Difference between revisions of "Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italian"
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The origin of Mama Melrose's began before the Disney-MGM Studio's even opened. In 1989, Disney was closing in on a deal with Jim Henson to acquire the Muppets. As part of the deal, Henson would become a creative consultant at Disney, and Disney would create a new Muppet Studio area at the recently debuted Disney-MGM Studios. While much attention was given to the planned Great Muppet Movie Ride, and the eventually built Muppet Vision 3D attraction, Muppet Studios was also to have a signature restaurant- The Great Gonzo's Pizza Pandemonium Parlor. This new eatery was to be operated by Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat, while the Swedish Chef ran the kitchen. Differentiating it from other Disney restaurants, The Great Gonzo's Pizza Pandemonium Parlor was also to have interactive elements, both on and off stage. For example, guests would be able to watch the Swedish Chef working in the kitchen, where food fights would spontaneously occur. Other interactive elements included the kitchen randomly exploding, Gonzo and Camilla being temporarily stuck in the air ducts overhead, and Rizzo and his friends delivering guests their meals on a small model train. Besides these show elements, the restaurant would also have showcased Muppet memorabilia, similar to other Hollywood restaurants. | + | The origin of Mama Melrose's began before the Disney-MGM Studio's even opened. In 1989, Disney was closing in on a deal with Jim Henson to acquire the Muppets <ref name= "Korkis"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/9832/The_Mama_Melrose_Story </ref>. As part of the deal, Henson would become a creative consultant at Disney, and Disney would create a new Muppet Studio area at the recently debuted Disney-MGM Studios. While much attention was given to the planned Great Muppet Movie Ride, and the eventually built Muppet Vision 3D attraction, Muppet Studios was also to have a signature restaurant- The Great Gonzo's Pizza Pandemonium Parlor <ref name= "Korkis"/>. This new eatery was to be operated by Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat, while the Swedish Chef ran the kitchen. Differentiating it from other Disney restaurants, The Great Gonzo's Pizza Pandemonium Parlor was also to have interactive elements, both on and off stage<ref name= "Korkis"/>. For example, guests would be able to watch the Swedish Chef working in the kitchen, where food fights would spontaneously occur. Other interactive elements included the kitchen randomly exploding, Gonzo and Camilla being temporarily stuck in the air ducts overhead, and Rizzo and his friends delivering guests their meals on a small model train<ref name= "Korkis"/>. Besides these show elements, the restaurant would also have showcased Muppet memorabilia, similar to other Hollywood restaurants. |
| − | With the passing of Jim Henson in 1990, plans for Disney's acquisition of the Muppets fell through. At this time, plans for the Muppet Studios land were drastically cut back, eventually resulting in a small courtyard to house Muppet Vision 3D. With the Muppet's out of the picture, Imagineers decided to give the restaurant a more traditional Hollywood theme. Initially, they planned on building an Annette Funicello restaurant, although the actress was deemed not popular enough by Disney executives. Instead, Disney decided to create a fictional character, Mama Melrose, and base the restaurant on her. | + | With the passing of Jim Henson in 1990, plans for Disney's acquisition of the Muppets fell through. At this time, plans for the Muppet Studios land were drastically cut back, eventually resulting in a small courtyard to house Muppet Vision 3D<ref name= "Korkis"/>. With the Muppet's out of the picture, Imagineers decided to give the restaurant a more traditional Hollywood theme. Initially, they planned on building an Annette Funicello restaurant, although the actress was deemed not popular enough by Disney executives<ref name= "Korkis"/>. Instead, Disney decided to create a fictional character, Mama Melrose, and base the restaurant on her. |
| − | Finally, on September 26, 1991, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano opened to guests. | + | Finally, on September 26, 1991, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano opened to guests <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/mama-melroses-ristorante-italiano.htm </ref>. |
Revision as of 20:31, 15 March 2017
History
The origin of Mama Melrose's began before the Disney-MGM Studio's even opened. In 1989, Disney was closing in on a deal with Jim Henson to acquire the Muppets [1]. As part of the deal, Henson would become a creative consultant at Disney, and Disney would create a new Muppet Studio area at the recently debuted Disney-MGM Studios. While much attention was given to the planned Great Muppet Movie Ride, and the eventually built Muppet Vision 3D attraction, Muppet Studios was also to have a signature restaurant- The Great Gonzo's Pizza Pandemonium Parlor [1]. This new eatery was to be operated by Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat, while the Swedish Chef ran the kitchen. Differentiating it from other Disney restaurants, The Great Gonzo's Pizza Pandemonium Parlor was also to have interactive elements, both on and off stage[1]. For example, guests would be able to watch the Swedish Chef working in the kitchen, where food fights would spontaneously occur. Other interactive elements included the kitchen randomly exploding, Gonzo and Camilla being temporarily stuck in the air ducts overhead, and Rizzo and his friends delivering guests their meals on a small model train[1]. Besides these show elements, the restaurant would also have showcased Muppet memorabilia, similar to other Hollywood restaurants.
With the passing of Jim Henson in 1990, plans for Disney's acquisition of the Muppets fell through. At this time, plans for the Muppet Studios land were drastically cut back, eventually resulting in a small courtyard to house Muppet Vision 3D[1]. With the Muppet's out of the picture, Imagineers decided to give the restaurant a more traditional Hollywood theme. Initially, they planned on building an Annette Funicello restaurant, although the actress was deemed not popular enough by Disney executives[1]. Instead, Disney decided to create a fictional character, Mama Melrose, and base the restaurant on her.
Finally, on September 26, 1991, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano opened to guests [2].