Who Remembers these restaurants?

[DawnCt1]

How did Ariel's service and menu compare to Flying Fish, Spoodles, and some of the other high-end restaurants'?

Right up there! When I went to the "returning guests meet the management", free breakfast at the Yacht Club, I was told it was closed because Disney did not want to use the space and support another restaurant that served only one meal per day. Rumor had it that they were going to use the space to enlarge Beaches and Cream but that of course didn't happen. It has been closed 8 years or so.

 

[DawnCt1]

It was the week of New Years 1989....Empress Lily

DM,DF,DH,DS10,DD4 and myself, we stayed at the Disney villas and had the use of a golf cart and we took it to DTD, kids loved it,

We had dinner at 8pm, long wonderful dinner but DD4 was so tired that the wonderful waitstaff took fresh linen table clothes and made a little bed for her in the corner!!! They also made her a sliced strawberry tower thingy and gave her chocolate truffles, she was in heaven!

We also were on a dinner plan and our dinner was over $500 for all of us, now that is getting your moneys worth!!

We did the same thing. My DM, DH and three out of four of our DSs. We stayed at the Villas and used the Golf carts too! I remember having chilled avocado soup!

 

[DawnCt1]

Loved This Restaurant. There Were Large Windows All Around The Restaurant Looking Out Onto The Beautiful Landscaping Of The Polynesian. Such A Peaceful Atmosphere. Sure Wish They Would Re-open It.

They really should. Even with the Coral Isle Cafe, it was always full. We never had to wait long but we had to wait a bit. Don't know why they closed it. It was the first time I had "banana stuffed french toast", which is what it was called in those days.

 

[DawnCt1]

I LOVED both the Gulf Coast Room and the Lake Buena Vista club. I remember a package where they gave the ladies a rose as they boarded a boat from Disney Marketplace and they sailed you to the LBV Club.

I almost forgot the Lake Buena Vista Club. We ate there too. I remember the red rose! I love this thread. It's bringing back wonderful memories.

 

[exnortherner]

DH and I use to go to the Disney Institute when it still existed and we would always dine at Seasons. They had great 'healthy choices'. I miss the restaurant as well as the Institute

 

[marcyinPA]

We still call it the People Mover.

Yup, so do we!!!

 

[marcyinPA]

We did the same thing. My DM, DH and three out of four of our DSs. We stayed at the Villas and used the Golf carts too! I remember having chilled avocado soup!

I stayed at the Villas when I was on a business trip. They were very nice! What are they now?

 

[sugermouse]

The Fireworks Factory served incredible food. We really miss it.

 

[puggymom]

I loved the Fireworks Factory. They did have good food.

 

[kaceyisme]

We at at the Empress Lilly on the first night of our honeymoon in 1985. I remember arriving at the hotel, and going to look for somewhere to eat (without a PS of course, because who knew) and happening upon Empress Lilly. We had to wait for approximately 2 hours. We ended up sitting in these two huge armchairs in the waiting area, and both of us fell asleep. We were so exhausted from the wedding the day before, and the flight. When we finally were seated, we were almost too tired to eat, but of course we did. The most memorable moments were due to the gentleman who was filling the water glasses throughout the evening. He would come up behind you and pour the water in an arc over your head into the glass. The first time this happened, I was so startled (probably because I was nodding off). We thought this was so funny, thinking "what would happen if he missed". To this day, this is a memory that we laugh about.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I am also *cheating* with a 1983 Birnbaum guide. (I don't really remember them, I was too young)

I will list them all and just put stars by the ones I *think* are still there. It's also interesting to see the ones that are *still* there after all these years! I think quite a few have probably been renamed. Some of you may remember them or be able to share more info or memories.

