Email show, Kathy's Disney trivia correction

[columnwest]

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for a great email show! I did want to take a moment to correct a couple of the triva answers though.

You asked: "What is the name of the restaurant in Disneyland that is two levels?". The answer you gave was "Club 33". While it is true that the dining area of Club 33 spans several buildings on the upper level of New Orelans Square (and you enter the restaurant foyer on the groud level), the entire dining area is all one level. You don't have the option of dining upstairs or downstairs. However, there is a restaurant in Disneyland (counter service) which *does* offer the option of dining upstairs or downstairs: The Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country.

Also, I don't want to sound pedantic, but you mentioned that the Italy pavilion in Epcot was a replica of St. Mark's Square in Venice. And, while Venice accounts for most of the pavilion's architecture, the structures on the right side are meant to represent Rome and Tuscany, specifically the Neptune Fountain (representing a pastiche of Bernini's fountains in Rome) and the Il Bel Cristallo store (representing a pastiche of buildings in Tuscany).

Oddly, Wikipedia and a few other sites claim that the Il Bel Cristalo building is supposed to represent the exterior of the Sistine Chapel, but I did some digging through my bookshelf and both the "Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot" and "Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow" point to Tuscany as the inspiration. What's more, the Sistine Chapel isn't technically in Italy anyways, since Vatican City is it's own soverign country.

Anyway, thought you might find this interesting. I look forward to the next podcast and the ABD trip as well!

-- Chris

 

[safetymom]

Thanks for the information. The person that created the quiz was thinking of Club 33 but I will have to check out the other restaurant. I hesitated mentioning the Italy question because I didn't know enough about the area. Now I know the rest of the story. Thanks again.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for a great email show! I did want to take a moment to correct a couple of the triva answers though.

You asked: "What is the name of the restaurant in Disneyland that is two levels?". The answer you gave was "Club 33". While it is true that the dining area of Club 33 spans several buildings on the upper level of New Orelans Square (and you enter the restaurant foyer on the groud level), the entire dining area is all one level. You don't have the option of dining upstairs or downstairs. However, there is a restaurant in Disneyland (counter service) which *does* offer the option of dining upstairs or downstairs: The Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country.

Also, I don't want to sound pedantic, but you mentioned that the Italy pavilion in Epcot was a replica of St. Mark's Square in Venice. And, while Venice accounts for most of the pavilion's architecture, the structures on the right side are meant to represent Rome and Tuscany, specifically the Neptune Fountain (representing a pastiche of Bernini's fountains in Rome) and the Il Bel Cristallo store (representing a pastiche of buildings in Tuscany).

Oddly, Wikipedia and a few other sites claim that the Il Bel Cristalo building is supposed to represent the exterior of the Sistine Chapel, but I did some digging through my bookshelf and both the "Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot" and "Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow" point to Tuscany as the inspiration. What's more, the Sistine Chapel isn't technically in Italy anyways, since Vatican City is it's own soverign country.

Anyway, thought you might find this interesting. I look forward to the next podcast and the ABD trip as well!

-- Chris

The buildings that comprise the majority of the Italy pavilion in Epcot are the Campanile (bell tower) and the Doge's Palace...both located in Venice in Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square).

The other buildings....while supposedly a pastiche of buildings in Tuscany, could be seen literally anywhere in Italy.

 

[mf1973]

Excrutiating Polyester Costumes Of Torture

(this what I think John was trying to remember)

 

[columnwest]

The other buildings....while supposedly a pastiche of buildings in Tuscany, could be seen literally anywhere in Italy.

I said it was a little pedantic. But, you have to give the imagineers credit for trying to cram some Disney magic into even the smallest of details. You know the trees behind the wall at the back of the Italy pavilion? Here's how they're described in "Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow" (which, remember, was written before the park was opened):

Leaving Alfredo's ... you stroll around the far end of the piazza, past garden walls, behind which a stand of Roman pines seems to whisper ancient tales of Romulus and Remus.

Seriously. Can't figure how I never made that connection. And, let's not even get started on the boat ride through a "splendid replica of the Roman ruins [which] may not be completed until 1983."

 

[robind]

Hi Chris - glad to see you posting.

 

[columnwest]

On the subject of Italy at Epcot, I thought I'd share this construction photo that always makes me laugh. (You can see the UK and Canada in the background. Look how low the water is in the lagoon.)

