You know what I miss?

[Matt_Black]

On the WDW website, when you clicked to see what the menu for a particular restaurant would be, it was a PDF of the actual menu, like you'd see as if you were sitting down at the table ready to order. Now, it's just a list.

I'm sure there was a good reason for the change, but it the old way made planning more... tangible?

 

[BrianV]

I suspect it better allows them to alter pricing based on the season. (But I never liked that prices change based on the season!)

 

[Matt_Black]

Yeah, I figured it was something like that. Still, the words on a plain screen lack context. I like not only seeing what I might eat, but the layout and flair of the menus. Weird, I know.

 

[brifraz]

On the WDW website, when you clicked to see what the menu for a particular restaurant would be, it was a PDF of the actual menu, like you'd see as if you were sitting down at the table ready to order. Now, it's just a list.

I'm sure there was a good reason for the change, but it the old way made planning more... tangible?

I don't actually remember that, but I've always used AllEars for my menus since the WDW site has never worked all that well!!

I'm more worried about the loaded nature of this thread title!

 

[Matt_Black]

Yeah, they had them up in 2012, because that's when I planned my first trip in over 15 years. I think at some point in 2013 they switched.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I suspect it better allows them to alter pricing based on the season. (But I never liked that prices change based on the season!)

So should they keep them at the high point year round?

 

[BrianV]

So should they keep them at the high point year round?

Absolutely. That's of course what I meant.

But seriously, how many restaurants elsewhere have a continuously changing price depending on the season? I get that they want to maximize profits and since we usually visit low season, no skin off me.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Absolutely. That's of course what I meant.

But seriously, how many restaurants elsewhere have a continuously changing price depending on the season? I get that they want to maximize profits and since we usually visit low season, no skin off me.

Most non chain eateries have a fluid menu that changes based on the availability of ingredients. Prices increase and decrease due to shipping, fuel, labor costs. Large chain stores are better able to have static prices because they don't change menu items frequently, order bulk, etc.

One might then be inclined to say that Disney then should be able to keep prices at the low range year round. The additional factor involved is a captive market. When in the parks there is only Disney. There are no non Disney options.

 

[BrianV]

Most non chain eateries have a fluid menu that changes based on the availability of ingredients. Prices increase and decrease due to shipping, fuel, labor costs. Large chain stores are better able to have static prices because they don't change menu items frequently, order bulk, etc.

I had no idea that the seasonal pricing structure at wdw was due to ingredients, shipping, fuel, labor, etc. I guess that makes sense. But it seems a little abrupt and already predicted 6 months in advance. The week of spring break might have higher costs than the week before or after, but I guess I'd never considered that possibility.

 

[Nemo14]

I had no idea that the seasonal pricing structure at wdw was due to ingredients, shipping, fuel, labor, etc.

It's not.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I had no idea that the seasonal pricing structure at wdw was due to ingredients, shipping, fuel, labor, etc. I guess that makes sense. But it seems a little abrupt and already predicted 6 months in advance. The week of spring break might have higher costs than the week before or after, but I guess I'd never considered that possibility.

You obviously didn't read the second paragraph prior to the knee jerk response.

 

[BrianV]

You obviously didn't read the second paragraph prior to the knee jerk response.

Your second paragraph wasn't there when I responded. (Thus only the first one is quoted.). But your second paragraph doesn't say why disney changes their prices which we all know is because it is a money grab.

That said, I stand by my statement with a slight caveat. Most restaurants to not change continuously change their prices based on the season except when external unanticipated costs arise. The exceptions are the actual days of holidays (Christmas Day, New Year's Day, etc.).

 

[rob0519]

Disney is probably the only place that can get away with seasonal food pricing six months in advance. Just another way to squeeze the last dollar possible out of the customer. I'm actually surprised they have not tried seasonal pricing on park tickets. It's just the next logical step. Professional sports teams now use dynamic pricing for admission based on time of year and popularity of opponent.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Your second paragraph wasn't there when I responded. (Thus only the first one is quoted.). But your second paragraph doesn't say why disney changes their prices which we all know is because it is a money grab.

That said, I stand by my statement with a slight caveat. Most restaurants to not change continuously change their prices based on the season except when external unanticipated costs arise. The exceptions are the actual days of holidays (Christmas Day, New Year's Day, etc.).

I know it's cool to accuse Disney of unethical profits, but it's still legal to maximize profits when an item is in high demand.

 

[BrianV]

I know it's cool to accuse Disney of unethical profits, but it's still legal to maximize profits when an item is in high demand.

Unethical? Illegal? Not at all and I don't think anyone said that but you here. Not sure why you are arguing about this issue except just to argue for fun. The OP asked why they didn't post the menus online. My theory is so that they can jack up (and down) the prices at wilL without need to make online changes. What's your theory?!?

I did editorialize that I personally find this in poor taste and counter to the way virtually every other eating establishment in the world functions. You don't seem to mind it. To each his or her own.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I did editorialize that I personally find this in poor taste and counter to the way virtually every other eating establishment in the world functions. You don't seem to mind it. To each his or her own.

yes you did and I pointed out that it was inaccurate. Your money grab characterization implies that the pricing philosophy is in some way improper.