Adventureland Verandah
Aloha Isle *
Aunt Polly's *
Barefoot Bar *
Barefoot Snack Bar
Baton Rouge Lounge (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Beach Shack
Campfire Snack Bar
Cap'n Jack's Oyster Bar *
Captain Cook's Hideaway *
Coconino Cove
Columbia Harbour House *
Coral Isle Cafe (This one's now Kona Cafe)
Crystal Palace*
Diamond Horseshoe
Dock Inn
El Pirata y El Perico *
Empress Lounge (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Empress Room (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Fiesta Fun Snack Bar
Fife and Drum
Fisherman's Deck
Fort Sam Clemens Snack Bar
Gulf Coast Room
Heidelberger's Deli
King Stefan's (now CRT)
Lake Buena Vista Club and Snack Bar
Lancer's Inn
Liberty Tree Tavern *
Lite Bite
Lunching Pad *
Main Street Bakery *
Meadow Trading Post
The Mile Long Bar
Monorail Club Car
Outer Rim
Papeete Bay Verandah (now 'Ohana)
Pecos Bill Cafe *
Pinnocchio Village Haus *
Player's Gallery
Plaza Pavilion
Plaza Restaurant *
Pop's Place
Promenade Lounge (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Pueblo Room
Refreshment Corner (I *think* this is where Casey's is now)
Round Table
Sand Bar
Sand Trap
Sealtest Ice Cream Parlour (This is now the Plaza Ice Cream Shop)
Settlement Trading Post
Sleepy Hollow *
South Seas Dining Room (not sure about this one, but it's at the Poly)
Space Bar
Starboard Lounge (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Station Break
Steerman's Quarters (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Sunshine Tree Terrace
Tambu Lounge*
Tangaroa Snack Isle
Tangaroa Terrace
Terrace Buffeteria
Terrace Cafe
Thirsty Perch (was on Discovery Island!)
Tommorowland Terrace
Top of the World (this is now Cali Grill)
Tournament Tent
Town Square Cafe (now Tony's Town Square I believe)
Trail's End *
Trophy Room
Troubadour Tavern
Verandah Restaurant
Villa Center
Village Ice Cream Parlour and Bake Shop
Village Lounge
Village Restaurant

If anyone has any questions I would be happy to get you any info out of this old book, or add any restaurant's synopsis, but to type them all would take forever!

The small amt of hotels in the accomodations section is interesting. I think I will post it on the resorts board for fun.

I love WDW History!

 

[sotoalf]

I am also *cheating* with a 1983 Birnbaum guide. (I don't really remember them, I was too young)

I will list them all and just put stars by the ones I *think* are still there. It's also interesting to see the ones that are *still* there after all these years! I think quite a few have probably been renamed. Some of you may remember them or be able to share more info or memories.

Adventureland Verandah
Aloha Isle *
Aunt Polly's *
Barefoot Bar *
Barefoot Snack Bar
Baton Rouge Lounge (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Beach Shack
Campfire Snack Bar
Cap'n Jack's Oyster Bar *
Captain Cook's Hideaway *
Coconino Cove
Columbia Harbour House *
Coral Isle Cafe (This one's now Kona Cafe)
Crystal Palace*
Diamond Horseshoe
Dock Inn
El Pirata y El Perico *
Empress Lounge (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Empress Room (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Fiesta Fun Snack Bar
Fife and Drum
Fisherman's Deck
Fort Sam Clemens Snack Bar
Gulf Coast Room
Heidelberger's Deli
King Stefan's (now CRT)
Lake Buena Vista Club and Snack Bar
Lancer's Inn
Liberty Tree Tavern *
Lite Bite
Lunching Pad *
Main Street Bakery *
Meadow Trading Post
The Mile Long Bar
Monorail Club Car
Outer Rim
Papeete Bay Verandah (now 'Ohana)
Pecos Bill Cafe *
Pinnocchio Village Haus *
Player's Gallery
Plaza Pavilion
Plaza Restaurant *
Pop's Place
Promenade Lounge (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Pueblo Room
Refreshment Corner (I *think* this is where Casey's is now)
Round Table
Sand Bar
Sand Trap
Sealtest Ice Cream Parlour (This is now the Plaza Ice Cream Shop)
Settlement Trading Post
Sleepy Hollow *
South Seas Dining Room (not sure about this one, but it's at the Poly)
Space Bar
Starboard Lounge (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Station Break
Steerman's Quarters (on Empress Lily which is now Fulton's)
Sunshine Tree Terrace
Tambu Lounge*
Tangaroa Snack Isle
Tangaroa Terrace
Terrace Buffeteria
Terrace Cafe
Thirsty Perch (was on Discovery Island!)
Tommorowland Terrace
Top of the World (this is now Cali Grill)
Tournament Tent
Town Square Cafe (now Tony's Town Square I believe)
Trail's End *
Trophy Room
Troubadour Tavern
Verandah Restaurant
Villa Center
Village Ice Cream Parlour and Bake Shop
Village Lounge
Village Restaurant

