Bye Bye New York!
A very suprising change to say the least, as Remi can already be found at Restaurant des Stars and soon, at the likely future restaurant in WDS... but now Ratatouille has invaded the Manhattan restaurant at [strike:1o2sdhbb]Pixar's[/strike:1o2sdhbb] Disney's Hotel New York.
The beautiful black and white photo frames have been changed to feature artwork of the rat, which certainly does not clash with the decor but they're still much less elegant and completely out of theme.
On the exterior windows, giant semi-transparent stickers with the scenery of Paris have been stuck on. You can't see it from the outside of the hotel though, apparently.
Moreover, outside the restaurant, the canopy bearing the restaurant name has also disappeared. Prospective name change? Fortunately, the waiting room has retained its original theme and the furniture seems also to have been changed, everything is new and very classy.
So what do you guys think of this bizzare change of theme?
Personally, I think it's the most bizzare thing ever to have a Parisian themed restaurant in a New York themed hotel :| Why, oh why did they do this! :roll:
(//http://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/11/37/83/24/ratato10.jpg)
Source: Disney Central Plaza (//http://disneycentralplaza.englishboard.net/t20367-ratatouille-s-invite-au-manhattan-restaurant)
Every time you think they've learned just a little tiny bit, they find a way to prove you wrong, don't they?
It is depressing to say the least to see Disney brazenly reviving such forgotten characters as Clarabelle Cow at Disneyland whilst Paris is still only entrusted with Pixar's Greatest Hits. You have to wonder whether it's the management underestimating the public or whether management itself has spent so long slapping Buzz Lightyear on everything that they themselves have forgotten there's more to the company than Pixar.
Even the most uninformed guest will realize that a Ratatouille restaurant at "Hotel New York" presents a slight incongruity.
If we're really lucky, they might make an effort to back-story their way around this. The Ratatouille chain of restaurants opening a branch in Manhattan or something similar. But probably not.
It is really depressing what's happening at DLRP at the moment. I wonder when the whole resort is called Pixarland.
Like you have already said, it makes no sense to have a Paris themed restaurant in New York.
Who is responsible for this? DLP-I seems to like Pixar a lot.
Next is Hotel Cheyenne. I'm sure Woody and Jessie will invade that hotel.
Quote from: "pussinboots"If we're really lucky, they might make an effort to back-story their way around this. The Ratatouille chain of restaurants opening a branch in Manhattan or something similar. But probably not.
I wouldn't count on that.
I don't know... Maybe I just tolerate those deviations from the theme much easier when it comes to the hotels... I've always been somewhat annoyed by the fact that we had Tarzan in Frontierland and the Lion King in Discoveryland.... but this really doesn't bother me. You know, it really can't be said that the hotels are rich in back-stories which could be messed up.... at best they have a more or less consistent feel.
I guess it's also the fact that they used the Eric Tan artwork which works in the hotel's art deco context, rather than put up simple film stills as can be found at the Santa Fe.
Quote from: "RiverRogue"I don't know... Maybe I just tolerate those deviations from the theme much easier when it comes to the hotels... I've always been somewhat annoyed by the fact that we had Tarzan in Frontierland and the Lion King in Discoveryland.... but this really doesn't bother me. You know, it really can't be said that the hotels are rich in back-stories which could be messed up.... at best they have a more or less consistent feel.
I guess it's also the fact that they used the Eric Tan artwork which works in the hotel's art deco context, rather than put up simple film stills as can be found at the Santa Fe.
You have made some good points and I agree with some of them, especially with the last sentence. I just don't get it why these things have to be done in the first place. In my opinion the hotels are well themed, the problem is the bad quality of the Disney hotels compared to others. Why is Disney spending money on things that aren't necessary, while other more important things should be fixed.
My hope is they revert to a french menu (as oiginally at the restaurant)
I actually like them pictures, though it is still strange.
But the worst thing is, what on earth next? With this, Santa Fe and Sequoia, its obvious that everything is going to be commercialised/ruined.
Seriously though, Paris themed restaurant in Hotel New York? Mindless morons.
Yeah, I mean, if they insist on putting characters into the Manhattan Restaurant, they should've at least looked at some Disney films set in New York:
• Oliver & Company
• Fantasia 2000, Rhapsody in Blue" sequence
• Bolt
Of course, non of those are Pixar films. Ratatouille is very obviously set in Paris. But the Incredibles, while set in a fictional city called Metroville, is at least a better match stylistically. If you didn't know much about it, you could think that the Incredibles was set in New York. It's at least set in an American city, not a French one.
Or Enchanted!
Quote from: "Martyn"I actually like them pictures, though it is still strange.
But the worst thing is, what on earth next? With this, Santa Fe and Sequoia, its obvious that everything is going to be commercialised/ruined.
Seriously though, Paris themed restaurant in Hotel New York? Mindless morons.
I hope you are being ironic, as that last sentance is rather harsh, not to mention insulting! There are lots of Paris themed restaurants in New York city, so since New York City (New Amstersdam) can embrace european culture I don't see a problem.
