News Coco Boat Ride Coming to Disney California Adventure

[CoastalElite64]

You say this as if there's tons of room just not really doing anything and waiting to be transformed into sitdown restaurants AND huge unmet demand for more sitdown space. Neither is the case. If it was, it wouldn't take so long for restaurants that aren't Blue Bayou, Carthay, or Lamplight Lounge to book up.

If they REALLY wanted to push table service into the park, Tiana's would have been a table service joint. On paper, it's so obvious, and yet, they didn't do that. That it wasn't might just tell you some things about Disneyland and table service demand/logistics.

I'm talking about DL specifically, not the entire resort. Since that defeats the entire convenience factor.

I also disagree on Tiana's palace. That would be in a location close to other TS. Again you missed the point of convenience and location. It would need to be in a land lacking TS like fantasyland, TL, TT etc.

Lastly, I implied it would be best in an expansion space, as if Fantasyland were to expand into autopia or the like.

 

[Professortango1]

We always have really good luck with the walk in reservations for Carnation or Cafe Orleans that you can get from the app if you're close enough within the vicinity of the restaurant.

Also I still need to try MK Lounge. Just never crosses my mind when I'm there. I had heard it wasn't hard to get in there? Im sure the food is so so but looks really pleasant and a nice change of pace from the parks. Love that area of the park in general but since I don't really drink I have n reason to go up there. That Spanish style architecture with the ivy staircase going up to that secluded second level surrounded by greenery is a vibe.

Yeah, I used to eat there when it was a public space and I enjoyed it. Since they have turned it into a MK lounge, I can never get it. I walk over and they say "sorry, we're not accepting anymore reservations for today." And the counter service place next door only sells pretzels. No sandwiches or salads or anything. Just pretzels and drinks. And that's how I end up drinking on an empty stomach at DCA.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I'm talking about DL specifically, not the entire resort. Since that defeats the entire convenience factor.

Ah, well then that's specifically not going to happen in the existing park for all the reasons I outlined (the only possible exception being the aforementioned GE).

I also disagree on Tiana's palace. That would be in a location close to other TS. Again you missed the point of convenience and location. It would need to be in a land lacking TS like fantasyland, TL, TT etc.

I don't know that you can get MORE convenient or have a better location for most of the park than NOS.

RE: Tiana's being close to other TS restaurants, they could have very easily just made Cafe Orleans Tiana's if they wanted to build up interest in TS restaurants, and yet they didn't. I imagine it's instructive why.

A land lacking TS? Fantasyland doesn't have room right now and neither does TL. I don't know that even the most pessimistic about Fantasyland or Tomorrowland as they stand would feel ok with completely removing something solely to add a table service restaurant. If TT had room, I imagine they still wouldn't build there because that location is JUST inconvenient enough to cause problems, AND it has to close for fireworks.

Lastly, I implied it would be best in an expansion space, as if Fantasyland were to expand into autopia or the like.

You mentioned Fantasyland precisely one time (and not in your most recent post on the subject) and subsequently made only very general statements on the matter. We don't all have your posts queued up from memory, you know.

 

[mickEblu]

A little off topic off the off topic discussion but I find it interesting that they didn’t put one table service restaurant in Fantasy Springs. Granted, I don’t know much about Tokyo Disneyland other than that it’s dominated by locals like DLR. Kind of makes you wonder if there is any future for something like BOG or even the Star Wars dinner theatre concept at DLR.

 

[ThemeParkTraveller]

A little off topic off the off topic discussion but I find it interesting that they didn’t put one table service restaurant in Fantasy Springs. Granted, I don’t know much about Tokyo Disneyland other than that it’s dominated by locals like DLR. Kind of makes you wonder if there is any future for something like BOG or even the Star Wars dinner theatre concept at DLR.

I believe the reason for that is they wanted to maximize restaurant capacity in anticipation of the popularity of Fantasy Springs. Otherwise, something like the Arendelle Banquet Hall easily could have been turned into a table service restaurant. The majority of table service restaurants at the Tokyo Disney Resort seem to fully book out a month in advance, so the demand is definitely there.

 

[DLR92]

Main Street should have upscale table service restaurant by the hub; having a view of the castle and the hub.

Fantasyland and Tomorrowland would be not ideal. Unless they remove Autopia and the Submarine.

