Downtown Disney Diners Deserve a Break From McDonald’s?

McDonald’s Corp. and Walt Disney Co., a match made in heaven.  Well, at least that was the case until 2004 when an exclusive sponsorship between the two ended.  Now, Ronald McDonald is packing his things and leaving Downtown Disney Marketplace.

As of April 30, diners will have to head elsewhere for their Big Mac Attacks as the McDonald’s at Downtown Disney (map) will be closing.  The closure makes way for the new  restaurant, Pollo Campero, part of a Latin chicken quick serve chain.

The restaurant, scheduled to open fall of 2010, is said to serve fresh healthful foods featuring Latin cuisine, chicken, salads, sandwiches and fruit. Known for their flavorful, marinated chicken the chain is very popular with more than 300 restaurants open around the world, 50 in the United States alone.

An extra bonus to those on a restricted diet, the restaurant will serve vegetarian, gluten-free, sugar-free, low-sodium and organic options as well.  This was a point that got me very excited,  so I looked at the nutritional chart and thankfully I did.

MSG appears to be an ingredient in a great deal of their dishes.  As one who has extremely unpleasant reactions to MSG, this could have ruined an entire day at the Downtown Marketplace.  Yet, now I know, stick to the grilled chicken!

While I always like to try something new, I am a little sad at the departure of the convenient old standby, McDonald’s.  As a parent, you always knew what was available on the menu, knew it was quick and something the kids would eat.

So, if you just can’t make a trip to Walt Disney World without that quarter pounder, have no fear, the McDonald’s near the entrance to Animal Kingdom theme park (map) will remain open.

Photo Selection: flickr

Related places:

1. A
   Walt Disney World Resort: Downtown Disney Marketplace

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2. B
   Walt Disney World Resort

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