The Ratatouille theme is suitable art deco, and this restaurant NEEDS to attract customers.
I do wish people would be less anti change!
Quote from: "RiverRogue"I guess it's also the fact that they used the Eric Tan artwork which works in the hotel's art deco context, rather than put up simple film stills as can be found at the Santa Fe.
That is definitely the silver lining. But cut to next month's Disney Gazette update on the new sign of the restaurant bearing the new name. (Or me eating crow.)
And themeing is important at the hotels too; there's just a lot more room for abstraction and dilution. That doesn't negate the fact that it's a good idea to keep Hotel New York slightly New York-ish. If they get that at the chain hotels a mile away, Disney surely ought to.
If they so needed to up the character quota, they could have picked Mickey Mouse or any other character who could at the very least pass for American, never mind New York. Mickey's 5th Avenue something something. Donald's Deli. Clarabelle Cow's Coffee 'N' Cookie Corner (she's made a real comeback that girl), Minnie's a-Muffins; slap a handful of Big Apple puns on it and you're done. And as for the argument that the public no longer responds to those characters; you can't tell me Cafe Mickey isn't doing brisk business around the corner.
But really, I'm just trying to think of one proper act of in-theme decorating or designing they've done at any of the hotels in the past five or even ten years. Where have they actually improved upon something. Until something springs to mind, I'll remain bitter about this, haha.
In the mean time, here's my suggestion. Slap an I Heart New York T-shirt on Remy. One of those styrofoam Statue of Liberty crowns and a hot dog. Presto.
I think Minnie's Muffins would be best avoided.
Quote from: "ford prefect"Quote from: "Martyn"I actually like them pictures, though it is still strange.
But the worst thing is, what on earth next? With this, Santa Fe and Sequoia, its obvious that everything is going to be commercialised/ruined.
Seriously though, Paris themed restaurant in Hotel New York? Mindless morons.
I hope you are being ironic, as that last sentance is rather harsh, not to mention insulting! There are lots of Paris themed restaurants in New York city, so since New York City (New Amstersdam) can embrace european culture I don't see a problem.
The Ratatouille theme is suitable art deco, and this restaurant NEEDS to attract customers.
I do wish people would be less anti change!
I am not anti change, I am anti theme dillution. If the made it un upcharge jazz club, or if they have to cram more characters, made it appropriate to theme (New York) then I would be perfectly fine with it. I am getting sick of Disney shilling characters and reducing quality. And I am getting to the point where I really am starting to hate toons. Disney was not always about toons, but the decline is starting to really make people think it is.
Hi, Davewasbaloo
I agree (as always) that Disney should not just be about 'Toons.
Manhatten used to be mine and Sarah's favourite restaurant. We used to eat there every trip, the food and service was exemplary.
When it became a "mediterranean buffet" and then an italian restaurant I stopped going.
If this change triggered a return to the high quality (franco-american) menu standards of 2004 and before, there is a continuation of the art theming, and it increases footfall in the restaurant then that is all to the good.
DLP currently has only 1 top quality table service restaurant and it desperately needs another location where the food is the attraction!
Failing that I can't see that Disney would have any alternative but to shut the restaurant for all except breakfasts.
I don´t know who need something like this. Shouldn´t they try to support the theme of something with their updates and changes???
If you look some years back, the restaurant attract a lot more people. Why? Cause they had over there this wonderful themed rockefeller court with a fountain, glittering trees and all this stuff. It was simply a better quality of theme (and maybe food).
Now they seem to take everything that could fit in a very strange way to sell more convenience food.
They simply should stop that and came back to the original story. Do they believe someone could get a story like "And then some day the rat was over at new york and said OKIDOKI WE MAKE HERE ALSO A RESTAURANT! and so they open the 5. Avenue Paris-Rat-a-touie-Remy-Restaurant. Know as 5APRRR."
What´s next??? And then Pocahontas was at New York thinking about a table dance club like she saw one day at Las Vegas....
And then Rapunzel comes to the sea and make an original restaurant for bad guys at Cape Cod...
And then Buzz think that he and woody are real wonderful friends and to mark this he decided to open a Space Rangers Restaurant at the woods of Sequoia....
I mean storytelling doesn´t seem to be what it was before... :(
Quote from: "pussinboots"If they so needed to up the character quota, they could have picked Mickey Mouse or any other character who could at the very least pass for American, never mind New York. Mickey's 5th Avenue something something. Donald's Deli. Clarabelle Cow's Coffee 'N' Cookie Corner (she's made a real comeback that girl), Minnie's a-Muffins; slap a handful of Big Apple puns on it and you're done.
Those would be great ideas... for Parkside Diner. But I feel that Manhattan Restaurant needs something slightly more sophisticated, which Remy manages to represent in my eyes. Apart from the superficial setting, Ratatouille never struck me as a very French movie. And as the hotel themes never were that literal, I feel that, as long as it manages to marry the feel of an Art Deco metropolitan setting with Rats Doing Fine Cuisine, it really isn't all that jarring.