 

[Professortango1]

Main Street should have upscale table service restaurant by the hub; having a view of the castle and the hub.

Fantasyland and Tomorrowland would be not ideal. Unless they remove Autopia and the Submarine.

There is the whole Carousel Theatre which would be a perfect space for a restaurant as it is unused, large, and could share a kitchen facility with Pizza Planet.

I would also be happy with Tomorrowland Terrace turning into table service. The ordering windows could have additional seating. Have some entertainment on the stage aimed and you're golden. With Pizza Port right next door, you don't need two quick service locations within a stone's throw.

 

[PiratesMansion]

A little off topic off the off topic discussion but I find it interesting that they didn’t put one table service restaurant in Fantasy Springs. Granted, I don’t know much about Tokyo Disneyland other than that it’s dominated by locals like DLR. Kind of makes you wonder if there is any future for something like BOG or even the Star Wars dinner theatre concept at DLR.

Tokyo has a bit of a dining capacity shortage, so building three huge counter service restaurants will help ease demand for other locations throughout the rest of DisneySea.

 

[coffeefan]

As a local, I would eat at more sit-down restaurants if I could walk up and get a table. Or at least a reservation for in an hour or so. But every time I try and visit the MK lounge at DCA or Carthay Circle or BB, they are booked up for the day.

I'm not going to book a table weeks in advance for a DLR restaurant.

That's my experience as well with sit-down restaurants at DLR. As a local I take the path of least resistance at the park, unless I'm joining someone visiting.

 

[PiratesMansion]

There is the whole Carousel Theatre which would be a perfect space for a restaurant as it is unused, large, and could share a kitchen facility with Pizza Planet.

I would also be happy with Tomorrowland Terrace turning into table service. The ordering windows could have additional seating. Have some entertainment on the stage aimed and you're golden. With Pizza Port right next door, you don't need two quick service locations within a stone's throw.

I think Tomorrowland Terrace is too basic and too exposed to be an attractive table service venue. Not that all of Disneyland's table service is super well themed, mind, but at least with places like Carnation and Cafe Orleans, you have the ambience of Main Street and NOS working overtime to provide a nice setting. Tomorrowland Terrace might as well be Avenger's Campus for how charming and interesting the area is. I'd honestly rather TT get demo'ed, as I find it annoying to constantly have to walk through or around the terrace each time I go through Tomorrowland. I'm sure it won't, though, as people seem to flock to both TT and Pizza Port like moth to a flame.

Carousel Theater could possibly work if they go all out and do some sort of Space 220 design, though admittedly I have never been inside the building and don't really have a sense of how much could be accommodated inside. They would have to redress the exterior at least a bit I would think, as the exterior doesn't read as a restaurant at all. I do wonder if Tomorrowland needs three restaurants, although the two that are there certainly seem to have no trouble filling tables.

 

[truecoat]

The fact that you can't walk up to eat at a TS shows the need for more TS. I'd guess you could make more money with QS and use less real estate, which is at a premium.

 

[Professortango1]

I think Tomorrowland Terrace is too basic and too exposed to be an attractive table service venue. Not that all of Disneyland's table service is super well themed, mind, but at least with places like Carnation and Cafe Orleans, you have the ambience of Main Street and NOS working overtime to provide a nice setting. Tomorrowland Terrace might as well be Avenger's Campus for how charming and interesting the area is. I'd honestly rather TT get demo'ed, as I find it annoying to constantly have to walk through or around the terrace each time I go through Tomorrowland. I'm sure it won't, though, as people seem to flock to both TT and Pizza Port like moth to a flame.

Nothing that a few planters and design reskins couldn't change. It can easily obscure the nearby crowd at ground level, allowing those on the converted upper level (former ordering windows) to get a nice view of the lagoon and the stage. Its no worse off than Cafe Orleans.

Give me some water features, a view of the subs, and an alien rock band playing while I have some salmon and a mixed drink and I'm not complaining. But I also was in full support of them turning Golden Horseshoe into a lunch/dinner show. I guess I am just very willing to pay Disney to give me a TS venue where I can enjoy some nice ambiance and some entertainment. Because they surely aren't going to give us live entertainment for free anymore.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Nothing that a few planters and design reskins couldn't change. It can easily obscure the nearby crowd at ground level, allowing those on the converted upper level (former ordering windows) to get a nice view of the lagoon and the stage. Its no worse off than Cafe Orleans.

