoke in restauraunts. You would have a choice of the DDP section or the non-DDP section. The non-DDP section will get slightly different menus and more attentive service. Those in the DDP section will get what they paid for - a cut-rate dining experience.

 

[Chuck S]

Has anyone noticed if the standardization of menus is happening at the top tier restaurants (i.e. Jiko, FF, CG, Citricos etc.).

Maybe the restaurants should look back to the time when you could smoke in restauraunts. You would have a choice of the DDP section or the non-DDP section. The non-DDP section will get slightly different menus and more attentive service. Those in the DDP section will get what they paid for - a cut-rate dining experience.

Actually, all they'd have to do is have a supplemental menu for cash customers..but then they'd receive tons of complaints from the DDP people about being "2nd class guests", which isn't Disney's way...so they cater to the lowest common denominator.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I have a dining question.......
Has anyone attempted (successfully or not) to go to a sit down restaurant for simply coffee and dessert ? We tried this last year at Tony's. We went to put our names in, there was a small line to be seated (maybe 3 other families). The time was approx 4-5 pm. We told the host we wanted dessert and coffee & that my ds wanted an appetizer (we had had a late lunch that day). He, rather snidely, pointed us out the door and to the direction of the Main Street Bakery. I told him we were quite aware where it was, but wanted specifically the Bananas Foster and creme brulee from Tony's menu....along with sitting and having some coffee. He would not seat us. Not only was it embarrassing because the other 3 parties were right there and heard, but I felt it was downright not very hospitable of disney ?
Since that time, we have never attempted to just get seated for dessert/coffee at a sit down restaurant. Maybe this is just disney policy ? Do you think the dining plan had anything to do with this ? Anyone know ?

 

[Chuck S]

I have been seated just for dessert and coffee at Disney, but it was off peak time AND it was prior to the dining plan. If they have changed that policy, I would imagine it is partly do to the complaints they've gotten from dining plan people who neglected to make ADRs and then complained that they had the DDP and no where to eat, so they may be trying to keep tables open unless you want a full meal.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thank you Chuck. This was August and the DDP was in force. I guess they just couldn't be bothered with us. But for a family of 5, dessert, an appetizer and coffee/drinks can add up to a decent bill. Really felt like we were being treated like 2nd class citizens....like they just didn't need our business. I think the DDP had something to do with it.

 

[laughinplace199]

We had dessert and coffee at Narcoossee's one night (this was in the pre-dining plan days). It was later in the evening (maybe 9:00?) and we asked at the podium if we could just order coffee and dessert. They seated us right away and we had a great time. Sorry to hear that your experience at Tony's was not the same.

 

[BCV23]

so they cater to the lowest common denominator.

Hmmm, I think it is more like the greatest common multiple.

Are you implying that those who choose to use the DDP are somehow less....something???....than those who don't? That sure doesn't sound like you but I don't know how else to read that.

I still don't think that the changes in Olivia's menu are necessarily due to the DDP. One poster had a CM tell her so but yet another was told it was due to change in management. And some people reading this thread are believing that all the menus are the same now. It just isn't so.

Maria, it sounds as if the CM was not pleasant about it which is a shame. But the restaurants are fuller due at least in part to the DDP....but not entirely. There are plenty of non DDP diners as well including my family most of the time helping to fill those tables. And although Chuck blames the DDPers who have not made ARs complaining, I think it is just as likely that those without the plan haven't made ARs either and would complain if they can't find an open restaurant. I think the signs up warning people that all restarants at the MK are booked for the day are warning everyone including the casual day guest.

Many years ago, it was common on our trips for the MK restaurants to be fully booked by early in the day. This was before you could make reservations ahead of time and many, many years before this current DDP.

 

[Chuck S]

Hmmm, I think it is more like the greatest common multiple.

Are you implying that those who choose to use the DDP are somehow less....something???....than those who don't? That sure doesn't sound like you but I don't know how else to read that.

Not at all...what I'm saying is that if the restaurants offered a supplemental menu for cash customers, then DDP people would complain of not being able to order those items on the DDP (see other past threads to that effect from DDP people when they couldn't get "the slipper" at CRT).

Since Disney policy has always been to treat all guests equally, no matter what dining plan they may be on, they chose not to offer more expensive higher end items to cash customers. The lowest common demoninator refers to the menu items, not the "class" of the customers.

 

[BelleBeast]

Well since I started this topic is certainly has taken off...Wow..

