New Dog Crate

I just got my dog Watson his new crate and put the bottom half out so he can start getting used to it.  He doesn't seem afraid but he is looking at me like "bleh life sucks now."  Really hoping I can give him enough treats to learn to like it at least.  I had to get an ENORMOUS crate because even though he is a smaller dog, he is very long and also slightly snub nosed.  The safety things I read said to get one size larger for there to be extra ventilation.  I made sure to get a crate with all the bells and whistles I could find even though it is not the Petmate Vari Kennel that is most highly recommended.  I haven't been able to find a difference in this one from that except this one doesn't have metal grates on the sides and back, just holes cut out.

Any tips for getting him excited about the crate enough to make the trip ok?  I know I am supposed to make it his happy place.  Hoping by having a really big one, he will feel more comfortable in it.  He has only been crated by me once before - the first night I had him.

The advice that I have always seen about getting dogs to like their crates is making sure you feed them in it. Just pop the food dish in there and see how it goes! It worked for my dog but she was a puppy at the time, she still sleeps in her crate every night though.