Over the weekend, it was reported by Twitter user @bioreconstruct that Universal had made changes to the menus at their new water theme park, Volcano Bay. This news came as a shock, because Universal has been heavily marketing the food at Volcano Bay long before the park even opened, touting over 60 different items to choose from. In fact, until Universal can work out all of the issues with the Virtual Line system, the main selling point of Volcano Bay was the food and beverage items that are far superior to what is being sold at other Universal theme parks (excluding The Wizarding World of Harry Potter).
New Feasting Frog menu. Originally had tacos. Sales hurt here by highly reflective menu, hard to read. Note umbrellas. In Volcano Bay. pic.twitter.com/wGFEKvmYNB
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) July 29, 2017
Current menu at Bambu in Volcano Bay. Pineapple Upside Down Cake still on menu here! Edamame Burger dropped (however it’s at Kohola Reef). pic.twitter.com/0nbqIK1b7b
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) July 29, 2017
In total, nearly 30 items were removed from menus with only 4 new options added and those new options include the always glamorous Bacon Cheeseburger, Footlong Hot Dog, Footlong Corn Dog, and Loaded Nachos. The biggest casualty came to The Feasting Frog Taco stand that no longer features tacos of any kind. Kohola Reef also suffered some big losses – the biggest being the Hawaiian Ribs, which were fall-off-the-bone delicious.
Current pizza menu at Kohola Reef at Volcano Bay. 2nd pic, original. No more Hawaiian pizza, or Pineapple Upside Down Cake. pic.twitter.com/Ygi0pIS8i3
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) July 29, 2017
Consolidated burgers and BBQ menu in Kohola Reef at Volcano Bay. 2nd pic original separate menu for BBQ line. pic.twitter.com/ETPKo0RkPG
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) July 29, 2017
However, in some cases they have made good choices. Bambu and Whakawaiwai Eats eliminated the Foot Long Pretzel Dog, which in theory should’ve been amazing, but in reality was mediocre.
Shorter menu at Whakawaiwai Eats in Volcano Bay. Has Hawaiian pizza. Still no desserts on menu, sells the Brookie. 2nd pic original menu. pic.twitter.com/TQgMK5Sq4q
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) July 29, 2017
It is unknown at this time if cutting the menus down is just part of Volcano Bay settling into place and getting rid of unpopular choices, or if it is an attempt to optimize wait times for food at the restaurants. Since Universal has been getting slammed with bad reviews for Volcano Bay, they have been working hard at trying to fix the problems and this could be one of their solutions. We will just have to wait and see if this ends up being a positive or negative impact on the overall experience at Volcano Bay, but the changes will most likely be forgotten a year from now.
I am also disappointed in this but based on everything I have read/heard it seems like it came down to a) what was actually selling and b) the ability to get the food ready in a timely manner to keep the food lines moving.
I doubt this is a speed of service issue. In a past career, I managed operations in the food service industry for 12 years, and it is completely obvious that this is a deliberate move to high margin food items, plain and simple. It would mean either Universal is getting super greedy, or that there was some major revenue issues in that park that they are having to cut corners to correct.
The Mac & Cheese generation has spoken. If you can’t sell exciting food you are forced to run a school cafeteria. It happened to Epcot (remember the first 5 years?) and it’s happening here. The proudly self proclaimed picky eaters win.
Why can’t we have nice things?