Walt's view on food service...

[beachclubbasics]

Don't know why I'm posting this, but it seemed fitting to post this thread here. I just finished reading the book about Walt Disney called "The Man Behind The Magic" and the book mentioned a very interesting fact about Walt's views on park food service.

A couple of years after he opened Disneyland, he discontinued most of the dealings he was having with the park's food service companies as he felt that the companies were serving substandard fare to make big profits. When he reorganized the food service he said that he never wanted to make a profit on food. "Coffee is only worth a dime. As long as I run this park will always be a dime." was a quote to his brother Roy

What do you think he would think of the DDP and the restuarants that they currently have inthe parks? I think he would like the DDP, but would be disappointed in someof the fare offered at someof the restuarants. For example, I'll bet he'd change or close the Coral Reef.

I have noticed that the CS food at WDW seems less expensive than its counterpart at our local NJ amusement parks and boardwalks where a large soda can cost upwards of $4. Even a hamburger and fries (while seemingly expensive at around $7, is a bargain compared to our local Six Flags park).

 

[shoppingnut]

The CS food at WDW is also less expensive than Universal.

I think he would like the DDP and the way the CS is set up in the hotel's with the refillable mugs.

 

[slappy magoo]

One thing I don't think Walt would've liked is the meager offerings on the Kids' Menus. I can just see him wondering saying "Yeah, some kids only eat the same couple of things every day if you let 'em, but not EVERY kid only eats the same couple of things every day."

 

[cymbaldiva]

I've actually been looking at the kids menus as I plan for my trip in September - traveling with a 6 year old - and it looks to me like the menu choices are more diverse than they have been in years past.

 

[ThinkTink721]

WDW food prices are really not that bad if you compare them to some other forms of entertainment.
For example, my family of 5 recently went to a Ringling Bros. & BB Circus performance - a bag of cotton candy w/ a flimsy hat attached to it was $10 & a box of popcorn (not very large) was $6.
I do wish the food prices at WDW were a little more reasonable.
:wave:

 

[slappy magoo]

I've actually been looking at the kids menus as I plan for my trip in September - traveling with a 6 year old - and it looks to me like the menu choices are more diverse than they have been in years past.

I guess it depends on which restaurants you're looking at, and table service may afford you more options. I just clicked on the menus of some random TS restaurants, and many of them only had 3 entrees or so, mac and cheese, a burger and/or a hot dog, chicken nuggets maybe penne & meatballs or a tiny pizza. Granted, some have more options (esp. WS restaurants) but it's usually just some of those at each eatery. For some kids that might be enough, for others whose palates are more adventutous and can handle adult fare, it's more or less T.S. You're a kid, you can only eat off the kid's menu if you're on the DDP. Managers might be willing to make the exception, but not necessarily.

 

[erasure fan1]

WDW food prices are really not that bad if you compare them to some other forms of entertainment.
For example, my family of 5 recently went to a Ringling Bros. & BB Circus performance - a bag of cotton candy w/ a flimsy hat attached to it was $10 & a box of popcorn (not very large) was $6.
I do wish the food prices at WDW were a little more reasonable.
:wave:

Yea but you dont spend a week at the circus.:lol: Disney food isnt cheap and I know it never will be. Its the quallity that gets me most, I had a wrap deli sandwich and drink for over $10. The $10 wouldnt be a problem if the sandwich was better than something I could get at a 7-11. You would think for that price you could get something at least subway quallity. I dont expect super high quallity food, just that its fair for the price.

As far as the Walt thing, I if he actually said that stuff he would hate the way the food is at WDW. They be making some profit.

 

[New2WDW]

A couple of years after he opened Disneyland, he discontinued most of the dealings he was having with the park's food service companies as he felt that the companies were serving substandard fare to make big profits. When he reorganized the food service he said that he never wanted to make a profit on food. "Coffee is only worth a dime. As long as I run this park will always be a dime." was a quote to his brother Roy

I agree with your post, but just as I have been notified as well about such things.....Walt's no longer running the Parks. I wish he was! But even more I wish someone would gain an understanding of what Walt was doing and get the train back on the track. (just my opinion :lookaroun )

 

[MinnieMommy]

I agree with your post, but just as I have been notified as well about such things.....Walt's no longer running the Parks. I wish he was! But even more I wish someone would gain an understanding of what Walt was doing and get the train back on the track. (just my opinion :lookaroun )

Totally agree with you on this. DH and I were just discussing this. While Disney food may be somewhat cheaper than other amusement parks, (although I'm not even sure this is always the case) I think Walt would be saying, "Yes, but we're not comparing ourselves to other amusement parks, are we?". If only someone with his vision would come along...

Who knows, maybe the next Walt Disney is "toddling" around one of our homes as we speak!! :shrug:

100th post!!! :sohappy:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I think the food could be better especially for the money. But then again, we lived in the southeast Louisiana area for 11 years so we got spoiled to lots of rich flavor and seasoning. I generally carry a little shaker of Zatarains around in our backpack so we can enjoy our food. :slurp:

Also, I think the age breaks are a bit extreme. 10 years old counts as an adult? My sons are currently 9 & 11. The 11 year old still requests items from the kids menu because he's a picky eater. At least twice last trip in February the boys looked at each others plates and traded. Both boys put together can't eat as much as an adult. Our trip in December I will technically have to pay full price for both kids even though they probably will mostly still eat off the kids menu. I wish they had an interim age bracket for the pricing: 3-9, 10-13, 14+.

 

[cymbaldiva]

I think the food could be better especially for the money. But then again, we lived in the southeast Louisiana area for 11 years so we got spoiled to lots of rich flavor and seasoning. I generally carry a little shaker of Zatarains around in our backpack so we can enjoy our food. :slurp:

Too funny! I carry a shaker of Tony Chachere's More Spice around in my purse all the time so food's to our tastes! :ROFLOL:

 

[dandaman]

^That's pretty much my dad's "everything" spice. We usually have 3 shakers of it on the table at any given time. :lol: