Theme park food

[lisalila]

I've never paid more than $10 for food at DW (large combo). Of course the exception was when i went to the BBQ Buffet.

Edited October 17, 2007 by lisalila

[joz]

Theme Park food to me is very hit and miss. I've paid more then $10 at WWW for a large chicken burger combo, and received a chicken strip in a piece of bread, a tiny drink and what would be a small size chips anywhere else. I've also paid around $10 at DW for something and was stuffed full by the end of it. The only trends seems to be that VTPs tend to be a bit more consistent in what you get, even though its overpriced. In Coomera its overpriced and sometimes is great or (sadly more often then not) ends up being very disappointing. If you really want to make sure you do well food wise at our parks is check out the sit-down places. They've all got one (DW has Billabong, MW has Rick's, and SW has Paradise Room), and almost always do a great lunch.

[Richard]

Things are about to deviate significantly from the topic if you'll bare with me.

As for Richard's comment earlier about Dreamworld focussing on the Dollar. As I said earlier, it is a business. And from where I stand this is one of their greatest strengths.

Now I may be biased in this sense (coming from a marketing background). But as a service and experience oriented business, a theme park's focus should NOT be on the dollar. This is an industry where emotion and experience make up customer value, NOT what they are paying. You cannot approach this industry with the end dollar in mind. A turnstile approach to theme parks is totally wrong and is exactly how companies like Six Flags have failed miserably in recent years. The most successful theme park business in the world, Disney, has not achieved the tremendous and unrivalled success they have by asking "how can we make money?". They reached this point by asking "how can we impress customers?". Look at absolutely any experience-based industry - tourism, film, music festivals, recreation, resorts etc. - without fail, ALL examples of success have come from companies who have focused on the experience, not those that have focused on the bottom dollar. The basic premise is that attendance and expenditure can be driven more successfully by creating an experience, not by milking customers for everything they've got while cutting costs however they can. If you honestly think Dreamworld are great at running a theme park, then how did Dreamworld achieve a downturn in attendance just a year after a major childrens/family attraction (Wiggles World) opened, despite launching two new attractions in the subsequent year? Every other attraction that has opened on the Gold Coast in the past decade or so has been followed by several years of positive attendance growth. That's alarming. There have been downturns in attendance at most parks in recent years, but never before so quickly after a new attraction has been added and never in the same year as new attractions were opened.

• Movie World had a small dip in 2001. Three years after Wild West Falls. Again in 2005, three years after Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster.
• Sea World slumped in 2003. Three years after Polar Bear Shores. Again in 2006, almost three years after Shark Bay.
• Wet'n'Wild in 2005. No major attractions since 2000.

There's a problem with the strategy used at Dreamworld. So far they've managed to offset it by cutting costs ("improving efficiency") so that their profits continue to skyrocket, but that is a strategy that can only achieve short-term gain and it will not last. This isn't to say that Wiggles World wasn't a good attraction, but it's clear that the gains it made did not offset losses in other market segments. Anyone that says that Dreamworld is a business, and such demands expect too much are evidently not looking at this from an industry perspective. Dreamworld is a theme park business. They'll only succeed if they operate it as such. Take the analogy of a hotel. Which hotel do you think would achieve greater long-term success: one which seeks to maximise the value to the customer, or one which disregards the notion of creating customer value and simply focuses on ways to minise expenses? Does anyone think it's a coincidence that Dreamworld is oft-criticised for its low capacity rides, and now is also being criticised for its low value food? What does that say about their focus as a business? (I can say with absolute certainty that my views on Dreamworld are 100% unbiased and objective; I'm calling it as I see it.)

[lisalila]

I can't taste the difference between mw and dws food..its all the same to me. Perhaps if MW included food discounts in their annual passes I might actually stop going to dw for lunch and have it at mw instead. They might be $2 cheaper then dw but I can save that $2+ at dw with my pass. They are often criticised because there's a lot of anti dreamworld people here, plain and simple.

Edited October 17, 2007 by lisalila

[Gazza]

I might actually stop going to dw for lunch and have it at mw instead. They might be $2 cheaper then dw but I can save that $2+ at dw with my pass. They are often criticised because there's a lot of anti dreamworld people here, plain and simple.

