Epcot Food Ops Update

[basas]

^Totally in agreement. Remember, alot of children visiting WDW are very picky eaters, and alot of us prefer just a normal sandwich, pasta, or burger. I like to see new items being offered at the restaurants, but they need to keep some more standard fare with these new offerings so they can please a much-broader group. I know, because of eating-preferences, my group will not eat at the Sunshine Seasons (even though some members may have tried the new, more exotic items). Had they offered a simple sandwich or burger, or something with these offerings, we possibly would give it a try.

 

[dxwwf3]

^Totally in agreement. Remember, alot of children visiting WDW are very picky eaters, and alot of us prefer just a normal sandwich, pasta, or burger. I like to see new items being offered at the restaurants, but they need to keep some more standard fare with these new offerings so they can please a much-broader group. I know, because of eating-preferences, my group will not eat at the Sunshine Seasons (even though some members may have tried the new, more exotic items). Had they offered a simple sandwich or burger, or something with these offerings, we possibly would give it a try.

That sums up what I was trying to say, but in a better way. Great post!

 

[BRER STITCH]

I'm far too busy to run Disney's food program too but....

When will they get their heads out of their (castles) and go with the most obvious of choices - a Sub Shop??????????? :veryconfu

Imagine the business a Quiznos or Subway-STYLE food location would do!
It would offer the guest EXACTLY what they want in a sandwich...along with homemade soups and fresh garden salads that appeal to the "common man". :slurp:

The beauty of it is you can make your food selection as "exotic" or "simple" as you like.

I'll even go so far as to support Disney having their own "Earl of Sandwich" location in the parks - that place is the best! It's just not so convenient to get to while you are enjoying the parks.

Good discussion! :sohappy:

 

[lawyergirl77]

I guess I'm just a freak, and we're all just going to have to disagree! :wave:

I've always found the "kids are picky eaters" and "people with sensitive stomachs can't eat this stuff" arguments to be kind of suspicious. I think the former is learned behaviour that shouldn't be indulged as often as it is (YMMV - that's just how I parent, and I realize that many will think I'm wrong!!!).

And while I can understand and sympathize with the latter (I have ulcers, am lactose intolerant, and DH has a ridiculous list of food allergies), I actually don't think that eating "comfort food" is the only option. However, I do understand that people are suspicious and believe it to be their only option, and so they won't push their boundaries.

I just think it's too bad that people won't try this so-called "weird" stuff out of fear of the unknown because it's really not that "weird" at all, and in many ways, it provides a more balanced meal than the "comfort foods" that people cling to. Furthermore, while some of it stinks, some of it is really, REALLY tasty and worth trying!!!

But at the same time, I don't figure that they're going to be able to stick to this cool new menu for much longer because I'm a weirdo in this respect. Oh well - so long as they keep some of it, I'll be happy!

 

[nelsonj3]

You're dead wrong.


If they wanted you to eat healthy, they would remove the ice cream vendors and stuff like that. They keep them because they make excellent profits. WDW is a business, not a health club (which is why they're trying a different approach to food).

This is far from being about healthy eating. It's about taking away standard fare and replacing it with food that only appeals to a limited audience. There are plenty of people out there that prefer eating burgers, dogs, chicken fingers, etc. It's what you would call a comfort zone, and now that's slowly being deteriorated.

Even if it was really about healthy eating, the Farmer's Market / Sunshine Season Food Fair used to be one of the healthiest places to eat in all of WDW. It had a great selection of salads, soups, sandwiches, BBQ, pasta, and much much more. Not only that, but just about everything on the menu looked good, and it was tough to finally choose something to eat. Do you go with the house salad, or BBQ chicken, or a pasta dish? Descisions, decisions...

Now, Sunshine Season is a friggin disaster. :hurl: There's not one standard version of anything on the menu. No vegetable or chicken noodle soup on the soup menu. :hurl: No chef's or caesar salad on the salad menu (the only salad that looks somewhat acceptable to me has a questionable dressing). :hurl: No club sandwich / turkey sandwich on the sammich menu. :hurl: Not to mention that all of the pasta is gone as well.

