Why the name change?

[BEACKON]

Can anybody tell me how the once 'Empress Lilly' riverboat restaurant situated at Downtownd Disney changed names to 'Fulton's crabhouse' restaurant, as I believed it was named after Walt Disney's wife?:shrug:

 

[Eeyore]

Can anybody tell me how the once 'Empress Lilly' riverboat restaurant situated at Downtownd Disney changed names to 'Fulton's crabhouse' restaurant, as I believed it was named after Walt Disney's wife?:shrug:

The operation of the Empress Lilly changed hands from Disney to Fulton's. I believe the "boat" still has a wooden plaque on the back that says Empress Lilly.

 

[brkgnews]

The operation of the Empress Lilly changed hands from Disney to Fulton's. I believe the "boat" still has a wooden plaque on the back that says Empress Lilly.

Indeed. For all intents and purposes, the boat itself is still known as the Empress Lilly. It was built by Imagineers back in 1977 as part of the old Lake Buena Village / Disney Village Marketplace. Back then, it housed three restaurants (or at least three dining rooms), each with their own names, themed to different parts of the ship. Disney ceased its operation of the facility in 1995 and turned it over to the outside firm... Instead of three dining rooms under the "masthead" of Empress Lilly, it's now just one big ol' restaurant named Fulton’s Crab House.

 

[DMC-12]

Indeed. For all intents and purposes, the boat itself is still known as the Empress Lilly. It was built by Imagineers back in 1977 as part of the old Lake Buena Village / Disney Village Marketplace. Back then, it housed three restaurants (or at least three dining rooms), each with their own names, themed to different parts of the ship. Disney ceased its operation of the facility in 1995 and turned it over to the outside firm... Instead of three dining rooms under the "masthead" of Empress Lilly, it's now just one big ol' restaurant named Fulton’s Crab House.

Wow.... I never knew that! Thanks! :king:

 

[brkgnews]

Glad to provide knowledge. By the way, one of those three rooms (The Empress Room) was considered the most elegant restaurant on property up until the time that Victoria and Albert's opended at the Grand Flo.

[/now knows more than he ever wanted to about Downtown Disney. :lol:]

 

[daliseurat]

My DW and I LOVED the EMPRESS ROOM. It was our splurge. I really hate that Disney decided to turn it over to someone else. No disrespect to FULTONS, but I really prefer a DISNEY EXCLUSIVE experience.

 

[brkgnews]

My DW and I LOVED the EMPRESS ROOM. It was our splurge. I really hate that Disney decided to turn it over to someone else. No disrespect to FULTONS, but I really prefer a DISNEY EXCLUSIVE experience.

Could you tell me a little more about what it was like? I'm curious.

 

[vonpluto]

The operation of the Empress Lilly changed hands from Disney to Fulton's. I believe the "boat" still has a wooden plaque on the back that says Empress Lilly.

The rear name plate(Empress Lilly, Port of Lake Buena Vista) is long gone. it was removed either when the Lilly was converted to Fulton's, or a few years later when the stacks and sternwheel were removed.

The eateries onboard the Empress Lilly (May 1, 1977 - April 22, 1995) were:
Fishermens Deck
Steermans Quarters
Empress Room
Empress Lounge
Baton Rouge Lounge (featuring Denny Zavett & Riverboat Rascals)

Character meals on board included: Breakfast ala Disney 1982? - 1994