Originally Posted By MPierce >> I paid $8 freakin dollars for a large jar of mayonaisse yesterday - - we're not talking industrial size here - we're talking 32 oz that used to be $3.99.. << I just got back from the grocery store VBDAD, and I made a point of looking. Kraft mayo $3.49 for 32 oz. Hellman,s was a little more. 1 Gallon of Springdale milk $2.49. It all depends on who feels like gouging you, how bad they want to gouge you, and how much you plan on taking. I for one am fed up. I now fully intend on spending my money wisely. I don't mind paying for superior service, and merchandise, and food, however I will not be taken advantage of anymore. That includes the few oz. of sunscreen that cost around $10 at WDW. I don't want to here how people should buy that before they leave home either. Prices like that are an insult. I'm mad as HELL, and I'm not going to take it anymore.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I agree- that was the price around here until recently -- and we're talking major chain - Jewels ( Albertson's) - only the store brand was less $5.29 the very small jars ( 8 oz ? ) were $2.99
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt or <a href="http://www.legalseafoods.com/" target="_blank">http://www.legalseafoods.com/</a>
Originally Posted By vbdad55 of course they likely just figure since we have the highest sales tax in the country ( 10.5% ) - one of the highest gas prices in the country -and they just passing another 8 cents a gallon tax - the highest electrical rates -- some of the highest property taxes ( how's $12,000 a year on a $400K house ?) - maybe we won't notice.... and people wonder why I'm not stunned at WDW prices
Originally Posted By dshyates Those prices are right inline with Ruth's Chris' Dinner Menu There Filet is $35 and the Ribeye is $37. I know eveyone HATES chain restaurants, but I would choose Ruth's Chris or Morton's over the Brown Derby anyday at those prices. <a href="http://www.sizzlingsteak.com/p/RCM-VBDinner0508r.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.sizzlingsteak.com/p...508r.pdf</a>
Originally Posted By vbdad55 yep- and my school district has issues and I am paying $9000/yr for private High school on top of that. really makes a nice mortgage payment when taxes are $1000/month -- and we're not talking Mcmansions here
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Like Dan Young says - for me it's not the prices - I am used to paying those every day -- but menu selection that concerns me -- Coral Reef shold have a selection like Catch 35 above << Most people don't live in Chicago, and don't eat at Charlie Trotters though. I bet more than 95% of the people in Chicago don't eat there either. I had a Grilled Tenderloin of beef at Chef De France on 1/27/09, that was $33.95. It was lousy. This restaurant wouldn't last anywhere else more than a couple of months in my opinion. Also every one please go check the Menu at All Ears. You will see it was updated on 11/08, and the price for this dish was $32.95.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Spirit, I have been working a temp job with Cirque while they are here in Atlanta...Now, you want to talk about gouging...Yet, the public is there every night lined up like crazy to pay around six dollars for a soft drink...And that is just one of many things I could mention...How about a hot dog combo deal for something like twenty two dollars? But you do get two hot dogs and two soft drinks for that price...It is amazing to me what people will pay...I like Cirque and feel overall they deliver an exceptional product...Still though the prices in the food concessions is out of control and you run the risk of a clown destroying your exspensive popcorn during the show! I am wondering what is the bigger rip off? Disney or Cirque...>> You make a very interesting point. But I tend to shy away from comparing Disney to anything but Disney and other theme parks. I'd compare Cirque to Broadway shows, concerts and, perhaps, sporting events. Here, I am strictly comparing Disney dining locales to themselves in previous visits. The price points have jumped an absurd rate, even if one factors in the economy. This is DDP price gouging plain and simple. Smart business would be to lower prices and try and entice people in while making up in volume what you may be giving up per check. That's not what Disney's consultants are telling it. When you see chains like Outback, Applebee's and even Morton's offering discounts to get business in, Disney dining is headed in the opposite direction. I can get a high quality filet at Mythos for under $20 and then get a 10% AP or AAA discount on top of that ... but I should pay twice that at Le Cellier (for likely lower quality beef)? Sorry, but this is pure arrogance and avarice. <<I am working the merchandise area...It is insane that people really do pay the outrageous prices for masks in the three to four hundred dollar range as if it were nothing...But Cirque is getting to be like Disney...You can't even buy a poster relating to this show...They have now outsourced their entire poster business to some company and they can only be purchased online... I get the idea that Cirque is working as hard as it can to be like Disney...Like Disney, they seem to be trying very hard to lose the idea that originally made the shows special...The magic is still there but there just isn't as much as there might have been say maybe a short two or three touring shows back....It really is sad when something that is or was so special can find a way to ruin its ownself....>> Cirque is like Disney in that it is far less special than it once was. They are churning out shows as fast as they can a la Starbucks, McDonald's, WalMart or Disney theme parks. At some point, even if there is demand, you weaken a premium product (and both Disney and Cirque are supposed to fit that) when you oversaturate the market. This is Business 101.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 7 million people live in/around Chicago and another 11 million people live in around NY and another 8 million in around LA -- so while you say mot don't live in those area -- I am willing to bet these 3 cities alone make up a huge portion of Disney visitors -- I listed 2 nice restaurants - not off the charts - likely below Brown Derby level ( when I went to original a long time ago) but close very used to paying those prices- they are what we pay... so 18 million people NY and Chicago alone ( potential WDW visitors) and from my travels -- Conneticut - Massachussetts etc not much different in cost of living either... that's why I say a lot of people do not have sticker shock --- I used to consider Cali Grill quite a deal really for that level dining - today I still love it but it is priced where I would expect it to be here. Would I like it to be less- sure -- different question.