The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[BrianLo]

You do realize for most Americans you have about five or six trips of a lifetime there, right?

Yes, even amongst my peers I am the crazy traveller. But, it's the last hurrah for 30 years, I'm not liable to get so much time off in a row...

I would like to combine SDL and a Quantum of the Seas Cruise though in January 2016, seems like a perfect match for a short(er) stint.

I would expect to actually hear some Disney new attraction news soon, just not for this continent (think Asia!)

Please, keep me in the loop. I even took this picture just for you.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I have an uncle named Richard. He goes by Dick. The name fits him quite well.

As Scottish entertainers go, you aren't half bad. But you are no Craig Ferguson either ...

Funnily enough Mr F hails from the same locale as my good self, though he came from the instant slum new town now famed for being one of the worst place to live in the UK. So its easy to see why he feels at home in LA.

On the plus side I provide this level of entertainment free and devoid of commercial sponsorship.

 

[rael ramone]

That's all well and good when you have better options available. But many mom and pop places are crap and don't have certain chain-wide standards they need to maintain. In my community, there are only a few mom and pop places I will dine at. (Had a great cheesesteak at one today! Don't let @PhotoDave219 see this post, please!)

On a trip to Long Island, I asked at the hotel about any 'ethnic' dining options available. The person at the front desk sheepishly handed me a flyer for a Turkish place, and I went there for lunch. The place looked a little like a dive - but the food was phenonamal - and since then I make at home something very familiar to what I had...

To direct this back to the Mouse.... years and years ago I heard about a 'secret' menu they had at Tempura Kiku - in Japanese. I wish I remember what I had off of it - probably a sushi/tempura combo not available on the standard menu.

 

[rael ramone]

OK, I like @WDWFigment ... I have made no secret of that. But reading his account of his Memorial Day visit to WDW did give me pause as to whether he might deserve a mention in my upcoming book!

(but he is quite right about Marrakesh being a fine restaurant ... it is still a gem of EPCOT dining and, yes, most people ... most American people are afraid to dine there)

As long as it continues to remain open for lunch... I have to pinch myself everytime I go there and actually get seated right away without an ADR.

The 'Kasbah' cookbook they sell in the shops there (and I've seen it other places as well) has an *incredible* recipe for Chicken Bastilla - too bad it is *so* labor intensive - so Marrakesh ends up being my 'bastilla fix'.

 

[Nemo14]

BTW, all these Muppet avatars are way kewl. I may have a special one myself coming soon!

Glad you like them!

*meep*

 

[rael ramone]

Seeing how Aereo is now 'suspending operations'.... I wonder if they are looking for another way to make money off the Mouses IP that they'll be able to get away with... Maybe they'll start selling ride DVDs

'Aereo Remembers A Working Yeti'....

 

[NowInc]

That's all well and good when you have better options available. But many mom and pop places are crap and don't have certain chain-wide standards they need to maintain. In my community, there are only a few mom and pop places I will dine at. (Had a great cheesesteak at one today! Don't let @PhotoDave219 see this post, please!)

Speaking of....

As a south Florida resident, I agree with the opinion of our "mom and pop" quality. Its dismal. However, those that are good, are exceptional. Examples being Ethos Greek bistro, tucker dukes lunchbox (my new favorite burger joint), jaxsons ice cream, letters diner, longboards, and a small handful of others.

To those unfamiliar with the area and wonder why that list seems so long, it really really isn't. There are thousands of restaurants within driving distance, but 90% of them are crap. Places here open and close at alarming rates, for good reason. A lot of times, the chains are in fact the better option.

 

[The Mom]

I, along with a lot of people - including my daughter's generation - enjoy cooking at home. As someone else stated, if I find a dish I enjoy, I research and experiment until I can duplicate it at home.

Then I eat when I wish, can have a good wine without paying 2 -3 times what it should cost, and no one has to be the designated driver. Why pay $100+ for a meal out when I can make the same at home for $30 ($60 if I get filet from a nearby butcher) - including wine - and one of my husband's killer cocktails? When I do go out, there are a few local places that have good - to outstanding food. As @NowInc mentioned, some open and close frequently, but we try to get to them before they do.

We also go to the Marrakesh restaurant when visiting Epcot, and I agree that it's a hidden gem. I for one am glad that it's not that popular - I don't have to plan where and when I'm going to eat 6 months ahead of time!

I sometimes go to local chains, but when I'm driving places I'll be more likely to stop at a national one for a fast meal. You know exactly what you're going to get.

 

[scpergj]

I, along with a lot of people - including my daughter's generation - enjoy cooking at home. As someone else stated, if I find a dish I enjoy, I research and experiment until I can duplicate it at home.

Then I eat when I wish, can have a good wine without paying 2 -3 times what it should cost, and no one has to be the designated driver. Why pay $100+ for a meal out when I can make the same at home for $30 ($60 if I get filet from a nearby butcher) - including wine - and one of my husband's killer cocktails? When I do go out, there are a few local places that have good - to outstanding food. As @NowInc mentioned, some open and close frequently, but we try to get to them before they do.

