Major refurbishment of the Flying Fish Cafe beginning in February 2016

[Bocabear]

Haha! How about this - instead of judging based off of concept art or photos, you visit Tiffins and the Nomad Lounge and I'll visit Flying Fish and Abracadabar after they are actually open. Then we can have a real discussion. Do you live near the resort or do you visit frequently?

I do indeed visit frequently. and yes I am a couple hours away. I agree...I would enjoy the discussion!
I was remarking specifically on the concept art that was released...usually this co0ncept art is used to promote the work being done... as a picture to tell the story of what they are doing...If I were realeasing concept art, I would probably make sure it looked pretty amazing... rather than pretty average...Just sayin'.

 

[flyerjab]

It's a discussion board about WDW. Most of us don't live nearby. The locations we are discussing are new or soon-to-be opened. Of course, opinions can change when you see something in person. But for right now, all we have to go on is concept art and/or pictures.

Somehow it's wrong to discuss Disney things in a Disney forum?

Talk about misinterpreting a post.

My point to @Bocabear was pretty straightforward. We both made our initial opinions based off of concept art and photos. I suggested to him that we both take the next step and see them in person. Nothing wrong with that I hope. Believe me, I have a zillion posts of opinion and discussion based off of concept art.

 

[COProgressFan]

Talk about misinterpreting a post.

My point to @Bocabear was pretty straightforward. We both made our initial opinions based off of concept art and photos. I suggested to him that we both take the next step and see them in person. Nothing wrong with that I hope. Believe me, I have a zillion posts of opinion and discussion based off of concept art.

Got it. It seems like there are lots of folks here who often get all twisted because we form opinions about things without having seen/experienced them yet. Or they criticize folks for criticizing things about WDW. That's what we're all here for! Glad you're not one of them.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Got it. It seems like there are lots of folks here who often get all twisted because we form opinions about things without having seen/experienced them yet. Or they criticize folks for criticizing things about WDW. That's what we're all here for! Glad you're not one of them.

The problem comes not from expressing an opinion, but when new people read your opinion, see that you have been here a long time, and take your "opinion" as gospel fact, so they end up avoiding something that they might have loved had you not expressed your opinion. And please don't act like newbies don't take certain posters here as gospel without doing any other research, because you know, as well as I do, that it happens all the time.

I certainly have no issue with criticizing things at WDW when it deserves it, but to criticize something that you have never actually seen seems disingenuous to me. JMHO.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Seriously it is every bit as boring... It has some steel room divider panels, contract carpet, glass fish chandelier...which we see all the time down here in South Florida...There are probably a dozen restaurants down here in South Florida that are more interesting looking than that.
We recently had dinner at the California Grill after it's remodel, and the same thing... Ho Hum, current hospitality design... even the light fixtures I have seen everywhere recently... It is just not special... We can nit pick on the finer points, but this interior concept art looks no more special than any restaurant I would find down here... though dated (very) the original interior was at least whimsical and memorable... this looks to be neither...

Hmm, so please show us another run-of-the-mill steakhouse with a glass fish chandelier like that shown in the artwork. Oh, and this isn't a steakhouse like Ruth's Chris (way overrated) or Morton's (meh). It's a seafood house. And I don't believe for one second that it will have "contract" carpet. JMHO, of course, but I think you are way off-base on this one.

 

[Bocabear]

Hmm, so please show us another run-of-the-mill steakhouse with a glass fish chandelier like that shown in the artwork. Oh, and this isn't a steakhouse like Ruth's Chris (way overrated) or Morton's (meh). It's a seafood house. And I don't believe for one second that it will have "contract" carpet. JMHO, of course, but I think you are way off-base on this one.

Most carpet is contract carpet...they contract the company to make it for them...standard in most hotels and hospitality spaces... this is the usual way they do it... a glass fish chandelier is not groundbreaking down here in South Florida...seriously. Our local W Hotel is more dramatic and interesting than what they are showing here... Not WAY off base... I just see a lot of good interior design... and a lack of imagination in what is proposed for the Flying Fish.. What they are putting on the plates has nothing to do with the conversation we were having...So would the design point only be valid if I were comparing to a Red Lobster? LOL I Spec'd this chandelier for a client like 3 years ago...

