It has now been just about 5 years since dearly-departed Disney CFO Christine McCarthy presented an notorious resolution addressing the have an effect on of inflation on Walt Disney International and Disneyland. This used to be again at the November 2021 income name, regarding the July to September quarter. Which means that it’s been 5 years because the period of time being addressed.
McCarthy stated that inflation used to be at the minds of each and every CFO, noting that Disney used to be already seeking to organize inflationary pressures. As for a way Disney may lower prices, right here’s what she presented as choices: “We will regulate providers. We will exchange merchandise…We will take a look at pricing the place vital. We aren’t going to head simply instantly throughout and building up costs.”
This used to be additionally the supply of her now-infamous line: “We will lower portion sizes, which is almost certainly excellent for some other folks’s waistlines.” (Sorry, I do know I reference this so much. I nonetheless can’t recover from the absurdity of her pondering those had been phrases she must say out loud in public.)
Phrases like “skimpflation” and “shrinkflation” have since entered our collective vernacular, and Disney has transform a poster kid for each. It is a level we’ve addressed at a couple of instances over the past 5 years, in particular when menu costs have greater.
Walt Disney International has been hitting visitors with a triple whammy: decreasing parts, reducing high quality, and elevating costs. Clearly all 3 of the ones issues aren’t going down on each and every unmarried merchandise (more or less tough to scale back the scale or high quality of a 20 ounce bottle of Coke!), however they’re making those “changes” anyplace imaginable.
A few of that had already came about again in overdue 2021! Portion sizes turned into noticeably smaller at some eating places post-reopening, with high quality cuts along side them. This used to be one of the vital large explanation why we stopped consuming at two of our once-favorite counter carrier eating places, Flame Tree Barbeque and Docking Bay 7.
Additionally it is why, again in overdue 2020, we “rediscovered” and re-reviewed one easy and simple counter carrier eating place the place I’ve since dined greater than all the different eating places at Disney’s Hollywood Studios mixed: ABC Commissary.
At the moment, ABC Commissary simply reopened with a brand new menu. We remarked on the time that it reputedly had now not been hit by way of worth will increase or high quality cuts, not like lots of its opposite numbers.
Whilst it had misplaced its breakfast that used to be to be had very in brief pre-closure and its extra increased fast-casual dinner enjoy that if truth be told permitted Advance Eating Reservations, either one of the ones almost certainly would’ve been quietly retired regardless as soon as the preliminary fanfare of Celebrity Wars: Galaxy’s Edge subsided.
In the end, that’s once I came upon my favourite, then-new entree at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Sadly, ABC Commissary used to be visited by way of 3 spirits this summer time (the Ghosts of Chapek, McCarthy, and Pressler) and this sandwich used to be likewise hit by way of the scary skimpflation.
The unique fan-favorite model of the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich (pictured above from 2020 and beneath from 2021) featured sourdough bread, thick and creamy cheeses, beneficiant portion of white meat, sudden quantity of spice for Disney, and an aspect of buffalo sauce for dipping. It used to be served with an aspect of steak fries, arugula-farro salad, or apple slices.
Once I’m eating with Sarah, I order the salad as a “compromise” to offset the extremely indulgent sandwich. However, “when the cat’s away, the mice will play” (I feel that’s a Walt Disney quote), which is to mention that I order the steak fries when eating solo. They’re (or slightly, had been) a long way awesome to the usual Disney french fries.
Previous this summer time, I began receiving reader studies that the standard had declined. It sounds as if, widespread vloggers additionally experience this dish (as must everybody!), lamented its lack of high quality, cutbacks, and declared it “lifeless.” The Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich used to be allegedly now not the must-order that it as soon as used to be, and fanatics had been transferring directly to the following factor. Accordingly, I went out to analyze.
I be apologetic about to tell you that a number of quiet cutbacks have, actually, been made to the loved Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich (pictured beneath from August 2026). The bread remains to be sourdough, and turns out most commonly unchanged as opposed to the hot previous. The ratio of white meat to cheese is now skewed in prefer of the latter, and doesn’t have the warmth it as soon as did. Maximum notable of all is that the sandwich is now not served with the facet of buffalo sauce for dipping or the choice for steak fries.
