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[johnd331]

I've been to Earl of Sandwich. The food there is not bad at all, quite good actually. Most of you probably know Subway. The chain that sells those overpriced American-style submarine sandwiches. If you compare Earl to Subway, Earl clearly wins by a big margin. Their sandwiches are much more sophisticated, their bread is better (it is crispy and even has a taste) and their standard combinations are better and more original than the Subway fare. If you like the large quantities Subway offers (the footlong sandwiches), you might be dissapointed, but I tend to go for quality rather than quantity .

But, you're in the homeland of the baguette, it's a shame there is not a single shop that sells freshly baked French baguettes in the whole of the resort. (If you're lucky, you can find some pre-wrapped ones at Market House Deli or Blockbuster Cafe.) A decent, freshly baked French baguette can be even more delicious than anything Earl has on offer.

Anyway, I'm excited about this new addition. The resort needs additions like this. It offers something special (at least for the moment, Earl of Sandwiches still has just a handful of locations around the globe). We can get McD and Starbucks anywhere else in the world. Let's hope the invasion of the common franchises into the village has been halted after Starbucks.

One thing I don't get although is, why has this location been chosen? First of all, Earl of Sandwich offers food that most of us would consider lunchtime fare. Yet, this place will be completely empty around lunchtime. Also, you won't be visiting this spot while making a switchover between the parks, it is completely on the wrong side of the village.

Earl of Sandwich would, in my opinion, make a perfect addition inside one of the two parks, as a themed restaurant. It shouldn't be too difficult to adapt such a restaurant to a specific theme, even provide some fitting backstory to it. Most people don't leave the parks for lunch anyway and it isn't like the Studios are overflowing with places to eat.

Maybe I can start a personal rant about the quality of the food in the parks here (although blatantly off-topic)... I don't understand why the resort isn't doing anything to bring the food inside the parks to a higher standard. Especially the low-end offerings, they are just bad. Yes, I've eaten (far) worse at other parks, but there is really no excuse to selling the same low quality burgers, hot-dogs and reheated pizzas all over the place. Also, in my opinion, there is a huge gap in quality and consistency between the parks in general and the food being offered at the Village and most hotels, this really needs to be fixed in my opinion.

[dagobert]

I don't think Disney wants other brands in their parks. In the US they made an exception for McDonalds. In none of their parks are any other restaurants. Although there are restaurant chains that operate some restaurants in Disney parks, but they are not allowed to use their logo.

The food at DLRP is really bad, especially the fast food. The table service restaurants offer better food, but nevertheless it is still not as good as the food served at WDW. That's just our opinion and based on our visit to WDW in 2008 and on our visits to DLRP in 2008 and 2010. I really hope that the quality of the food gets better.

During my semester in the US I have been to Subway a lot and there it was cheaper than in the Europe. Here the subs are really expensive, but compared to the US even McDonalds food is expensive in Europe. Another reason, despite the food, not to go there.

[Martyn]

Most of you probably know Subway. The chain that sells those overpriced American-style submarine sandwiches.

Maybe over priced, but they certainly fill you up. And I dont care how un-healthy it is, they're Meatball Marinara is off the hook!

And I think you've got it spot on about the location, it is very odd when you think about it.

[Festival Disney]

It'll have a nice view over Lake Disney though, much like the view that the original Key West Seafood had of "Lake Buena Vista" :lol:

[johnd331]

I don't think Disney wants other brands in their parks. In the US they made an exception for McDonalds. In none of their parks are any other restaurants. Although there are restaurant chains that operate some restaurants in Disney parks, but they are not allowed to use their logo.

That's just to underline the original qualities of DCA ofcourse . There are, indeed, no other chains operating under their own brand at this moment. But it's not like Disney isn't selling brands like "Coca Cola" and "Ben & Jerry's" by their original name, even their advertising is all over the place. Of course, having competition for your own food outlets might not be the optimal thing. Yet again, there is a lot of room for something like Earl inside both parks. Maybe they should outsource it a bit more to parties that are actually good at bringing GOOD food at reasonable prices and focus themselves on the stuff they actually should be good at: running the parks in the best possible way. Most of the food in the Village and hotels is outsourced and to be honest, they do a better job than the parks.

Here the subs are really expensive, but compared to the US even McDonalds food is expensive in Europe.

