“No More New Business” Disney World Restaurant Partner Workers Vote to Reject Expansion Plan Restaurants

As Disney World continues to move forward with new changes and expansion projects across its theme parks, a new labor dispute is raising the question about who should operate the future dining locations that will be a part of these expansions.

A group of workers has publicly called on Disney to avoid any future restaurant contracts with a notable restaurant group that has multiple restaurants in the theme parks and Disney Springs. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including the permanent closure of an opening day area at Universal Orlando and unexpected ride changes at Disneyland.

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Patina Workers Ask Disney for No New Business Deals

Patina Group is a restaurant and hospitality company that operates dining locations, bars, and food service venues across major entertainment destinations. Among those destinations are Walt Disney World and Disneyland, with the company operating several well-known dining locations at the resorts.

At the Disney Parks, the company essentially acts as a third-party partner with Disney owning or leasing the spaces while the Patina Group manages the restaurants, staffing, and daily operations. Patina Group identifies itself as the Walt Disney Company’s largest operating partner.

There are numerous Patina Group restaurants at Disney World at both EPCOT and Disney Springs. At EPCOT, Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria, Tutto Italia Ristorante, Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, and Space 220 Restaurant are all operated by Patina Group. At Disney Springs, The Edison, Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, Enzo’s Hideaway, Pizza Ponte, and Morimoto Asia are also run by the restaurant group. 

Disneyland’s Patina-operated restaurants are focused in Downtown Disney, which include Naples Ristorante e Bar and Napolini Pizzeria, Paseo, and Céntrico. Between both theme parks, the Patina Group operates 12 restaurants. 

Employees at Patina Group restaurants at Disney World have been advocating for workplace improvements over the past several months. They claim that wages, retirement benefits, and overall job conditions at their locations are lower compared to those offered in some directly Disney-operated roles. Now, they have taken a step forward to bring additional attention to their goals.

This news follows the closure of restaurants operated by Disney in the last year, including Mama Melrose and PizzeRizzo, as both Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios prepare for expansion projects.

Patina workers came to a unanimous vote to call on Disney World to not give any future business to Patina Group.

“We call on Disney: no more new business for Patina Group,” said Jennifer Quiñónez, a Patina worker. “If these restaurants in Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom are reopening, Disney shouldn’t give the business to Patina.”

Workers at the Patina restaurants at the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT have made their wages and retirement benefits public, pointing out that they are lower in comparison to what Disney provides their employees.

According to Quiñónez, “We serve the same guests as Disney employees. People come to our restaurants because they are at Epcot for a day at Disney. On one side of us is the Germany pavilion, and on the other side is the American Adventure pavilion. But Patina doesn’t run those pavilions — Disney does.”

She added that employees performing similar roles at nearby Disney-operated restaurants may earn more than $2 per hour above Patina workers in comparable positions.

Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom Expansion Projects

Walt Disney World is in the process of numerous expansion projects at its theme parks, most notably in Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom.

DinoLand U.S.A. is now permanently closed to make way for the new Tropical Americas-inspired land at Animal Kingdom. Pueblo Esperanza will feature a village-style area, including a new Encanto-themed attraction and a new Indiana Jones reimagining of the previous DINOSAUR ride system. There will be new dining, entertainment, and immersive environments all inspired by rainforest and temple settings. This expansion is guaranteed to include new dining locations, which is why it was one of the examples explicitly called out by Patina workers.

At Hollywood Studios, Mama Melrose and PizzeRizzo were the two restaurants mentioned by Patina workers that are now closed permanently. Since these locations were both Italian-inspired, an area the Patina Group specializes in, it’s not surprising that the workers pointed to the potential replacement of these locations as examples. PizzeRizzo was part of the Muppets Courtyard, which is now permanently closed to make space for the new Monsters, Inc. inspired land.

This new land is another one of Disney World’s expansion projects featuring a suspended door coaster along with new dining options within an immersive Monstropolis environment. There have been numerous rumors that suggest the new dining in this land may become Harry Hausen’s, the sushi restaurant from the Monsters, Inc. film. Patina Group operates Morimoto Asia, a pan-Asian style restaurant in Disney Springs, which offers a sushi bar, so they could be a contender to operate a similar restaurant in the new land.

Magic Kingdom may also see new restaurants incorporated into the new Villains Land and Cars-themed expansion called Piston Peak. While details surrounding dining haven’t been revealed, the Villains Land expansion in particular is one of the largest Magic Kingdom expansions ever announced. You can read more here about all the new rides and expansion projects at Disney World.

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It would not be unusual for Patina Group to be considered for future dining concepts for these expansions, considering its existing partnership with Disney. It’s not unexpected, then, that Patina workers are advocating to Disney to halt new business operations with Patina Group, since these expansions could lead directly to more partnerships.