News New Crêperie restaurant coming to Epcot's France Pavilion as part of Ratatouille expansion

[Missing20K]

Trust me, I will not be thinking about you or this window when I’m at WDW.

You can enjoy your Magical Misery Tour pointing out everything “wrong” with what others (who have no obligation to meet your arbitrary standards) have created. That must be such fun for your traveling party. I’ve always wanted to visit with the Debbie Downer of Disney.

Go become an Imagineer, then an Imagineer’s boss, and then your arguments will carry some weight and merit serious consideration.

I own a business. My customers get to tell me whether they like it or not. They get to ask me to order something for them. They do not get to tell me their “corrections” of my aesthetic choices.

And that’s enough of this. There is no enjoyment in this discussion.

I also didn't realize one had to be an Imagineer in order to be critical of their work. I guess art critics must be Picasso, and music critics Beethoven, and food critics Julia Child, and business analysts must own a business, in order for their opinion to have any weight, according to your logic.

My tour is a lot less expensive than Disney's and mine has better cupcakes at the end. Reservations are filling fast!!!! PM me now!!!!!!

 

[eliza61nyc]

The crêperie is using design techniques similar to malls and other typically suburban shopping villages. A more specific name that will show such work is “lifestyle center.” Here is one, actually a more urban project but one patterned after lifestyle centers, that is even going for a French-y sort of look:

http://www.dailypublic.com/sites/default/files/2016/Jan/legvillage.jpg

Aaah ok we would not call that a mall here.

this is a mall for us

Generally our strips like that are actually older homes that have been converted into shopping districts. like Walnut street in Philly

these are pretty much simply old homes that hold stores.

Same thing in Charleston,

but again, we would not call these "malls" at all. that's why I was scratching my head wondering what malls people had those type of structures in.

 

[Missing20K]

Still, all we have really at this stage is concept art to discuss, so for those who don't think it looks quite right why not discuss it here?

Cause anyone who doesn't seem to like the design choices or the lack of construction knowledge present in the rendering are just Debbie Downers.

Off-topic: Disney's Debbie Downers Tours are nearly full. Make your reservation today before there are no spots left!!

lol I don't even want to imagine what all our professional bakers are going to say about them when it opens.

Yep, only the pro bakers are allowed to trust their own tastebuds. I will wait until the Disney Parks Blog tells me how much I will enjoy the crepes. Can't trust one's own palette if one is not a professional. Only the pro's opinions matter.

 

[build_it]

I'm one in the camp that feels something is not right about this design.

After looking at it and thinking about it, I think the thing that is holding this back from meeting expectation is the height. With the location of this, they clearly have to be careful on how tall it is. That means many of the things that would really make this feel 'French' or 'Paris' or in line with other parts of the pavilion can't be achieved because of the height.

In thinking about it, with the location of this, I wish they would have gone with a design that is like a river restaurant. Something inspired by:

 

[jt04]

I'm one in the camp that feels something is not right about this design.

After looking at it and thinking about it, I think the thing that is holding this back from meeting expectation is the height. With the location of this, they clearly have to be careful on how tall it is. That means many of the things that would really make this feel 'French' or 'Paris' or in line with other parts of the pavilion can't be achieved because of the height.

In thinking about it, with the location of this, I wish they would have gone with a design that is like a river restaurant. Something inspired by:
View attachment 358196

Now you've changed my mind.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I also didn't realize one had to be an Imagineer in order to be critical of their work.

The “You’re not an Imagineer” line always makes me laugh. The odds of someone publicly disclosing such a status is quite small. What if someone does, then what? A complete reverse on all positions stated? It’s also a demand built on the false assumed that “Imagineer” is a singular job description.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I don't recall seeing any building that looked like this while walking/bussing around Paris, but I admit I didn't visit every street in the city. Sometimes it feels like they are trying too hard to make something look modern yet fit an older aesthetic. I'm curious to see what this looks like when everything in that area is finished.

And the crepe stand that we went to that overlooked the Eiffel Tower looked nothing like this, it was more like a food truck.

 

[Missing20K]

And the crepe stand that we went to that overlooked the Eiffel Tower looked nothing like this, it was more like a food truck.

The one we we liked was essentially a 4 foot by 4 foot wooden booth with just enough room for the griddle, ingredients, and the man to turn around inside.

 

[eliza61nyc]

The one we we liked was essentially a 4 foot by 4 foot wooden booth with just enough room for the griddle, ingredients, and the man to turn around inside.

lol, my favorite was right across from the train station. every morning I got to see this very authentic Parisian view....

lol, might be a good thing it's not authentic

 

[eddie104]

Aaah ok we would not call that a mall here.

this is a mall for us
View attachment 358191View attachment 358192

Generally our strips like that are actually older homes that have been converted into shopping districts. like Walnut street in Philly
View attachment 358194

these are pretty much simply old homes that hold stores.