I doubt it will be much different for Earl of Sandwich. In general, costs here are higher and as a result food, especially at restaurants, is more expensive. But in my opinion, Subway really is out-of-balance in Europe, especially since you cannot consider it some specality location anymore, there are almost as many Subway restaurants as McDonalds in many places those days (although Subway seems to be suffering from canibalism, especially in Germany), but that's an entirely different discussion

Maybe over priced, but they certainly fill you up. And I dont care how un-healthy it is, they're Meatball Marinara is off the hook!

You should really try the "Cannonballs" sandwich from Earl of Sandwich (this spring) and tell us what you think of it.

[Anthony]

With the location, if anything I'm surprised they've given such a nice spot to a relatively affordable restaurant. With a view over the lake you might expect something more upmarket. I guess it's a small spot, and I don't think it'll be a problem at all. McDonald's is tucked away on its own around the back and is nearly always overflowing, whilst Starbucks seems busy right through the day. Obviously they have the recognised brand, but Earl of Sandwich will be unique by comparison - it'll win a lot of trade simply by not being either of those two.

You're possibly underestimating the potential here if you think Earl of Sandwich will only be popular at lunchtimes. I wouldn't be surprised to see people who normally eat at Market House Deli picking up lunch here instead, and evenings will be big. It might just take an advertisement or two out the front of Disney Village just to get word out to the people who turn back after Hollywood Pictures at the moment.

I'd imagine DLP wouldn't like the loss in their revenue, even if it made for a better experience if Earl of Sandwich actually took over the sandwich provision at Market House Deli, Blockbuster Café, etc. Thematically Toad Hall would obviously be a perfect fit, but then that place actually has one of the better counter service offerings already.

[johnd331]

Sorry about dragging on a bit about it, but I actually like the discussion

With the location, if anything I'm surprised they've given such a nice spot to a relatively affordable restaurant. With a view over the lake you might expect something more upmarket. I don't think it'll be a problem at all. McDonald's is tucked away on its own around the back and is nearly always overflowing, whilst Starbucks seems busy right through the day. Obviously they have the recognised brand, but Earl of Sandwich will be unique by comparison - it'll win a lot of trade simply by not being either of those two. You're possibly underestimating the potential here if you think Earl of Sandwich will only be popular at lunchtimes. I wouldn't be surprised to see people who normally eat at Market House Deli picking up lunch here instead.

Well, I don't think it will be a complete failure, I'm actually almost certain it will be a success, at least at the beginning. Also, there are quite a lot of people that eat at Subway for dinner. Yet again, I think it is a partial failure for being not at the optimal spot. I only see myself exiting the parks and walking over there for lunch, if all other options inside the parks are totally overcrowded. When I'm walking back from the parks to the hotels during park operating hours, the Village is usually quite deserted, even on crowded days, which isn't unusual ofcourse. Most visitors paid good money for admission and they want to use every minute of it .

I'd imagine DLP wouldn't like the loss in their revenue, even if it made for a better experience if Earl of Sandwich actually took over the sandwich provision at Market House Deli, Blockbuster Café, etc.

Yeah, it's all about the margins. Yet, Burger Invasion is one of the most succesful "restaurants" at DCA and they worked on a joint-venture for years. Nobody knows why-the-hell they choose the bottom-line of the fast-food franchises out there... Also, they're also giving the margins away at the Village and the hotels already, but it seems to be working in favor of them.

I'm convinced they would be selling more food, beverages and merchandise if they optimized it more to what people are actually looking for. Most people visiting the park prefer a rather light lunch around noon, some snacks in the afternoon and a full, warm dinner at the evening.  In the parks, we've seen the rise of the all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants. They're easy to operate, but also dilute the offer for a decent lunch inside the parks.

Thematically Toad Hall would obviously be a perfect fit, but then that place actually has one of the better counter service offerings already.

Yes, Toad Hall would be the perfect fit, yet I would never forgive them if they changed the menu or even the restaurant itself . There was (and still is) pleny of opportunity left in the Studios. Lots of hungy people there everytime I visit...

[Anthony]

Yet again, I think it is a partial failure for being not at the optimal spot. I only see myself exiting the parks and walking over there for lunch, if all other options inside the parks are totally overcrowded. When I'm walking back from the parks to the hotels during park operating hours, the Village is usually quite deserted, even on crowded days, which isn't unusual ofcourse. Most visitors paid good money for admission and they want to use every minute of it .

