"The American Adventure" @Epcot - Disney getting rid of CM's historic costumes

[detroitdad]

The big difference is the theming of the other pavilions. America is pretty much the only pavilion themed for a specific time period. The Other pavilions are much more General "This is our country", with architectural highlights of each country, complete with some landmarks.

the American Adventure Pavilion is the only one themed like a specific time period of the country being displayed, and therefor it would be much more anachronistic to see a more modern costume design.

They are all pretty much themed for a certain historical time frame. The viking age of Norway, Aztec/Mayan Mexico, etc...Every single costume worn by cast members in the World Showcase is a historical representation of a specific time frame as well. They are all traditional costumes. You will not go to modern Germany and typically see men wearing liederhosen. You will not see every woman wearing a kimono if you go to Japan. That being said, the change in costuming from Colonial America to modern host/hostess is just wrong to me and leaves me scratching my head.

 

[Eeyore98]

Think about it: Do other countries wear historic outfits? Why does the American Pavilion have to be stuck in 1776?

Every single costume worn by cast members in the World Showcase is a historical representation of a specific time frame as well. They are all traditional costumes. You will not go to modern Germany and typically see men wearing liederhosen. You will not see every woman wearing a kimono if you go to Japan. That being said, the change in costuming from Colonial America to modern host/hostess is just wrong to me and leaves me scratching my head.

Yes, this exactly! The Mexican CM costumes are themed to around the mid-1800's. In San Antonio's Market Square, they have "Primer Sabado" events once a month, celebrating the historical origins of the square, and the period costumes they wear are basically the same as those at Epcot.

 

[Berlioz70]

What a shame! I wonder what the reason is?

The entire World Showcase is getting refreshed - as many of the garments are the same design from the 80s.

For AA, they are trying to seperate the colonial feel from a more modern American feel. If you want a colonial feel, visit Liberty Square (where the colonial detail can be seen in the poop river or the leather window straps). Many Guests thought the 2 areas were a copy of each other (especially when comparing the costumes).

The main architecture display at AA is a building which was design to resemble the White House - therefore - Cast Members will be dressed to emulate those that you would encounter on a tour of the White House.

I don't think they'd changed the singers or those that work inside the attraction.

Entertainment is not being affected... however, attractions, merch & f&b are.

Are we forgetting that the American Adventure costume is just the Hall of Presidents costume? Personally I feel that the less recycling of costumes the better.

I actually read somewhere else (though I can't remember where now, it may have been the article linked above) that they are changing the costumes in the American Adventure and Mexico first and then changes are coming to the other pavilions as well.

And that article was wrong.

Italy and China ALREADY changed (and no one even noticed). Mexico and UK are next in line... AA is down the road. AA is just getting attention because of an angry/vocal CM.

And as a side note, I'll be flat out honest...Those costumes for the outdoors merch/food and beverage are no hotter than options that have shorts and short sleeves. I've worn both and I'd rather wear the skirt/dress option.

Good news - the design that was leaked shows women in skirts!

 

[asianway]

The entire World Showcase is getting refreshed - as many of the garments are the same design from the 80s.

For AA, they are trying to seperate the colonial feel from a more modern American feel. If you want a colonial feel, visit Liberty Square (where the colonial detail can be seen in the poop river or the leather window straps). Many Guests thought the 2 areas were a copy of each other (especially when comparing the costumes).

The main architecture display at AA is a building which was design to resemble the White House - therefore - Cast Members will be dressed to emulate those that you would encounter on a tour of the White House.



Italy and China ALREADY changed (and no one even noticed). Mexico and UK are next in line... AA is down the road. AA is just getting attention because of an angry/vocal CM.

Boy, thats funny, Ive never once thought "White House" at AA. And the attention from the "angry/vocal" cast member is certainly warranted as every word he said is dead on.

 

[MermaidMommy]

From wdwmagic.com:

"Walt Disney Imagineering is currently working on all new costumes for Epcot's World Showcase pavilions. According to sources familiar with the situation, new costumes will be introduced first at the American Adventure and Mexico, with more to follow.

