Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

PizzeRizzo to replace Pizza Planet at Disney's Hollywood Studios

July 15, 2016, 1:46 PM · Walt Disney World today confirmed that it will be retheming the old Pizza Planet restaurant in Disney's Hollywood Studios to fit better its recently renamed Muppets Courtyard land.

The restaurant's new name will be PizzeRizzo, after the Muppet Rizzo the Rat. The back story is that Rizzo's the owner of the joint, and that his family and friends have been eating there for years, so guests should be on the lookout for pictures and signs from Rizzo's crew throughout the restaurant.

PizzeRizzo will remain a quick service pizza restaurant, so we're not expecting much to change on the menu. Yes, the restaurant's logo looks like it could be from any New York City pizza place we've ever visited, but if Disney actually starts selling even a semi-authentic NY slice over its typically bready quick service pizza, we'd be shocked. Delighted, but shocked.

As for Pizza Planet, that concept seems like a natural fit for the new Toy Story Land that's under construction on the other side of the park, but who knows if Disney will want to add another pizza restaurant in the same park?

Disney's planning to open PizzeRizzo sometime this fall.

Replies (13)

BuzzLite2
Joseph Smith
July 15, 2016 at 3:27 PM · As a New Yorker, love the classic NY pizza box logo. That's very fitting for a character native to the Big Apple. And I second the hope that the pizza is NY-quality. Pizza joints feed the masses here for cheap, so why can't WDW offer a quality slice at theme park prices?
Anonymous878
Anon Mouse
July 15, 2016 at 5:00 PM · I wish Muppets will go away so unfortunately this confirms they will stay.
gunta
grant crawford
July 15, 2016 at 6:31 PM · This sounds good, and if the pizzas improved, even better.

I personally love the Muppets, but unfortunately the IP has been frequently mistreated.

What could be a great use of the property is a themed restaurant in the styling of the Rainforest Cafe, with animatronic Muppets entertaining guests and occasionally breaking out restaurant-wide song.

RockSauron
Darron Holmes
July 15, 2016 at 8:24 PM · Guess this confirms muppets is safe from Star Wars land

Would want to see the show updated though but Disney had a lot of other stuff they can improve too

Rock-Blazer12
James Trexen
July 15, 2016 at 10:03 PM · Is anyone else getting Chuck E. Cheese vibes?
cumpuperboy
Jaiden
July 16, 2016 at 4:15 AM · I love the Muppets so this is great!
anonymous
67.76.106.32
July 16, 2016 at 6:06 AM · My kids ADORED Pizza Planet so this kind of makes me sad. They don't even care about Muppets. I hope this means a better quality Pizza Planet in Toy Story Land
anonymous
189.78.161.220
July 16, 2016 at 8:03 AM · I wish Muppets will go away so unfortunately this confirms they will stay. [2] In the end of the day, I'm OK with the pizza/restaurant stuff, but Disney definitely must build something new over the Muppets attraction. Maybe a 4D show based on The Incredibles, like a training simulator. It would fit with the park and would be fresh and modern. Let's hope that Disney is saving the Muppets ride while the park goes through this massive expansion (otherwise a big portion of the park would be useless and less rides would be available for guests), however they should/will replace it as soon as possible.
natemunhoz
natemunhoz
July 16, 2016 at 8:13 AM · "I wish Muppets will go away so unfortunately this confirms they will stay"[2]. In the end of the day, I'm OK with the pizza/restaurant stuff, but Disney definitely must build something new over the Muppets attraction. Maybe a 4D show based on The Incredibles, like a training simulator. It would fit with the park and would be fresh and modern. Let's hope that Disney is saving the Muppets ride while the park goes through this massive expansion (otherwise a big portion of the park would be useless and less rides would be available for guests), however they should/will replace it as soon as possible.
coasterdude
Writer
Anthony Murphy
July 16, 2016 at 8:48 AM · Its going to be the same pizza!
CalvinEggnog
Gabriel Schroll
July 16, 2016 at 9:09 AM · I agree with Anthony, and would have said the same thing. Anyone who has hopes of the pizza quality improving are going to be in for disappointment. No, I don't know 100% for sure, but I don't imagine they're replacing the kitchen equipment, putting in brick ovens, importing their water from NYC (because the water is what makes NY pizza so good!), etc etc. No. This is just a re-theme. Same as Maelstrom, Test Track, Soarin, and pretty much all the other cheap overlays Disney's been doing to make what was old, new again - instead of making something NEW.
TielO
O T
July 17, 2016 at 12:30 AM · I love the muppets and was gutted ABC pulled the show, it was realy funny. But I guess they are still not done with them. A new movie inside the 4D theater is welcome. Regarding the restaurant, I never liked the pizza there and if the quality doesn't change I will not eat there. I also don't care much for Rizzo as a character. I rather had the swedish chef making food for the muppet stars. But I guess this is cheaper and that seems what Disney is all about these days.
Troynotown
TROY DAVIDSON
July 18, 2016 at 10:48 AM · Disney World and their quick service pizza is horrible. I hope they improve it. I think it's really just time to knock down that entire Muppet's area and start over.

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