MK Stitch's Great Escape Replacement— Don’t Hold Your Breath

[James Alucobond]

Fair enough. My thought process was that at least the Terrace is currently used for something guest facing (even if it's just an upcharge event), while Stitch is just storage space.

It's a fair thought, I suppose. But I don't think prime attraction real estate should be surrendered to dining just because they've been negligent, especially when they have unused dining space throughout the park, not just at the Terrace.

Ideally, they'd simply return something to the Stitch space using the same theater format. My personal vision for the Terrace would be to convert it to table service while also building out a Paris-style arcade at the adjacent backstage passage to the front of the park that they sometimes open at night for crowd control. The arcade could mitigate overcrowding on Main Street, allow backdoor access to some shops and Center Street along its western side, and lead to a relaxation station/seating area along its eastern side that could be connected to the Terrace kitchen and used for the garden view dessert parties and events when not open to the general public.

 

[Splash4eva]

It still blows my mind that Space 220 (~25,000sqft) went in EPCOT instead of the Stitch space (~31,000sqft if you include ice cream and store).

It could have shared a kitchen with cosmic rays, would have been cheaper to build, and given the park with the weakest TS another option.

Still blows my mind this area has sat empty all these years in the busiest theme park in the world

 

[aladdin2007]

Still blows my mind this area has sat empty all these years in the busiest theme park in the world

That along with the absolute crime of at least not operating Tomorrowland Terrace during the day for every day regular guests. But no, its all about the bottom line and corralling everyone into one (almost one anyway) fast service giving no space or options instead of spreading out crowds. They simply don't want to spend the money to operate the facility or pay cast to work it. Just one of many reasons why Vahle and others need to go already. If they cant require their precious app mobile order mess on something or charge LL, then its out. ROA being next.

 

[Purduevian]

That along with the absolute crime of at least not operating Tomorrowland Terrace during the day for every day regular guests. But no, its all about the bottom line and corralling everyone into one (almost one anyway) fast service giving no space or options instead of spreading out crowds. They simply don't want to spend the money to operate the facility or pay cast to work it. Just one of many reasons why Vahle and others need to go already. If they cant require their precious app mobile order mess on something or charge LL, then its out. ROA being next.

You can really see the lack of dinning options on the smaller QS stands during busy times. Pecos, Pinnochio, Columbia, and cosmic rays are all designed to serve a ton of people. Sleepy Holly, Casey, Friar's Nook, Golden Oak, Lunching Pad are pulling too much weight. Tortuga tavern and Terrace would help a lot.

 

[dmc493]

The Stitch/Cosmic Rays building needs a complete gut similar to what Innoventions received... I feel like there were comments previously that hinted that any hope to do substantial work to Stitch area would force them to address issues elsewhere in the building, hence the do nothing approach. Regardless, I'm optimistic the area receives the love it deserves post-Frontierland.

 

[aliceismad]

I’ve seen a bunch of 50th anniversary of Space Mountain stuff. I was hoping that after the anniversary, and after BTMRR and the Cars stuff come online, Space Mountain would get a retrack and Tomorrowland might finally get some love.

 

[DznyRktekt]

Watching videos of Stella Nova at Universal makes me think anyone who cares for futuristic design now works for Creative and not Imagineering. The lobby alone..

 

[Nickm2022]

Watching videos of Stella Nova at Universal makes me think anyone who cares for futuristic design now works for Creative and not Imagineering. The lobby alone..

Completely agree, I understand Disney wants IP's, but there's just not that many for Tommorrowland that are strong IP's to justify expansion/new projects. That said I have a personal theory they are waiting to see how ELIO, FF: First Steps, and Hoppers to see what futuristic sci-fi films do good to green light an expansion. Even though I think Wall-E, Wreck-It Ralph, and Incredibles can all fit inside Tomorrowland if done correctly

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Watching videos of Stella Nova at Universal makes me think anyone who cares for futuristic design now works for Creative and not Imagineering. The lobby alone..

I mean it’s very nice but it doesn’t look much different from The contemporary decor.

 

[TheGenXer]

ahh... but if you enclose the Terrace you suddenly loose the dessert parties...

I’m sure you could tighten them back up.

 

[networkpro]

I’m sure you could tighten them back up.