I think in this case it comes down to the "Anabel Principle", you might be able to save a couple of bucks using the DW food discount (You make that sound like the greatest thing ever), but you have to wonder if its worth it considering MW's products are a bit cheaper anyway, and the fact you waste time going to DW to get lunch, plus bus money for the trip. One thing, not everyone has annual passes like you so cant take advantage of the savings. DW are going to cop flak not because of anti DW sentiment, but because they work out to be more expensive than the others despite poorer quality, this is because the majority of visitors have to pay full price. Also, it's not anti DW sentiment, i mean take WWW, a great park, but still the same poor food. PS, would "anti dw" people exist for no reason? something to think about.... Edited October 17, 2007 by Gazza

[Richard]

They are often criticised because there's a lot of anti dreamworld people here, plain and simple.

I think you're mistaking reasonable critical discussion as "anti Dreamworld". If Dreamworld is painted in an overwhelmingly negative light on this site, have you possibly considered that it is, as Gazza pointed out, for a reason? This is a theme park website centred around the Gold Coast theme parks that has neither affiliations with nor loyalty to any park/s. What possible reason would there be for an unjustified anti-Dreamworld attitude? Do you also realise that you have to spend $200 on park food/merchandise at Dreamworld in order to make back how much more it costs than a Sea World/Movie World season pass?

[nev]

Perhaps there are actually a heap of "pro-Dreamworld" people on this site, just plain and simple, for no reason, at all costs...

[dreamworld_rulz]

I think in this case it comes down to the "Anabel Principle", you might be able to save a couple of bucks using the DW food discount (You make that sound like the greatest thing ever), but you have to wonder if its worth it considering MW's products are a bit cheaper anyway, and the fact you waste time going to DW to get lunch, plus bus money for the trip. One thing, not everyone has annual passes like you so cant take advantage of the savings. DW are going to cop flak not because of anti DW sentiment, but because they work out to be more expensive than the others despite poorer quality, this is because the majority of visitors have to pay full price. Also, it's not anti DW sentiment, i mean take WWW, a great park, but still the same poor food. PS, would "anti dw" people exist for no reason? something to think about....

You get an Ezy Pass. They give you unlimited bus travel in the surfside network for the days you have purchased.

[Gazza]

Are the passes free?

[lisalila]

Of course the passes aren't free (what a stupid statement to make) but obviously if you get say a 7 day pass and you use it more then once during that 7 day period then the bus pass pays for itself...exactly like the way a annual pass pays for itself after a few visits to a park. I also don't waste time just going to DW for lunch, after lunch I spend the rest of the day at dw going on the rides.

[Gazza]

That was a rhetorical question.

[ads086]

I seriously do not think there is an anti-Dreamworld attitude here on Roller-Coaster.com.au. I remember when I first started browsing through these forums, I found the most exciting and interesting discussions were within the Dreamworld pages, because Dreamworld was the largest with the most rides. Now, I'm finding that I frequent the Movieworld pages far more often, because I actually enjoy a day at Movieworld far more. As far as food options go, when I eat at Movieworld I go to the Gotham City Cafe. At Dreamworld, it was some small place in Nick Central, themed to CatDog I think. I thought it was excessively expensive for the small meal I got. And I haven't been back to Dreamworld since the year they installed the Claw...

[dreamworld_rulz]

I seriously do not think there is an anti-Dreamworld attitude here on Roller-Coaster.com.au. I remember when I first started browsing through these forums, I found the most exciting and interesting discussions were within the Dreamworld pages, because Dreamworld was the largest with the most rides. Now, I'm finding that I frequent the Movieworld pages far more often, because I actually enjoy a day at Movieworld far more. As far as food options go, when I eat at Movieworld I go to the Gotham City Cafe. At Dreamworld, it was some small place in Nick Central, themed to CatDog I think. I thought it was excessively expensive for the small meal I got. And I haven't been back to Dreamworld since the year they installed the Claw...

That's the most expensive place to go. Except for the American Cafe of course. Catdog is now a Pizza place and it's quite expensive. I go into the Nick Central Cafe and get the Reef Pack. It's $9.70 for a large Combo with the MAP. On your next visit to MW go to the Wild West Section. The meals are cheaper. They are $7.95 for a regular or $1.50 extra to upgrade to large. Edited October 18, 2007 by dreamworld_rulz

[BNErider]

No...Wild West burgers is the most pricey I've found.

