Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
Shame a second floor wasn't made for it...
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Connections Cafe and Eatery
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
Really? For (I hate saying this) the park's "main" restaurant, it lacks seating - especially being right next to the park's newest attraction.
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
I can't say I'm that surprised that they're already cutting back on the menu, but it still seems pretty fast. Hasn't it only been open about 3.5 months?
Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
Did Electric Umbrella ever fill up that much for guests? I never it saw extremely busy but, was still able to find a seat even when they'd close the 2nd floor area.
Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
There were times it was. Though that was earlier in its existence. A big factor is there were also the restaurants on the other side. So, this is serving the purpose of two to three spots. Not saying that makes it better or worse. Just that the capacity shifted a bit with this design.
doctornick
Well-Known Member
What restaurants "on the other side" are you referring to? The Odyssey or the food service in Wonders of Life?
If you mean the food in the Land, that still exists.
MagicHappens1971
Well-Known Member
I found these pics on LostEpcot.com, apparently it was inside Innoventions West. Idk what replaced it at the time though
Attachments
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
I think it became a meet and greet location.
Haymarket2008
Well-Known Member
Yup, it was replaced by the Mickey & Friends meet and greet.
Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
No. I meant originally. Innoventions Plaza originally had 3 restaurants: Electric Umbrella, Pasta Piazza and Fountainview (plus Ice Station Cool). Connections replaced those 3.
Expanding it to all of Future World:
Innoventions Era: Electric Umbrella, Pasta Piazza, Fountainview, Sunshine Seasons, Pure and Simple, Odyssey and (eventually) Taste Track.
Today: Connections Cafe, Sunshine Seasons, Taste Track. (Uncertain if anything will be added into Play or Communicore Hall.
Obviously, there have been lots of venues closed and underutilized. Plus, we have various popcorn stands, pretzel stands, etc. that have come and gone - along with F&W kiosks. I was just comparing the main restaurants from the last major Spine redo to today.
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
I remember a LONG TIME AGO when the Odyssey was a functional restaurant. Ironically, we stepped in, and it was WAY TOO CROWDED, so we moved on.
See, WDW was always MOBBED it's just now we have discussion forums where we can gather to complain about it
doctornick
Well-Known Member
Was Fountainview just an ice cream shop? I mean, I guess that's a "restaurant" but not really the same as something like Connections.
Anyway, couldn't you easily say that it's really two things now with Connections Cafe versus Connections Eatery. They are kinda two separate locations, just next to each other.
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
I'm pretty sure it was originally a cafe/bakery before turning into an ice cream shop, but I think it was still just a dessert place. I don't think they had sandwiches or anything like that.
And doesn't Connections Cafe only serve breakfast sandwiches? Plus, it's Starbucks food, right? It's a stretch to even call that food.
FoodRockz
Well-Known Member
There was also Mickey shaped pasta. Oh, the old days.
Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
Pasta Piazza had that era of early Disney Store vibes..
Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
I think it's definitely fair to say Connections is two venues. I was actually assuming that myself.
Net, net - assuming we don't get a food spot in Play or CC Hall, the new design has Connections and Connections Cafe replacing Fountainview and Electric Umbrella. There is a net loss of Odyssey (as a general food spot), Pasta Piazza and Pure and Simple. Which, given crowds, is I think fair to say some contribution to the crowds at Connections.
Net, net - assuming we don't get a food spot in Play or CC Hall, the new design has Connections and Connections Cafe replacing Fountainview and Electric Umbrella. There is a net loss of Odyssey (as a general food spot), Pasta Piazza and Pure and Simple. Which, given crowds, is I think fair to say some contribution to the crowds at Connections.
Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
And thinking broadly (though need some help from my long-standing Epcot fan friends here), I think World Showcase quick service has seen La Cava, Choza, Joy of Tea, the Gelato stand and Artisan de Glace added (with the expanded Les Halles). Plus the swapped crepe window. We lost the beaver tails.
DisneyDebRob
Well-Known Member
Thats the pattern for about 90% of Disney dining locations. Open something new.. have a few really unique items.. then the crowds show Disney that they just want burgers and fries.. the menu gets dumbed down. Not in all cases but most. Its the reason i cant find anything spicy anywhere on property. Its all dumbed down to the masses. I get it but dont like it. Ill see something thats sounds fantastic when something opens here on the boards. I know if im not at disin 2-3 months I probably wont be able to try it. Especially seasoned spicy dishes. There are a few still left but not many.
Guest demand says no to unique things.
