Orlando Restaurant Industry Sees Much-Needed Uptick in Staffing
With the tourism industry booming in Central Florida, local restaurants are finally beginning to see a staffing surge too. This brings such a welcome circumstance as restaurant owners attempt to keep up with the influx of visitors returning to the area, and Walt Disney World is no exception.
Just this week, Walt Disney World detailed a few exciting reopenings, including the upscale Monsier Paul at EPCOT and Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Packing the most excitement, Disney also gave an opening date for Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, a beloved character dining location in the Norway pavillion at EPCOT.
The positive employment trend transcends into the entire Central Florida region too. Local NBC affiliate WESH2 reported late last night that restaurant owners attribute the increase in staffing to the state’s historically low rate of unemployment as well as people finding the urge to socialize again.
“Finding people that are genuinely wanting to do the job or have a real passion for the industry that’s starting to happen. I’m really starting to feel that again for us,” Kirt Earhart, co-owner of Maxine’s on Shine, said in the interview with WESH2.
With only a couple of Disney restaurant re-openings still yet be announced, we hope that this general trend continues. This week’s surprise announcement regarding the return of face-to-face princess dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall shocked thousands awaiting the return of those special moments.
Now, we continue to wait for just a few remaining returns, including the beloved 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Prior to COVID, the restaurant hosted not one but two different themed character dining experiences. The breakfast featured Alice in Wonderland in the morning and Cinderella and her family in the evening.
Hopefully, with this uptick in staffing, Disney restaurants may be able to accomodate even more guests. Does this mean that the Disney Dining Plan return might be on the horizon? We assuredly can’t wait to find out.