Existing Marco Polo's Marketplace

[Nicole]

It was not actually at Marco Polo's, but it was revolting. They served it out of that food stand near Tempesto. It was mostly cold grease and garbage.

Thinking about it has put me off my dinner.. for the next several days.

 

[The Quist]

@Nicole I love your descriptions of food. You certainly don't hold back.

 

[Zachary]

The Tempesto Panini will live in infamy forever. It was so horrible that the park pulled it after a single weekend if I remember correctly. Legitimately inedible.

 

[Nicole]

There are few things at BGW that I have refused to digest (and I have to eat everything at the F&WF every year). But I literally spit out the Tempesto Panni and at least one of the pizzas from La Cucina.

I can't find any official snark on the panini, but here are our thoughts on La Cucina:

Existing - La Cucina

Gotta admit, the bees are a big turn-off back there. We consider it essentially a non-option at meal times due to nature's miniature attack helicopters constantly menacing the trash cans. Food options weren't great either, but it sounds like they might have improved substantially. I wonder...

parkfans.net

 

[The Quist]

This fan would disagree...

Tempesto Media Day Report - Coaster101

It’s not often that I visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg twice in a 12-day period, but when the opportunity to cover Tempesto’s media day arose, I jumped...

www.coaster101.com

"After my 5th ride, (front row again) it was time for a quick snack. The Busch Gardens culinary team had prepared samples of their new “Tempesto Panini.” It was grilled mozzarella cheese and sun-dried tomato pesto on garlic bread. It was definitely something I’d consider eating again on my next trip to Busch Gardens Williamsburg."

 

[Nicole]

I tend not to trust reporting from media days. I kinda doubt that whatever he was served ever appeared in the park again.

 

[SLC Headache]

I read the rest of the link and he said the Comfort Collars were comfortable. Clearly this guy's opinion is suspect at best.

 

[ludmarco]

This fan would disagree...

Tempesto Media Day Report - Coaster101

It’s not often that I visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg twice in a 12-day period, but when the opportunity to cover Tempesto’s media day arose, I jumped...

www.coaster101.com

"After my 5th ride, (front row again) it was time for a quick snack. The Busch Gardens culinary team had prepared samples of their new “Tempesto Panini.” It was grilled mozzarella cheese and sun-dried tomato pesto on garlic bread. It was definitely something I’d consider eating again on my next trip to Busch Gardens Williamsburg."

His description sounds delicious. Either he was served something different, like @Nicole said, or he’s exceptionally talented at food writing. But I guess I can’t actually judge the sandwich since I never tried it...

 

[Zachary]

The real reason for the wild disparity of opinions is likely that the media was given professionally prepared Tempesto Panini samples by culinary. The ideal ingredients, the perfect preparation, presentation that was something other than sickening, etc.

The version sold to guests though—that's what I can speak to. It was a true abomination.

 

[apollo18]

Does anyone know why Marco Polo isn't open throughout the week despite higher than usual crowds? Customer service has no answer.

 

[Zachary]

Staffing is still a massive pain point and the park is also doing a lot of experimentation with cost cutting.

 

[apollo18]

Staffing is still a massive pain point and the park is also doing a lot of experimentation with cost cutting.

I could understand a staffing problem but why would the park lose the opportunity to make more sales in food? There is a massive captive audience ready to spend $7 on a single slice of pizza.

 

[Zachary]

Because the people who would have bought food at Marco Polo will almost certainly still buy food in the park from another establishment instead. They may have to wait in line longer, the food may not be what they're looking for, but the vast majority will still buy food. Hence, the park will still make a similar profit—now just with much lower operating expenses.

In a world in which guest experience isn't part of the calculus at all, this makes total financial sense unfortunately.

 

[Nibbins]

The lack of food options is starting to get really annoying.

Marco Polo's has a good variety of food that is missing now on most days and the restaurants that are open all have a significantly reduced menu compared to 2019.

 

[apollo18]

The lack of food options is starting to get really annoying.

Marco Polo's has a good variety of food that is missing now on most days and the restaurants that are open all have a significantly reduced menu compared to 2019.

Starting to think the unlimited meal plan I bought for us for our next 3 day visit was a bad idea.

 

[horsesboy]

Starting to think the unlimited meal plan I bought for us for our next 3 day visit was a bad idea.

Marco Polo and other options have been open Fri-Sun lately so you should be OK for the weekend if that is when you are coming.

 

[MeariK]

Anyone know why Marco Polo's has been closed for the last few weeks? Seasonal closure?

 

[Nibbins]

I figure they like closing it because it needs a lot of staff to run it.

I think it was open at the very beginning of Howl-o-scream.

 

[boston191]

i miss the mongolian beef with fried rice.

 

[horsesboy]

I figure they like closing it because it needs a lot of staff to run it.

I think it was open at the very beginning of Howl-o-scream.

It might also be product availability and pricing. I know that is not something that many of you want to hear but it may very well be playing a major roll as some of that stuff like the beef has been running short in the supply chain and has started to really go up in price. Honestly looking at is a food service employee I think that between the staffing situation and the supply issues that shuttering Marco Polo makes good sense. Now my view as a park patron is that it fucking stinks and I want my Mongolian beef and fried rice!!