McDonald’s at Downtown Disney is Closing 4-30-10 [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

anthony2k7

02-04-2010, 12:58 AM

People actually eat at McDonald's while on vacation? Why bother?

But love Disney's vision for Downtown Disney, it sure is...um...great!

Because its a known safe easy option to parents I assume, and above all, its what the majority of kids want still.

zorro77

02-04-2010, 08:25 AM

I like Mac's when i took my morning walk from OKW, could stop buy for a quick coffee before 9 am. I know my grandmas liked the ease for them of getting a quick desert or small meals. What is new place like ? Will it open early like Mac? I also believe Mac was a place for a quick meal and you knew what you were getting if you did not want a sit down place.

rodkenrich

02-05-2010, 07:31 AM

Why would McDonald's contiune to operate outside of Animal Kingdom Lodge when the 10 year sponsorship agreement has ended?

WDWKOOK

02-05-2010, 07:33 AM

Why would McDonald's contiune to operate outside of Animal Kingdom Lodge when the 10 year sponsorship agreement has ended?
That location must not be a Disney contracted ("sponsored") McDonalds:confused3

r-town

02-17-2010, 07:42 PM

I remember eating there :)

Orlando313

02-18-2010, 07:55 AM

This seems like an odd move. I believe they should have replaced it with some other kind of neutral food choice like a Burger King or something. This new restaurant is not something I've ever heard of before, and I think with all of the people traveling from all over the world, that Disney should have something there that everyone knows and is comfortable with. If it's anything like Pollo Tropical then I definitely wouldn't eat there. The place is gross, and their food is always cold.

The more changes they make to their restaurants regarding food quality, etc, just makes me remember that I have to get food BEFORE I cross over into Disney territory. I have been known to stop at Universal City Walk to get food before going to Disney. :thumbsup2

DiSnEyFrEaK22

02-18-2010, 12:39 PM

Wow, this really surprises me! We were just there 1/31 and it was packed!!! We waited 15 minutes to get our order! It was a quick stop before we hit the parks, I don't need an extravagant breakfast in the morning :) I'm lactose intolerant anyways, so McDonalds works for me!

Ben Barrett

04-10-2010, 05:50 PM

I couldn't believe how much whining was going on below that article. I've never been to WDW in my life (nor DisneyLand or any other Dis resort) but I feel pretty safe about making the assumption that the DTD McDonald's was just like any other McDonald's anywhere else. It doesn't seem like that big a deal, really. I mean, it says right in the article that there's still a McD's in the park, at the entrance to Animal Kingdom.

Besides, Walt's original vision was for "magic". He was displeased with Disney Land because he could see big signs for the hotels across the street from inside the park and he didn't like it. He also didn't like seeing the trash picked up while guests were watching. He wanted the "Disney Magic" to be a constant thing. All these big businesses in his ultimate creation seems...well...to defeat that purpose, don't ya think?

-Ben

Kimmy0879

04-11-2010, 02:32 AM

Bummer...This is a favorite for the kids. I know it's Disney World, but McDonalds is always a "safe" place to take kids.

Although...Anyone ever notice there is not a $1 menu there????

JoShan1719

04-11-2010, 03:12 AM

I couldn't believe how much whining was going on below that article.

-Ben

This. So much negativity! My God, it's a theme park, yes you're going to pay a little more for the same thing you get outside, accept it and move on or don't go. The Subway in Cedar Point charges you $6 for a six inche veggie sub.

I've eaten at a Pollo Campero and thought it was disgusting, but I have no problem going off property to get my dollar cheeseburger.

Kimmy0879

04-11-2010, 05:48 AM

:teeth:Didn't mean to be negative...just took me by surprise, that's all. I'd rather pay more for the kids to be happy, believe me you!

