Good Thing? Major Make-Over for Bistro De Paris

[WaltD4Me]

Disney Parks Blog just posted that Bistro De Paris is getting a major make over. I've never eaten there, but I know Corey, Kevin and Pete love this place....they are changing things up, no more tuxedos. Good thing?

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/08/major-makeover-for-the-france-pavilion-at-epcot/

A new eat-in bakery and ice cream parlor though! That's exciting!

 

[pittsburghmarc]

Noooo...

I loved the well appointed feel of Bistro!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Bistro de Paris has / had a classic elegance and I'm sorry to hear that's going away.

It's one of the few spots in WDW where I felt transported. It never felt "theme park" and that was one of the joys...along with excellent food.

I'm not good about Disney changing things I really like. I'm still bitter about them removing the old "modern architecture" security gate near Ft Wilderness and changing the logo from my beloved "square D with the Mickey world globe", but I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

While Bistro has that classic feel to it, you could also be at a fine restaurant in any area of "colonial" America. It does have a "Mt Vernon" feel to it. So maybe, a more authentic look and feel will offer a more authentic experience.

I hope that what Chef Bocuse says is true. I hope that the fine dining experience remains and I hope that I still feel transported when dining at the new restaurant.

I also hope that along with a new interior design, that they remove and update the "little Tower of Terror" elevator experience.

Oh....and the bakery sounds terrific. I'll reserve judgement on the ice cream parlor.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

BOO!!! HISS!!!

DDP ruins another good restaurant!

 

[NancyIL]

I have never eaten at Bistro, but maybe I'll give it a try in December. The new bakery and ice cream parlor sound great!

 

[simmons_m]

Bistro de Paris has / had a classic elegance and I'm sorry to hear that's going away.

....

I hope that what Chef Bocuse says is true. I hope that the fine dining experience remains and I hope that I still feel transported when dining at the new restaurant.

Agree with Kevin. I hope it is true, and an authentic French experience. Too bad, our adrs for November were cancelled. Off to Artist Point for us instead, cest la vie.

 

[simmons_m]

BOO!!! HISS!!!

DDP ruins another good restaurant!

Two questions....
Why did DDP cause this?
Also, Cheshire Figment, if you were planning on bistro de Paris, and your adrs were cancelled, would you go to Artist Point, or some place else? (during food and wine)

 

[Joshua_me]

It's hard to say, of course, until the finished product is revealed.

It's my "gut feeling" that things are going to be taking a step down in terms of quality and exclusivity - But of course I have nothing concrete to base that feeling upon.

I've always been of the opinion that EACH PARK should have at least one, high quality, TS, OOP restaurant that should be available to guests should they wish to dine at that establishment.

Rumors swirled for years that this was going to happen in Tony's Town Square, ( I mean, talk about *Location* ! ) But the various DP's and the downturn in the economy prevented that from happening.

DHS had "The Brown Derby" that always flirted with greatness, and Epcot HAD "Bistro de Paris", it's fate still unknown.

It's curious that this coincides with the remodel of the Calli Grill at the CR.

EIGHT MONTHS is a LONG time to refurbish a restaurant that already exists. What could they possibly be doing there ?

After the dust settles, the GF will still have V&A's, but what about The Poly ?

Something tells me there are HUGE plans awaiting that resort that have not yet even begun to be released to the public.

I dunno. I don't mean for any of this to sound "snobbish", but it's just good business to provide parents with a place where they can enjoy a much deserved romantic, quiet and relaxing meal.

It's fascinating to me to see what Disney is going to do to fill the niche in this market.

 

[OKW Lover]

While I'm willing to wait until the final result is unveiled before deciding if this is a "good thing" I must admit to a feeling of dread. I was perfectly happy with the old Bistro ("lift" aside) and part of me thinks "if it isn't broke, don't fix it". But the other part of me says that without change we are never going to know if there is something better.

