Major downgrade to Morocco area at EPCOT

[Planogirl]

The destruction of the original tile is sad. I don’t expect this pavilion to keep many if any of the authentic elements though. I bet that it’s changed drastically at some point.

 

[vinotinto]

Comments about the cheapening of Disney and the guest experience erosion are not new, but for me, this “Home-Depot-Contractor-Grade-What-in-the-DHS-bathroom- floor-is-going-on-here” shows just how far Disney has dropped. It’s as if Six Flags tried to do a Disney-style bath room and failed. This is not even close to Morocco. The details is what made Disney special and this is not it. They just need to take out that tile and restart. Even cracked, the original Moroccan tile was special. I can’t believe they could not just regrout it.

 

[Alicenwonderment]

What I think Epcot is planning to do with the Morocco pavilion once the construction is complete is that they will most likely reopen the Marrakesh Restaurant with a new name and menu and also most likely have an Aladdin themed shopping area to look like Aladdin's Agrabah marketplace complete with an Aladdin meet and greet and it would work marvelous. But what I can't figure out is why they have that African Outpost shop and Epcot should make an Africa pavilion rather than having that shop because I think something appealing to people could fit in that area and I think that Epcot should also have a Greece pavilion too in the future because Greece is a beautiful country and an Epcot pavilion based on Greece would be wonderful

There was a petition for a Greece pavilion but not sure it got very far with Disney. I would love a Greek pavilion.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Once a car 1, now a car 4.

For those who remember….

 

[Marek Zyskowski]

A Polish pavilion would be nice. It is the land of Castles and fairytales.

 

[Disco]

Hell to the NO regarding replacing the Morocco pavilion…
But, damn Disney, quit trashing the place…!!!!!
The intricate and authentic Moroccan artisan tile-work in the top pic is so far and above the cheap-a$$ Lowe’s/Home Depot DHS bathroom floor tile in the bottom pic, that if it wasn’t so stunningly disgusting-ridiculous it would be beyond comical.
All these days later and I’m still SMH…….
(Top pic is mine from many years ago, bottom pic is from the internet.)

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I get a Tomorrowland Speedway vibe from this new stuff. Is it just me...?

 

[Donalddidwhat…?!]

Not exactly subway station chic, but equally hideous!

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@Grumpy by Birth , Disney Imagineer…CONFIRMED…!!!!!

 

[Donalddidwhat…?!]

Just got back yesterday. The Passholder lounge was a little less impressive this time around - the location in the restaurant was nice - the AC was great - but they didn't have beverage selections - just water and 'Moroccan Mint Tea' which was pretty weak. No soda machines, iced tea, lemonades, etc. Oh well - still enjoyed getting out of the 100+ degree heat. The DVC lounge's temp location at Odyssey was a bit better in that they had canned sodas - but only diet coke, coke, sprite, or water. Again, iced tees, juices, and lemonades would have been nice (which the real DVC lounge has with the freestyle machines).

The tiles are just...sad. No other way to describe them. They're as bad in person as the photos.

We were just there on Saturday, and I think it’s even worse in person.
I was so disgusted, I didn’t even want to be in the PhotoPass pictures with my 7 family members below…

 

[Donalddidwhat…?!]

I get a Tomorrowland Speedway vibe from this new stuff. Is it just me...?

Yes, similar color scheme…

 

[Disco]

Yes, similar color scheme…

Similar?! Teal, yellow, dark blue and white. Even has a checkered flag motif.
Can't be anymore spot on that that!

 

[Donalddidwhat…?!]

Similar?! Teal, yellow, dark blue and white. Even has a checkered flag motif.
Can't be anymore spot on that that!

For sure, I know. I was just trying to be…”diplomatic”…???!!!!!

 

[Moliphino]

We were just there on Saturday, and I think it’s even worse in person.
I was so disgusted, I didn’t even want to be in the PhotoPass pictures with my 7 family members below…

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The main fountain is slightly better than the side planters, at least. Still a MAJOR downgrade from what it was. What were they thinking?

 

[OKW Lover]

Got to agree that Disney short changed us on authenticity. Such a shame.

 

[Kanan Lives]

Wow. That does not look like the quality expected from Disney. Tile work in some major airports looks better than that. A real shame.

 

[fla4fun]

The original work was done by the King of Morocco’s personal artisans. I can understand why they could not come back to do the repair work.

I am just grateful that they didn’t do anything culturally offensive. Moroccan tile work is supposed to be geometric and not represent any living things. Considering Disney’s recent penchant for going as cheap as possible without considering the consequences, I feel it could have been much worse. I would assume they went with tile that can take the abuse of people sitting and walking on it all the time. There were sections of the original tile that were completely missing and patched over, and that looked worse. I liked the original tile work better, but I am okay with the replacement.

 

[zackiedawg]

What doesn't make much sense is the tile they picked. While getting Morocco to send artisans to do the tile repairs or replacement is unlikely or impossible, there are dozens of standard tile patterns you can buy at any home renovation store with Moroccan-style patterns. Even if not 'authentic', they would still be similar patterns and colors but more durable generic tiles and still be durable enough for high traffic. To me, the shapes and patterns Disney chose look like something out of a high-school gym bathroom - too many solid-colored rectangular tiles.