So, with the post in the Rumors forum about the construction permit for the Adventureland Veranda restaurant, it got me to thinking.
I'd never heard of that restaurant. I've been going to WDW since 2001, and it had closed prior to that. I was totally unaware that had ever existed.
What other restaurants used to run in WDW that are now defunct? The only one I was aware of was the Odyssey building. That was a restaurant, right? Did the Golden Horseshoe ever serve food? I know a lot about defunct/shuttered attractions, but pretty much nothing about old restaurants.
2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
DL - 1996, 2019
Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!
There are a number of restaurants that have closed, moved, changed format and name etc over time.
Some that come to mind for me:
- Outer Rim at the Contemporary was once a full service sit-down dining establishment instead of the lounge it is now.
- Chef Mickey's used to be a very different restaurant - It was located at Downtown Disney right about where the Rainforest Cafe is now and was a love place for a sit-down breakfast - No characters appeared during the meal
- Top of the World was the restaurant located where California Grill is now. It was separated into two areas - Broadway at the Top - a dinner/musical show featuring performances and dancing.
- The Gulf Coast Room was also located at the Contemporary
- While not a restaurant, the Catwalk Bar was a lounge located in Disney Studios. It was a great place to have a drink and cool off on a hot day. Know the staircase by the restrooms for The Brown Derby? That staircase led upstairs to the Catwalk Bar.
- Cosmic Ray's used to be Tomorrowland Terrace
- Crockett's at Fort Wilderness used to be a full service sit-down restaurant instead of just a lounge as it is now
- Polly's on Tom Sawyer Island used to serve sandwiches and ice cream
- Concourse Steakhouse used to be located where the quick service restaurant is now
I know there's more but this is what I can think of now.
Linda aka: Faline
INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning,Trip Reports and Disney Camping
faline@intercot.com
"Restaurant Akershus" used to be one of the best restaurants on property until The Princesses ruined it.
Jeff
Not sure when Adventureland Veranda closed, but I know that it was still open in the mid 80's. They served teriyaki burgers, salads and americanized versions of some oriental dishes (I think they were sponsored by Kikkoman). The place was pretty popular then. I think it's been a highest season only place for some time now.
The Diamond Horseshoe served chips, sandwiches and fresh-baked pies before the shows. It used to be that you had to make a reservation very early in the day to eat there and catch the vaudeville style show that was presented several times a day. Guess the bean counters killed it because the entertainment cost too much.
The Odyssey at Epcot is the biggest mystery to me. Good burgers, sandwiches and other offerings and a nice place to get out of the summer heat. Why it has been shuttered for so long in such a prominent location makes no sense.
Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or imbeciles who really mean it - Mark Twain
Scar;2446832 wrote: "Restaurant Akershus" used to be one of the best restaurants on property until The Princesses ruined it.
Agreed. Also, Tangaroa Terrace at the Poly where Tonga Toast originated.
OK, first off....1500th post! Yay!
Second, we love Akershus the way it is now! I love the salad bar (with so much more than salad), and the menu is pretty good. Did the menu change with the addition of princesses? Or are you guys just not happy with there being princesses (and all that comes with it...long lines/reservations hard to get, etc.)?
2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
DL - 1996, 2019
Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!
azcavalier;2446865 wrote: OK, first off....1500th post! Yay!
Second, we love Akershus the way it is now! I love the salad bar (with so much more than salad), and the menu is pretty good. Did the menu change with the addition of princesses? Or are you guys just not happy with there being princesses (and all that comes with it...long lines/reservations hard to get, etc.)?
The menu changed. It used to be a full smorgasbord with a cold side and a hot side with some very Scandanavian fare. Enjoyed the food much more in those days myself. Just a character place now in comparison.
26 years staying at the Polynesian
There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of everyday...
Twenty six straight years staying at the Polynesian
Next trip: October 2018
Let's not forget Spoodles on the Boardwalk, it was replaced by Kouzzina which was then replaced by Trattoria al Forno. Spoodles was a favorite, I still miss it. :(
EpcotFan182;2446924 wrote: Let's not forget Spoodles on the Boardwalk, it was replaced by Kouzzina which was then replaced by Trattoria al Forno. Spoodles was a favorite, I still miss it. :(
Loved Spoodles, miss it for breakfast.
Hated Kouzzina's, not surprised it's gone.
Miss The Concourse Steakhouse.
Miss Boatwright's for sweet potato pancakes breakfast. Tried them at The Wave and they were pretty much awful. Greatly undercooked and couldn't find our waitress to send them back.
KAY
DVC MEMBER - OKW & HHI
First trip to WDW - Dec, 2005
Last visit to Disneyland - 2014
First trip to Disneyland - 1955
California Grill used to be Top of the World and they had a dinner show, Broadway at the Top.
Fulton's used to be the Empress Lilly and it was the top tier restaurant at the time-- very elegant dining, and a character brunch on Sunday.
Papeete Bay Verandah used to be the main restaurant at the Polynesian Village. I remember having a buffet lunch there on my first visit, with a Pink Leilani (non alcoholic strawberry cocktail) that made me feel very grown-up. I was 12. It closed in 1994.
Citricos at the Grand Floridian started out as Flagler's.
Ariel's at the Beach Club is now just used as a meeting space/special events area, or maybe it's gone entirely.
Tutto Italia used to be Alfredo di Roma (from the original creator of Fettucine Alfredo)
Tempura Kiku was where Tokyo Dining is now, a tempura spot and bar area (Matsu No Ma Lounge).
Le Cellier used to be cafeteria style dining and their specialty was Tortiere, a Canadian pork pie.
Sherri
Next: Aulani Celebration 10/2018 (50th)
Past Stays: Contemporary, GF, Poly, BC, POP, POR, Dolphin, AKL Kidani, BLT
1990 August Honeymoon- GF
Delighted Disney Return Guest since 1981, DVC (BLT) since 2014
Loved the orange juice strawberry concoction from the Poly restaurant that has since become the kids activity center. Remember this place from way back and of course the very dressy Top of the World where I had to "act like the young lady I was dressed as." Only restaurant that requires tie & dinner jacket at the time.
I miss Concourse Steakhouse. We loved that place.
Last Trip-April 2008-Boardwalk Inn
Next Trip-October 2017-POFQ
azcavalier;2446865 wrote: Second, we love Akershus the way it is now! I love the salad bar (with so much more than salad), and the menu is pretty good. Did the menu change with the addition of princesses? Or are you guys just not happy with there being princesses (and all that comes with it...long lines/reservations hard to get, etc.)?
Much changed. Menu, full buffet, being able to walk up... I'll admit, the one time I have been there since the change, my nieces and nephew (first time I believe) loved it and the princess's interaction was good, but everything else was anywhere from worse, to non existent then before.
Jeff
There used to be a sit down Restaurant at Port Orleans FQ. We ate there about 20 years ago
Wayne;2446852 wrote:
The Odyssey at Epcot is the biggest mystery to me. Good burgers, sandwiches and other offerings and a nice place to get out of the summer heat. Why it has been shuttered for so long in such a prominent location makes no sense.
I have always heard that it suffered from small crowds.
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