Epcot Dining ... 20 Years Ago

[mesaverdefan]

Found this vintage map of Epcot dining and thought I’d post it since one of the segments on the Dis Unplugged podcast was about changes at Disney this week. This map is about 20 years old and some of the restaurants on it no longer exist or have been renamed. Posted for educational purposes. I personally miss both the Odyssey [which was closed to guests by the time this map was published] and Pasta Piazza Ristorante [where have you gone Mickey Mouse head shaped pizza?].

What Epcot restaurants or dining experiences do you miss most? What should Disney bring back? Past versions of current restaurants?

 

[sazzifrazz]

I remember as a kid, 20 years ago, a family friend used to go to disney for a weekend with the main attraction eating at Epcot's italy. I don't remember what it was called but surely it was better that Tutto!!

 

[eliz603]

I remember my mom running over the post Spaceship Earth area somewhere to make ressies for lunch, usually at Rose and Crown. It was on a face to face screen, totally cool for late 80s/early 90s (okay, so a bit more than 20 years ago!!).

 

[Hopefully]

DH and I spent a wonderful afternoon on our first adult only trip at the Matsu No Ma Lounge in Japan enjoying the beautiful view of the Lagoon, enjoying an adult beverage, an appetizer, each other and a local couple we met that afternoon. It is a great memory of a lounge I miss.

 

[Siriusblack]

I remember making the same day dining reservations on the video screens! I thought it was so cool! What I miss the most is pre princess Akershus.

 

[DVC Doctor]

The way you made reservations back then was a two way video screen. It seemed cool then but would be lame by today's standards.

 

[stasijane]

That is pretty cool to see. Thanks for sharing

 

[Micca]

Before it was the Garden Grill, it was "The Good Turn" sponsored by Kraft. Many of the dishes served incorporated Kraft cheese. They had some really nice cheese bread they served with dinners.

I dearly miss Alfredo's in WS, and at one time Le Cellier was a sort of low-end steakhouse where you lined-up to order your dinner (cafeteria style) and they'd serve it to you on a plate which you placed on a tray to check out.

 

[DHSbutcher]

Seriously miss Alfredo's, that fettuccine Alfredo with all that butter, I can still taste it. Still haven't found anything as good anywhere.

 

[purple figment]

While the names haven't changed I remember when Le Cellier was a cafeteria style restaurant, Biergarten was a table service and Akershus was also a table service without princesses.

Garden Grill started out as The Good Turn and then it became the Land Grille. It was originally a table service with some very good entrees and the Cheese Bread micca mentioned. I still have the recipe cards they used to give out for the Cheese Bread, the Gulf Catch and the Floridian. Does anyone else remember the Kitchen Kabaret and later Food Rocks shows?

 

[RAPstar]

While the names haven't changed I remember when Le Cellier was a cafeteria style restaurant, Biergarten was a table service and Akershus was also a table service without princesses.

Garden Grill started out as The Good Turn and then it became the Land Grille. It was originally a table service with some very good entrees and the Cheese Bread micca mentioned. I still have the recipe cards they used to give out for the Cheese Bread, the Gulf Catch and the Floridian. Does anyone else remember the Kitchen Kabaret and later Food Rocks shows?

I never saw Kitchen Kabaret, but I have the music on my computer. "Veggie, veggie, fruit, fruit".

I saw Food Rocks.

 

[Hopefully]

While the names haven't changed I remember when Le Cellier was a cafeteria style restaurant, Biergarten was a table service and Akershus was also a table service without princesses.

Garden Grill started out as The Good Turn and then it became the Land Grille. It was originally a table service with some very good entrees and the Cheese Bread micca mentioned. I still have the recipe cards they used to give out for the Cheese Bread, the Gulf Catch and the Floridian. Does anyone else remember the Kitchen Kabaret and later Food Rocks shows?

I remember all of these things. I loved Kitchen Kabaret and the Food Rocks shows. I think they were fun and educational as well.
I remember when Le Cellier was a cafeteria and not very popular at all. Folks thought it was too dark. We ate at Biergarden when it was a TS restaurant but we have never eaten at Akerhaus
I also remember the 2 way video screens folks have mentioned above. I always sent my speediest son to make our ADR for that evening in Epcot when we arrived.
Fun memories.

 

[rcraw45425]

I may be in the minority but I miss the "old" sunshine seasons" with the different kiosks for different foods. I remember barbecue, fried chicken, a kids baking place and maybe one that had desserts. The new oe just seems to "try too hard" to be upscale

 

[Masonmj84]

I remember eating in the German restaurant in the late 80's (not sure if it was called Biergarten then) when you ordered off the menu.

I was in high school at the time on a band trip and the group I was with really wanted to eat in the Italian restaurant but it was booked.

 

[Micca]

Seriously miss Alfredo's, that fettuccine Alfredo with all that butter, I can still taste it. Still haven't found anything as good anywhere.

Yes! Their signature dish was our family's favorite. We tried the fettuccine at Tutto Italia. Not exactly the same as Alfredo's but it's in the ballpark and very good.

We bought the very first issue cd of WDW park music with the Food Rocks music on it. "Veggie Fruit Fruit" is a Disney classic in our house, as is Listen To The Land.

 

[CarouselOfLands]

[where have you gone Mickey Mouse head shaped pizza?].

I remember as a child the Mickey Mouse head shaped pizza...and ate it all the time. I was so sad when they got rid of it and replaced it with the current pizzas. Maybe it'll make its way back one day.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

OMG, I remember the Sunshine Seasons Food Fair in the Land. We'd eat there after seeing Kitchen Kabaret. The cheese bread was soooooooooooooooo good, and the BBQ smell always made my mouth water. I think there was a soup & sammie place, too, but I don't remember us ever eating anything from there.

 

[Jennasis]

Mmm the Alfredo at Alfredo's! So delicious! To this day it is the gold standard by which I judge all other fettucine Alfredo. Still haven't found one as good.

 

[jeffbear]

I remember making the same day dining reservations on the video screens! I thought it was so cool!

I remember that fondly as well. Weirdly the big fight was still to get Le Cellier for some reason, but we often happily settled for Bisto de France and enjoyed a quiet dinner.

 

[pixarmom]

I remember my mom running over the post Spaceship Earth area somewhere to make ressies for lunch

THIS!!! It was so "futuristic!" Our reservations were usually for Akershus - our family's favorite at the time. As for what I really miss, I really miss the old Akershus. I entirely understand the idea to add princesses - great business decision by Disney and a good alternative to CRT. But I do miss the quiet atmosphere and the lefse!

Does anyone else remember the Kitchen Kabaret and later Food Rocks shows?

I do!!!!