"Paddlefish" is a fail in theme.

[Beacon Joe]

There is nothing inherently crazy about Disney requiring the venues of Disney Springs to conform with its story. A themed environment is built on a consistency of narrative. Nor is there anything about contemporary design which dictates the design choices that have resulted in the rather generic aesthetics. The real issue is the story of Disney Springs is far too open. It is almost completely lacking in any rules or guidelines that would shape the versions design elements.

That's a good point. What is the backstory behind Disney Springs?

 

[Goofyernmost]

That's a good point. What is the backstory behind Disney Springs?

I don't think that there is one other then the place that used to be Downtown Disney Shopping District and now is a modernized version of the same thing. It has a Florida flair to it, from what I can see in the pictures, and if you want to insist on it having a theme why not go with that? The real theme is get them in, and take their money as quickly as possible.

 

[lazyboy97o]

That's a good point. What is the backstory behind Disney Springs?

Disney Springs follows in the footsteps of Pleasure Island, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, in that it is supposed to be something that is where it is but was not created by Disney. In short form, Disney Springs is a town that was founded in the 19th century around the eponymous springs. The architecture of the various districts are supposed to show the growth of the town of the years, from the small farm houses now occupied by D-Luxe Burger, to the purpose-built downtown, out towards the industrial district of the West Side. Now, like so many other towns, the center has become more focused on retail and dining activities, with new shops replacing old ones and other buildings (like the observatory and old steamboat) being repurposed for these uses. If you find yourself in the Welcome Center (Guest Services), look up above the service desks and you will see murals illustrating some of this history, showing the historic use of some of the buildings.

 

[jakeman]

If you find yourself in the Welcome Center (Guest Services), look up above the service desks and you will see murals illustrating some of this history, showing the historic use of some of the buildings.

Oh man...I hope they are ridiculously offensive like the ones in Pawnee from Parks and Rec.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Originally the Empress Lilly, and then Fulton's Crab House, the beautiful boat-shaped building at Disney Springs....is not not so beautiful anymore.
Secondly...look what the hell they did to the dining room.
Here's what Fulton's looked like when I visited back in 2013:

It's what you'd expect to find inside an actual paddle boat. It's got the wood furniture and accents, the antique signage. It's a home-y atmosphere that suits a paddle wheeler.

I hate to break this to you, but that looks horrible. Every low-priced seafood shack built in the 70's looks like that.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Disney Springs follows in the footsteps of Pleasure Island, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, in that it is supposed to be something that is where it is but was not created by Disney. In short form, Disney Springs is a town that was founded in the 19th century around the eponymous springs. The architecture of the various districts are supposed to show the growth of the town of the years, from the small farm houses now occupied by D-Luxe Burger, to the purpose-built downtown, out towards the industrial district of the West Side. Now, like so many other towns, the center has become more focused on retail and dining activities, with new shops replacing old ones and other buildings (like the observatory and old steamboat) being repurposed for these uses. If you find yourself in the Welcome Center (Guest Services), look up above the service desks and you will see murals illustrating some of this history, showing the historic use of some of the buildings.

Essentially, the theme is "gentrification", and I think they did a great job unifying the former three section of Downtown Disney into a cohesive theme. Town Center doesn't really fit the theme and is kind of generic looking, but still very aesthetically pleasing.

I don't think Paddlefish looks that bad and it goes with the theme of old structures repurposed and modernized.

 

[surfsupdon]

I watch Below Deck and think the interior of PaddleFish looks terrific. Very happy with it.

Fulton interior looked ridiculous compared to the current layout and decor.

 

[KDM31091]

In my view, there's no denying that it looks nice, but like most of Disney Springs it looks something you'd find in any generic outdoor mall. No real character to it.

It did need a renovation, but it's just a shame that it's so sterile and bland.