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

[sjs314]

I found it nice to have McDonalds in DTD, since it was a familar place to go if you went to DTD without ADR's you did not have to wait an hour+ to find a place to eat

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I found it nice to have McDonalds in DTD, since it was a familar place to go if you went to DTD without ADR's you did not have to wait an hour+ to find a place to eat

And with the new place you will not have to worry about ADRs (there are actually a lot of places like this in DTD) and an hour wait to find a place to eat.

 

[Fire14]

Can someone point me to menu for new place or give me idea of what type of food they sell.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Can someone point me to menu for new place or give me idea of what type of food they sell.

http://www.campero.com/index.php?showPage=38&cache=1&renovar=true

 

[Fire14]

http://www.campero.com/index.php?showPage=38&cache=1&renovar=true

Thanks I might not starve since Chicken is about all I seemed to eat at WDW.

 

[*Doombuggies*]

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

yay!!!

 

[TLPL]

I have never ate at that McD, but I would like to try the new chicken place.

 

[troynkasey]

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.

I am that person. And I know what my kids like. You're talking to someone who when their DD was about 2 years old and at the Biergarten shared sourkraut. She loved it! I always expand their tastes. Problem is we've "been there, done that" with this type of food.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I am that person. And I know what my kids like. You're talking to someone who when their DD was about 2 years old and at the Biergarten shared sourkraut. She loved it! I always expand their tastes. Problem is we've "been there, done that" with this type of food.

Confused by your post..."been there, done that" with this type of food, do you mean because the new place is common, well McDonald's is even more common or do you mean you've tried the new place and don't like it?

 

[troynkasey]

Confused by your post..."been there, done that" with this type of food, do you mean because the new place is common, well McDonald's is even more common or do you mean you've tried the new place and don't like it?

Tried and didn't like it. Family tried and didn't like it. I think DTD does a decent job of balancing new offerings, but still offering something neutral that picky children will enjoy. I'm not sure I've met a child who doesn't like McDonald's. I'm sure there are kids like that, but I haven't met them. With that in mind, you're taking away that potentia for quicker food and food that is known nationally and giving a Southern specific option that is much more specific as far as taste goes.

 

[DC7800]

Couldn't we just have Goofy's Grill or Lite Bite reopened? That represents quick, common food selections familiar to everyone and with wide appeal, but more importantly, it's a unique experience to Walt Disney World.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

With that in mind, you're taking away that potentia for quicker food and food that is known nationally and giving a Southern specific option that is much more specific as far as taste goes.

That would be called diversity in product offering, while avoiding common mainstream. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants in general, so even this new place doesn't excite me, but I cannot honestly remember the last time I've been to a McDonald's...it has to be 5+ years.

 

[WDWKOOK]

That would be called diversity in product offering, while avoiding common mainstream. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants in general, so even this new place doesn't excite me, but I cannot honestly remember the last time I've been to a McDonald's...it has to be 5+ years.

How could you go that long without a Shamrock Shake?

 

[troynkasey]

That would be called diversity in product offering, while avoiding common mainstream. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants in general, so even this new place doesn't excite me, but I cannot honestly remember the last time I've been to a McDonald's...it has to be 5+ years.

Diversity is needed, however you also have to meet the needs of the customer. If a place is always busy or packed (which McDonald's was for the most part every time I walked by) then one would assume it was profitable. If it's profitable, why remove it? If you look at all of Disney's park offerings, they offer quite a bit of variety and diversity. But they also offer just as many neutral or standard offerings for those folks who don't want to branch out.

 

[DC7800]

If a place is always busy or packed (which McDonald's was for the most part every time I walked by) then one would assume it was profitable. If it's profitable, why remove it?

A casino or adult bookstore would probably be profitable, but that doesn't mean there should be either within Walt Disney World.

Nor should there be a McDonald's. People do not travel all the way to central Florida to go to McDonald's when there's one around the block back home. Disney is (at least its supposed to be) about experiences you just can't find anywhere else. I understand the point about a familiar, known experience in McDonald's, but there are plenty (arguably too many, in fact) of counter-service restaurants in WDW with largely standardized "burgers, chicken strips, & fries" menus.

If you aren't going to try or do anything different on vacation than your normal routine, why did you bother to leave home?

 

[*Doombuggies*]

That would be called diversity in product offering, while avoiding common mainstream. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants in general, so even this new place doesn't excite me, but I cannot honestly remember the last time I've been to a McDonald's...it has to be 5+ years.

My 14 yr. old has never been to one...but then again, he just tried his first Twinkie last week.

Some would argue that that makes us bad parents!

I honestly am so happy it will be gone...

 

[Jason71]

Couldn't we just have Goofy's Grill or Lite Bite reopened? That represents quick, common food selections familiar to everyone and with wide appeal, but more importantly, it's a unique experience to Walt Disney World.

If Disney is looking to re-open some of its original, non-third party venues around DTD, I can think of some places I'd rather they choose than a burger joint. But of course, they're not. That's the point. The new VP of DTD was previously the guy in charge of wooing 3rd party franchises. All Disney wants to do with that area is collect rent.

Diversity is needed, however you also have to meet the needs of the customer. If a place is always busy or packed (which McDonald's was for the most part every time I walked by) then one would assume it was profitable. If it's profitable, why remove it? If you look at all of Disney's park offerings, they offer quite a bit of variety and diversity. But they also offer just as many neutral or standard offerings for those folks who don't want to branch out.

Being packed doesn't equal being profitable if your costs (i.e. rent) are sky-high. And I doubt diversity had anything to do with Pollo Campano getting the nod for this spot. Probably more to do with the fact that any established U.S. quick-serve restaurant said, "if the clown can't make money in this location, we can't either."

 

[DC7800]

If Disney is looking to re-open some of its original, non-third party venues around DTD, I can think of some places I'd rather they choose than a burger joint

Sure, maybe a venue for adventurers or something.

All Disney wants to do with that area is collect rent

Which, of course, is exactly the problem. I'd much rather have Disney operated establishments - be they burger joints or something more substantial - than whatever tenant is willing to pay the exorbitant rent Disney surely demands for these locations. Don't get me started on Flamingo Crossings.

 

[musclemouse]

Anyone made friends with the squirrel while eating at McDs there? Little stinker would sit right on ya begging for a french fry.

 

[Jason71]

Don't get me started on Flamingo Crossings.

Ironically, I imagine Disney wishes they never got started on Flamingo Crossings, either...