Why is theme park food so bad?

[Geeky Pastimes]

Me and my wife were trying to think of our favourite theme park restaurants, and I realised there's very few theme parks across the world that even have 'good' food, let alone anything interesting or memorable.

Disney World still has some good options and a variety, even if it's expensive (but Satu'li canteen is something I always look forward to), Phantasialand has some great snacks and deserts, Universal Beijing had a great noodle restaurant, and Universal Japan does some cool themed restaurants with good food for their collaborations - but outside of those there's nothing really 'great' that I've seen.

I get that they don't need to excel because theme parks have a captive audience so they can overcharge for mid food and still make money - but when they're spending tens of millions on rides, it seems strange to neglect restaurants - they can make money, can be a reason to visit and they aren't likely to break down or be closed for the weather. I know we'd be way more like to revisit places like Europa Park or Carowinds if they had an awesome restaurant to visit.

 

[MannekenPis]

Europa doesn't have a decent restaurant? I've not been but I believe it has a michelin 2* restaurant and a 1*. If that's not making food part of appeal I don't know what is!

 

[Hyde]

But really, food and concessions are the profit driver for the amusement park industry. Capitalism unfortunately rewards the park operator who figures out lowest cost of inputs/greatest profit maximization.

A mildly spicy take to also add: those who celebrate meal plans or pre-paid food plans suffer the most. You are the one eating the lowest-price hot dog and fries.

Personally? I have experienced notable improvement of food variety at Six Flags, Disney, etc. parks; and I make it a point to step over the standard food offerings to spend a little more for higher quality food/variety. I was an initial naysayer of the "build your meal" style restaurants that Cedar Fair/Six Flags deployed, but have come around on appreciating they offer real pieces of meats and vegetables. ... just be ready to spend $20-$30

I'm also quick to leave a park if I have my own set of wheels, and glad to pop out to nearby restaurant, brewery, or fast food.

 

[Geeky Pastimes]

Europa doesn't have a decent restaurant? I've not been but I believe it has a michelin 2* restaurant and a 1*. If that's not making food part of appeal I don't know what is!

Neither of those are in the park (the 2 star one is at Bell Rock) and the 1 star is hundreds of Euros and takes two hours - not something I'd be interested in for a theme park day!

There are some theme park hotels with good restaurants, I liked the one at Grand Curiosa at Liseberg and the buffet at Parc Asterix

 

[VonRolland]

Europa has a great variety of quality, affordable food...

 

[Projektion]

As long as there's no ill talk of the Phantasialand Jambalaya.

 

[soleil]

Whilst I am sure that profit is a major factor in the theme park world, some places have in the past tried to offer better quality and choice than the distinctly average burger and fries, or the ubiquitous soggy-based pizza. I would never try the overcooked, steaming/bubbling water of a pasta dish.
Sadly many of the places I recall as much better have changed/closed: dhals/samosas @ Alton Towers, vegetarian buffet @ Liseberg, crab and steak @ Universal City Walk.
Many parks/resorts will not even let you bring your own food in - Walibi Holland and Efteling are parks where you can. It seems the dutch love their pull along trolleys laden with cooler boxes and picnic bags. Efteling had a great choice of food offerings though and I tried a tasty ice-cream/pastry cone.
Captain Jack's and Agrabah Cafe @ DLP were both good last time I went, but it was
Mythos @ Universal Islands of Adventure which for me was the one to beat. Excellent quality food, first rate service at a fairly brisk rate to boot. I do not know if this is still the case...

 

[Boodangy]

I'm kinda thinking what incentive do parks really have to try with any other options when 95% of guests are going to get a burger or nuggets with fries every time anyway.

I ate wings at my home park just recently. They were good. But they've got huge crowds and were previously free to enter (now a whopping 5€) so people come in just to eat, so it's different. Most parks especially not huge ones what are they really gonna do when guests have no sense of adventure.

 

[otwidalepda]

It's obvious really. Some people have touched on it. Restaurants typically have to balance perceived value of food - despite the costs involved. Profit margins are usually quite low. But people - as seen in some comments above - comment about food being pricey (even when it isn't that high). So, theme parks have a captive audience so the price can be inflated slightly to ensure a profit (that they may not achieve out of the park/resort). But realistcally, to offer better food the service, time, quality and price will need to increase. Average joe simply won't pay. Not the right crowd. For better food - the venue has to be the destination, not the park.

 

[Lucy]

I also think that not all theme park food is bad - I echo the opinions about Europa Park, they do some really nice stuff. Also, Paultons food is very good too - when I went recently, I had lunch in their new Feasting Hall and it was very tasty and reasonably priced too.