Pollo Campero coming to Downtown Disney in late 2010

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/02/3719/

[doconeill]

Yup, that will spruce up the place. :)

This is the same place that is in some Wal-Marts?

And what's open in the Marketplace for them to move in to?

[WebmasterCricket]

Planet Hollywood store that is closing???

[WDWKOOK]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/02/3719/
Big Macs have lost out to pollo; PC is replacing the McDonalds.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Big Macs have lost out to pollo; PC is replacing the McDonalds.While I am sure that's true since it's opening on the Marketplace side and I can not think where else it could go, but where did you find out that information?

[glendalais]

While I am sure that's true since it's opening on the Marketplace side and I can not think where else it could go, but where did you find out that information?

It is indeed replacing the Downtown Disney Marketplace McDonald's location.

Orlando Sentinel: McDonald's at Downtown Disney is closing (http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/02/mcdonalds-at-downtown-disney-is-closing/)

At this time, this is not expected to affect operations at the McDonald's location on Buena Vista Drive, just outside Disney's All Star Resorts.

[WDWKOOK]

While I am sure that's true since it's opening on the Marketplace side and I can not think where else it could go, but where did you find out that information?

It is indeed replacing the Downtown Disney Marketplace McDonald's location.

Orlando Sentinel: McDonald's at Downtown Disney is closing (http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/02/mcdonalds-at-downtown-disney-is-closing/)

At this time, this is not expected to affect operations at the McDonald's location on Buena Vista Drive, just outside Disney's All Star Resorts.

Thank you, glendalais for linking to the article I had posted earlier:)

In their 2004 agreement, McDonalds lost its contract with WDW. The DTD location was a part of the contract. According to the article, The McDonalds near the AK will remain open and employees at the DTD McDonalds were offered transfers to "other" McDonalds locations. I wonder how viable that was for the employees.

[Traveliz]

Thank you, glendalais for linking to the article I had posted earlier:)

In their 2004 agreement, McDonalds lost its contract with WDW. The DTD location was a part of the contract. According to the article, The McDonalds near the AK will remain open and employees at the DTD McDonalds were offered transfers to "other" McDonalds locations. I wonder how viable that was for the employees.

My guess is the other locations employees were offered are much more convenient to them driving and parking wise. Of all the places that close up a McDonalds in the Orlando area would probably easily be able to transfer their employees to locations that may very well be more convenient to the employees.

Liz

[doconeill]

I assume the big McDs near the All-Stars is remaining, but is it ever really busy?

[Traveliz]

I assume the big McDs near the All-Stars is remaining, but is it ever really busy?

It's not busy like the one in my hometown is at lunch time but I think it has a fairly steady business and I think the drive through must do pretty well.

Liz

[Golf4food]

I assume the big McDs near the All-Stars is remaining, but is it ever really busy?

It can be. We stood in line for at least 5-10 minutes with all three registers open and then had to struggle to find a seat indoors when we had breakfast there in September on Labor Day. Probably not as crowded on non-holiday Mondays. :)

[WDWKOOK]

My guess is the other locations employees were offered are much more convenient to them driving and parking wise. Of all the places that close up a McDonalds in the Orlando area would probably easily be able to transfer their employees to locations that may very well be more convenient to the employees.

Liz

Thanks - I feel better now. I pictured those poor employees being told they could commute to Minneola everyday if they still wanted a job.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Is it right to assume the McDonald's by the Animal Kingdom not apart not apart of their contract, because it's still staying open and the fact it was just renovated last year?

[zulemara]

Planet Hollywood store that is closing???

yes, the planet hollywood on location store previously located on the west side by the magnetron store, closed on Feb 1.

[MarriedAtDisney]

hmm. not sure I'm liking this switch. how about a johnny rockets, chick fil'a or something....

fast food latin-inspired chicken?

[WDWKOOK]

What is a "chicken camper" anyway?

