Disney World Forced to Alter New Experience After Repeated Incidents of Theft

It’s the attention to detail that makes any experience at the Walt Disney World Resort so special, but sadly changes need to be made on occasion when Guest behavior calls for an update.

Some of the most immersive experiences at Disney World come in the form of specialty dining offerings. From character meals that allow Guests to meet multiple Disney characters within an hour or so at a restaurant, to signature dining experiences, and more, there are so many ways to feel immersed in the storyline of a given time or place while eating out at the Parks and Resorts.

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Some of the most unique restaurants can be found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a Park which offers several locations where Guests will find themselves truly a part of the story during their meals. Such restaurants include the likes of 50’s Prime Time Cafe and the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, along with the Park’s newest table-service destination, Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land.

The new location is known for both its eats and imaginative storyline. The menu is served family-style with several BBQ favorites included, like ribs, smoked sausage, and grilled chicken, along with tasty sides like macaroni and cheese and fried pickles, just to name a few. Along with the BBQ fare, Guests find themselves in Toy Story, literally, as they become the size of a toy during their trip to “Andy’s backyard.”

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When Roundup Rodeo BBQ first opened, Guests were brought their checks along with an oversized pencil as part of the location’s interactive theming. In recent weeks, however, these pencils have been phased out reportedly due to too many incidents of theft occurring.

Disney Dining was able to confirm that the pencils have indeed been removed during their recent experience at Roundup Rodeo BBQ, and while the food remains as delicious as ever, it is certainly unfortunate to have a piece of the theming changed due to unruly Guest behavior. The original pencil is pictured below:

My two favorite things at Roundup Rodeo BBQ: The Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits and the giant pencil you’re given when it’s time to pay. pic.twitter.com/u5kMBMyNPe

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) March 21, 2023

RELATED: Menu Details Revealed for Roundup Rodeo BBQ!

Theft at Walt Disney World Restaurants

Unfortunately, the current pencil incident at Roundup Rodeo BBQ is not the first time theft has been a problem at a Disney Park restaurant. When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first opened at Hollywood Studios in 2019, sporks were the silverware used at the Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo quick-service restaurant.

After similar issues of Guests continuing to take the sporks home with them, the restaurant moved toward standard silverware, much to the disappointment of those who felt the sporks added to the Star Wars theming. In the years since, sporks have been made available to purchase rather than being a part of dining at Docking Bay 7.

Were you able to use the giant pencil at Roundup Rodeo BBQ before its removal? If so, you may be a part of a very small community as the restaurant was only open for about two months before the change was made.