Is Tutto Italia open?

[jbbt]

It was suppose to open today. Anyone know? Anyone been?

 

[Pumbaa_]

The latest is that they will open briefly for CP packages, but will be closed through 2008. LONG rehab! The CM said they will be doing a complete redesign. Can't wait to see what it is going to be when they are done.

 

[swim-mom]

I called and spoke to MS at DVC, and they called over to Epcot and was told that they are going to be closed for 2 weeks and then they just be walk up service for now.

Like you I am hoping to eat there when I am down in 19 days!

 

[all4fun]

Does anyone know if Tutto Italia will be accepting the dining plan when they are doing walk-up service?

We'd like to go there in early October if possible.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

I'm not sure I understand. What is walk up service?

 

[Pumbaa_]

I believe the PP is referring to Counter Service.

That would be nice to have an option in that area.

 

[zaxmom]

I was told last week that they were not taking ADR's yet, but to try in a week or so. Maybe by walk-up they just mean a waiting list, no reservations.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Thanks for clarifying guys! That would be nice if they had a counter service for Italian. I'll call in another week as well.

 

[allisonswonderland]

Any update?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I assume that "walk up service" means a table service restaurant that does not take reservations.

There are plenty of table service restaurants that do not take reservations in the "real world" outside of WDW.

By not taking reservations, they have more flexibility as to when they open Tutto Italia for business and how many guests they can serve each day. I predict that once Tutto Italia is open and they've established routine operations, they will begin taking reservations -- at least until they close Tutto Italia next year to convert the space into the permanent restaurant.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you read Cheshire Figment's report http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1569241 of the final meal at Alfredo's, it sure doesn't sound like the restaurant is prepared to reopen any time soon (note the part where they'd already unhooked the ice machine - doesn't seem to me to be any sensible reason that such a basic piece of equipment wouldn't be carried over from one restaurant to the next).

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

doesn't seem to me to be any sensible reason that such a basic piece of equipment wouldn't be carried over from one restaurant to the next).

I don't think any of us know how much of the equipment and fixtures are owned by Alfredo of Rome of NY Inc., and whether Patina Restaurant Group has purchased such equipment and fixtures from Alfredo of Rome of NY Inc.

If Patina has to re-equip the entire restaurant, as well as training a new staff, then two weeks seems very optimistic. But if they've been preparing and staging at a nearby location, then two weeks might be possible, even if much of the equipment and many of the fixtures are new.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I hope you're right, Horace. Two weeks works for me, and I'm willing to be a guinea pig. AND I'm planning to dine somewhere Italian that week, so...

 

[Pumbaa_]

huh, didn't consider walk up ervice would equate to ts with no ADR's. We are in wdw in 4 days banana: ) and i will wander by to see what is going on in that area.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You'd think, Pumbaa... but it would make perfect sense for Disney to have one table service restaurant right now that doesn't take reservations - even though the actual reason would be that it's not necessarily quite ready to open, it'll give Guests without reservations (you know, the ones who stroll over to the podium at Le Cellier and say, "Table for six. Reservation? We don't need no steeneeng reservation!") another option

 

[Pumbaa_]

 

[bavaria]

huh, didn't consider walk up ervice would equate to ts with no ADR's. We are in wdw in 4 days banana: ) and i will wander by to see what is going on in that area.

HA! not if I get there first in four days....

I may need to PM Kaytie that night JUST so that she can post the answer

 

[Luv2Roam]

I thought I had read in several places they would open in mid-September. Even then I wondered if they would, for how long, or under what possible limited condidtions.
Seems like it would be easier just to close and reopen when done. But again, maybe they cannot or do not want to during Food & Wine Fest.

 

[tinkamom]

I stopped in last week and asked the manager when the new restaurant would open and he told me 9/17. I also asked about the new menu but he was very vague about it. He said traditional Italian food.

 

[eva]

Hopefully, everything will be up and running for our Food and Wine Pairing on September 30th.