Is there a need for 4 Italian restaurants in DS?

[randumb0]

I enjoy Italian food as much as any other but I can think of several other themes that are missing.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Yeah, how about a Greek restaurant? Or a Thai restaurant?

 

[Wubar]

Agree there could be more ethnic cuisines represented, although it's not Epcot in that respect. Other than burgers and chicken, Italian probably appeals to most palates. My family likes to stray off the beaten path, but there are plenty of those who don't.

 

[Clawdius]

I think it’s too many! They do it because pasta and tomatoes are cheap.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I don't think good quality ingredients are low cost in and of themselves but Italian food is definitely one of the most popular types of cuisine in this country.
Maybe Disney is having a "Battle of the Titans" and collecting the rent simultaneously?

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Yeah, how about a Greek restaurant? Or a Thai restaurant?

I vote Thai too. Or Vietnamese.
Sth East Asian food is sorely missing on the whole Disney property which is a shame as it’s my family’s favourite.

 

[Sugardimples]

People like Italian food.

 

[KenHutch]

Well the market will prove if its to many or not. I suspect that 1 or more will fail because it is probably overkill and while Italian can be cheaper to make its also very easy to mess up and turn away people.

 

[leebee]

Yup, too many. There used to be a Mediterranean/Greek restaurant on the Boardwalk, Spoodles, that we loved. That morphed into Kouzzina (initially affiliated with Cat Cora, not sure how that ended) and it's now Tratoria al Forno. More Italian... I think it's totally overdone at Disney. TaF, Il Mulino (ok not technically Disney but right there at the Swan), Tutto Italia, Via Napoli, Maria&Enzo's, Tony's Town Square, Mama Melrose, and now Terralina? TOTALLY overdone!

 

[Moliphino]

I agree, but I'm not a fan of Italian food to begin with.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Italian food is cheap to make. I think it's too many and I don't even go to DS.

 

[msb578]

It seems like many people who visit WDW are not that adventurous with food. That’s not to say that Italian food is bad (I love it myself)- it just appeals to a large number of visitors.

I was personally very excited by the addition of Skipper Canteen to MK. But lots of people said things like, “yuck, that menu does not appeal to me at all”.

I’m not sure how locals factor in to the development of Disney Springs. I’d think locals would be looking for more variety.

 

[gharter]

When you read through the dining threads, there are many posts about somebody not being an adventurous eater. With that, Italian food often is "safe" as they know or think they know what they will get. Certainly it can be easy to mess up if done poorly. Only time will tell if there are too many Italian restaurants in DS. Its a large area with a lot of people moving through every day. As has happened with other restaurants, the menus will probably morph with time.

 

[Ben E N]

As long as all four restaurants are profitable, there are not too many. If any of them lose too many customers, then it will close and be replaced, perhaps by one of the above suggestions.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Seven italian restaurants in my city 60% smaller than WDW.

So, no, not too many.

 

[HopperFan]

Too many for me? probably.

It's a popular food across many guest groups.

Read enough and you see there are MANY guests that are NOT adventurous.

It is an inexpensive food to produce.

Disney is known for some bad/average Italian so if these are good.

That said ............ I do think there are other options in DS,
but really WHERE IS THE GREEK?

 

[gillep]

I wish there were more cuisines represented in DS, we would go there much more often if that were the case. I don't really like Italian food, we never eat it out at home, but usually hit Il Mulino before the marathon each year. This year we will try one of the DS options, but it certainly won't be the most exciting meal of the trip by far. That said, Italian is usually a safe bet for picky eaters, or those who don't have the familiarity with other cuisines, and I myself have been thankful for this abundance of options when taking groups to WDW who have more limited cuisine preferences.

 

[Arielfan98]

I couldn't agree with you more! I come from southern NY where there's plenty of good Italian so when I come to Disney I want to try new things. Of course there are other options, but I can't help but feel annoyed that some spaces are taken up for yet again, more Italian places. In general, WDW has way too many Italian spots. What about Indian or Thai or Greek/Mediterranean?

 

[Anthony1971]

The menus are all different and rightfully so as there are different regions in Italy with different styles of cooking and different specialties. Unless you are talking about olive garden Italian food by far is not cheap to make... If you go in and want some type of pasta with meatballs yes it is on the less expensive side to make but that also is reflected in what they can charge for it and there for the picky eater... If you look at the menus you will see seafood, lamb and pork which are all far more traditional dishes. Do not see Greek or Thai and such places doing well at Disney as most people who go to Disney are just not adventurous eaters... Greek places are huge on squid and Thai is just simply way to spicy and shall I say out of the ordinary for most-- there will not be many people lining up for a fish with its eyes looking at you or curry... If Disney sticks with Gyro's and Thai dumplings or maybe Pad Thai they will do fine but that is the equal of Pasta and tomatoes for Italian.. it is just not traditional... its more in line with all American's eat burgers and that's it. However you never know some may pop up as they have done it with Japanese food--but I can tell you what Disney serves is also not what you expect form a traditional Japanese restaurant as Sushi does not have rice around it what Disney serves are inside out rolls which look better--order tuna and you will have a piece of tuna on top of rice much less the less nice looking EEL or squid suction cups and all which are the more traditional sushi.

 

[OhhBother]

Off topic a bit, but if we're talking about restaurant diversity, I'd love to see a Melting Pot at Disney Springs. Seems like a perfect place for it. "Fun" interactive concept, high price point, accommodating to families, fairly "safe" food choices. I think it would be wildly popular - particularly if there were some Disney-themed menu items.