Food and Wine Nickel and Diming

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Buried20KLeague

Well-Known Member
I left nothing out. That's what I'm saying. Charge $16, and make the crowds even smaller. After all, it's to much of a hastle to figure out a way to keep the tastings free, and have them more organized. Let's just go for the standard old raise prices. It seems to work for everything else at WDW.

^^ I nominate for Post of the Day.
 

Slowjack

Well-Known Member
I would tend to agree. "Free" tends to translate into madhouse. Some recent examples that come to mind are the recent KFC baked chicken and Denney's free grand slam fiasco. I avoided the free shows at F&W for this very reason. If an $8 price tag is all it takes to make these events actually enjoyable then so be it.
How are these shows free? You have to pay to get into Epcot. They just aren't added changes. We don't pay extra to ride the rides anymore, and Club Cool lets you drink Beverly without paying :), and somehow all that works out okay.

I mean, sure, making people pay will mean less people will do it, and so those that pay won't have to wait as long. But if the only concern was a reduction in wait times, they could just offer more tastings...to the guests, who again, have already ponied up dough to experience the park during the F&W.
 

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
I left nothing out. That's what I'm saying. Charge $16, and make the crowds even smaller. After all, it's to much of a hastle to figure out a way to keep the tastings free, and have them more organized. Let's just go for the standard old raise prices. It seems to work for everything else at WDW.
More profit and greater guest satisfaction....sounds good to me. When you have a winning formula it is a good idea to stick with it.
 

jakeman

Well-Known Member
I left nothing out. That's what I'm saying. Charge $16, and make the crowds even smaller. After all, it's to much of a hastle to figure out a way to keep the tastings free, and have them more organized. Let's just go for the standard old raise prices. It seems to work for everything else at WDW.
Fine, you present a way to keep them free but get me a 15 minute wait time with no other effort on my part.
How are these shows free? You have to pay to get into Epcot. They just aren't added changes. We don't pay extra to ride the rides anymore, and Club Cool lets you drink Beverly without paying :), and somehow all that works out okay.

I mean, sure, making people pay will mean less people will do it, and so those that pay won't have to wait as long. But if the only concern was a reduction in wait times, they could just offer more tastings...to the guests, who again, have already ponied up dough to experience the park during the F&W.
By that logic all drinks and food should be free in the park. You paid admission right? Food is just part of the experience.

As I have continously stated in this thread, wait times were an issue prior to the reduction in offerings last year. However, we should probably ignore that since it doesn't support the arguement that Disney is out to screw us.
 

marsrunner

New Member
They should just charge $500 to get into the parks for a day. That would lessen wait times for wine tastings AND rides/shows/attractions/interactive experiences!

Yes, I'm being facetious. A little. Maybe. :)
 

prberk

Well-Known Member
They should just charge $500 to get into the parks for a day. That would lessen wait times for wine tastings AND rides/shows/attractions/interactive experiences!

Yes, I'm being facetious. A little. Maybe. :)


For a family of 5, that's already about what they charge for a day trip -- with $21 per person for all of your day's meals.

What a deal!

I don't think is what Walt had in mind for his Experimental Prototype Community/City of Tomorrow.


Paul
 

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I left nothing out. That's what I'm saying. Charge $16, and make the crowds even smaller. After all, it's to much of a hastle to figure out a way to keep the tastings free, and have them more organized. Let's just go for the standard old raise prices. It seems to work for everything else at WDW.

Hey, you're just a Disney HATER!!! You're that old Commie dude, yeah ... I remember you buddy!

This is just pure capitalism ... and anyone who has watched Wall Street and Detroit and D.C. recently should understand why that's a perfect model to emulate!

I have an even better idea. Charge $200 and make it a premium experience, toss in an unlimited FP for the park that day and front row seating at their B-C and D list concerts.
 

jakeman

Well-Known Member
Hey, you're just a Disney HATER!!! You're that old Commie dude, yeah ... I remember you buddy!

This is just pure capitalism ... and anyone who has watched Wall Street and Detroit and D.C. recently should understand why that's a perfect model to emulate!

I have an even better idea. Charge $200 and make it a premium experience, toss in an unlimited FP for the park that day and front row seating at their B-C and D list concerts.
Eight dollar wine tastings to control crowds and an economic meltdown are really in the same category...:rolleyes:
 

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
How are these shows free? You have to pay to get into Epcot. They just aren't added changes. We don't pay extra to ride the rides anymore, and Club Cool lets you drink Beverly without paying :), and somehow all that works out okay.