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Spirit you're such a better writer than me, and express things so much better.>> I'm also younger, better looking and have a better singing voice. <<If only I had gotten that degree from Elementary school.>> Don't sweat it. You don't need brains to get anywhere in this world. Heck, you can even be president without any! <<That was one of my complaints when I was there. Food, and Beverage have gone through the roof.>> Through the roof ... I think they went so high in a recent Power Point that an angel got stuck in the ass! ;-) <<Deb Willis over at All Ears does an excellent job of keeping up with things, and even she can't keep up with the increase in meals. I kept waiting for Goofy to come up, and put a shank in my back, and demand my money. When the price tag detracts from the enjoyment it's time to find alternatives.>> I am planning to cut back my original plan of making six PS to three -- and that may drop to two. I'll dine off property and not feel like a teen boy after making friends with an Imagineer!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Those prices are right inline with Ruth's Chris' Dinner Menu There Filet is $35 and the Ribeye is $37. I know eveyone HATES chain restaurants, but I would choose Ruth's Chris or Morton's over the Brown Derby anyday at those prices. <a href="http://www.sizzlingsteak.com/p...508r.pdf>>" target="_blank">http://www.sizzlingsteak.com/p...>></a> You get a great piece of beef at those places. The Brown Derby is a freaking theme park dining location, albeit a nice one, but still. To have a lunch menu with NO entrees under $20? I won't be dining there this trip.
Originally Posted By MPierce How many of those people dine 6 to 10 days straight in the upscale restaurants in the major cities though VBDAD. I bet they vast majority of Americans who vist WDW do suffer sticker shock. They gladly pay the inflated prices for the lower qualitiy meals simply because they are at WDW. What is it that Spirit saids, It's the Pixie Dust Syndrome.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Most people don't live in Chicago, and don't eat at Charlie Trotters though. I bet more than 95% of the people in Chicago don't eat there either.>> Exactly! <<I had a Grilled Tenderloin of beef at Chef De France on 1/27/09, that was $33.95. It was lousy. This restaurant wouldn't last anywhere else more than a couple of months in my opinion. Also every one please go check the Menu at All Ears. You will see it was updated on 11/08, and the price for this dish was $32.95.>> I'd love to see some of Deb's old menus, although considering she is loaded with pixie dust I doubt she'd want to do anything that presents Disney in a negative (should I say accurate? light. I used to eat at Chefs de France on average at least once in six month and I can tell you the filet was in the $25 (even less I think) 'hood not all that long ago. Price gouging pure and simple.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I'm also younger, better looking and have a better singing voice. << I'll concede younger. >> Don't sweat it. You don't need brains to get anywhere in this world. Heck, you can even be president without any! << So we are in agreement anybody with a degree from Yale or Harvard, preferably both, are mental slugs.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I know eveyone HATES chain restaurants, but I would choose Ruth's Chris or Morton's over the Brown Derby anyday at those prices. ,,I can tell you from experience Ruth Chris' is very much hit or miss- I have had some not so hot meals at some locations-- now Morton's I've never been disappointed at - same for Shula's but God Shulas is $70 by the time you add a postato and asparagus
Originally Posted By vbdad55 How many of those people dine 6 to 10 days straight in the upscale restaurants in the major cities though VBDAD that's different than sticker shock however- you're on vacation. How many people pay $12 for a Coke ? However if you're in Hawaii - guess what
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I'm not an advocate for higher prices- but if I were to vacation in Downtown Chicago instead of WDW, then I'd expect to pay those prices and more. For me it's a part of the cost of the trip. I can only speak for me but I am not traveling 1200 miles with the family in the car to eat at Wendy's - I'll stay home first.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<7 million people live in/around Chicago and another 11 million people live in around NY and another 8 million in around LA -- so while you say mot don't live in those area -- I am willing to bet these 3 cities alone make up a huge portion of Disney visitors -- I listed 2 nice restaurants - not off the charts - likely below Brown Derby level ( when I went to original a long time ago) but close very used to paying those prices- they are what we pay... so 18 million people NY and Chicago alone ( potential WDW visitors) and from my travels -- Conneticut - Massachussetts etc not much different in cost of living either... that's why I say a lot of people do not have sticker shock --->> Orlando isn't Chicago or NYC or Boston. It is an increasing third world-like tourism capital stuck in what used to be a sea of orange groves and swamps, but is now subdivisions and strip centers. People don't expect Chicago, NYC or Boston fine dining prices when they are visiting a WDW theme park. You'll sell me a DVC unit before you sell me on that idea. <<I used to consider Cali Grill quite a deal really for that level dining - today I still love it but it is priced where I would expect it to be here. Would I like it to be less- sure -- different question.>> I've considered California Grill to be moderately priced, but fair considering I got 20% off and that the food quality was so amazingly good. Now? This will likely be the last place crossed off my Disney dining check list, but what used to be an every visit stop is now an every 2 or 3 visits. Disney's prices have gone up at a ridiculous rate when compared to the real world. A $25 filet at California Grill is now $42 (if it hasn't increased yet again). I know the prices at Morton's have barely increased in the past decade.
