Originally Posted By jonvn They opened a couple of those in SF last year. They were really crowded for a day or two.
Originally Posted By mawnck Who said we don't like it? I like it. I'll probably get my meals there when I'm at DL once they open the rest of it.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<I doesn't matter that these eateries are available at other OC malls. The fact is that these options are currently not available in the resort area. And if you are coming from out of the area, its quite possible that these options are not available where you come from. We don't have RFC anywhere near where we are (the Denver one closed). Its not a place I'ld go to regularly. The food is average. But its kind of fun and fits into the DLR experience (I just hate the lines).>> Thank you, that's my point and others about all of this. I mean its bringing something that ISN'T in the area. If there were a dozen PF Changs around the area, I understand it, but for the average guest, it will be a welcome addition I imagine. I don't understand alll the complaining?? Ten years ago, there was nothing to eat around these area's except a McDonalds, Dennys, CoCo's and IHOP!! Now, there are REAL restaurants in the area, although a little pricey and real options. I think the average guest will really like the fact there is now another zone of places to eat, period. The expansion of the resort already opened it up with DCA, GRR and obviously DTD. Now there will be even more options for people, especially all the people staying in those hotels on Harbor. A 10 minute walk, now they got DTD and AGW to chose from. Again, all good points in my book .
Originally Posted By xrayvision ^ Agreed WorldDisney. And, even though I'm also from San Fran, with easy access to great architecture and cuisine, I look forward to AGW's dining and entertainment offerings when visiting Anaheim.
Originally Posted By jonvn Yes, world disney, it's nice. Just nothing I would be personally interested in walking to.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "Hans, when did a half mile become a hike? It's not that far, that's like a walk from Coco's or Mimi's to the park. That's nothing." It wouldn't be if there was something more compelling for me to walk over there for.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "I don't understand alll the complaining??" Who is complaining? Some people are simply saying that there's nothing in the new mall that interests them.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney <<Who is complaining? Some people are simply saying that there's nothing in the new mall that interests them. >> And HENCE, the complaining . I just don't understand what people want or expect I guess, but it seems suitable that what this place would have. In fact, based on what's coming, AGW would be more suitable for me than DTD in more ways. As a local, there is really nothing in DTD once you get past the movie theater and restaurants. The shops are just not practical and there is nothing recreational there. I like the fact there is bowling at AGW. Stuff like that brings people out more. Don't get me wrong, I know DTD is veeery popular, but it just doesn't do all that much for me on a personally. But I DO like it . Next time I'm in the states, now I have an option to check out the other place when DTD gets boring.
Originally Posted By dlkozy >>>"I bet it gets a Chick-Fil-A, an In-N-Out, a Daphne's, a Quiznos, and a Juice It Up too. ;-)"<<< Nope-not an In-n-Out-they only open stand alone buildings. :0(
Originally Posted By jonvn "I just don't understand what people want " I said I'd want a Tommys and an Orange Julius. That's pretty specific as to what people want. Otherwise, I don't generally need another mall. "AGW would be more suitable for me than DTD " Then it's perfect for you. Why do other people have to have the same taste and ideas as you do? "shops are just not practical " That's because it's not really a local mall, and more of a shopping area attached to a resort. So, there is nothing wrong with it, but if I am there, I don't need to go to PF Changs. I can do that at home, and really, I haven't bothered to do that here, either.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney "I just don't understand what people want " <<I said I'd want a Tommys and an Orange Julius. That's pretty specific as to what people want.>> Oh yeah, I would loooove a Tommy's there . I eat at the one in City Walk sometimes! I still like the O.G. one in downtown L.A., but its a little scary sometimes . Ironically, I never tried Orange Julius in my entire life though. Have to take your word on that one. Otherwise, I don't generally need another mall. "AGW would be more suitable for me than DTD " <<Then it's perfect for you. Why do other people have to have the same taste and ideas as you do?>> Woooaaah there buddy, I didn't say anyone had to the have the same taste as me and I'm even telling you to 'get over it' either. Its a REAL question, I just don't know what people want in these kind of places since this is the kind of stuff I expect in them, JUST like I expect a Disney park to have 3D films, dark rides, parades, fireworks and etc. So, that was just the point I was making that's all. "shops are just not practical " <<That's because it's not really a local mall, and more of a shopping area attached to a resort.>> I know that....still sucks though as a local . <<So, there is nothing wrong with it, but if I am there, I don't need to go to PF Changs. I can do that at home, and really, I haven't bothered to do that here, either.>> Cool!
