1. I really do not remember this. I remember same day, but not restricted. When Epcot opened I remember making same day ressies at world key kiosks for WS and we did not have AP's. Perhaps you are talking about a different time.
Actually, I wasn't very clear. I meant only locals and later APers could call and make phone reservations two days in advance.
Indeed, anyone was able to make same day reservations at EPCOT locales starting the day the park opened.
2. Well, you sort of answered that one already. I would agree that some menus have been streamlined.
Some?
More like every single one. This began in the late 90s, but has picked up speed since the DDP began.
Most locations will have six-eight entrees. You can count on one being a filet or steak, one being chicken, one being salmon, one being pasta, one being veggie ... it's all the same or very similar despite supposedly being different cuisines.
I mean they serve freaking mac n cheese with a filet at Jiko ... that isn't African no matter how they spin it. It's pure and simple American 'comfort' food.
3. You are kind of contradicting your "walmarting" statement here. Cheaper restaurants offer soup/salad with your entree. A la Carte is offered more and more now, not just Disney. However, the level of salads everywhere has gone up because of it. Salads offered with meals are generally generic. Iceburg lettuce, one slice of tomato, one slice of cucumber, and some cheap dressing. I would rather pay seven or eight bucks and get a proper salad.
I also remember when milk was a dollar. Prices do raise.
A la carte pricing is done for one reason and one only: because it makes more money for the restaurant. Why include something that you can charge for? It reminds me of Boatwright's as an example ... when that place opened every entree came with a bottomless (think Olive Garden, just a whole lot better) bowl of salad with their homemade garlic, buttermilk ranch dressing. After 3-4 years, they still included it, but you had to ask for refills, it wasn't offered. Then they started charging extra for it ... but it was very nominal ... I think like $1.89 a person. Then, they stopped and you could get a one plate salad that was tiny and was about $2.99 ... last I checked it was a small salad for about $5.99. It's all about money ... oh and the homemade dressing is long gone, replaced by some generic stuff they serve at multiple locales around property.
And I disagree that the salads included used to be cheap and basic. They were as good or better quality than what is offered today.
Of course, you can build a check in a hurry if you add a salad for four people at say $6 a shot (we know at the finer places it's closer to double that).
4. A filet at Le Cellier is $25.99 for lunch. It is $34.99 for dinner. The portion might be less but it costs less. If there ever was a time when they offered the same portion for lunch and dinner at different prices, well that is a good way to go out of business.
The portions were the same or very similar. And none of Disney's resturants came close to going out of business, let alone lose money. The one difference was dinner was more expensive, but came with soup or salad, while lunch just included the entree.
As for the $34.99 filet entree at Le Cellier considering that within the last two years the same meal (likely using higher quality ingredients) was close to the lunch price, I have a huge issue with it.
I can get the same quality at Mythos at IOA for under $20 (I think it was like $17.99 and then get 10% off that as an APer). Disney's costs and quality in no way justify a double the price deal. This is gouging because either A.) people on the DDP will think they're getting a better deal (which is all BS anyway); and B.) the poor 'fools' not on DDP ... like locals will shell out the extra $$$ and Disney gets to make even more.
5. This one, I do remember. But you make it sound like you are going to see Mickey at V&A's. The upscale places are still there. I can still enjoy a good adult meal at Artist Point, Narcoossees, Jiko, etc.
No. That's not what I am saying at all.
The three places you mention are among my favorites at WDW. But their prices have gone through the roof the past 2-3 years ... they are now in many cases beyon absurd.
$43 salmon at Artist Point? a $26 veggie entree at Jiko.
Pure and simple gouging of guests.
