Remember when?: Disney Restaurants

[theaslip]

Ahhh, for the old days. Are any of the Disney "suits" paying attention? It really was what made WDW so special.

Yes, I believe they are paying attention, and will use ideas here to find more things to cut and take-away. This year, no linens on the table. Next year, no seats. After that, sit on the floor. Seriously, I'm in no way, cheap - and very comfortable financially, HOWEVER, I was Epcot this past weekend, and $40.00 for a pizza at Via Nappoli? Gimme a break! How much more can you charge, and take-away at the same time. You really think someone is gonna pay north of $50.00 for a flatbread? Really lousy they removed all sandwich and light items for dinner menus. Sometimes at dinner, I'm not being cheap - I would simply prefer a sandwich to a heavy meal. End rant.

 

[gabzee]

This is an awesome thread! I do remember the Caesar salad at CRT - for lunch and no characters! The Concourse Steakhouse was something we did ALL the time, at least once per trip. How about all the kids menus themed to the various restaurants - such as Tony's, the Italian restaurant (why can't I think of the name?), Coral Reef? What about the original Chef Mickey's at DTD - it wasn't as noisy as the current one; and then my family always enjoyed the character meals where Playhouse Jr. is now playing at HS. Some of those characters you don't see any more - Hercules/Hunchback/Aladdin characters come to mind (and yes, I know Jasmine and Aladdin are found at EPCOT).

Does anyone remember the name of the character restaurant that was replaced by Hollywood and Vine? I used to love this place.... the characters were so unique!

 

[theaslip]

or, how about the whole boiled Maine lobster served at the old Golf Resert?
or, the jumbo shrimp at King Stephan's banquet hall (now Cinderella's Royal Table)? I'm trying to remember the name of the restaurant at the Poly next to the Neverland Club, that served Belgian Waffles, and made to order omelets for breakfast -this was not a character meal. I too remember the statuette of a butter Mickey House. Ahhh, for the old days. Are any of the Disney "suits" paying attention? It really was what made WDW so special.

Tangaroa Terrace! Another great place, and Disney Dining Casualty!

 

[theaslip]

Does anyone remember the name of the character restaurant that was replaced by Hollywood and Vine? I used to love this place.... the characters were so unique!

Disney-MGM Studios Commissary

 

[Chelley00]

We miss the characters at Liberty Tree Tavern, at least during MNSHHP and the eat the waiters would be in "zombie" mode too.

 

[shoney]

Yes, I believe they are paying attention, and will use ideas here to find more things to cut and take-away. This year, no linens on the table. Next year, no seats. After that, sit on the floor. Seriously, I'm in no way, cheap - and very comfortable financially, HOWEVER, I was Epcot this past weekend, and $40.00 for a pizza at Via Nappoli? Gimme a break! How much more can you charge, and take-away at the same time. You really think someone is gonna pay north of $50.00 for a flatbread? Really lousy they removed all sandwich and light items for dinner menus. Sometimes at dinner, I'm not being cheap - I would simply prefer a sandwich to a heavy meal. End rant.

I agree with you. We stayed onsite for the first time in Feb. We did have the "free" dining plan so it wasn't as painful, but there were times where I couldn't help but think..."yeah it was good, but not good for that $$$$$".

We don't consider ourselves cheap, but $40 for a pizza that is $18 even in Manhattan is crazy!!!!

If they put mouse ears on P o O P on a shingle, it will sell!

 

[ppony]

I remember when butter was actually a tiny Mickey "statuette" thing.

Oh yes! And they were "slipping you a Mickey".

So many things to miss.

 

[sotoalf]

A hilarious review of The Gulf Coast Room on a blog. He has a lot of fun remembering how badly we Americans used to eat thirty years ago and what Disney's idea of elegant meant:


http://www.parkeology.com/2010/12/gulf-coast-disaster.html

 

[Simba's Mom]

*Sigh*

I can remember back in the 80's, for lunch and dinner CRT made an incredible (and huge) Caesar Salad. It was made fresh right at your table side !

Could you even imagine that today ?

The caesar salad at CRT was one of my favorite meals at WDW. I still miss it so.