I always actually assumed one reason McDonald's might have been built right at the back of the Village was to stop this dash-in-and-out for fast food, to stop people eating there instead of the parks or just popping in for a takeaway without having to walk past a few Disney boutiques first. I mean, if they built Earl of Sandwich where they're building World of Disney, the counter service places in the parks would be in serious trouble!

Yes, Toad Hall would be the perfect fit, yet I would never forgive them if they changed the menu or even the restaurant itself . There was (and still is) pleny of opportunity left in the Studios. Lots of hungy people there everytime I visit...

Maybe Colonel Hathi's Pizza Outpost would be another good fit, with a slight name change. It has such a dull menu at the moment - a pizza outpost with a choice of just two bland pizzas now? Cheese, or cheese with ham! Sandwiches, wraps and soup would be so much better. In any case, the location wouldn't really have to be British themed, if they were just "stocking" the sandwiches. It'd be great to see sandwiches wrapped up with an Earl of Sandwich sticker on them anywhere. But then you have to ask: Why can't Disney just make this kind of good quality fast food themselves?

[dagobert]

That would be great if Disney and EoS sould start a joint venture for selling the sandwiches. The Blockbuster Cafe and Thr Pizza Outpost would be great locations. Disney's fast food is really bad, especially their burgers, but I don't eat them anymore. So no problem for me. The pizzas are okay, but I only eat them once per stay.

When I'm abroad I always eat at Subway for a snack, because here in Austria we don't have any Subway Restaurants. There is McDonalds and in a few cities you will find a Burger King. That's all. Subway has a great Veggie Sandwich for a reasonable price.

Do you know which company produces the pizzas and pastas for the Disney fast food restaurants? Is it one of their supporters? Nestle or Unilever?

[johnd331]

I always actually assumed one reason McDonald's might have been built right at the back of the Village was to stop this dash-in-and-out for fast food, to stop people eating there instead of the parks or just popping in for a takeaway without having to walk past a few Disney boutiques first.

There might be some truth to that, although McDonald's already existed before the studios opened.

I mean, if they built Earl of Sandwich where they're building World of Disney, the counter service places in the parks would be in serious trouble!

That might just be the case indeed, especially for the Studios. Most of the time I exit the Studios around lunchtime to find some lunch in the Disneyland park. If Earl of Sandwich would be (almost) en-route, the choice would be obvious.

Maybe Colonel Hathi's Pizza Outpost would be another good fit, with a slight name change. It has such a dull menu at the moment - a pizza outpost with a choice of just two bland pizzas now? Cheese, or cheese with ham!

Last time I checked, their menu was almost identical to Pizzeria Bella Notte and Victoria's Home-Style. It's a Pizza outpost on socialist rations. It really is a pity there is nothing special to eat here. This place has such a beatiful interior and a hughe capacity. Yet, it is quite often virtually deserted or even closed.

Sandwiches, wraps and soup would be so much better. In any case, the location wouldn't really have to be British themed, if they were just "stocking" the sandwiches. It'd be great to see sandwiches wrapped up with an Earl of Sandwich sticker on them anywhere.

I don't think Earl of Sandwich will be to fond of selling pre-wrapped sandwiches, as they take pride in the fact that everything is prepared fresh . Yet again, it would be a real improvement to Croque Monsieur or rubbery "pastrami" sandwiches. (which, last time I visited, weren't even available at Market House Deli).

But then you have to ask: Why can't Disney just make this kind of good quality fast food themselves?

I think their focus is simply wrong. They rely on a few companies that mass-produce the fast food fare they serve. It is quite obvious they don't have the same sophistication that some of those large fast food chains have. If you look at the large queues at some of those places and how slow they actually more, it is quite obvious their processes are not optimal. And you see the same with the food, it's far beyond optimal either.

Also, they're serving lukewarm pizza over-the-counter in cardboard boxes. How many other pizza joints do you know that serve instant pizza in a cardboard box? Most pizza joints sell either freshly baked pizzas or pizza slices that are reheated in a pizza oven.

Still, food inside theme parks remains a mistery to me. Most parks I've visited in Europe even serve food that's far below the quality being offered at DLP...

[CafeFantasia]

I vaguely remember, when Disneyland Paris first opened, the food in the park was of a really high quality. Disney were trying hard to impress the French. March Hare Refreshments did they beautiful Unbirthday Cakes, and the pasta at the Bella Notte was on another level. Plus they had this cool multi-coloured translucent cutlery, including a pasta fork with a spiral handle.

[Martyn]

It might just take an advertisement or two out the front of Disney Village just to get word out to the people who turn back after Hollywood Pictures at the moment.

