Odyssey looking a little purple...

[Cmdr_Crimson]

It looks like the original color scheme of JII on there..

 

[go3epcot]

My extended family and I attended a Grand Gathering in the Odyssey 2 years ago. It was a buffet dinner that, frankly, was a disappointment. Served in large trays, I believe what I am reading in this thread that the kitchen there is little more than a finishing point. The food wasn't horrible, but it was advertised as a collection of food from around the world. It amounted to little more than a standard buffet. If the kitchen area is in such a state, it is not reasonable to think that it should return as an active restaurant...

 

[lazyboy97o]

The Odyssey is in no condition currently to reopen as a QS restaurant. It just doesn't posses the capacity or the equipment to function like it used to.

That is like all of the people who say the same about the shuttered Magic Kingdom locations. Just because the old equipment was removed does not mean that new equipment could not be installed. The reason these locations stay closed is because it is cheaper to just let guests stand in line at the open facilities.

 

[wolf359]

I think the major stumbling block facing the Odyssey is finding an identity or nitch that could set it apart from the other food offerings at EPCOT.

With the number of special foods offered at The Land and the counter service standards found at Electric Umbrella an additional counter service restaurant doesn't seem immediately necessary.

On the flip side the dining room could easily work as a table service restaurant, but in a park absolutely stuffed with table service locations, what could The Odyssey offer that could set it apart from the rest?

 

[juan]

That is like all of the people who say the same about the shuttered Magic Kingdom locations. Just because the old equipment was removed does not mean that new equipment could not be installed. The reason these locations stay closed is because it is cheaper to just let guests stand in line at the open facilities.

It's not that the main equipment has been removed, its that the area is small and being used for other necessary functions. Disney is more likely to put its money somewhere else for developing new facilities (ie new cantina, via napoli) than to build a new cafeteria and kitchens for outdoor foods.

 

[bhealthy]

This (old) edit contains some of the 1990 character breakfast meal at around 17:20: http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=149

All I can say is thanks Marni :sohappy: That video brought so many memories back for me and put a tear in my eye. I can't wait to watch more of your videos!

 

[kaos]

I believe it was one of the first character meals.

Not exaclty. Character dining at WDW has been around since day 1! The Empress Lilly had character breakfasts, as did the Polynesian, The Contemporary, and Fort Wilderness. The show was an annual Holiday Show featuring Chip and Dales adventures (or mis-adventures) in Epcot. This was, however, the first Character Dining Experience to feature the Big Cheese himself in a theme park (you could dine with Mickey at Chef Mickey's, which at that time was at Lake Buena Vista Village). That's right- it wasn't until 1984 at the Oddyssey (when the show first premiered, according to my rough recollection- feel free to correct me on the dates) EPCOT Center wasn't supposed to have any characters at all!!! This holiday dining experience was a staple of my families during our yearly holiday visits to WDW until the Oddyssey closed in 1994.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think the major stumbling block facing the Odyssey is finding an identity or nitch that could set it apart from the other food offerings at EPCOT.

With the number of special foods offered at The Land and the counter service standards found at Electric Umbrella an additional counter service restaurant doesn't seem immediately necessary.

What about making it a sort of permanent Food and Wine festival? Each menu item could be from a country not featured within World Showcase.

 

[SMRT-1]

This (old) edit contains some of the 1990 character breakfast meal at around 17:20: http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=149

All I can say is thanks Marni :sohappy: That video brought so many memories back for me and put a tear in my eye. I can't wait to watch more of your videos!

love it. great job martin!

 

[TP2000]

On the flip side the dining room could easily work as a table service restaurant, but in a park absolutely stuffed with table service locations, what could The Odyssey offer that could set it apart from the rest?

That video Martin just posted here from 1990 answers that question. What Odyssey could offer is an amazingly fabulous 1990 dance party with Goofy doing the Cabbage Patch in a silver jumpsuit! That video was so awesome!

 

[raven]

Would be the perfect spot for a new character meal, kick the princessess out of Norway for one thing, and move them and or others into a rennovated redesigned Odyssey. I know wont happen, but fun to dream.