[T-bone]

If I am heading out to Dreamworld (and I didn't already pack a fresh sandwich with me), I usually head down to the old Rivertown Fast Foods, and I for one can say I have never had a problem with their foods. I guess I just ain't picky.

[flyonthewall]

What Richard says = Ditto. DW= Maquarie Bank. WVTP's= John Menzies. Personally, I choose to back the man. John Menzies is in my view "The Man" with a capital "M".

[Ninja]

The best theme park food ever was at Australia's Wonderland. Their immitation Maccas was sensational. God I miss those Cheeseburgers.

[Spotty]

Have you seen the food at Star's Cafe?! I haven't ate there since it was the "Studio Patisserie" and for 14 dollars you can get a HUGE Cobb Loaf that is piled on with salads and potato wedges. I mean these meals are so huge that when carrying them out I sometimes have difficulty finding room for the cutlery. I went into the park today as a guest and ordered a Butter Chicken Cobb and I had difficulty finishing it. The meal tasted great and I felt like I had really got value for my money. The food is a few dollars more than somewhere like Wild West Burgers or Gotham City but I'd rather pay the extra few dollars and get a great meal.

[lg9142]

I agree on the fact that Wonderland had the best food at any theme park I've been to. Last time I went to SeaWorld I couldn't go on the Corkscrew because of the ill feeling in my stomach from my meal. At Wet'n'Wild 2 days before, I got the same meal, and enjoyed it alot. I think it just comes down to the weather and the number of people being served at once.

[skystar_a320]

Although I think the Prices of food in our theme parks, Stinks! IMO Movieworld have a much better 'variety' of food, and slightly better Combos Dreamworld I think has the WORST! The Prices are ridiculous too!! Mind you i can't believe at Coles/Woolies a 2LT Coke is now $3.16!! (in Vic anyhow) I also went to a Mobil Servo today and picked up a 600ml coke $THREE DOLLARS NINETY FIVE! 3.95! So I suppose we should just accept the price of food and drink in general is going Up Up Up!! And our wages aren't going up!! well mine isn't/hasn't anyhow!

[Gazza]

^I think the best example I have seen of an overpriced food and drink item is at Sydney Airport, where a place was selling 600mL flavoured milk for $6.50 a bottle........I'll take the crab juice.

Edited January 26, 2008 by Gazza

[Evolution03]

I think even though the food at theme parks at theme parks arent the greatest foods in the world but thats wat makes the whole experience more uniqe if you follow me. Like your not gonna get the same food anywhere else except for dreamworld i think there food goes a bit over the edge last time i was there i got a personal pizza and i couldnt even finish it it was that dry.

[joz]

I really don't see this "Rip-off theme park food" thing every one's on about. I mean I pay $11 for a large burger meal at a theme park and its filling, and 9 times out of 10 good quality. With the exception of Macca's, everywhere else seems to get that much out of me when I go in for a meal, so to me theme parks are pretty much on par with what everywhere else charges. $3.95 for a 600ml coke at a servo? Its $3.50 at the theme parks, and unlike the servo, they DO have a captive audience. And yeah, $3.50 is kind of expensive for a 600ml, but theme parks really aren't the absolute pinnacle of bad value that everyone makes them out to be. We all know the Cinema are the masters of the insane mark-up.

[dreamworld_rulz]

I get the large fish combo it costs $9.70 with my M.A.P. Which is good because it's $9.95 for a regular. The food at DW is pretty good and good for value. MW is ok but the variety at the WWF isn't much.

[Gazza]

^$9.70 is still quite a bit above my local chippo. I think where this rip off perception comes from is the cost of individual items in many cases, snacks and drinks and individual meal items, such as buckets of chips. It is true what you are saying about meals being not too far above many of the other fast food chains (HJ & McD are the exceptions, but then again they don't specialise in expensive products), but buying whole meals is the only way to get anywhere close the normal prices , but sometimes the quality isn't up to scratch (Not necessarily only freshness or whatever, but things like pizzas that have only basic toppings when you would get more anywhere else) or the portions aren't big enough for what you are paying. I think now though, I have come to the realisation that its better to just go to the sit down restaurants in the parks, given people have higher expectations in these establishments, quality and value is above the walk in places.

We all know the Cinema are the masters of the insane mark-up.

Village Cinemas? Edited February 4, 2008 by Gazza