KYMickey

04-11-2010, 04:21 PM

I couldn't believe how much whining was going on below that article. I've never been to WDW in my life (nor DisneyLand or any other Dis resort) but I feel pretty safe about making the assumption that the DTD McDonald's was just like any other McDonald's anywhere else. It doesn't seem like that big a deal, really. I mean, it says right in the article that there's still a McD's in the park, at the entrance to Animal Kingdom.
The point is the MD at DTD was a very kid friendly place where the parents could be assured that they could have a reasonably priced meal that their children would like. With PC replacing them that option will no longer be available. The menu now will be much more expensive and less child friendly. Disney doesn't care as long as they make their $'s.

raidermatt

04-12-2010, 04:49 AM

Isn't WDW itself supposed to be kid-friendly (by and large)?

What does it say when people think they need a McDonald's to acheive that?

Bottom line, this is simply a swap of one chain for another. With the sponsorship deal over (and boy did McDonald's get the short end of that one), I'm guessing McDonald's simply no longer wanted to pay Disney the rent it wanted on that space. Certainly McDonald's doesn't need the exposure WDW provides, while a smaller chain is probably banking on that exposure to spark some growth.

All in all probably a wash for the guests. Maybe a slight improvement in uniqueness for some since the new chain is regional as opposed to national.

troynkasey

04-12-2010, 08:28 AM

No way the new place will compete with McDonald's. McDonald's was always packed. Going to WDW, it was the one place we didn't have to check the meu to see if they offered something for the whole family. Plus, it's the one quick dining option that is pretty neutral at DTD. I can guarantee you we won't go to the new place. Not something my kids enjoy. My wife and I would, but not with the kids...

jlewisinsyr

04-12-2010, 09:30 AM

I can guarantee you we won't go to the new place. Not something my kids enjoy. My wife and I would, but not with the kids...

I know you're saying this with a sense of jest, but I am a firm believer that one should never assume a child/kid won't eat something and they should always be introduced to new things and encouraged to try them (even with some form of pressurized encouragement). Supporting stubburn habits of "only" liking X, Y or Z doesn't encourage positive behavior.

KYMickey

04-12-2010, 10:07 AM

All in all probably a wash for the guests.
How do you derive and this conclusion? Yes they are both chains but that's a far as it goes. One is known worldwide by everyone and provides food that everyone, including children will find something they like. The other one is basically unknown and serves a menu that is a lot less likely to have something everyone will like on it. Also by looking at the menus it appears the average cost will be much higher after the change.

raidermatt

04-12-2010, 01:51 PM

How do you derive and this conclusion? Yes they are both chains but that's a far as it goes. One is known worldwide by everyone and provides food that everyone, including children will find something they like. The other one is basically unknown and serves a menu that is a lot less likely to have something everyone will like on it. Also by looking at the menus it appears the average cost will be much higher after the change.

McDonald's does not provide something that everyone likes. Nobody does.

Beyond that, Disney's aim is not and should not be to simply put the most popular outside chains on property.

It's not that this new place sounds like anything special. But neither was McDonald's. You can find it anywhere and a WDW vacation was never supposed to be about finding things you can find anywhere else.

So it's a wash. Not a strategy change. Just one tenant deciding not to pay the rent while another will.

sjs314

04-12-2010, 02:02 PM

I found it nice to have McDonalds in DTD, since it was a familar place to go if you went to DTD without ADR's you did not have to wait an hour+ to find a place to eat

jlewisinsyr

04-12-2010, 02:31 PM

I found it nice to have McDonalds in DTD, since it was a familar place to go if you went to DTD without ADR's you did not have to wait an hour+ to find a place to eat

And with the new place you will not have to worry about ADRs (there are actually a lot of places like this in DTD) and an hour wait to find a place to eat.

Fire14

04-12-2010, 03:13 PM

Can someone point me to menu for new place or give me idea of what type of food they sell.

WDWKOOK

04-12-2010, 04:11 PM

Can someone point me to menu for new place or give me idea of what type of food they sell.
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/WDWKOOK/base_media-1.jpg

http://www.campero.com/index.php?showPage=38&cache=1&renovar=true

Fire14

04-12-2010, 04:59 PM

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/WDWKOOK/base_media-1.jpg

http://www.campero.com/index.php?showPage=38&cache=1&renovar=true
Thanks I might not starve since Chicken is about all I seemed to eat at WDW.

