Contempo Cafe Update 10/10/08

Mr.EPCOT

Active Member
Original Poster
Hello all! The construction walls have been brought down around the Contempo Cafe, the upcoming counter-service location in the Grand Canyon Concourse at the Contemporary. There are now new construction walls within the Cafe blocking the kitchen area under the Monorail, and the on other side isolating the former Outer Rim bar and lounge area. Tables and chairs are already set up in the seating area, which has the same carpet as the adjacent Chef Mickey's section. There are temporary planters seperating the seating section and the ordering/pick-up area, suggesting they might start using the new seating first for Tempo Grab 'n' Go while the rest of Contempo is finished. The wooden kiosks for the touch screen ordering menus are out, looks like they will be set up against the mural. New big lights up throughout it that are very slightly evocative of the old lights that used to be on the other side of the Concourse, and they make the atrium much brighter at night. No sign up yet! Already in use is a new check-in desk for Chef Mickey's, and there's no need to detour anymore to get to the restaurant anymore.

I might have pics up in a couple of days.
 

Mr.EPCOT

Active Member
Original Poster
OK. Somehow I had the impression that Chef Mickey's would get more seating space after the Concourse SteakHouse, etc. was gone.

Bummer.
:)

That's what I had thought too. Chef Mickey's could stand to be enlarged.

Nope, everyone just kind of assumed that (including myself) as these rumors started leaking of the counter service replacing the Steakhouse. I wouldn't be surprised if Disney considered that during the planning stages, but the Contempo Cafe does indeed take up all space of the former Concourse Steakhouse. There's still plenty of refurbishment going on, more construction walls going up, so maybe there will be some rearranging within the restaurant to produce more seating. Personally, I think they should boot it out of the Resort back to the Marketplace, and have a dining experience there that would be more appropriate to the Contemporary.
 

Mr.EPCOT

Active Member
Original Poster
OK. What would you put there if you were in charge? An upscale place?

Tks.
:)

My thoughts are that the Concourse Steakhouse (or The Wave) level of dining was perfect for where it was, and then what would go where Chef Mickey's is should be a little more family friendly than the other restaurants, but not as obnoxious as it is now. As it is, it's VERY loud throughout the entire atrium, not the best image for what is supposed to be a sophisticated Resort. Even worse when they're doing that at 7 AM in the morning. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun and it has great food, but I just don't think it is appropriate for the Contemporary Concourse environment and could be more successful somewhere else. I believe it is popular on its own merits and not because of the Resort it is situated in. Ideally what I would put where Chef Mickey's is now would be something of a resurrection of the Monorail Cafe from the Disneyland Hotel in California. People love the Monorails, it would be plenty family-friendly, they could easily do character dining there (imagine the characters all wearing the Monorail uniform!), I'm sure they could come up with an awesome menu, and Monorail theming could easily fit in with the Concourse and Resort in general. It could even possibly boost business over what Chef Mickey's does there now, while Chef Mickey's would probably give its new location a good boost.
 

mickeysaver

Well-Known Member
Thank you so much for this update! I am still hoping Contempo Cafe is fully operational in early December! It sure would be more convenient!
 

Scooter

Well-Known Member
Thank you so much for this update! I am still hoping Contempo Cafe is fully operational in early December! It sure would be more convenient!

I hope for your sake that it is, but I have to tell you that I was looking down into that area from the Contemporary Monorail platform just Wednesday and there is still a LOT to be done.

I, too am looking forward to the Contempo Cafe's opening. The grab N Go area that is there now just isn't that impressive and the selections are very limited. I especially miss the hot sandwiches/burgers and the breakfast plates that were available at the old Food and fun Center.
 

Mr.EPCOT

Active Member
Original Poster
An article is the Aug/Sept edition of Orlando Attractions Magazine said that there was going to be a new photo op of Mickey's kitchen added to the entrance of Chef Mickey's. Perhaps this is why the check-in area is being relocated?

They are indeed using the new little check-in rotunda for the photo op today. Also, just as I theorized, they're using the Contempo Cafe seating area, and using the space where the tables were before by the windows for stroller parking.
 

DonaldDoleWhip

Well-Known Member
I heard on another board that they are opening tomorrow. Does anyone know if this is true? TIA
According to this photo update, the Contempo Cafe is opening tomorrow (Saturday, November 15) at 6:00 AM.

The place looks pretty cool in those pics, and it uses the same touch screen technology that Captain Cook's uses at the Poly.

Definitely excited for this place to open, looks like it was executed really well. Can't wait to see the menu!
 

nbodyhome

Member
That is my site - I plan to stop there tomorrow. I do miss the Food and Fun Center, that was my favorite fast-food on property for many years (since the 1970's!) But the Contempo Cafe looks really nice.
 

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