$279 for Tea. Are They Serious?

I just read about the new tea service on the Fantasy for cruises of 7 days. I am as big a Disney fan as anyone but this seems like a money grab. And that is for one adult and one child. I am sure they will have takers but that is a lot of money. Other lines have added Chef's Tables and Ultimate Tours. I guess this is an upscale Disney option for kids. I wonder if it will last.

Was reading a description on another site. Apparently you get quite a bit of swag (girls get a charm bracelet and a charm from each Princess, boys get a special Duffy bear and pins. Plus some other stuff. You also get a lot of character time, an autograph book etc.

Can't say I see the value, but the Disneyphiles will go for it.

I just read about the new tea service on the Fantasy for cruises of 7 days. I am as big a Disney fan as anyone but this seems like a money grab. And that is for one adult and one child. I am sure they will have takers but that is a lot of money. Other lines have added Chef's Tables and Ultimate Tours. I guess this is an upscale Disney option for kids. I wonder if it will last.

Buy Disney stock on dips. ;)

Folks pay for this stuff for their kids. :rolleyes:

There will be a waiting list likely. This is new, so reports are thin. But ....

Think $ $ $ $ for stockholders.

:D

I bet they would get more takers if they charged $50-75 and cut out the gifts. Most of the kids want the time with the characters.

They don't have time, or "willing" space, on the new builds for tea with anyone, especially if for free, as the classics. So they tweaked the offer, on the new builds, quadrupled the price, and we will/they'll see if anyone bites. lol.

ETA; IMHO

They will sell it as an "exclusive" sort of thing with very limited seating and people will pay it. Sort of the same thing as the cabanas....

There is an analogous event at the Grand Floridian that costs roughly the same; it is quite popular and has been offered for years. Seems like an effort to bring some of WDW to the cruise ships.

Mom dad and 2 kids $550 for

a tea that should be included

just say no !!

Was reading a description on another site. Apparently you get quite a bit of swag (girls get a charm bracelet and a charm from each Princess, boys get a special Duffy bear and pins. Plus some other stuff. You also get a lot of character time, an autograph book etc.

 

Can't say I see the value, but the Disneyphiles will go for it.

If my daughters were still in grade school, I would most likely purchase it.

Agreed! This price is OUTRAGOUS!:eek:

I just read about the new tea service on the Fantasy for cruises of 7 days. I am as big a Disney fan as anyone but this seems like a money grab. And that is for one adult and one child. I am sure they will have takers but that is a lot of money. Other lines have added Chef's Tables and Ultimate Tours. I guess this is an upscale Disney option for kids. I wonder if it will last.

I guess when you look at it as an overall cost it is really high!

But when you take into account the number of cast members involved in such a meeting, it does add up quite quickly.

Pastry Chefs, and Chefs required to make the food, servers to bring the food and serve. Character manager to arrange and "probably" be present, the characters (as face characters are paid more than the furry's)

Then the wardrobe mistress and assistants to both maintain and clean the costumes and dress the characters, maybe a technician if music is involved?

House keeping to clean up afterwards.

What might seem to be just a 30-45 minute or 1 hr experience can be a 3 hour labor cost to the cruise line.

All of a sudden, along with the included items a $279 price for 1 kid and adult is a reality. $210 for an additional kid is outrageous though, maybe $100?

ex techie

Mom dad and 2 kids $550 for

a tea that should be included

They should have the regular tea with XXX tea and cookies as an included activity on the Dream Class ships, and the special tea with the added gifts at the additional price posted IMO.

ex techie

My wife and I went to Remy on the Dream and the experience was exceptional. As good as Palo is, Remy is that much better. They should have a Michelin. Many feel that this is an overpriced event but, even with wine, it came to $250. To us it was well worth it. I suppose that, if money is no object, the tea might be worth it. I guess we will have to wait and see what the interest is.

Unless things change, they do have a regular tea that is free. You need to request tickets at guest services, it is not heavily publicized to keep demand low.

They should have the regular tea with XXX tea and cookies as an included activity on the Dream Class ships, and the special tea with the added gifts at the additional price posted IMO.

 

ex techie

Unless things change, they do have a regular tea that is free. You need to request tickets at guest services, it is not heavily publicized to keep demand low.

The "regular" tea (Tea with.......the Princesses; Disney Friends; Alice; whoever) is only available on the classic ships.

My wife and I went to Remy on the Dream and the experience was exceptional. As good as Palo is, Remy is that much better. They should have a Michelin. Many feel that this is an overpriced event but, even with wine, it came to $250. To us it was well worth it. I suppose that, if money is no object, the tea might be worth it. I guess we will have to wait and see what the interest is.

As you say, anyone could look at an up charge of $75/pp on a cruise and think that was outrageous for just a meal, but the experience and costs to have the specialist chefs and top end servers does demand a higher price.

If money were no object, then all Guests would chose to have a one or a one with the characters. I think it is about $250 for a half hour with two? (I am probably wrong though!)

ex techie

The "regular" tea (Tea with.......the Princesses; Disney Friends; Alice; whoever) is only available on the classic ships.

That was my understanding too Shmoo.

But I am very out of the loop on the changes!

ex techie

Shmoo,

How much is the personal meet and great with Mickey and Minnie?

ex techie

Shmoo,

 

How much is the personal meet and great with Mickey and Minnie?

 

ex techie

Sorry, I have no idea. I only know it's probably out of the budget we usually have for cruising.

Sorry, I have no idea. I only know it's probably out of the budget we usually have for cruising.

Sorry, must have mistaken you for someone else.

ex techie

Shmoo,

 

How much is the personal meet and great with Mickey and Minnie?

 

ex techie

I arranged a group meet and greet on the Dream Back in July. In working with Disney on the logistics, we could have a character come for 30 minutes for $500 (if my memory serves me correctly). I didn't pursue it any further as i5 seemed a little pricey for our 45 minute get together.

New video. From the looks of it you get about $10 worth of food and maybe $75 worth of Disney merchandise (since it is expensive to start with).

Like all lines, they are selling their product at what the market will bear.

However in this case, if you read what is included, there is a whole lot more then just tea.

AKK

I think this is much to do about nothing and Disney has consistently offered higher priced options at multiple venues. The BB Boutique, the Tea at Grand Floridian, Club 33 at Disneyland, Golden Oaks at Disney World, Concierge rooms on the ships, etc. I could go on forever.

What I like about Disney is that they offer a high quality base service at just above the norm. You can have a wonderful vacation by paying some extra bucks on a DCL ship and never enter an up-charge restaurant or get your kids hair done. However, if you want and have the extra money to spend, they have those options too.

My only concern is whether this would be directly marketed to the children. While I do not believe it is the case, I would be highly annoyed if I found BBB or Tea flyers in my stateroom every day.