Creations Shop opening this summer

[Casper Gutman]

I understand that Epcot has been going through a prolonged identity crisis, however this shop honestly seems like one of the few things that is more or less in keeping with how Future World was designed originally. Centorium had a great name and sign, but it looked more or less like a contemporary department store. Personally, I think MouseGear is the worst iteration as it was basically a big version of a mall Disney Store from the 1990s. Whereas, for example, a Disney Store in Boston at the time might have character displays referencing the Boston Tea Party, MouseGear had character displays referencing technology because... Epcot? Creations, if anything, is a return to the Centorium approach of giving the store a contemporary aesthetic, just updated for 2021.

The other thing that stands out to me is that I haven't seen anyone outline a credible alternative for what an appropriately-themed store would look like. Either people seem to think it should be directly themed to vintage Epcot attractions or vague notions of a combination of all the pavilions and the spirit of Epcot.

I honestly don't know how you theme the central store because I don't know what the theme of EPCOT can be. The park is such a muddled mess I've yet to hear someone suggest a strong, practical unifying concept. It's worth noting that the massive popularity of Time Man of the Year Elon Musk (of whom I am not a fan) as well as of fictional figures like Tony Stark (of whom I am a fan) show that EPCOT's original theme of the utopian promise of corporate-driven technological and social progress still holds significant appeal to a wide audience, even as it also presents various problems. I'm not really suggesting a return to that ideal, which Disney abandoned decades ago, but I can't say I have an alternative.

I also question whether Communicore's original theming was "contemporary." It was certainly a product of the early 80s, but it was the 80s view of the future, as outdated as that might be. I also question whether Creations' aesthetic is actually contemporary - like so much of Disney now, it pulls from Apple and the Apple Store, the first of which opened over 20 years ago. It might have been contemporary around 2003. And of course, Disney shouldn't be following design trends, it should be setting them. Creations is a safe, path-of-least-resistance, decision-by-committee nothing.

The long and the short of it is it's impossible to know how to make the central store fit without something for it to fit into.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I honestly don't know how you theme the central store because I don't know what the theme of EPCOT can be. The park is such a muddled mess I've yet to hear someone suggest a strong, practical unifying concept. It's worth noting that the massive popularity of Time Man of the Year Elon Musk (of whom I am not a fan) as well as of fictional figures like Tony Stark (of whom I am a fan) show that EPCOT's original theme of the utopian promise of corporate-driven technological and social progress still holds significant appeal to a wide audience, even as it also presents various problems. I'm not really suggesting a return to that ideal, which Disney abandoned decades ago, but I can't say I have an alternative.

This is kind of what I mean, though. Would an Elon Musk or Tony Stark store look that different? It would certainly look a lot more like Creations than MouseGear.

I also question whether Communicore's original theming was "contemporary." It was certainly a product of the early 80s, but it was the 80s view of the future, as outdated as that might be. I also question whether Creations' aesthetic is actually contemporary - like so much of Disney now, it pulls from Apple and the Apple Store, the first of which opened over 20 years ago. It might have been contemporary around 2003. And of course, Disney shouldn't be following design trends, it should be setting them. Creations is a safe, path-of-least-resistance, decision-by-committee nothing.

I'm talking more about Centorium than the whole Communicore. I think, though, you could make the same point about Creations and Apple Stores being a kind of 2020s vision of the future. To put it another way, if you wanted to give a contemporary vision of the future for a shop, what would your inspiration be? Centorium didn't look like something from another planet, it looked like a contemporary department store with bright carpet.

Was this really so much more futuristic in 1982

than this in 2021

 

[MisterPenguin]

The other thing that stands out to me is that I haven't seen anyone outline a credible alternative for what an appropriately-themed store would look like. Either people seem to think it should be directly themed to vintage Epcot attractions or vague notions of a combination of all the pavilions and the spirit of Epcot.

Simple! Mentioned above...

I can’t anymore with this thread. What do people want this shop to look like?

They only want it to be quintessentially Disney without referencing anything associated with Disney.

Also, it can't reference anything else either.

 

[dreday3]

Simple! Mentioned above...

So just...air....

Perhaps an open field. With nothing there.

 

[MisterPenguin]

At World's Fairs, how do they usually theme the tourist-trap shops?

 

[etc98]

I honestly don't know how you theme the central store because I don't know what the theme of EPCOT can be. The park is such a muddled mess I've yet to hear someone suggest a strong, practical unifying concept. It's worth noting that the massive popularity of Time Man of the Year Elon Musk (of whom I am not a fan) as well as of fictional figures like Tony Stark (of whom I am a fan) show that EPCOT's original theme of the utopian promise of corporate-driven technological and social progress still holds significant appeal to a wide audience, even as it also presents various problems. I'm not really suggesting a return to that ideal, which Disney abandoned decades ago, but I can't say I have an alternative.

