Feedback for 3/12/01:

Having been an invited guest for all the events associated with the opening of DCA, I was immersed in the Disney Experience from February 5 - 11. Thought you'd be interested in hearing about my meals at several restaurants in the resort.

First one we tried was Rancho del Zocalo and the line system was rather confusing. Can't imagine how it will be when the place is packed. There was no wait at any station and also no host or hostess to direct us. We thought the service was good and the food very good. Prices seemed reasonable and the servings generous. The chili is a particularly satisfying dish and the barbecued chicken flavorful and juicy.   

The theming and decor in the restaurant are wonderful and the music enjoyable and really part of the dining experience in there.  

Next day was lunch at the Plaza Inn which we hadn't been in for several years. No longer offering the numerous selections of dishes, we found a fried chicken station, pot roast and a pasta entree. Also house salads and a Cobb salad and desserts.  Everything looked very good and I chose the chicken dinner along with the green salad. The servings again were very generous and priced fairly. The man ahead of me chose the pot roast and when I saw the large serving size, I went for the chicken. He was ahead of me at the register with his wife and as the CM was totaling his two meals he had a taste of the beef on his plate. His companion asked how it was and he said it was good but not very warm. The CM heard him and immediately told him she would get him another platter, took his plate and had the servers prepare another.  

The manager stopped by our table as we ate and asked us about the meal and we told him how pleased we were with the new, leaner menu and the food quality. We ate at Hollywood and Dine twice during the week and thought the food was good. Chinese one day and sandwiches and chicken noodle soup the next. Everything was good and the servings generous, but the serving CMs at the sandwich station seemed confused. Another stop at the Rancho del Zocalo Sunday night found us without a host or hostess again. I had planned to try the prime rib dinner which is the most expensive meal they have at $15.99. My companion ordered the combo platter and was served immediately while I was told my prime rib would be a 10 - 15 wait. This was at peak dinner hour of 7:30 p.m.

Not wanting to eat separately from my friend, I changed my order to the combo platter and we proceeded to the register. As the CM was ringing us up she asked if everything was alright and I said yes, but I really did have my heart set on trying the prime rib. A manager was standing at the register with her and asked what happened so I told him what the staff had told me about a 10 - 15 wait for medium rare beef. He said something wasn't right in the kitchen, apologized and thanked me for telling him and disappeared. We found a table inside and were barely seated and beginning our! meal when the manager appeared with a platter with a nice cut of medium rare prime rib on it. Told us it was compliments of the house and apologized again. Again, the food was very good that evening. 

We also ate breakfast 3 times at the Story Teller Cafe and found the food excellent. Huevos Rancheros one day and the beautifully presented buffet the other two. Also ate breakfast twice at Hook's Pointe and was pleased to find the servers from the old Monorail Cafe working there. I've known some of these ladies for years and it was nice to see them again and talk. The American breakfast was priced at $5.95 and seemed a very reasonable price for a Disney Hotel Restaurant. That included two eggs, potatoes, fruit and choice of ham, sausage or bacon.  

It is apparent that the Resort has really tried to upgrade food service.   

--- Frank
  

Dear Frank:

I think you've got the general idea quite right: Disney wants to elevate its reputation in food circles (and quite possibly among the large Annual Passholder crowd). I see managers - and even sometimes hourly guys - going to extreme lengths to make visitors happy. Thanks for the other assorted info here.
 

I was wondering if you could tell me if paying $225 extra on my package for 6 meal tickets is worth it. also do you think I can share them with someone and we could dine together or would they know all the meals were to be all for me? I've never gone to WDW before.

Thank you
 

Part of the joy to the parks is walking around and "Discovering" things, including food!
 

I have been critical of a lot of the changes to some of my favorite attractions (I'll never get over the loss of The Carousel of Progress), but I have to say that your almost childish, girlish caveat of your experience at the new Mexican/BBQ restaurant was a bit over the top. My wife and I spent last Friday at the part to celebrate my 8 year old daughters birthday. We are a family of 5 and so it is a bit too expensive for us to visit DL as much as we used to so this day was a real treat.

Now for budgetary reasons when it come time feed a family of 5 we really need to take into account the cost of a meal with the quality of the food. After visiting 4 or 5 eateries we decided to try the new restaurant. I knew what I was getting into price wise thanks to your article so the cost was not a shock. What was shocking was the size of the portions each of us were given upon ordering? My wife and I had Mexican food as did my two daughters and son. I also ordered the BBQ variety platter, because I can never turn down barbeque.  

