Disney Blockbuster Café

davewasbaloo · July 05, 2009, 11:55:49 AM

Yep, we have been on this trajectory for a while, and others have called me crazy, or indeed have been quite mean to me about stating my concerns. It is not just about my personal tastes. I think in the medium and long term, this could really hurt Disney.

Anthony · July 05, 2009, 12:50:59 PM

The long set of graphics on the back wall looks like it's from the films, not sure about the banner.

I'm still hoping this re-do includes more than things we could just go down to the printers and have made up ourselves...

And again, nice that guests are left to assume the sign outside fell off and Disney don't care, rather than put up a few signs saying "we're preparing some new magic here... but the restaurant is still open" or something.

ed-uk · July 05, 2009, 02:19:30 PM

Was the Backlot Express popular?
Whenever we went in there it was half empty at best. So although I liked the themeing inside did it really catch on? Maybe that's why Disney want to make a few changes?

Since High School Musical and Pirates have been very popular, are Disney wrong to feature them in their theme parks ?

Aveen2008 · July 05, 2009, 07:02:18 PM

Wow I didn't see that coming!! :shock: I agree with Anthony that I hope we see more than just some pictures here- if they are going to re-theme it they really should go all the way! I can see why they are doing this to the Backlot Express as I don't think it ever was a massive pull as it was, in fact I think it was always pretty hard to see that it was a restraunt at all. By the way I don't like HSM so that's not why I can see some small positives in changing it.

I can see what Daveswasbaloo and Alan are saying that they are focusing much more on theming than transporting you to a different world etc.

Anthony · July 07, 2009, 08:27:06 PM

New photos from the latest Photos Magiques trip report:

Oh yay, posters. So my comment about popping down the printers still stands.

But that said, the High School Musical "theme" does naturally fit this space very well. It feels reasonably close to the films, and will hopefully get better once they introduce a bit of yellow (in those banners lying on the floor above). Some props of some kind - even just a few cheap basketballs bought from Auchan Val d'Europe - wouldn't go amiss, though the bigger test will be the POTC area...

Willow · July 08, 2009, 01:09:24 AM

I think it looks pretty good, and I'm far from a High School Musical fan! Its bright and colourful.

Like you said Anthony, the bigger challenge will definitely be the Pirates zone. Much more difficult to pull off than some white paint and some banners.

CentralPlazaPerson · July 08, 2009, 01:28:37 AM

To be honest I don't think this pirate restaurant is a good idea! I'm only starting to realize this now. Why not make one big cafe and call it Disney Channel Cafe or something and have all the programmes and original movies as the theming. Have your high school musicals, your Hannah Montana's and your Jonas Brothers etc. I think this would attract a bigger crowd than blockbuster cafe but that's my opinion.

*TIMMIE* · July 08, 2009, 05:23:14 PM

I really don't like this. It should be a props filled restaurant. Actual props from recent movies would be a good addition. Even if that means HSM or POTC. But this seem far from that idea. So, no thanks you. To me this is throwing away the whole concept of this restaurant.

Kristof · July 08, 2009, 06:09:32 PM

Real movie props will be added the last minute. The backstory of Blockbuster Café will remain a storage facility for movie props.

Edit: screenshot from the movie, the images all the way in the back look like the ones above the buffet:

peep · July 08, 2009, 06:26:52 PM

Have they done much to the Pirates section yet? Nice to see a lot being done though but I'm really going to miss the mass amount of props hanging around everywhere.

Kristof · July 08, 2009, 08:58:13 PM

Quote from: "peep"Have they done much to the Pirates section yet? Nice to see a lot being done though but I'm really going to miss the mass amount of props hanging around everywhere.

No, nothing new has happened there.

Anthony · July 09, 2009, 01:34:02 PM

Quote from: "Kristof"

Bringing over at least one or two of those tables would be cool.

Not really keen on the full title being Disney Blockbuster Café. Sounds forced.

bigrossco · July 09, 2009, 05:51:41 PM

so far its looking more of a High School Musical Café than anything else...

Kristof · July 09, 2009, 05:55:28 PM

I'm surprised they didn't write Wildcat's or something similar....

CafeFantasia · July 09, 2009, 06:11:28 PM

They might as well just leave out the Pirates bit, and go all the way with a High School MusiCafe or High School Musical Canteen.