The differing opinions on this issue have be hashed over several times by now.
Again though I will point out that this:
Was more than likely the problem that led to the change. Not singling you out, SirGoofy, just using you as an example.
The free-ness of the tastings were making the wait times unbearable, before they started reducing the number of tastings a few years ago. It only got worse as they reduced the number. That has been my experience and those that I have spoken to. I fully acknowledge that they are an anecdotial sampling.
Gee, what a shock. Disney constantly is raising prices, INCLUDING at the food and wine sample booths, and they REDUCE the number of free tastings ... and voila!!! Longer lines.
And, yes, they were getting longer before.
But here's a novel idea ... how about adding more of them? How about giving people MORE for their $$$? Especially since Disney has raised the prices of admission and all food and beverage annually (often more than once).
The point of the tastings was so people could try food and beverages that they might not have and learn about them. Now, the answer is to charge for them ... how typically ballsy. Typical Disney. Like holiday pricing on buffets. Removing prime rib from menus and saying it was due to guests' requests. Now the Brown Derby has gone to a one menu all day format with higher price points and no increase in quality or variety ... but that hasn't made it as news here to my knowledge.
While I don't really like how far they have taken it (with the reduced ticket prices for planning ahead) I understand their reasoning. Up until the point that it became "one more thing to plan" I was excited about this change.
Welcome to WDW: 2009. Where pretty soon you'll need to reserve restroom times six months ahead.
The joy of these tastings was discovering what was on today's slate and deciding what ones you wanted to attend. That's gone now, in addition to the freebies.
The local and visiting foodies ... the savvier guests will book the majority of the seats in advance (much like dining) and Disney will leave a small percentage open for the day ofs (making $3 more on them). I'd be shocked if they leave more than 25% of the seatings open if people choose to book in advance.
Again, more stratification and less quality for all. Pay more for something everyone got for free. Or had an equal chance to. And make it seem like its good for the guests.
Kind of like closing EPCOT every night at 9 in the summer (instead of those 11 and midnight closings that I imagined I lived through in the 80s and 90s) and then leave parts of it open on Tuesdays and Thursdays for resort guests.
Economic hyperbole aside, Disney is not a right nor a neccessity. Regardless of the economic state they can choose to charge whatever they want. Using the cavaet of, "We're in a recession/depression" as a cornerstone of any arguement regarding a discretionary item or event's pricing seems at best logically flawed, at worst hypocritical and self serving.
Thanks for the economics lesson. I'd save it for more worthy rightwing causes like 'you can't afford healthcare or insurance, then go die, this is America where nothing is free unless you're a bank, corporation or wealthy individual!'
The bottom line is, as I've stated, we're in the closest thing to a depression this nation has seen in over half a century. And smart companies are giving people more for less. This isn't a question of whether Disney is a right. That's an absurd thing to debate. You give people more for their money at times like this ... or you give things away ... you don't look at 2009 like you're playing by 1997, 2004 or 2007 rules.
I'm talking about smart business. Steve Wynn was recently quoted about the price points on food in Las Vegas and how they weren't real and were sustained only by expense accounts and credit. There was a great story in the Miami Herald a month ago where top restaurant owners and chefs stated the days of $40 entrees are over.
So, every market is getting necessary corrections based upon the flawed version of capitalism that made the past decade (or more) largely a lie.
Yet ... not at Disney.
They throw pixie dust in the air and keep raising prices and giving people less for their money. And then they turn around and discount their a$$es off ... it's dumb business, putting aside the whole idea of Disney exceeding guests expectations.