Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<As I said in an earlier post. The American Express Black Card crowd is still summering at Lake Lombardi in Italy.>> Call me cheap, but I'll stick with my Platinum. And all of them aren't, I recently checked into an LAX hotel only to have the 20-year-old desk clerk show me his card like I was supposed to be impressed. And I still can't figure out what this has to do with WDW. If you're suggesting the uber-rich don't vacation at WDW, I'll tell you that you're wrong. Some do. Less now than 20 years ago, I'd bet. Due to the WalMarting of the product. But WDW attracts a diverse base of guests. Heck, some of them may not even like our prez!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Oh, and while both the Biergarten and Marakesh are good restaurants, I don't put them anywhere near the best of WDW dining. And both have been substantially dumbed down due to the chicken finger crowd. Have I told you guys about my Boma incident where I watched a 30-something male spend $25.99 to eat chicken fingers and fries?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss ^^I saw that at the Sail Away Buffet at TDS too... a Japanese guy filling up on the kiddie comfort food. Strange.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<Oh, and while both the Biergarten and Marakesh are good restaurants, I don't put them anywhere near the best of WDW dining.>> I think what we are talking about here is that they are both examples of "unique" food choices that definately are not normally found outside outside of EPCOT ( something Disney should be monopolyizing on more ).
Originally Posted By disneydad109 I will miss eating in Germany. The last time we were forced to sit family style the folks sharing the table handed a baby with a dirty nappie back and forth over the table and then asked if we could "loan" them some money. Next time We asked if we could just sit as a group of four without sitting with others and were told no way.I don't want to go back for a good long time.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Thats ridicilious. Suppose you just wanted German food ( and beer ) but wanted a romantic dinner. I guess there are always the burgers in the France Pavallion.
Originally Posted By ChiMike Just saw the new California Grill menu. So much for "world class" <a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=105" target="_blank">http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo /dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=105</a> All Thanks to Disney making the Disney Freeloading Plan a huge success. Sushi and other appitizers are now considered Entrees. There are so many menu changes across the property, including desserts offered, it's hard to keep track.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I think the menu change is a plus. It won't have any impact on pay-as-you-go customers, but will keep those on the plan from taking unfair advantage of it. And if they can't take such advantage of it, they might stop going to Calilfornia Grill. Nothing wrong with that.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <And if they can't take such advantage of it, they might stop going to Calilfornia Grill. Nothing wrong with that. < that would be my thoughts ( and hopes ) also
Originally Posted By dresswhites this is an interesting topic. i think people view's determine what is a 5 star or 4 star hotel. if you ever go to hotels.com or travelocity and read the hotel views they are all over the map. YOu could pick the finest hotel in the world, and there will be some people that didn't like it. My sister went on her honeymoon at hotel del coronodo in San Diego. To many this hotel is consider first class. hOwever she and her husband weren't that impressed. Then people laud Vegas hotels. i am not sure why. Yes they are nicely themed, but overall in my opinion they do not compare to some of the resorts in phx and scottsdale. None of the hotels in Vegas really have grounds or golf course, or very nice pool areas. The MGM Grand pool was about as nice as the pool found at the Motel 6. Cesars Palace and to lesser extent the Ventian and the Belagio are just a bit over the top for my taste. i just think everyone is going to consider what makes a world class hotel slightly differently.
Originally Posted By pitapan16 The AKL and WL are 100% world-class. I have seen some amazing places in this world, and I can firlmy say that Disney has created a most unique, most spectacular, most amazing place in the Wilderness and Animal Kingdom Lodges. They are truely special, and a visit to WDW would'nt be complete without atleast a step into both Lodges for me or my family.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom As I said so many times in previous posts, the DAKL and DWL I would consider to be "destination hotels" not "World Class" hotels. I explained in detail why I do not consider them to be world class. <<but will keep those on the plan from taking unfair advantage of it.>> I really don't want to start an arguement here. But, if your participating in the meal plan, and you decide to make sure your getting your money's worth, and you order the most expensive items on the menu, then how is that abusing the meal plan?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I really don't want to start an arguement here. But, if your participating in the meal plan, and you decide to make sure your getting your money's worth, and you order the most expensive items on the menu, then how is that abusing the meal plan?>> Because in my opinion Disney's signature hotels shouldn't be in the program at all. The whole plan is one of the most stupid moves Disney has made that I can remember.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I mean what Disney executive sat at a meeting and said "I wonder how we can get folks staying at the All Stars to try the California Grill?" Absolute genius I tell you, absolute genius!!
Originally Posted By danyoung >Just saw the new California Grill menu. So much for "world class"...Sushi and other appitizers are now considered Entrees.< The sushi is now en the entre area cuz the sushi is worthy of being an entre. And I'd just about guarantee you that you can get a sushi appetizer there. And even if not, how is this a dumbing down of a great restaurant?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<Because in my opinion Disney's signature hotels shouldn't be in the program at all.>> If it takes two meal plan dinner equivalants to eat at the Cali Grill. Then what is the big deal? Isn't $45 still $45 even if its "Disney Dollars"?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Personally I think eating at the Cali Grill should not be dependant on where or not you are staying at a Disney Value Resort. Many of the guests staying at Value Resorts are not doing it because they fall into a certain socieo-economic class. Some guests are also doing this so they can take advantage of "everything else in the World".
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<If it takes two meal plan dinner equivalants to eat at the Cali Grill. Then what is the big deal? Isn't $45 still $45 even if its "Disney Dollars"?>> The "deal" aspect of it (and the fact that kids pay even less) attracts more people with children to the restaurant. And sorry, but I think some experiences at WDW are more appropriately experienced without children. I would have to think the Dining Plan has resulted in far more children at the Signature Restaurants. I have no problem with the Signature restaurants in the parks. The parks belong first to the kids and I would never suggest they be excluded from anything. But I think some of the fine dining places are better as an adult experience.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Many of the guests staying at Value Resorts are not doing it because they fall into a certain socieo-economic class. Some guests are also doing this so they can take advantage of "everything else in the World".>> I know that. I have stayed at the All Stars several times and always enjoyed them. I mentioned the All Stars because: 1) They do cost less and many people staying there are trying to economize. 2) The All Stars have more kids per capita than the other resorts. I am no happier with someone from the Grand Floridian using the Dining Plan. I just flat out think the plan is a bad idea for MANY reasons; most of which have been expressed by others here far better than I can.
