Smaller Food Portions Coming To Disney?

[Wobbles]

... so whats that going to do the Kitchen Sink...?

Almost a whole can of cream?

[Gill H]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Enjoy your meal Sir.

Oh sorry, forgot to say the Gentleman at the next table has the other half.

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How did you find your steak, sir?

Well, it wasn’t easy but luckily I have a magnifying glass…

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Moorlandman

They don't have to pass on any additional costs - its their choice.

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If they don't pass on additional costs then it will eat into any profits they would make on the sale of food. Reduced profits is not what most successful businesses want. So, yes, a successful business will pass on any increased costs, or look to keep the cost the same by reducing portion size (or similar). Lots of compnaies do the same.

The rise in ticket prices is to cover additional costs with upkeep to the parks, as well as running rides, attractions, shows (etc). It does not cover the increased costs associated with food/drink. Your ticket doesn't cover the cost of any food or drink.


Of course, all this talk of Disney potentially reducing portion sizes (and we're only talking about a small amount, like 10%, here. Portion sizes aren't going to halve) due to rising costs makes me wonder how many others have reduced portion sizes over the years or switched to cheaper ingredients? Not just restaurants at other theme parks like Universal and Seaworld, but offsite restaurants as well.

Disney is often held under a microscope and everything that Disney does is analysed, discussed and commented on by the likes of DIBBers, vloggers and social media whilst no one really cares what happens outside WDW. Universal (for example) could have already reduced portion sizes at it's eateries for all we know.

[loldis]

Originally Posted by Nimbus

Of course, all this talk of Disney potentially reducing portion sizes (and we're only talking about a small amount, like 10%, here. Portion sizes aren't going to halve) due to rising costs makes me wonder how many others have reduced portion sizes over the years or switched to cheaper ingredients? Not just restaurants at other theme parks like Universal and Seaworld, but offsite restaurants as well.

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Happens all the time in food and beverage. It's also why a lot of the popular restaurants go to prix fixe. A small set menu drastically reduces their overhead.

Originally Posted by Nimbus

Disney is often held under a microscope and everything that Disney does is analysed, discussed and commented on by the likes of DIBBers, vloggers and social media whilst no one really cares what happens outside WDW. Universal (for example) could have already reduced portion sizes at it's eateries for all we know.

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Do you remember the drama when Cadbury switched Creme Eggs to no longer use Dairy Milk? And they reduced the egg carton down to 5 per pack. The outrage.

I agree though, there's so much noise about every change Disney makes but Universal often already did it with zero complaint. That's why I find the "I'm taking my money to Universal instead" comments so amusing.

[assos]

Just a thought - how many (Table Service) restaurants will this actually (directly) affect?

I know a lot of locations within the parks and especially at Disney Springs are operated by 3rd Parties (who while they will still have to deal with rising costs and decide what action they're gonna take), won't be directly affected by any decisions made by Disney on portion sizing.

[Bozza]

Originally Posted by assos

Just a thought - how many (Table Service) restaurants will this actually (directly) affect?

I know a lot of locations within the parks and especially at Disney Springs are operated by 3rd Parties (who while they will still have to deal with rising costs and decide what action they're gonna take), won't be directly affected by any decisions made by Disney on portion sizing.

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Not to mention many places are buffet / family style / all-you-care-to-stuff-in-your-face.

[Chops]

Let’s face it, what Disney have come to realise is they can devalue the product a long way before it significantly affects visitor numbers. Nothing surprises me with Disney anymore.

[BaconAndAvocado]

Surely reducing portion sizes is a good thing. The portions are obscenely big!

Hopefully there'll be less waste too.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Chops

Let’s face it, what Disney have come to realise is they can devalue the product a long way before it significantly affects visitor numbers. Nothing surprises me with Disney anymore.

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Yes, although it depends on what you mean by "devaluing the product".

Disney have removed a bunch of onsite benefits, started charging for their fastpass replacement, don't currently have big parades and character hugs (supposedly due to Covid), and have generally increased prices as they do every year. They may also be looking into reducing portion sizes or sourcing cheaper ingredients. But they have added new lands and attractions in the last few years. There is certainly more attractions for me to see from when I last visited 5 years ago. So, if I choose not to stay onsite nor eat much onsite, there's more for me to see and do than before for only a relatively small cost increase. It could be argued the product's value has now increased for me despite the increased ticket costs (not sure I'd quite go that far, mind you).

There are many people who don't see the product as being devalued. They continue to visit.

[Moorlandman]

Originally Posted by Nimbus

when I last visited 5 years ago. So, if I choose not to stay onsite nor eat much onsite, there's more for me to see and do than before for only a relatively small cost increase.

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Since your last visit, ticket prices have increased significantly. We paid £299 in 2016, next year £489 plus £90 for fast passes. Parking was $18 now $25. On-site hotels up at least 40% since 2016.