Citricos closing???

[aribelle]

Ok, I'm using the menus over at allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm to try to choose some restaurants......and I'm looking at Citricos and thinking this might be the perfect place to go for the night I want to give the girls the Cinderella Slipper dessert.....

I glance up to see what hours it is open....and it says:

Citricos at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is
open for dinner 7 days a week through July 5, 2008.


Does this mean that it is closing in July......is this permanent, for refurb, for the summer, only something else!?

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

You know...I *think* Citrico's is one of the few (only?) restaurants that is closed on Monday nights. Maybe that's just their way of saying it will now be open every night?

I have only dined there once, and it was a long time ago...it was wonderful and I hope it doesn't close before I can get there again!

 

[Allison]

No, it means they will be going back to their previous schedule which I think was 5 days a week. I believe they used to be closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Here is the original announcement from allears:

Citricos fine dining in the Grand Floridian is now open 7 days a week and will continue to do so through July 5, 2008.

 

[daisy112878]

No, it means they will be going back to their previous schedule which I think was 5 days a week. I believe they used to be closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Here is the original announcement from allears:

Citricos fine dining in the Grand Floridian is now open 7 days a week and will continue to do so through July 5, 2008.

This is correct. After July 5th, we are going back to their regular schedule of being closed Monday and Tuesday.

 

[aribelle]

Whew...thanks, I'm very happy to hear that!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Should add though that it's NOT a good sign for a restaurant at Disney--ANY restaurant at Disney--to be closed two nights a week. Business should be booming every night of the week but for some resason at Citrico's-- it isn't.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Should add though that it's NOT a good sign for a restaurant at Disney--ANY restaurant at Disney--to be closed two nights a week. Business should be booming every night of the week but for some resason at Citrico's-- it isn't.

Any idea why it's not as popular as other Signature restaurants? We haven't eaten at Citricos or Narcoossee's, but were thinking of dining at one of them in October. From everything I've read, I was leaning toward Citricos. We prefer a more relaxed, quieter dining experience. It sounds like Narcoossee's can get loud.

 

[aribelle]

Should add though that it's NOT a good sign for a restaurant at Disney--ANY restaurant at Disney--to be closed two nights a week. Business should be booming every night of the week but for some resason at Citrico's-- it isn't.

Well, I can also say from growing up in a restauranter family, that sometimes it's all about marketing. It's not uncommon for restaurants that want to bill themselves as exclusive....or top tier....or elite....or "celebrities love us" to limit hours and/or days that they are open. It brings the level of anticipation up. Ever seen a restaruant that is standing room only, could fill three dinign rooms and still have a waiting list.......and they open another restaurant in a different town and don't make it any larger? Sometimes it's about the fact that creating food for 10 is much better quality wise than for 100.....but really good cooks can still do it....mostly it's about the hype factor.


I have to say that I feel there are several restaurants at WDW that have, perhaps unwittingly, but have been brought to that level. Le Cellier, for example.....very hard to get a reservation....why? the food is good, but not THAT good....or CRT.....the atmosphere, wow, but the food, eh. Yet you almost have to "know" someone to get a reservation at either....and it's mostly because of hype. If "everyone" is eating at Le Cellier, then "holy moly I gotta get a reservation!".

Think about Club 33 at Disneyland in California......it's so exclusvie there is a 10 year wait or something to even get membership which is most expensive than most of us make in a year.....and yet how many of us wouldn't consider selling a child to have lunch there??? Do you think the food is really and truly worth that? Yeah, the reviews I've read say it's great, I can't think of a single negative review.....but come on?

There was an article on yahoo about a $175 hamburger.....could you imagine paying that for a burger? Even if it was made of filet mignon, um no. But the place that had it was selling dozens a week, with people coming from far away to try it. Why....because "I can and you can't".

I want to try Citricos...and a few other places, but if I can't get a reservation for the time I want, then so be it. If closing two days a week means it's booked solid the rest of the time and it builds up the hype and anticipation, then good for them.

Another reason though, might be that the agreement with the chef is that he (or she) and only they can cook/supervise the meals......and therefore it has to be closed so they have a few days off. During the summer months, maybe he/she works 7 days a week (such is the life of a chef).

Anyway...sorry this became such a rant. Grew up in this lifestyle (and it's definitely that)....and ran far far away from it. My parents would be absolutely mortified and disgusted to know that last night for dinner my children ate popcorn and milkshakes......and for lunch we'd had hot dogs. Hey, it's my weekend holiday too, ya know! But my parents would have had a minimum of a 5 course meal for a holiday weekend. Don't even ask me about "real" holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I have a reservation there in September, so it can't be closing after July.

 

[lady danger]

Any idea why it's not as popular as other Signature restaurants? We haven't eaten at Citricos or Narcoossee's, but were thinking of dining at one of them in October. From everything I've read, I was leaning toward Citricos. We prefer a more relaxed, quieter dining experience. It sounds like Narcoossee's can get loud.

I have no idea what the actual reason is, but if I had to guess I would say location might have something to do with it. The MK area has 4 signature restaurants, two boasting great views that seem to draw in a lot of people and one of those restaurants (Narcoosee's) is in the same resort. And Citricos is sort of tucked away in the GF, so I doubt it gets that many walk ups from people who aren't staying at the resort. And unfortunately, I don't think it's a "destination" restaurant for most people. I wouldn't be surprised if the average Disney diner doesn't even know it's there. And whoever is in charge of Citrico's marketing really hasn't done anything to try to make it stand out against its competition so it probably gets an even smaller share of the WDW signature restaurant dining market than it deserves.

