Disney restaurants in the "real world"

[goofykt]

My husband and I were talking last night, and we came up with an idea that we thought would be awesome. Disney should have restaurants all over the country along the same vein as T-REX or Rainforest Cafe....except with completely over-the-top Disney animation theming. Each section of the restaurant could be modeled after a different animated movie like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, etc. They could even make it like character dining and have costumed "CM's" go around for photo ops. And at the entrance to the restaurant (instead of a cheesy gator), there could be a big fountain with either a) Sorcerer Mickey dipping his buckets in the fountain, or b) "Be our guest" dancing dishes that sing and sway at intervals.

Where the gift shop normally is in a Rainforest, they could sell a ton of Disney parks merchandise (or even attach a Disney Store if it's in a mall like the Rainforest in Schaumburg, IL).

So what do you think...would it be a "home away from home" and give us some of the Disney magic year-round, or would it take away from the experience and cheapen it? Has Disney ever tossed an idea like this around before?

 

[wolf359]

I have mixed feelings about it myself.

On the one hand, it might be cool to have an opportunity to get a small dose of Disney in between trips, but on the other hand, I think that in the long run it would take away from the unique experience of visiting.

 

[Missymoe4]

My husband and I were talking last night, and we came up with an idea that we thought would be awesome. Disney should have restaurants all over the country along the same vein as T-REX or Rainforest Cafe....except with completely over-the-top Disney animation theming. Each section of the restaurant could be modeled after a different animated movie like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, etc. They could even make it like character dining and have costumed "CM's" go around for photo ops. And at the entrance to the restaurant (instead of a cheesy gator), there could be a big fountain with either a) Sorcerer Mickey dipping his buckets in the fountain, or b) "Be our guest" dancing dishes that sing and sway at intervals.

Where the gift shop normally is in a Rainforest, they could sell a ton of Disney parks merchandise (or even attach a Disney Store if it's in a mall like the Rainforest in Schaumburg, IL).

So what do you think...would it be a "home away from home" and give us some of the Disney magic year-round, or would it take away from the experience and cheapen it? Has Disney ever tossed an idea like this around before?

I remember years and years ago at Woodfield Mall (in Schaumburg, IL) the Disney store had a fast foodish restaurant attached to it. You'd wait for hours to get in. I'll never forget the hash brown fries that were shaped like the fab five. Man, what a great place!! My mother still talks about the peanut butter and banana pancake 'sandwhich' they served.

It was always a special treat to go there for lunch or dinner....

They should bring it back (or something along those lines)...

 

[Disneykidder]

I definately think it is a great idea and I know Disney would recive my business. Of course, they could capitalize on it by having a shop attached as you exit and that would be fine by me and my kids.

The only thing is it would have to be themed or have some sort of catch to reel the average, non-Disney fan in. T-Rex would be awesome!! My son can't wait to go there when we visit Disney next summer. I would love to have characters there but it would realllly take away from the magic of going to a Disney park so I definately say no to that.

 

[goofykt]

Yeah....I think the characters would be great when it came to kid's birthday parties (can you imagine a Mad Tea Party birthday?!)...but I think overall it would take away from the novelty and specialness of character dining in WDW.

 

[lcsrig]

I love the idea. I have many students that will never make it to see the real deal. A themed restaurant is a great idea. A little Disney magic never hurts!!