Originally Posted By Mr X As for the original buffet question, I would say that in the "spirit" of an all you can eat buffet...the responsible thing would be to take only what you intend to eat. No need to "load up" your plate (like I see so many porkers do, as though they hadn't eaten in a week!), just take small amounts and go back for more til you are satisfied. BUT, having said that, I guess in the same spirit if you have a small amount left on your plate it might be okay to take with. A restaurant manager might think otherwise though. And taking food for the express purpose of removing it from the restaurant is not cool. Again considering the "spirit" of all you care to eat arrangements, it could be considered theft. After all, if you grab an entire prime rib off a buffet and stuff it into a backpack and leave the restaurant, wouldn't the owner have the right to call the cops? But if you ACTUALLY just kept eating prime rib til it was gone (gross, maybe impossible)...that would still be acceptable I suppose.
Originally Posted By MPierce Darn it MrX all of that talk about food has got me hungry now. I was just thinking about that great buffet at Boma, and I never smuggled one Zebra Dome out of there. I swear.
Originally Posted By Mr X I realized one thing from reading this whole thing...it's a pretty stupid idea of Disney to give you free stuff "for the length of your stay", when there is no way for them to enforce it. It does lead to abuse...how many people out there have the mindset of "well there's no way they can know so it's okay"? Plenty of people do. But, on the other hand, not all that many people are as insane as to actually bother to re-pack mugs from last year just to save a few bucks with a cheating strategy. So, I can only assume this is insignificant for Disney and they don't care (or don't care enough to make any changes, since the overpriced mug program for suckers probably rakes in big profits anyway). Which doesn't make it "right", but it is somewhat Disney's "fault", partially, because of the way it's set up. Far better would be to charge a little less for the mugs, and then a token charge for the refills (70 cents, 40 cents, whatever), and let that be "forever" for the idiots who really want to lug mugs around airports on their vacation to save a few bucks.
Originally Posted By Mr X Speaking of buffets, here in Japan most "all you can eat" deals come with a time limit. Usually 90 minutes or 2 hours. I guess the reason for that is that Japanese people, being smart and frugal, would tend to "camp out" at all you can eat places for a long time and somehow fit in 2 meals or something. It's a little unnerving though, to be eating and know "the clock is ticking". I think that makes me overeat even more than the fact that I can eat all I want. "OMG...I'd better order up more steak before the time is up!!!" Oh, and one other thing...most of these deals come with an add on "all you can drink" (alcohol) option. Talk about making a bunch of people drunk fast! lol. "QUICK...order more beer, we've only got 40 *hick* minutes left!!"
Originally Posted By Mr X Okay, now I have TWO questions. What's the cruise line DDP? And what the heck is a zebra dome?
Originally Posted By MPierce Zebra Domes or a dessert at AKL. Mostly chocolate with eggs, flour. liqueur,exspresso, and some other things in it. I believe you can get them at the counter service resturauraunt as well as Boma. I like it, but some people are fanaticly in love with them. Did you want menue listings for the cruise line DDP or the definition of what I think Spirit saids about what WDW resturaraunts are becoming? I can't speak for Spirit, I know what he means, but I don't want to get it wrong. I'll let him answer when he is around.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The day I start packing mugs to travel to WDW to save $12 is the day I realize I really can't afford to go there anyway.. and become more fiscally responsible ASAP.>> OH NO!!! Can it be??!! My crossdressing, tiara-wearing, DVC-loving, Cubs crying, pal is attacking the soda 'stealing' spirit? You should know there are few absolutes: WalMart sucks, WDW execs are clueless and it always rains in Florida in summer. FWIW, it takes absolutely no effort to toss a pair of WL (or PO etc ) mugs into the car for a drive to Orlando. Just like tossing a pair of dress shoes into the trunk for a nice meal. No effort. And it isn't a question of affordability with me (and many other guests) ... $12 is nothing. Now, do I want to buy a new WL mug maybe nine times a year to match visits? No. And not when I've been told for years to bring 'em back. I'm sure money might be a factor with some soda thieves, but to make absolute statements is dangerous ... like saying all DVC owners are bumpkins who shop at SuperWalMart on the way to their villa.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Okay, now I have TWO questions.>> I have way more questions than that. <<What's the cruise line DDP?>> I was referring to the style of dining on cruise ships, including Disney's, where everything is included and your choices are very limited ... 5-8 entrees at most. <<And what the heck is a zebra dome?>> An overrated, but tasty, dessert treat on Boma's buffet and also available at the Mara.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <My crossdressing, tiara-wearing, DVC-loving, Cubs crying, pal is attacking the soda 'stealing' spirit? < nah, even friends can disagree....but the statement wasn't in response to you. I have already stated that I at least understand those who were told they could use forever..even if I would not pack 4 mugs for the family each time I travel...I get that argument. I do not get the laundry list of some on why it is OK to steal - regardless of what they were told -- I was hoping I was clear on that. Although not sure where anything in my statement about the $12 mug is absolute other than I would not do it, and if I felt I had to to save money, the trips would end..... if I am missing something I typed there - point it out to me because I don't see it.