 

[aspen37]

Hi Chris! I can't wait to see you again in April. You are so full of Disney Knowledge it boggles my mind.

 

[columnwest]

I was just re-listening to Julie's store tour of Italy from 12/18/07 and realized that I made an error of my own. Il Bel Cristallo is located in the Doge's Palace building. The Tuscan-style building is actually home to the Delizie Italiane and La Bottega Italiana stores, which have the wine, cookbooks... and most importantly chocolate.

 

[disneycruise05]

On the subject of Italy at Epcot, I thought I'd share this construction photo that always makes me laugh. (You can see the UK and Canada in the background. Look how low the water is in the lagoon.)

What a great photo! Being a CM in Epcot, seeing pictures like this during construction really intrigues me. Thanks for posting it!

And I will admit, I was screaming into my iPod during the Italy question: "And Tuscany!!! And Rome!!!"

 

[denise]

I knew the Cub 33 answer was wrong...I've been there twice. But then I thought maybe there was something I missed...

Thanks for setting the record straight for now.

I will be there again in April and set the record completely correct!!! :

 

[columnwest]

I knew the Cub 33 answer was wrong...I've been there twice. But then I thought maybe there was something I missed...

Thanks for setting the record straight for now.

I will be there again in April and set the record completely correct!!! :

So Denise, if you're gonna be there in April, can you make a reservation at Club 33 for 45 people for dinner on April 16?

 

[columnwest]

And I will admit, I was screaming into my iPod during the Italy question: "And Tuscany!!! And Rome!!!"

Being a west-coaster, I was totally screaming "Hungry Bear!" at mine. All the same, it was a fun segment, and aside from the question about the bricks at American Adventure (I still like Kevin's 1,776 answer better anway.) I scored pretty well, and it was fun playing along at home.

 

[WDWtraveler27]

Excrutiating Polyester Costumes Of Torture

(this what I think John was trying to remember)

Tour guide from backstage magic tour give you all that one?

I made my own "E.P.C.O.T."
evil pop century of torture

 

[denise]

So Denise, if you're gonna be there in April, can you make a reservation at Club 33 for 45 people for dinner on April 16?

Wish I could, believe me....
I will post pictures though and everyone will enjoy them!! Trust me! They will be pictures to talk about!!!

 

[disneycruise05]

Being a west-coaster, I was totally screaming "Hungry Bear!" at mine. All the same, it was a fun segment, and aside from the question about the bricks at American Adventure (I still like Kevin's 1,776 answer better anway.) I scored pretty well, and it was fun playing along at home.

I had NO idea what the answer was, but I agree with you...Kevin's answer makes sense and is totally in line with Imagineering thinking. I would love to see this segment become more of a regular thing.

Excrutiating Polyester Costumes Of Torture

(this what I think John was trying to remember)

There's also Every Pocket Comes Out Thinner. But I can vouch for Evil (or Excruciating) Polyester Costumes Of Torture. They're not fun in the summer or winter!

 

[denise]

So Denise, if you're gonna be there in April, can you make a reservation at Club 33 for 45 people for dinner on April 16?

So your wish came true after all!!!! Instead of dinner it will be breakfast!!!
I will be there too! But not on your ABD tour just at breakfast....it will be so much fun....can't wait....

 

[columnwest]

So your wish came true after all!!!! Instead of dinner it will be breakfast!!!
I will be there too! But not on your ABD tour just at breakfast....it will be so much fun....can't wait....

And here I thought I was just kidding around! I look forward to seeing you there!

 

[MainStreetFireman]

Has it been discussed on the boards how Disney changed the position of the buildings? In "real Venice", the Doge's Palace is across the piazza from the bell tower. In "WDW Venice", it is adjacent to it.

Nothing like a little Imagineering to improve on reality...

 

[columnwest]

Has it been discussed on the boards how Disney changed the position of the buildings? In "real Venice", the Doge's Palace is across the piazza from the bell tower. In "WDW Venice", it is adjacent to it. Nothing like a little Imagineering to improve on reality...

Quoting from "The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot": "The plaza overall is presented as a mirror image of the original. This exemplifies WDI's preference for composing a unified design as opposed to simply creating replicas. The height of the Campanile [bell tower] combined with the mass of the Doge's Palace and the American Adventure pavilion created an imbalance in the skyline when placed in their 'proper' positions. So, the designers relocated the Doge's Palace to compensate."