Disney testing new Express Fresh in-room dining

[Bob]

This has got to be one of the most idiotic statements I have ever seen. In-room dining is a money MAKER for Disney every time someones utilizes it. How you can continue to make totally off-the-wall statements like this is completely amazing to me.

 

[ford91exploder]

This has got to be one of the most idiotic statements I have ever seen. In-room dining is a money MAKER for Disney every time someones utilizes it. How you can continue to make totally off-the-wall statements like this is completely amazing to me.

You really don't get it do you? Disney thinks they can make and are probably correct that they can make MORE money with less staff with this Dining option. I.e. Microwaved entrees
dropped off at your door.

No kitchen prep required no collecting the in room dining service items no waiter required as bell services can drop off items no shrinkage of in room service items.

To a cost accountant or for that matter anyone responsible for a budget in a large corporation this is a 'no brainer'

 

[LAKid53]

Sorry for the bad experiences. We are AP and DVC as well, and I guess we are just luckier than most in that we have never seen any of those things happen to us. The worst thing was my wife's MB wouldn't open the door (mine worked), and less than 2 minutes at Guest Services fixed the issue.

I am hoping that in every situation where the room was not up to par, that you notified the manager, in person, in every case, detailing what wasn't right.

Oh, yes, the resort manager and housekeeping supervisor knew about my displeasure with a dead door lock. Especially since I ran into the housekeeper as I was walking over to the front desk and she admitted she tried twice to get into the room, but her master wouldn't work and she never contacted maintenance. That's what upset me the most. It took nearly an hour for them to replace the lock and test it, along with our cards (this was before the days of magicbands) . Then the housekeeping supervisor insisted on cleaning our room, even though I told her all we really needed was the trash removed and fresh towels...and vacuum up the mess maintenance made replacing the lock. Took nearly two hours to fix everything from the time I reported the problem.

But I also let resort management know when we've gotten outstanding service. And we've got housekeeping staff that I go out of my way to thank when we leave WDW...as I hand them a nice tip too.

I traveled a lot for business before retiring. I've stayed in some very nice hotels in major cities. I know what excellent housekeeping looks like. As I mentioned, I'm disappointed that the quality that was once a hallmark of a Disney resort has declined. But management is finally addressing the issue.

 

[Laketravis]

In-room dining is a money MAKER for Disney every time someones utilizes it...

I have no idea what Disney's true margin is on in-room dining and whether it justifies the inherent cost of service availability. Nor how often anyone uses it. Do you?

Surely it depends on the metrics Disney uses to judge profitability and whether a cost is fulfilling it's true potential? For all we know, they may have deemed in-room dining to be a losing proposition and are toying with potential replacements before they pull the plug.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

You really don't get it do you? Disney thinks they can make and are probably correct that they can make MORE money with less staff with this Dining option. I.e. Microwaved entrees
dropped off at your door.

No kitchen prep required no collecting the in room dining service items no waiter required as bell services can drop off items no shrinkage of in room service items.

To a cost accountant or for that matter anyone responsible for a budget in a large corporation this is a 'no brainer'

And for the people that wish to use the service, it will be fine. If they want regular in-room dining, they can order that as well. No other in-room dining is being replaced with this. It is an additional OPTION. You are making vast assumptions on what will be available.

So yes, I completely GET it. Disney is offering a new service, and you don't like it.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I have no idea what Disney's true margin is on in-room dining and whether it justifies the inherent cost of service availability. Nor how often anyone uses it. Do you?

Surely it depends on the metrics Disney uses to judge profitability and whether a cost is fulfilling it's true potential? For all we know, they may have deemed in-room dining to be a losing proposition and are toying with potential replacements before they pull the plug.

And how can they not be making money on food that costs twice as much as going to a restaurant, charging a fee for the delivery of said service, and then you pay a tip on top of that. We did it once, and were very satisfied with the food and the service, but it's not something we would do every trip. There is simply no way that Disney loses money on in-room dining.

As far as the new service goes, we'll have to see if it sticks around, and if so, what is on the menu.

 

[21stamps]

Maybe guests will use Fresh Express for taking food into the parks.

That's kind of what I was thinking originally. Room service does have boxed lunches currently. I've never ordered one, but I always see them on the menu, so maybe others do. Maybe this new offering will have items like that, and fruit (already on in dining menu), as a less expensive faster delivery option.

Room service has a huge margin.. not only the delivery fee, but the menu items are all a few dollars more than they are in the actual restaurant. I use it, I also see a lot of dishes in the hallway in mornings and evenings, so it looks like other people enjoy in room dining as well. I don't see that service leaving for this one. Either the Express Fresh will be successful and we'll have both options, or it won't be and we'll be left no worse off than we were.

 

[LAKid53]

This has got to be one of the most idiotic statements I have ever seen. In-room dining is a money MAKER for Disney every time someones utilizes it. How you can continue to make totally off-the-wall statements like this is completely amazing to me.

I'm with you on this one, Goof. I ordered room service twice while staying at GF. While the CM delivering my food was friendly and set it up quickly, I certainly didn't get any type of show. Was I supposed to get magic tricks, balloons, light saber duel, a song, tap dance, what?

