Disney testing new Express Fresh in-room dining

Feb 07, 2017 in "Disney's Contemporary Resort"

Posted: Tuesday February 7, 2017 9:58am EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

Beginning today, Disney will be piloting a new in-room dining service at its resort hotels.

Called Express Fresh, the new service aims to deliver quick and casual meals for private dining in guest rooms.

The key difference between regular room service and Express Fresh is that with the later, food will be packaged to be left at the guest's room door, rather than requiring setup inside the guest's room. Delivery of Fresh Express is planned to be within 30 minutes of ordering.

The initial pilot program will take place at Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Yacht Club Resort through to the end of March 2017. Traditional in-room dining will continue to be offered alongside Express Fresh. Look for a special Fresh Express menu inside the room information package.

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TrojanUSCFeb 11, 2017

Room service is actually a loss leader for a lot of hotels, despite the high markup of food. How, I'm not sure, but it is. As I mentioned previously, this has become relatively common for mid-tier hotels, especially those with a lot of convention or business travelers. This kind of thing would make complete sense for Disney's moderate resorts to do. However, Disney is currently struggling with how to lure high-spending luxury travelers to their own resorts, rather than staying at the Four Seasons or the Waldorf. This kind of thing is not the way to do it. Room service is a luxury and, for many people, something they look forward to when splurging on a nice hotel.

MinthorneFeb 11, 2017

Can't believe no one has posted a menu yet!

LAM378Feb 11, 2017

I hadn't even thought of that angle, but now that you mention it... I could be all wrong, but I really think a service like this is appealing to someone who is working, on the go, and doesn't want to deal with a long walk/long waits at the resort QS. Especially someone who often stays at hotels that already offer this type of service. Heck, I know that once I get back from a park and put my son to bed, the last thing I want to do is take the walk from YC over to the BC Marketplace for a subpar sandwich. Now I can have that subpar sandwich delivered to my door! ;)

Cesar R MFeb 10, 2017

So, this will be sort of.. to steal convention customers that usually order take out from pizza and other delivery style food?

larryzFeb 10, 2017

I imagine Bob has hot and cold running Cast Members to take care of his whims while in the CR.

21stampsFeb 10, 2017

Yeah, I've stayed at plenty of 5 star hotels...never stayed in a 5 figure per night room while at one though...I don't even do 4 figure.... maybe that's why. I can safely say that I'll never stay in a 5 figure per night room..so I'll probably keep living the tough life of not ordering whatever/whenever or getting tickets to sold out shows. I'll leave that to the high rollers..they deserve it for spending that much.

ford91exploderFeb 10, 2017

When I say Five Star. I'm talking about places like The Plaza, Mandarin Oriental or even The Four Seasons in NYC and Similar places worldwide Places where the best suite is five figures per night As for travel VIP status I'm Hilton Diamond

LaketravisFeb 10, 2017

True that. Holiday Inn Express always has breakfast waiting for me in the morning. I don't even have to call ahead. :)

RustySporkFeb 10, 2017

Don't take this the wrong way, I don't mean to offend, but you do seem to live the high life. Nothing wrong with that. :) Membership at various hotels and resorts often has benefits that become available to you once you reach certain status or spend a certain dollar amount. You don't even have to stay at a 5 star hotel to benefit from a lot of perks discussed in the thread.

21stampsFeb 10, 2017

Where? Regular or club level? I've never experienced such a thing...but, I'm not a VIP and don't stay in some exclusive club room.. so maybe that's why.lol

rob0519Feb 09, 2017

Bob had better not be staying at the Contemporary and expect to get anything to eat after Midnight.

larryzFeb 09, 2017

You can throw a couple of lizards into the rice cooker with two cups of rice...

RustySporkFeb 09, 2017

I'll get an email out to Bob and see if we can get this in front of the board for approval today.

ford91exploderFeb 09, 2017

MagicBand operated lizard cookers and spice dispensers....