The Terrace should be enclosed and open as dining of some sort. Its miserable during the rainy and winter seasons.

 

[James Alucobond]

Watching videos of Stella Nova at Universal makes me think anyone who cares for futuristic design now works for Creative and not Imagineering. The lobby alone..

It's curved walls with terrazzo, some printed galaxy photography, and a bunch of off-the-shelf furniture and fixtures I could get from the nearest contemporary lighting or furniture gallery. It is definitely nice for a value resort, but the rooms are basically worse Contemporary rooms (which are already some of the worst rooms on property), and there's nothing happening in the rest of the building that is distinctly better or more futuristic than anything that is also of that same genre at Disney. I'm not saying Disney is doing it well, but I see nothing at Stella Nova that makes me wish those designers were at Disney.

 

[Bocabear]

I think it looks stylish...but nothing groundbreaking...If the printed galaxy photography had actually been integrated video with some motion...that would have added a lot. It is nice looking... and the rooms follow the theme...

 

[PREMiERdrum]

It's curved walls with terrazzo, some printed galaxy photography, and a bunch of off-the-shelf furniture and fixtures I could get from the nearest contemporary lighting or furniture gallery. It is definitely nice for a value resort, but the rooms are basically worse Contemporary rooms (which are already some of the worst rooms on property), and there's nothing happening in the rest of the building that is distinctly better or more futuristic than anything that is also of that same genre at Disney. I'm not saying Disney is doing it well, but I see nothing at Stella Nova that makes me wish those designers were at Disney.

Universal's reliance on stock fixtures versus spec fab is one of the waning areas where Disney maintains an edge.

(DL's Haunted Mansion garden shed AI art giftshop notwithstanding)

 

[WDWFREAK53]

If the TT retained a balcony wrapping the exterior while enclosing the rest...maybe a large futuristic looking glass atrium type structure...where fireworks could still be seen from the interior.... Coordinating in-restaurant effects and lighting could enhance the fireworks show... and let's face it, there is no fireworks viewing full TS restaurant anywhere in the park...

I know about Tink's landing spot, but I wonder if fireworks viewing on the roof of the Terrace could be feasible with some work. Then you could enclose the restaurant on the lower level and leave the upper level open for viewing.

 

[DznyRktekt]

I'd take Luna lobby over Communicore Hall..

 

[bpiper]

Universal's reliance on stock fixtures versus spec fab is one of the waning areas where Disney maintains an edge.

(DL's Haunted Mansion garden shed AI art giftshop notwithstanding)

You sure about that?

Most of the hotel refreshes look like they were standard items out of a standard interior design catalog, not custom created items.

For instance, those "custom created" wardrobe cabinets at the Contemporary with the Incredibles stickers in them.

I am dreading the upcoming hard goods refresh for AKL. All the furniture (tables, chairs, headboards) was custom created, with all the carving marks and notches to give it richness.
I am expecting all that to be gone.

 

[Jrb1979]

You sure about that?

Most of the hotel refreshes look like they were standard items out of a standard interior design catalog, not custom created items.

For instance, those "custom created" wardrobe cabinets at the Contemporary with the Incredibles stickers in them.

I am dreading the upcoming hard goods refresh for AKL. All the furniture (tables, chairs, headboards) was custom created, with all the carving marks and notches to give it richness.
I am expecting all that to be gone.

All these changes feel like what's happened to Vegas. They were all in on themed and unique resorts. In the last 10 years they have all become generic and similar.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Completely agree, I understand Disney wants IP's, but there's just not that many for Tommorrowland that are strong IP's to justify expansion/new projects. That said I have a personal theory they are waiting to see how ELIO, FF: First Steps, and Hoppers to see what futuristic sci-fi films do good to green light an expansion. Even though I think Wall-E, Wreck-It Ralph, and Incredibles can all fit inside Tomorrowland if done correctly

Is it controversial to say I actually think, provided theme of WALL-E, it would actually do better at EPCOT?

 

[UNCgolf]

Is it controversial to say I actually think, provided theme of WALL-E, it would actually do better at EPCOT?

Wall-E would have been a much better fit at EPCOT than Guardians of the Galaxy, even if they'd built a good Guardians ride (not arguing that Cosmic Rewind isn't a good ride in general, even though I'm personally not a big fan -- just that I don't think it uses the Guardians IP well).