That said, anything beyond those frames I have yet to see and to judge...
Quote from: "ford prefect"Hi, Davewasbaloo
I agree (as always) that Disney should not just be about 'Toons.
Manhatten used to be mine and Sarah's favourite restaurant. We used to eat there every trip, the food and service was exemplary.
When it became a "mediterranean buffet" and then an italian restaurant I stopped going.
If this change triggered a return to the high quality (franco-american) menu standards of 2004 and before, there is a continuation of the art theming, and it increases footfall in the restaurant then that is all to the good.
DLP currently has only 1 top quality table service restaurant and it desperately needs another location where the food is the attraction!
Failing that I can't see that Disney would have any alternative but to shut the restaurant for all except breakfasts.
It is a big if on the food quality. Agreed, once upon a time the DLH - California Grill, HNY - Manhatten Grill, SL - Hunter's Grill, NBC - Yacht Club as well as the Steakhouse all offered a high end dining experience. But with the buffets and voucher scheme, we sadly have 1 - the California Grill (maybe 2 if you count the Steakhouse, which has been dumbed down).
It would be lovely if they returned the finery that was at the Manhatten Grill (a once upon a time best value restaurant). How I miss that (and the Jazz Club from the first few years).
It is sad to think there were 14 good quality restaurants on our rotation even just 10 years ago (let alone back in 1992, when it was 16). Now there are 5 restaurants our family consider. It is a shame. The good news is Val D Europe has a good number of restaurants now.
The food is indeed a huge disappointment at DLRP. Our favorite restaurants have been Walt's and Auberge de Cendrillon, because the food was really good, the service was excellent and the theming was great, but unfortunately the quality of the food droped at Walt's and Auberge is now a character restaurant.
France is known for good food, but DLRP seems not to care about that. I have never experienced any of the hotel restaurants, but it seems according to davewasbaloo, the quality dropped there as well.
At the moment our favorite restaurant is Agrabah Cafe, despite being a buffet. I don't like buffets, because there goes so much food into the garbage. Agrabah Cafe offers really good oriental food and salads and it is never overcrowded like other buffet restaurants, maybe because people don't want to try new food they perhaps don't know.
I always compare DLRP's food with WDW. We enjoyed eating there, because the CMs prepared special vegetarian meals for us. Don't ask in Paris, because the restaurant manager gets mad at you. According to our Amierican friends the qulity dropped there as well, since Disney introduced the Dining Plan, nevertheless the whole experience (Food, service, CM) is so much better than in Paris. Even the fast food isn't good in Paris, but I do like the vegetarian sandwiches, burgers and pizzas offered at DLRP.
We can just hope that DLRP will return what davewasbaloo described in his post above.
Sorry for being off topic. :offtopic:
So what used to be on these walls? Did they replace anything?
Quote from: "Alan"• Fantasia 2000, Rhapsody in Blue" sequence
Yes! Although possibly not the marketable theme they would want.
Quote from: "ford prefect"There are lots of Paris themed restaurants in New York city, so since New York City (New Amstersdam) can embrace european culture I don't see a problem.
True I suppose, but this is
Hotel New York, not the city itself. This is a dumb example, but: I'm sure Hawaii has lots of McDonald's restaurants, but it doesn't mean Walt Disney World should have one at the Polynesian resort. You expect something a bit more quintessentially New York here, not a restaurant themed to Paris. What's the point of that?! I thought the point of these themed hotels was that the whole experience gives you a real sense and taste of a foreign location, not one of the hundreds of real French bistros just a short RER ride away. How much did they brainstorm before simply clicking "File > Print" on these?
I like pussinboots' idea of simply using Mickey Mouse, the ultimate American icon. How about producing some fitting
original artworks showing Mickey and co. at various New York landmarks, similar to that Paris merchandise they sell in the parks but with a bit of period flair to it. These might be rather lovely posters, but it is incredibly lazy -- particularly after they were already used to spruce up Restaurant des Stars in the Studios.
Intrigued to see the rest of this mini makeover...
Quote from: "Anthony"True I suppose, but this is Hotel New York, not the city itself. This is a dumb example, but: I'm sure Hawaii has lots of McDonald's restaurants, but it doesn't mean Walt Disney World should have one at the Polynesian resort. You expect something a bit more quintessentially New York here, not a restaurant themed to Paris. What's the point of that?! I thought the point of these themed hotels was that the whole experience gives you a real sense and taste of a foreign location, not one of the hundreds of real French bistros just a short RER ride away. How much did they brainstorm before simply clicking "File > Print" on these?
Intrigued to see the rest of this mini makeover...
Anthony, you made a very good point here. Paris is just 30 minutes away from DLRP and if you want to have a
real Parisian restaurant, you should go to a real one in France. Disney designed everything at DLRP with the American culture in mind and so are the restaurants. In my opinion it doesn't make any sense to have a Parisian restaurant in a hotel based on New York City.