Same thing in Charleston,

View attachment 358195


but again, we would not call these "malls" at all. that's why I was scratching my head wondering what malls people had those type of structures in.

That statement is what caught me off guard as well because I don't know any strip malls or regular ones that look like that.

 

[tribbleorlfl]

Sorry if this has been asked and/or answered in the thread, does this mean the current crepe kiosk will close or be repurposed?

 

[Missing20K]

Sorry if this has been asked and/or answered in the thread, does this mean the current crepe kiosk will close or be repurposed?

It'd be more authentically Parisian to have both open just yards from one another. But one must serve a better crepe than the other. Preferably the one that looks like it would be shuttered by a health inspection.

 

[peter11435]

lol, my favorite was right across from the train station. every morning I got to see this very authentic Parisian view....

View attachment 358213

lol, might be a good thing it's not authentic

The issue isn’t Parisian authencity.

 

[eliza61nyc]

The issue isn’t Parisian authencity.

Lol, it was more of a joke.

 

[WEDWAY100]

I am also thinking there is something off about the new building. My own observation is that this is also the case with the Spice Road Table in Morocco. It seems to me to be a long box with themed decorations hanging off of it. Comes off flat for me, as opposed to the main pavilion, which is intricate and rich in architectural detail. I suspect this new France addition will be similar.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Very good concept designers usually have a solid understanding of traditional architecture, do research and work from reference photos. It's the job of Imagineering to create the highest level of compelling stagecraft, like a tentpole film's art department.

I really dislike Frozen in Norway, but I'm not going say the rendering or execution of the meet & greet was below the place-making standards of Disney:
View attachment 357981

Whereas, I welcome the idea of this new Creperie, I'm just picking on the rendering (and design if that's final), because regardless of one's familiarity with traditional architecture in France, many can sense something is off.

Some France production renderings by the old masters:
View attachment 357982

View attachment 357983

View attachment 357984


and
View attachment 357985


It's not a big deal. But it's fun to disect the good, the bad & the ugly.

The architectural additions/changes to Norway aren't the problem, it's the contrast from idealized version of the real world to a cartoon world that has no true tie to the culture.

 

[Flynnwriter]

When members say something looks like a “mall restaurant” or like something you’d see in a local clump of big box stores (Walmart target...) they are referring to a level of theming and architectural detail that is minimal and standard to see across new American retail and restaurant development. Disney is known for taking structures and making immersive places and environments - that’s why when they release a rendering that is basically a rectangular shoe box with the same amount of detail as a Mimi’s Cafe or corner baker, Disney is aiming low and a flag should be raised.

 

[ToTBellHop]

When members say something looks like a “mall restaurant” or like something you’d see in a local clump of big box stores (Walmart target...) they are referring to a level of theming and architectural detail that is minimal and standard to see across new American retail and restaurant development. Disney is known for taking structures and making immersive places and environments - that’s why when they release a rendering that is basically a rectangular shoe box with the same amount of detail as a Mimi’s Cafe or corner baker, Disney is aiming low and a flag should be raised.

Speaking of, I have been given the go ahead to share exclusive concept art for a new restaurant coming to the Mexico complex in 2021:

 

[eliza61nyc]

When members say something looks like a “mall restaurant” or like something you’d see in a local clump of big box stores (Walmart target...) they are referring to a level of theming and architectural detail that is minimal and standard to see across new American retail and restaurant development. Disney is known for taking structures and making immersive places and environments - that’s why when they release a rendering that is basically a rectangular shoe box with the same amount of detail as a Mimi’s Cafe or corner baker, Disney is aiming low and a flag should be raised.

Not totally true, yes most of the table service restaurants are well themed but the kiosk in Epcot are basic green boxes.
This is going to be in my understanding a qs limited offering place.
There isn't a darn thing imo "themed" about the ice cream stand in the France pavilions
sure Chefs du France is well themed but even the Boulangeria isn't that themed on the outside. Heck the inside isn't all that.
Those eateries along side of Japan, themed???

Unless I'm misunderstanding, is this going to be a TS joint?

Lol, heck the Electric Umbrella isn't what I'd call an architectural masterpiece.

Again, I must live in the wrong part of the country, that drawings looks nothing like my local target.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Not totally true, yes most of the table service restaurants are well themed but the kiosk in Epcot are basic green boxes.
This is going to be in my understanding a qs limited offering place.
There isn't a darn thing imo "themed" about the ice cream stand in the France pavilions
sure Chefs du France is well themed but even the Boulangeria isn't that themed on the outside. Heck the inside isn't all that.
Those eateries along side of Japan, themed???

Unless I'm misunderstanding, is this going to be a TS joint?

Lol, heck the Electric Umbrella isn't what I'd call an architectural masterpiece.

You’re conflating theme for ornament. Being simple does not make something less “themed.”