Is attendance really down at WDW this or…

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Definitely not worth it for the food but for folks who really want to do character meals the ones with breakfast let you do that for a bit less money that other meals.

When kids were young we liked to do breakfast at Akershus - solid food (cheesy potatoes were excellent) and got to see 5 princesses (and if got a pre park opening ADR could get font of the like for Frozen Ever After )

I agree with Boma breakfast being good..Kona Cafe has some good options too (macadamia nut pancakes and a French press coffee pot is a good way to start the day)

The character meals are the worst “value” there is if you look at it from the perspective you are paying for a really overpriced breakfast AND a lightning lane for a meet and greet.

The standard “reasoning” since the prices went nuts is “well you get both”

When the reality is you’re paying for both.

So that’s fine if you want to pay for those things…but it’s in no way “discounted”

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

One dining advantage for Universal is City Walk. There are tons of good restaurants at varying price points just a few steps outside both their parks.

We tried the Minions Cafe this trip and really enjoyed it. Liked the food and loved the theming!

I like the city walk restaurants…but I still think springs is generally better

Even if they destroyed Wolfgang pucks without justification.

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Dinner wise I love Steakhouse 71. The burger is amazing and great value compared to what they charge elsewhere on property like Sci-Fi where the burger was disgusting.

This. Plus the crab cakes.

 

[Figgy1]

The character meals are the worst “value” there is if you look at it from the perspective you are paying for a really overpriced breakfast AND a lightning lane for a meet and greet.

The standard “reasoning” since the prices went nuts is “well you get both”

When the reality is you’re paying for both.

So that’s fine if you want to pay for those things…but it’s in no way “discounted”

My boys will prove that statement wrong It's nice not having to cook a tray of bacon and a tray of sausage

 

[Splash4eva]

I think this is interesting. Not that I disagree with you. The food prices don’t bother us because because it’s comparable to the costs of food where we live - for the most part. Now my parents… they are floored by the cost, but food is really cheap where they live.

Listen. I live in Brooklyn work in NYC so prices are not getting much higher any where i go but the prices they charge for character meals are beyond obscene i get charging a premium but its crazy & honestly what i saw my last visitand even with this years bookings plus people i know who have gone recently restaurants are no longer packed the way they were.

 

[Bullseye1967]

I like the city walk restaurants…but I still think springs is generally better

Even if they destroyed Wolfgang pucks without justification.

Bacon wrapped meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes. RIP

 

[DisneyHead123]

Listen. I live in Brooklyn work in NYC so prices are not getting much higher any where i go but the prices they charge for character meals are beyond obscene i get charging a premium but its crazy & honestly what i saw my last visitand even with this years bookings plus people i know who have gone recently restaurants are no longer packed the way they were.

I think people from suburban-sprawl land might be more used to the pricing. I’ve only been to NYC a couple of times but my impression is that there are lots of great casual / hole in the wall type places that are relatively (relatively) less expensive, and then there are nice restaurants that are truly chic and trendy - you’re not going to mistake them for Chef Mickey’s.

I feel like where I am, we have a lot of restaurants that are kinda glorified TGIFridays. They charge more than an Applebees or Outback but stylistically they don’t try to be in a different category. I’m used to $50 a person for fairly nondescript, “mid” restaurants, on the rare occasions we eat out.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This. Plus the crab cakes.

The waves crab cakes were disgusting…not suppose to smell like the floor of the boat after it’s baked in the sun…

I hope it’s replacement has some better claws in it?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Bacon wrapped meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes. RIP

…preach, my bother

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

My boys will prove that statement wrong It's nice not having to cook a tray of bacon and a tray of sausage

…right…I knew you’d say that…

It’s almost as predictable as me showing up three times a year at the TTC with an “Eyeger Sux” sandwich board

 

[Miss Bella]

I think this is interesting. Not that I disagree with you. The food prices don’t bother us because because it’s comparable to the costs of food where we live - for the most part. Now my parents… they are floored by the cost, but food is really cheap where they live.

So the food costs at WDW are comparable to what it costs at home? You must eat at some really overpriced mediocre restaurants.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So the food costs at WDW are comparable to what it costs at home? You must eat at some really overpriced mediocre restaurants.

Food is not cheap really anywhere in the suburban/urban markets.

Like all the drunk horses at the well - they’ve used Covid as a shield to “cover costs” on their way to trying to capitalize on it.

The scary part is what If Disney - fool of aloof Iger clowns - decide they want to “re-establish” their 300% price over suburban places?