Originally Posted By Mr X Thanks. Are you saying cruise line "disney dining plan" or something? They have dining plans on the ship? I thought most everything was inclusive. I would like to hear more about that though.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^ also I can tell you that when I travel with my wife and 2 kids (both girls) -- it is not easy for me to pack much of anything - as there is precious little room after they take everything they 'need' for a trip away....it's an amazing site ( although sometimes I think it is a plot to prevent me from buying a lot of anything while at WDW because their is no room for it in the van)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Although not sure where anything in my statement about the $12 mug is absolute other than I would not do it, and if I felt I had to to save money, the trips would end..... if I am missing something I typed there - point it out to me because I don't see it.>> OK ... fair enough. But like I said, for many of us, it isn't a money issue. Disney often benefits from the Carousel of Policy. This time they don't. But I still don't see it as a bad thing. If I drop into the WL on my next stay (at another WDW resort) and spend $35 at Roaring Fork and reuse my mug THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY TO BRING BACK (that wasn't for you, VBDAD, just for those who are already ready to pounce), I don't see how Disney is losing a thing. They're gaining $35 that I likely wouldn't have spent if not for the ability to get a few pennies worth of soda for free.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Thanks.>> You're welcome. ... I just think I'm having trouble being clear today and as a Spirit that shouldn't be a problem! <<Are you saying cruise line "disney dining plan" or something? They have dining plans on the ship? I thought most everything was inclusive.>> No. They don't. Everything is inclusive except for alcohol and Palios (their high end, wonderful and blissfully adult-only Italian bistro). My point, if I can get it out, is that thru the Disney Dining Plan at WDW, the execs want to streamlin dining to the point where everyone pays upfront or (for the locals) gets gouged and in turn Disney can vastly streamline their menus and save all sorts of money.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Sure a 'guaranteed' revenue stream is always going to be optimum, as opposed to what someone might spend....I understand the financials of the plan...and if they increased the number of seats available through more sit down options, and offered non streamlined menu's would likely have no issue with it...as with more seats the ressie's issue lightens...and for me, I eat so many meals there anyway, being set up front would be no issue. But the menu raiding is a major problem, and even though I may be anal enough to book 180 days out, I understand the issues for many others. as a sidelight, my DDE card arrived in the mail today, that is the way I prefer to handle the dining issue anyway...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<But the menu raiding is a major problem, and even though I may be anal enough to book 180 days out, I understand the issues for many others.>> The idea of booking meals 180 days out just strikes me on a very basic level as something absurd that Disney has forced its guests to either do, eat at less desirable locales or have fast food or go off property. And again, what about the locals ... and Floridians. Imagine you live in Winter Park and decide on Wednesday night that you want to go to Epcot Friday after work and have dinner and you can get an 8:50 at Marrakesh or nothing. It's not a fair system because it really puts certain groups at a disadvantage ... no, it doesn't even do that, it takes the right out of the equation. <<as a sidelight, my DDE card arrived in the mail today, that is the way I prefer to handle the dining issue anyway...>> I do too. But I'll be on the DDP this fall. Free food for length of stay is an offer too good to pass up. And even the DDE isn't what it was. No offense, VBDAD, but the card started as an incentive for locals and FLA residents to dine at WDW more often. Now that almost anyone can get one, it simply isn't such a deal. I used to pay $25 for TWO CARDS. Now, it's $90. Prices at most full serve locations have doubled since 1995 when the program started, so that 20% off ain't quite what it once was. Disney has also removed certain popular places over the past five years, like two of my fave quick serve locales at WL and AKL. Again, watering down its value to me. I'm still going to get it, but it's not what it once was. Not even close.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 aside from AP's - ( most of which are locals or Floridians ) - who else has access ? I know someone said DVC members once, but that is not true. Can purchase DDP but not DDE. How many AP's as a % from out of state/area ? <Prices at most full serve locations have doubled since 1995 when the program started, so that 20% off ain't quite what it once was< while I agree with this to a point - what about salaries from 1995 to now - even with slow down the last 5 years or so ?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<aside from AP's - ( most of which are locals or Floridians ) - who else has access ? I know someone said DVC members once, but that is not true. Can purchase DDP but not DDE. How many AP's as a % from out of state/area ?>> There are far more APers from out of FLA than from in now. Not the case 25 years ago or 15 ... but now. I don't have the numbers, but it's pretty shocking. You have WDW APers in Scotland, Saudi Arabia, Vermont, Oregon, Hawaii, Italy, UK etc ... I think you get the picture. A few years back some people online started spouting off about how if you stay so many days and plan on coming back within two years, but can make it 11 months, well ...an AP was the way to go ... and WDW didn't have to do any marketing at all -- AP sales shot through the roof, especially DVCers and other Orlando timeshare owners but not entirely. <<while I agree with this to a point - what about salaries from 1995 to now - even with slow down the last 5 years or so ?>> I know salaries in my realms and those of my friends and family haven't come close to doubling in 12 years.
Originally Posted By Labuda "the responsible thing would be to take only what you intend to eat. No need to "load up" your plate (like I see so many porkers do, as though they hadn't eaten in a week!), just take small amounts and go back for more til you are satisfied." THANK YOU, Mr X! Thank you, thank you, thank you! IT drives me crazy when I see folks loading up their plate, or loading up TWO plates to take back to their table. Heck, I grab a small amount of two or three things, nd see if I need more after that's gone. I just can't comprehend the "load up your plate" mentality that I see both at Disney buffets, and in the real world.
Originally Posted By Mr X I saw a ton of that on the cruise I was on last year. It was so ridiculous, these enormous people balancing HEAPING plates full of fried foods as they waddled back to their tables...as though there wasn't food everywhere you turned all day and night on the ship to begin with! Sickening, really. The only REAL excuse I could see would be if there were long lines at the buffet (which there weren't).
