When did The Empress Lilly Close?

[SamSam]

One of our first Character Breakfasts at Disney World was at the Empress Lilly; it was a wonderful place for a character breakfast. Does anyone remember when they stopped having the character breakfast and became Fulton's? I was reminiscing and knew someone here would remember better than I do.

 

[Simba's Mom]

That was one of my favorite breakfasts-for years, that was the only place to have breakfast with Donald Duck, DS's favorite character. It's advertised in the 1995 Birnbaum's Guide as the breakfast on the Empress Lily, but not in 1996. And shortly after that, AK opened, and you could eat breakfast with Donald Duck there. Anyone have more specific info?

 

[RyMickey]

Simba's Mom is right. According to AllEarsnet.com, Fulton's Crab House took over in 1996. We have pictures of me (age 5 or 6) onboard the Empress Lilly. Never been to Fulton's, though.

 

[paras4ri]

Here's a neat link to Empress Lily history

I also have fond memories, but mine are of the Baton Rouge Lounge, which featured Denny Zavit and the Riverboat Rascals!!!!

 

[ziggystardust]

I remember eating there with my family when I was 6! (I'm 24 now) Goofy signed my hat!

It was the good goofy hat that they had to put tape on the buck teeth so they would stay up.

 

[disneyfan551]

Part of my internship with the WDW College Program was spent working those character breakfasts! It was a great deal of fun, and such a terrific experience. Oh, what I would do to be able to live in Florida and work at Disney...