Give me some water features, a view of the subs, and an alien rock band playing while I have some salmon and a mixed drink and I'm not complaining. But I also was in full support of them turning Golden Horseshoe into a lunch/dinner show. I guess I am just very willing to pay Disney to give me a TS venue where I can enjoy some nice ambiance and some entertainment. Because they surely aren't going to give us live entertainment for free anymore.

The problem with that theory is that it assumes they are willing to program real entertainment and not just Character Dance Party 17, which they seem unwilling to do.

I'm honestly surprised neither of the US parks have taken the Tokyo approach of filling the Horsehoe theater with a paid lunch/dinner show (and there's also a Polynesian-themed equivalent between their Jungle Cruise and Tiki Room); it seems like it'd print money and more or less pay for itself. Then again, they don't seem to have any problems with the current state of affairs where they are basically overflow seating areas of last resort, so perhaps they're not ready to contemplate the additional revenue they'd make just yet.

The fact that you can't walk up to eat at a TS shows the need for more TS.

That's one way to look at it, but I'm not sure that will be the way Disney will see it. I feel like they see it more as guaranteed-in-advance revenue with the cancellation fees in place. I will say it doesn't seem like most things are fully booked up far in advance, which by Disney's metrics could mean they're just fine on the amount of TS they have in the parks right now, and/or that they are concerned about space and times that tables are occupied. I don't mean to harp on it, but I really and truly believe that if they thought there was any way they could have gotten away with making Tiana's Palace a table service restaurant, they would have-heck, it already is a sitdown restaurant on the Disney Cruise Line. That they didn't when they ostensibly had the opportunity seems to point to there being other factors at play.

Now to be fair to them, they have actively built more TS at the DL Hotel recently and have built new or redone TS in Downtown Disney, so it's not quite accurate to say they're not adding any sitdown places at all (not that you specifically were saying that). And while it's less convenient than places inside the parks, there ARE good table service restaurants in DTD by virtue of Din Tai Fung and Centrico at the very least.

I'd guess you could make more money with QS and use less real estate, which is at a premium.

Which is precisely why there's so much QS. Less real estate needed, smaller kitchens aren't a problem, tables turn over faster, etc.

 

[Professortango1]

The problem with that theory is that it .

Now to be fair to them, they have actively built more TS at the DL Hotel recently and have built new or redone TS in Downtown Disney, so it's not quite accurate to say they're not adding any sitdown places at all (not that you specifically were saying that). And while it's less convenient than places inside the parks, there ARE good table service restaurants in DTD by virtue of Din Tai Fung and Centrico at the very least.

That's great if you're vacationing and there for several days, but I'm not to go through the trouble of having to go through security again or even having to get through the front gates. Trying to hop from DCA to DL within an hour of a parade or fireworks is a nightmare.

Not to mention how ugly DTD looks now. We used to eat at Jazz Kitchen until they made it look like a CPK at an outlet mall. Once House of Blues and the AMC left, DTD became just another generic mall, and I'm not going to bust my butt on a Disney vacation to waste time for to something that reminds me of TGIFridays.

 

[PiratesMansion]

That's great if you're vacationing and there for several days, but I'm not to go through the trouble of having to go through security again or even having to get through the front gates. Trying to hop from DCA to DL within an hour of a parade or fireworks is a nightmare.

You don't have to go through security again to go through Downtown Disney. The parks and DTD are all in the same security bubble now. You would only need to re-clear security if you went to one of the hotels.

I don't remember when exactly they changed that, but I'm fairly certain they changed that setup pre-covid.

Not to mention how ugly DTD looks now. We used to eat at Jazz Kitchen until they made it look like a CPK at an outlet mall.

Call me crazy, I don't honestly think it's much better or worse than it used to be. Jazz Kitchen doesn't look amazing, but it does fit the area. Mostly what's different is that a few things have rotated in and out and they've painted a bit. You're not the only person to talk about how the aesthetics of DTD were superior back in the day, but to me it's really not that different from how it's always been.

Once House of Blues and the AMC left, DTD became just another generic mall, and I'm not going to bust my butt on a Disney vacation to waste time for to something that reminds me of TGIFridays.