Yeah. Funny how that does work out!

I mean, sure, making people pay will mean less people will do it, and so those that pay won't have to wait as long. But if the only concern was a reduction in wait times, they could just offer more tastings...to the guests, who again, have already ponied up dough to experience the park during the F&W.

There were many ways of handling the crowds. They could have added back all the tastings they dropped to save money. They could have even ADDED extras. They could have had people pick up tickets at a certain time, so that everyone would have a fair shot and no one would have to wait at all. They could have added capacity at the locations ... they DO have huge facilities like World Showplace, after all.

They could have done things we haven't even thought of, likely.

But again, the goal was to add to the bottom line. Just like when they cut the size of a Dole Whip by a third while raising prices. That's why Jiko opened without an entree priced at $26, yet eight years later that's what the veggie entree will cost you. That's why they are cutting back on the variety and quality of items at buffets, while raising prices ... and THE adding holiday 'surcharges' during busier periods.

I love to use Trail's End as an example. It was a favorite of mine for years. Quiet, never crowded that much, great CMs, good quality comfort foods in a great peaceful setting at a fair price.

Well, the lunch buffet that was $4.99 back in the mid/late 1990s with vastly more offerings was as high as $18.99 this summer with half the selections.

Blatant price gouging.

That's the TDO business model.

No different here.

But hey, I just bought a few bottles of Conundrum 2007 (a wine I discovered on my first DCL cruise in 2002 and fell in love with) for $21 each at the local Publix when a glass will set me back by about $13-14 at WDW. I'll drink right here.
 

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Fine, you present a way to keep them free but get me a 15 minute wait time with no other effort on my part.By that logic all drinks and food should be free in the park. You paid admission right? Food is just part of the experience.

Why should you not have to wait? People wait hours to ride Space Mountain?

For a free wine/food seminar you should somehow not have to wait?

As I have continously stated in this thread, wait times were an issue prior to the reduction in offerings last year. However, we should probably ignore that since it doesn't support the arguement that Disney is out to screw us.

No. I agree with your point. What you fail to recognize is there are many things Disney could have done about it without charging a fee. But that doesn't support the contention that TDO gives a damn about exceeding guests expectations.
 

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Eight dollar wine tastings to control crowds and an economic meltdown are really in the same category...:rolleyes:

You are suggesting that Disney is doing this to control crowds.

That's your opinion.

My opinion is they are doing this to make more money and lower the value of the Food and Wine Fest as they have been doing annually for years now.

The fact they are doing so during an economic meltdown shows an amazing lack of sensitivity and a whole lot of balls ...
 

JWG

Well-Known Member
This seems logical. Disny charges the same for entry to Epcot during F&W that it does the rest of the year, correct?

F&W is offered by 3rd party vendors, correct?

So, there is a COST to this for someone. Either Disney pays the 3rd part vendors and loses revenue or the 3rd party vendor is giving away their project, correct?

Great they were willing to do so for many years, but I don't see this as being any different than what all businesses are doing - fighting to make a dollar.

Do I like price increases, no. Do I think the annual gate increases are getting out of control, yes. Do I think the separate ticketed events for a few extra hours in the park (i.e. MNSSH) are a bit outrageous, yes.

Do I think Disney not wanting for forego revenue on top of likely losing dining revenue during the event is wrong, no. Do I think that 3rd party vendors should give their products away for free hoping you'll buy something, no.

This, of all the things going on, is one of the few that actually seems understandable. Not conusmer friendly, but understandable.
 

jakeman

Well-Known Member
Why should you not have to wait? People wait hours to ride Space Mountain?

For a free wine/food seminar you should somehow not have to wait?
Nope. I didn't have to wait before. So I'm not going to now. Just like you didn't pay before and every indication that you won't pay now.

No. I agree with your point. What you fail to recognize is there are many things Disney could have done about it without charging a fee. But that doesn't support the contention that TDO gives a damn about exceeding guests expectations.
You don't know that. You only have a fraction, if any, of the information used to make that decision. The only thing you have is your hatred of the way Disney is currently run and that is the basis for your arguement.

You are suggesting that Disney is doing this to control crowds.

That's your opinion.

My opinion is they are doing this to make more money and lower the value of the Food and Wine Fest as they have been doing annually for years now.