The size and quality of my Tostada Ensalada was magnificent. The lettuce was very fresh and the ingredients were fantastically assemble. It not only tasted great, it looked good as well. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her tacos as did my children. Now about the BBQ. What can I say about the BBQ? The chicken breast was delectable with the meat being very tender and juicy. The Ribs were scrumptious. The meat just fell off the bones. It was wonderful. 

I just think your first impression was way off. Maybe you need to give it another go and try it by yourself without the burden of trying to impress any guests. 

SAL G
 

Dear Sal:

I don't what you mean by my "girlish caveat." You consider it man's work to eat things you don't like? Have it then! :)

And I'm not quite understanding your final paragraph. I ended up quite happy with Rancho. And what guests was I impressing? You've confused me.

Thank you, though, for sharing your experiences. I'm sure other readers find it helpful to hear about other dining examples.
 

I was also saddened at the closing of Big Thunder BBQ. I hadn't eaten there for years. We visit from Phoenix and my family has now grown to 5! It takes a larger budget to visit the park now. Our youngest is just 2 and he will be on his third trip to DL in March. Unless you count the trip when I was pregnant with him.

Just thought I would let you know the columns are great and the whole site is terrific. I have only been reading it about a month now, but have enjoyed every article.

Thanks,
Melinda
 

Dear Melinda:

McDonald's has yet to move into Harbour Galley, of course. Plans last year called for it to be here by now, so who knows - maybe we'll get lucky and dodge that bullet. I'd love to print a retraction to that effect.

The BBQ had simply wonderful atmosphere. Many of us will miss it.
 

Dear MG:

Well, as noted above, it's not happened yet. And I'm not, as a rule, much of a fan of the grass-roots efforts. Nevertheless, I cannot deny your simple request, since it can never hurt! Write to:

Cynthia Harriss
Disneyland Resort
1313 N. Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92803
 

The parents of finicky kids will appreciate McDonald's in the Park. The dissenters should look on the bright side. Those noisy bratty little kids won't be at their favorite eating spots.
  

Dear Reader:

This is a simple, yet accurate statement. In defense of my argument, though, let me point out that the fact remains: McDonald's would be visible in Disneyland if it moved in. Isn't Disneyland's New Orleans Square supposed to be a place removed from actual reality? McDonald's just brings that back in.

I think McD is a better fit over in Paradise Pier, but I still resent it sometimes.
 

Kevin,

As a former Cast Member at WDW and as a person who has opened EPCOT, Disney-MGM and DAK I read your (and all the opening trouble) article with interest. I wanted to add to your perspective about the troubles at Mondavi's.

First, with the exception of EPCOT and World Showcase, all the new Disney Parks have struggled with sit down service restaurants. At the Studios, the Brown Derby has found an audience but does not always get full except of truly busy days. At DAK, Disney didn't even bother to put in a sit down and allowed Rainforest Cafe to build (but notice it has the option of accepting non-park guests) there. The problem is as you have stated that families are not looking for an expensive sit down meal during the day. Even the Castle has added character to that dining experience. And the people who do like sit down dining experiences, older guest, probably are not attracted to the park.

Second, When do people want to sit and have a nice dining experience? At night. Even World Showcase Restaurants aren't busy at lunch. The problem with DCA is that there is nothing there at night to hold the guests in the park. If there were a large night time show or parade then the guests would plan a nice dinner then the show as part of their experience. Without that must see attraction to stay in the park Mondavi's will not stand a chance to attract the upper clientele.

Lastly, My guess is that Disney sold Mondavi's a much more rosy picture of the possibilities than the reality of what the park was going to do even if it were busy. The reality (and Disney knows this... why else no Disney run sit downs at DAK)? Is that DCA was always to be a family park. Paradise Pier tells you what type of park it is. And families do not want to sit down for a nice meal with kids and at that cost. I have spoken to many participants over the years and they have always commented on how the picture they were sold in the park was different from the reality.

Do I think Disney lies? No. Do I think they paint an overly optimistic picture? Yes. That is their job. It is a shame and I think it is one of the reasons sponsors drop out after their contract. I don't know about CAL, but in FLA we lose a lot of our smaller sponsors at the end of their contract. When I asked one sponsor if they would renew, he laughed and said "why, we are losing money here." We were told that we would make a lot and the exposure here would be great. It costs us a lot to be here and we are bound to Disney rules and we see no effect from that exposure outside of Disney. Interesting.

Well, this went on far too long. And I may have rambled some. Sorry for that. Keep up the good work.

Steve
 

Dear Steve:

Oh, this is not rambling. You brought up some tremendous points for us all to consider! I agree that Disney does paint a rosier picture than they should, but I also agree this is their job.