Are they using the "country chicken" translation:confused3. Is that a particular style of chicken similar to the now defunct Kenny Roger's Roasters? Makes me think of Kramer...

[doconeill]

What is a "chicken camper" anyway?

It's the RV the chickens use when they are staying at Ft. Wilderness Campground at WDW...

I was thinking there would be an appropriate image from the movie Stroker Ace, but I can't find one :(

I believe it is the family name, not a translation...

[WDWKOOK]

It's the RV the chickens use when they are staying at Ft. Wilderness Campground at WDW...

I was thinking there would be an appropriate image from the movie Stroker Ace, but I can't find one :(

I believe it is the family name, not a translation...
:rotfl2:

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Pollo Campero's main attraction is their fried chicken. When it first opened in Houston it was a huge hit with the hispanic community but that's about it. I don't see it fitting at DTD at all.

[ChrisFL]

What is a "chicken camper" anyway?

Are they using the "country chicken" translation:confused3. Is that a particular style of chicken similar to the now defunct Kenny Roger's Roasters? Makes me think of Kramer...

Kenny Rogers Roasters isn't defunct! I saw many of them in the Philippines! :lmao:

[TwingleMum]

I'm sorry about this. We usually stay 7-10 days and it was nice for our three young kids to have a quick bite at a familiar place on our shopping day.

[KYMickey]

Pollo Campero's main attraction is their fried chicken. When it first opened in Houston it was a huge hit with the hispanic community but that's about it. I don't see it fitting at DTD at all.
I'm glad to see somebody gives it a rave review! NOT.

Looks like another case of is the only with you at the $'s instead of what the visitors really want or like.

[Jason71]

Pollo Campero's main attraction is their fried chicken. When it first opened in Houston it was a huge hit with the hispanic community but that's about it. I don't see it fitting at DTD at all.

Clearly you haven't been to DTD lately... ;)

Latin American tourists (and locals, too) are a huge demographic at WDW these days, by my observations probably bigger than the Brits at this point. And I don't know why, maybe it's a cultural thing of staying up later, but the crowds at DTD after, say, 9:00 tend to be predominantly Spanish/Brazilian.

[mouseaddicts]

Our local town just had it's Pollo Campero go out of business and we have a large Hispanic population...I give it a year.

And no one goes to DTD after 9 anymore because the suits have ruined it.

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Clearly you haven't been to DTD lately... ;)

Latin American tourists (and locals, too) are a huge demographic at WDW these days, by my observations probably bigger than the Brits at this point. And I don't know why, maybe it's a cultural thing of staying up later, but the crowds at DTD after, say, 9:00 tend to be predominantly Spanish/Brazilian.

Ok let me be more clear - when it first opened in Houston the lines were outside the door with people wanting to eat there........now.........not so much. It's a huge brand in Central America, specially El Salvador, but that's about it per my understanding of it. I don't see it lasting at all but that is just my opinion...and yep, I don't really go visit DTD since they closed PI...it's a bit lame now and no reason to be there after 9pm.

[WDWKOOK]

More on "PC" from AllEars:

http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/2010/02/pollo_campero_and_levy_campero.html

[WDWKOOK]

Kenny Rogers Roasters isn't defunct! I saw many of them in the Philippines! :lmao:
I did not know this! I'm going to have to stop in the next time I'm in Brunei:

http://www.kennyrogers.cc/glory.html

[Sheribo]

I'm sorry about this. We usually stay 7-10 days and it was nice for our three young kids to have a quick bite at a familiar place on our shopping day.

Agreed! McDonalds is still a treat to my kids and they love going there when we visit DTD. Kids like the familiar. My eldest will eat at the Earl of Sandwich but my younger 2 would stand in line for a burger/fries or a slice of pepperoni pizza and be thrilled to do it. I know there are other places that they will find something to eat but it's the 'finding' that's expensive and time consuming on vacation.