The fact they are doing so during an economic meltdown shows an amazing lack of sensitivity and a whole lot of balls ...
If someone is affected by the economic meltdown, then they should be partaking in a Disney vacation.

No Disney product is not a right. Disney has no obligation to make sure things fall into some abstract morality dictated by a handful of fans.
 

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Nope. I didn't have to wait before. So I'm not going to now. Just like you didn't pay before and every indication that you won't pay now.

Jake, I've been at Food and Wine since it began ... there have always been waits.

You don't know that. You only have a fraction, if any, of the information used to make that decision. The only thing you have is your hatred of the way Disney is currently run and that is the basis for your arguement.

I think I have more information than you have. I also think I have a much better idea of how WDW is run.

And seriously, you should drop the term 'hatred' because it's not nice ... not true ... and, worst of all, makes you sound like my favorite stalker here.


If someone is affected by the economic meltdown, then they should be partaking in a Disney vacation.

No Disney product is not a right. Disney has no obligation to make sure things fall into some abstract morality dictated by a handful of fans.


I believe you left a word out above. But I also don't think you have the right to tell anyone how they should or shouldn't spend their money.

If you think WDW is being run the right way, then you have every right to think that. You're wrong. But you have every right to be so!:wave:
 

jakeman

Well-Known Member
Jake, I've been at Food and Wine since it began ... there have always been waits.
So have I, and they increased in the past 3 years. However, since our experiences have been obviously vastly difference, I'm not sure we should continue.

I think I have more information than you have. I also think I have a much better idea of how WDW is run.
Maybe, but you also have a persistent inability to see the logic of some decisions.

And seriously, you should drop the term 'hatred' because it's not nice ... not true ... and, worst of all, makes you sound like my favorite stalker here.
Fair enough, "extremely strong dislike boarding on nausea incuding vomit" better? :lol:

I believe you left a word out above. But I also don't think you have the right to tell anyone how they should or shouldn't spend their money.
Really? But it's okay to tell a corporation that deals in a product that no one needs? Disney sets price points and people choose whether to pay them or not. Again, Disney is not a need. No one is under any obligation or requirement to purchase any product produced by this company.

Then let me rephrase, in my opinion, if you can't afford a Disney vacation and/or unwilling to make those sacrafices for it not to be a burden on yours or other's finances then it is probably not in your best interest to go.

If you think WDW is being run the right way, then you have every right to think that. You're wrong. But you have every right to be so!:wave:
I never said that nor has that even been the scope of this discussion. I think this decision is a good one for me. It has a minimal impact on my finance in exchange for time I would be unwilling to spend waiting in line.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go over to the ADR thread and agree with you!
 

Slowjack

Well-Known Member
This seems logical. Disny charges the same for entry to Epcot during F&W that it does the rest of the year, correct?

F&W is offered by 3rd party vendors, correct?

So, there is a COST to this for someone. Either Disney pays the 3rd part vendors and loses revenue or the 3rd party vendor is giving away their project, correct?
But special event periods like F&W were created as an promotion to get people into the park. F&W in particular was put in to get people to visit Epcot in the Fall which used to be quite slow. It doesn't make any sense to suggest we should pay more to experience an event which exists as an incentive to get us to come to the park in the first place.
 

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
I agree and I do not even like wine. Personally I wish they would put in a coffee tasting. Coffee is getting nearly as diverse as wine and I would love to be able to try some some different beans without throwing down $10-$50 for a pound of beans that might turn out to be swill.


Coffee would be a great addition. Also, a better selection of beers. More is not better and rare/expensive is not better.

I can add a pound of hope per 5 gal batch, you will get the most bitter brew you ever had. "Noble" hops are not necessarly better or worse than "regular" hops. It depends what you use them for, what you are trying to accomplish, and they vary from year to year (and place to place) hence the listing of Alpha Acid Units when you buy hops. Sam Adams is a decent beer, but it is far more popular due to marketing than because of any great taste.

Bring in some serious coffee, and some serious beer (and some serious food) and then I would drop a few bills each October.

-dave
 

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Quote:
Originally Posted by WDW1974
Jake, I've been at Food and Wine since it began ... there have always been waits.

So have I, and they increased in the past 3 years. However, since our experiences have been obviously vastly difference, I'm not sure we should continue.

C'mon, let's ... this is fun and I haven't even poured the first glass of Conundrum yet!