Your other points are equally valid, but they get echoed by others so let's move on...
 

The person who wrote about the lack of large cups of tea should know that the reason the CM did not give them a soda cup for hot tea is because the soda cups are made of a different material and will melt. They should be happy to note that DL recently started offering hot drinks in 2 sizes.
 

Dear Reader:

I know just what you're talking about. Sodas are served in wax cups, coffee in styrofoam. We used to have a water refill station with wax cups at the Cafe Orleans right next to the coffee refill station.

I saw plenty of folks take the free wax cups and try to get coffee without paying. I'd let them, because I knew how it would turn out: within 30 seconds they would get wax floating everywhere and undrinkable coffee. Some even had the gall to complain about it.
 

My daughter and I love Disneyland. She is a vegan however and the only two places that have a "real" meal for her, (that we know of for sure) are The Blue Bayou, (portabella mushrooms) and Critter Country with a vegan patty. Is there any place else that serves up a decent meal, (not just a veggie bowl, or salad). We would appreciate knowing. Also if there are any places at California Adventure. Thanks do much. 

Thank you,

Sue
 

Dear Sue:

I do not have a complete answer for you, I'm afraid. My only method of compiling the existing vegetarian list is to go through the giant list of items by hand and select ones. I'm not positive what is vegan at the Park, and in fact I'd be pretty suspicious about sauces and preparation methods if I were you. Probably best to bring food yourself with you.

California Adventure has many locations that offer food, but sadly nothing leaps to mind as purely vegan. I'm sure there are such items, I just don't know them all yet.

Did you glance at the "menu items and prices" website I run here on MousePlanet? The link is at the top of this page, on the right side.
 

Excellent article on the Mondavi exhibit in DCA!

Denis E
 

Dear Denis:

You think a lot like many other readers who have written to me. I agree that the food service part of Mondavi "fits" better in Downtown Disney, but what of the brand awareness and education?

Also, I should mention that you and I may think no one wants expensive theme park food, but this is not completely the case, as we'll see in a few letters below....
 

Joeybats
 

Dear Joeybats:

I'm not all that wine-literate, so I was unsure if $5 to $8 was an outrageous price for a glass of wine. Now I know.

You're right, a cheaper tasting alternative would do much to goose their sales. If nothing else, it would draw attention to the place, which frankly right now can never make money if it's always deserted: people think it's an empty building. Crowds attract crowds - one of the first rules of running a restaurant.
 

And I'm precisely the kind of patron who would buy the prix-fixed lunch or dinner at the Vineyard dining room (without the wine - seeing as we're Latter-day Saints and don't drink alcohol). So I don't think we need to blame Mondavi - we need to blame Disney for building a park where the attractions are only an afterthought in the planning and the budget, for building a park no one wants to see.

Bryan W
  

Dear Bryan:

I should clarify that I'm not attempting really to blame anyone. I'm more just pointing out an unfortunate situation which results in both Disney and Mondavi "losing." And the customers, for that matter.

Your attitudes toward DCA are ones shared by many potential visitors. But not all! There are those who find DCA entertaining... though I admit these are mostly locals happy to have another Disney park in the area.
 

Mondavi is a piece of Epcot's World Showcase at DCA. The problem right now (to me) is that they restrict you from leaving the area with a glass of wine. I didn't buy a glass of wine the first time when I was told I had to enjoy it there -- killing off the time it took to "enjoy" the wine while I could be walking and exploring the park. We did end up buying two bottles of wine, several glasses during our two days in the park, and going through the $10 wine tour (which included four half glasses of wine at the end -- a good deal). I've never done something like this before at Epcot, but it was just so easy to do and enjoy at DCA.

Allen
 

Dear Allen:

Thanks for writing in. There are folks out there like you, and I think Mondavi is banking on you actually being something of a large minority (to the tune of 2 out of every 7 people, in fact). 

Opening up the liquor restrictions is an interesting idea. Would it help? Maybe. Maybe... I'm not convinced that it's just the restriction keeping folks from buying. I think it's the price.

And don't forget: DCA is a much different audience from EPCOT. At DCA, you have an awful lot of locals, a lot of annual passholders, and an audience that skews a bit younger and includes more teen groups than EPCOT. Liquor restrictions might stay in here.
 

Don H
 

Dear Don:

Well, to be fair here, you are not the target audience. A family from the frozen north - say, Minnesota - that's the target. They don't have wineries there! (Whether Disney was dumb to build a park that doesn't much cater to the locals is another issue, and a longstanding debate).