I know Disney is trying to improve their food options, but they're taking the wrong approach. What they should do instead is upgrade the quality of the food and its presentation. Universal has decent food, and it's not this fancy gourmet crap WDW is trying to shove down our throat. I can still get a decent burger or sandwich there, and top it with their excellent topping bars.

I sure hope Disney gets their act together soon. :hammer: Ironically, they'll probably close their restaurants even sooner because business will be down.

I have to 100% agree with you, DigitalDisney! We used to love to go eat at The Land. There were choices that would satisfy most people in our group. We were there the last week of May, and we had every intention of eating in the new Sunshine Season, but none of us could find ANYTHING we really wanted.

I hope they fix this soon.

 

[CapnStinxy]

try it, you'll like it

I've always found the "kids are picky eaters" and "people with sensitive stomachs can't eat this stuff" arguments to be kind of suspicious.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for "forcing" me, in my youth, to try new things. I suppose there was some degree of selfishness on their part, as they didn't always want to have to go to restaurants that had kiddie fare on the menu, but I can't argue with the results. Otherwise, I would've never known that fried duck tongue is yummy yummy yummy.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for still being gustatorially adventuresome, even though you're getting on in years. My father, even though he's 83 (can't say how old Mom is, as that would be impolite), is still game for new things. His only real complaint is that he "can't eat like he used to," and gets a little grumpy at large portions, but that didn't stop him, for example, from sharing a whole octopus with me at a Greek place. My mother, who once got the dry heaves at the sight of salmon, "discovered" sushi three years ago (at my belligerent prodding) and now would stab you with a chopstick if you tried to cadge from her plate of tuna tataki.

 

[PirateJ]

I was personally disappointed when I saw the new menu for the Sunshine Seasons. I loved the old one and the ice cream was my favorite place to have a cone on a hot summer day.

I am a meat and potatoes type of eater so the choices there now don't interest me. I will check it out on my next visit and if it doesn't impress me I will just find somewhere else to eat.

 

[BRER STITCH]

My father, ... is still game for new things. His only real complaint is that he "can't eat like he used to," and gets a little grumpy at large portions...

What's up with this phenomenon?? :lol:

My Dad is the same way! We can both get the exact same dinner placed in front of us and I'll be upset that the protion is too small and he is complaining that they gave him too much!

Your comment made me laugh. My theory is that thgey grew up in an era where there was no such thing as "wasting food". You ate what was put on your plate. I think he feels obligated to eat what they serve, then feels too bloated to enjoy the rest of the day! Meanwhile, I guess I am more comfortable with the option to keep eating as long as I can or to stop when I want! :lol:

 

[dxwwf3]

My theory is that thgey grew up in an era where there was no such thing as "wasting food". You ate what was put on your plate.

Well my parents are exactly like that and I am "old school" in that respect as well :lol Our family definately doesn't waste food.

BTW, Go Bills! :wave:

 

[Kadee]

When I read all the posts in this thread, I thought, "OH MY GOSH! WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?!!!! I had visions of all sorts of exotic food. Well, I went to the trusted allearsnet menus and checked it out for myself. Now, I am a "self-proclaimed, pain in the butt, picky eater. To my great surprise, there are several things on the menu that look quite tasty. Especially these two items:

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Black Forest Ham and Salami Grinder $7.99[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Turkey Muenster and Cheese Focaccia with Chipotle Mayonnaise [/font][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$6.89 [/font]

Not bad prices either. I expected much higher. I will definitely be trying one of these on my next trip.

Now, that said, the "old" SSFF did offer a much larger variety. I agree with the poster who said they should have just added to it. That would have been the best thing to do.

 

[BRER STITCH]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Turkey Muenster and Cheese Focaccia with Chipotle Mayonnaise [/font][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$6.89 [/font]

WARNING:

THE TURKEY MONSTER MAY BE TOO SCARY FOR CHILDREN UNDER 10!!!

 

[CapnStinxy]

My theory is that thgey grew up in an era where there was no such thing as "wasting food". You ate what was put on your plate.

You're partly correct. He has no problem with leaving what he can't eat (or taking it home if it's worthwhile), he just thinks it's kind of pointless to be served a Brobdingnagian portion at his age, as it wastes both food, and to a much lesser extent, money. He's also a little suspicious (often rightfully so) that culinary gigantism often masks lesser, or outright poor, preparation.