Guest feedback has reportedly been indicating for some time that World Showcase is viewed as somewhat dated, with the costumes being identified as one of the biggest issues. Imagineering is therefore moving to make World Showcase a more current version of the "world", and not a historic, museum-like recreation."

Also, regarding the "nap" comment, I don't think I would get worked up about it. It sounds like when the CM's on the Jungle Cruise talk about sending you to Disney Jail (aka It's a Small World). Just Disney poking a little fun at itself.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

...The main architecture display at AA is a building which was design to resemble the White House - therefore - Cast Members will be dressed to emulate those that you would encounter on a tour of the White House.

You without question know far more about WDW than I do, and I love and respect your posts and opinions, but are you sure that the American Pavilion is based on the White House? I have always heard that it's based on Independence Hall in Philadelphia and it is a dead ringer for that building. The White House isn't even made of brick...

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Just wanna say... people think our costumes are tailored?

No. There is a costuming area for each park/resort.
You go in, find your shirt labeled by size in a giant building [sized like small, medium, large, xl, xxl, xxxl, etc]
and attempt to find your pant size. [three numbers like 39x41x28] which is extremely difficult..

OH. And if they are out of your size pants or top [which is almost always with my pants], tough luck. Guess you better get a good belt and hope it holds your giant pants up.


Yes, someone from the day before probably wore the same costume.

As for that american adventure, the costume is terribly hot [but all of them are except adventureland], and a big majority of us dislike getting deployed to work there from our home store for that reason.
Yes, they are expected to EVENTUALLY redo that costume.

According to The Hub, Coronado springs is getting a redo at the current time.

 

[jlevis]

It's too bad that the products in the gift shop are not made in USA. If you go to the Italy pavilion there are products made in Italy. You'd be hard pressed, if at all able, to find and products made in USA at the American pavilion. Last time we were there, about a month ago, they had American flags outside, made in China. It's not like there are not products made in the USA in the parks. They sell the Harvey's Seatbelt Bags in the parks, but not there. I understand that Disney is just trying to maximize profits by selling foreign products, just seems that some American products would be nice. Then again I suppose it is America, given that so many products we have are not made here, which is whole different discussion.

My wife was in the shop at the Japan pavilion. Everything there was made in China. That said, it is disgraceful that Disney would sell American flags made in China. I'll forgive them for selling pins made in China but not our flag.

 

[fla4fun]

My wife was in the shop at the Japan pavilion. Everything there was made in China. That said, it is disgraceful that Disney would sell American flags made in China. I'll forgive them for selling pins made in China but not our flag.

Not everything in the Japanese pavilion is made in China. Imagine my surprise when I got my purchase home and it said "Made in Canada"! We had a good laugh about that one.

I agree on the flags though. I would rather spend more and have a made in USA flag.

I don't know why everyone is in such an uproar over costume changes that we haven't even seen yet. For one, our complaining here won't make one bit of difference if Disney has decided to change the costumes, and two, since no one here has seen them yet, we don't know whether they will be better, worse, or as good as, the current costumes. I'm going to take a wait and see attitude on this one.

 

[Berlioz70]

You without question know far more about WDW than I do, and I love and respect your posts and opinions, but are you sure that the American Pavilion is based on the White House? I have always heard that it's based on Independence Hall in Philadelphia and it is a dead ringer for that building. The White House isn't even made of brick...

LOL - that is quite true. I did a quick search and found this:

"Architectually, the building is an amalgam of elements borrowed from Independence Hall, Monticello, Boston's Old State House, and Colonial Williamsburg."

Source

However, I do know the new costumes are based on a White House tour guide; and we were told that was designed around the image of AA. Sounds like it was more based on the interior versus exterior?

 

[prfctlyximprfct]

It's sad to admit I don't even remember the costumes! I need to pay attention!!

 

[jlevis]

I agree on the flags though. I would rather spend more and have a made in USA flag.

If you are looking to purchase a US flag made in the US you can get one from the American Legion either from their online store, Flag and Emblem, or from a Legion Post.

