I ventured out to Magic Kingdom this evening to check out the new menu items at Columbia Harbour House and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. In addition to new items, I also found higher prices on many quick service items throughout the Magic Kingdom. For example, a Regular 22-ounce fountain beverage is now $2.59, up from $2.19. If you want to skew it into percentage terms, that’s 18.3% more expensive. The Large 32-ounce fountain beverage is also 40 cents more expensive, ringing up at $2.89 as opposed to yesterday’s $2.49 price tag. An increase of a mere 16.1%. That Dole Whip that used to cost $3.19 is now $3.49. The Pineapple Float that was $4.19 yesterday is now $4.49. The Casey’s Corner “Premium” Hot Dog Combos are up to $8.59 a piece from $8.09. Just about everything at Pecos Bill is more expensive now.
Here’s Pecos Bill’s old menu:
And the new menu:
So that’s:
#1 Barbecue Pork Sandwich: $8.89 ->$9.39 (5.6% increase)
#2 1/3 Pound Angus Cheeseburger: $8.29 -> $8.69 (4.8% increase)
#3 Deluxe 1/3 Pound Angus Cheeseburger: $9.29 -> $9.69 (4.3% increase)
#4 Vegetable Burger: $6.99 -> $7.59 (8.6% increase)
#5 Caesar Salad Chicken: $7.79: -> $7.79 (0% increase)
#6 Taco Salad: $7.69 -> $8.19 (6.5% increase)
#7 Chilled Chicken Wrap: $8.79 -> $9.39 (6.8% increase)
In addition, Kid’s Meals are now $5.49, up from $4.99. A 10% increase.
Even the oft-closed Friar’s Nook got in on the action.
Old Menu:
New Menu
A measly 20 cents on the first two items, 50 cents on the Kid’s Meal, 40 cents on the fountain beverage, 25 cents on the Smart Water.
So there’s that.
Let’s head over to Columbia Harbour House to check out the new menu. The old menu (from June 2011) and pricing is available here: http://www.easywdw.com/menus-and-seating/columbia-harbour-house-liberty-square-major-quick-service/ and the rest of the quick service menus and pricing are available here: http://www.easywdw.com/menus-and-seating/magic-kingdom-quick-service-menus/. I’ll be updating as I get time over the next week.
New Columbia Harbour House Menu:
Differences:
Grilled Salmon with Couscous and Steamed Broccoli is new.
A Fried Shrimp/Fish Combo replaces the Fried Fish/Chicken Nugget Combo.
The Lobster Roll with Potato Chips is new.
The BLT Salad is replaced with the Broccoli Peppercorn Salad. Fine with me. I’m not big on salads with fried chicken nuggets on top.
Vegetarian Chili is new.
Soup of the Day is gone.
Steamed Fresh Broccoli is new.
Couscous is new.
For the kids, the Tuna Sandwich replaces the Mixed Greens with Chicken (bet that was popular with kids LOL)
Commentary on Differences:
It looks like we have some tasteful additions to the menu. While one of my vacation rules is “never order the fast food seafood,” I’ve had Disney World’s Lobster Roll at Tomorrowland Terrace and it was actually pretty good. Columbia Harbour House’s looked like it was the same. I have to laugh at the addition of couscous, considering Disney is a company that generally doesn’t get french fries right. How will they pull off couscous? Let’s see.
Grilled Salmon with Steamed Fresh Broccoli and Couscous.
I decided on the Grilled Salmon since it included three new menu items. It’s not a bad value at $10.19, considering the price of even lowish quality salmon. The broccoli was fine. Maybe “under steamed” a bit for my liking. I’m used to steaming broccoli in a bag in the microwave until its limp and has lost any indication that it’s broccoli though, so I may not be the best judge in that respect. It did retain a bit of a “crunch” or “raw texture,” which may very well be ideal. The couscous was about the same quality you’d get from a box in the grocery store. That is to say, it was fine. By the time I got it to the table, it was no longer hot (if it ever was), which was a bummer. The texture is what you would like to see in a couscous – it wasn’t overcooked and mushy. Considering the quantity that must be prepared, the attention was commendable. Not a ton of flavor, but couscous generally has a subtle taste unless it’s over seasoned. To compliment Columbia Harbour House, the couscous was every bit as good as what you’ll get at Restaurant Marrakesh at Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion.
The salmon had an overpoweringly tart taste, like it had too much lemon. It was hot, flaky, and cooked well, but they didn’t have the marinade quite right (in my opinion). I would have liked to see a more subtle flavor from the marinade that brought out the flavor of the fish. Of course, a strong sauce also covers up a lower quality salmon. We’ll see what other people have to say about it down the road. I’m not much of a food critic, as you can tell. Overall, the meal was just fine. It’s nice to see some healthier options that aren’t salads with fried chicken on top served with a high calorie ranch dressing. I always laugh at the people dumping the full tub of Caesar dressing on their salad at the Costco Food Court, completely oblivious to the fact that there’s more fat in that tub than in a huge piece of Costco pizza. But that’s only because I’m mean.
This was as backed up as I’ve ever seen Columbia Harbour House, at least considering the relatively few people in line. The upstairs seating area was mostly empty and there were still tables downstairs, yet the ordering process took about 25 minutes from the time I got in line to the time I received my food. Pretty ridiculous for only having five or six groups in front of me. Obviously, there are still kinks to work out in the new menu. The salmon and couscous, which take more attention, may also slow down food service. It would be nice if they could get it together and these sorts of “higher end” choices could be made available at the likes of ABC Commissary or Electric Umbrella.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
The lobster roll looked good. Your food reviews always make me hungry.
