Chewing the Scenery

What matters more at a Disney restaurant: food or theme?

- by Bob McLain, February 5, 2011

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My new acquaintance Jennifer Teig von Hoffman, owner of the wonderfully subversive Disney blog, Broke Hoedown, wondered today about the relative merits of food and theme at Disney restaurants.

It's one of those topics I kick myself for not writing about first.

Luckily, Jennifer writes about it quite well, and uses probably half the words that I would have used to get across the same points.

My last curative hope for wordiness, finger amputation, is not covered under my healthcare, and since I'm paid up with my bookie, I can't expect him to send over anyone to do it for free.

(See what I mean?)

Jennifer is 'of two minds' about what matters more, food or theme. As an example, she cites Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The food isn't that great; the theme is spectacular.

When Jennifer brings park virgins to Sci-Fi, they rave about ... the theme! As for the food, uh, what food?

But theme gets old.

Like Jennifer, I've been to Sci-Fi many, many times. I've memorized the bad movie trailers. I'm so used to the theme that often I don't notice the theme. Which leaves the food. When I'm in the mood for a plain burger and fries, this is where I like to have it. Comfort food, comfort theme. Both relatively invisible - like the invaders in one of the trailers.

Occasionally, Disney gets it right with a great theme and great food under one roof. Jennifer mentions a few, I can think of others: Akershus, for sure, and Coral Reef, too.

The issue, though, is intriguing. Why do people choose the Disney restaurants they choose? Are they really going there for the food? In the case of Sci-Fi, the answer is clearly no: I've never heard anyone say 'you must eat at Sci-Fi, the food is great!'.

But I often hear: 'you must eat at Sci-Fi, you'll love how that place looks'.

Don't stop there! More Tidings Await...