*Doombuggies*

04-13-2010, 09:30 AM

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/02/mcdonalds-at-downtown-disney-is-closing/

yay!!!

TLPL

04-13-2010, 12:08 PM

I have never ate at that McD, but I would like to try the new chicken place.

troynkasey

04-15-2010, 02:30 PM

I know you're saying this with a sense of jest, but I am a firm believer that one should never assume a child/kid won't eat something and they should always be introduced to new things and encouraged to try them (even with some form of pressurized encouragement). Supporting stubburn habits of "only" liking X, Y or Z doesn't encourage positive behavior.

I am that person. And I know what my kids like. You're talking to someone who when their DD was about 2 years old and at the Biergarten shared sourkraut. She loved it! I always expand their tastes. Problem is we've "been there, done that" with this type of food.

jlewisinsyr

04-15-2010, 02:58 PM

I am that person. And I know what my kids like. You're talking to someone who when their DD was about 2 years old and at the Biergarten shared sourkraut. She loved it! I always expand their tastes. Problem is we've "been there, done that" with this type of food.

Confused by your post..."been there, done that" with this type of food, do you mean because the new place is common, well McDonald's is even more common or do you mean you've tried the new place and don't like it?

troynkasey

04-15-2010, 03:59 PM

Confused by your post..."been there, done that" with this type of food, do you mean because the new place is common, well McDonald's is even more common or do you mean you've tried the new place and don't like it?

Tried and didn't like it. Family tried and didn't like it. I think DTD does a decent job of balancing new offerings, but still offering something neutral that picky children will enjoy. I'm not sure I've met a child who doesn't like McDonald's. I'm sure there are kids like that, but I haven't met them. With that in mind, you're taking away that potentia for quicker food and food that is known nationally and giving a Southern specific option that is much more specific as far as taste goes.

DC7800

04-15-2010, 05:37 PM

jlewisinsyr

04-15-2010, 07:55 PM

With that in mind, you're taking away that potentia for quicker food and food that is known nationally and giving a Southern specific option that is much more specific as far as taste goes.

That would be called diversity in product offering, while avoiding common mainstream. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants in general, so even this new place doesn't excite me, but I cannot honestly remember the last time I've been to a McDonald's...it has to be 5+ years.

WDWKOOK

04-15-2010, 08:12 PM

troynkasey

04-16-2010, 11:21 AM

That would be called diversity in product offering, while avoiding common mainstream. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants in general, so even this new place doesn't excite me, but I cannot honestly remember the last time I've been to a McDonald's...it has to be 5+ years.

Diversity is needed, however you also have to meet the needs of the customer. If a place is always busy or packed (which McDonald's was for the most part every time I walked by) then one would assume it was profitable. If it's profitable, why remove it? If you look at all of Disney's park offerings, they offer quite a bit of variety and diversity. But they also offer just as many neutral or standard offerings for those folks who don't want to branch out.

DC7800

04-16-2010, 12:04 PM

If a place is always busy or packed (which McDonald's was for the most part every time I walked by) then one would assume it was profitable. If it's profitable, why remove it?

A casino or adult bookstore would probably be profitable, but that doesn't mean there should be either within Walt Disney World.

Nor should there be a McDonald's. People do not travel all the way to central Florida to go to McDonald's when there's one around the block back home. Disney is (at least its supposed to be) about experiences you just can't find anywhere else. I understand the point about a familiar, known experience in McDonald's, but there are plenty (arguably too many, in fact) of counter-service restaurants in WDW with largely standardized "burgers, chicken strips, & fries" menus.

If you aren't going to try or do anything different on vacation than your normal routine, why did you bother to leave home?

*Doombuggies*

04-16-2010, 01:01 PM

Jason71

04-16-2010, 03:34 PM

Couldn't we just have Goofy's Grill or Lite Bite reopened? That represents quick, common food selections familiar to everyone and with wide appeal, but more importantly, it's a unique experience to Walt Disney World.