What everyone seems to be saying is that if we are not using the DDP we are unwelcome guests.

I would not pay for the DDP to eat Penne Pasta and a Steak Salad for my 10 day vacation in my Magical Home!!

Just my .02!

Thanks everyone for sharing!!

BelleBeast

Going Home in 14 days!!!

 

[BCV23]

Not at all...what I'm saying is that if the restaurants offered a supplemental menu for cash customers, then DDP people would complain of not being able to order those items on the DDP (see other past threads to that effect from DDP people when they couldn't get "the slipper" at CRT).

Since Disney policy has always been to treat all guests equally, no matter what dining plan they may be on, they chose not to offer more expensive higher end items to cash customers. The lowest common demoninator refers to the menu items, not the "class" of the customers.

Ok, got you now. Sorry. And I agree with you on this.

I agree it is not the WDW way to sort guests. People staying at the All Stars enjoy the same benefits as those at the GF.

 

[Starshine]

I have a dining question.......
Has anyone attempted (successfully or not) to go to a sit down restaurant for simply coffee and dessert ?

Not exactly the same, but this past May we attempted to go to San Angel Inn for drinks and appetizers around 1:30 in the afternoon. We'd done this on our last several trips with no problems whatsoever. This time, once we got there we found out that the menu had changed and our favorite appetizer (queso fundido) was no longer available. So we just decided to order beer and margaritas along with the chips and salsa. We were told that we couldn't remain in the restaurant without ordering a menu item even though we offered to pay extra for the chips and salsa. The waitress told us if we wanted to do that we had to go to the cantina outside.

We were pretty upset about it, especially since we normally order 2 or 3 drinks each so the bill would have been pretty sizeable if they had allowed us to stay. I guess our feelings are as long as we are spending money why can't we stay in the restaurant?

 

[Chuck S]

What everyone seems to be saying is that if we are not using the DDP we are unwelcome guests.

I would not pay for the DDP to eat Penne Pasta and a Steak Salad for my 10 day vacation in my Magical Home!!

I don't thnk anyone is saying or even implying cash customers are unwelcome guests. What they are saying is because the DDP has become so popular, the menus have been standardized between several locations to maintain their profitability under the DDP. You're certainly welcome to spend cash for the steak salads and penne pasta. The restaurants simply won't have the menu selections they used to have, and many items will be duplicated from location to location, with restaurants not having the "special to this location" menu items cash customers are used to ordering. It means we still will eat in a few of our favorite locations, like Brown Derby and Liberty Tree if they don't over standardize those menus, and rather than dine at the resort TS locations we'll choose POP food court for lighter, less expensive meals (like their chicken ceasar salad & tie dye cheesecake ), or eat offsite for table service.

 

[castleri]

Not exactly the same, but this past May we attempted to go to San Angel Inn for drinks and appetizers around 1:30 in the afternoon. We'd done this on our last several trips with no problems whatsoever. This time, once we got there we found out that the menu had changed and our favorite appetizer (queso fundido) was no longer available. So we just decided to order beer and margaritas along with the chips and salsa. We were told that we couldn't remain in the restaurant without ordering a menu item even though we offered to pay extra for the chips and salsa. The waitress told us if we wanted to do that we had to go to the cantina outside.

We were pretty upset about it, especially since we normally order 2 or 3 drinks each so the bill would have been pretty sizeable if they had allowed us to stay. I guess our feelings are as long as we are spending money why can't we stay in the restaurant?

It may have something to do with the difference between bars, lounges and restaurants. I don't know who sets the rules at WDW but in some cities and states drinks can only be served with food because they are designated as restaurants and not bars or lounges.

 

[LoveMyDisneyCats]

I agree, we ate at Olivia's on our last trip and were dissappointed with the new menu. Also disappointed to see that our favorite pulled pork sandwiches (along with the kids pbj, etc.) and other options are no longer available to order from Olivia's through the Good's counter. I'm sorry but with the menus all morphing into one at the parks, I looked forward to eating something other than a cheeseburger or chicken fingers while sitting at the pool. Or we also would do this for dinner after a long day at the park without the hassle of taking DD4 and DD1 into Olivias for a long drawn out sit-down. I guess it'll be lunchmeat, cheese, and bread from the general store for us next time.