We also go to the Marrakesh restaurant when visiting Epcot, and I agree that it's a hidden gem. I for one am glad that it's not that popular - I don't have to plan where and when I'm going to eat 6 months ahead of time!

I sometimes go to local chains, but when I'm driving places I'll be more likely to stop at a national one for a fast meal. You know exactly what you're going to get.

You absolutely have to try Moxie for brunch one weekend, though. Fantastic!

 

[bhg469]

No self respecting southerner goes to Zaxbys for wings. Lol. (No offense, they're good in a pinch, but far from a true "southern experience" )

Are these "wings" breaded? Then they aren't wings, they're fried chicken.

 

[bhg469]

I, along with a lot of people - including my daughter's generation - enjoy cooking at home. As someone else stated, if I find a dish I enjoy, I research and experiment until I can duplicate it at home.

Then I eat when I wish, can have a good wine without paying 2 -3 times what it should cost, and no one has to be the designated driver. Why pay $100+ for a meal out when I can make the same at home for $30 ($60 if I get filet from a nearby butcher) - including wine - and one of my husband's killer cocktails? When I do go out, there are a few local places that have good - to outstanding food. As @NowInc mentioned, some open and close frequently, but we try to get to them before they do.

We also go to the Marrakesh restaurant when visiting Epcot, and I agree that it's a hidden gem. I for one am glad that it's not that popular - I don't have to plan where and when I'm going to eat 6 months ahead of time!

I sometimes go to local chains, but when I'm driving places I'll be more likely to stop at a national one for a fast meal. You know exactly what you're going to get.

Yup, national chains are there for value and consistency. If you travel a lot and you need a late meal, it's pretty much always the same no matter where you are.

 

[alissafalco]

My very first post. Why, as a faux 1% blogger, are you on Landry's or Macaroni Grill's email lists? You seem to have very good connections @ DW and WDW and maybe the other parks. You obviously are a world traveler and seem to have some familial connection to the parks? When you blog about all your fantastic trips, i just can't understand why you would be spending time looking for discounts at cheap chain restaurants.

Why should anyone (wealthy or not) pay full price when there is a discount to be had?

 

[Mike S]

Speaking of....

As a south Florida resident, I agree with the opinion of our "mom and pop" quality. Its dismal. However, those that are good, are exceptional. Examples being Ethos Greek bistro, tucker dukes lunchbox (my new favorite burger joint), jaxsons ice cream, letters diner, longboards, and a small handful of others.

To those unfamiliar with the area and wonder why that list seems so long, it really really isn't. There are thousands of restaurants within driving distance, but 90% of them are crap. Places here open and close at alarming rates, for good reason. A lot of times, the chains are in fact the better option.

I've tried Tucker Duke's and it was great. Another burger place I enjoy is Charm City Burger

 

[tirian]

QFT. I don't know billionaires, but I'm friends with several millionaires who refuse to pay Disney's Deluxe resort rates. If they stay on-property, they stay at moderates; otherwise, they rent homes in the area.

One family did stay club level at the Grand Flo a few years ago and told me they'd never do it again because "it wasn't worth it."

People who normally stay at 5-star resorts know what a similar hotel should look like.

So true. I know billionaires who use coupons. Anyone who grew up with generational wealth usually has a respect for money. In other words, they wouldn't spend $48 for a Star Wars breakfast at WDW. ... I always use the example of Ted Turner when the Braves then-new ballpark was opened and he saw a Coke was over $4 (this was mid-90s) and he said quite pointedly in an interview that he would never pay that because Coke wasn't worth that.

The new-money folks are the ones who spend recklessly, along with youngsters from money who don't wear tight enough leashes.

 

[Rodan75]

BTW, I recall mentioning a few weeks back that the fact that chains like Olive Garden and Red Lobster are largely in their death throes due to the death of the American middle class and it was met with either a sigh or folks telling me it was the chains and nothing at all to do with the economy (my house just went up another $100,000 in value for NO reason at all ... sure this isn't 2007-2008 all over again!)

Well, there was a story recently on the HuffPo talking about how the Olive Garden's issues were a serious warning about our economy.

And it isn't simply on the low end. High end chains, once just for the expense account crowd are also desperate to raise revenue quickly. Thursday members of the Landry's Rewards Club received an email from Morton's offering a $29.99 two-pound Maine Lobster dinner if people reserved for dinner tonight. A few weeks ago I got a similar offer for $40 off dinner at Fleming's and there isn't even one close.

Back to the middle, Macaroni Grill sends me daily emails with discounts for that day only. Usually, I don't pay attention, but they have gone from $5 off to $7 off to $10 off a $25 purchase to 20% off the check to $20 off a $40 purchase (would have easily used that one, but saw it at 10 p.m.)

Anyone who doesn't see these as desperate moves because folks aren't dining out and our economy is ready to crash again likely isn't seeing reality. These restaurants need people in their locations YESTERDAY and will offer anything to get them in.

Also, look at the increases in prices at McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco bell and Starbucks. The percentage change of former Dollar Menu items is telling you the companies are desperate to increase the bottom line at all costs.

Yep. I'd feel real good about the economy now.