If Disney is looking to re-open some of its original, non-third party venues around DTD, I can think of some places I'd rather they choose than a burger joint. But of course, they're not. That's the point. The new VP of DTD was previously the guy in charge of wooing 3rd party franchises. All Disney wants to do with that area is collect rent.

Diversity is needed, however you also have to meet the needs of the customer. If a place is always busy or packed (which McDonald's was for the most part every time I walked by) then one would assume it was profitable. If it's profitable, why remove it? If you look at all of Disney's park offerings, they offer quite a bit of variety and diversity. But they also offer just as many neutral or standard offerings for those folks who don't want to branch out.

Being packed doesn't equal being profitable if your costs (i.e. rent) are sky-high. And I doubt diversity had anything to do with Pollo Campano getting the nod for this spot. Probably more to do with the fact that any established U.S. quick-serve restaurant said, "if the clown can't make money in this location, we can't either."

DC7800

04-16-2010, 07:14 PM

If Disney is looking to re-open some of its original, non-third party venues around DTD, I can think of some places I'd rather they choose than a burger joint

Sure, maybe a venue for adventurers or something.

All Disney wants to do with that area is collect rent

Which, of course, is exactly the problem. I'd much rather have Disney operated establishments - be they burger joints or something more substantial - than whatever tenant is willing to pay the exorbitant rent Disney surely demands for these locations. Don't get me started on Flamingo Crossings.

musclemouse

04-16-2010, 07:17 PM

Anyone made friends with the squirrel while eating at McDs there? :lmao: Little stinker would sit right on ya begging for a french fry. ;)

Jason71

04-17-2010, 01:56 PM

Don't get me started on Flamingo Crossings.

Ironically, I imagine Disney wishes they never got started on Flamingo Crossings, either... ;)

doubletrouble_vb

04-18-2010, 09:58 AM

It always irked me that it was there. Yes I did order once or twice but I'd have been much happier with something like Pollo Campero. As for kids they should eat what is given to them or not eat at all.

KINGBOBOFTHENORTH

04-18-2010, 12:41 PM

Being packed doesn't equal being profitable if your costs (i.e. rent) are sky-high.

Regardless of sky high rent, there is no indication that the McDonald's in DTD wasn't profitable. They've been there a long time and surely would have pulled out long ago if it was losing money.

BobK/Orlando

melancholywings

04-19-2010, 03:36 PM

I wouldn't care about McDonalds if Disney offered nutrional information on their food. I used to be a McD hater before my daughter was diagnoised with T1D. But at least if we go to McDonalds we can easily get the carb count of a children's chicken nugget with milk and apples from the side of the bag.

Luv2Roam

04-19-2010, 06:44 PM

Anyone made friends with the squirrel while eating at McDs there? :lmao: Little stinker would sit right on ya begging for a french fry.

That's better than the birds in Frontierland where I have seen them pull the food right out of people's hands. :lmao:I saw one guy trying to explain to his wife he did not eat the hotdog he had just bought. And she wasn't believing him. :rotfl2:

Ryansdad0727

04-22-2010, 11:20 AM

We ate there several night when we went. A cheap option that was quick. Hate to see it go.

dwaters

04-22-2010, 05:26 PM

How could you go that long without a Shamrock Shake?:eek:

:thumbsup2

Their Sharmrock Shakes are delicious!

Nice to see a Jason Garcia article after hearing him on the DIS Unplugged.

When he says the one by Animal Kingdom will remain open, I hope he's talking about the one over by All-Stars with the giant characters. We've never stopped there, but always enjoy seeing how "even the McDonald's are Disney-fied and larger than life!"

I don't understand why people turn into such melodramatic snobs when it comes to McDonald's.:confused3
"It's poison! It's garbage! What horrible disgusting rubbish! I haven't eaten there since 1983!!!"

I ate there today. I only had a dollar and some change on me and was able to walk in and grab a McDouble off the value menu to tide me over until I could get home. Fast and convenient hot food. A few hours later I'm doing fine and not rolling over with stomach pains or food poisoning......