Anyone remember the Gulf Coast Room at CR?

[AnnetteF]

I was going through a tin filled with old matchbooks that I've had for years and I found one from the Gulf Coast Room, which was a restaurant in the Contemporary Resort when we were there back in 1985.

It was down on the level below the Grand Canyon Concourse, where a lot of banquet rooms were, and was basically a banquet room itself. I remember it was very dimly lit and there was a 3 panel screen up at the front to divide the podium area from the rest of the room. The tables were very nicely set and there was a wonderful strolling guitar player who played a lot of Disney songs. It was more of an upscale type menu but there was really no other theming or anything. So different from the Disney restaurants we know today.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone else remembers it, too?

 

[AnnetteF]

Anyone? I can't be the only person who was going in 1985, can I?

 

[klinlin]

We ate there a number of times whenI went with my swim team in the mid 1980's. Most of the resort restaurants were pretty upscale at that time.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

I don't remember that rest(but hardly ever stoped on that floor). I do recall to areas on the Concourse call, Coconino Cove(night club) and the Pueblo Room(coffee shop) in the area that is now Chef Mickey's.

 

[finnie48]

Hi Annette,

Sure do remember it. It was a jacket and tie kind of place. Four of us dined there when a bad storm forced us to remain in the hotel for the evening. Menus given to the ladies did not have prices on them, which I thought was pretty cool for a Disney restaurant. The best, though, was when my daughter ordered a hot fudge sundae and the fudge was made from scratch at tableside. A memorable evening for sure. Don't believe there is anything like it these days - V&A doesn't count.

Bob

 

[mkluvsmickey]

I'm not sure if this was the same place but they used to have a Christmas show somewhere in the Contemporary. It was like a Christmas dinner theater with all the characters. We went in the early 90's. I tried to find it again a few years ago and it's no longer being offered.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I remember the Gulf Coast Room--tho we never went. We had to choose between that and the other Top of the World restaurant/Supper Club (where California Grill is today). We opted for the supper club and saw Billy Eckstein perform that night.

 

[OrlandoMike]

I'm not sure if this was the same place but they used to have a Christmas show somewhere in the Contemporary. It was like a Christmas dinner theater with all the characters. We went in the early 90's. I tried to find it again a few years ago and it's no longer being offered.

That was Jolly Holidays and was in the new convention center.

 

[AnnetteF]

Hi Annette,

Sure do remember it. It was a jacket and tie kind of place. Four of us dined there when a bad storm forced us to remain in the hotel for the evening. Menus given to the ladies did not have prices on them, which I thought was pretty cool for a Disney restaurant. The best, though, was when my daughter ordered a hot fudge sundae and the fudge was made from scratch at tableside. A memorable evening for sure. Don't believe there is anything like it these days - V&A doesn't count.

Bob

Wow, that's really interesting about the prices not being given on the ladies menus. I don't remember that , but I wonder in our case, because it was just me when I was about 21, and my Mom.

And I miss having things prepared tableside for me. You find very few restaurants that do that now anywhere.

 

[AnnetteF]

I remember the Gulf Coast Room--tho we never went. We had to choose between that and the other Top of the World restaurant/Supper Club (where California Grill is today). We opted for the supper club and saw Billy Eckstein perform that night.

I miss Top of the World, too. I remember going to see Shari Lewis there when I was about 12, with my parents. Years later I also loved the Broadway at the Top dinner show. And I will always miss that lounge up at the top. My husband and I used to go there for a drink in the middle of a hot Magic Kingdom day and it was such a beautiful view and nice break.

I miss the old Contemporary.

 

[AnnetteF]

I don't remember that rest(but hardly ever stoped on that floor). I do recall to areas on the Concourse call, Coconino Cove(night club) and the Pueblo Room(coffee shop) in the area that is now Chef Mickey's.

I do remember eating in the Pueblo room but I had completely forgotten about Coconino Cove. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[ms mouse]

We ate there on our honeymoon in 1981. It was such a nice resturant you almost forgot you were in disney, that is until they brought out the mickey butter. Thanks for the memories.

 

[sotoalf]

A hilarious review of the Gulf Coast Room and the state of American dining in the seventies and eighties.