You brought up McD and I think there shouldn't even be one at the resort.
Quote from: "RiverRogue"Those would be great ideas... for Parkside Diner. But I feel that Manhattan Restaurant needs something slightly more sophisticated, which Remy manages to represent in my eyes. Apart from the superficial setting, Ratatouille never struck me as a very French movie. And as the hotel themes never were that literal, I feel that, as long as it manages to marry the feel of an Art Deco metropolitan setting with Rats Doing Fine Cuisine, it really isn't all that jarring.
That said, anything beyond those frames I have yet to see and to judge...
True, my suggestions were a little down-market... But that sort of classic character/pun combo surely allows for shoehorn more easily pried. I mean, art deco posters are one thing, but where to go from here? Will the restaurant retain its name? How would they justify that? Not at all and leave the whole thing alone? I hope so.
Anyway. I think you know what I'm going to say next. I think that, had this character crisis existed in the early '90s, they would have given just a little bit more leverage to authenticity or similar ambitions of a noble sort. They might have wanted to subtly introduce Europeans to something quintessentially Metropolitan, like the city's many Italian restaurants, the deli, or Delmonico's. (Delmickey's; there, you can have that one for free, Disney.) That Euro Disney is dead and therefore we weep.
To be honest, the news of 'transfers' on the windows leads me to think this may be a temporary thing?
Quote from: "pussinboots"Anyway. I think you know what I'm going to say next. I think that, had this character crisis existed in the early '90s, they would have given just a little bit more leverage to authenticity or similar ambitions of a noble sort.
In the first two or three years, maybe. After that we got Pocahontas Indian Village replacing the canoes (and as you probably know Pocahontas lived in the American East, almost 300 years before the time period of Frontierland).
I don't say I approve of this change. I just don't think it's particularly outrageous. Yeah, it's kind of sad that that counts as a positive reaction nowadays.... But frankly, having seen some of the projects that were narrowly avoided across the resort, this one is downright classy.
If you want the real New York hotel experience go to New York. If you want the Disney version of a New York hotel just outside Paris, don't be too surprised to find some pictures of a very popular Disney/ Pixar film in a restaurant in one of their resort hotels. Disney has always been about films and characters I thought. The roots of the Walt Disney company are in animation and film. Theme parks, animation it's the same company.
Ed - why do you always stick up for the mouse? Disney has not always been about the films and synergy, that really started less than 20 years ago. When Disneyland opened, tomorrowland, Main Street, and Adventureland had very few referrences to the films. same with Epcot in 1982. And even ED in 1992.
This is a disturbing trend. I am not really a Disney film fan, I am a Disney theme resort fan. There is a big difference.
What is a Disney theme park? Don't Disney decide that. Dave, you say you're not really a Disney film fan. I think for many people the films and characters are part of the experience. People are going to Disneyland, it's Disney's version of the world outside Paris. They don't employ people to stand around dressed as characters for nothing. The parades and shows all have characters in them, the Tarzan show for example. They must be popular. There must be a demand for them. But not with you I know. I notice some people don't like the Disney pictures in the NY hotel restaurant because the theme is wrong and they're fom a Disney/ Pixar film, so don't belong. But nothing is said about the meet n' greet area for Disney characters in the hotel foyer near the entrance to the restaurant. And Ratatouille does work in my opinion because Remy is a chef and he does work in a restaurant.
Quote from: "ed-uk"... And Ratatouille does work in my opinion because Remy is a chief and he does work in a restaurant.
Sadly, it seems that was exactly the depth of thinking applied here :roll:
What do you mean depth of thinkiing applied here? If they can't change a few pictures over 20 years, and try something a little different. Best not touch anything then and keep it the same, I don't mind. I thought it showed some imagination, instead of more old pictures of New York. A picture of flowers maybe? The hotel is "Disney's Hotel New YorK" and Ratatouille is a Disney film.
You are correct that it is Disney's Hotel New York - it is Disney, but is certainly also New York. I agree with people that the New York pictures was great and I see no reason to remove them, just because they have been there for 20 years - if that is a reason to remove something many things should be removed. However, should they be replaced by Disney pictures/artwork why not use something with a New York style as mentioned by many others, instead of just using a random Disney/Pixar film... I've just got the "new" Imagineering book and as I see it this update as with many others break a lot of "Mickey's Ten Commandments" (Some guidelines(rules) to make high class themed entertainment):
- Organize the flow of people and ideas: Make sure there is logic and sequence in your stories, and in the way Guests experience them.
- Tell one story at a time: Stick to the story line; good stories are clear, logical and consistant
- Avoid contradictions - maintain identity: Details in design or content that contradict one another confuse an audience about your story or the time it takes place in.
These are just the three commandments that are ignored the most with this needless update. I am not saying you cannot change anything or that this update is a catastrophe. It is just another example of DLP-updates that breaks with the very ideas that made us all love Disneyland and consider it the highest quality within themed entertainment.
