Disney Springs Discussion

[TylerDurden]

Agreed. And also it was/is the "safe" choice in WS. Steaks and burgers, not sushi or shwarma. And at the end of the day, it is a Disney restaurant. I just can't picture a high-end steakhouse (or sushi place) with kids running around and guests in Goofy t-shirts and mouse ears.

Have you ever eaten there?

Also, just because you have kids or arent dressed up nice doesnt mean you all of a sudden lose your taste for good food. If you want safe choices, you wouldnt eat in World Showcase at all...there are other places on property to get steaks and burgers. Canada is a few notches above the rest. The demand for fine dining is probably more prevalent at WDW (a place twice the size of Manhattan populated by people looking for the most luxurious vacation of their lives) than most other places in Florida.

 

[MrRoamer]

I haven't had the chance to eat at Canada yet, but at food and wine last year their steak at the Canada pavilion didn't rank high on my list. The trout on the other hand was quite good.

 

[IzzyB]

I haven't had the chance to eat at Canada yet, but at food and wine last year their steak at the Canada pavilion didn't rank high on my list. The trout on the other hand was quite good.

I have tasted it there too, but I think it is really hard to do a good steak at an event like that. I think it was a mistake them doing that because you can't get it cooked how you like and most likely it has been "resting" way too long.

I think Ruth Chris is over priced and we always go to this one in West Palm when they are offering specials that make it worth the price. Capital Grill in my opinion is better and more worth the price. But I love aged steaks and they have that there. I will have to try Canada some day to see if it is worth the price, but I agree with Tyler people THINK it is high end and they are going there.

My husband and I are not people who dress up a whole lot. Maybe three times a year, but we still go to pretty nice places to eat. And guess what? We bring our 3 year old child and have been since she was born. Just because you have kids doesn't mean your life stops. She has just learned to behave at restaurants and she also has learned to eat what we are eating. So if we are having shrimp, she is having shrimp. Her favorite foods are Crab Legs, Broccoli, and Panera Mac n Cheese (but don't get her Kraft, she won't eat it). Pretty all over the place for a child. She also likes Sushi as long as it is not raw stuff. What I am saying, is there are many different types of families that go to Disney and not everyone is looking for basic food. Yes, there are many that are, but there is a section of the tourists that want fine dining options when on vacation. When we go anywhere we always look for some higher end places, mid range places, and hole in the walls to get a good idea of what the local food is like.

 

[TylerDurden]

^First off, I agree that Capital Grille is one of the best steaks around...awesome restaurant!

Secondly, I would also agree with what youre saying about different family dynamics, tastes, etc. But lets say that being with kids truly is holding some people back from experiencing more upscale cuisine...that doesnt mean the demand for it completely goes away either. So, Seventy One, even considering your point, wouldnt you think Downtown Disney is the perfect place to provide this supply of fine dining that little kids are hindering? Its not a park, meaning you dont have to dress down to go there, and you dont even have to tale your kids there (whether youre a local or have a kids club option in your hotel), yet it caters to the same group of people. You guys are underestimating peoples expectations on a Disney vacation. Theres a reason Victoria and Alberts is on Disney property, and has been for many years.....

 

[Disneyhead]

Le Cellier is overpriced, and the quality is mediocre. And I make a better cheese soup. STK would be a great addition to DTD.

I really wish either Universal or Disney would open a restaurant by the guys behind Ravenous Pig and Cask & Larder. These guys are Orlando culinary legends.

 

[ralphoutloud]

Morimoto and STK (the hottest steakhouse chain in the country) are excellent choices. Count me in.

 

[IzzyB]

I was at Downtown Disney tonight. Slow progress on the garages, but they are making visible progress. Parking is a mess as should be expected with half the lot closed. But man was the place packed. Lines WAY out the door for all counter service places and crowds in front of every sit down place waiting for a table. I got there a little before 5 and this was already the case. It was very crowded and I really see why more places are needed. This is off season and it was still completely packed.

 

[kimlovesfl]

Well, here's some new stuff at DTD:http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/blogs/the-dish/os-walt-disney-world-food-truck-rally-june-21,0,1340364.post

Haven't been there in months, any progress on renovations, construction, etc?

 

[Nick]

He's a quick rundown of progress:

-New Starbucks on the Westside and Marketplace has opened
-Marketplace Co-op shop has opened
-Bridge from Saratoga to DTD/new boat dock is nearing completion
-The garage is being completed in three sections. One section has all floors complete, the second is on the second floor and the last looked to be on the third/fourth floor.
-The Food Truck Park area will be opening this summer
-The first section of the "abandoned" themed above ground railroad has gone up in front of Starbucks on the West Side
-LOTS of progress on the former Pleasure Island site, specifically where Motion/RNRBC was. Work on new restaurants and the small-ish amphitheater is well under way.
-Sunglass Hut closed recently to make way for a popup shop for the World Cup.
-The building that housed the former McDonalds has been demolished to make way for World of Disney expansion

That's about it for what's going on with the Disney Springs development, but there's definitely a TON going on.

 

[kimlovesfl]

Good to hear. Is parking still a nightmare?

 

[Skipper Justin]

Parking was rough a few weeks ago when I went.

 

[GAcoaster]

It's even worse!

 

[kimlovesfl]

Thanks. I wouldn't mind checking out the food trucks, but not if parking is a nightmare. I have very little patience and a short fuse, don't need parking headaches to set me on edge.

 

[UNIrd]

I was staying on-site a few weeks back and we were looking for a place for dinner after 10pm. NOTHING unless it's in Downtown Disney. Parking was so bad that I just drove over to Universal and had dinner at The Kitchen instead.

 

[sierrak5]

Received a notice at work that the Disney buses are going to be rerouted to stay off of Buena Vista Drive for a few months while work takes place on the road. They plan to make it 5 lanes on each side including a "bus only" lane.

 

[Nick]

From a 800+ page document filed in August comes some interesting images about the I4 ramp:

Credit to NickC over on the Magical site

 

[natespf]

^ That is a very odd configuration, thanks for posting. Makes me think of Vegas, they make it very easy to get in... not so much for getting out

 

[Nick]

Haven't seen anyone post this yet... the new steak house opening in Disney Springs is rumored to be a Gibson's and apparently it's opening in March according to this article: http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2014/09/rumor-chicago-firm-to-debut-new-restaurant-in.html

For those that don't know, Gibson's is a high end and well regarded steakhouse in Chicago. Will be a very welcomed addition. Here's their website: http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/

 

[IzzyB]

I know people talked about a high end steak place coming, not sure if we knew which one. I know some people said there wasn't a market for it, but I disagreed with that since Canada and other high end places on the WDW property do well.

 

[Nick]

This is the first time hearing of what the steakhouse is, WDW hasn't announced it. The OBJ found out through one of Gibsons' websites.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, I think with the amount of conventioneers that go to WDW, this steakhouse will do great. If anything it will hurt places like Le Cellier and Shula's.