The Downtown Disney Thread

[TP2000]

I did go to the one in Galveston-not to eat, but to experience the only Rainforest Cafe ride: imagine a slow-moving GRR where you didn't get wet and went through a RC-quality jungle and that's about what it is.

That's fascinating! I had no idea there was one with a ride. How odd. And how dumb to spend the money for it to turn out like that.

Yeah, that was Ted Nivison and Eddy Burback, and their videos are fantastic to watch back-to-back.

Both of their faces on their title cards look exactly like real life when you were told as an adult "We are going to dinner at Rainforest Cafe".

 

[TP2000]

So Micechat is reporting that Porto’s might not be moving into DTD after all. Apparently they’ve been hearing rumors from Earl and Porto’s employees.

Financing for that sort of thing by a modest mid-sized business can be very tricky, especially now with higher interest rates and banks scared about the crashing commercial real estate market.

Unless you can self finance, and Porto's likely can't, the high rent rates that Disney charges for Downtown Disney can be prohibitive to getting financing in the current economic environment. It would've penciled out in 2015, but not now.

I wonder if Disney would consider reducing rents to help attract a well-aimed selection of dining options? Disney might need to lower their profit estimates for Downtown Disney rental rates for at least the next 5 years until the commercial real estate market can stabilize itself.

 

[mickEblu]

Financing for that sort of thing by a modest mid-sized business can be very tricky, especially now with higher interest rates and banks scared about the crashing commercial real estate market.

Unless you can self finance, and Porto's likely can't, the high rent rates that Disney charges for Downtown Disney can be prohibitive to getting financing in the current economic environment. It would've penciled out in 2015, but not now.

I wonder if Disney would consider reducing rents to help attract a well-aimed selection of dining options? Disney might need to lower their profit estimates for Downtown Disney rental rates for at least the next 5 years until the commercial real estate market can stabilize itself.

Makes sense. A half a dozen donuts cost me $10 the other day at a hole in the wall. Donuts aren’t even cheap anymore. The ice cream truck at our local park charged me $5 for my sons popsicle. He’s also smart and doesn’t put the prices on the outside so he can change prices depending on the area he’s in.

 

[jmuboy]

Honestly, I was never quite certain how a Porto was going to fit in the old bakery building building. I know they were going to tear it down and rebuild it. I always thought a larger building in this footprint would totally look out of place. The small ones almost ranch style house building that has been there since 2001 with a very park like patio on the left-hand side just helps transition from downtown Disney into the Esplanade nicely. I was actually sad to lose that aesthetic. If Earl sandwich ends up, returning to a permanent operation in the old La Brea building, I would be perfectly happy.

 

[Nirya]

Portos buildings are usually pretty big, not sure why they aren't targeting the old ESPNZone building for Portos, especially if you could also work out a deal to then put some of the pastries into the park as well.

 

[Stevek]

So any new news on Porto's? The Earl of Sandwich trailer appears ready to go.

 

[Stevek]

Portos buildings are usually pretty big, not sure why they aren't targeting the old ESPNZone building for Portos, especially if you could also work out a deal to then put some of the pastries into the park as well.

I'm surprised nobody moved in there but it is a pretty massive building that I believe they have been using for other purposes. I would not be surprised if it gets bulldozed at some point, same with the Rainforest Cafe building.

 

[Jiggsawpuzzle35]

I just experienced Gideons Bakehouse for the first time last week and we desperately need that here at Downtown Disney. I didn’t believe the hype at first but it’s the best cookie I’ve ever had.

 

[Stevek]

I just experienced Gideons Bakehouse for the first time last week and we desperately need that here at Downtown Disney. I didn’t believe the hype at first but it’s the best cookie I’ve ever had.

Yeah, the wait was far too long for us to get a cookie but I heard great things about it. Would be welcome here. I figured we'd get a Chicken Guy here but I think Disney is focused on more sit down locations vs fast food-like locations.

BTW, Chicken Guy was completely overrated. Daughter wanted it, nothing remotely special.

 

[Jiggsawpuzzle35]

Yeah, the wait was far too long for us to get a cookie but I heard great things about it. Would be welcome here. I figured we'd get a Chicken Guy here but I think Disney is focused on more sit down locations vs fast food-like locations.

BTW, Chicken Guy was completely overrated. Daughter wanted it, nothing remotely special.

I attempted to get in line at first and it was 50 to 60 minutes long so I said forget it and was going to stop at the other location before my flight later that night. Luckily there was a thunderstorm after lunch so I bee lined over to there when it stopped and it was 20 minutes. I didn’t eat the cookie until the following day but it was still the best cookie I have ever had.

We went to Planet Hollywood for lunch and the salad I got was really good. Apparently Guy Fieri also created burgers and chicken sandwiches for them but I didn’t want to eat anything heavy. I think I’m kind of over this chicken fad. Hope he doesn’t open a shop here at Downtown Disney.