I've said that for a long time and really wish they would do it. Bring back Norwegian dining without tripping over strollers trying to get into anything in Norway. The Odyssey would have plenty of room for stroller parking without being in the way of guests not wanting to go into the building.

 

[kaos]

While I do miss the best burgers that I've ever had on property there, and the first QS to offer grilled chicken sandwhiches, I'm happy that the restrooms were kept open and operational. I would agree that seating was always at a premium there, most likely because of the charater show. I would think that this QS resteraunt was on par with Cosmic Rays at the MK... except that Sonny isn't as large as a draw as characters were, and no one feels like anything is missed if they skip out on Sonny after a song or three...

I don't recall much with the characters there on our spring and summer trips, and I' m not sure if we just didn't notice or pay that much attention outside of the holidays to the entertainment. We went there for the burgers. Not sure why, but they just tasted better at Oddyssey than anywhere else!

With the interest and poplarity of the Princesses these days, there isn't really enough table space for Princess dining there, and there is not a ton of stroller parking (there was space for about 20 or so strollers outside, and guests were more than welcome to bring their strollers inside). It's a blight of park popularity- The building is in a prime spot between FW and WS, has its own waterfront (such as it is) walkway, and suffers from just not being large enough to maintain quck turnaround. If TDO ever wanted to incorporate a Signature experience in Epcot, Oddyssey would be a perfect spot for that. Bring in Wolfgang Puck (I think he's still kinda under the Disney thumb), charge a flat dining rate of $42.95 per person, and let Wolfy go wild with culinary fusion from around the world, presented fusion style (a perfect blend of the world and the future dining style). Maybe a stage show like what the "Top of the World" used to offer. I remember seeing Mel Torme perform on one of my early trips (my parents had to pull some strings to get me in as I was only 6 or 7, and at that time, I belive it was 18 and older for dinner). It's the only time that I ever wore a sportcoat and tie at WDW. I had the chipped steak (according to my Dad).

and back on topic-
"Figment Purple" has long been the color of the common areas in Future World. I highly doubt that the paint color is nothing more than for a continued continuity for FW, and painting is obvioulsy needed in Florida for any outdoor structure, regardless of if the are is ever going to re-open or not.

 

[raven]

With the interest and poplarity of the Princesses these days, there isn't really enough table space for Princess dining there, and there is not a ton of stroller parking (there was space for about 20 or so strollers outside, and guests were more than welcome to bring their strollers inside).

The building can actually seat 500 guests or more depending on table configuration. That's WAY more than Norway. The open area by the restrooms on the south and north sides of the building is wide enough for about 50 strollers each. If you keep going around the building on the outside you could easily fit another 100 without blocking the walkway. If that isn't enough thene there is the entire Odyssey bridge.

 

[SewIn2Disney]

This (old) edit contains some of the 1990 character breakfast meal at around 17:20: http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=149

That video is beautiful! Much better than most promotional footage that comes out of Disney itself! Wonderful job---can't wait to sit and watch more videos!

 

[Monorail Lime]

I noticed this week that the Odyssey has a bit of new aqua-ish paint on the second story around the two hexagonal signs. There was only a little more painted tonight than there was earlier this week and it seems they are taking their time with it. Right now it looks just awful and totally clashes with the brown roof and mustard walls of the first floor. Hopefully they will either paint the rest of the building to match or put it back how it was!

I was going to snap a picture tonight but totally forgot after tonight's visit to the Biergarden. Sorry! :slurp:

 

[progroupie]

I have no problem with the building only being used for events and backstage operations, as long as they keep the facade looking nice and not so outdated. I don't think Epcot really needs any more restaurants and it isn't really the kind of spot you could place a worthwhile attraction.

 

[JustInTime]

no offense to anyone but the place is so ugly. It could use a good Bulldozer.

 

[gustaftp]

I love gnarly style of the 80s restrooms there! They are my second favorite, with the first being the ones to the side of Imagination!

 

[laynalee07]

I remember those burgers as well... they were "solar burgers" ... my dad still calls them that to this day... i dont eat many burgers there anymore, so does anyone know if that is still what they are called?

 

[RAXIP]

Taken today: