News Morocco Pavilion redevelopment

[eddie104]

Photos from as recently as 2023 show that the tiles were in good shape. Had the powers that be wanted to reuse them, they certainly could have. Alas, they decided to cut corners (and get rid of genuine art) instead.

I’m confused as to why this pavilion has been closed for so long as it doesn’t contain any rides?

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

I’m confused as to why this pavilion has been closed for so long as it doesn’t contain any rides?

It's not closed.. apparently only thing that got closed was the Marrakesh restaurant at the back.

 

[LittleBuford]

It's not closed.. apparently only thing that got closed was the Marrakesh restaurant at the back.

If I'm not mistaken, the bazaar section isn't up and running yet either.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

If I'm not mistaken, the bazaar section isn't up and running yet either.

no, but the area is still open there to sit and escape.

 

[trainplane3]

What a waste.

 

[donaldtoo]

Good grief.
I took the first pic many years ago, and there’s just no comparison…bathroom floor, indeed.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

This is really terrible. Disney should be embarrassed at what this suggests about what this suggests regarding how far their standards have dropped since the pavilion opened. They would have been better off leaving the original tiles with some patch-up jobs than this.

 

[James Alucobond]

Something closer to the original pattern shouldn’t be that difficult to create even if they went with a more mass-produced tile. This new pattern isn’t even very evocative of the region.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Something closer to the original pattern shouldn’t be that difficult to create even if they went with a more mass-produced tile. This new pattern isn’t even very evocative of the region.

This. Even a DIYer's consumer tile options have faux Mid-Eastern patterns that could have been used.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Something closer to the original pattern shouldn’t be that difficult to create even if they went with a more mass-produced tile. This new pattern isn’t even very evocative of the region.

It's so generic contrasts Morocco's other tiles

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Something closer to the original pattern shouldn’t be that difficult to create even if they went with a more mass-produced tile. This new pattern isn’t even very evocative of the region.

It's not like the pattern couldn't have been scanned and recreated. Or patched and painted in.

 

[LittleBuford]

This is really terrible. Disney should be embarrassed at what this suggests about what this suggests regarding how far their standards have dropped since the pavilion opened. They would have been better off leaving the original tiles with some patch-up jobs than this.

And then they have the cheek to boast about their commitment to "research" and "authenticity"! Talk about empty rhetoric!

 

[eddie104]

I hope the tiles only temporary until they are able replace the original ones.

 

[LittleBuford]

I hope the tiles only temporary until they are able replace the original ones.

I very much doubt it.

The good thing is that the zellij tile tradition remains very much alive, which means that it would at least be possible to revert back to the old aesthetic should the pavilion ever come under the care of someone who actually knows what they're doing.

 

[LittleBuford]

They have a gallery in West Hollywood, for goodness' sake!

LARGE ZELLIJ PANELS AND FOUNTAINS | Zellij Gallery

The ancient art of Zellij can make a bold statement. Exquisite custom large-scaled designs perfect for panels and fountains.

zellijgallery.com

It would have been so easy for Disney to do this right.

 

[donaldtoo]

I just showed this to DWifey, who doesn’t pay nearly the attention to Disney details as I do, and even she said “WTH…?! How is that Moroccan…?!?!?!”

 

[aladdin2007]

An email to guest relations has been sent, would urge everyone else to take a moment and do the same if possible.
It doesn't go unnoticed.... They aren't even using imagineering for these decisions anymore, they all come from inept park management, and for some reason epcot continues to have the worst.

 

[eddie104]

An email to guest relations has been sent, would urge everyone else to take a moment and do the same if possible.
It doesn't go unnoticed.... They aren't even using imagineering for these decisions anymore, they all come from inept park management, and for some reason epcot continues to have the worst.

I was about to say why didn’t that X post not @ WDW for goodness sake?

If they think fans don’t care about details like this decisions will continued to be made that are baffling like this one.

 

[ChrisFL]

An email to guest relations has been sent, would urge everyone else to take a moment and do the same if possible.
It doesn't go unnoticed.... They aren't even using imagineering for these decisions anymore, they all come from inept park management, and for some reason epcot continues to have the worst.

I wonder when that changed regarding not having Imagineering involved (Chapek Era?). When I worked at the parks around 2008 there were some changes being done to one of the merch kiosks on Main St., I was told that everything HAS to be approved by WDI before it can be done.

 

[UNCgolf]

I can't believe how bad that is. It's not remotely Moroccan, nor is even slightly related to anything else from any Islamic tradition -- it looks like something out of a subway station.

I hope Disney just hired a contractor and told them to install new tile without any further instruction. That would reflect poorly on Disney too for not being more involved in the process, but at least it would mean people at Disney didn't actually select/sign off on using this tile.