Is it me, or does Space 220 look a little underwhelming?

[tentaguasu]

I've been *very* hyped for Space 220.

I also *hate* spoilers, so I avoided seeing anything much about it. But when I saw that it's going to be a prix fixe menu, I knew I'd have to pay a ton to go. So I buckled and looked at the Instagram sneak peek.

And I was vaguely disappointed.

I'm not generally Mr. Critic, and I think we can be too fussy and negative about Disney efforts. But to be honest, this just seemed a lot less exciting than I imagined. The space elevator looks cool, but the interior of the restaurant itself looks... drab? I guess I imagined larger, more panoramic "windows." Somehow, they seem smaller in the video that they seemed in the concept art. The ceiling looks very common, average restaurntey, i.e. not like a space station. It seems like it should be more thoughtfully themed to create more immersion. The color palates, carpet, and chairs seem a bit dinner loungey? And the little floating astronauts sort of had the "figure floating in a pen" look.

I know that it's just a short instagram post, but it just doesn't seem to produce that suspension of disbelief "I'm floating in space in a spectacular space station" feel I envisioned and would make it worth coughing up $300 bucks or so for our party of four. I was hoping for spectacular and this is more... fine?

I know I'm sounding hyper critical, and I don't mean to be. But I guess my hype level exceeded what Space 220 actually looks like.

Is it just me, or did others come away a bit disappointed too?

 

[Marrila]

I'm really excited about it. I really hope it's as cool in person as it looks.
But, if it's not so great it will be a one and done.

 

[Carol_]

Fingers crossed that Stitch and some Star Wars characters serve some drinks every here and there.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I thought the seating looked rather uncomfortable.

 

[Boopuff]

Funny you should post this! Had the family over and Space 220 came up. DH said”so you ride an elevator to ‘space’? I don’t get it. Sounds dumb” DD thinks it would be a ‘one and done’ me.... meh..

 

[gharter]

I have high hopes that this lives up to the hype (for so long). We will go at least once. It may be amazing, it may be one and done. I can live with either.

 

[Carol_]

Unlike Oga’s, there’ll be places for everyone to SIT.

 

[NuJoy]

()

 

[tentaguasu]

This is probably the source of my disappointment. Here's an early piece of concept art:

(This is from https://www.space.com/disney-space-220-restaurant-epcot-sneak-peek)

The details make a difference. The "windows" are much wider and taller. The seating is more spread out. It's big and open. The bar looks super unique. The "light up" table tops look cool. I know I've mentioned this before and it seems trivial, but look at the ceiling and the floor. In this artists take, they both have a really cool, futuristic vibe. They look like "futuristic space station." But check the instagram video. The carpeted floor and basic ceiling have a Radisson conference room vibe.

I know that concept art will always be different from finished product, but I guess my disappointment is that I think the concept art was possible. OK, more crowded tables, sure, but nothing else here seems like something Disney couldn't do.

Again, sorry to be a downer here, but I guess I was so excited by the original concept that I'm just a bit disappointed that it looks like (though I'm open to being proven wrong) this won't live up to the spectacular image I had of what it might be.

The "concept art" location looks like an amazing place where I might bite the bullet and pay through the nose to get a table. The "Instagram version" is more of a fun place where I'd go for desserts and an appetizer at a normalish price. But as a prix fixe location? I'll think about it, but at this point I can't see myself paying that kind of cash.

 

[Disneylover99]

This is probably the source of my disappointment. Here's an early piece of concept art:

(This is from https://www.space.com/disney-space-220-restaurant-epcot-sneak-peek)

The details make a difference. The "windows" are much wider and taller. The seating is more spread out. It's big and open. The bar looks super unique. The "light up" table tops look cool. I know I've mentioned this before and it seems trivial, but look at the ceiling and the floor. In this artists take, they both have a really cool, futuristic vibe. They look like "futuristic space station." But check the instagram photo. The carpeted floor and basic ceiling have a Radisson conference room vibe.

