New Dvc preview center

[BeachClub2014]

The Morocco Pavilion was sponsored by the Kingdom of Morocco itself. When the sponsorship ended, I think Disney had no direct real experience with Moroccan culture, foods, when a WS pavilion l;oses sponsorships, that are is often remodeled, like Norway, to focus more on Disney IP related to the country, even if it is very loosely related. I can see it being remodeled into something like an Aladdin attraction eventually...but those saying that WS is loosing it's purpose, are Three Caballeros, a Beauty and the Beast sing-a-long, a rat that cooks, and Frozen really reflections of their respective countries? It is a theme park.. not a world's fair, even though it initially gave that vibe.

The World Showcase (its name says it all) has always intended to reflect and celebrate the country's culture behind the pavilion, including themed shops, restaurants, performances, cultural ambassadors, etc. I understand that the Kingdom of Morocco no longer provides direct support or sponsorship to the pavilion. So Disney needs to figure out how to continue to provide that experience independent of the Kingdom or change the doggone pavilion. Not just close all the shops and turn the signature restaurant into an annual passholder lounge. There's an argument to be made that the IP-based attractions that you reference are culturally appropriate to the respective pavilions.

 

[The Jackal]

As some folks have mentioned, I totally understand the fatigue with DVC in-park advertising and propaganda. It is just about everywhere you look. I don't think DVC deserves a poke in the eye on the Canada pavilion preview center. Selling timeshares is literally why DVC exists.

I believe Epcot and Disney Parks leadership deserve a poke in the eye for not coming up with a way to install a viable shop/bar/restaurant/experience/etc. in the pavilion for over twenty years. That's the real missed opportunity, decades in the making.

So, as banal as some may find it, at least a lot of Epcot dead space will be utilized for something useful.

They can’t figure out what to do with the Wonders of Life Pavilion. I can easily think a bunch of things to do with a whole pavilion. It costs money, but you should get a good return on it.

 

[BeachClub2014]

I get it! Let's be honest: This is the same company that couldn't manage a company-owned, branded sports bar (ESPN Club) and killed it off, only to replace it with a really expensive cake shop that took more than two years to build. I mean come on!?! How can you NOT make money with a sports bar on the flippin' boardwalk?

 

[tjkraz]

I agree that there has been exciting investment in some areas of WS that you mentioned in your post. That investment is great but needs to be overlaid against half the Canada pavilion, which has been sitting empty for decades, and the Morocco pavilion, which follows suit with the stores' closure and the premium restaurant inside the pavilion. If Disney really wanted to create WS excitement, they'd make a totally new pavilion, but that ain't happening anytime soon. The live entertainment opportunities across the WS have also been reduced over the years, hit rock bottom during COVID, and haven't fully returned.

The real "sin," IMHO, was the pivot to emphasize nearly year-round "festivals" to sell expensive snacks, drinks, and festival-branded swag. But that's probably a whole different thread.

I can't even argue with the specifics, but I think it's reflective of the fact that Disney can't touch every corner of its theme park empire with regularity.

Over a 12 year span from 2005 when Soarin opened to 2017 Frozen Ever After debuted, the only noteworthy additions to Epcot were Seas with Nemo and a new overlay for El Rio del Tiempo. The primary reason for that was because Disney was heavily investing in other parks: New Fantasyland and Circusland at MK, Pandora, Toy Story Land, Galaxy's Edge. Plus MagicBands and all of the next gen technology in the early 2010s.

We're coming off a 5-year span where Disney rebuilt the front of Epcot, added 3 new attractions, multiple restaurants (Space 220, Connections, Creperie, Festival Favorites) and introduced a new fireworks display. Now MK, HS and AK all have massive projects under way. Test Track is still getting a major rebuild. That's the theme park cycle.

The festivals...I dunno. I get the traditionalist perspective that they detract from the World Showcase. But those events are also massively popular. My broke college student daughter literally spent her own money to fly down to Epcot for festival of the arts earlier this year. The idea that any corner of Walt Disney World needs more gift shops or restaurants is a little lost on me.

 

[BeachClub2014]

The idea that any corner of Walt Disney World needs more gift shops or restaurants is a little lost on me.

I won't argue this point, and I am not. My comments emphasize what has been lost from the World Showcase over the years. Whether WDW needs more gift shops or restaurants as a whole is certainly debatable. Still, I think it is valid that the loss of these culturally aligned (in theory) features, along with a reduction in live entertainment, diminishes some of the pavilions in WS and is a departure from what the World Showcase has been about for many, many years.

 

[pkrieger2287]

Now Open in EPCOT!
The Château de Voyage DVC Welcome Home Center has officially opened its doors in the Canada Pavilion!

We took a first look at this brand-new space, featuring cozy Canadian lodge theming, a spot to chat with DVC Guides, and a model villa from the upcoming Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows!

