Alfredo's closing permanently?

[snomofinn]

I can't imagine that place closing down permanetly...I've never ate there, but my mom did and really didnt like much

 

[The Sweetness]

Bring on the Pizza Hut buffet

 

[Lewisc]

Alfredo's was run by an outside company. I wonder if the dining plan was part of the problem. I'm sure we'll see an Italian restaurant. The question is will it be run by Disney or by an outside company. Will it be a buffet?

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Disney has restaurants run by outside companies?? (other than DtD and S/D)

 

[rhiannonwales]

Actually many of the WS eateries are outside owned.And also at Coronado.

 

[Faerie]

I ate at Alfredo's on NYE for lunch and it was horrid. Our waitress took our drink orders, came back 1/2 hour later with the drinks and took our food order. 40 minutes later our starters arrived by someone else who wouldn't refill our now empty soda glasses. 5 minutes later out comes our entrees. We still couldn't find our waitress until it came time for the check. The food was awful too. Can't say as I'll miss it

 

[kribit]

I didn't realize some of the restaurants (aside from DTD) were outside companies. All the more reason now to put an Olive Garden in there. They do have McDonalds right?

 

[clkelley]

I hope that they do close. The last time I ate there my experience was so horrible that I'd never go back. Our waiter started out really friendly, then as soon as he found out we weren't ordering alcohol we were treated like second class citzens. Our waiter was absent, our meal was rushed, and the food was only so-so considering the price. It was absolutely horrible and I would never go back. This experience happened in July of 2005 pre dining plan.

When we ate there in 1998, the server also gave us a "look" when we didn't order any alcohol, but the food and service were still quite good.

 

[sotoalf]

We have so many first-rate Italian restaurants in our neighborhood that eating at Alfredo's has never appealed to us (although we tried it once in 1995). Besides, there's something gross about walking around a theme park on a July afternoon with a bellyfull of pasta.

 

[rhiannonwales]

I know some say that this isnt the case at Disney, but since some of these restaurants arent Disney owned i think its possible.Many chain restaurants set quotas for the higher priced specialty drink theyre pushing that month.And the servers can even earn a bonus for selling over a certain %.Same is true of expensive desserts. So its possible that they are getting mad because youre wrecking their chances for more $.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

I am pretty sure that san Angel is run by an outside company as is the soon to be Asia place at AK. That is right, isn't it??

 

[Epcot242]

It seems like there are a lot of mixed reviews for the place. I used to like it, then I didn't like it, now I'm back to liking it again. I know it's a chain (not a big one), so maybe that has something to do with it? It's always crowded when I go there, so crowds may not be the issue. Hopefully they'll replace it with another TS restaurant. Does anyone know in July when it's supposed to close?

 

[gatour]

Alfredo's is(was) run by the original Alfredo's in Italy. I thought the pasta dishes were good everything else so-so.

San Angel Inn was originally ran by a restaurant out of Mexico City with some of its unique dishes, not certain of its current status in regards to ownership/management.

Nine Dragons also has had an interesting history, they too were originally ran by an outside company, but the "owners" also opened a place on International Drive which Disney wasn't too pleased with so I don't think they renewed the contract.

Since we are at an anniversary point for EPCOT, I can see contracts running out that Disney or the other party either don't want to renew, or can't agree to terms. For example, the sponsership of the pavillions are usually 10 year deals, so Disney could have done two 10 years and then a 5 year in sucession with Alfredo's

 

[ccigliano]

I always enjoyed the pasta dishes and yes my name does end in a vowel. I never really tried anything else though and have read the mixed reviews. Hopefully they will replace with another restaurant that specializes in pasta, as I can always get a good steak at Le Cellier. Let's face it - the Olive Garden does have pretty good pasta. Did you ever try the ravioli stuffed with chicken, ricotta and mozz, topped with a pesto alfredo sause. YUMMY!!! The more I think about it - I wouldn't mind an Olive Garden at all.

 

[Micca]

I hope it's not true. Alfredo's is our favorite.

 

[nbodyhome]

Disney has restaurants run by outside companies?? (other than DtD and S/D)

Mexico, Japan, maybe Norway?, the Pepper Market - there are a number of non-Disney owned restaurants. The new one in AK will be owned by the Rainforest.

 

[Hopkins]

Palio's at the Walt Disney World Swan was one of our favorites. It was a WDW Best Kept Secret. Now, that's closed and is being replaced by another italian restaurant. I don't understand why an excellent restaurant with great reviews would close. Any detains? Will it be the same chef?

Tina

 

[MJMcBride]

I always enjoyed the pasta dishes and yes my name does end in a vowel. I never really tried anything else though and have read the mixed reviews. Hopefully they will replace with another restaurant that specializes in pasta, as I can always get a good steak at Le Cellier. Let's face it - the Olive Garden does have pretty good pasta. Did you ever try the ravioli stuffed with chicken, ricotta and mozz, topped with a pesto alfredo sause. YUMMY!!! The more I think about it - I wouldn't mind an Olive Garden at all.

Olive Garbage is awful. Alfredo's is C+, B- to me.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

Alfredo's is one of our favorites but more because of the atmosphere than the food. We always sit outside and enjoy the twinkling lights, a glass of wine, some pasta, and just relax. If they do put something new in, I hope they retain the ambiance of the outside courtyard!

 

[bicker]

This is great news IMHO. This place is one of the only TS restaurants that we've never tried, due to how consistently it has received poor reviews from folks who's reviews have been useful to us in the past. Hopefully, the replacement will be substantially better -- it'll be great to have the chance to try a wholly brand-new restaurant at WDW for a change.

And if we're especially lucky, maybe the new restaurant will be Disney-owned.