We hope you’re sitting down because it’s with heavy hearts and shaking hands that we type out these SAD words…
RIP $5 NOODS. You were too pure for this world!
The much-beloved $5 Noodles from Tambu Lounge are NO MORE. Haven’t got a clue what we’re talkin’ about? Gather near to us DFB fam, and we will tell you a tale of the golden, glistening Teriyaki Noodles for $5… that WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE!
Our story begins at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. You may recall this Disney World resort which is best known for its relaxing South Seas vibes and tropical undertones. What are we saying? The Poly’s an over-the-top tropical PARADISE! This place screams island oasis, you know, in a soothing sorta way!
Polynesian Village Resort Lobby
Walking through the Polynesian’s doors today, we were immediately welcomed with the floral scent of tropical orchids and the dulcet tones of Hawaiian music strumming. AHHHH! HEAVEN!
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
As if on auto-pilot, our bodies made their way to Tambu Lounge where we ponied up to the bar. Once we had the friendly bartender’s attention we inquired about our beloved secret menu $5 Teriyaki Noodles (the exact same ones served at the more expensive ‘Ohana dinner service) — and we were SHOCKED at what we learned!
Tambu Lounge Sign
Don’t worry! You can still order the Teriyaki Noodles and other secret ‘Ohana menu items at Tambu Lounge, but once you hear the price tag — you may be less inclined…
Tambu Lounge
Read about the other secret menu ‘Ohana items you can order at Tambu Lounge here!
Brace yourself for this… HERE IT COMES! The $5 Noodles are now $9!!! Doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, does it? That’s what we thought, too! And while $5 Noods sounded like an awesome deal (well worth a tasting size portion of ‘Ohana’s delightful noodles!), 9 bucks for a tiny bowl IS a hefty price increase! And$9 feels like a lot for the portion size (to us at least).
$9 Noods… Worth it?
But the blows kept comin’! While earlier we were able to get ‘Ohana’s signature dessert, Bread Pudding, for $6 (as recently as February of last year) the cost has also gone up! The ‘Ohana Bread Pudding now costs $12 — a 100 percent price increase!
‘Ohana Bread Pudding
We were reeling after hearing the news. And while there’s no actual, physical menu we can show you since these are SECRET MENU items, a Cast Member has confirmed these changes. 🙁
‘Ohana Bread Pudding at Tambu Lounge
We think we’d rather just shell out the $60 and take the Twilight Feast of ‘Ohana eats in our rooms instead! We’ll keep an eye on this situation as it develops, but for now, calm your nerves by subscribing to our DFB newsletter where we’ll tell you about happier times!
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Have you ever ordered the ‘Ohana secret menu items at Tambu Lounge? Are you just as shocked as we are by these price increases? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Inquiring minds want to know: can you get the Twilight Feast via takeout just in case you are not staying at the Poly?
I believe this is probably because they just couldn’t keep up with how many people began requesting these items. I was there this weekend to hang out and get a drink and the servers couldn’t help the bar customers without having to run bread pudding to everyone in the lounge. They seemed overwhelmed. The server that finally helped me even approached me by saying “please don’t say you want bread pudding.”
OMG are they crazzzzyyyy??? The noodles, for me, has not and never will be a purchase by itself, but the bread pudding was somewhat underpriced but not THAT much!! Talk about an overcorrection? NOT HAPPY!
We recently requested the Secret menu at Tambu lounge and the bartender said..I quote “ There is no secret menu. All that is on it is the wings”. We were quite annoyed and challenged him. When asked for specific items he relented but really! Sounds like they were discouraging the good deals that are not good anymore! Disappointing!!!
So disappointed- we always went there just for the bread pudding- just had it in November. Why such a huge price increase?? I can understand a fair increase, but that just is ridiculous!!
And we always tipped quite well
Can we say: Fleecing of guests. People want to take their children to your parks. But please keep things reasonable. Most people have to save for years to come, or take out a loan.
I guess too many people were taking advantage of the secret menu, and they were losing money… but those new prices are INSANE.
TW, not that we know of.
DFB Sarah: Darn. Someone should try and report back.
It was a sad time February of last year when we knew we were on our very last WDW trip…the more I read…the more I think the timing was right…
We were at Tambu in early December and ordered the bread pudding. It was about $12 if I recall. But, it’s so substantial, I think $12 is justifiable. We split it between two of us. So delicious. I would still order it there. Service was great.
It sounds like they are understaffed in the lounge if 1 person is running around trying to fulfill orders.
One of my main action items to do at Disney is enjoying the bread pudding! If people are coming to the lounge to order this item, seems counterproductive to discourage this source of revenue.
Sorry. kids. Bread pudding is only for the rich folk now…
“Shocked” is not the word I would use to describe my reaction! Sad to say, Disney will continue to raise prices, as long as people pay! My family is being forced to stay away!
I knew once this got out all over online and people started flocking there for it, this would change with big increases. Why are any of you surprised?? It was bound to happen,,sometimes I think all this news being shared on the internet is a bad thing.
All I have to do is wait, and one day Disneys Money Grubbing ways Will Bite Them Back! Everything has been pushed so far already, hotels, food, beverages, even parking! How much longer will it take until WDW is reduced to a goast town? The CEO however will not care in the least, ask he will have made his millions!
More and more it seems that the Disney Icon should not be Mickey Mouse but Scrouge McDuck!
I’m afraid the next step will be to not serve any food (bread pudding specifically) at the bar, thus forcing a dinner reservation if you want it. How about just better staffing in the bar?
I think it’s a real shame that Disney keeps spending so much money on new lands and rides etc. then raises and raises and raises the prices until it is becoming just a dream to ever visit Disney World and the wonderful place it was and is.
We have made ‘Ohana Bread Pudding as a family activity. Bread pudding isn’t hard to make; it’s sorta like fancy French toast. You buy some nice bread — bakery Challah and even Pepperidge Farm cinnamon toast worked well for me — and you soak it in eggy mix and bake it. Easy. The caramel sauce is a BIT trickier in that you sort of need a thermometer. But if you don’t have one, the only risk is that you will have some thin-but-still-really-delicious syrup, or — like I got — some thicker, fudgier caramel goo that was HEAVENLY. Top it off with vanilla bean ice cream and your whole FAMILY will be happy! We make it regularly now and the extra sauce stays well in the fridge 🙂
Isn’t the whole point of “Secret Menu” items to be just that, a secret? You tell the entire world and that’s what happens..price goes up
People, Really? Disney, under CEO Iger, has become a very greedy company, and has and is pushing prices as far as they can go. Disney is no longer the family institution of decades past, and is now the one of maximum profit! Why? Well Iger is coming to the end of his reign at Disney, and he wants to line his pockets with as much of your cash as he can, before he throws in the towel of Disney CEO. So! All that cannot see his greed can continue to make him a multi millionaire, or decide to spend your hard earned vacation dollars Elsewhere! It’s your Choice!