I know that concept art will always be different from finished product, but I guess my disappointment is that I think the concept art was possible. OK, more crowded tables, sure, but nothing else here seems like something Disney couldn't do.

Again, sorry to be a downer here, but I guess I was so excited by the original concept that I'm just a bit disappointed that it looks like (though I'm open to being proven wrong) this won't live up to the spectacular image I had of what it might be.

And as it looks in the Instagram post is definitely fun and a place I'd want to dine, but it's probably not worth it to me. The "concept art" location is a place I might bite the bullet and pay through the nose to see. The "Instagram version" is more of a "I'd go for desserts and an appetizer, but since it's prix fixe, I can't justify the price."

I do agree. The concept art looks way cooler.

 

[Raychell]

I agree with the conference room vibe - although perhaps they are purposely trying to keep eyes on that “view”.

 

[Micca]

but the interior of the restaurant itself looks... drab?

The booths look like fast food fixtures...like McDonald's. Unless the food is amazing, I'm out.

 

[NuJoy]

()

 

[Dis Dragon]

I don't mean to be negative about information, but does it seem like Zach Riddley is just trying to make a name for himself as an imagineer by dropping random instagram stories? I guess times have changed when we don't know any imagineers by their projects anymore...

 

[SteveH]

Maybe seeing it in person will change my mind, but seems like they cheapened out - the lighting in the dinging room and lobby looks very off the shelf, not something that makes me think of the future or space. The elevator looks like what I expected. The booths just look uncomfortable and what I'd expect from a McDonald's from the 80s - just appears like they tried to pack people in not create a high end dining experience. Sitting next in those booths with people at the tables looking at you - can you say awkward.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Concept art always looks cooler than it actually is We are excited - my son and hubby are space obsessed.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I've been *very* hyped for Space 220.

I also *hate* spoilers, so I avoided seeing anything much about it. But when I saw that it's going to be a prix fixe menu, I knew I'd have to pay a ton to go. So I buckled and looked at the Instagram sneak peek.

And I was vaguely disappointed.

I'm not generally Mr. Critic, and I think we can be too fussy and negative about Disney efforts. But to be honest, this just seemed a lot less exciting than I imagined. The space elevator looks cool, but the interior of the restaurant itself looks... drab? I guess I imagined larger, more panoramic "windows." Somehow, they seem smaller in the video that they seemed in the concept art. The ceiling looks very common, average restaurntey, i.e. not like a space station. It seems like it should be more thoughtfully themed to create more immersion. The color palates, carpet, and chairs seem a bit dinner loungey? And the little floating astronauts sort of had the "figure floating in a pen" look.

I know that it's just a short instagram post, but it just doesn't seem to produce that suspension of disbelief "I'm floating in space in a spectacular space station" feel I envisioned and would make it worth coughing up $300 bucks or so for our party of four. I was hoping for spectacular and this is more... fine?

I know I'm sounding hyper critical, and I don't mean to be. But I guess my hype level exceeded what Space 220 actually looks like.

Is it just me, or did others come away a bit disappointed too?

It looks like a 1970's interpretation of the concept art piece. If I was a designer in the 1970s who got the concept art, that's what I'd have made...

 

[GoingSince1990]

My guess is that there was a meeting where the bean-counters insisted that it be done for 30% cheaper. I’m still really looking forward to it, though.

 

[tentaguasu]

It looks like a 1970's interpretation of the concept art piece. If I was a designer in the 1970s who got the concept art, that's what I'd have made...

Yep, that's exactly the vibe I got. You know, a lot of things at Disney have a 1970s esthetic, but I'm OK with that in context. Like, the People Mover just feels 1970s-ish, and I love it. It fits.

But there's no reason for this to feel old. IMO, this should feel visionary and future looking, not retro.

 

[Lilsia]

Is it sad that I didn't expect much so am not disappointed? I am more interested in the food. If the food is good, I can forgive any theming issues.