Why did Olivia's @ OKW have to change?

[BelleBeast]

I knew Olivia's had changed their menu and I just took a look at it
and am very disappointed.

It was our Family Tradition since we brought in 1994 to have lunch at
Olivias on our arrival day.

I can now say - We Will Not Eat There At All - It really is ashame because
Goods to Go isn't all that great.

Thanks for listening...Oh where will we go now???

BelleBeast

 

[Peepster]

Make sure to let Disney know how you feel. Because of the dining programs, Disney is standardizing the menus at many of the restaurants (and taking away our favorite foods). It's cheaper for them to buy in bulk and that's how they can afford dining plans and free dining. But I'm convinced if enough of us let guest relations know how we feel, they may reconsider or offer some type of compromise. Well, at least I'll continue to hope. Bring back the conch fritters and all the other good stuff!!!

 

[rinkwide]

...Because of the dining programs, Disney is standardizing the menus at many of the restaurants (and taking away our favorite foods). It's cheaper for them to buy in bulk and that's how they can afford dining plans and free dining...

Are you telling me that the unwashed masses at the Pops and All-Stars are screwing up all the good menus with their stupid dining plans? (Okay, that might be a bit harsh.)

 

[DebbieB]

Are you telling me that the unwashed masses at the Pops and All-Stars are screwing up all the good menus with their stupid dining plans? (Okay, that might be a bit harsh.)

Where did that come from? The free dining and MYW dining plans are available at all resorts.

 

[jjohnson]

I also agree that there has been a huge change in all of the menus in the past year.

 

[eliza61]

I read a review on Olivias just yesterday, from allearsnet. It was not favorable at all. The reviewer had the same complaint, the menus had been standardized and was nothing special. What a shame. We ate there August of 2004 and loved it but I think we will be skipping it this August.

 

[Beth]

I'm disappointed about this also.

Admittedly, I have a very simple palate.... but the "Buttermilk Chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetables" was one of my very favorite entrees on property.

What is the appropriate address to pass along our opinions on these changes?

 

[Chuck S]

While there are some items, like the steak salad, that are tasty...overall I don;t care for the change. They also don't make as many things "from scratch," now they use a lot of commercial soup and gravy bases, and because of food allergies a lot of the menu items are "off our list".

We gave the new menu a chance, and were disappointed. I noted it on the internet survey we took when we got home. I do think the dining plan and sheer volume of people using it, are at least partly responsible for the changes...they seem to be WDW-wide.

 

[OKWMom]

I really hate to hear that. Oliva's was one of the things I really liked about staying at OKW. We would eat there at least once per trip. After seeing your posts, I checked out the menu myself, and like others stated, I don't think we'll go back this year.

 

[LauraLea]

I had several conversations with restaurant CMs on my last visit. The dining plan has really hindered chefs and what they can put on their menus. It sounds as though restaurants are not reimbursed the total amount of the bill from those on DDP. Even the tips to the servers are reduced. I got the impression restaurant CMs were not very happy with DDP.

When we dined at Rose and Crown I of course requested a table with a great view for Illuminations, and got the usual speel of how they can not promise anything. She did ask if I was on the DDP, I said no we will be using DDE. she smiled and when we were seated we had a table with the greatest view.

Maybe we were just lucky, but you have to wonder.........

Laura

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Add us to the list of those disappointed with the changes at Olivia's.

Same story... used to one of our favorites... couldn't wait to have lunch right after check in... yadda yadda yadda

I think the dining plan has affected WDW as a whole. I'm afraid the resturants we love are going to go the way of our old favorite stores and kiosks. Remember how you used to be able to find items unique to a particular land or park or resort??? I used to have so much fun trying to find a treasure, now all merchandise is the same no matter where you go. Afraid that's what will eventually happen to the restaurants. JMO.