 

[Stevek]

We went to Planet Hollywood for lunch and the salad I got was really good. Apparently Guy Fieri also created burgers and chicken sandwiches for them but I didn’t want to eat anything heavy. I think I’m kind of over this chicken fad. Hope he doesn’t open a shop here at Downtown Disney.

Speaking of Planet Hollywood, I will say that the Cap'n Crunch Chicken with their honey mustard dipping sauce is the best chicken fingers I've ever had.

 

[Jiggsawpuzzle35]

Speaking of Planet Hollywood, I will say that the Cap'n Crunch Chicken with their honey mustard dipping sauce is the best chicken fingers I've ever had.

My son got their chicken tenders for his meal but I’m not sure if that’s the same thing as their appetizer. It seemed fine. The other people in our party got ribs and it was served on a mini picnic table which through everyone off. Honestly I had wanted to eat at Chef Art Smith at the beginning of our trip but I couldn’t get a clear answer from the other people in my traveling group so I lost out on that reservation.

You know, I don’t know why Disney World fans always bag on their parks and food on social media. I find it better than what we have here. Cosmic Rewind and Tron Lightcycle are now my two favorite rides and Flametree continues to be my favorite order at the counter place along with a newbie with Connections Eatery.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

I'm mad for Gideon's cookies but the owner has repeatedly said - including just this week - that he is a proud small business owner and has refused all offers to franchise or open other locations outside of Florida.

Not. Gonna. Happen.

As much as I wish it would.

 

[Jiggsawpuzzle35]

I'm mad for Gideon's cookies but the owner has repeatedly said - including just this week - that he is a proud small business owner and has refused all offers to franchise or open other locations outside of Florida.

Not. Gonna. Happen.

As much as I wish it would.

That sucks to hear. Well one can always hope. They said In N Out would never expand and yet they are now in Texas and Tennessee in the future. Luckily for me I have a friend who sometimes flies out to Orlando to do make up at Disney events and so I’ll have her grab me some cookies next time.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

That sucks to hear. Well one can always hope. They said In N Out would never expand and yet they are now in Texas and Tennessee in the future. Luckily for me I have a friend who sometimes flies out to Orlando to do make up at Disney events and so I’ll have her grab me some cookies next time.

From his social media post two days ago:

So yeah, I rely on friends' visits to WDW to get their cookies, too. And that's just the way it is.

 

[Jiggsawpuzzle35]

From his social media post two days ago:
View attachment 787223

So yeah, I rely on friends' visits to WDW to get their cookies, too. And that's just the way it is.

I’m sure he also doesn’t want to deal with California labor laws lol. I just had some toll house cookies 30 minutes and just felt sad they weren’t Gideons.

 

[CaptinEO]

What Downtown Disney needs are some normal restaurants. I don't care at all for Applebee's, but an Applebee's at Downtown Disney would actually get people to go there. Having a bunch of high end, overpriced restaurants that nobody has ever heard of isn't going to cut it. CityWalk understands this. Why doesn't Downtown Disney have a Claim Jumper for instance? It would be a perfect match with the Grand Californian right there.

You're not wrong. People with little kids want a place like this, not an upscale restaraunt.

My vote would be to make a Red Robin. But Disney is too "cool" and "hip" and needs "upscale" restaraunts.

Sometimes families just need a decent priced burger and fries place to relax. No celebrity chefs or IPAs. At the end of the day it's a themepark.

 

[waltography]

Had a quick bite at Tiendita today and while it's a little pricey (on par for DTD though), the chicken tacos I had were really good. Only downside is there's no seating at Tiendita so you kind of have to shuffle around until you find a free planter to sit on.

Now that Tiendita, Centrico, and Paseo are all open, Downtown Disney feels like it can breathe again. I like that Downtown Disney's getting clearer westside/eastside areas with the Centrico/Art Deco area serving as a transitional area from the Mid-Century Modern to the Arts & Crafts. Din Tai Fung is looking pretty much done on the outside so I imagine it won't be long before that opens.

 

[Jiggsawpuzzle35]

Had a quick bite at Tiendita today and while it's a little pricey (on par for DTD though), the chicken tacos I had were really good. Only downside is there's no seating at Tiendita so you kind of have to shuffle around until you find a free planter to sit on.

Now that Tiendita, Centrico, and Paseo are all open, Downtown Disney feels like it can breathe again. I like that Downtown Disney's getting clearer westside/eastside areas with the Centrico/Art Deco area serving as a transitional area from the Mid-Century Modern to the Arts & Crafts. Din Tai Fung is looking pretty much done on the outside so I imagine it won't be long before that opens.

The food looks real good but I have trouble paying that much for Mexican food such as burritos and tacos when I can drive 15 minutes down the road and go to Tacos Los Cholos.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Speaking of food down the road - if I were to have dinner or grab food somewhere on my first night / arrival day / not park day… any recommendations at Downtown Disney or walking distance off-property?