 

[Sarnia]

Not exactly the same, but this past May we attempted to go to San Angel Inn for drinks and appetizers around 1:30 in the afternoon. We'd done this on our last several trips with no problems whatsoever. This time, once we got there we found out that the menu had changed and our favorite appetizer (queso fundido) was no longer available. So we just decided to order beer and margaritas along with the chips and salsa. We were told that we couldn't remain in the restaurant without ordering a menu item even though we offered to pay extra for the chips and salsa. The waitress told us if we wanted to do that we had to go to the cantina outside.

We were pretty upset about it, especially since we normally order 2 or 3 drinks each so the bill would have been pretty sizeable if they had allowed us to stay. I guess our feelings are as long as we are spending money why can't we stay in the restaurant?

In most places in the world (the big one not WDW) that i've been to it would be seen as a strange thing to do to go to a restaurant and take up a table just to have a drink and snack. If they have a bar area then fair enough, but in a TS restaurant I would never consider doing that.

 

[jodifla]

I agree, we ate at Olivia's on our last trip and were dissappointed with the new menu. Also disappointed to see that our favorite pulled pork sandwiches (along with the kids pbj, etc.) and other options are no longer available to order from Olivia's through the Good's counter. I'm sorry but with the menus all morphing into one at the parks, I looked forward to eating something other than a cheeseburger or chicken fingers while sitting at the pool. Or we also would do this for dinner after a long day at the park without the hassle of taking DD4 and DD1 into Olivias for a long drawn out sit-down. I guess it'll be lunchmeat, cheese, and bread from the general store for us next time.

You are exactly right! This move disallowing takeout from Olivia's is very anti-parent and anti-child. Goods to Go is hardly a substitute!

 

[MiaSRN62]

LoveMyDisneyCats says : I looked forward to eating something other than a cheeseburger or chicken fingers while sitting at the pool. Or we also would do this for dinner after a long day at the park without the hassle of taking DD4 and DD1 into Olivias for a long drawn out sit-down. I guess it'll be lunchmeat, cheese, and bread from the general store for us next time.

While you can count me among those that were disappointed when Olivia's stopped offering takeout, Goods To Go does offer more than cheesburgers and chicken fingers (not sure if you were aware). They have some sandwiches, veggie wrap, salad, fruit salad......http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_gtg.htm
While not the ideal, it is a little better than just burgers.

 

[freediverdude]

To the people who wanted to order drinks and appetizers,
No, I don't believe that is right. I would have marched right across the street to City Hall or up to the Guest Relations next to the ball in Epcot and talked to them about it. I imagine that if what they did wasn't specifically policy, they certainly would be making a call to the restaurant, or know who to call to make things right. If they reiterated that yes that was the current policy, then definitely a letter to the head of food/beverages for WDW should be sent. Someone should test this again, and start the process. Should it be me, or anyone volunteer?

As far as the dining plan,
If they really do have to standardize a lot of the menus and make everything as easy and least expensive as possible to be profitable, then either the dining plan cost should be raised or they should get rid of it except for maybe very expensive packages. It's not fair to cash customers, and not fair to the average tourist coming to WDW expecting world class restaurants. Period.

 

[Starshine]

To the people who wanted to order drinks and appetizers,
No, I don't believe that is right. I would have marched right across the street to City Hall or up to the Guest Relations next to the ball in Epcot and talked to them about it.

I wanted to ask the manager at San Angel about it, but DH said he didn't even want to bother, just wanted to leave. Luckily they hadn't sent out our drink order yet, or I'm not sure what might have happened- would we have had to take our drinks outside? Anyway, we went straight over to Le Cellier instead and had La Fin du Monde (beer) and cheese soup (which we also do every trip). They didn't have any problems with that, so DH asked our server about the policy, and she said it was up to the individual restaurants.

I've never felt bad taking up a table when we do this, because we spend a good bit of money on the drinks. My thought is $20 or $30 spent on snacks and drinks brings as much revenue to the restaurant as $20 or $30 spent on an entree and a soda so why should it matter? But maybe it is "bad form" as Hook would say?

 

[MiaSRN62]

They didn't have any problems with that, so DH asked our server about the policy, and she said it was up to the individual restaurants.

Interesting.....so next time I just won't be upfront with anyone when we want drinks/appetizers/dessert only. I'll just wait to be seated and then tell them we're not ordering an entree. I can't see anyone asking us to leave after we've been seated. Sometimes it doesn't pay to be upfront honest.
We were tempted as well to complain to someone about how Tony's treated us, but ended up not doing anything based on the fact that it was just too much trouble and we were on vacation.