It isn't New York. When you go to the hotel again just take a look at the meet n' greet area for Disney characters in the hotel lobby near the entrance of the restaurant. And when you stay at that hotel look out of the window and see the great view of Disney village and lake Disney. it's a wonderful hotel, I love it. And it's in Disneyland Resort Paris, not New York. Have you ever been in the restaurant?
Quote from: "ed-uk"It isn't New York. When you go to the hotel again just take a look at the meet n' greet area for Disney characters in the hotel lobby near the entrance of the restaurant. And when you stay at that hotel look out of the window and see the great view of Disney village and lake Disney. it's a wonderful hotel, I love it. And it's in Disneyland Resort Paris, not New York.
No it is not New York just as Pirates isn't in the Caribbean, the original Space Mountain wasn't in the time-age of Jules Verne or Big Thunder Mountain isn't in the far west - that is what Disney does so great. They build immersive locations and use themening to take you somewhere completely different from where you are! If this wasn't the case it would just be a parisian theme park.
Have you've been in the restaurant? Have you stayed at the hotel and experienced the immersive themeing? We're talking about two art deco style pictures of Ratatouille.
"I am not saying you cannot change anything or that this update is a catastrophe." I wrote this in one of the replies you answered.
This update to me is a small thing and no I haven't stayed at the hotel, but I know that is has great feeling and some great themening (I have been in there) and of course this update won't make the general feeling of the hotel that much worse. BUT I do not have to have stayed in the hotel to see that Ratatouille doesn't fit into the overall theme of the hotel.
The thing about Disney is that even the smallest details are coherent with the general story of the location (in this example Hotel New York).
This is just a painting or two, but it is these details that makes the themening so immersive in every corner of an attraction, hotel or restaurant. My arguements haven't been to this update only, it is a general view of how things are going - this was just the latest example. A similar little detail that would still ruin the overall story would be the integration of Stinky Pete AA inside the last tunnel of BTM - that would be a very small detail in the complete attraction, but still enough to make it less perfect.
Quote from: "Nicolai"Quote from: "ed-uk"... And Ratatouille does work in my opinion because Remy is a chief and he does work in a restaurant.
Sadly, it seems that was exactly the depth of thinking applied here :roll:
Exactly. There appears to have been very little gone on here except making that connection. Which has
already been done at Restaurant des Stars! And, unless it has really been cancelled, will be done again next door to the new dark ride. Yes, it's only two pictures, but why take the hotel's main restaurant towards a French Ratatouille theme? Why?! It seems like such a cheap fix for somewhere which should really be top-class, having a live jazz band playing Disney songs to bring in more guests, or something. Not window transfers of Paris.
The funny thing is, Hotel New York is probably the one hotel which could do with a bit more "fun" to it, and a touch more "Disney", but this just looks like they went with the first idea anyone shouted out rather than sitting down to actually
think about what this restaurant should be, what it should add to the hotel.
(I'm not outraged either, I should say, this is just a bit disappointing to see)
A picture is a personal thing, some will like it some wont. I'm not defending the change, they can put it back the way it was. It would be nice to have a top class restaurant and I would go in provided it wasn't too expensive, and top class reataurants often are expensive. Not keen on Jazz so that wouldn't pull me in but others might like it. If we're really ment to believe we're staying in a hotel in New York, and that's where we're being transported to, I can't believe they wouldn't be allowed to hang a modern piece of art work on the wall, or hang a Monet print in a New York Hotel. And why wouldn't Disney have a French Restaurant in one of their hotels in France, even if they do have some Ratatouille pictures on the wall. The film is set in France, it was a success. Maybe it just sounds to easy for some? I can see the logic in it. It's Disney's Hotel New York. And that makes a difference to me.
To be honest, it's only a couple of pictures, so it doesn't really bother me. It's just the concept of it that is very disappointing.
There are lots of these small changes like this happening around the resort which are not really improving anything. For a resort that is apparently in debt I think it would be much wiser to spend on things that would actually bring it closer to the famous Disney standards.
Disney theme parks are not all about the characters. Walt himself created attractions like the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise etc. which aren't in any way related to the Disney film characters. In fact, only a small part of Walt's original park was dedicated to the characters so this shows he wanted his parks to be more about the unique themed experiences. For a resort that has "Disney" in the title I think they should respect Walt's ideas and concepts.
In this particular case, Ratatouille is very obviously French whilst the theme of the hotel is very obviously New York; the theming inconsistency is clear. Therefore this change is not up to the expected Disney standards and should not have taken place.
I honestly think that the biggest problem with footfall in the hotel restaurants isn't theme, isn't food quality, it's just that guests who visit Village DON'T KNOW they exist and that they can eat there. How often have you seen guests wandering down to the Hotels who aren't staying there?
I think before updating/renovating restaurants is undertaken, initial advertising their existance should be addressed.