 

[DisneyDenny]

We are looking forward to dining, for the first time, at Bistro our next trip in April! But now we are having second thoughts making an ADR and spending 2 dining credits for something without a Kevin review! We are not fans of French creams and sauces, but were looking forward to a great Filet and an eligant dining experiance, If I want and okay steak and lots of kids running around, I'll go downstairs for 1 credit!

 

[mnra]

we loved the Bistro. But we will wait to see what ends up being there. In addition I sure hope the bakery continues to have the mouse. lol

 

[safetymom]

I will wait and give them the benefit of doubt on the new restaurant. I loved Bistro but my daughter didn't care for the atmosphere there. So maybe change is a good thing.

I am looking forward to the show bakery and ice cream parlor.

 

[disneyholic family]

I don't know about bistro as I've never eaten there but I'm looking forward to the upgraded bakery which has always had good food but nowhere to sit!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[kbelle8995]

As I've never been to the Bistro I can't really comment. I would like to go. Hopefully they can renovate and not lose any of the virtues that fans like about it.

But I must say I'm really excited about the Bakery. The Bakery has always been popular. So them increasing the size makes perfect sense. I'm glad they are going to offer salads and sandwiches.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

But I must say I'm really excited about the Bakery. The Bakery has always been popular. So them increasing the size makes perfect sense. I'm glad they are going to offer salads and sandwiches.

I agree 100%! I'm excited to see what they do with the bakery and the new ice cream shop.

 

[ShesAPirate]

I have yet to dine at Bistro, but I wish some kind of revamp of Chefs de France was involved in this. That was literally our worst meal when we went this past November. So disappointing

 

[WaDiWo]

Bistro de Paris has / had a classic elegance and I'm sorry to hear that's going away.

It's one of the few spots in WDW where I felt transported. It never felt "theme park" and that was one of the joys...along with excellent food.

I'm not good about Disney changing things I really like. I'm still bitter about them removing the old "modern architecture" security gate near Ft Wilderness and changing the logo from my beloved "square D with the Mickey world globe", but I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

While Bistro has that classic feel to it, you could also be at a fine restaurant in any area of "colonial" America. It does have a "Mt Vernon" feel to it. So maybe, a more authentic look and feel will offer a more authentic experience.

I hope that what Chef Bocuse says is true. I hope that the fine dining experience remains and I hope that I still feel transported when dining at the new restaurant.

I also hope that along with a new interior design, that they remove and update the "little Tower of Terror" elevator experience.

Oh....and the bakery sounds terrific. I'll reserve judgement on the ice cream parlor.

I agree. As much as I don't want it to change, I guess I'll have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

That doesn't change the fact that I thought Bistro was perfect the way it was. Superb food, superb location, and yes, I loved the classy atmosphere. Where else can you go to a dress-up restaurant without dressing up?

And Kevin, I agree with what you said on the podcast today, I sure hope they don't "dumb down" the food.

 

[sayhello]

It's a shame, because I do love the Bistro, and it's fancy atmosphere & fawning servers and the excellent cuisine. But I guess 25 years is a long time, and change is inevitable. I hope they don't dumb it down. That would be a shame. But the words "and the room colors will be fresh and bright" does not bode well in my opinion...

Sayhello

 

[TinkerChelle]

This news is a little disheartening to me. Bistro just became my favorite dining spot when I was able to try it for the first time in June. It was by far the best meal I have ever had on property and we loved the atmosphere. I am not sure why they feel the need to change anything. My fear is that they are going to try to make it more "family friendly" and dumb it down. Ugh! I suppose I should hold back on my frustration until the final product is unveiled, but honestly I am fearing the change.

Alas, Bistro I loved you once, at least.

 

[BriarRosie]

The word in the press release that scared me the most:

Approachable.

IMHO, that is Disney-speak for "dumb down". I sincerely hope not, but I really enjoyed the Bistro. I loved that when I ordered a rack of lamb, the server did a tableside carving. A table on the other side of the dining room ordered Crepes Suzette, and I was able to see another tableside prep of their dessert. I think these touches will go away with the tuxedoes.

I will give the "new" Bistro a chance, hoping that I'm wrong.