And I don't disagree that waits have increased the past few years at all. I'm just saying that cutting back the number of the tastings and raising the costs of the samples at the booths have led to that largely ... and I'm sure with the economy tanking and Disney being very pricey many folks are looking for whatever they can get.


Quote:
Originally Posted by WDW1974
I think I have more information than you have. I also think I have a much better idea of how WDW is run.

Maybe, but you also have a persistent inability to see the logic of some decisions.

No. I see how TDO sees this as 'logical' ... they can make a ----load of money by charging $8 for something that's been free for 15-plus years.

I also see how it once again is Disney raising the cost of a visit, while cutting quality.


Quote:
Originally Posted by WDW1974
And seriously, you should drop the term 'hatred' because it's not nice ... not true ... and, worst of all, makes you sound like my favorite stalker here.

Fair enough, "extremely strong dislike boarding on nausea incuding vomit" better? :lol:

Slightly.


Quote:
Originally Posted by WDW1974
I believe you left a word out above. But I also don't think you have the right to tell anyone how they should or shouldn't spend their money.

Really? But it's okay to tell a corporation that deals in a product that no one needs? Disney sets price points and people choose whether to pay them or not. Again, Disney is not a need. No one is under any obligation or requirement to purchase any product produced by this company.

It's certainly OK for loyal visitors and guests (and again I think you'd agree that by having an AP for 28 years and staying hundreds of nights in WDW resorts -- we'll leave out the other resorts and Disney purchases -- that I am a whale by Disney standards) to complain, including on a fan forum, when they make very guest unfriendly moves like this.

You're right. I'm not under any obligation to purchase anything. I gave up my DDE card in 2008 (after having one from 1995 when they were for Florida residents only and two cards came for $25 total!) when I realized I wasn't comfortable enough with Disney's gouging to pay to renew. And I have no intention of paying $8 for these either unless I hear they have tripled of quadrupled the size of the tastings.

Then let me rephrase, in my opinion, if you can't afford a Disney vacation and/or unwilling to make those sacrafices for it not to be a burden on yours or other's finances then it is probably not in your best interest to go.

Sometimes, I wonder how wealthy I'd be today if I didn't have my Disney 'habit'.


Quote:
Originally Posted by WDW1974
If you think WDW is being run the right way, then you have every right to think that. You're wrong. But you have every right to be so!:wave:

I never said that nor has that even been the scope of this discussion. I think this decision is a good one for me. It has a minimal impact on my finance in exchange for time I would be unwilling to spend waiting in line.

No. But you seem to always want to give da man da benefit of da doubt.

So ... how much would you pay for an unlimited FP? (it's coming!)

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go over to the ADR thread and agree with you!

Now, why would you want to do that? ... Oh yeah, I'm right on that point too!
 

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Coffee would be a great addition. Also, a better selection of beers. More is not better and rare/expensive is not better.

I can add a pound of hope per 5 gal batch, you will get the most bitter brew you ever had. "Noble" hops are not necessarly better or worse than "regular" hops. It depends what you use them for, what you are trying to accomplish, and they vary from year to year (and place to place) hence the listing of Alpha Acid Units when you buy hops. Sam Adams is a decent beer, but it is far more popular due to marketing than because of any great taste.

Bring in some serious coffee, and some serious beer (and some serious food) and then I would drop a few bills each October.

-dave

I'm not big on beer, but I did enjoy the Sam Adams free tastings at AA ... wonder if they'll start charging for those too.

As to coffee, Disney used to have wonderful coffee until 1994 when Nestle took over sponsorship of The Land and got the coffee deal property-wide. Even though they're gone, their alleged 'coffee' remains.

The McCafe at Crossroads McD's is now a regular stop for me. I'd bet the new one at the BB/All Stars McD's is likely more pricey.

They do have Starbucks in the DD Hilton, although not a unit ... they just sell it in their marketplace.

And next month I'll get to try the new Starbucks at Disney Village at DLP. Good coffee, but not happy it took the place of the great western shop that was there before.

Oh, the only good coffee I've had at WDW in the past five years was the press pots at Jiko and Boma. Good stuff.
 

hrcollectibles

Active Member
Anyone have any idea what Disney chargers for a booth at the Food and Wine festival? Perhaps that is why there has been an increase in the prices. I have no problem with them charging a fee for things . No one is forcing you to pay the $8.00 for the samples. Maybe they could sell a wristband (similar to what Universal Does for their meal plan) for the food and wine festival:shrug:
 
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