How Often Do You Make (or Cancel) ADRs on the Basis of a Specific Menu Item?

[Weather_Lady]

This is just a light-hearted curiosity question. Yesterday, I realized that with the recent departure of the Lobster Thermidor Burger from the menus at the Grand Floridian Cafe, I was no longer interested in eating there at all. It occurs to me that in many cases, my family's ADR choices are made based on their love of (or curiosity about) a particular dish, such that they'd rather go somewhere else if it's no longer offered.

For example, Skipper Canteen lost all appeal for us when the whole fried fish and seafood stew were removed from the menu as part of an overall dumbing-down/blandifying regime. Our tradition of having dinner at 'Ohana on the last night of every Disney vacation - something we'd done for years - was abandoned forever with the loss of meat skewers (and for a time, their signature noodles) during the COVID era. On the other hand, we return to Yak & Yeti time and time again, because my son is in love with the Bhaktapur duck and my husband and I have developed an addiction to their Ahi Tuna Nachos: we'd never feel the same if those items disappeared. The pull of an Irish egg will bring us all the way to Raglan Road, even if we had no plans to go to Disney Springs otherwise.

Are we just oddly fixated on particular foods, or is this something others do, too? What's the "dealbreaker" menu item that brings you back to a particular restaurant, that might cause you to go elsewhere if it went away?

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I don't know if I've encountered an all-out dealbreaker, but changes or removals have made me second guess quite a few ADRs over the years. If it's a restaurant with a fun experience in the mix, I'm more likely to keep that reservation simply because the fun elements of the meal are enough to keep us going back. For example, we love the bread service at Sanaa and I could see going there even if it was changed or removed. There are also restaurants like California Grill where some of the best things I've eaten are more of a short-term menu rotation. So, while the smoked salmon and creme fraiche flatbread with microgreens, caviar, and a poached quail egg was divine...I never expected that to be a regular item. Now, if a place like Kona were to remove the Tonga Toast, I see no reason to return.

 

[LittleBuford]

This is just a light-hearted curiosity question. Yesterday, I realized that with the recent departure of the Lobster Thermidor Burger from the menus at the Grand Floridian Cafe, I was no longer interested in eating there at all. It occurs to me that in many cases, my family's ADR choices are made based on their love of (or curiosity about) a particular dish, such that they'd rather go somewhere else if it's no longer offered.

For example, Skipper Canteen lost all appeal for us when the whole fried fish and seafood stew were removed from the menu as part of an overall dumbing-down/blandifying regime. Our tradition of having dinner at 'Ohana on the last night of every Disney vacation - something we'd done for years - was abandoned forever with the loss of meat skewers (and for a time, their signature noodles) during the COVID era. On the other hand, we return to Yak & Yeti time and time again, because my son is in love with the Bhaktapur duck and my husband and I have developed an addiction to Ahi Tuna Nachos: we'd never feel the same if those items disappeared. The pull of an Irish egg will bring us all the way to Raglan Road, even if we had no plans to go to Disney Springs otherwise.

Are we just oddly fixated on particular foods, or is this something others do, too? What's the "dealbreaker" menu item that brings you back to a particular restaurant, that might cause you to go elsewhere if it went away?

Interesting! For me, it’s usually about the venue itself; the food on offer is almost irrelevant. The Sci-Fi Diner, for example, is a must-do, regardless of what they serve.

 

[Hockey89]

While I still go to Bluezoo, getting rid of the lobster cantonese dish is criminal.

 

[nickys]

Now, if a place like Kona were to remove the Tonga Toast, I see no reason to return.

They’d have a full scale rebellion on their hands! The (in)famous “napkingate” would pale in comparison.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

They’d have a full scale rebellion on their hands! The (in)famous “napkingate” would pale in comparison.

Agreed! Even just losing the strawberry compote would be grounds for a fight!

 

[nickys]

Agreed! Even just losing the strawberry compote would be grounds for a fight!

Talking of which I have never understood the strawberry soup appeal.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Talking of which I have never understood the strawberry soup appeal.

I never got that either. We were big fans of 1900 PF for a while, but I never understood the appeal of the strawberry soup. It wasn't bad, but I also wouldn't go out of my way to get it.

