OK, so the parking fees at WDW inched up $2 to $14 (which matches Universal, I think). And the all-beef hotdogs have just been discontinued "due to Guest demand" (really?)
But today the Sentinel is running a story that at the MK, fast food restaurants will start denying access to "table holding" and instead require food purchase before you sit down. This is supposedly to relieve congestion, speed things up, and increase sales.
I call shenanigans. On days like New Year's Eve that might be true, but on a normal weekend there is never - and I mean NEVER - a wait for tables. Look, I ran a buffeteria at Disneyland for ten years, presiding over the nighttime menu in 1992 when Fantasmic came and disrupted our seating (and table-holding) patterns, so I know all about this. And what WDW is seeing is not an issue.
There *are* delays at MK quick-service restaurants, but they have do with lack of cashiers, slow kitchen service, and sometimes bumbling "boxers" who assemble the orders. If WDW wants to increase sales, then FIX THE BACK OF THE HOUSE.
The Front of the House is not broken. This is a misguided effort, and it will result in having fewer places to sit and relax (and escape the heat). Once again, this is a taking away of the "little things"... the classic Decline by Degrees.
Disney critic Kevin Yee provides his thoughts on Walt Disney World and the myriad entertainment offerings in Orlando. He can be reached at kevin@ultimateorlando.com
1 comment:
"Guest Demand" is used to justify all kinds of stupid, money-hungry decisions. Like Pleasure Island, for example. I suppose the beef/chicken franks are cheaper by the ton than all-beef, but I still can't eat them.
Not having your restaurant experience, I'm in favor of the counter-service changes in theory, and I suppose I'll find out in person how well they work in a few weeks. It is always a huge pain trying to find a seat at Pecos Bills and/or El Pirato (whatever) or Harbor House. This removes some guest choice in table location but seems to increase the likelihood that the guest will actually get a table without having to stand around, tray in hand, waiting for someone else to finish and leave.
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