World Showcase Restaurant Changes

[Dr. Nigel Channing]

This article tells a lot about what is happening to the restaurants in World Showcase... it gives you a big picture of what is happening and about to come. Take a look:

http://eastbay.bizjournals.com/eastb...5600%5e1452995

[Speedway]

La de da.

[TDLFAN]

These EPCOT eateries are so overated and over priced. I would not mind if they closed them all and replaced them with much needed attractions and other entertainment venues instead.

[MissTheMouse]

I know one thing... I have always opted for leaving Epcot early if in the mood for Italian to travel over to Carrabba's instead.

[TDLFAN]

I know one thing... I have always opted for leaving Epcot early if in the mood for Italian to travel over to Carrabba's instead.

GOOD CALL!!! Or better yet... go to the Ale House (behind DTD on rte. #535), where you can find great mexican, italian, american, deli, seafood and many fu-fu dishes in a decent atmosphere and for quarter the price it would cost you to eat at EPCOT's inflated places. Try their Jambalaya dish next time for a real kick in your taste buds!

[WDW Monorail]

I know one thing... I have always opted for leaving Epcot early if in the mood for Italian to travel over to Carrabba's instead.

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dr. Nigel Channing]

I leave Ep-ity-cot early because they close down my attraction early. Grr.

[Speedway]

Well I wasn't too impressed with the Mexican offerings but maybe that's because I'd been to Don Pablo's beforehand.

[BigPigletFan]

Goodbye, Alfredo

The biggest change is in the Italy pavilion.

L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante will close Aug. 31, and a new operator, the Patina Restaurant Group, will reopen the space the next day, operating a generic Italian restaurant with a different menu until the summer of 2008, when it will close for remodeling. It will open again late next year with a new name, new look and new menu.

Alfredo's management would not comment on Disney's decision. The company, Alfredo, the Original of Rome (Fla.) Inc., is run by Russell Bellanca, son of the man who owned the North American rights to the use of the name of the original Roman restaurant. Disney says it's the most popular at Epcot, grossing more than $20 million last year.

The decision to change the Italian restaurant operator came about as a business opportunity to modernize the eatery, says Memo Emec, Disney's regional manager of operating participants.

Those close to Alfredo's say the company's management was surprised by the decision. It's possible the company will use the value of the Alfredo's brand and relocate off Disney property, perhaps in a non-Disney hotel in Lake Buena Vista.

August 31s? I still have time!


It should really be interesting to see how these changes make an impact. Especially since Alfredo's has always been quite the popular location. Anyway, here are some of my thought as well as highlights from the article about the changes.

Japan's new dining will put an emphasis on sushi. I know that's what it was for Food & Wine, but was was it before?

China is going to showcase its tea with a kiosk location called, Memo. I wonder if that'll attract more British tourist than anything else. Then a makeover is planned for Nine Dragons, but it doesn't say what.

Cantina de San Angel added 25 more seats from the Grand Fiesta Tour. They are going to take out a retail location to open a 50- to 60-seat tequila bar.

[Speedway]

China is going to showcase its tea with a kiosk location called, Memo. I wonder if that'll attract more British tourist than anything else. Then a makeover is planned for Nine Dragons, but it doesn't say what.

Why British?

Ohhh... the tea thing.
The majority of British tourists you'll find at WDW aren't sophisticated enough for tea that is anything other then their Tetleys Tea Bags or PG Tips.
Don't even get me started on the flight over the Atlantic sharing a plane with these animals...

[TDLFAN]

Well I wasn't too impressed with the Mexican offerings but maybe that's because I'd been to Don Pablo's beforehand.

I agree with you Speedway... I have always had better mexican food at Don Pablo's. WE did the mexican restaurant during the Micechat invasion last year and while the company was great, the food was so so... and I also notice the servers there drop way too many dishes during the day.. Too dark for them? I know Witches of Morva won't ever go in there again... This is a good example about why at EPCOT, you are paying for the ambiance, rather than the food itself. Same for the rainforest Cafes.. where your ripoff is about to begin...

[Speedway]

This is a good example about why at EPCOT, you are paying for the ambiance, rather than the food itself. Same for the rainforest Cafes.. where your ripoff is about to begin...

Don't even get me started on Planet Hollywood.

Apparently it's OK to serve raw meat if you're being stared at by giant cut-outs of Demi Moore.

[sealsm]

I'm definitely hitting up the China tea kiosk! Considering Disney serves nasty coffee, tea is the next best thing. This sounds promising. The bubble tea should be a hit. I found bubble tea to be extremely amusing.

How focused on sushi is Japan going to get? Being a non-sushi lover, this is not great news. Then again, I've only eaten in Japan a couple of times, so I won't be heartbroken.

[BigPigletFan]

I've only dined at Italy of the places listed. Morocco and France are up for next year's changes though and I've dined at Le Chef's and Morocco and I think I like Morocco more.

[Dr. Nigel Channing]

They have melted butter there I think.