I've been robbed!!!

I'm calling Morgan and Morgan.

 

[Laketravis]

And how can they not be making money on food that costs twice as much as going to a restaurant, charging a fee for the delivery of said service, and then you pay a tip on top of that.....

I suppose there are many ways one could lose money on what appears to be such a lucrative endeavor. It all depends on the criteria the bean counters use to evaluate it.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I suppose there are many ways one could lose money on what appears to be such a lucrative endeavor. It all depends on the criteria the bean counters use to evaluate it.

You do understand that the bean counters don't control 100% of Disney, don't you? I know people like to think that here, but it simply isn't true.

 

[Laketravis]

You do understand that the bean counters don't control 100% of Disney, don't you? I know people like to think that here, but it simply isn't true.

I certainly understand that. But back to the point, do you know what Disney's margin is on in-room dining? Or are you assuming based on simple public-facing data such as menu prices that it MUST be a money maker of sufficient margin to guarantee it's continued viability as a service?

 

[LAKid53]

And how can they not be making money on food that costs twice as much as going to a restaurant, charging a fee for the delivery of said service, and then you pay a tip on top of that. We did it once, and were very satisfied with the food and the service, but it's not something we would do every trip. There is simply no way that Disney loses money on in-room dining.

As far as the new service goes, we'll have to see if it sticks around, and if so, what is on the menu.

Yeah, that sticker shock for a club sandwich made it difficult to swallow. But I was a captive audience since I was ill, visiting solo and hungry and didn't have the energy to walk from my room in Sago Cay to Gasparilla's. That's the only reason I ordered room service twice that stay.

I'm all for convenience, but nearly $30 for a sandwich isn't something I'm willing to swap a 10 minute walk for.

 

[21stamps]

Yeah, that sticker shock for a club sandwich made it difficult to swallow. But I was a captive audience since I was ill, visiting solo and hungry and didn't have the energy to walk from my room in Sago Cay to Gasparilla's. That's the only reason I ordered room service twice that say.

I'm all for convenience, but nearly $30 for a sandwich isn't something I'm willing to swap a 10 minute walk for.

Depending...I'm not spending $30 on a sandwich. But, having a set time to have breakfast delivered in the morning is nice. It saves time from walking and waiting..and allows us to relax and get ready. Or unwind in the room with dinner or late night food at the end of the day...in pjs.lol.

Again, I don't see myself utilizing this for sandwiches, but maybe people with their kids napping could have a convenient lunch brought to them.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I certainly understand that. But back to the point, do you know what Disney's margin is on in-room dining? Or are you assuming based on simple public-facing data such as menu prices that it MUST be a money maker?

Hmm, well, since they charge more for the exact same food than the same restaurant that is fixing the food (which is already highly priced due to the DDP), and they charge you for the CM to deliver the food, how can it not make money? While I obviously don't know the exact margin, even if it's only a 2% profit per order, it's still profit that doesn't cost them any more than what they are already paying.

 

[Brad Bishop]

My thought as well. Packaged food doesn't take any additional "set up", take the extra step and open the door, leave it in the room.

Makes me wonder: Why not just knock on the door and hand the food over, like the way pizza is delivered?

It's a little weird to leave it on the floor.

 

[LAKid53]

I certainly understand that. But back to the point, do you know what Disney's margin is on in-room dining? Or are you assuming based on simple public-facing data such as menu prices that it MUST be a money maker?

1. A sandwich you order seated in a restaurant is going to be several dollars less than the same sandwich ordered through room service.

2. A delivery fees of $3 (I think that's what it was) is tacked on to the price of the food.

3. A gratuity is added, also, at 18%.

So yes, room service is more expensive than sitting at the restaurant and ordering the same thing. I might be willing to pay $10 more for that nice steak dinner to be delivered to my room, but not a boxed salad or sandwich from the resort's quick service location.

 

[Laketravis]

Hmm, well, since they charge more for the exact same food than the same restaurant that is fixing the food (which is already highly priced due to the DDP), and they charge you for the CM to deliver the food, how can it not make money? While I obviously don't know the exact margin, even if it's only a 2% profit per order, it's still profit that doesn't cost them any more than what they are already paying.

Sorry, I edited my post to include a forethought. I don't know what the margin is either, what I'm suggesting is that neither of us know what criteria Disney uses to determine if the profitability of a service is enough to continue offering that service. Apparently there is a new benchmark and it's quite high.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Sorry, I edited my post to include a forethought. I'm don't know what the margin is either, what I'm suggesting is that neither of us know what criteria Disney uses to determine if the profitability of a service is enough to continue offering that service. Apparently there is a new benchmark and it's quite high.

Haven't heard of any new benchmark for service profitability at Disney. Where is that coming from?

 

[NYwdwfan]

So...it started yesterday and still no menu/pricing or did I miss it?

 

[Laketravis]

Haven't heard of any new benchmark for service profitability at Disney. Where is that coming from?

Iger. Yesterday.

"24.4% operating margin for total parks & resorts"

"Expect continued cost management"

I'm looking way beyond menu prices and seeing an inherent benchmark for future performance established here.