What if...

[GeorgeG]

Some time back I suggested that WDW might be headed towards incorporating popular chain eateries into the parks, possibly replacing some of the established Disney restaurants and/or supplementing them. I have no knowledge that they would actually do that, but the more I think about it, the more I think it might be a good option for those simply looking for simple, but decent dining.

I would't mind seeing a few Sabrett Hot Dog wagons scattered around the parks or a Nathans to replace the CS at the American Adventure in Epcot. Maybe an Outback Steakhouse would fit in well over at the Animal Kingdom. I've heard Olive Garden mention on some threads. Of course, they would all be presenting their regular menus, not conforming to current Disney culinary choices.

So, what if Disney did bring in some established chain restaurants and cart services? What would you like to see and where?

 

[MickeyNicki]

I for one would not like that at all...if you want chain stuff go on 192 or I-Drive....when I go to Disney I want out of the norm stuff

 

[TDC Nala]

I am not interested in seeing popular chain restaurants around the parks. Downtown Disney would be fine.

Besides, Disney would probably require that they accept the dining plan to operate inside the parks, and then the chain would have to decide if it is willing to do that. Accepting the dining plan would likely mean that they could NOT present their regular menus.

 

[laurainsem]

For me, this would destroy the feel of Disney. Having Rainforest brought in to AK is already close enough for me. If I want chains, i'll go to DTD or outside the park.

 

[addiln]

i really like going and trying the different food the wdw has to offer. i am not there to eat the samething i can get down the road from my house. i really like the choices that they have to offer and would hate to see that changed

 

[tinkkkloveee13]

i agree with the other posters, that if i want chain food i can get that at home or offsite . at disney i want a true disney experience!

 

[Disneyhayes]

I am so excited planning my first family trip to disney...picking where to eat is the hardest part. If there were chains and stuff though I wouldn't eat at them because I have them at home. I can get Nathans hot dogs at my local market. I am usually this way anywhere I go. I wanna eat at places that we don't have around here

 

[guitarob]

I think it would ruin the Disney Magic. I didn't even like seeing the Mc Donald's french fry cart in the MK. I can't imagine going to WDW and eating at the Olive Garden. I can do that any day of the week (and choose not to). I go to WDW for "special" and "out of the ordinary" feelings not the feeling of driving to work and seeing the same old chains.

 

[Colleen27]

Ugh, I would hate that. We deliberately choose restaurants we don't have at home when we're traveling, and at Disney the fact that there are no chains on property except Rainforest makes that super easy to do. I don't want to go all the way to WDW to eat in the same places you find in every mall and retail development in the country.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Not interested in chain restaurants. If you want the same old-same old stuff, go off property.

Those big chains will never fit the Disney model -- they are not set up to accommodate guests with special needs.

 

[Dorisk3]

I can't imagine why anyone would want to eat at an Outback steak house in AK or worse yet, Olive Garden- to remind them of their suburban life at home?

 

[GeorgeG]

Hmmm... this is interesting. A lot of the threads lately have been comparing many of the the Disney restaurants to places like Olive Garden with some people giving Olive Garden at least a slight edge over the Disney Italian restaurants. I've read quite a few posts where people have tossed the Disney hot dogs in the trash barely half-eaten.

I don't see why some of these chain providers couldn't be on the dining plan while providing OOP diners a better bargain. Note that I'm not suggesting replacing all the Disney restaurants, just offering some options for those who are necessarily caught up in "magic" regardless of food quality.

I'm still looking forward to more opinions, though.

 

[Colleen27]

I can't imagine why anyone would want to eat at an Outback steak house in AK or worse yet, Olive Garden- to remind them of their suburban life at home?

Because a lot of people prefer familiar over new when it comes to dining experiences. For better or worse when you walk into an Outback or Olive Garden you know exactly what to expect, and that's just not the case with trying new places.

 

[MYD714]

I would HATE this.

I go to WDW to get away from my everyday life. It bugs me that there's a Rainforest Cafe in WDW. I can go there any time I want at home. I want to feel like I'm at WDW, not my local mall.