Thinking of checking it out? Here’s everything you need to know:
https://dvcfan.com/news/first-look-...me-center-now-open-in-epcots-canada-pavilion/

#DVCFan #DisneyVacationClub #EPCOT #WelcomeHomeCenter #DisneyNews #ChateauDeVoyage #IslandTower #DisneyParks

 

[sethschroeder]

Who knows what will happen eventually, but when the Disney CEO says at a shareholder meeting there are no plans for standalone DVC properties and they are focused on DCL I would imagine its not going to be anytime soon. Which is a shame because I can think of so many places I would love to see them.

https://dvcfan.com/general-dvc/iger-suggest-no-plans-for-future-stand-alone-resorts-like-aulani/

Plenty of world class resort companies exist. You can always trade your points.

Additionally these days its not like they are ones to be over the top themed either. So a resort like Aulani is very unlikely to occur.

 

[sethschroeder]

I can't even argue with the specifics, but I think it's reflective of the fact that Disney can't touch every corner of its theme park empire with regularity.

They make billions they easily could touch all of the areas within every couple of years. Majority of areas don't need much but slight updates or touch ups.

Its the annoying part that they dont do that in addition to not expanding the parks. Luckily Universal is coming quick and dropping parks in UK and Texas on top of it.

 

[han22735]

Now Open in EPCOT!
The Château de Voyage DVC Welcome Home Center has officially opened its doors in the Canada Pavilion!

We took a first look at this brand-new space, featuring cozy Canadian lodge theming, a spot to chat with DVC Guides, and a model villa from the upcoming Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows!

Thinking of checking it out? Here’s everything you need to know:
https://dvcfan.com/news/first-look-...me-center-now-open-in-epcots-canada-pavilion/

#DVCFan #DisneyVacationClub #EPCOT #WelcomeHomeCenter #DisneyNews #ChateauDeVoyage #IslandTower #DisneyParks

Why not post a single picture in the article? Seems weird.

 

[The Jackal]

Why not post a single picture in the article? Seems weird.

They have some pictures in the article of the poly rooms.

 

[bluecruiser]

They have some pictures in the article of the poly rooms.

True, but it would be nice to see pictures of the rest of the preview center space.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

https://blogmickey.com/2025/04/chateau-de-voyage-dvc-welcome-home-center-epcot/

It looks beautiful. Wish it was a space that more people could enjoy.

 

[han22735]

https://blogmickey.com/2025/04/chateau-de-voyage-dvc-welcome-home-center-epcot/

It looks beautiful. Wish it was a space that more people could enjoy.

Now that's a proper review. It looks great inside...too bad its for DVC info and not something else more usable.

 

[tomandrobin]

Glad to see that "empty" space is finally being used. Too bad it had to be for a DVC preview center. Progress I guess?

 

[muppets3d]

https://blogmickey.com/2025/04/chateau-de-voyage-dvc-welcome-home-center-epcot/

It looks beautiful. Wish it was a space that more people could enjoy.

Anyone who wants to can visit the space.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Anyone who wants to can visit the space.

Yes, if they make an appointment with a DVC guide. It’s my understanding this isn’t a walk-up situation, even for existing members (unless they happen to have an opening). I think the DVC product is great and we have no regrets in purchasing, but it is niche. A store, bakery, lounge etc might have appealed to more guests. But, as others have said, it was otherwise sitting empty so I’m happy some will get to experience this space. It really does look beautiful.

 

[muppets3d]

Yes, if they make an appointment with a DVC guide. It’s my understanding this isn’t a walk-up situation, even for existing members (unless they happen to have an opening). I think the DVC product is great and we have no regrets in purchasing, but it is niche. A store, bakery, lounge etc might have appealed to more guests. But, as others have said, it was otherwise sitting empty so I’m happy some will get to experience this space. It really does look beautiful.

If it’s anything like the preview center at Springs, availability is rarely an issue. But since this one is in a park it may be busier. We will see.

 

[Sandisw]

If it’s anything like the preview center at Springs, availability is rarely an issue. But since this one is in a park it may be busier. We will see.

I don’t think getting an appointment to talk to someone will be an issue.

But this isn’t a place that guests can come and sit if they don’t want to talk with a guide about a potential purchase. Hence, why it says it’s not a lounge!

 

[muppets3d]

I don’t think getting an appointment to talk to someone will be an issue.

But this isn’t a place that guests can come and sit if they don’t want to talk with a guide about a potential purchase. Hence, why it says it’s not a lounge!

Yeah it seems odd to have this inside a park to me. Springs, sure - the Saratoga DVC home base, sure. But inside EPCOT? Seems a little too "Westgate Resorts" to me, personally.

 

[Girlstar30]

Contino is going to have a man made beach open to everyone that pays, a shopping district and an Incredibles themed lounge that homeowners can pay extra to be a part of.

All Disney has to do is build a lounge or allow access to that Incredibles lounge and advertise the beach and proximity to disneyland and people will buy there.