Originally Posted By vbdad55 Well I was happy to get Deb's newletter in my email today and while reading thru discovered a real change at Olivia's in OKW. They have cut the menu, and we're not talking a little here, we're talking it is 1/3 the size it used to be--especially for lunch -yikes. Even the conch fritters are gone ! It looks like one of my traditions for the past 12 years is now going to go away. Here are the menu's and a late lunch now appears to mean a burger or a reuben <a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_okl.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/menu /menu_okl.htm</a> <a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_okw.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/menu /menu_okw.htm</a>
Originally Posted By DVC_dad vbdad I do like Olivia's, but for whatever reason, we never seem to eat there even when we stay at OKW. We will do ONE dinner and that is about it. So, I'm not surprised at this news. The place is never "crowded" per se when we are there. Don't get me wrong, I do LIKE it.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 To me it was one of the hidden gems, I guess too hidden....but they could have tried something other than cut it back so badly now it gives them an excuse to make it less than a full serve restaurant....kind of like the closing of timekeeper ( just don't put it on the guidemal, then no one will know its there etc.---) angers me--I have already sent my pi**ed off letter to DVC
Originally Posted By hopemax This is just the resolution to the lack of a full service place at Saratoga Springs. People can't complain about the lack of one if OKW doesn't have one either.
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m I must have looked at the menu before it was updated on allearsnet.com in April because the conch fritters were on there when I looked.
Originally Posted By Chelledun Wow that is really a small menu. I can't imagine that this is going to HELP business. A lot of people look at menus before they go places and like to see a lot of options. I don't personally like Conch Fritters, but it really isn't Key West themed without them, is it?
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Well Old Key West doesn't really have to bid for business being that the resort itself was PAID for a long time ago but the DVC. AND I am sure ressidual dues are plenty and above what is needed to perpetuate the place. BUT that being said, it probably is only a matter of time until this sit down restaurant, becomes a stand in line, grab your food, pay, then go and sit down wherever you like. It's sad to me, especially when I go in there and see my family photo on the wall. Hey vbdad, are you guys on the wall?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I'm kind of surprised they felt the need to cut back. We loved Olivia's and dined there at least a half dozen times during our 10 days at the resort. We've had breakfast, lunch and dinner there and enjoyed them all. We were there during late February and early March, and at that time Olivia's always seemed to do a good business. There was more than once when we had to wait 15 - 20 minutes to get a table. I'll miss the Conch Fritters -- I thought they were great. Thank God the Turtle Krawl is still on the menu though... the best specialty drink I've had at WDW!!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Lush!>> RoadTrip: "We should head over to Epcot now and meet up with DVC_Dad for Illuminations." Mrs. Roadtrip: "I'm tired. Let's just go back to the resort and drink." RoadTrip: "Sounds good to me!! Turtle Krawls... here I come!" JUST KIDDING!!! I just couldn't resist making up the response though.
Originally Posted By crazyformickey I've heard so much good things about Olivia's i'm bummed they cut the menu. The Key West Sirloin Steak Salad sounds really good.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Hey vbdad, are you guys on the wall? < indeed we are-- in the waiting area just outside the podium
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I am sure the items onthe dinner menu will all be good -- the food has always been first rate there -- but all of a sudden almost everything is meat -- at a Key West themed restaurant -- I am afraid it signals the beginning of the end -- and that is really sad. get the conch chowder there before it is gone, it is the best I have had anywhere
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 The Spirit has warned for years of the slimming down of menu items at WDW restaurants as part of the WalMarting of the experience. ... Some of this is due to the dining plan, some just to save money. It makes things much easier if you only have six entrees to offer. But a true world class resort wouldn't have that at its supposed high caliber dining locales. More bad show.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad That is one of the truest and saddest things I have heard lately Spirit. Are you aware of what they have done to Cinderella's Royal Table? They wrecked it is what they have done. Menu cut half in size, entree out right after appetizer, half done with main course, here comes the desert, hurry eat it, its time for the next wave of priority seating!!! Kids under 2 do NOT eat free, and about 35 minutes from time you are seated to the time you are ushered out. Don't let the door knob hit 'cha where the good lord split 'cha on your way out! I won't be going back to the castle anytime soon.
Originally Posted By Fe Maiden We ate at Olivia's just last week, May 2nd. In fact on vbdad's recommendation. The conch fritters were still on the menu for dinner and were excellent. Unfortunately, Olivia's was our worst dining experience of the week. It had nothing to do with the food. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered, but we sat outside and there was trash in the corner where our table was, the table top was dirty and there was food on one of the forks. Not just spots but actual food. The food no matter how good, wasn't going to overcome that. Aside from that, we spent dinner swatting gnats and flies away. When they went to seat us outside I was excited, at home during the summer we eat just about every meal on our patio and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of being outside. I'm sure if they had seated us inside, we'd have a completely different take.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Yeah, we always eat inside......but any trash outside only supports my theory that they are just going to let this place go....the plan is in place...itis the Timekeeper of restaurants now, and that is sad
Originally Posted By RoadTrip ^^^ I'll bet you a bowl of Conch Chowder that Olivia's is still a table service restaurant five years from now. There is no way Disney can have a DVC resort (which they market as comparable to their Deluxe resorts) without a table service restaurant. No way. P.S. There is no guarantee that the menu at Deb Will’s site is complete. I have seen more than one instance where menu items had been left off. FeMaiden on this thread states that they had the Conch Fritters at Olivia’s during May, which would seem to indicate the menu posted is incomplete.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I wouldn't be so sure Trippy. I mean, the room size of Saratoga and Beach Club leaves me speechless. I bought Saratoga sight unseen, as my rep told me the rooms were larger than Beach. FOUL!!! I was and am sore still. SO, it wouldn't surprise me to see Olivia's eventually become a dine and dash food court thing, or maybe something like what is at Saratoga.