Thats a good point.... the Earl isn't even going to be visable from anywhere in the village (unless you're outside Cafe Mickey). They'll definitely need to scatter some adveritsing boards about.

[johnd331]

I vaguely remember, when Disneyland Paris first opened, the food in the park was of a really high quality. Disney were trying hard to impress the French.

I not so vaguely remember that the food used to be better . It even was even slightly better just about two years ago. Even the table restaurant have deteriorated in quality in my opinion. I ate at Silver Spur and Walts both in 2008 and 2010 and did notice a shift in quality to the wrong side.

Back in 1992, the park did have fewer counter restaurants, just because they though Europeans would appreciate higher quality food. They left out alcoholic beverages, which caused quite a stir in the French press. As of the restructuring, they reduced the number of table service restaurants and changed the menu drastically. (And yes, ever since, you even can get wine inside the parks .).

For some reason, over the years, they started to dillute the offerings of all the outlets. For example, Casey's Corner is selling the same hot dogs as you can get everywhere else in the park, with the sole exception that you can add cheese on top. About 16 years ago, they offered about 6 varieties of different hot dogs. Also, their signature lemon pie is gone... There are countless other examples, like the Unbirthday Cake you mentioned.

We Europeans should be known for good cuisine, yet we still accept being served the lowest common dominator. The food at all other Disney parks is generally much better... When they opened the resort, they were affraid that they aimed to low, now they're aiming even lower than the American counterparts. Still, we seem to accept it and we're giving the wrong examples to the people that make the decision. I've never ever eaten at the McDonalds in the Village, yet, this place is overflowing every day. I don't get it, when I'm on a vacation, I want something that I cannot get every day...

PS: One of the opening partners of Disneyland Paris was Findus. Findus was not only a sponsor, but also a supplier. Findus is a Swedish firm by origin, which I can imagine, wasn't really met with the warmest welcome in the country of haute cuisine.

[dagobert]

John it is so true what you are saying. In the last two years the quality of the food went downhill. We have also been to DLRP in 2008 and 2010 and we were so disappointed by the food including table service. We have eaten at Walts three times since 2006 and this year the food wasn't really worth the money. Okay I'm vegetarian, but I deserve the same quality.

Besides DLRP we have only visited WDW and even there the food is so much better. There the CMs did everything to satisfy us. They even created some special dishes for us that weren't on the menu. When I asked the waiter at Walts if it is possible to add cooked vegetables to my meal, he got angry and told that can't do that. The rest of the time he didn't speak in ENglish to us, just in French. We required another waiter and made a complaint at Guest Relations.

You are also right that it is annoying that you get the same fast food in nearly all restaurants. It's so sad that Disney doesn't try harder, but as long as nobody asks for better food nothing will change. Back home, Disney sent us an email that they are sorry about our dining experiences and that they are thinking about changing the menu. Let's wait and see.

We have eaten once at McDonalds at DLRP and it wasn't good. I was never a big fan of McD, but we had to catch the train and the queues weren't that long. I do understand families to eat there, because the food is expensive at DLRP and at McD you know what you get. Although I think tis isn't even true for McD, because in my opinion the quality of their food varies in all countries.

Disney just has to reorganize their food. In the D23 fall magazine there is an article about Christophe Coutanson and it says that he is responsible for the menus of all restaurants and buffets at DLP, WDS and DV. I don't think that fasst food is included. Maybe it would be better to split it up to three chefs. It's a huge responsibilty for one chef to create all menus.

[johnd331]

I hope we didn't go so far off-topic that we silently killed the original topic

Disney just has to reorganize their food. In the D23 fall magazine there is an article about Christophe Coutanson and it says that he is responsible for the menus of all restaurants and buffets at DLP, WDS and DV. I don't think that fasst food is included. Maybe it would be better to split it up to three chefs. It's a huge responsibilty for one chef to create all menus.

This guy has been the "executive chef" since the beginning. I doubt he can be content with the current state of things in the parks. Yet again, he probably has to work with the given budget and suppliers.

We probably all know about the cook that committed suicide, maybe it is not right to connect those two without knowing all the details, but it surely rings a bell...

On the bright side, we're a few months away from a franchise that seemingly still cares about quality and still needs to prove itself. That should, at least for the medium term future increase the overal quality of food on offer at the resort. Also, a succes of those non-Disney eateries might also spark some renewed interest in raising food quality at the parks themselves.