Is attendance really down at WDW this or…

[TheMaxRebo]

So does the mediocre food at high prices correlate to the attendance drop or is it just a reflection of the current economy as a whole ? In middle Georgia (and excursions north to the Atlanta urban wasteland) its easy to spend a hundred dollars for a non-extravagant lunch for two out and about.

It is all part of how majority of people have less discretionary spending money available and a trip to Disney would not take up even more of said discretionary spending money (same as other places) so more focus on what are you getting for it (be it the food specifically or the overall experience) and some finding they can't justify it anymore/not worth it

other still find it worth it and go just as before, others cut back on how often the go, others go as often but make cuts elsewhere (such as few Table Service meals per trip, etc)

 

[Grimley1968]

So does the mediocre food at high prices correlate to the attendance drop or is it just a reflection of the current economy as a whole ? In middle Georgia (and excursions north to the Atlanta urban wasteland) its easy to spend a hundred dollars for a non-extravagant lunch for two out and about.

In my opinion, it doesn't, at least not as strong as other factors.

I think it is, as you say, a reflection of the economy as a whole, with the steep inflation since 2020. Also, as has been noted, the quality of the dining choices doesn't seem to be equally affected among quick service and table service restaurants in WDW. Quick and counter service places in WDW may have never been better (at least according to many posts in this thread), while some of the table service places seem to really be subpar compared to the past (based on my own experience in addition to this thread). So, all in all, it may be a wash as to the overall food value for the money as compared to 15-20 years ago, adjusting for inflation.

 

[networkpro]

WDW always had mediocre food at high prices, but it may be getting to a point where more families are being prices out of WDW and only the folks with enough disposable in can afford to go to WDW and partake in the mediocre food.

But that is not a Disney issue (ok if you make that point you're devolving into a socialistic state where either "Everyone should be able to afford a Disney trip" or a Roman "Bread and Circuses" to keep the masses distracted about how much their life really is not so great.), but an economic issue. We strive to keep it out of the realm of politics at any cost or it will be shut down.

Disney has never been free which even if it were would still price people out just by the virtue of having to pay for transportation, lodging, or food as well as having the necessary time off of work.

 

[DisneyHead123]

We went to our local annual fall festival last weekend - I paid $26 for a funnel cake and a lemonade from one of those traveling fair food vendors. I absolutely knew it was a mistake until I looked at their price list.

The inflation happening at grocery stores and such is wild, but the inflation surrounding recreational events in particular is just shocking.

 

[Disstevefan1]

But that is not a Disney issue (ok if you make that point you're devolving into a socialistic state where either "Everyone should be able to afford a Disney trip" or a Roman "Bread and Circuses" to keep the masses distracted about how much their life really is not so great.), but an economic issue. We strive to keep it out of the realm of politics at any cost or it will be shut down.

Disney has never been free which even if it were would still price people out just by the virtue of having to pay for transportation, lodging, or food as well as having the necessary time off of work.

I NEVER thought everyone should be able to afford a Disney trip and this NEVER WAS THE CASE. My first trip was after I was married on a credit card. I am the one who says folks spending the BIG BUCKS to stay in the deluxe resorts should get perks.

My opinion up till now was that for every family that was priced out of a WDW vacation there are two families to replace them who either has the disposable income to go to WDW or first timers who don't know any better.

Since attendance is allegedly down at WDW my opinion may be changing and WDW may be at a turning point.

For the folks who can still afford a WDW vacation enjoy it while you can.

 

[Lilofan]

You have to BUY beach tags to sit on a public beach???? That's getting a little crazy!!

Hawaii beaches are all public by state law. Even locals can visit Aulani and they don't even have to be a guest.

 

[erasure fan1]

Might as well use Wendy's value menu to compare prices. Because why not.

Ok, so what is a fair comparison then? They're both sit down restaurants, serving similar selections so I'm not sure where the Wendy's value menu is coming from. I did compare fast-food and counter service so I'm a bit confused as to what rules we are playing with.

 

[celluloid]

Might as well use Wendy's value menu to compare prices. Because why not.

Wendy's is not a table service.

 

[JD80]

Ok, so what is a fair comparison then? They're both sit down restaurants, serving similar selections so I'm not sure where the Wendy's value menu is coming from. I did compare fast-food and counter service so I'm a bit confused as to what rules we are playing with.

I may have confused people here, but did you not select the value meal at chili's? Why not select their regular burger which is like $14?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Nah. We just don’t live in the back woods. Dining prices at WDW are relatively normal when compared to prices in most cities that people have actually heard of.

…hmmmm…you got a list of those cities?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You have to BUY beach tags to sit on a public beach???? That's getting a little crazy!!