 

[Prince-1]

While I still go to Bluezoo, getting rid of the lobster cantonese dish is criminal.

Been to Bluezoo several times and never had the lobster. Guess I never will now.

 

[Hockey89]

Been to Bluezoo several times and never had the lobster. Guess I never will now.

Having spoken to a few different waiters, they said it was the most ordered dished and they have no clue why it was off the menu.... Happened during covid,.... Booooooo

 

[Prince-1]

Having spoken to a few different waiters, they said it was the most ordered dished and they have no clue why it was off the menu.... Happened during covid,.... Booooooo

Lots of things changed because of covid at Disney and none for the better. Well, actually the only positive thing that is that the Disney Dining Plan has been AWOL since 2020 and hopefully never returns. (I doubt it however)

 

[Hockey89]

Lots of things changed because of covid at Disney and none for the better. Well, actually the only positive thing that is that the Disney Dining Plan has been AWOL since 2020 and hopefully never returns. (I doubt it however)

We had the best signature meals in 2022 since probably 15 years ago. I don't think it's shocking it's because the DDP is gone. Was it perfect no, but we were super happy.

 

[Chi84]

It would break my heart if Boma discontinued the curry pasta salad, but I would still go there. Too many great items.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It would break my heart if Boma discontinued the curry pasta salad, but I would still go there. Too many great items.

Boma is still undefeated. They don't have the seafood gumbo every night, but when they do, holy cow...

 

[Kate Alan]

Most places we book for overall atmosphere, rather than specific dishes, but there are a few cases:

We stopped going to Flying Fish when they pulled the potato wrapped red snapper from the menu. We immediately booked it for our upcoming trip when we realized it’s back on the menu.

We book Morimoto solely for the duck. Love the duck. If that were off menu, I probably wouldn’t make it a priority to dine there anymore, even though their other offerings are good.

I enjoyed the Mac and cheese dish that used to be at Skipper’s and haven’t made plans to return since that was pulled.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Definitely base making and cancelling ADR's on the food.
This is probably why I stick with what I know or pour over the menus before decided on a new place.

I may be interested in the theme/atmosphere BUT if there is nothing on the menu I want then I'm not eating there.

Take for example Space 220. I was very excited until I realized I didn't want anything on the menu.
The lack of options I liked took it off the table and I don't regret not trying it.

I've also cancelled when a menu item has left. Often it seems its the only menu item I wanted haha.

 

[NelleBelle]

I think I tend to book a lot of our ADRs based on atmosphere (although food play a big role). I think because I’m the strict vegetarian in the family, my options re going to be mostly limited any way, so I might as well enjoy the atmosphere. Food that I love is either always rotating off the menu or stufff that I can’t stand is typically STAYING on the menu forever (but that’s less common).

 

[JIMINYCR]

We’ve dined at almost every spot on property over the years and although atmosphere and theming is important, it’s the food that brings us back to a spot. If the food isn’t up to our liking then nothing surrounding us will make up for the poor menu. We will try new things but more than likely going back is due to ordering something that wowed us in the past or an item that’s gotten multiple rave reviews we’ve read about. Certainly we will pass up a dining fav if we see something we really wanted is missing from the menu. For the money we spend why have a meal you may not enjoy?

 

[LeighM]

Menu changes normally don't bother me as long as the changes aren't drastic but it does depend on which item was affected. I stopped going to Sanaa when they removed all my favorite items. If we want the bread service, we can just go to the lounge and get it there. I wouldn't go back to Ohana if they didn't have their noodles. And the same with Kona Cafe if they stopped serving the pineapple macadamia pancakes. We used to love the steak and pomme frites on the Be Our Guest dinner menu but then they changed it the next time we went and also changed my fav shrimp and scallop entree that used to come in a bread bowl but was changed to be over pasta. We didn't like the substitutions as much so we started going for their lunch quick service just to enjoy the atmosphere. But then they had to change it to be an overpriced prix fixe menu so we just totally cut it out of our rotation.

 

[Eric Graham]

I kind of wish that the Be Our Guest restaurant had a better menu. We've eaten there before. It's so beautiful to eat there with the snow falling and the enchanted rose, etc. Was very fun to meet Belle and the Beast as well.