Disney's Animal Kingdom Launches "Picnic in the Park"

[big blue and hairy]

This program...if successful....would probably allow them to cut jobs (or more likely...not fill openings)

I disagree. One of the biggest complaints I see on this board is that there are not enough choices for food at AK. I highly doubt this is going to take away much of anything from Tusker House or Flametree. The main complaint is the lack of choices. I don't know if I'll try it or not, but judging from the amount of folks here who love the idea, it may work. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's a conspiracy...read my signature...

[lockedoutlogic]

I disagree. One of the biggest complaints I see on this board is that there are not enough choices for food at AK. I highly doubt this is going to take away much of anything from Tusker House or Flametree. The main complaint is the lack of choices. I don't know if I'll try it or not, but judging from the amount of folks here who love the idea, it may work. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's a conspiracy...read my signature...

Perhaps....

But even though there are complaints about lack of food options at AK....as pretty much every other park.....you don't see mobs of people trying to get food at chow time in the park.....

Lack of food choices is a problem...but i think many just leave the park and get lunch at EPCOT or MK....since about 3 or 4 hours there will do it anyway....

but your point is taken.....

[big blue and hairy]

but i think many just leave the park and get lunch at EPCOT or MK....since about 3 or 4 hours there will do it anyway....

Well, there's part of the problem for you, also. You're obviously not a huge fan of AK. I can be there for a few hours do the big stuff and go somewhere else, but I also really enjoy spending the day and wandering. There really is a lot to see if you want to go look at it.

[TheVBs]

1) I agree.
2) Money aside, I think this is a clever idea.

I know that this is probably cost cutting, but I think it is nice to have another dining option in AK. I have two children under the age of 3 and let me tell you, the idea of eating outside where I can let my kids have some breathing room is extremely appealing! I'm sure that the many families with small children who visit Disney every year will want to try out this option. Let's give it a chance and see what happens before we blast it.

I agree too!

Wow. Who knew a picnic lunch could generate such doom and gloom?

[lockedoutlogic]

Well, there's part of the problem for you, also. You're obviously not a huge fan of AK. I can be there for a few hours do the big stuff and go somewhere else, but I also really enjoy spending the day and wandering. There really is a lot to see if you want to go look at it.

you are mistaken

I actually am a big fan of the park.....even though it is not near complete.

I'm a bigger fan of the potential....which is huge....but i do like animal kingdom

But it is still only a half day to those who frequent WDW....

they have very limited attractions....overall less than MGM.....they have 3 shows that never change and therefore don't need to be sat through that frequently.....they have the one big animal attractions and the two delightful walking paths.....

But let's not kid....they kinda stuck themselves in the middle....

They didn't want a bunch of self serve animal exhibits....most likely because it's expensive and it wouldn't generate merchandising revenue enough for the beaners tastes....

so they threw in SOME animals and SOME rides....which would have worked out fine...

But the park was not fleshed out enough....

I'm sure we agree on this...or do you think "Camp Minnie Mickey" was intentional? (i.e. the path to nowhere)

[Tigger&Stitch]

Well, there's part of the problem for you, also. You're obviously not a huge fan of AK. I can be there for a few hours do the big stuff and go somewhere else, but I also really enjoy spending the day and wandering. There really is a lot to see if you want to go look at it.

I agree! DH and I spent two full days there on our last trip (mainly because we were with friends who had not been there before), but we had a great time each day.

[dmosher]

Yep, same here. I can easily stroll through the exhibits take in a few rides, have some good food (now a nice picnic) and just enjoy the relaxing parts (between EE and Dino). As long as I completely ignore that Dinoland USA even exists, I am quite happy spending the day in AK. It's a nice step away from the usual hustle and bustle of the rest of WDW. Maybe that's why I like the idea of the Picnic in the Park. it is something different and much more slow paced and relaxing, like AK itself.
Do i think it will present problems and challenges, of course. many people are lazy and therefore we will probably see an increase in trash from the picnics being left about. Orders will be wrong at times, late, or forgotten completely. that is just the nature of it, but I love the idea of just kicking back and doing something different, regardless of the reasoning behind it. To me that is what Animal Kingdom really in in the WDW, a little something different.

D

[big blue and hairy]

you are mistaken

I actually am a big fan of the park.....even though it is not near complete.

....

I'm sure we agree on this...or do you think "Camp Minnie Mickey" was intentional? (i.e. the path to nowhere)

Ok, I'll go with that, "not a big fan" wasn't the right statement, but you don't want to spend the whole day, so dining for you isn't really a problem. That was actually my point. Several people here like to spend the whole day, or most of it at AK and those are people who might love the picnic idea.

As far as adding to the park, I agree, I'd like to see more, too. From what I understand, Camp Minnie Mickey was somewhat a place holder for an entrance to the Beastly Kingdom, or whatever was going to go over that direction. I like the camp, but yes, I'd like to see more over there.

That's my first thought any time I see 5th gate posts. Forget that, add onto AK and DHS.

I still don't think the picnic is a terrible thing or a conspiracy, though.

[lockedoutlogic]

Ok, I'll go with that, "not a big fan" wasn't the right statement, but you don't want to spend the whole day, so dining for you isn't really a problem. That was actually my point. Several people here like to spend the whole day, or most of it at AK and those are people who might love the picnic idea.

As far as adding to the park, I agree, I'd like to see more, too. From what I understand, Camp Minnie Mickey was somewhat a place holder for an entrance to the Beastly Kingdom, or whatever was going to go over that direction. I like the camp, but yes, I'd like to see more over there.