I’ve ordered the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich greater than a dozen instances over the past 5 years. It’s, indisputably, the entree I’ve eaten greater than the rest all over that time frame.
The one issues that might come shut are the burgers at Steakhouse 71 and Geyser Level. I haven’t even performed Sebastian’s Bistro, Satu’li Canteen, or different go-tos as incessantly because the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich at ABC Commissary.
The remaining time I reviewed it used to be a little bit over a yr in the past, at which period my thorough analysis as soon as once more conclusively proved, past a shadow of a doubt, that this used to be one of the vital scrumptious counter carrier entrees at Walt Disney International.
I wrote then that this used to be certainly one of my favourite in charge excitement convenience meals in all of Walt Disney International, as it’s addictively scrumptious. It’s additionally an improbable worth for cash at beneath $13. On the time, it used to be a very easy 10/10 entree.
There’s no denying that the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich has gotten objectively worse since. That a lot is obvious even on paper with the lack of the steak fries and buffalo dipping sauce.
Right here’s the place one of the court cases lose me, I suppose. Possibly I’ve simply been round too lengthy and feature transform familiar with this sort of factor, however the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a long way from probably the most egregious instance of Walt Disney International cutbacks.
This isn’t the primary time it has modified within the remaining 5 years. It’s simply probably the most noticeable for the reason that absence of the sauce and steak fries is slightly conspicuous. No longer relatively the similar as regularly decreasing the quantity of white meat or thickness of the bread, which I’m lovely assured had already came about previously. And the sandwich indisputably wasn’t bringing the warmth in 2024-2025 because it used to be in 2020-2022. (No wonder there–highly spiced dishes at WDW are inevitably toned down over the years.)
The sandwich has additionally been inconsistent previously. There are occasions that I’ve had it jam-packed with chicken-forward filling, and different events when it’s been extra like glorified grilled cheese.
In truth, if we zoom out and take a look at the panorama of Walt Disney International’s eating scene because the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich debuted in October 2020, I might say that this has been one of the vital less-impacted dishes. (And ABC Commissary one of the vital unscathed eating places.)
It has greater by way of lower than $2 all over that point, which is beneath the velocity of inflation and beneath the baseline for Walt Disney International. The skimpflation attitude hurts, however we’re seeing that virtually all over. And by way of “nearly all over,” I don’t simply imply at Walt Disney International. Have you ever been to Panera or Blaze Pizza in recent times?! The Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a discount (nonetheless!) by way of the ones actual global requirements.
To be transparent, I’m now not protecting this or claiming that the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich is best than it’s ever been. That isn’t the case. It’s worse nowadays than it used to be 12 months in the past.
That is higher described as me throwing my arms up within the air, or announcing “it’s what it’s.” Inflation, shrinkflation, skimpflation, and no matter different -flations I’ve but to listen to of include all issues to which customers are being subjected nearly all over.
Except you’re consuming completely scorching canine from the Costco meals court docket (a really perfect concept consistent with me; an terrible one consistent with Sarah), you’ve encountered this. The whole thing is dearer and worse.
With all of that stated, the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich remains to be a gloriously gooey culinary indulgence! The 4 flavors of cheese meld in combination properly for a wealthy and creamy dish, with the not-so-buffalo white meat making the sandwich heartier. The toasted bread remains to be excellent.
Even after the adjustments, that is nonetheless certainly one of my favourite counter carrier convenience meals in all of Walt Disney International. It’s now not a very easy 10/10, however I’d give it a 9/10 on a excellent day. For those who’re a visitor who doesn’t have the weight of data and are ordering the sandwich for the primary time, you’re almost certainly going to find it irresistible.
For those who do have the weight of data, you’ve almost certainly noticed this occur already…or all over else. High quality and parts are down around the board since 2019. Except you’ve simplest been visiting Walt Disney International for the remaining 2-3 years and feature simplest ordered this unmarried sandwich all over that period of time, that is in reality not anything new.
Possibly it’s simply extra “jarring” right here because the sandwich were unscathed (or much less impacted) up to now? Or possibly it’s more straightforward to indicate to this for instance since, once more, the losses of the steak fries and dipping sauce are it appears that evidently visual.