[Glenn]

I have 1 of these not far from the house. Its not as busy as it was in the beginning but still does pretty good. One thing I will say is that eating here will be more expensive than McD. And many kids wont go for what they are offering. Time to bring more PJ sandwiches.

[Sheribo]

I guess we've made our last visit to the McDonalds at DTD. We were there in March and the employee we spoke to knew about the plans but didn't say much. I can find many places to eat there but a happy meal always makes my kids, well - happy!

[KYMickey]

Everybody needs to remember that $ is what is controlling Disney today. They really don't care about the visitors enjoyment or thoughts anymore, they just want to do everything to maximize income. Obviously in this case PC was willing to pay them more than MD was! It was a pure and simple profit decision. They don't care if your kids really want a Happy Meal and really don't like anything else that is available. You're still going to buy them something even if it ends up being thrown away and Disney will make their $'s anyway.

[lovemickeyshouse]

Welcome to the start of the end for Disney Dining

[mitros]

Clearly you haven't been to DTD lately... ;)

Latin American tourists (and locals, too) are a huge demographic at WDW these days, by my observations probably bigger than the Brits at this point. And I don't know why, maybe it's a cultural thing of staying up later, but the crowds at DTD after, say, 9:00 tend to be predominantly Spanish/Brazilian.

Don't forget, we "white" folks are now in the minority in this country with Hispanics in the lead population wise. This is most likely another reason.

[KYMickey]

Don't forget, we "white" folks are now in the minority in this country with Hispanics in the lead population wise. This is most likely another reason.
?? Please provide facts to support this. Everything I've read doesn't show this even if you include the illegals. They are the fastest growing segment of the population but not the largest!

[jlewisinsyr]

Don't forget, we "white" folks are now in the minority in this country with Hispanics in the lead population wise. This is most likely another reason.

Do I sense a little negativity?

[Uncleromulus]

lovemickeyshouse:
I remember some people were saying exactly that when they put in McDonalds:)
Can't say I'm excited about the new spot--of course, we never go to McDonalds either, so it's basically a wash for us.

[CandyMandy]

From reviews I've been reading, Pollo Campero gets generally good nods for its chicken and the veggies sides. Service and baked goods less so. And interestingly, most people who have tried it at the Chicago location generally say it is almost as good as Lee's Famous Recipe (a midwest chain I've been to and can vouch for, chicken is dipped in honey :thumbsup2 before being pressure cooked):

http://www.leesfamouschicken.net/

http://leeschickenplymouth.com/Images/Food.jpg

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

YOU'RE MAKING ME HUNGRY MANDY! STOP IT!!

BobK/Orlando

[TLPL]

Can someone tell me how is Pollo Campero's chicken compare to KFC? taste wise.

[KYMickey]

From reviews I've been reading, Pollo Campero gets generally good nods for its chicken and the veggies sides. Service and baked goods less so. And interestingly, most people who have tried it at the Chicago location generally say it is almost as good as Lee's Famous Recipe (a midwest chain I've been to and can vouch for, chicken is dipped in honey :thumbsup2 before being pressure cooked):
From what I've read their chickens is injection marinated prior to cooking with a citrus based marinate. I wasn't able to find a menu on the corporate site but I was able to find menus and several other location sites. It looks like if you eat there you have chicken or you have chicken! Chicken was the only meat shown on any of the menus. Also, none of the locations I found offered breakfast of any kind and that's something that MD's always did a huge business with in DTD. Maybe they will change for this location but even if they do it will be something totally new to them.

[TLPL]

Do they serve roasted or fried?

[doconeill]

It looks like if you eat there you have chicken or you have chicken! Chicken was the only meat shown on any of the menus.

No different than KFC then...KFC has no main dishes that don't include chicken...

[TLPL]

mmmm, looks like they have both grilled and fried chicken. I can't wait to try some!

[VeganCupcake]

If this place is anything like Pollo Tropical I'm excited! A place where all 3 of us will love to eat!