Oh yeah…and don’t dare let the parking meter in the lot next to the paid public beach lapse for ONE nanosecond.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don’t blame it on Disney singularly, but large corporations who used Covid and “inflation” to jack up their prices beyond reasonable inflation (combined with all the artificial money pumped in by the gov’t) are yes indeed to blame.

It wasn’t “inflation”…it is price gouging.

Your grocery store prices are up 200%+ in 3 years…
That’s not because $2 an hour and ships not being able to dock in Los Angeles for a couple of months.
And plenty of executives - on hot mics- called it “an opportunity”

But they kept repeating “inflation” on cnn and faux all day long running interference.

 

[celluloid]

I may have confused people here, but did you not select the value meal at chili's? Why not select their regular burger which is like $14?

I imagine they just looked at a promotional menu. 14 is still close to half of what you would spend at scifi.

 

[erasure fan1]

I may have confused people here, but did you not select the value meal at chili's? Why not select their regular burger which is like $14?

Well I wouldn't say it's a value meal. It's their pick 3 menu. App, entree, drink and prices differ per entree. So I compared their standard cheeseburgers to each other, the old-timer has been on the menu for as long as I can remember. But I then did compare the regular menu price and Sci-fi was 210% higher still.

 

[BuddyThomas]

So does the mediocre food at high prices correlate to the attendance drop or is it just a reflection of the current economy as a whole ? In middle Georgia (and excursions north to the Atlanta urban wasteland) its easy to spend a hundred dollars for a non-extravagant lunch for two out and about.

These are pretty much the same prices as are charged at Yankee Stadium and other similar venues. These prices are not unique to Disney.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Maybe because not everyone agrees that the food is lousy and the character interactions are most certainly not the same in the park as they are in the restaurants?

Seeing as, by your own admission, you have not been to WDW in quite some time, I’m not sure how you even feel qualified to comment on the quality of the food and/or the character interaction that currently occurs.

EDIT: I honestly did not mean for that question to sound as rude as it came across, so I apologize for that. I was genuinely trying to just ask what you base your opinions on? Anyway, again I’m sorry about that.

The most recent one I tried was CRT in 2022. I assure you the food was really bad. It is hard to describe just how bad the food was.
The staff was nice enough, and tried to make up for it. some of the princesses were friendly and enthusiastic, others were not that into it. And I don't mean only how they interacted with us, but all the tables around us. Mind, it does require a certain personality, and anyone can have an off day.

But CRT is an absurdly priced prepaid meal. We had not been inside the castle in over 15 years, so that was part of the motivation. We won't be back anytime soon.

At one point we used to like 1900 Park Fare. The last time we went, which was probably 2019, the lobby/wait area was pretty gross. They had put out an orange slushie machine, but nobody had maintained it. The machine was sticky and gross, with orange goo dripping everywhere, the trash can was overflowing, and people had left empty, and partly empty cups everywhere. the hosts just ignored it, even though they had to keep walking right through the mess. It was very disappointing. That was pre-pandemic though.

While not quite a character meal, a place we adored on our last visit was the Minions Cafe. That place is super! The food items are very creative, and I didn't come away feeling like I'd been soaked. The closest WDW came to that level of fun was some of the special desserts over the summer. they had an Ariel dessert at Friar's Nook that was great, and the Queen of Hearts beverage at - I think Cheshire Cafe.

they don't seem to have fun options like that at most of the character buffets, but maybe we missed them.

We did like Topolino's for dinner, but that was not a character meal. That meal was worth the price. The atmosphere, staff, and food were all excellent. Very nice at sunset. but it is $$$.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

These are pretty much the same prices as are charged at Yankee Stadium and other similar venues. These prices are not unique to Disney.

So they charge a lot in hell then?

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Curiously, someone I know was shopping in a NC TJ Maxx this past week on the day they got a LARGE shipment of direct from WDW merchandise. She said there was LOTS of merch of all types, and the markdowns were pretty wild. She scooped up a bunch of stuff. That's all I know, but I thought it was an interesting tidbit to share here.

 

[Disstevefan1]

 

[James Alucobond]

…hmmmm…you got a list of those cities?

Maybe you could list the cities you’re talking about?

In a moderately sized city, a Chipotle burrito is $9.50-$12, depending on protein, possibly more with extras. Chips, guacamole, and a drink average $8, so $17.50-$20 for a meal comparable to the following comparison.

At Satu’li, entrees plus sides range from $13.30 (cheeseburger pods) to $18 (ocean moon bowl). Add a fountain drink for $4.50. That makes $17.80-$22.50.

Quick service was pretty on point price-wise during my last visit, to the point that I am very concerned they’ll be cranking it up soon. We all know the character meals and prix fixe options are ridiculous, but they are also really easy to avoid if you don’t value what they offer.