Morocco Pavilion facing financial troubles

[larryz]

Maybe we can get a Rick's Cafe!

(oh wait, that isn't Disney...)

Have you never heard of Rix at the Coronado Springs?

 

[DCLcruiser]

The pavilion is based specifically and closely on the architecture of Morocco. The similarities with other Arab cultures you’re pointing to are there, but only to the same extent that the countries of Europe have certain commonalities while remaining distinct in themselves.

A revealing fact: Moroccan Arabic is unintelligible to someone who speaks Egyptian Arabic. The difference between these two so-called dialects is greater than that between Italian and Spanish.

I am not against reimagining the area/buildings to meet a more diverse Arab World.

If not, the guests won't be able to tell as easily as they would know the difference between Italy, France and Germany. Same reason why they aren't confused about a Jasmin M&G in Morocco.

 

[LittleBuford]

The guests won't be able to tell as easily as they would know the difference between Italy, France and Germany. Same reason why they aren't confused about a Jasmin M&G in Morocco.

That most guests wouldn’t be able to tell the difference (and I agree with you that they wouldn’t) is not a good reason for Disney to retheme the pavilion into a generically “Arabian” area. In any case, the current sociopolitical climate would make such a move impossible to begin with.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Again - totally picking up what you're putting down but in the roughly 15 year window from park opening to when most executives would be out of their mind for signing on to these things, it didn't seem like getting some sort of deal done was all that impossible.

I get that Epcot was built entirely on a sponsorship model and that the world changed and that became something impractical in most cases. I understand that's why The Living Seas languished for as long as it did before the IPification and it's what destroyed JII, etc.

What I don't get is why during the heyday, more didn't happen in World Showcase.

I get it now, though. If Disney's going to foot the bill, there better be a plush they can sell from whatever is inside. There will be no scenic rides down the Rhine river or educational films in Morocco - but back when the Moroccan King was involved in the construction of his pavilion, when the west was still using West Germany as a prop to make communism look bad, back when the voice of Darth Vader was telling us how we'd be seeing an Equatorial African pavilion and then, when Michael Eisner was micro-managing everything in the parks in a mostly still good way and when money could still be found, it just seems weird that some of the original plans never became or morphed into anything.

I guess maybe funding from US businesses for Future World stuff was easier to come by at the time than the international deals, maybe?

The initial cost was so shocking internally that once Eisner and wells took control and got going...late 80’s...they didn’t pursue the “phase 3” ideas for Epcot. At least that’s what I was told along time ago.

It cost a billion. It was started in 1978...you do the math. That’s just how it was...despite any PR numbers.

 

[DCLcruiser]

That most guests wouldn’t be able to tell the difference (and I agree with you that they wouldn’t) is not a good reason for Disney to retheme the pavilion into a generically “Arabian” area. In any case, the current sociopolitical climate would make such a move impossible to begin with.

A good IP movie would help move the needle.

 

[LittleBuford]

That most guests wouldn’t be able to tell the difference (and I agree with you that they wouldn’t) is not a good reason for Disney to retheme the pavilion into a generically “Arabian” area. In any case, the current sociopolitical climate would make such a move impossible to begin with.

It should also be noted that the Morocco pavilion isn’t just there to represent Arab culture: it also offers some much-needed African representation. Indeed, almost half of Moroccans are Berber rather than Arab.

 

[larryz]

Personally, I still clutch to the original idea of EPCOT Center like Charlton Heston (I must assume) still holds onto his guns...

Well, you can probably pry them from his cold, dead hands by now.

As for your belief in EPCOT Center... the Earth, my friend, is roughly spherical.

 

[nickys]

Disney has previously honoured the religious symbolism of the Morocco pavilion, specifically by the fact that it was the only WS pavilion not lit up in Illuminations Given the current climate, it would be foolish for them to start mixing representations of other Arab nations into the pavilion that was funded directly by the King of Morocco.

Any accusations of cultural misappropriation at a time when Disney are actively acknowledging and apologising for racial stereotypes in their animation movies could spectacularly backfire in the press and social media.

So I think any move to re-imagine Morocco into Aggrabah or even a generalised “Arabic” pavilion is a non-starter.

That doesn’t rule out the idea of a character meal at one of the restaurants featuring Aladdin and Jasmine plus the Genie. Sadly.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Shawarma

“Oh, haha, I’m sorry, I forgot—we’re eating Shawarma now! Same kind of thing, different name. Well, that’s Epcot for you!”

 

[larryz]

Here's a random photo of the food prep area. Look at the fryer baskets: falafel balls and fries, just sitting there (rather than under the heat lamp). Pre-cooked, room temp, just waiting to be "freshened up" to order by dropping them for a few seconds.

View attachment 507831

I wonder what the temperature is just 2 inches above a vat of hot oil... certainly not "room temperature"...

 

[DCLcruiser]

It should also be noted that the Morocco pavilion isn’t just there to represent Arab culture: it also offers some much-needed African representation. Indeed, almost half of Moroccans are Berber rather than Arab.

If you are trying to represent modern/historical countries representing the ancestry of African-American people, then Berber's aren't it. They are Caucasian, like Arabs.

 

[larryz]

“Oh, haha, I’m sorry, I forgot—we’re eating Shawarma now! Same kind of thing, different name. Well, that’s Epcot for you!”

Similar, but not the same. Different flatbread, tahini sauce vs tzatziki/yoghurt, and usually different veggies, too.

So...What's the Difference Between Gyro and Shawarma?

At the end of the day, they're both delicious.

spoonuniversity.com

 

[MrPromey]

Well, you can probably pry them from his cold, dead hands by now.

Maybe... but I'd still be expecting a pistol-whip if I tried.

 

[LittleBuford]

If you are trying to represent modern/historical countries representing the ancestry of African-American people, then Berber's aren't it. They are Caucasian, like Arabs.

I didn't mention African Americans.

Berbers are an African people. Morocco is an African country. Not all Africans are Black. Not all lighter-skinned people are "Caucasian". Not all Arabs or Berbers are light-skinned.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Well, you can probably pry them from his cold, dead hands by now.

As for your belief in EPCOT Center... the Earth, my friend, is roughly spherical.

Would that be “geodesic”?

 

[Bocabear]

just a bit of silly trivia, when they filmed S*x & The City 2, which was supposed to take place in Abu Dhabi, government officials rejected their plan to film on location after reviewing the script...so they shot those scenes in Morocco... Now most Americans that have seen the film believe they are looking at Abu Dhabi So, see? 8000 miles away and Practically interchangeable! lol

 

[castlecake2.0]

Doesn't Mitsukoshi Ltd operate the restaurants in Epcot as well as the department store?

They do, edited my post for clarity

 

[Lilofan]

I think the last time someone really enjoyed the Morocco pavilion was Carl Winslow from Family Matters in 1995.

Anytime the belly dancer from the band Mo'Rockin shakes her body to the music out near the lake is a good time.

 

[dreday3]

Have you never heard of Rix at the Coronado Springs?

I've heard of it....

I can't tell if you are joking - is it really themed after Rick's Cafe???

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Someone here had an idea on converting the Pavilion into Egypt.
it could work. Shame there's not a IP.