EPCOT Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

[Haymarket2008]

Brooke confirms the new background music by Pinar Toprak will debut tomorrow.

For me, this is the true make or break of the EPCOT transformation.

If it is anything like the EPCOT Anthem (and incorporates themes from the pavilions and the park's history), it is going to be a massive win. Here's hoping.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Love all the seating options. Lots of spots to hangout, relax, bring some food and eat.

 

[ToTBellHop]

For me, this is the true make or break of the EPCOT transformation.

If it is anything like the EPCOT Anthem (and incorporates themes from the pavilions and the park's history), it is going to be a massive win. Here's hoping.

Yes, I really hope they incorporate the classic themes, as well. I understand wanting new score, but let’s include the classic melodies, too. I thought they did this well in Creations. Epcot has such a strong original music tradition that they really cannot ignore.

I presume this loop will replace the current mix of movie music at the park entrance?

 

[Horizonsfan]

It all looks nice, with the obvious qualifier about the lack of any water features.

The only area that still seems odd to me is the NW garden. It doesn’t seem geared towards anything in particular. Seating? M&G? Small scale entertainment? They all seem equally plausible and also illogical for different reasons.

 

[James Alucobond]

This is an under-remarked feature of water... features. They can create a persistent amount of white noise that can suck up a lot of errant and overstimulating sounds that also are in the environment.

I had figured that was one of the reasons they decided to nix the water features post-redesign. With the Communicore Hall stage opening out into seating that fills an entire quadrant of the center, I thought perhaps they didn’t want rushing water drowning it out. That might just be me searching for alternative logic in a pure cost-cutting measure, though.

 

[ToTBellHop]

The nighttime lighting package looks spectacular.

 

[Brer Oswald]

I don’t think it looks bad, but it doesn’t look very distinct. A lot of it gives me modern city park/StarBucks Patio vibes. It could use more kinetic energy, like a fountain, or dare I say a Peoplemover type attraction.

 

[Rteetz]

I think had they built in some food and bev kiosks or something it would give it a nice park feel. It’s fine but seems lacking. Like building in the Starbucks to this area rather than the college dorm version we got I think would’ve been better.

 

[James Alucobond]

The only area that still seems odd to me is the NW garden. It doesn’t seem geared towards anything in particular. Seating? M&G? Small scale entertainment? They all seem equally plausible and also illogical for different reasons.

Yeah, very strange. I’m confused that there’s not seating directly under the shade structures. It feels like the weird remnants of the Wishing Tree idea and that the featured tree should be in the center or something. Hate to suggest more kiosks, but one could actually make sense in there.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I don’t think it looks bad, but it doesn’t look very distinct. A lot of it gives me modern city park/StarBucks Patio vibes. It could use more kinetic energy, like a fountain, or dare I say a Peoplemover type attraction.

If it feels like a modern city park, then it’s a step closer to what Walt wanted. I agree that some kinetics would be nice. If the Jammitors do their sets here along with other Streetmosphere, it would be really nice during the daytime before the nighttime lights take over on the kinetics.

Some kiosks are definitely needed. They should add festival kiosks here.

 

[Haymarket2008]

Yes, I really hope they incorporate the classic themes, as well. I understand wanting new score, but let’s include the classic melodies, too. I thought they did this well in Creations. Epcot has such a strong original music tradition that they really cannot ignore.

I presume this loop will replace the current mix of movie music at the park entrance?

Yeah, I believe they mentioned that the current loop was purely a placeholder.

The original version of the Innoventions loop was awesome in the way that it was mostly new material but sprinkled with classic themes. I think they will go this route, tbh.

 

[Brer Oswald]

If it feels like a modern city park, then it’s a step closer to what Walt wanted. I agree that some kinetics would be nice. If the Jammitors do their sets here along with other Streetmosphere, it would be really nice during the daytime before the nighttime lights take over on the kinetics.

Some kiosks are definitely needed. They should add festival kiosks here.

I guess what I mean to say is, it doesn’t look like anything more unique or special than what you would find in a modern city park. I can visit a modern city park for free.

I think Epcot should be reaching a little bit further. More of a utopia than what we already see in the outside world. Not to say that the preceding version of the area really did that either, cause it didn’t.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I guess what I mean to say is, it doesn’t look like anything more unique or special than what you would find in a modern city park. I can visit a modern city park for free.

I think Epcot should be reaching a little bit further. More of a utopia than what we already see in the outside world. Not to say that the preceding version of the area really did that either, cause it didn’t.

That’s fair. They are kinda going with what we currently think green spaces should look like. You would need an actual visionary to go further than that. I gather they are on short supply at WDI outside of tile work and lightbulbs.

 

[wbostic12]

I guess what I mean to say is, it doesn’t look like anything more unique or special than what you would find in a modern city park. I can visit a modern city park for free.

I think Epcot should be reaching a little bit further. More of a utopia than what we already see in the outside world. Not to say that the preceding version of the area really did that either, cause it didn’t.

I think this is as good as we were going to get. Although I don’t think the CommuniCore setup will be something special, I am really glad we didn’t get that festival center tabletop, and get to keep a nice view from the gardens into a clean WSL.

 

[Bocabear]

I had figured that was one of the reasons they decided to nix the water features post-redesign. With the Communicore Hall stage opening out into seating that fills an entire quadrant of the center, I thought perhaps they didn’t want rushing water drowning it out. That might just be me searching for alternative logic in a pure cost-cutting measure, though.

with the size of the footprint of this piece it would be a stretch that the fountain would have any impact on the performance venue nearby. I suspect it is a planter because of value engineering the whole central area. each of the clustered gardens could have had a small water feature just to add an ambient trickle of water and some kinetics...which would have made the area feel a little more special as well.

 

[Disney Analyst]

From the other site, light up “grass” hidden in planters.

 

[tparris]

From the other site, light up “grass” hidden in planters.

View attachment 757423

Just wondering, what are those random pillars I keep seeing everywhere, like the one on the right of this photo? Are they just hiding utility stuff?

 

[tanc]

The other site is reporting rusty "benches" (an imagineer told them it was a bench). Apparently they sat down on it and it left behind residue.

 

[tparris]

I’ll be honest, I’m genuinely not understanding why so many people are flat out hating the gardens. Yes, they took forever to build it, but I’m honestly tired of hearing that now. On its own you CANNOT say that it’s objectively worse than what was there before, save for the fountain and lack of water features. I just don’t get why people are so upset.

 

[tparris]

Just noticed the shape of this light fixture looks like an Alucobond panel on SSE.