Originally Posted By CoasterKrayzie When i go to the park I want to eat at places that arent available near me and don't get to enjoy very often, basiclly what they have in DTD ESPN Zone and Rainforst are my favorite there. I see a lot of people complaining that Rainforst is a typical mall restaurant, what malls are you going to?? I have been to tons of malls around Los Angeles and only other Rainforest Cafe i have seen was in Ontario Mills. PF Changs, and Cheesecake factory will be nice additions, I know there are several around Los Angeles but they arent as comin as Chilis or Appelbees or those kind of places, which i enjoy, but not when im at Disneyland
Originally Posted By jonvn "Ironically, I never tried Orange Julius in my entire life though. Have to take your word on that one." You may find it disgusting. Many do. I like them. "I just don't know what people want in these kind of places" I have no idea what other people want, but it seems that what I am reading here is that many people have a mall located close to them or the same stores, and there is nothing inherently special about yet one more. I don't know if the place will do well or not. It probably will. A lot of people come to stay at the resort, and would like to eat at something other than Catal, perhaps. Also, for people who go OFTEN, like every week, more food options are always going to be better. When I go to the place, the last thing I want to do is take a large chunk of my day just to walk across the street to a mall just to eat at a Johnny Rockets, which I can do at home.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "And HENCE, the complaining ." That isn't complaining. That is expressing one's opinion. "Don't get me wrong, I know DTD is veeery popular, but it just doesn't do all that much for me on a personally." I most likely wouldn't walk a half mile to DtD. The big appeal about the place for me isn't what is there, but its proximity to the parks and hotels.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "I see a lot of people complaining that Rainforst is a typical mall restaurant, what malls are you going to??" I think what those people are complaining about is that Rainforest is a national chain. If you are visiting Southern California for the first time, wouldn't you be curious about the local cuisine (if it were available) rather than the same themed establishments you can find in Orlando, Honolulu, or Vegas? Okay, maybe not you, but some of us are. There are all kinds of innovate ways that the developers could have made AGW appealing to tourists and locals without relying so heavily on cookie-cutter chain restaurants and retail stores. Commercial projects like the Ferry Building in San Francisco come to mind. It is a striking example of how a developer succeeded in establishing a venue for local vendors to thrive. On weekends, the place is literally elbow-to-elbow, and people travel from all over the Bay Area to visit the outdoor Farmer's Market. The new Westfield mall in downtown San Francisco has a food court that also features several local eateries including a casual Vietnamese restaurant by renowned local chef Charles Phan. There are many different ways that the developers of AGW could have given tourists and locals a unique Southern California experience. Maybe something else is coming that I do not know about, but it looks to me like they are building another nice over the top outdoor California shopping mall.
Originally Posted By jonvn "The new Westfield mall in downtown San Francisco has a food court that also features several local eateries including a casual Vietnamese restaurant by renowned local chef Charles Phan." That mall is spectacular! I sometimes go up there from the hinterlands of the bay area. Were you ever there when it was the Emporium? Next time you go, try a cream puff at Papa Beard's. They are great. Get the regular vanilla kind. And of course, the Ferry Building Marketplace is now an absolutel jewel for the city. If you go to the caviar bar there, you can get a sampler of American caviar for like $20. If you've never had it, it's a good way to introduce yourself to it. It's good stuff, but is an aquired taste.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>If you are visiting Southern California for the first time, wouldn't you be curious about the local cuisine (if it were available) rather than the same themed establishments you can find in Orlando, Honolulu, or Vegas?<< EXACTLY. We have, here in Orange County, ethnic restaurants of all descriptions that blow away anything they have at Epcot, or at a national chain. But there aren't any within walking distance of Disneyland, and it doesn't sound like AGW is going to change that one bit. Burgers. Goody. Chicken and pasta. Yippee. Semi-Asian styro-food. Be still my beating heart. I guess if it's good enough for the Irvine Spectrum . . . . I have nothing against having more choices, and I will be visiting some of the restaurants in the future. But they could be a lot more special than they are going to be. A Super Antojitos . . . that's the kind of thing the place needs for the tourists. Mmmmmmm, mmmmm! >>Nope-not an In-n-Out-they only open stand alone buildings<< I've made my prediction and I'm standing by it.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 It seems to me the primary market for AGW is all those people staying on Harbor, for whom AGW is closer to where they're staying than DTD is. If I were staying on Harbor, especially during the off season when the park closes around dinnertime, I might very well go to AGW for dinner. Especially if I were from some place where PF Changs weren't common, which describes a lot of people (if not me). So I think the place will do well, even if there's nothing there that would be a special draw for me either. Although as an ex-pat SoCal'er, if they DID have an In-N-Out there, that actually WOULD get me to make the trek, even if I wasn't staying on Harbor. Yummmmmmm.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer OK, we have the M&S Grill, which is part of the McCormick and Schmidt's Group, but will be the first of this new concept anywhere. Roy's Restaurants (a Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine) is not by any means a large chain, this will be the 8th in California, and there are less than 30 in the Continental US. Then when the entire "mall" area opens in May, there will be a lot more choices, some you will find elsewhere, and some other new places, such as the FIRST Brian Wilson run restaurant.