That's my first thought any time I see 5th gate posts. Forget that, add onto AK and DHS.

I still don't think the picnic is a terrible thing or a conspiracy, though.

I don't think it's a conspiracy....but it definitely has cost cutting potential....

As far as adding to MGM and AK being expanded to the point they should....

...sadly....I don't think they ever will be....

why would they? when mgm opened a ticket was probably in the mid 30s or so.....now it's north of 75....

Animal Kingdom was about 46 or so.....

So they just go ahead and operate them....make some reasonable profit...build something new every few years.....and that's about it....

[elmjimmlm]

If anyone is interested I found some photos of what meals are being offered...

Tier 1

Tier 2

[harlowandthemermaid]

I actually kind of like this idea as I do like a leisurely picnic outside but only if they are going to keep the picnic areas strictly for those ordering the picnic lunch. I'm not sure if I missed that. Will there be a CM to make sure the tables are free for picnickers? Or will we be stuck walking around with a bunch of food and nowhere to eat it?

[merlinmagic4]

I actually kind of like this idea as I do like a leisurely picnic outside but only if they are going to keep the picnic areas strictly for those ordering the picnic lunch. I'm not sure if I missed that. Will there be a CM to make sure the tables are free for picnickers? Or will we be stuck walking around with a bunch of food and nowhere to eat it?

My thoughts exactly. I brought that up earlier in the thread but I guess no one knows if the areas are open to everyone or just people who have purchased the lunch.

I don't really like standing in line for 30 minutes for a counter service lunch. I'm going to try it if the rest of the 17 people in our party agree

[Figment!]

Are there tables and are they reserved for the picnic customers?

Will there be a CM to make sure the tables are free for picnickers? Or will we be stuck walking around with a bunch of food and nowhere to eat it?

Initial Guest reports of the program have indicated that the picnic tables are not reserved for those using the Picnic in the Park program.

Initial Guest reports have also stated minimal to no trouble in finding an open table.

[ldc12377]

If anyone is interested I found some photos of what meals are being offered...

Tier 1

Tier 2

Thank you for the pics!! I don't really want to get in the middle of this "debate" about the new option but I'm really excited about trying it out. I've always been taught to not judge a book by its cover so I for one will be giving this new meal option a try. It will be nice to have a different kind of counter service.

[Tigger&Stitch]

If anyone is interested I found some photos of what meals are being offered...

Tier 1

Tier 2

Thanks for the pics! Looks yummy!

[Tinkerbellaella]

I will be interested in hearing from someone who has tried this. Too many speculating on the motive and reasoning. I want to know if people found this a good value, good food, how easy the process of ordering the food, picking it up, and finding a table in the picnic areas.

[big blue and hairy]

If anyone is interested I found some photos of what meals are being offered...

Tier 1

Tier 2

Cool! Thanks!

from ldc12377 Thank you for the pics!! I don't really want to get in the middle of this "debate" about the new option but I'm really excited about trying it out. I've always been taught to not judge a book by its cover so I for one will be giving this new meal option a try. It will be nice to have a different kind of counter service.

Although I'm one of the people in the debate, I agree with you, lets just see how it works. I think it's a cool idea...

[Dulcee]

Maybe I'm in the minority but I think this is a great option. The meals look like decent sizes for the price and the bag it all comes in is adorable and reusable (and fitting with the sustainability message AK often tries to push).

I can easily spend half my WDW trip at Animal Kingdom (as a biology major/zoo employee its amazingly well run with great habitat setups and has some really cool research coming out from behind the scenes most guests are very unaware of) and the picnic idea sounds great.

Being able to have a nice lunch while not being closed into a CS restaurant with a million screaming kids and tired parents midway through the day? Makes me happy

[TheVBs]

If anyone is interested I found some photos of what meals are being offered...

Tier 1

Tier 2

Another thanks from me for the pics! I think everything looks yummy. Love the bag too! I think this is definitely something we're going to try.

[4myprincesses]

The way I see it people in the parks need to eat and this offering is not likely to affect AK attendence significantly. Some will still go into a TS restaurant because they are on vacation and that is what they do. Others will still order CS as they have a favorite or like the seating area for that particular CS, though the picnic might draw some from this crowd. Folks that pack a meal to carry in might be the ticket here and there lies an opportunity for profit. When we packed a meal, we still had to find a place to sit and eat and did so without any trouble that I remember. Regardless of TS, CS, picnics, or packs you will still have relatively the same number of people eating in the same number of places.

We are a group of 8 (myself, DH, DD8, DD7, twin DD's2.5, and my parents.) We would likely order the meals for 6. Depending on which tier, we are looking to pay $50-$60 for us all an entree, side, dessert, and bottled water. That breaks down to about as cheap as one can get in the park and BONUS: it isn't a burger, chicken strips, and fries! We can eat this meal on the healthier side, save money, and not worry about the food bag staying cool. Can you tell I am excited?

Where the difference will be is for the company. They are gaining our food business with this option for sure. It tops PB&J, it tops trying to keep cold foods cold, and it is priced fairly reasonable (by theme park standards.) If they draw some from the CS crowd, my guess is that it won't be huge Likely, those employees will be transferred over to the picnic prep team. I do not see it as a loss of more jobs, rather a smart move. If they did it at other parks I know we would plan on it daily.

All this said, we only travel between Sept and the end of May to avoid peak heat. We live too far north to go enjoy a vacation in heat like that. Sometimes the first of Sept or last of May pushes us beyond what we can handle.