As for grapes being boring, I have to admit I felt the same way... and yet "Seasons of the Vine" is an engrossing movie. For me, at least. Your mileage may vary.
 

I enjoyed my dining experience at the Vineyard Room on the last AP holders preview day, and the menu prices were full price not half price as stated in your article. Also I have been twice since and it has always been a full house. Does this website have a vested interest in publishing negative articles about DCA? I have yet to find a objectively written article on this website and find this just another example.

Bryant
  

Dear Bryant:

First off, I'm glad you enjoyed your experience there!

I have never seen Mondavi have a full house, and I've checked quite a few times. In fact, most times I've looked, the Vineyard room was either 100% empty or very close to it.

(Al Lutz's note: I can confirm that last Saturday night, we ate at Mondavi's (we did the four course wine tastings menu) - and basically during an early dinner shared the room with one other couple. A larger party was scheduled that night (according to the waiters) but even they lamented that business was very slow. As we left one other party arrived besides the group scheduled.

We had a similar situation at Avalon Cove - and the staff also commented business was very slow there.)

MousePlanet has no vested interest in negative things about DCA. We here just call it as we see it! I could go on and on about the wonderful things Disney produces, and I usually do when I'm talking about the marvelous cast members at the parks.

Also, please note that I very much want to see Mondavi succeed, and said so in the article itself. The food, employees, and company behind it all are top-notch. From my perspective, I'm reporting the emptiness of the restaurant, not causing it.
 

Also we declined to participate in the opportunity to taste some of their vintages. We did not want to spend $5 - $8 per glass to taste test wine when we could buy a decent bottle for around $12. When we are at Epcot center, we usually buy a glass of wine in France or Germany. I know they don't charge that much.
 

Dear Reader:

A number of good observations here. Thanks for pointing out that the Vineyard Room is open-air, I'd forgotten to mention that. And the sharing of the same entrees is another great point that needs to be said.

I wonder what the price of a glass of wine is in the EPCOT pavilions?
 

Michelle S
 

Dear Michelle:

It's a tough situation for Passholders shut out of the park for now. I wish Disney hadn't done that. It would be more fair if they allowed no upgrades at all, actually. Now it's a two-tiered system, sigh.

I think you are right that Mondavi is suffering slightly from the lack of AP's. The fact that DCA is not busy may not be a temporary thing, though... we tend to believe the park just isn't the draw Disney hoped it would be. At least, not yet.

Still, let's remember that AP's are almost universally local folks. Will they spend $50 for a meal or $8 for a glass of wine? Some of them will, sure. But enough of them?
 

SJH
 

Dear SJH:

It's interesting that Disney largely gave up on full-service restaurants at Disneyland (the Bayou is the only one left!) and yet offer so many in Downtown Disney and DCA.

I don't think people resent full-service or just want fast food. I think some do want to be on their way real quick, yes, but I think there is a market for sit-down restaurants. However, and this is something they are not understanding, that market will not pay for very expensive sit-down restaurants, especially if the theming doesn't catch their fancy. The prices are just too high at Mondavi. I know, I'm a broken record by now.
 

Tim
 

Dear Tim:

I've heard nothing but good things about the Mondavi deli. I think I'll have to get my sandwiches there from now on.

You raise the issue of great service. This is something else I didn't mention for the sake of brevity, but I've heard the same thing from everyone who's been to Mondavi - the staff is truly excellent. The fact that the restaurants are not busy only means they have time to lavish even more attention on you.

Tortilla and Bread exhibits aren't restaurants, so I haven't paid particular attention to their numbers. I can report that these things never have a line outside them. I can also say that simply sitting at the exit to those exhibits is enlightening. I don't think anyone finds them "fascinating."
 

A nice article on the Mondavi complex, but I totally disagree with you on why it is failing. I recently visited the Disneyland Resort for three days. I like wine. I'm willing to pay a lot for a good meal. But I see 4 problems with Mondavi. They are:

b. Even with the theme it has, there is no good view. If I'm eating in "wine country" I want my view to be of wine country, not Paradise Pier or other lands in the park. c. all the seating is outdoors in uncomfortable looking chairs with limited theming.
 

Dear Reader:

Good call on the theming thing here. I found it reminiscent of Napa buildings, but you're right, it's not much of a "hook."

Otherwise I'm not sure how you can see we disagree. I agree with everything you're saying here. Too expensive, bad weather, and low DCA attendance. 

Also note that low DCA attendance is something I predict will not change, at least not dramatically. And if DCA is going to continue to have low attendance, then Mondavi, for whatever reason, is going to continue to have some real headaches.
 

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