Funnily enough, I remember not that long ago people were saying that they should literally put restaurants like TGI Fridays and Applebee's in DTD to appeal to families! I guess there's no way for Disney to win there. I do think the notion of the AMC making it less of a mall is interesting, given that I have known several "generic malls" that contain movie theaters.

I guess what I don't get is that I've always seen ALL of the Disney shopping areas as glorified malls from the jump, so the notion that they were once special but now are generic is something that just doesn't make sense to me. Particularly since I feel like the place is, while not perfect, better than it has been in a long time, an opinion that it seems pretty much no one else shares with me.

Furthermore, people act like Downtown Disney is off in Timbuktu when it's directly connected to the esplanade and you can even take the monorail to it if it's too much walking. Perhaps I'm the only one who thinks that sometimes it's nice to get out of the parks for a bit and eat in a mildly less stressful environment from time to time. I get that especially if you're toting young kids around it's just not practical, but how many people here other than MickEblu are honestly doing that on a regular basis anyway?

Sure, it isn't Disney Springs, but sometimes I wonder what Downtown Disney did to hurt some of you. The vitriol and/or indifference that some express seems wildly disproportionate to the area's actual sins IMO.

 

[Touchdown]

I have nothing against DTD, but I have no love for it either. I need a compelling reason to go there. Once a trip, it’s worthwhile for me to browse the WOD store to search for souvenirs. I sometimes eat at Naples. The rest of it? Doesn’t usually entice me, however that steak restaurant might. I will however go to at least one meal at the GCH. I really wish they would further extend the bubble to the GCH like DLP does to its DLH. It was so nice to never go through security again once I arrived.

I do agree it’s very much a Disneyland mindset, I have zero problems resort hopping at WDW (provided that hop is anything but a bus) and that can take 30-45 min round trip, but there are so many choices in the park it’s sometimes hard to compete.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I have nothing against DTD, but I have no love for it either. I need a compelling reason to go there. Once a trip, it’s worthwhile for me to browse the WOD store to search for souvenirs. I sometimes eat at Naples. The rest of it? Doesn’t usually entice me, however that steak restaurant might. I will however go to at least one meal at the GCH. I really wish they would further extend the bubble to the GCH like DLP does to its DLH. It was so nice to never go through security again once I arrived.

I do agree it’s very much a Disneyland mindset, I have zero problems resort hopping at WDW (provided that hop is anything but a bus) and that can take 30-45 min round trip, but there are so many choices in the park it’s sometimes hard to compete.

I like the idea of extending the hotels into the bubble, I just feel like it wouldn't go over well with some of the people staying there, and for that reason they wouldn't do it. Even genuinely fancy hotels don't typically make you go through metal detectors, so I feel like it'd be inviting controversy for them to do so in the US.

GCH IS absolutely underrated with its restaurants, definitely more so than DTD. Every single restaurant there is fantastic. So much so that my recommendation to those seeking more table service restaurants at DLR immediately is to start there. Heck, one of those table service restaurants even has a counter service side that basically serves the same menu for slightly less. All have nice atmosphere and solid menus. One need not splurge for Napa Rose to get a fantastic meal over there.

I don't love Downtown Disney, but I do try and swing through there and walk around the hotels (except PPH) once a visit. It's not Disney Springs and it's nothing mind-blowing, but I really do think it's overall moving in the right direction and there are some solid choices there now that didn't exist a few years ago. I would say that DTD as it currently exists seems a bit underrated on here, and perhaps "old DTD" (however that is defined for each person) is a bit overrated by comparison. Perhaps people are just too distracted by what's going on in the parks to step over to DTD more than occasionally, which is valid. I just genuinely find the Downtown Disney discourse over the past few years to have been fascinating because opinions (and reasons for those opinions) are truly all over the map.

 

[Professortango1]

You don't have to go through security again to go through Downtown Disney. The parks and DTD are all in the same security bubble now. You would only need to re-clear security if you went to one of the hotels.

I don't remember when exactly they changed that, but I'm fairly certain they changed that setup pre-covid.

Call me crazy, I don't honestly think it's much better or worse than it used to be. Jazz Kitchen doesn't look amazing, but it does fit the area. Mostly what's different is that a few things have rotated in and out and they've painted a bit. You're not the only person to talk about how the aesthetics of DTD were superior back in the day, but to me it's really not that different from how it's always been.