OK, were we talking about Quiet Riot or Poison?

Sorry but Olive Garden isn't in the death spiral because of the death of the middle class, it is dying because they chose to move away from freshly prepared dishes to boil in a bag atrocities that Stouffers would sell in a grocery store. You can't survive in the restaurant biz with your food quality that low. Fazoli's has better food quality than Olive Garden. That HuffPost article wasn't researched and barely counts as opinion (can she have an opinion only reading the headlines of other journos).

 

[Darth Sidious]

The problem is you can only squeeze so much out of the consumer ... something has to give. I know very few people who have the same or more credit now than they did 7-8 years ago. And let's not even talk about wages. Although I keep seeing certain cities and states raising minimum wages in significant ways. Hell, there was a blurb that our local IKEA was going up to almost $11 an hour to start (yes, for all the righties, I do believe starting wages in the state of Florida for ANY job should be about $11-12 ... so that tells you how far back WDW Co is).

I don't trust our banks at all now. If this weren't going out to the world I might say I have accounts in Asia and Europe, but, obviously that isn't true. USA!!! USA!!! USA!!! (gonna lose to Belgium this week!)

The banking industry isn't perfect but it's definitely better. They made the industry more 'boring' and there is a lot they can't do anymore. There are definitely still some holes but I can say the FRB is looking at the right things and they are really getting smarter/more serious.

They are also going to adopt stricter than Basel 3 regulations for capital which would actually make US banks more regulated than those of Europe.

Go USA, I believe! Haha

 

[stevehousse]

Are these "wings" breaded? Then they aren't wings, they're fried chicken.

They r not breaded! I want some right now lol...

Sorry but Olive Garden isn't in the death spiral because of the death of the middle class, it is dying because they chose to move away from freshly prepared dishes to boil in a bag atrocities that Stouffers would sell in a grocery store. You can't survive in the restaurant biz with your food quality that low. Fazoli's has better food quality than Olive Garden. That HuffPost article wasn't researched and barely counts as opinion (can she have an opinion only reading the headlines of other journos).

No way on gods green earth is Fazolis better than Olive Garden?!? Fazolis is the pit of Italian dining...although Olive Garden isn't too far behind...

 

[justavoice]

Yup, national chains are there for value and consistency. If you travel a lot and you need a late meal, it's pretty much always the same no matter where you are.

I once had the privilege to hear Bob Farrell of Farrell's ice cream parlors speak. He made comment about McDonalds that has always stuck with me. They are a mediocre restaurant with mediocre food, but they are the same mediocre restaurant all over the world. People go because they know what they are going to get no matter where in the world the French fries all taste the same. Being consistent is what people are looking for, if you give great service one time and lousy service the next you confuse people and they will not support you. I think this is the heart of why some long time WDW travelers have such a problem with the current form of WDW in that they remember service from 70s 80s and even 90s compared to service of today. People just visiting or having never experienced the old service except the current mediocre service and treatment of guests do not see grave issues with the current WDW.

 

[dhall]

Speaking of....

As a south Florida resident, I agree with the opinion of our "mom and pop" quality. Its dismal. However, those that are good, are exceptional. Examples being Ethos Greek bistro, tucker dukes lunchbox (my new favorite burger joint), jaxsons ice cream, letters diner, longboards, and a small handful of others.

To those unfamiliar with the area and wonder why that list seems so long, it really really isn't. There are thousands of restaurants within driving distance, but 90% of them are crap. Places here open and close at alarming rates, for good reason. A lot of times, the chains are in fact the better option.

The minimum quality standards of chains keeps them from being 'too bad', for some definition of 'too bad' -- there are chains that I avoid just because they can never seem to get service reliably right or their typical food just isn't as good as a competing chain.

The minimum profitability standards of chains keeps them from being 'too good', as quality costs money & time. It's very hard to scale fresh & local ingredients and great service up to chain levels: at some point, a restaurant manager who gets it wrt quality of food and service realizes that he's still mostly making money for someone else.

S Fla is a big enough market that there are lots of options, but it's also large enough that finding them (without foodie contacts) is really hard. Of course, it also has that "it's only 5 miles across, so going more than 5 miles north or south is way too far" thing that keeps everyone tied to their own little stretch of beach.

(Former Central & South Fla resident)

 

[PhotoDave219]

Sorry but Olive Garden isn't in the death spiral because of the death of the middle class, it is dying because they chose to move away from freshly prepared dishes to boil in a bag atrocities that Stouffers would sell in a grocery store. You can't survive in the restaurant biz with your food quality that low. Fazoli's has better food quality than Olive Garden. That HuffPost article wasn't researched and barely counts as opinion (can she have an opinion only reading the headlines of other journos).

Clearly you missed what's going on with the parent company and a group of rogue investors…

You'll have to Google it and it's likely what you're describing is merely a symptom of the larger problem.

Cliff Notes version?
Investors come in, demand management changes so they can get a quick return on their investment, everything starts going downhill. Investors cash out and Company left in ruins.

Of course anybody who went to Olive Garden or red lobster for quality Italian or seafood… That's just a problem right there.