Nov. 30, 2007: Seeing Triple: The Darkroom and the Derby

[Werner Weiss]

Two weeks ago, I posted an article about Real Buildings that Inspired Disney-MGM Studios. I held back two landmarks for today's article... landmarks that are so iconic that each inspired three theme park replicas.

Here they are:

Link to Seeing Triple: The Darkroom and the Derby at Yesterland

Please discuss it here.

[Sweetie]

I loved this article. Great photos!

I am a big fan of the Brown Derby at Disney's Hollywood Studios and I have always wondered about what Disney's ownership of "The Brown Derby."

Do they have the ability to open other Brown Derby restaurants? They have been putting a nice investment into their property on Hollywood Blvd... maybe they could purchase some land in Hollywood and bring back this great landmark...

just a thought...

Anyway, as always, great stuff Werner.

[SciFi96]

Great Job. As always, I can't wait to see more.

[Werner Weiss]

I am a big fan of the Brown Derby at Disney's Hollywood Studios and I have always wondered about what Disney's ownership of "The Brown Derby."

Do they have the ability to open other Brown Derby restaurants? They have been putting a nice investment into their property on Hollywood Blvd... maybe they could purchase some land in Hollywood and bring back this great landmark...

It appears that Disney negotiated some sort of non-exclusive rights for the Brown Derby name and design.

As I did research for this article, I learned that there have been various attempts to revive the once-great Brown Derby. MGM Grand (the casino company) opened and closed Brown Derby restaurants at their Las Vegas and Detroit properties. I also read about an effort in the 1980s to open a Brown Derby in Pasadena. I didn't research these non-original, non-Disney Brown Derby restaurants.

What made the Hollywood Brown Derby such as success in the 1930s through 1950s is that they successfully attracted a clientele that was a who's who of the film industry. Any attempt by Disney or any other company to build a new Brown Derby is unlikely to attract such a clientele these days. Perhaps somebody could make a go of it as a tourist attraction, but it wouldn't be the same.

The good news is that Disney has done a very job with the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney-MGM Studios. I had lunch there in August of this year, and it was excellent.

[BigPigletFan]

Great article again! I can't wait to see what more you do on the Disney-MGM Studios. (I think I'll have to send another email or stop by her office to see what she has for you.)

It appears that Disney negotiated some sort of non-exclusive rights for the Brown Derby name and design.

As I did research for this article, I learned that there have been various attempts to revive the once-great Brown Derby. MGM Grand (the casino company) opened and closed Brown Derby restaurants at their Las Vegas and Detroit properties. I also read about an effort in the 1980s to open a Brown Derby in Pasadena. I didn't research these non-original, non-Disney Brown Derby restaurants.

What made the Hollywood Brown Derby such as success in the 1930s through 1950s is that they successfully attracted a clientele that was a who's who of the film industry. Any attempt by Disney or any other company to build a new Brown Derby is unlikely to attract such a clientele these days. Perhaps somebody could make a go of it as a tourist attraction, but it wouldn't be the same.

The good news is that Disney has done a very job with the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney-MGM Studios. I had lunch there in August of this year, and it was excellent.

Yes and while it doesn't exacxtly attract the clientele as the original Brown Derby did, because of a number of specifications about this dining location many VIPs dine there. Particially its closed-in location allows for more privacy along with the fact that the meals are wonderful, many Tour Guides can be found running in and out of the Brown Derby.