News WC's Hot Spot Café Replacement Opening in 2016

[Zachary]

A new restaurant will be replacing Hot Spots at Water Country USA for 2016. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, and panini are all said to be on the menu. It sounds as though the purchasing setup will be a little different than we're used to as well. The flow sounds like it will go something like this:

Queue -> Place Order -> Receive Order -> Pick sides, desserts, etc in a marketplace setting -> Pay

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

It's about time culinary at WCUSA has gotten some attention. I hope there are a good amount of strutural renovations/alterations, because the building hasn't been in such amazing shape lately.

Catalina Grill needs to follow suit, and soon.

Although there are a number of smaller eateries(Daddy O's, Launch Pad, etc.) I still think there needs to be another restaurant added to the park's line up, especially if there are plans for future expansion. Preferably, the Hubba Hubba Highway side of the park could use a full-scale eatery for people who are over in that area during meal-time, especially if there are more plans for expansion in that area.

 

[Nicole]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

Define "full-scale eatery." I can't imagine anything beyond quick service in a water park.

 

[Thomas]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

I like the shrimp they make.

 

[Zachary]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

Something with a large, covered (maybe even climate controlled?) eating area would be a god-sent. Doesn't need to be anything more than counter service, but I agree that a large signature eatery of some kind feels missing.

 

[Thomas]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

I don't like eating large meals at water parks. You don't want to look full when your body is on display...

 

[Nicole]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

I actually really agree with Thomas: I don't want a massive meal at a water park. The food needs to be improved, but I wouldn't want anything heavy or a serious restaurant either.

 

[Thomas]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

And really, sitting down while wet and in a bathing suit to have any sort of meal inside a cold building is incredibly unappealing.

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

Define "full-scale eatery."  I can't imagine anything beyond quick service in a water park.

I don't mean full-scale as in something like full-service, but just another restaurant with a large through-put and menu. It could really be any setup, marketplace, cafeteria, mix between the two, etc. But the two the park currently has would be Hot Spot and Catalina Grill, which are both relatively close to the front of the park. I was advocating another major restaurant towards the back of the park which is widely absent of them.

 

[Luke]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

I try not to eat anything there....I already feel like a big fatty.

 

[The Hessian]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

We have only eaten lunch there due to completing everything in the park in a few hours, so not so concerned or understanding why it needs a renovation

 

[bgbackdoor]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

There will be a new restaurant where Hot Spots currently exists. It will be a kiosk-based Market where guests will order their entrée or snack from the kiosk then “shop” the market area filled with grab and go snacks, salads, and desserts. The menu is still under development; included will be sandwiches, wraps, salads, and panini’s.

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

RE: Hot Spots Replacement Opening in 2016

Just an FYI, Hot Spot is not plural. The technical name is WC's Hot Spot Café. I guess it doesn't really matter anymore, but I thought I'd let y'all know

 

[Nicole]

So another Expedition Café?

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

So another Expedition Café?

From the description bgbackdoor and Zachary posted, this actually seems to be a new dining concept to the company. Expedition Café and Dragon Fire Grill(larger version of Expedition Café at BGT) are what Marco Polo's MarketPlace will be modeled after. That's a full marketplace setting where you go around to the different serving stations and grab/order what you would like and then check out.

From what has been said so far it seems the process here will start with the customer ordering a main entrée at a kiosk, then they will select their sides/drinks/desserts from a marketplace setting, pick up their entrée which sounds like it will be made to order, and then check out. It's a mix between two different dining concepts. I guess we will find out the exact process once the park opens, but it doesn't sound like a full-blown marketplace setup.

 

[phurst]

I guess we'll see in a little over a week. I really wish they would add something like the Banana Beach All-Day-Dining like they have at Aquatica Orlando. For a family of four, who are never hungry at the same time, plus drinks whenever you want, it's a God send when we are there.

 

[halfabee]

Just checked this place out today. It was great! I had no idea anything was going to be changing, and the resulting layout is so visually "clean" that we had to walk in twice to understand what it was about. The manager on duty was incredibly helpful and described it as a "Wawa-type" concept. I couldn't agree more, and Wawa is spectacular, so two thumbs up on that choice.

We ordered some sandwiches and other food, and the helpful electronic kiosks made it clear that we could pick a small side per meal from the refrigerated section of the service area. Grabbed the sides and drinks, paid for the meals, waited a short time at the counter, and then enjoyed a good lunch. Easy.

We have noted in the past that the food options could use an upgrade at WCUSA. Well, here it is. These are the kinds of "small" changes that make it much easier for a family like mine to enthusiastically plan return trips. It's really about lowering barriers that otherwise would give someone pause about coming back. Well done, WCUSA. Count me as a major fan of this food concept, and of the way it was built out.