[gatour]

On the Wave thread, Soundgod got me thinking about the restaurants that used to be at Downtown Disney. Originally Downtown Disney only consisted of what is now known as the Marketplace. It ended at what is know Fulton's

Originally the "boat" was the Lillie Bell (named after Walt's wife). I believe it was almost 3 restaurants. One was a steakhouse, I am not sure about the second, and I think the third was more of a banquet room.

The Rainforest Cafe was an American style restaurant, with no themeing. It had windows overlooking the lake. If you look at the Rainforest from across the lake you can get idea of the original look. The inside was tiered (kind of like how the Coral Reef is) so almost every table had a good view. I ate there several times and found the food good. I also believed that it had one of the first character meals on property.

Attached to this restaurant was a small jazz club. They had an house piano player (it may have been a group, but I don't think so). If you have ever been to the Scat Cat's Lounge at the Port Orleans French Quarter, you would have good idea about how this jazz club was like.

Feel free to add or correct any of the above. I am strickly working from memory.

[dixie]

These may not be quite as long ago as the above but we used to go to Goofy's grill which is more or less where Ghiradellis is now, Donald's dairy something can't quite remember but it was going up towards where Lego is now, and Minnie's pizzaria which is where Wolfgangs is now.

[llama]

I remember that the Rainforst Cafe use to be Chef Mickey's. That was the first character meal we ever had. It wasn't a buffet, it was a sit-down meal and Mickey, dressed as a Chef, would circle the tables. The kids got "keepsake" red plastic mugs with the Chef Mickey logo. We still have them!

[Monique]

Originally Posted by dixie

These may not be quite as long ago as the above but we used to go to Goofy's grill which is more or less where Ghiradellis is now, Donald's dairy something can't quite remember but it was going up towards where Lego is now, and Minnie's pizzaria which is where Wolfgangs is now.

I remember Goofy's Grill!! I don't recall the Donald or Minnie locations but I wish all of these places still existed; in my opinion they keep along with the Disney theme better.

[WishUponAStar]

All I remember is that Chef Mickey's used to be where the Wolfgang Puck Express is now, I was little so I could be wrong about the locaiton but I could have sworn that outdoor terrace area with the fountain was used like it is now at Wolfgang. Otherwise, I don't really remember too much.

[gatour]

Originally Posted by llama

I remember that the Rainforst Cafe use to be Chef Mickey's. That was the first character meal we ever had. It wasn't a buffet, it was a sit-down meal and Mickey, dressed as a Chef, would circle the tables. The kids got "keepsake" red plastic mugs with the Chef Mickey logo. We still have them!

I thought that it may have been called Chef's Mickey's during its character meal phase, but wasn't sure. Thanks for confirming.

[LESLIE]

i remember it being called the marketplace and ending at Fulton's... i also remember pleasure island being built as well as "the west side"... i think this means i've been going to disney for way too long!!

[Mickeymark]

The restaurant in the boat that now houses Fulton's was called the "Empress Lilly". There was a steakhouse and a seafood feature place. The steakhouse was on the middle floor and the other on the top floor.

Donald's Dairy ice cream shop was where McDonald's now sits.

[Berlioz's Mom]

This is far down memory lane but my parents took me to WDW 5 times when I was a child from when I was 5 to about 11 years old. When I was a child Downtown Disney was a small shopping center and there was only a few buildings. I know the crystal Arribas store was there because my parents let me pick a new crystal mug each year that we went and had my name engraved on it. One year they made arrangements for my cousin and I to go on a children's boating excursion with Disney on the lake while they shopped. Disney took us on a treasure hunt on the lake with a treasure map. We stopped at a beach and eventually found where X marks the spot and dug up a cooler. Inside the cooler was our treasure. The treasure was graham crackers, marshmellows and chocolate to make smores. They made a fire on the beach and we all made smores. It was a really cool adventure. I asked my mother what year this happened and she really couldn't remember. She thinks It was probably 1980 to 1982. Has anyone had this experience?

[jmj2wdw]

I have a vague recollection of "DTD" as a kid (1976?) and SO different that it is now.

I also remember when Chef Mickey's was there (late 80's, early 90's?), although not exactly where, and that he came around to the tables (I also remember thinking it was 'weird' at the time - what did I know then?! ).

And, when DH and I were on our honeymoon (June 1994), we ate at the "Fireworks Factory" and the (men's?) bathroom had a mirror looking out into the restaurant I think! That was at PI, and I forget what it became after than. Oh, and the little train booths at the entrance to PI at night where you paid (or showed your ticket).