Why did Olivia's @ OKW have to change?

[rinkwide]

...Dont say that too loud about the centralized food factory...I do believe that's next...

Next? Heck, it's up and running.

Their first "product" is an on-the-go meal replacement snack called the Soylent Mickey Bar. The debut item in a new food category aimed at ultra-convenient in-park dining - you can eat it quickly while shopping, waiting in line, riding rides, etc. Soon there'll be no need to devote expensive real estate to nuisances like kitchens, tables or chairs (that means more rides and shows, yay!). It costs one counter service credit, is nutritionally balanced and it looks and tastes a lot like key lime pie. Yum.

In an unrelated story, Disney and the Orlando city council recently agreed upon an undisclosed solution to the homeless problem currently plaguing Lake Eola Park in the downtown area. Isn't that nice?

 

[Chuck S]

Next? Heck, it's up and running.

Their first "product" is an on-the-go meal replacement snack called the Soylent Mickey Bar. The debut item in a new food category aimed at ultra-convenient in-park dining - you can eat it quickly while shopping, waiting in line, riding rides, etc. Soon there'll be no need to devote expensive real estate to nuisances like kitchens, tables or chairs (that means more rides and shows, yay!). It costs one counter service credit, is nutritionally balanced and it looks and tastes a lot like key lime pie. Yum.

In an unrelated story, Disney and the Orlando city council recently agreed upon an undisclosed solution to the homeless problem currently plaguing Lake Eola Park in the downtown area. Isn't that nice?

ROFL...

But in al reality Disney has has some type of cntralized food service for years, thogh it was on a much smaller scale. Remember when all the restaurants had the same (but tasty) prime rib. They were pre-cooked ar a main location, then finished up at the individual restaurants. Now is wouldn't surprise me if a lot of the food, like that steak salads, etc., were pre made and portioned in some sort of kit, then final prep (actualy grilling the meat) done at the restaurant.

 

[smjj]

You know, I really don't mind so much what they are doing, its just that the signature restaurants are different(special to us). Olivia's is(was) one of our favorite restaurants and we went there often. I just think if they are going to standardize the menu for the masses on the DDP, they could at least keep a few of the more popular items at these restaurants thats all I am asking and I don't think that is asking too much.
OKW is a diffent resort. It 'tends' to draw the older folks like us who appreciate a fine relaxing dinner and lunch that is unique to that restaurant. I just wish Disney would take us into consideration when they make changes like this...smjj

 

[MiaSRN62]

OKW is a diffent resort. It 'tends' to draw the older folks like us who appreciate a fine relaxing dinner and lunch that is unique to that restaurant.

I don't know what you define as "older"
Dh and I are in our early 40's with kids 13, 15 & 19. I can tell you, last night for dinner at Olivia's there were a TON of families with young kids. The noise level from some of the smaller kids was deafening ! We had a 20 min wait to be seated---they were handing out pagers.
The meal was good for the most part. Two of us had the grouper with mango bbq sauce (yum), ds had the prime rib which he said was excellent. My dh and one dd had the penne pasta with sun dried tomatoes and asagio cheese/spinach-----dh said too heavy on the olive oil. But would have been very good if not for that.

 

[smjj]

I don't know what you define as "older"
Dh and I are in our early 40's with kids 13, 15 & 19. I can tell you, last night for dinner at Olivia's there were a TON of families with young kids. The noise level from some of the smaller kids was deafening ! We had a 20 min wait to be seated---they were handing out pagers.
The meal was good for the most part. Two of us had the grouper with mango bbq sauce (yum), ds had the prime rib which he said was excellent. My dh and one dd had the penne pasta with sun dried tomatoes and asagio cheese/spinach-----dh said too heavy on the olive oil. But would have been very good if not for that.

LOL I knew I should have better explained the part about drawing older folks. Really all I meant was there is, I would guess a higher percentage of long term, returning guest over say 50 than at other resorts. OKW has been talked about on this forum several times as being too layed back and being a old folks home by others. You were also there at what is a very busy time of the year. We go to OKW at a time of the year when Olivia's is almost deserted. That is where I was going. I just assumed others could read my mind and know what I really meant, sorry...smjj

 

[LIFERBABE]

Next? Heck, it's up and running.

Their first "product" is an on-the-go meal replacement snack called the Soylent Mickey Bar. The debut item in a new food category aimed at ultra-convenient in-park dining - you can eat it quickly while shopping, waiting in line, riding rides, etc. Soon there'll be no need to devote expensive real estate to nuisances like kitchens, tables or chairs (that means more rides and shows, yay!). It costs one counter service credit, is nutritionally balanced and it looks and tastes a lot like key lime pie. Yum.

In an unrelated story, Disney and the Orlando city council recently agreed upon an undisclosed solution to the homeless problem currently plaguing Lake Eola Park in the downtown area. Isn't that nice?

Rink, normally I can keep a straight face but THAT! is funny!

 

[NMW]

I have a dining question.......
Has anyone attempted (successfully or not) to go to a sit down restaurant for simply coffee and dessert ? We tried this last year at Tony's. We went to put our names in, there was a small line to be seated (maybe 3 other families). The time was approx 4-5 pm. We told the host we wanted dessert and coffee & that my ds wanted an appetizer (we had had a late lunch that day). He, rather snidely, pointed us out the door and to the direction of the Main Street Bakery. I told him we were quite aware where it was, but wanted specifically the Bananas Foster and creme brulee from Tony's menu....along with sitting and having some coffee. He would not seat us. Not only was it embarrassing because the other 3 parties were right there and heard, but I felt it was downright not very hospitable of disney ?
Since that time, we have never attempted to just get seated for dessert/coffee at a sit down restaurant. Maybe this is just disney policy ? Do you think the dining plan had anything to do with this ? Anyone know ?

I saw this at Flying Fish in Dec. The couple wanted just to have dessert and coffee. They told the CM this AFTER they were seated and the CM advised them they would have to move to the counter, that there were people waiting to sit down and have DINNER. The people were pretty annoyed and I think they left.

 

[MiaSRN62]

OKW has been talked about on this forum several times as being too layed back and being a old folks home by others. You were also there at what is a very busy time of the year. We go to OKW at a time of the year when Olivia's is almost deserted. That is where I was going. I just assumed others could read my mind and know what I really meant, sorry...smjj

Oh, no need to apologize smjj ! I was just kidding !
True, visiting during the summer would be different. There were tons of young kids and teens there this past week. My kids were happy to see this and made some friends. We saw teens skateboarding around the resort and hanging out at the pool etc. Lots of young families everywhere. The "old folks home" analogy definitely didn't fit during our stay. We've stayed during F&W Festival as well and also noted alot of young families. Must be the Jan-March time frame that is most quiet at OKW ? Thanks for the clarification though
Thanks NMW for reporting your observations at FF. I'm assuming this is disney policy then.