Mouse Extra

As many of you know, I have always been a supporter of the increased influence Pixar has had over the Disney theme parks.  While purists have pounded their collective fists and coined the annoying term “Pixarization”, I have been mostly positive.  But today’s Jim Hill Media posting is going to run me off the tracks a bit.  Check out his piece here with pictures from the recently renovated rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

Just last week, the first 32 units at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort received the “Finding Nemo” retreatment. In the weeks & months ahead, 64 rooms will be retheming each week until a total of 1738 units have undergone Pixarification.

Yes, you have read and seen that correctly.  “Finding Nemo” will be the theme inside rooms at the Caribbean Beach.  Quite honestly, I can’t think of a more ridiculous idea.  And to make things worse, it isn’t even done well.  These pictures are just plain awful.  It looks cheap and poorly thought out.

The Caribbean Beach has long been a favorite of mine, though I haven’t stayed there recently.  It had a great theme, classy rooms, and bright but subtle atmosphere that made it a happy place.  It had the kind of well done, if somewhat less intense, immersive experience that makes Disney resorts worth the money.  But now we have rooms that look like they belong in the same kind of “shove the marketing down your throat” style we can find at the All-Star Movies or Nickelodeon hotels.  Those styles have a place, but why does it have to be here?

Now in all fairness, this has nothing to do with Nemo or Pixar.  I would hate this even if it was Mickey Mouse himself plastered all over these rooms.  This is supposed to be a resort that is NOT gaudy and kiddy.  It is supposed to be equally as charming to the no-children-in-tow adults as to the five year old.  But now it looks like a value hotel, only without the cheap price tag.  What a terrible disappointment.