Mama Melrose Back Story

[DisneyGiant]

Just received this item from my DVC mailing - thought others might be interested:


Q: Why does the name "Mama Melrose" appear in a restaurant name at the Disney-MGM Studios? Is there a real "Mama Melrose?"
Jim's answer: When the Park opened, there actually was a storyline for the restaurant. According to Imagineers, a young girl in a small Sicilian village became enamored of Hollywood while she worked in her father's restaurant. At the age of 16, she sailed for America and found a movie career as a stand-in for actresses with names like Gina, Sophia and Anna. While she waited with the other extras between scenes, she cooked up Italian dishes with a little California flavor. Realizing that her dreams of stardom were not coming true, she opened her own Italian restaurant on the backlot. Her approach to life reminded the Hollywood moguls of the town's eccentric Melrose Ave., so they nicknamed her "Mama Melrose."

[AwPhooey]

Thanks very much for posting this! I wish Disney provided more back stories for rides, stores and restaurants.

:mickey:

[big blue and hairy]

Cool! I wonder if that story is available at the restaurant anymore?

:sulley:

[January-2007]

Neat! Thanks for sharing!

[DisneyorBust]

Very Cool!
I love the ideas/stories behind the rides and attractions at WDW!:mickey:

[Diznee4Me]

Thanks for sharing! Great story.:thumbsup:

[sleepingbooty]

:thumbsup:Interesting little tidbits like this are great! Just another example of Disney's attention to detail.

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

That's a cool story. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Dawneeeey]

That's a cool story!! I truly love this board for all of the people that provide such interesting information, such as yourself. :)

Thanks for sharing!!!!

[Polynesian Dweller]

Thanks for the story. Puts an interesting new touch on the restaurant.:thumbsup: