Though it is always empty when it’s open anyway, starting today May 4, 2019, Disney has reopened PizzeRizzo in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and will stay open for seasonal operation in various points of the year.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios needs more dining capacity because on May 5th the ABC Commissary is closing for a temporary refurbishment while getting ready for its new reservation fast casual dinners.
The nice thing is that when PizzeRizzo reopens, there is a new dessert on the menu: thePeanut Butter & Jelly Verrine. I’m not getting my hopes up or anything, but maybe it will be worth a visit finally!
PizzeRizzo was originally a quick service restaurant Pizza Planet, themed after the famous restaurant from the Toy Story film franchise. It was then remodeled in November 2016 with a Muppets theme, but though it carries the name of one of the franchise’s characters one of the complaints is that you can hardly see anything inside resembling the Muppets. The menu also hardly changed since Pizza Planet and hasn’t been a hit with guests in the park.
Just walking by PizzeRizzo you can see that it’s not exactly popular with guests in the parks, and It looks like Disney is closing PizzeRizzo until a bigger need for restaurants comes up closer to the Galaxy’s Edge opening.
By that time with people lining up for hours on end in Grand Avenue, they will need food and PizzeRizzo is positioned to benefit from that demand. But that’s not to say Disney won’t give PizzeRizzo another make-over by that time as moving to “seasonal operation” is usually the kiss of death for Disney attractions/restaurants.
It’s a shame that they spent all that money on a remodel just two years ago and PizzeRizzo has been a big disappointment since then. They need to at least make a big menu re-haul when they reopen it or it will just continue to have the same problems in the future.
Disney hasn’t given an exact date for how long PizzeRizzo is staying open, but I think it will probably stay this way through the year at least with the opening of Galaxy’s Edge this summer. They will need all the dining in Hollywood Studios possible.
Stay here with Ziggy Knows Disney and we’ll keep you updated with any changes…
Your Thoughts:
I want to know what you think about PizzeRizzo reopening for seasonal operation…
- Do you like PizzeRizzo?
- What can Disney do to turn it around?
Let us know in the comments section below!
If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media. I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂
My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.
Ollie
Sunday 10th of October 2021
Purposely bad because you can feed a family with one pizza. No profit in that. Now you have to get the combos with bread stx and its priced the same as individual meals are.
BAD WITH A PURPOSE !!!!!!
Layla
Wednesday 9th of October 2019
Will it be open beginning of January 2020? Visiting at the tail end of holidays and hoping it will be open. I know I know, it's terrible. But had a great experience here with family so it's sentimental and we're hoping it's open on 2 Jan!
David White
Friday 3rd of May 2019
PizzaRizzo (Pizza Planet) pizza was the best of the pizzas on property (not counting Disney Springs because you can get there without ticket and Blaze Pizza is amazing!!!). The Value Resorts had some really bad pizza originally and Pinocchio Haus doesn't cut it, my 4 kids that generally like all styles (thick, thin, New York) of pizza will always say no to the suggestion of going there.
The problem with PizzaRizzo is that there is no Disney theming inside the restaurant. It is just ordinary italian theming. Big mistake on the inside remodel.
BTW Pizzafarri in Animal Kingdom has the exact same pizza and Cesar salad that you can get at PizzaRizzo and as of my recent visit last month they are busy.
Ziggy
Saturday 4th of May 2019
Hi David, thanks for your comment and experience! I agree with you, take away pizza in WDW is just about as bad as you can find anywhere, but Blaze Pizza is pretty good and the only exception. PizzeRizzo has terrible theming and I wish Disney took the time and money to do this one right from the beginning as it had lots of potential
Jacob Shipton
Wednesday 17th of April 2019
They need to replace those pizzas. They are simply the worst on property. Disney can do good pizzas. Just like at Pinocchio's in Magic Kingdom. Plus that second story is just wasted space as is. I think turning it into a "chucky cheese" style animatronic show featuring the Muppets would be a great way to create interest in the space.
Ziggy
Wednesday 17th of April 2019
Thanks for commenting Jacob! Yeah I agree 100% with you, they are terrible! Theming and food are both garbage here
Paul Titzmann
Tuesday 16th of April 2019
You first say it will be opening on May 4th and later you indicate Spring 2019. Which is it?
Ziggy
Wednesday 17th of April 2019
Hi Paul, thanks for commenting! Yes May 4th, which is in the Spring! ;)