…luckily…the restaurants are already half empty. People ain’t playin’

 

[Miss Bella]

The biggest problem I have with the food pricing is comparing it to my weekly grocery shopping which I know I shouldn’t do.

For 2 adults and a child I will shop at Aldi here in the UK and will eat as cheaply as possible (mainly to be able to afford to go to Disney in the first place) and probably spend £80 a week ($100)

2 adults and a child eating a single dinner at Chef Mickeys costs probably costs what? $160 before tip ? I just can’t get my head around that.

I’m more than happy to sacrifice home In order to have these trips and eat nice food but it gets to a point where it’s taking the Mickey

You expect to pay a lot for dining out when you're on vacation. There's paying a lot and then there's just ridiculous prices for what you get and WDW is the latter.

I spent two weeks in Europe this Summer eating really good quality food for nowhere near the price of WDW. I don't pay WDW prices when we eat out at home either.

 

[Miss Bella]

Food is not cheap really anywhere in the suburban/urban markets.

Like all the drunk horses at the well - they’ve used Covid as a shield to “cover costs” on their way to trying to capitalize on it.

The scary part is what If Disney - fool of aloof Iger clowns - decide they want to “re-establish” their 300% price over suburban places?

…luckily…the restaurants are already half empty. People ain’t playin’

I agree it's not cheap to eat out in my hometown, but the markup at WDW is just ridiculous. If you want people to eat in the bubble then you have to make it affordable.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I spent two weeks in Europe this Summer eating really good quality food for nowhere near the price of WDW. I don't pay WDW prices when we eat out at home either.

But even in tourist places…there’s “real” people there everyday too.

I’d argue that wdw is the most artificial environment on earth - the people who want to pay it for a week are generally “proud” they’re doing it as an “accomplishment”…and anyone not in the clouds is priced out of it. By design

It’s not like someone from BVL says: “ugh….we’re tired of Chick-fil-A…guess we’ll go to ohana for the $67 buffet tonight…Walmart on the way back”

 

[PREMiERdrum]

I hope it’s replacement has some better claws in it?

I was pleasantly surprised... they're quite good. Rolled the dice with them as an app during a meeting with my BDM.

Two subsequent trips have seen me order them with the waffle fries for lunch.

Steakhouse 71 is the most consistent and arguably the best TS on the monorail loop, and unfortunately I don't think it's very close.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I was pleasantly surprised... they're quite good. Rolled the dice with them as an app during a meeting with my BDM.

Two subsequent trips have seen me order them with the waffle fries for lunch.

Steakhouse 71 is the most consistent and arguably the best TS on the monorail loop, and unfortunately I don't think it's very close.

Never had a bad meal at V&A’s….though I might be still paying for them?

But your recommendation makes me tempted. We haven’t been to 71…I don’t stay at contemp and there isn’t much to draw when you don’t. Did go tip Cali on a last minute whim about 18 months ago…
I’ll work it in

As far as the monorail line…Kona is an old favorite Beyond the really expensive places and the nonsense places

And just for foodie reference: 71 is at last count the only place we’ve yet to be to in lbv

Save maybe whatever they call bistro and STK (that’s a chain…pass)

 

[Drdcm]

So the food costs at WDW are comparable to what it costs at home? You must eat at some really overpriced mediocre restaurants.

You’re right. I guess I just have crap taste. It has nothing to do with the cost of living where I’m from, as I pointed out

 

[ABQ]

Never had a bad meal at V&A’s….though I might be still paying for them?

But you recommendation makes me tempted. We haven’t been to 71…I don’t stay at contemp and there isn’t much to draw when you don’t. Did go tip Cali on a last minute whim about 18 months ago…
I’ll work it in

As far as the monorail line…Kona is an old favorite Beyond the really expensive places and the nonsense places

And how was that? I've had good tasting meals there, haven't gone in the past two years though. However, the best meal I had there was a Sunday brunch, I kept trying to give the place a chance for a good dining experience for dinner, however, unless I was seated in the back room that faces Bay Lake, it's just louder than a Hotblack Desiato/Disaster Area concert and for the price, I cannot justify the poor ambiance, just for an off center wonky view of fireworks. The food quality was fine though. Value though, is subjective and though the meals did taste good, the inability to have a conversation was huge negative. A problem I never have at Jiko, but that's the opposite of monorail loop.

 

[Jrb1979]

You’re right. I guess I just have crap taste. It has nothing to do with the cost of living where I’m from, as I pointed out

Where do some you live that Disney food prices are comparable to home? For my family of 4 when we eat out it's usually $80 if we don't have any beers.