 

[lan3]

You without question know far more about WDW than I do, and I love and respect your posts and opinions, but are you sure that the American Pavilion is based on the White House? I have always heard that it's based on Independence Hall in Philadelphia and it is a dead ringer for that building. The White House isn't even made of brick...

I believe that poster was saying that the White House is based on Independence hall in PA. The American Pavilion is also based on Independence Hall.

 

[gator girl]

If you want a colonial feel, visit Liberty Square (where the colonial detail can be seen in the poop river or the leather window straps).

Poooooooop riv-er, wiiiiiiiiiiider than a mile!

 

[jrtoastyman]

Think about it: Do other countries wear historic outfits? Why does the American Pavilion have to be stuck in 1776?

I guess the question I have is, if they aren't dressed like that, what would they wear that is immediately recognizable as being associated with America? The world grows smaller and smaller each day, and if you were to walk around the cities of the Canada, UK, France, Japan, US, Italy, Germany, China, Norway and Mexico today, people are going to be dressed largely the same way.

I'm not wedded to the current look and I've got no problem with the desire to change to something more contemporary, I'm just honestly not sure what they could do that would scream "America" other than that iconic colonial look. I'll reserve judgment until I see what Disney has cooked up, though.

 

[lugnut33]

The American Adventure is a great show, but I have never been able to stay awake through it. Just something about being in that cool dark area after spending most of the day sweating like crazy. Bam, it puts me to sleep.

 

[ttintagel]

I guess the question I have is, if they aren't dressed like that, what would they wear that is immediately recognizable as being associated with America?

Ten-gallon hats, maybe.

 

[WDSearcher]

Hey all. My site was actually the site that Epcyclopedia borrowed the article from (link to the original article). I had a chance to interview Lonnie a couple of months ago, and we've kept in contact since. He mailed that letter to a bunch of people (including the current VP of Epcot) because he and his fellow CMs aren't exactly thrilled about the change. One of the things that annoyed them the most was that no one seems to have been consulted, including management. So I'm not sure they were even told why the change is taking place.

Keep in mind, though, that pavilion managers don't make costuming decisions. WDI and Costuming decide when and where to change the look or style of costumes. So management actually doesn't have to be consulted, and seldom is. Pavilion management is operations; costuming is creative. I imagine that the management of the pavilion wouldn't expect to consult with Costuming if they decided to change something operationally.

This is what many people are displeased about. We all know change is inevitable in Disney, Walt himself was behind that. But this particular change seems (for now anyway, I have yet to see the costumes) like it would conflict with the theming of a Colonial Mansion. I stated in my write-up that I would wait to reserve judgement until I see the new costumes for myself, but so far it doesn't sound good. Also, Lonnie saw them, and he is a very well-respected CM. So if he hates them, that's not a good sign. = /

All due respect to Lonnie ... he may be a very well-respected CM, but whether he personally likes them or not doesn't really mean anything. It's just one person's opinion. He may not necessarily be thinking of the overall picture. While the pavilion is, indeed, a colonial mansion, the promenade around it is in the "modern world". There's a coffee bar right outside, for goodness sake, and that seems kind of silly when you see someone in colonial gear fixing you a latte. Or, on the other side, whipping up a funnel cake. America is, after all, a mix of history and the future. No reason why it shouldn't be portrayed that way at Epcot. IMO.

 

[jrtoastyman]

Ten-gallon hats, maybe.

 

[DCTooTall]

First of all, China and Canada don't "come close" to the geographic size of the United States, they are far larger than the United States. They also have cultures and architectural styles that are as widely varied, if not more varied, than the United States. Very little of Canada looks like the Canadian pavilion, and very little of China looks like the Chinese pavilion, but the whole world "gets it" when they see those respective pavilions.

FWIW.... Out of all the countries in the World Showcase, When you compare geographical size, The differences in size between the US and either Canada or China is still smaller than the difference between the size of any other country. All 3 countries are over 3mil sq miles in size. Most other World Showcase Countries are well below 1mil sq Miles.

While my wording may have not been clear that I was simply comparing relative sizes and not stating that the US was the largest, I think it's still quite accurate to say that both Canada and China are the only ones who's numbers are anywhere close to the US.