However, I'm not a fan of Ratatouille in the restaurant as there is already one in Studios, a simpler theme would have been to rename it "The Manhattan Gallery" and to switch out paintings for ones available in Disney Gallery, then you have a restaurant with class, good food and a merchandise situation where if you're seated next to a beautiful piece of artwork which you can buy, you'd go down to Disney Gallery and investigate possibly resulting in spending. That way there can be characters in the restaurant, with no overall theme to tie them together whilst still being presentable.
But as I say, until people know they exist in the first place, I don't see any changes making any difference.
It seems that as long as anything is somehow related to Disney, the new Imagineers think it will fit anywhere in Disneyland.
Adding toons to the resorts (Santa Fe) seems to happen just in Paris. There is no Disney hotel in the US, Japan and Hongkong that has references to any toons, except the cheap All Star Resorts, the Pop Century and the future Art of Animation hotel.
I really doubt that these new pictures will attract more people to the restaurant. Is the Manhattan restaurant successful and how is the food there? I have never eaten there so I don't know. Like Scissorsboi mentioned, there should be more advertisement of the hotel restaurants in the resort.
I also wonder how the Disney Hotels in Paris would be rated by an international hotel rating agency, since I think the quality can't be compared to other hotels. Maybe Disney should consider spending the money on that instead on unnecessary pictures.
The pictures don't bother me that much, it just seems that Disney in Paris just doesn't think anymore, like Anthony, Nicolai and forza have already mentioned. And Ratatouille is already featured in Restaurant des Stars, but at least it wasn't renamed related to the movie.
Forza, I really liked your example with Stinky Pete inside BTM!!! It made me laugh, but don't say it too loud, maybe someone from DLP-I might think about it and technically he would fit. Forza you also mentioned the rules featured in the new Imagineering book, but somehow I think that they don't apply anymore in Paris. By the way it's a great book.
It's really frustrating what's happening in Paris.
I think it's to early to judge it. i'm going to wait and see what they do to the restaurant, look at the menu and price. I've only had breakfast in there and it is very nice. It looked like it had just been decorated. What is clear, Disney is looking for greater synergy between its films and theme parks. I think that comes from Disney HQ in America.
I'm going to be staying in Sequioa Lodge this Wed-Fri and plan on going to dinner here so i'll take plenty of pics to post up here when i get back!
Quote from: "dagobert"It seems that as long as anything is somehow related to Disney, the new Imagineers think it will fit anywhere in Disneyland.
Quote from: "dagobert"Forza, I really liked your example with Stinky Pete inside BTM!!! It made me laugh, but don't say it too loud, maybe someone from DLP-I might think about it and technically he would fit. Forza you also mentioned the rules featured in the new Imagineering book, but somehow I think that they don't apply anymore in Paris. By the way it's a great book.
Oh well, I'll spell it out one more time... try to remember it before next blaming DLPI for those projects:
First, they're not "new" Imagineers. Most have been around
at least since park opening and they know their jobs very well. Maybe even better than you do.
The problem is, as I've said several times before, that they don't always have their way. Marketing considerations and in-company politics are given priority nowadays.
Quote from: "RiverRogue"Oh well, I'll spell it out one more time... try to remember it before next blaming DLPI for those projects:
First, they're not "new" Imagineers. Most have been around at least since park opening and they know their jobs very well. Maybe even better than you do.
The problem is, as I've said several times before, that they don't always have their way. Marketing considerations and in-company politics are given priority nowadays.
Okay, it seems that you are somehow affiliated to Disney or Disneyland Paris. Maybe you work there, I don't know.
With the term NEW Imagineers I mean the people who didn't design the park, like Tim Delaney, Tom Morris, Tony Baxter and so on did. Unfortunately none of them is anymore involved in Paris. There is a podcast about Tim Delaney involved in creating DLRP and how they cared a lot about the place, the stories told and how everything should fit the theme. I just think that this passion they had for Disneyland Paris back then isn't found anymore.
I do know that they know the job better than me. I'm just a fan of the place, but I don't have to like everything they do. The Imagineers praise theirself for telling stories and how everything has to fit the theme, like it is mentioned in all their books, but things like "improving" hotels with just adding toons, just doesn't fit their principles. That's my opinion!! So no offense.
I do know that I can't blame DLP-I for everything, but when creating something new or adding new things to the resort, it usually comes down to Imagineering. I don't have the insight like you have, and so I don't know if WDI in Glendale, DLP-I in Paris or if the Entertainment Department created it. I sum all of them up in the term Imagineering and since DLP-I is responsible for Paris, I thought they did add the toons.
I do know that the Imagineers can't have their ways, since there are budgets restraints and other reasons, but hopefully that will change again.
I do know that the management has the last word, that marketing is very important and that the financial situation is not good, but hopefully the new CEO of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Tom Staggs will have an influence on new projects, like he had on the reworked Fantasyland at WDW.
I just wanted to say that I'm not happy with the recent additions of toons everywhere in the resort. And since this is not happening at other Disney Resorts around the globe, it must be a Paris thing.
I also want to say that I didn't want to offense anyone. I was just making clear how I think about that all and I really don't want that this topic turns into another TSPL disaster.