Funnily enough, I remember not that long ago people were saying that they should literally put restaurants like TGI Fridays and Applebee's in DTD to appeal to families! I guess there's no way for Disney to win there. I do think the notion of the AMC making it less of a mall is interesting, given that I have known several "generic malls" that contain movie theaters.

I guess what I don't get is that I've always seen ALL of the Disney shopping areas as glorified malls from the jump, so the notion that they were once special but now are generic is something that just doesn't make sense to me. Particularly since I feel like the place is, while not perfect, better than it has been in a long time, an opinion that it seems pretty much no one else shares with me.

Furthermore, people act like Downtown Disney is off in Timbuktu when it's directly connected to the esplanade and you can even take the monorail to it if it's too much walking. Perhaps I'm the only one who thinks that sometimes it's nice to get out of the parks for a bit and eat in a mildly less stressful environment from time to time. I get that especially if you're toting young kids around it's just not practical, but how many people here other than MickEblu are honestly doing that on a regular basis anyway?

Sure, it isn't Disney Springs, but sometimes I wonder what Downtown Disney did to hurt some of you. The vitriol and/or indifference that some express seems wildly disproportionate to the area's actual sins IMO.

I was speaking in regards to the more unique hotel food offerings as being a nuisance due to the security aspect.

DTD used to have some character. It was never as fun as City Walk, but it had things to see other than flat white stucco walls. Mid-century modern just always seems so barren and hot to me. It reminds me of Palm Springs and other desert communities.

The reason I miss the AMC and House of Blues is DTD used to have some things to DO. Not just eat and shop, but actives. You could catch a concert. See a movie. This also was a lot better in the days before reservations as you could go to Disneyland for dinner, catch a movie afterwards, and it was a fun little date night. Now, I know I can't get another reservation for a few weeks at the earliest, so I don't want to be as casual with my time there.

And after paying the higher prices that Disney charges now, I don't want to waste time sitting outside the park eating in a generic mall. Rainforest was tacky, but at least I felt like I was getting an experience when eating there. If we're at Disney, chances are we liked themed environments and experiences.

Disney should have their own immersive escape rooms and magic lounge and other entertainment experiences at their mall. Give me something to do for 2-3 hours ang guess what? I might just visit without a reservation and also dine/shop while I'm there. But I'm not going to go fight resort traffic to only grab a bite in a washed-out cafeteria. Ever.

 

[mickEblu]

I was speaking in regards to the more unique hotel food offerings as being a nuisance due to the security aspect.

DTD used to have some character. It was never as fun as City Walk, but it had things to see other than flat white stucco walls. Mid-century modern just always seems so barren and hot to me. It reminds me of Palm Springs and other desert communities.

The reason I miss the AMC and House of Blues is DTD used to have some things to DO. Not just eat and shop, but actives. You could catch a concert. See a movie. This also was a lot better in the days before reservations as you could go to Disneyland for dinner, catch a movie afterwards, and it was a fun little date night. Now, I know I can't get another reservation for a few weeks at the earliest, so I don't want to be as casual with my time there.

And after paying the higher prices that Disney charges now, I don't want to waste time sitting outside the park eating in a generic mall. Rainforest was tacky, but at least I felt like I was getting an experience when eating there. If we're at Disney, chances are we liked themed environments and experiences.

Disney should have their own immersive escape rooms and magic lounge and other entertainment experiences at their mall. Give me something to do for 2-3 hours ang guess what? I might just visit without a reservation and also dine/shop while I'm there. But I'm not going to go fight resort traffic to only grab a bite in a washed-out cafeteria. Ever.

Why can’t you get reservations for a few weeks at the earliest? As an MK holder shouldn’t you have 2-6 reservations at your disposal and booked at all times? Also, as I’ve said in the past I have always gotten any day I wanted by checking the night before.

By washed out cafeteria do you mean the indoor seating at Craftsman? lol. I dunno, I like that it feels like a nice change of pace from the parks. Food is ok. Seems like their menu is pretty limited now. Peanut butter blondes are legit. Not sure it’s worth going back and forth through security though. Haven’t done it in a while.

 

[DLR92]

DTD never sparked my interest with shopping. Nothing to really shop for. Dining is its great aspect.
Mid century look can be done right. I just don’t want the landscaping looking barren and hot.