Your site is just soooooo good, I just don’t think I would be making our first trip if not for you and your forum. Thank you!!!!
Overall, price increases a bit larger than the past. Any idea about price increases in the table service restaurants?
I’ll check. I’m headed out to Animal Kingdom this morning to see how things are looking over there.
This is one of those blog posts that would do well as a podcast, just so we can hear “couscous” said over and over
Didn’t know Disney couldn’t do fries, thanks for the tip.
Well that stinks that the shrimp-only entree has been replaced with a shrimp/fish combo. Maybe they’ll let you just get shrimp-only if you ask really nice. I’ll give it a test when we’re there in about three weeks!
There’s still a shrimp only entree it’s the fish/ chicken that’s gone. Hope that’s what I said, i’m on my phone.
Nice review. We were there 2 weeks ago and I got the tuna sandwich, as usual. It’s nice to see some different options, though.
I have to say that Disney is one of the few places where I actually like the fries.
Did you by any chance get to Cosmic Rays to check out the new gelato? I am curious to see that, although it sounds like that was the only interesting menu change. Love your site, by the way!
To be fair, some people just like to eat salads because they taste good and not because they are thinking it’s healthy. LOL. I order salads often (and smother them in dressing) but I know full well that it’s just as unhealthy as other options. I just happen to prefer the taste over that of a piece of pizza or a burger.
Great review. IMPORTANT, EARTH-SHATTERING question about the Dole Whips and Floats: do they still have the snack symbol next to them? Especially the float now that it is so far above $4. Thanks.
With the price increase to $4.59, will the Dole Whip Pineapple Float still be considered a “snack” on the Dining Plan? Please say “yes”!
I’d like to know about the Dole Whip floats as snacks, too. But that lobster roll looks good – I might have to try that when we’re there. I had a tuna sandwich last time (the only time we went there) and it was tasty. The kiddo loves the mac’n'cheese and I think CHH’s version was better than we saw elsewhere. The trouble with CHH lies with my picky hubby who generally doesn’t eat seafood. Maybe he’ll just go for the chicken nuggets so we can all eat together. From the other menu that was posted (I think it was Pecos Bill’s), have you ever had the Taco Salad, and do you recommend it?
We surprisingly enjoyed the Lobster roll at Tomorrowland Terrace too; it is really nice to have options at CS locations other than traditional park fare of burgers, hot dogs, and fries!
CHH is always one of my favorite CS places. Thanks for the new info!
Bummer I do NOT like broccoli.wonder if you can sub it??? Anyone know…
Rachel – I was actually going to go to Cosmic Ray’s after Columbia Harbour House for the gelato, but ended up running around taking menu pictures after I realized so many had changed. I have in mind to order the gelato and whatever this “Angus Pizza Burger” is the next time I’m at Magic Kingdom. I’m 99% sure the gelato is pre-packaged in little tubs, but I don’t know if that’s necessarily a bad thing. The flavors are chocolate and a no-sugar-added mango.
Many of you – I just posted the Aloha Isle menu at: http://www.easywdw.com/freebies/new-aloha-isle-menu/
Rebecca – The Taco Salad at Pecos Bill and Tortuga Tavern (in Adventureland, usually open from 11am – 3pm) is basically just the meat in the bottom of a taco shell container. You then go to the toppings bar and fill up the shell with lettuce, cheese, etc. It’s not one of my go to items, but I’d rather order tacos or a burrito (at least at Tortuga Tavern). That’s just my preference though.
Connie – I think the only item that “forces” broccoli on you is the salmon and my guess is you could substitute apple slices or french fries for it. I didn’t ask though.
I used to eat the vegetarian chili at CHH back when they served it in a bread bowl, so it’s nice to see it on the menu. My husband loves the tuna sandwich, and I usually get the hummus, but the salmon looks worth trying. I am a big fan of steamed vs. fried, so broccoli and couscous are very appealing to me. Glad to see that you can still get the fried shrimp basket, but with broccoli as an option, I won’t be fighting my son for the fries (which he loves) and will feel virtuous as I crunch away on the deep-fried shrimp. We’re on the QSDP (free!) again this year, so the price rises won’t really bother us. Everybody’s stuff seems to be going up.
Josh,
Still loving your site.
Frustarting, isn’t it, how poorly people read?
The questions some ask are clearly posted, but they don’t read it.
It’s not their fault. I mumble through most of these things.
I am so glad to see salmon at CHH. They used to have a wonderful salmon plate at Tusker House when it was counter service. My daughter & I thought it was the best counter service meal in ANY of the parks. They had jolaf rice with it (that is what they called it, don’t know how that differs). I just got back from WDW 8/19/11. Wish they had rolled out the new menu while I was there. Sadly it will be more than a year until I can go back, so who knows if this new menu will survive until then.
I also love salads, not for healthy or weightloss purposes, but for taste.
Husband prefers double cheeseburgers and fries. Even drenched in lowfat dressing, I think his has more fat.
I enjoy the taco salads at Peco Bill’s. I get 1 each trip – easier to eat than a burrito when helping kids eat.
I like your food reviews, they aren’t dramatic, but in general I feel that I have the info I need to be an informed consumer. I’m certain you’re right about the excessive use of lemon on the salmon. The ascorbic acid in the lemon can neutralize some of the fishy oils in lower quality fish.
Thanks Josh great post. I tend to steer clear of seafood options too. I usually am a veggie lunch gal, w/o the dressing, LOL.
Well dropping a soup of the day kinda makes sense when a “repeat customer” comes back again next year …. its not like they are serving the same person three times a week year round.
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