EPCOT Journey of Water featuring Moana coming to Epcot

[Skibum1970]

Ok, ok please clarify, what is the water doing?

It's bubbling along a manmade path via forced currents created by manmade pumps and down manmade mini-falls across artificial rocks. See? It's playing!! Playing at being something it isn't.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Ok, ok please clarify, what is the water doing?

Per a report from the CM previews, some features include:
- Water harps that you can play by passing your hand under a series of water strings
- A waterfall curtain that parts for you when you pass through it
- Leaping fountains that you can direct
- Collaborative effects where more people gathering around creates larger fountains
- The ability to high-five the water, with the fountain aiming for your hand to meet you high or low
- A children's play area with spitting kakamora"

 

[Andrew C]

The ability to high-five the water, with the fountain aiming for your hand to meet you high or low

This sounds cool.

 

[GimpYancIent]

This sounds cool.

Yes! it does, an elaborate themed splash pad.

 

[J4546]

Looks almost done, can't wait to check this out on my next trip

 

[Surferboy567]

- A waterfall curtain that parts for you when you pass through it
- The ability to high-five the water, with the fountain aiming for your hand to meet you high or low

Wonder how they pull the high five effect off. Both these sound fun, hoping this opens up soon.

 

[Rhinocerous]

Location disputes aside, I think the biggest issue here is how it is being presented.

Using “magic” to give a thing fun characteristics it doesn’t normally possess is expected. That’s, like, page 1 in the edutainment playbook. The problem is suggesting those gags are legitimate in a teaching context.

Water is an inert substance which obeys the laws of physics. It doesn’t have a “playful personality.” It would be like advertising the Figment ride with a blurb saying “learn about how your imagination loves to make you smell skunk.”

 

[doctornick]

Location disputes aside, I think the biggest issue here is how it is being presented.

Using “magic” to give a thing fun characteristics it doesn’t normally possess is expected. That’s, like, page 1 in the edutainment playbook. The problem is suggesting those gags are legitimate in a teaching context.

Water is an inert substance which obeys the laws of physics. It doesn’t have a “playful personality.” It would be like advertising the Figment ride with a blurb saying “learn about how your imagination loves to make you smell skunk.”

You mean like pretending there’s little people in your body controlling various body parts?

 

[Animaniac93-98]

In the story just out about August being Princess month it mentions Journey of Water opening "Late 2023" - so not even Fall anymore

"Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – Opening Late 2023
Set off down an interactive trail that celebrates water and its playful personality."

View attachment 735474

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/princesses/

I'll open December 31st at 11:59pm

 

[Animaniac93-98]

The water joined the CM union. Disney is now scrambling to find college water that will work for credit.

In the meantime, the water will be substituted with Coke Zero.

 

[No Name]

You mean like pretending there’s little people in your body controlling various body parts?

Are you talking about Inside Out, which gives character to emotions in a way that serves to strengthen the message of the movie? Ironically Moana’s use of water works too. But trying to tie this magic to the basic scientific process of the water cycle… that makes absolutely no sense and is also just really lame.


This would be like if Aladdin tried to incorporate a message about the gravity of carpets. Or if Toy Story was about the properties of plastic. Or if Iron Man was about the anatomy of the heart. Or if Star Wars… okay I’ll stop.

Disney is good at using magic to further themes, not to literally explain science.

 

[Andrew C]

But trying to tie this magic to the basic scientific process of the water cycle… that makes absolutely no sense and is also just really lame.

Just trying to make it fun for the fam.

 

[No Name]

Just trying to make it fun for the fam.

Do you consider the water cycle to be loads of fun?

 

[Andrew C]

Do you consider the water cycle to be loads of fun?

Not on its own. Which is why they spiced things up with a bit of interaction and apparent “Disney magic.” It’s what they do. Or did. Or try to still do.

 

[No Name]

Not on its own. Which is why they spiced things up with a bit of interaction and apparent “Disney magic.” It’s what they do. Or did. Or try to still do.

But why include the water cycle at all? I think you may have missed the entire point.

 

[Andrew C]

But why include the water cycle at all? I think you may have missed the entire point.

It’s in the Disney nature area of Epcot, where edutainment is still a thing..at least a bit anyways.

And maybe I did.

 

[James Alucobond]

Are you talking about Inside Out, which gives character to emotions in a way that serves to strengthen the message of the movie? Ironically Moana’s use of water works too. But trying to tie this magic to the basic scientific process of the water cycle… that makes absolutely no sense and is also just really lame.


This would be like if Aladdin tried to incorporate a message about the gravity of carpets. Or if Toy Story was about the properties of plastic. Or if Iron Man was about the anatomy of the heart. Or if Star Wars… okay I’ll stop.

Disney is good at using magic to further themes, not to literally explain science.

I would assume @doctornick is referring to Cranium Command rather than Inside Out.

 

[Incomudro]

Location disputes aside, I think the biggest issue here is how it is being presented.

Using “magic” to give a thing fun characteristics it doesn’t normally possess is expected. That’s, like, page 1 in the edutainment playbook. The problem is suggesting those gags are legitimate in a teaching context.

Water is an inert substance which obeys the laws of physics. It doesn’t have a “playful personality.” It would be like advertising the Figment ride with a blurb saying “learn about how your imagination loves to make you smell skunk.”

Yeah, I support this addition to Epcot - on the premise of it being a lush, planted walk through in an otherwise dystopian swath.
While I was a huge fan of Epcot and its original edutainment angle, I don't consider this to be that despite them marketing it as such.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Do you consider the water cycle to be loads of fun?

Love watching evaporation!! It's the drip!

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Why couldn't Iger have purchased Magic School Bus...