Which is a shame, because it's a great restaurant. We ate at 4 signature restaurants last trip (Citricos, Artist Point, Flying Fish & the Brown Derby) and it was our favorite. There wasn't really anything "special" about the dining room: no great view, spectacular theming or setting. It was just elegant and comfortable. But the food was fabulous. One of the better meals I've had anywhere. And that was all we needed. Great views and theming are nice, but we eat out for the food and Citricos did not disappoint. We have ADRs here for our next trip, and I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a regular thing for us.

 

[daisy112878]

The first time we tried Citricos about 4 years ago they were not opened on Monday (not sure about tuesday). The only reason I remember is b/c I wanted to go on a family members birthday. I think it's more about being exclusive. There's quite a few big nice restaurants here in atlanta that are closed on Sunday and some have limited hours on Monday and Tuesday.

 

[tiggr33]

Any idea why it's not as popular as other Signature restaurants? We haven't eaten at Citricos or Narcoossee's, but were thinking of dining at one of them in October. From everything I've read, I was leaning toward Citricos. We prefer a more relaxed, quieter dining experience. It sounds like Narcoossee's can get loud.

On the contray, it is one of the more popular Signature places, with IMHO better FOOD and SERVICE then the others. Why, the do it right. They take the time to "re-set" typically on Mondays. Narcoosee's, I honestly do not think I would go back to for a meal, unless I had too, or they make some changes.

I have to say that I feel there are several restaurants at WDW that have, perhaps unwittingly, but have been brought to that level. Le Cellier, for example.....very hard to get a reservation....why? the food is good, but not THAT good....or CRT.....the atmosphere, wow, but the food, eh. Yet you almost have to "know" someone to get a reservation at either....and it's mostly because of hype. If "everyone" is eating at Le Cellier, then "holy moly I gotta get a reservation!".

I respeftfully have to disagree with you, about the popularity of LeCellier has more to do with the fact it basically is a meat and potatoes type of place. Many people are uncomfortable stepping outside their normal eating habits. I believe that is why it has become such a "hit". CRT, I agree atmospere.

Think about Club 33 at Disneyland in California......it's so exclusvie there is a 10 year wait or something to even get membership which is most expensive than most of us make in a year.....and yet how many of us wouldn't consider selling a child to have lunch there??? Do you think the food is really and truly worth that? Yeah, the reviews I've read say it's great, I can't think of a single negative review.....but come on?

Again I have to disagree with you. There is no way you can compare Club 33 to anything else in terms of Disney dining. Is it exclusive, yes, but that was the idea from day one by Walt himself. I have had the privelige to dine there twice. I can tell you a negative, tha food is just OK. And desserts made off property which is lousy for those like myself with food allergies, as they couldn't provide me an ingredient list. Would I go back, yes. Why, the history, and the overall experience. Do I think it is worth the hype, yes.

There was an article on yahoo about a $175 hamburger.....could you imagine paying that for a burger? Even if it was made of filet mignon, um no. But the place that had it was selling dozens a week, with people coming from far away to try it. Why....because "I can and you can't".

For someone coming from the industry, I am suprised by your statement for two reasons. One the owner states he raised the price by $25 just to be able to keep the title most expensive burger, while he also offers a $4 burger . Secondly, the ingredients in the burger. Much higher quality then filet mignon. There are some of us, myself included, that if I wanted that burger, I'd get it just to try it. The cost of the truffles on it alone, can justify the price, especially on Wall Street.

 

[Uncleromulus]

aribelle:
You must remeber that this is WDW--tens of thousands of guests at their resorts, many with no car. And all having to eat. And not just on the major dining nights (Friday and Saturday). This is every night of the week.

My best guess is that Citrico's has been closed on Monday and Tuesdays for quite sometime (and will be again after those select summer dates) simply because they haven't enough business to justify remaining open. It is simply another signature restaurant and really nothing any more "special than that. It occupies space where another restaurant was located--and folded.
And at WDW, that isn't good.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I think that Citrico's is one of Disney's finest restaurants.. We try to eat there each trip and have never had anything but an incredible meal with even, if it is possible, more incredible service.

When I have been there, the restaurant is always full and people are happily dining. Maybe it is the fact that it is one of the signature restaurants and some do not like to dress even to resort casual.....Also, lots of people when dining at WDW prefer to be casual, very casual, stop for a hot dog or whatever, more counter service..or lesser type of table service.. Different strokes for different folks.

This is a destination restaurant, not in a park, you have to plan on going to the Grand Floridian to dine there. Some just would prefer to eat in the parks and enjoy their time at WDW that way... we on the other hand prefer to experience it all and if you have not tried this restaurant, you are surely missing out.

 

[mmmcq]

Well something's up - because I called in for my 180 day ressies this am and while there was a list of restaurants with extended hours for Thanksgiving Week - the CM I was working with could not book Citrico's for Wednesday, 11/26. He said the system was not allowing him to book for any times that week and he's not sure why. I will call back later in the day....but I booked Narcoosee's instead.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Can't help with what's going on now, but I did speak with two folks who are at V&A, just to see what they knew of Citrico's having been closed Mondays and Tuesdays. It was simply lack of business. The recent period of Citricos being open 7 nights was to see if business were good enough (now) to justify staying open all week.
Perhaps that's what is now being evaluated??