 

[GeorgeG]

So, all the threads and posts knocking Disney dining over the past six months have been in jest? All I've heard is how the quality of food has declined, not to mention service, while the prices for OOP guests has gone up. One would think a few options would be welcome.

Of course, there have been a lot of posters who admit the food sucks, but it's all worth it as long as they get the character interaction and Disney experience. There have been posters who think the food is among the best they've ever had, but most of us who remember the real Disney dining experiences of the past readily disagree. A significant number of posters say they would rather go off-site for most of their meals. Another common issue is that the menus have become very generic with fewer choices. That's not coming from me (although it could be), but what I've been reading here for months.

Once again, I'm merely suggesting there could be options. If you like what Disney has to offer these days, that's fine with me, but if you're like me and would like more options within the parks, Disney is big enough that it should happen.

More opinions, please...

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I would not like chain restaurants replacing Disney restaurants. Sure, there are a couple places that I didn't think were all that great but there are a lot more places I do like and there are some really unique places too. I enjoy getting a fish & chicken basket at Columbia Harbour House & putting some malt vinegar on my fries and enjoying the theme and music while relaxing with my family. I also like a long dinner at Le Cellier or a fun meal at 50s Prime Time. They are all unique, they are all good (in my opinion) and they contain priceless memories and fun times.

I worked at Olive Garden a looooong time ago. I do not have fond memories of Olive Garden...

 

[Micca]

George's point is well taken. If popular opinion is "I could get better at Olive Garden(or fill-in another national chain)...why not have the superior chain restaurant at the parks? I suspect Geeorge doesn't want to see these restaurants at WDW any more than the rest of us, but if you INSIST that the current offerings are inferior to the the regular offerings we all have across the USA, which places would you rather have? I'd vote for Pizzeria Uno.

 

[JacksLilWench]

I wouldn't say that food on Disney property is the best I've ever had in my life. On the other hand, it's not about the food when I go to Disney. I can get stuffed french toast anywhere. But there's only one Cinderella castle to eat it in. I can make french onion soup at home. But there only one place in the world where I can enjoy my soup and a show with Remy. It's true that Disney isn't known for their gourmet status like it was many years ago, but I'd rather have a bad meal at Disney than a good meal at home

 

[DJSMOM]

I would not like any chains being there at all. Although, Rainforest is at AK, it is different than anything my kids can experience at home so I don't really count that. My family eats out fairly often at chain restaurants because they are more kid friendly. Since WDW is so kid friendly it is much easier for my DH and I to get a "different" meal and also keep the kids happy. There are not many sushi restaurants in my area where the kids would be able to enjoy something from the menu.Part of my planning fun is picking where we will eat each day. It definitely would take away some of the magic for me.

 

[GeorgeG]

George's point is well taken. If popular opinion is "I could get better at Olive Garden(or fill-in another national chain)...why not have the superior chain restaurant at the parks? I suspect Geeorge doesn't want to see these restaurants at WDW any more than the rest of us, but if you INSIST that the current offerings are inferior to the the regular offerings we all have across the USA, which places would you rather have? I'd vote for Pizzeria Uno.

Ahhh... you get what I'm fishing for! True, I would not like to see the chain thing happen. I'm a holdover from the days when Disney dining was really special. My first trip to WDW was in 1986 and I remember my wife was worried if I'd even like it. The visions I had prior to going was that the parks offered McDonalds and Burger Kings. Fortunately, we went with friends who knew all about the restaurants and dinner shows. While there was always so much more than dining, the retsaurants, even CS, were special. I'm not talking about characters and princesses, either. They all had their own signature offerings before there were "signature" restaurants. I'm not saying the dining at WDW now is bad, but it's not what it used to be. Hey, I still go a lot and still manage to eat, but it's a challenge to even find a decent hot dog, let alone a good prime rib. WDW keeps growing and the choices keep shrinking. Just kicking some ideas around to see what others think.