It is not an unheard of design... and down here in South Florida it is not that unusual.
Which was my point...not that it is ugly... not that it is horrible...it is perfectly serviceable...it is just not special... it is not unique...it is just nice.... And I expect more than that from Disney... We all should...
The old decor was unique.. though dated...and when it was initially installed , it was kind of amazing... Well designed, whimsical and dramatic... and the fact that you think Morton's and Ruth's Chris are just meh, further illustrates my point...lol

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Most carpet is contract carpet...they contract the company to make it for them...standard in most hotels and hospitality spaces... this is the usual way they do it... a glass fish chandelier is not groundbreaking down here in South Florida...seriously. Our local W Hotel is more dramatic and interesting than what they are showing here... Not WAY off base... I just see a lot of good interior design... and a lack of imagination in what is proposed for the Flying Fish.. What they are putting on the plates has nothing to do with the conversation we were having...So would the design point only be valid if I were comparing to a Red Lobster? LOL I Spec'd this chandelier for a client like 3 years ago...

It is not an unheard of design... and down here in South Florida it is not that unusual.
Which was my point...not that it is ugly... not that it is horrible...it is perfectly serviceable...it is just not special... it is not unique...it is just nice.... And I expect more than that from Disney... We all should...
The old decor was unique.. though dated...and when it was initially installed , it was kind of amazing... Well designed, whimsical and dramatic... and the fact that you think Morton's and Ruth's Chris are just meh, further illustrates my point...lol

I guess you missed mine. So how many visitors, as a percentage, live in South Florida as you do, and see something similar? My guess would be extremely low, so the vast majority of people will think it's really cool.

 

[FigmentForver96]

Hmm, so please show us another run-of-the-mill steakhouse with a glass fish chandelier like that shown in the artwork. Oh, and this isn't a steakhouse like Ruth's Chris (way overrated) or Morton's (meh). It's a seafood house. And I don't believe for one second that it will have "contract" carpet. JMHO, of course, but I think you are way off-base on this one.

Ruth Chris...overrated? Those are fighting words!

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Ruth Chris...overrated? Those are fighting words!

Don't get me wrong, the steaks are good, but we have a few around here that are miles better for the same price.

 

[FigmentForver96]

Don't get me wrong, the steaks are good, but we have a few around here that are miles better for the same price.

I think it also depends on location and overall experince. I visited one in Alabama during a trip and had great food but the experince was meh. The first time I ever ate at one was in New York and it was right before I went to see Wicked. Everything down to the detail was perfect, from the candle light, to them taking our coats and seating us personally. That was probably one of the best dining experinces I've ever had.

 

[Bocabear]

I guess you missed mine. So how many visitors, as a percentage, live in South Florida as you do, and see something similar? My guess would be extremely low, so the vast majority of people will think it's really cool.

Remember when Disney did things that no one had ever seen before? They created engaging environments that as a whole were dramatic and exciting?...not just aimed for "Some people have never seen it before and might think it's neat" crowd... that is my point. It interior they just tore out was all custom designed set pieces, hand painted murals, elaborate lighting and custom designed light fixtures... according to their concept art that they are promoting, the new space will have a fish chandelier, which can be bought on the internet, carpet...tables and chairs...it looks perfectly nice, but seems to lack any real engaging design... There is no more wow... Unless that fish chandelier is going to be of a massive scale they are not showing... which I kinda doubt since the point of concept art is to accentuate the positives and excite people about the new concept... It's nice... It's not exciting.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Remember when Disney did things that no one had ever seen before? They created engaging environments that as a whole were dramatic and exciting?...not just aimed for "Some people have never seen it before and might think it's neat" crowd... that is my point. It interior they just tore out was all custom designed set pieces, hand painted murals, elaborate lighting and custom designed light fixtures... according to their concept art that they are promoting, the new space will have a fish chandelier, which can be bought on the internet, carpet...tables and chairs...it looks perfectly nice, but seems to lack any real engaging design... There is no more wow... Unless that fish chandelier is going to be of a massive scale they are not showing... which I kinda doubt since the point of concept art is to accentuate the positives and excite people about the new concept... It's nice... It's not exciting.

