News Morocco Pavilion redevelopment

[DCBaker]

Disney missed the previously announced early February reopening of Souk-al-Magreb at EPCOT and has now extended the closure of the shop indefinitely. I’m guessing is they haven’t secured merchandise yet to sell in the location and/or staffing. Either way poor show to have all these doors closed on the main thoroughfare through the pavilion.

also small update, Edison style rope/hanging lights have been added to both Spice Road and the marketplace area.

Souk-al-Magreb has reopened and is showing hours in MDE -

 

[matt9112]

Hopes:

Shops in the courtyard reopen along with both restaurants. Cultural Hosts return when possible to staff the pavilion. Meet and greet return to drive traffic.

realistically:

most shops remain shuttered, Marrakesh operating seasonally or becomes a rentable venue space. Pavilion becomes another Canada with half the place just becoming facades.

What happened to canada?

 

[Anteater]

What happened to canada?

I don't know. But, I blame them!

 

[UNCgolf]

What happened to canada?

There were originally shops in the upstairs part of the Canada pavilion but they've been closed for a very long time.

I think they're just used as storage space now.

 

[Texas84]

There were originally shops in the upstairs part of the Canada pavilion but they've been closed for a very long time.

I think they're just used as storage space now.

There was one open on my last F&G trip. Just one. With a beer counter.

 

[castlecake2.0]

There were originally shops in the upstairs part of the Canada pavilion but they've been closed for a very long time.

I think they're just used as storage space now.

Correct, this beautiful space that could easily host a food and wine type offering is just sitting their full of plates and other supplies for Le Cellier. Terrible terrible shame.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Souk-al-Magreb has reopened and is showing hours in MDE -

View attachment 636508

When did it close?

 

[Epcot82Guy]

They could make a legitimate festival atmosphere up there. Have a shop and food area, decorating the outside to draw attention. Plus, it would probably ramp up attendance at Far and Wide, too.

 

[castlecake2.0]

They could make a legitimate festival atmosphere up there. Have a shop and food area, decorating the outside to draw attention. Plus, it would probably ramp up attendance at Far and Wide, too.

Exactly what I was thinking, really seems like an easy solution!

 

[OvertheHorizon]

I wish they would develop a new "Festival Center" so that they wouldn't have to close an attraction like Oh, Canada during the Food and Wine Festival.

 

[Disone]

Exactly what I was thinking, really seems like an easy solution!

I second this. It had life to such a lifeless area.

 

[helenabear]

When did it close?

Oct 2021 IIRC. I missed seeing it open though wish more in Morocco would reopen too.

 

[bpiper]

Correct, this beautiful space that could easily host a food and wine type offering is just sitting their full of plates and other supplies for Le Cellier. Terrible terrible shame.

Correct, this beautiful space that could easily host a food and wine type offering is just sitting their full of plates and other supplies for Le Cellier. Terrible terrible shame.

View attachment 636732View attachment 636733

Back when that store was open, I purchased a pair of fall maple leaf earrings for my wife's birthday. She wears them every fall to this day.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Souk-al-Magreb has reopened and is showing hours in MDE -

View attachment 636508

It seems they gave up trying to write in Arabic on the outside of the building... for now...

Hidden Mickey!!

Spices still don't look like spices. Went from Crayola crayon to dirty plastic.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Right by where you meet Jasmine, there's a covered open-air bar with seating.

If you're at a festival, and you want a place where you can eat and buy your drinks...

 

[castlecake2.0]

Right by where you meet Jasmine, there's a covered open-air bar with seating.

If you're at a festival, and you want a place where you can eat and buy your drinks...

View attachment 641369


View attachment 641370View attachment 641371

I do like this market area, though it’s really disappointing that all the other shops back there will probably never return.

 

[LittleBuford]

It seems they gave up trying to write in Arabic on the outside of the building... for now...
View attachment 641366

Hidden Mickey!!



View attachment 641367

Spices still don't look like spices. Went from Crayola crayon to dirty plastic.

Much more than the fake spices, it's the writing that still gets to me. I cannot describe how utterly jarring it looks for someone who can read the script. It really is just a painted transfer of the Arabic equivalent of Times New Roman. I'm normally on the Pixie Duster end of the spectrum, but for Disney to drop the ball in as sensitive an area as cultural representation is just inexcusable, especially when they had the chance to redo it right after the first disastrous attempt.

 

[LittleBuford]

I do like this market area, though it’s really disappointing that all the other shops back there will probably never return.

Why do you think they won't return?

 

[castlecake2.0]

Why do you think they won't return?

Ask Canada if their shops ever returned. Unless they find a sponsor I don’t see them ever returning.

 

[castlecake2.0]

The thing that bothers me about closed shops is that it would be so simple to turn into a gallery or sitting area for guests to use. The boutique in Canada, shops in Morocco, Germany, UK, all just shuttered. Add some tables, put some props on the shelves, now guests have a place to sit and eat/drink without sprawling out on the streets. Disney keeps pushing the “foodie” thing without giving people enough places to eat it. Then they go and close an operating attraction to make yet another foodie booth. It’s really mind boggling.