 

[Figment2]

One of the reasons (I think) CM's are not happy is that, although their tip is included in the price of DDP, they get the money in their pay checks (rather than that day in cash) which means taxes, 401k and God knows what else is withheld. Now, I understand why Disney is doing it that way but having been a waitress I also understand that getting a $5.00 tip in cash is wayyyy different than getting a $5.00 tip with withholding.

Please tell me Olivias still has the pasta with sundried tomatoes and shrimp!

Cyn

 

[LauraLea]

One of the reasons (I think) CM's are not happy is that, although their tip is included in the price of DDP, they get the money in their pay checks (rather than that day in cash) which means taxes, 401k and God knows what else is withheld. Cyn

I doubt that has much to do with it. Very few guest use cash. Most are either room chargers or cc. With those type of payments, tips are put onto their pay stubs as well, I'm guessing.

Laura

 

[mello]

I also agree that there has been a huge change in all of the menus in the past year.

I agree - most menus have changed in the last couple months, and I don't think the changes are for the better. I was reading over the menus at allears and they're all starting to look very much alike. Almost all menus now have only about 5 main dish items: a ribeye, a chicken with pasta dish, a fish item (usually salmon - not that I'm complaining about that, I like salmon and at least it's not cod or some inferior fish everywhere, but it is quite repetetive), a vegetarian casserole of some sort, and one item that sort of goes with the theme of the restaurant. For dessert they all have some sort of creme brulee, some sort of bread pudding, and maybe a cheesecake or an ice cream. Very little individuality or variety. Such a shame!

 

[LIFERBABE]

It is sad that the menus are being standardized.

But OTOH, look at how much Artist Palette has been criticized for not having the standard food court fare. You can find Chicken strips and fries every 100 feet at WDW, but when they couldnt be found at AP, people complained en masse.

We work alot of weddings and the WDW restaurants are starting to look like wedding menus or cruise food. Lots of quantity, but low on quality. The TS restaurants are becoming sit down buffets. There are still big vats of food, now they just bring it to you instead of you having to go get it.

Thank goodness we have kitchens at DVC. Im not spending $130 a day for my family of 4 to eat chicken strips and sirloin steak.

I know the Chefs are probably thinking "I went to Culinary School for this?"

 

[Stitch1404]

I just don't understand why if you're a vegetarian at Olivia's (and most other WDW restaurants) you pretty much better like pasta. I wish vegetarians were given more options.

 

[rbuzzotta]

We leave on July 28 and DH and I really look forward to dining at Olivia's!!! Where can we view the new menu??? This is sad!!

 

[mello]

It is sad that the menus are being standardized.

But OTOH, look at how much Artist Palette has been criticized for not having the standard food court fare. You can find Chicken strips and fries every 100 feet at WDW, but when they couldnt be found at AP, people complained en masse.

We work alot of weddings and the WDW restaurants are starting to look like wedding menus or cruise food. Lots of quantity, but low on quality. The TS restaurants are becoming sit down buffets. There are still big vats of food, now they just bring it to you instead of you having to go get it.

Thank goodness we have kitchens at DVC. Im not spending $130 a day for my family of 4 to eat chicken strips and sirloin steak.

I know the Chefs are probably thinking "I went to Culinary School for this?"

I've thought the very same thing about Artist's Palette (I think it's a very refreshing change from typical CS), wedding & cruise menus (Disney menus are definitely starting to resemble them), and the chefs too! (wondering how they feel about their creativity & skill being sacrificed to standardization)?

 

[DebbieB]

We leave on July 28 and DH and I really look forward to dining at Olivia's!!! Where can we view the new menu??? This is sad!!

Lunch:

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_okl.htm

Dinner:

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_okw.htm

 

[rbuzzotta]

Thanks for the link to the menu DebbieB. DH will be happy as they still hae the Penne pasta with asiago cheese.

They removed the Mahi Mahi and country friend chicken and mashed potatoes!!!

I guess DH will be dining there by himself!!! LOL!!