If anyone has any questions I would be happy to get you any info out of this old book, or add any restaurant's synopsis, but to type them all would take forever!

The small amt of hotels in the accomodations section is interesting. I think I will post it on the resorts board for fun.

I love WDW History!

I'm struck by the number of restaurants carved out of the space that is now Chef Mickey's and Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary:

Terrance Cafe
Terrace Buffeteria
Cocorino Cove
Pueblo Room
Monorail Club Car (part of the Outer Rim now?)
Outer Rim

I mean, what was the point? I remember eating at the Pueblo Room in 1987 (not memorable); it served an Italian buffet. The Terrace Cafe and Buffeteria were open thru the '90s.

 

[BonnieA]

Sunshine tree terrace is still there. That's where you can get citrus swirls, right outside Tiki Birds.

 

[JudithM]

This has been a fascinating thread to read! We miss breakfast & lunch at Bonfamilles & dinner at Seasons. It is ashame to walk past Bonfamilles & Ariels & see them empty. We think of Season's every time we eat at SSR.

 

[disneysteve]

It is ashame to walk past Bonfamilles & Ariels & see them empty.

I think this is the worst thing - when Disney closes down a restaurant and doesn't replace it with anything - just leaves it empty. Heck, at least put a gift shop in the space. It is just "bad show" to leave deserted space like that.

 

[Saskamouse]

Tangarora Terrace, it was one of the best secrets to staying at the Polynesian. This was such a large and airy place to eat anytime of the day and its food was so good, and service was very pleasant. I have really fond memories of this place, first time we had the bananna stuffed french toast too.

Carol

 

[FirstMagic]

We still miss the Adventureland Veranda too! I remember taking my mother there for "pie and coffee" and they had tasty little key lime pies in little plastic cups, I've never been able to find Key Lime pie on Disney property again as good as those, or else my memory is making them better.

Of course, this was still when Disney counter service coffee was decent too!

Did anybody mention Odyssey as being a victim of closure? Or Pasta Piazza?

Does anybody remember the name of the restaurants across from the Communicores before they became Electric Umbrella and Pasta Piazza? I think one was called Sunrise Terrace, I can't recall the other, nor can I find our ancient Birnbaum to look it up.

 

[jann1033]

the old golf resort had a great (breakfast?) buffet i think but i also remember eating lunch there once with a bunch of business suited men and our (only tourists ) family(??)

where was the character breakfast in the poly where mickey and miinnie dressed up in hawaii type clothes .i remember chip and dale pushing my daughters all over the rest. in the rolling chairs ( they had wheels on the bottom of the chairs) and husband almost fainted when he say the enourmous buffet ( start of a long love of brekfast buffets for him)

 

[jann1033]

also remember crockets tavern and i think there was a bar on the same floor as te over to the far right ... weird set up because the upper room on the left was Trail's End then down in this little "hole" in the front center was crocket's tavern but you could see te from your seat at CT..Te or maybe the bar had a guitarist we would listen to and watch while we ate at Ct and i think at one time they had seperate entrances but basically were in one big room

 

[CheshireVal]

My old favorite was the Papeete Bay Veranda, which is now Ohana at Poly. They had the most *wonderful* Sunday brunch buffet. We never missed it while we were there.