McDonald’s at Downtown Disney is Closing 4-30-10

[WDWKOOK]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/02/mcdonalds-at-downtown-disney-is-closing/

 

[jlewisinsyr]

People actually eat at McDonald's while on vacation? Why bother?

But love Disney's vision for Downtown Disney, it sure is...um...great!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

If it's anything like the Pollo Tropical chain already in Florida, it will be pretty delicious. Still, it was nice having a McDonald's around because it was always the cheapest option on property.

BobK/Orlando

 

[anthony2k7]

People actually eat at McDonald's while on vacation? Why bother?

But love Disney's vision for Downtown Disney, it sure is...um...great!

Because its a known safe easy option to parents I assume, and above all, its what the majority of kids want still.

 

[zorro77]

I like Mac's when i took my morning walk from OKW, could stop buy for a quick coffee before 9 am. I know my grandmas liked the ease for them of getting a quick desert or small meals. What is new place like ? Will it open early like Mac? I also believe Mac was a place for a quick meal and you knew what you were getting if you did not want a sit down place.

 

[rodkenrich]

,

 

[WDWKOOK]

Why would McDonald's contiune to operate outside of Animal Kingdom Lodge when the 10 year sponsorship agreement has ended?

That location must not be a Disney contracted ("sponsored") McDonalds

 

[r-town]

I remember eating there

 

[Orlando313]

This seems like an odd move. I believe they should have replaced it with some other kind of neutral food choice like a Burger King or something. This new restaurant is not something I've ever heard of before, and I think with all of the people traveling from all over the world, that Disney should have something there that everyone knows and is comfortable with. If it's anything like Pollo Tropical then I definitely wouldn't eat there. The place is gross, and their food is always cold.

The more changes they make to their restaurants regarding food quality, etc, just makes me remember that I have to get food BEFORE I cross over into Disney territory. I have been known to stop at Universal City Walk to get food before going to Disney.

 

[DiSnEyFrEaK22]

Wow, this really surprises me! We were just there 1/31 and it was packed!!! We waited 15 minutes to get our order! It was a quick stop before we hit the parks, I don't need an extravagant breakfast in the morning I'm lactose intolerant anyways, so McDonalds works for me!

 

[Ben Barrett]

I couldn't believe how much whining was going on below that article. I've never been to WDW in my life (nor DisneyLand or any other Dis resort) but I feel pretty safe about making the assumption that the DTD McDonald's was just like any other McDonald's anywhere else. It doesn't seem like that big a deal, really. I mean, it says right in the article that there's still a McD's in the park, at the entrance to Animal Kingdom.

Besides, Walt's original vision was for "magic". He was displeased with Disney Land because he could see big signs for the hotels across the street from inside the park and he didn't like it. He also didn't like seeing the trash picked up while guests were watching. He wanted the "Disney Magic" to be a constant thing. All these big businesses in his ultimate creation seems...well...to defeat that purpose, don't ya think?

-Ben

 

[Kimmy0879]

Bummer...This is a favorite for the kids. I know it's Disney World, but McDonalds is always a "safe" place to take kids.

Although...Anyone ever notice there is not a $1 menu there????

 

[JoShan1719]

I couldn't believe how much whining was going on below that article.

-Ben

This. So much negativity! My God, it's a theme park, yes you're going to pay a little more for the same thing you get outside, accept it and move on or don't go. The Subway in Cedar Point charges you $6 for a six inche veggie sub.

I've eaten at a Pollo Campero and thought it was disgusting, but I have no problem going off property to get my dollar cheeseburger.

 

[Kimmy0879]

Didn't mean to be negative...just took me by surprise, that's all. I'd rather pay more for the kids to be happy, believe me you!

 

[KYMickey]

I couldn't believe how much whining was going on below that article. I've never been to WDW in my life (nor DisneyLand or any other Dis resort) but I feel pretty safe about making the assumption that the DTD McDonald's was just like any other McDonald's anywhere else. It doesn't seem like that big a deal, really. I mean, it says right in the article that there's still a McD's in the park, at the entrance to Animal Kingdom.

The point is the MD at DTD was a very kid friendly place where the parents could be assured that they could have a reasonably priced meal that their children would like. With PC replacing them that option will no longer be available. The menu now will be much more expensive and less child friendly. Disney doesn't care as long as they make their $'s.

 

[raidermatt]

Isn't WDW itself supposed to be kid-friendly (by and large)?

What does it say when people think they need a McDonald's to acheive that?

Bottom line, this is simply a swap of one chain for another. With the sponsorship deal over (and boy did McDonald's get the short end of that one), I'm guessing McDonald's simply no longer wanted to pay Disney the rent it wanted on that space. Certainly McDonald's doesn't need the exposure WDW provides, while a smaller chain is probably banking on that exposure to spark some growth.

All in all probably a wash for the guests. Maybe a slight improvement in uniqueness for some since the new chain is regional as opposed to national.

 

[troynkasey]

No way the new place will compete with McDonald's. McDonald's was always packed. Going to WDW, it was the one place we didn't have to check the meu to see if they offered something for the whole family. Plus, it's the one quick dining option that is pretty neutral at DTD. I can guarantee you we won't go to the new place. Not something my kids enjoy. My wife and I would, but not with the kids...

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I can guarantee you we won't go to the new place. Not something my kids enjoy. My wife and I would, but not with the kids...

I know you're saying this with a sense of jest, but I am a firm believer that one should never assume a child/kid won't eat something and they should always be introduced to new things and encouraged to try them (even with some form of pressurized encouragement). Supporting stubburn habits of "only" liking X, Y or Z doesn't encourage positive behavior.

 

[KYMickey]

All in all probably a wash for the guests.

How do you derive and this conclusion? Yes they are both chains but that's a far as it goes. One is known worldwide by everyone and provides food that everyone, including children will find something they like. The other one is basically unknown and serves a menu that is a lot less likely to have something everyone will like on it. Also by looking at the menus it appears the average cost will be much higher after the change.

 

[raidermatt]

How do you derive and this conclusion? Yes they are both chains but that's a far as it goes. One is known worldwide by everyone and provides food that everyone, including children will find something they like. The other one is basically unknown and serves a menu that is a lot less likely to have something everyone will like on it. Also by looking at the menus it appears the average cost will be much higher after the change.

McDonald's does not provide something that everyone likes. Nobody does.

Beyond that, Disney's aim is not and should not be to simply put the most popular outside chains on property.

It's not that this new place sounds like anything special. But neither was McDonald's. You can find it anywhere and a WDW vacation was never supposed to be about finding things you can find anywhere else.

So it's a wash. Not a strategy change. Just one tenant deciding not to pay the rent while another will.