I'm not a Disney person per say but I am a book nerd.... I would love it if they added a gift shop in France connected to a little film like you said having Belle speak of France but also including some of her favorite books (instead of the Beauty and the Beast sing along). The gift shop could predominantly be a book shop/coffee shop/French pastry shop with Disney and French gifts tucked into nooks and crannies of the book shop. It's a dream, but I love this dream!
Idk I think what I love about the world showcase is that it’s somewhat trying to stay true to the country. So making any movie the big thing of it would take that away. And then movies will come and go and it would be harder to keep up with rather than just sticking to the country theme
The Disneyville Ditty gets me every time!!! Tyler, it should be purchased from you guys by Disney for actual use in their parks in some manner. I just love it so much! You guys are pretty great too 😂🙏🏰🐭
Love this episode and hope that Disney is listening. So many great observations and suggestions. There was originally supposed to be a rollercoaster in Japan, but there was a conflict due to their agreement with Kodak at the time and the naming of Mt. Fuji, as Fuji film was Kodak’s competitor. Keep these podcasts coming!
Love this so much (and all you do). World Showcase makes my heart so happy. I went to Biergarten for the first time in December 2021 for the first time and loved it- and it was a buffet then. I was actually surprised, but enjoyed it!
First time commenter, long time lurker - love you both so much; I just went to Disney at the beginning of October, my first time during spooky szn (I loved every second of it) and since COVID (so thankful to be back). My family and I went to Epcot and two things stuck with me the most. 1. I LOVED the Chinese acrobats and I was so excited to see them and THEY'RE STILL NOT BACK!! I'm not sure if it has something to do with the entire pandemic misinformation issue or if they're never coming back but I so hope that they do. 2. I had NEVER been on the Frozen ride in Norway since they changed it from Maelstrom to Frozen (lines were always long, pandemic, etc.) but I rode it for the first time and it was cute, not any where near as good as Maelstrom but cute. However, I found I was giving myself the jump scare remembering all the aspects of Maelstrom just to look over and see Olaf!! I did it atleast 4-5 times and laughed at myself the whole time. Thank you both for yet another incredible and entertaining episode - so thankful for you both, this community and this pod!!
They do have some coffee options at the bakery in Norway! I got the Kristoff Kafe, which was a frozen blended coffee with chocolate Rice Krispies on top and it was really good, not too sweet either. I think you can also order regular hot coffee, and they have a Viking Coffee which I believe has alcohol in it. I also agree, they need a dark ride in every country 😂 we have been to Disney World twice, and both times we haven’t spent nearly as much time in World Showcase as I’d like because our kids are so big on the rides versus the vibes.
Oh man. The news about Marrakesh bums me out so much! It was one of my favorites as a kid. My husband and I got married in 2020, and we were supposed to have a mini-moon at Disney and we had Marrakesh reservations. 2 weeks before our wedding, they announced Disney was closing for COVID. So I never got to eat at Marrakesh. And knowing that it may never reopen has me sad.
I am partial to the Three Caballeros ride but a Coco ride would be amazing if done well. My brother actually did the lighting for the movie Coco. He said it was such a beautiful movie to work on.
As a British person, the Rose and Crown pub being crowded is incredibly authentic - not often you go into a UK pub and it’s quiet! Usually you’re fighting for the bartenders attention 😅 They really need a Greek pavilion! Would be stunning and a great opportunity to bring Hercules in!! ❤
Love the podcast! I didn’t think I could listen to an hour long Disney podcast as the first time I ever went to Disney was last year, but oh was I wrong … and now I look forward to each episode 🏰 Speaking of our visit, it was in August of 2022 and Biergarten was back to a buffet at that time, and the drummers were in front of the Pagoda in Japan. They were great!
There’s a gift shop in France adjacent to the quick service Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie. If memory serves me right once you’re done with the sing along that’s where you exit to. 🤔
Germany pavilion: The gift shop is my +1 especially the Christmas shoppe. For the -1 or what I would add would be to add a Tangled ride but have it narrated with Germany facts by Flynn Rider as if we are following along rapunzels birthday lantern festival.
Another plus one in the UK could be a Hundred Acre Wood walk through or playground! They definitely need some small attraction over there. I also don’t like the B&B sing along. I prefer impressions de France all day long instead of at night only. Love this podcast! So fun!
The Morocco pavilion was never actually owned by Disney. They had a contract for it, and the contract never got renewed. I wouldn't be surprised if Disney changes the entire pavilion at some point.
Marrakesh was DELICIOUS last I ate there, but I will say the menu wasn't full of options I'd necessarily choose. But everything we got (3 adults) was mouth watering. I agree about not being as great for kids besides the Jasmine meet n greet. But it's stunning.
Love the podcast. They do need to continue with more of the interactive stuff. Moana water feature nice. I have a teenager, and young adult and when they get to be that age it can be more challenging. I start to get that they are bored with it, it's always the same thing. Now I think if they offered more of a craft (again this might be more for preteen) that might help. A craft that they would make and could take with them. So I'd vote for more INTERACTIVE stuff. Every Christmas, regardless of the age. We do CRAFTS. Everyone loves it. So any land that does NOT have a ride, have some craft offering. We just did TissuePaper snowflakes ornaments last Christmas, I would bet everyone will be looking for their snowflake on the tree this year.
We just got back from Disney this weekend. We did a full Epcot day on Sunday. Answer to one of your questions it looked like the Germany restaurant is back to buffet style. We were back there getting the pretzel bread pudding and I saw people at the buffet through the window!
Great episode again guys! I am from Montreal and to answer your question, the building you were referring to in the Canada area I think it is meant to be « Le Château Frontenac » in Quebec City.
Years ago, I did a tour of the countries of EPCOT, and we were told that the Countries themselves have to put out the money for their stuff min their pavilion, so any new countries would have had to put out the expense of a thrill ride (because that’s what Disney wanted for any new countries that would be added). Maybe Canada or UK didn’t want to pay for anything else
Animal Kingdom actually IS the hottest park. Something about the extra trees making more humidity or something. But it is legitimately hotter. (And I think Italy is hotter because you end up there during the hottest part of the day, due to it's location in World Showcase.) I've only ever gone to Canada first. No idea why! Also, I want a South American country in World Showcase.
Tutto Italia used to be my favorite restaurant in all of Disney World...but the experience and the food have really diminished in the past few years. Via Napoli is a much better experience overall now, especially for the price, but the Italy pavilion isn't my go-to for food anymore 😭