I also question whether Communicore's original theming was "contemporary." It was certainly a product of the early 80s, but it was the 80s view of the future, as outdated as that might be. I also question whether Creations' aesthetic is actually contemporary - like so much of Disney now, it pulls from Apple and the Apple Store, the first of which opened over 20 years ago. It might have been contemporary around 2003. And of course, Disney shouldn't be following design trends, it should be setting them. Creations is a safe, path-of-least-resistance, decision-by-committee nothing.

The long and the short of it is it's impossible to know how to make the central store fit without something for it to fit into.

I would argue that yes, the Creations Shop pulls from Apple and the Apple Store, but definitely not from 2003. The first Apple Stores back then had black facades and metal walls. They were very industrial. Something like this:

The modern Apple Store that Creations is similar to, with the warmer natural woods and stones didn’t come around until much later. The redesigned stores began in 2015 or 2016 I think. Something like this:

The Creations Shop design is definitely firmly rooted in the mid to late 2010s, not the early 2000s.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I would argue that yes, the Creations Shop pulls from Apple and the Apple Store, but definitely not from 2003. The first Apple Stores back then had black facades and metal walls. They were very industrial. Something like this:

View attachment 610689

The modern Apple Store that Creations is similar to, with the warmer natural woods and stones didn’t come around until much later. The redesigned stores began in 2015 or 2016 I think. Something like this:

View attachment 610690

The Creations Shop design is definitely firmly rooted in the mid to late 2010s, not the early 2000s.

An Apple Store at least has matching glazing.

 

[James Alucobond]

An Apple Store at least has matching glazing.

The one at my mall doesn't, but I'm assuming that's because it's a converted Sephora or something if I recall correctly.

 

[Thelazer]

Having walked thru creations today, I can say one thing.. the checkout lines area mess and no one knows how the mobile checkout your own on your own phone thing is supposed to work.

 

[castlecake2.0]

Having walked thru creations today, I can say one thing.. the checkout lines area mess and no one knows how the mobile checkout your own on your own phone thing is supposed to work.

Mobile checkout is pretty simple after your first time using it and I can tell you Guest feedback towards it has been extremely positive

 

[Magic Feather]

Mobile checkout is pretty simple after your first time using it and I can tell you Guest feedback towards it has been extremely positive

Mobile Checkout is a lot like Mobile Order Pre-Covid. It works fantastically for everyone acquainted with the system; there just aren’t too many people acquainted with the system.

 

[castlecake2.0]

Mobile Checkout is a lot like Mobile Order Pre-Covid. It works fantastically for everyone acquainted with the system; there just aren’t too many people acquainted with the system.

I love when people complain about mobile order and lament the loss of the “good ole days”

 

[vikescaper]

I love when people complain about mobile order and lament the loss of the “good ole days”View attachment 612917

Of all the things that came out of the pandemic, I have enjoyed the expanded use of mobile order as you don’t get stuck behind someone who hasn’t decided what they want. I have only used mobile checkout once but I found it super convenient and my AP discount was automatically applied.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I love when people complain about mobile order and lament the loss of the “good ole days”View attachment 612917

I love mobile order but it can be frustrating when you click “I am here” and then wait, and wait, and wait all while watching guests walk up, order, and get their food before you.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I love mobile order but it can be frustrating when you click “I am here” and then wait, and wait, and wait all while watching guests walk up, order, and get their food before you.

I've learned to visually check out the non-mobile lines and even those hanging around waiting for their mobile order before ordering, and then chose what would appear to be the fastest, or, opt out entirely.

 

[castlecake2.0]

Of all the things that came out of the pandemic, I have enjoyed the expanded use of mobile order as you don’t get stuck behind someone who hasn’t decided what they want. I have only used mobile checkout once but I found it super convenient and my AP discount was automatically applied.

It was a game charger for my sister and her kids, she loved being able to order ahead and not have to wait in line with hungry kids. Off topic but also the new security checkpoints was one of her favourite things about the last trip, it was just so much easier and less stressful way to enter the park.

 

[castlecake2.0]

I've learned to visually check out the non-mobile lines and even those hanging around waiting for their mobile order before ordering, and then chose what would appear to be the fastest, or, opt out entirely.

I do the same, though I think they may have gone a little overboard with the rollout. Like I don’t think Friars Nook and Lunching Pad needs it, keep it for full QSR and let snack stands stay as walk ups. (Saying from a place of hangriness as my phone died and I don’t want to wait in the one cashier line lol)

 

[Mickeynerd17]

Finally experienced Creations Shop a few days ago. It's not a bad store but not as good as MouseGear in my opinion. I didn't spend a lot of time in there because the merchandise didn't really call out to me this trip. Also the prices were way out of my range.

One thing I did notice, and others most likely have noticed this too, is the roof looks oddly similar to the roof at MCO airport.

MCO:

And Creations shop:

It's almost a copy. Even the vents on the ceiling are nearly the same.

It's probably a coincidence but I find it a bit funny the new shop has airport roof. The store itself still looks really nice on the inside.

 

[TestTrack99]

I went to Epcot on my birthday a few days ago. Wasn't too impressed with Creations Shop.

 

[Goofy Ninja]

Anybody else think that Mickey Mouse shouldn't have been used? It feels like Figment should have been the theming.