Quote from: "dagobert"With the term NEW Imagineers I mean the people who didn't design the park, like Tim Delaney, Tom Morris, Tony Baxter and so on did. Unfortunately none of them is anymore involved in Paris.
Not quite true. As I've said before, several of the Imagineers currently at DLPI have worked on the design of DLP. The lands' executive designers didn't work all alone, you know. Up until recently, the director of DLPI was the guy who designed the entire Alice area of Fantasyland. One of the senior designers worked on the design of Main Street. Just for example...
I can attest to the fact that most of the Imagineers in Paris care about the resort and know what it should be like, more so than many of the Imagineers currently in Glendale. They don't deserve the blame for much of what's happening at the moment.
I completely understand that people on the outside can't know all this, but as a result it would be sensible to phrase your accusations accordingly.
Quote from: "RiverRogue"Quote from: "dagobert"With the term NEW Imagineers I mean the people who didn't design the park, like Tim Delaney, Tom Morris, Tony Baxter and so on did. Unfortunately none of them is anymore involved in Paris.
Not quite true. As I've said before, several of the Imagineers currently at DLPI have worked on the design of DLP. The lands' executive designers didn't work all alone, you know. Up until recently, the director of DLPI was the guy who designed the entire Alice area of Fantasyland. One of the senior designers worked on the design of Main Street. Just for example...
I can attest to the fact that most of the Imagineers in Paris care about the resort and know what it should be like, more so than many of the Imagineers currently in Glendale. They don't deserve the blame for much of what's happening at the moment.
I completely understand that people on the outside can't know all this, but as a result it would be sensible to phrase your accusations accordingly.
First thanks for the information about the Imagineers. I didn't know that.
And I want to make sure that I didn't want to offend anyone at DLP-I, I just wanted to tell how I think about the recent transitions and addings and I have to admit that I thought it was their idea to add the characters. I know they have a tough job with all the cost cuttings.
Isn't WDI or DLP-I not allowed to veto against such things, since, like you said, they still care a lot about DLRP. Does TWDC have any influence on what's happening at DLRP?
So when DLP-I isn't responsible for all this, who is? I mean I can't imagine that the adding of the toons to the hotel was done by WDI in Glendale.
You are right that I have to phrase my accusations accordingly, but since I don't know who it was it comes down to Imagineering, since most people think, me included, that the Imagineers are responsible for nearly everything that happens at any Disney Resort.
Is this even a DLP-I project? (Is it even a "project"?)
Seems more like the restaurants division not knowing what to do with the place.
I would imagine this only temporary anyway.
Could be to do with a possible announcement about a future Rat ride?
Any more news on this?
We stayed in the Sequoia Lodge last week so we walked past it every day, and one day I went right upto the window and I'm very certain that there is nothing on the windows showing off scenes of Paris.
when you looked through the window did the restaurant look like it had been invaded by Ratatouille ? Any pictures of Remy, or Ratatouille themeing, did it still look like the Manhattan Restaurant?
All I noticed was the pics on the wall, that have been pictured in this topic. Apart from that everything seems the same.
Good. Thanks for your reply.
Oh, I've seen some more pictures on another forum now. It's starting to look a bit Ratatouille-ish. And views of Paris. Not very New York. That said it does look quite nice. Try Disney Central Plaza.
I'm sorry, but to me this is more than just a little misguided, whether or not the stickers become magically invisible at nighttime. Just awful. Manhattan, Michael Graves' 1990-era art deco and that CGI version of Paris go about as well together as one of Heston Blumenthal's appetizers. Not to mention how cheap it all looks.
(//http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/4075/p1090512w.jpg)
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Mouetto, Disney Central Plaza
You can't transform this into Gusteau's, nor should you want to for heaven's sake. Save it for Disney's Parisian Resort & Spa.
Is there anyway we can complain about this at all? It's awful!
I don't know what to say. It just looks cheap. I don't get it why they are transforming this wonderful restaurant into a Ratatouille restaurant. Now it is really strange and the CGI pictures of Paris definately don't fit the New York theme of the Manhattan restaurant.
Maybe the supposed Gusteau's Restaurant at WDS got cancelled.
Disney did so many wonderful things recently, just not in Paris.
Speechless, just speechless, i don´t think there is any word in the world to say how this looks,
ugly and cheap is to nice to say. how could someone just thought about it and green lit it? Europeans
never will get it i think...
Now everyone in europe comes to DLP to eat at the new Manhatatouile Restaurant, you will see attendance and spending per
guest will get up 20% just because Remy is there. The boost will that high like on the Restaurant de Stars with Remy.
Oh and don´t forget to visit the park in every season then more rethemed restaurants will come, for one we have
The Wall-E Yacht Club Restaurant at New Port Bay and the Incrediblegrill at Sequoia Lodge. Inventions at the Disneyland Hotel will get rethemed as the Pixar Pals Restaurant. But thats nothing after you will see what awaits us next Year.
