Remember the Village Restaurant?

[sotoalf]

This was the former location of Chef Mickey's, before Planet Hollywood took over the space. We dined here a couple of times in the late '80s. I always liked the somewhat relaxed pace, its out-of-the-way location, and semi-adventurous menu. Its departure to the Contemporary signalled the end of the Village's metamorphoses into something far less intimate and cozy.

Anyone have any fond memories?

 

[Star Wars Guy]

I thought Chef Mickey's former location was where Cap'n Jack's Oyster Bar is now. We had dined their during our honeymoon in '92 and it seemed like it was more of a steakhouse type place (because that's what I ate that night.)

 

[Kae]

Wasn't where the Rainforest Cafe is now?
I loved that place.

Kae

 

[Chuck S]

The original Chef Mickey' s is where Rainforest Cafe is now. The only part of the original restaurant that is still recognizable is the outdoor patio near the boat dock.

It was a different "kind" of character meal. Limited characters (the only regular, and often the only character was Chef Mickey). Food was reasonable and very tasty, wait staff was effecient and friendly. We miss it, we just don't do the newer "rush through photo op" style character meals.

 

[gatour]

Yes it was where Rainforest Cafe is now. I ate there a couple of times and enjoyed it. There was also a jazz lounge in it.

As far as I know Cap'n Jacks has always been there. One of the few places that have stayed pretty much the same. Except for that you can't just have drinks at the bar.

 

[sotoalf]

The original Chef Mickey' s is where Rainforest Cafe is now. The only part of the original restaurant that is still recognizable is the outdoor patio near the boat dock.

It was a different "kind" of character meal. Limited characters (the only regular, and often the only character was Chef Mickey). Food was reasonable and very tasty, wait staff was effecient and friendly. We miss it, we just don't do the newer "rush through photo op" style character meals.

Well said. I couldn't have put it better.

 

[wdwrich]

Yes, I remember the Village Restaurant. We ate there in November of 1982, and I had a very good veal parmigiana dinner.

 

[Lewisc]

Chef Mickey's was located where World of Disney is currently located. I'm pretty sure Rainforest Cafe was new construction, they extended Marketplace,although I'm not sure it was called the Marketplace, at the time.

 

[Chuck S]

Sorry Lewisc, but Rainforest does indeed occupy the old Chef Mickey's location. The ESPN store is in the old Character Shop (World of Disney) and World of Disney is new construction.

Lego is near the old Donald's Dairy Dip location and in what was, at one time, Arribas Brothers. Earl Of Sandwich is in Gourmet Pantry's location. Ghirardelli was Goofy's Grill. The new toy store is located where a gentlemen's clothing store was (the original store was removed). The toy store also occupies area that was once an entrance driveway to DtD. DtD Westside is all new construction, except for the AMC theaters, they received a facelift.

Prior to the Westside construction, there was Pleasure Island and Disney Village Marketplace. OKW (then THE Disney Vacation Club Resort), the Treehouses, and Vacation Villas Resort were considered "Village" area resorts.

 

[Micca]

I think I remember this place. I couldn't tell you exactly where I think it was (although the DTD RFC sounds feasible), but we ate there a few times. I don't recall any characters at all. The place I am thinking of had kind of a country club atmosphere. I recall one time in the 80s that we had some kind of dining plan where we ordered WAY too much stuff because "we could"

 

[iwaseeyore]

Chuck is 100% right. I have pictures of the old CM's somewhere. I was soooooooooooooo disappointed when it was moved. I remember they had a statue of sorts outside the restaurant.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

We have fond memories of the village restaurant @ DTD. We used to stay @ the "townhouse villas" (now SSR) back in the `80`s.
Loved the Breakfast & Character Dinners
Our boys were around 7 & 11 then ( thier both married now ) & we used to take the canapy boat out after Breakfast.
DTD has changed soo much since then, but then ,"so have we"!!

 

[nanalisa]

Chef Mickey's at the Village was our favorite restaurant. Some of their waiters had been there for years. We had hoped the move to CR was temporary, but I've given up! Progress I guess.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Uncleromulus dined at the "old" Chef Mickey's/Village twice. First time was early on, and it was very nice. Second time, it was just prior to their moving. The place was in disarray and the servers not particularly efficient. My guess is that everyone knew it was closing/moving and they were just going thru the motions. Never figured out exactly why they moved, but obviously they needed room for Rainforest and something had to give..

 

[DisneyMim]

Yes I too remember. My family has wonderful memories (and a bunch of cups!!) from this restaurant. Both my kids had many birthdays there and it was so much better than now. Much nicer experience, tons more character interaction with Mickey and a nice little cake. We were there right before it closed and I can remember talking with a not-so-happy CM about it. He said it was closing to make room for Rainforest and that Disney wanted out of the restaurants in DD. He said that most CMS were very upset as a lot of them had been there for a long time and Disney was not exactly being wonderful to them. My family misses it. It was such a nice relaxing meal. IMHO the character meals today are so rushed and crowded and tense. Everyone is so anxious to see the characters that you can't relax and people are way too pushy. Yes, as you can tell I do miss a lot of things about the "old" days, and Chef Mickey's Village restaurant is one of them.

 

[Disneygrl36]

I loved the old Chef Mickeys. I have many fond memories of dining there. The best was when we took my Mom for her birthday & they made her wear the little pointy bday hat & brought out her cake in a big basket with a big balloon on top--there was no escaping the notice that it was her bday. They had a great menu & yummy chicken pot pie. I miss it's relaxed atmosphere.