I guess we'll have to see what happens when it's complete and open.

 

[Bocabear]

I guess we'll have to see what happens when it's complete and open.

Absolutely!! It has always been one of my favorite restaurants. I am glad it is getting some love, just want it to look as amazing as the food was.

 

[HiYa Pal]

Remember when Disney did things that no one had ever seen before? They created engaging environments that as a whole were dramatic and exciting?...not just aimed for "Some people have never seen it before and might think it's neat" crowd... that is my point. It interior they just tore out was all custom designed set pieces, hand painted murals, elaborate lighting and custom designed light fixtures... according to their concept art that they are promoting, the new space will have a fish chandelier, which can be bought on the internet, carpet...tables and chairs...it looks perfectly nice, but seems to lack any real engaging design... There is no more wow... Unless that fish chandelier is going to be of a massive scale they are not showing... which I kinda doubt since the point of concept art is to accentuate the positives and excite people about the new concept... It's nice... It's not exciting.

Perfect example, in the Skipper Canteen, neat restaurant, seems super custom, I loved the parrot stained glass chandeliers, thought they were so cool and original, till I found them all over eBay and Amazon....I'm not trying to dis on the imagineers who make these places, they obviously are working hard, but when you're given a budget that doesn't allow for custom (ie never seen before, or anywhere else) that's the problem.

 

[Bocabear]

I would agree with that example...ion the case of Flying Fish, you already had a custom interior... if you cannot afford to replace it with like, then reuse cleverly what was custom and blend it to give the illusion of a completely new look...but still retain what was special... Seem to me to be a shame to tear out a custom art installation and replace it with products that can be bought in any store... One interior was (for it's day) edgy and exciting and really unique...the new interior is downplayed and nice and not so unique or interesting....the fish chandelier is nice...but available...Just around the corner is Todd English's Bluezoo which has glass fish room dividers and bubble chandeliers...all pretty similar....yet BlueZoo has a dramatic and exciting look that seems missing from the Flying Fish concept art.... Maybe it's bad concept art... Maybe it is Disney overcharging and underdelivering...

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I actually really liked the original interior... It was dramatic, whimsical but yet elegant... I loved the open kitchen, the elaborate tile work, the custom chandeliers and murals...I hope the redesign doesnt end up looking like " Any Upscale Steakhouse USA"... Disney has been doiong a very mediocre job with their interiors lately and I really hope they add some unique features and wow factor that the original dining room had...

I agree! Except when you were in that darker back left corner (at least that's how it felt to me.) I figured that was one of the things they would address with the remodel. But I loved the whimsical yet not over the top interior of that place.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Based on the concept art, I think it looks like an improvement.

That looks nice - probably matches the sophistication of the menu a bit better. Love the crystal fish, and I think the divider panels are clearly a nod to the fish fins on the sign at the entrance.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I guess so. Lots of the designs they've been doing look nice, but it's generic with subtle nods to the supposed theme. Using room refurbs as an example, the GF rooms renovated a few years ago caused a bit of stir online. They're bland. I know some people like them, but I preferred the previous more themed design. But I think you're right that playing it safe may be the "in" design, I don't know. I do know that Disney spaces used to feel different from the "real world".

Playing it safe may also be more economical and date-proof.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Remember when Disney did things that no one had ever seen before? They created engaging environments that as a whole were dramatic and exciting?...not just aimed for "Some people have never seen it before and might think it's neat" crowd... that is my point. It interior they just tore out was all custom designed set pieces, hand painted murals, elaborate lighting and custom designed light fixtures... according to their concept art that they are promoting, the new space will have a fish chandelier, which can be bought on the internet, carpet...tables and chairs...it looks perfectly nice, but seems to lack any real engaging design... There is no more wow... Unless that fish chandelier is going to be of a massive scale they are not showing... which I kinda doubt since the point of concept art is to accentuate the positives and excite people about the new concept... It's nice... It's not exciting.

A fish tank built into every table! (j/k)

 

[Tony the Tigger]

This is my fave restaurant on property, I really hope the food stays as good. I can live with the interior change.

But they had me at replacing a candy store with a bar LOL.