Space Mountain will get a Wall-E overlay. Big Thunder will get a Woody and Jassy Overlay. It´s a Small World will feature
all Pixar Pals. and the motto of 2012 is Disneyland Park and the Pixar Invasion :twisted:
QuoteMaybe the supposed Gusteau's Restaurant at WDS got cancelled.
Maybe there isn´t anything Planed like the restaurant we all want, or the attraction at all, maybe all the buget got now into this rethemed restaurent or in mr. gas pocket....
Quote from: "lil-shawn"Speechless, just speechless, i don´t think there is any word in the world to say how this looks,
ugly and cheap is to nice to say. how could someone just thought about it and green lit it? Europeans
never will get it i think...
Now everyone in europe comes to DLP to eat at the new Manhatatouile Restaurant, you will see attendance and spending per
guest will get up 20% just because Remy is there. The boost will that high like on the Restaurant de Stars with Remy.
Oh and don´t forget to visit the park in every season then more rethemed restaurants will come, for one we have
The Wall-E Yacht Club Restaurant at New Port Bay and the Incrediblegrill at Sequoia Lodge. Inventions at the Disneyland Hotel will get rethemed as the Pixar Pals Restaurant. But thats nothing after you will see what awaits us next Year.
Space Mountain will get a Wall-E overlay. Big Thunder will get a Woody and Jassy Overlay. It´s a Small World will feature
all Pixar Pals. and the motto of 2012 is Disneyland Park and the Pixar Invasion :twisted:
QuoteMaybe the supposed Gusteau's Restaurant at WDS got cancelled.
Maybe there isn´t anything Planed like the restaurant we all want, or the attraction at all, maybe all the buget got now into this rethemed restaurent or in mr. gas pocket....
Perhaps in a few years DLRP is called Pixar Resort Paris :D .
I have to give credit to Mr. Gas. I think under his leadership many good things happened as well. For example there are many effects throughout the parks which haven't worked for ages are now back. There are also a lot of big refurbishments going on which will also improve the park. I don't think that he is involved in such decissions, like "improving" the Manhattan Restaurant.
I know DLRP is still behind the US standards in terms of maintenance, cleaness of the park and CMs, but I still hope that he will improve the resort. I also know that adding characters to everything will not help to do so. Maybe, if DLRP will ever make money, the situation will improve.
I wonder when DLRP will receive something new without a toon connection.
Do we all know about the disappearance of the sidewalk canopy yet? I'm talking about this:
(//http://www.photosmagiques.com/gallery/hotels/hotel_new_york/DSC02517.JPG)
(//http://www.photosmagiques.com/gallery/hotels/hotel_new_york/DSC05625.JPG)
This did two things:
- It was a nice homage to the New York city streetscape;
- It provided the only bit of interaction between the livelier parts of the hotel and Rockefeller Plaza.
I suppose not enough people used it and it was just a hassle to, oh, maintain or lock the door at night or something similar. Or it's being refurbished and will return with Ratatouille on it. In any case, it's gone.
:( Sad! Hope it´s just a refurb. Hat this whole ratatouille thing. And I hate that they don´t do again more with the plaza itself.
I hope they dont pay the HNY manager too much....it doesn't seem to be run very well.
Have you seen the state of the fairy lights in the trees out there? And the fountains seem to live an empty live nowadays too....
Well, I hope I have some good news! I stayed at the New York last weekend and there was no sign of the rat in the manhattan restaurant! There were no pictures on the walls or the doors/windows, I could'nt even find any droppings! Unless you can only see the doors/windows dressing at night then they were most definitely clear, the other point is that there was no mention of the rat in the advertising in the hotel or the literature etc in the rooms and if this was a new piece of branding then it would surely be heavily advertised? Maybe Disney noticed the negative feedback and withdrew the plan? or maybe it was made over for some advertising/promotional campaign? What do you think?
That's good to hear.
In the morning I posted in the Ratatouille thread that Disney registered La Ratatouille as a trademark for a restaurant. At first I thought that it would be for the new restaurant at WDS, but I was also speculating that it could be for the Manhattan restuarant.
Seriously, if Disney are eventually going to build a proper Ratatouille restaurant at the Walt Disney Studios, then shouldn't it be the ONLY Ratatouille restaurant at the resort? Why confuse/dilute things by having a second Ratatouille restaurant over at the Hotel New York?
Grandmath from DCP has posted a picture of the Manhattan restaurant:
(//http://i27.servimg.com/u/f27/11/37/83/24/manhat10.jpg)
I'm really happy to see that all Ratatouille related stuff is gone!!
http://disneycentralplaza.englishboard. ... ant#944771 (http://disneycentralplaza.englishboard.net/t20367p100-ratatouille-s-invite-temporairement-au-manhattan-restaurant#944771%22%20onclick=%22window.open(this.href);return%20false;)
Fantastic! Maybe they had a secret meeting in there with investors for the Ratatouille attraction? :lol:
Oh thank God. They came to their senses.
Makes you wonder why on earth they done it in the first place?