The transfer from the steak fries to the usual ones indisputably strings. However I must be ordering the salad, anyway, or so says Sarah (the salad is shockingly excellent and provides great stability to the heavy sandwich, if somebody cares). Then there’s the loss of dipping sauce, which hits toughest. If Walt Disney International simply restored that, this may almost certainly nonetheless be lovely just about a ten/10 for me.
That’s doubly true once I go searching at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and weigh my counter carrier choices. A Ronto Wrap is dearer than this, and no more filling. Woody’s Lunch Field is a most commonly depressing enjoy, and has had its personal high quality cutbacks. Sundown Ranch Marketplace and Backlot Categorical in large part underwhelm.
Docking Bay 7 is the most productive selection, and if truth be told does have a few new menu pieces I really like (opinions incoming), however they’re $16.99 and $19.99! In truth, if there’s one explanation why I’ve eaten at ABC Commissary much less within the remaining ~4 months, it’s as a result of Docking Bay 7 has advanced. That’s the actual DHS eating tale!
I’m additionally a large fan of ABC Commissary as it’s one of the vital few in-park eating places at Walt Disney International with a self-service beverage station. Since I’m crashing right here mid-afternoon after a protracted morning or afternoon, I love to caffeinate up–and it will possibly take a number of Cokes to position some pep again in my step, particularly after that indulgent sandwich.
ABC Commissary additionally has ranch and different sauces on faucet at a self-service condiment station. As it’s possible you’ll understand from the footage right here, it’s one of the vital first places at Walt Disney International that already converted to Heinz as a part of that sponsorship deal. Now, all they want to do is upload buffalo sauce on faucet, and it undoes a large number of the wear and tear of this alteration.
Additionally, even if it’s not anything spectacular, there’s no higher area for decompressing than ABC Commissary at off hours, whilst the eating place is empty. The internal has an excessively fundamental Artwork Deco taste, however is mild and ethereal, and has a Nineties Walt Disney International vibe that I’ve come to understand. Listed below are extra footage:
In the long run, the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich will proceed to be my go-to early lunch at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Partly for loss of higher choices, and partly as a result of I nonetheless find it irresistible.
Possibly a part of that is the full enjoy and my sentimentality for it. ABC Commissary is a spot the place Sarah and I spent a large number of time all over the post-reopening technology once we had been locals, and we shaped a large number of fond reminiscences within the differently nondescript eating place. When Lightning Lanes introduced, it used to be my go-to spot for a day reprieve all over checking out. Even nowadays, I respect that it opens at 10 am, making it the easiest pit forestall after an Early Access and twine drop run.
The Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich remains to be one of the vital few issues I crave once I’m now not on the parks. However up to I really like the sandwich, it’s arduous for me to split the place my cravings for the enjoy of reliving our previous reminiscences at ABC Commissary finish and the ones for the sandwich itself start. Like the fantastic mix of white meat and cheese within the sandwich, my very own sentimentality for the sandwich and the enjoy of consuming it’s melded in combination, if that is smart.
In truth, I feel this is without doubt one of the large explanation why fanatics jointly crave and revisit such a lot of iconic pieces at Walt Disney International. The dish, dessert or drink is scrumptious, positive. Similarly as essential, it’s ate up as our senses are heightened, so as to discuss, and whilst forming magical reminiscences at Walt Disney International. Excellent because it could be by itself, the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich wouldn’t style just about as scrumptious if ordered from the Costco meals court docket.
We’re mentally marrying the meals with the holistic enjoy of being there, making reminiscences with friends and family. That’s a part of the magic of where, and why we stay going again, chasing that nostalgic feeling of the ones previous journeys, rides, or even eating places. And it’s no less than a part of the explanation why I’ll stay returning to ABC Commissary, even if I additionally imagine studies of my loved Buffalo Rooster Sandwich’s demise were very much exaggerated.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever eaten the Buffalo Rooster Grilled Cheese Sandwich in the previous few months? Did you suppose it used to be noticeably worse or decrease high quality? Would you order it once more? Ordered the rest at the menu in recent times? Assume that ABC Commissary is underrated, or is that simply my nostalgia speaking? Do you compromise or disagree with our overview? Any questions we will can help you resolution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