 

[wdwpirates]

A hilarious review of The Gulf Coast Room on a blog. He has a lot of fun remembering how badly we Americans used to eat thirty years ago and what Disney's idea of elegant meant:


http://www.parkeology.com/2010/12/gulf-coast-disaster.html

This was tooooo funny!!! Thanks for posting!!!

 

[wdwpirates]

We miss the characters at Liberty Tree Tavern, at least during MNSHHP and the eat the waiters would be in "zombie" mode too.

Yes!!! Totally miss those characters!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

As someone mentioned earlier, I also loved the pre-princess Akerhaus buffet. And every time we ate there, the server would tell us that we had to eat 7 plates of food "to be a Viking". It didn't take long for us to figure out that they didn't specify how much food had to be on each plate, so we found ourselves going up to the buffet often and getting one or two items each time.

 

[look1angel]

The Hollywood Brown Derby used to offer an incredible Cobb salad (like the Original Brown Derby) and an amazing Pastrami Sandwich.....Miss them!

I agree, when I first had the Cobb salad they prepared it in front of you & it was unbelievably delicious, last 2 times, not so much and they no longer prepare it at your table

 

[SpectroMagic*o*]

The Hollywood Brown Derby used to offer an incredible Cobb salad (like the Original Brown Derby) and an amazing Pastrami Sandwich.....Miss them!

Wait a second...Hollywood Brown Derby doesnt offer their SIGNATURE Cobb Salad anymore?!?!!!

 

[sharadoc]

Cape May Cafe had a big lobster tank and you could request one freshly steamed - all part of the cost of the buffet!

Fresh oysters at Cap'n Jacks overlooking the water with a cold drink!

We loved Bonfamilles at POFQ too - when it was JUST Port Orleans!

The Contemporary Cafe with a decent buffet and random characters. Whoever was working - we saw characters like Brer Fox or White Rabbit.

 

[River Country]

The Top of the World dinner show in what is now the California Grill !!!

I have a picture of me and my family seeing that show somewhere from 1986 i think my UNcle got up and started singing to the blonde lady. LOL Love that
They also used to have the breakfast buffet up there as well. But i must say I love Cali Grill

The Hollywood Brown Derby used to offer an incredible Cobb salad (like the Original Brown Derby) and an amazing Pastrami Sandwich.....Miss them!

I was at HBB in May last year and they still prepared the the cobb salad in front of us

*Sigh*

I can remember back in the 80's, for lunch and dinner CRT made an incredible (and huge) Caesar Salad. It was made fresh right at your table side !

Also, they used to have prime rib sliced fresh to order. There was a CM off to the side of the dining area that would slice the meat in front of you according to the thickness and "rareness" you desired, (and seconds, if you wanted them, were "on the house" !)

Could you even imagine that today ?

Prime Rib at King Stephans King Cut or Queen Cut. I was 8 the first time i ate there and ordered the King Cut


Here are some more

Alfredo's--->Tutto Italia
The Land--->Garden Grill
Empress Lilly--->Fulton's
Heidelberg Deli---> Not sure

 

[look1angel]

I was at HBB in May last year and they still prepared the the cobb salad in front of us

That's good to know, not sure why they skipped it the last 2 times I was there & yet whenever I go I still order it; I'm always hopeful

 

[punkin712]

Remember when the Garden Grill offered an afternoon Ice Cream Social? It was a nice escape from the heat with great character interaction. And the ice cream sundae they served was delish!

I almost forgot about that! DH and I got free passes once and loved it...I think it was a DVC or annual pass promotion.

 

[Ohiodisneyguy]

Having a good filet mignon as the monorail wisked by quietly over your head at the Concourse Steakhouse.
When LeCellier was only one credit on DDP. Maple BBQ brushed filet, mmm.
When the DDP was actually a good deal.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

I miss Sunday morning breakfast buffets at the hotels. Upstairs in the GF (what is now Citrico's) had an awsome buffet. I was peaceful (no characters) and bright and airy. Also they had a great breakfast buffet at the Poly. I also miss the sit down breakfast at Boatright's. Are you sensing a theme here!!