Magic Kingdom and Disney Parks Dining Capacity

[TrainsOfDisney]

there was an off-topic discussion from another thread that I think is worth talking about.

Dining capacity at Magic Kingdom compared to other Disney theme parks, etc.

A few things that were discussed- quality and selection compared to other parks

The closed counter service locations

Cosmic Rays operating with less options - originally it was 3 bays each with its own menu so in a way it was 3 counter service options in 1.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I don't understand the fascination for crushed garbonzo beans with various flavorings. Shawarma, however would be wonderful.

Quoting over here since it goes off topic…

Harbor House used to have a fantastic hummus based sandwich and vegetarian chili combo that I absolutely loved. Sadly both are long gone :-/

Having a mix of shawarma meats and falafel etc. would be a great option for MK!

 

[lazyboy97o]

In terms of capacity, the real shock is Magic Kingdom versus itself. The park has not replaced the capacity lost from closing the Adventureland Verandah and Tomorrowland Terrace, not to mention the intermittent operation of Tortuga Tavern. These venues were part of a park program intended serve 10 million guests a year with a greater delta between the design day and peak day. The park now sees 70% more guests and their visitation is more even distributed across the year.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Seriously though, I don’t know the park food the way some people do but my impression is there’s not a ton of Middle Eastern food.

Epcot morroco - I miss the old counter service there which was really good - but they still serve some decent wraps and the bread service is decent and seemed very popular.

Star Wars counter service has a falafel entree that’s pretty good too.

Over at California Adventure they have a couple of shawarma carts but the trouble is you don’t know how long the wraps have been sitting there - I got one that was way past its prime once.

 

[DisneyHead123]

On MK - my take is still that they wouldn’t leave money on the table if the market was very obviously underserved.

What I do think could be happening, however, is that there aren’t enough really compelling restaurants to drum up interest that might be there under the right circumstances.

While I know this might be a sensitive topic for some, I do think the allure of “cowboy” themed restaurants has come and gone. So Pecos Bill and Diamond Horseshoe might have been a neat spot for kids a few decade ago (I did love that self playing piano!) but probably don’t register, at a thematic level, now. Tony’s I always forget is even there. The two castle restaurants are not the type of thing people are going to do over and over. Cosmic Ray’s and Pinocchio’s, as arguably the most visible restaurants to families who haven’t done tons of research and just want a quick bite, are often chaotic and overwhelming. The other restaurants, aside from Crystal Palace, are good but not likely to be a huge draw for families with young kids.

 

[lazyboy97o]

On MK - my take is still that they wouldn’t leave money on the table if the market was very obviously underserved.

Except they do and have for years. And while it’s not as egregious as the Magic Kingdom it happens to varying degrees at other parks as well. How long did Odyssey sit empty and even now is more snacks? Why does the hot dog stand and popcorn cart in the middle of Disney’s Hollywood Studios close at 5:00 PM? People tolerate it and even make excuses for their guest hostile behavior.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

On MK - my take is still that they wouldn’t leave money on the table if the market was very obviously underserved.

are you looking at it only financially? Meaning people go to MK and don’t starve so the market is properly served and that’s all that matters?

 

[DisneyHead123]

Except they do and have for years. And while it’s not as egregious as the Magic Kingdom it happens to varying degrees at other parks as well. How long did Odyssey sit empty and even now is more snacks? Why does the hot dog stand and popcorn cart in the middle of Disney’s Hollywood Studios close at 5:00 PM? People tolerate it and even make excuses for their guest hostile behavior.

are you looking at it only financially? Meaning people go to MK and don’t starve so the market is properly served and that’s all that matters?

Yes, I’m talking about “leaving money on the table” or financial incentive. Given the mad dash for park profits recently, it seems unlikely that a vastly underserved food market at MK would be met with a shrug. What financial incentive would a market driven institution have to close restaurants or shorten hours if it meant losing money? Zero. The proof is kinda in the pudding there. (Also anecdotal evidence that reservation availability has gone way up. But the most solid evidence, to my mind, is simply that if it meant easy money, Disney would be all over more food options at MK - and they aren’t.) Remember that keeping food options open isn’t “free” for them, there are operating costs to consider.

That said, I do think there’s still some hope that new, well done restaurants could create a new market. So here’s hoping.

 

[castlecake2.0]

They just love to yield management everything to the big 4 QSRs and then make up the rest with snack stands. I was at DL last week and kept noticing that coke corner was never as crazy as Casey’s and then realized it was probably because they have jolly holiday next door to help spread out QSR demand. Having Tomorrowland Terrace open for lunch could help QSR capacity for lunch but they’d rather just overwhelm cosmics instead. Casey’s and Pecos now both have switch back queues to order food sometimes, that should tell people there is a capacity issue

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I was at DL last week and kept noticing that coke corner was never as crazy as Casey’s and then realized it was probably because they have jolly holiday next door to help spread out QSR demand.

Yes and the Corn Dog Truck across the street as well.

Casey’s and Pecos now both have switch back queues to order food sometimes, that should tell people there is a capacity issue

Also cosmic rays - which is extra annoying since they are not using bay 1 at all in my experiences. Bay 2 is mobile order. And all walk up orders are bay 3 with temporary switchbacks set up.