EPCOT Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

[MisterPenguin]

I guess Disney must have put this random image of some closed vending carts and a trash can on the cover of the Epcot guide maps or something?

Otherwise, it would almost seem like the poster is not posting in good faith

He wants us to see how WDW didn't put kiosks in a thruway creating a pinch point, but instead, created it's own space for them. Not only that, he wants to commend WDW for all that seating. He's looking forward the seasonal occupants of those kiosks.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The hub definitely did not cost anywhere close to that. Significantly more went into Guardians and it wasn't over $500M. Other than rehabbing CommuniCore East and putting up Plaza/Hall, this entire project was removing some old pavement and installing some new pavement. The lights and the Walt statue were likely the most expensive elements in the whole thing.

You think a statue costs more than a building?

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

You think a statue costs more than a building?

Lol that's poor phrasing on my part - I meant those are likely the most expensive elements of the central plaza area. In my head I was ignoring CommuniCore and focusing just on the new walkways.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

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So, is this a place for fictional horned horses to party?

 

[Disney Analyst]

Some people should send their complaints directly to Disney, instead of beating a now very dead and pulverized horse on these boards, it’s practically a glue factory in here at this point.

You’re making the same comments over, and over again.

We get it. You hate it. Enjoy Vegas. Enjoy visiting gorgeous airports.

Respect your fellow board members and stop repeating yourself.

 

[wdrive]

I wish I could hate Disney World as much as many forum members do around here...It'd save me some money and I wouldn't be lurking here all day either.

People only ‘hate’ stuff because they love it to begin with.

Feel free to engage in conversation with any of these posters and ask specifics instead of a blanket statement saying no one is allowed to say anything negative

 

[Horizonsfan]

Lol that's poor phrasing on my part - I meant those are likely the most expensive elements of the central plaza area. In my head I was ignoring CommuniCore and focusing just on the new walkways.

Typically on a site amenity project like this, outside of the actual new structure, the earthwork to regrade the area & utility construction costs are going to eat a lot of budget. Even more so than custom cast stone wall finish, a new statue or the visible light fixtures. Though those cost a pretty penny too.

 

[Disstevefan1]

He wants us to see how WDW didn't put kiosks in a thruway creating a pinch point, but instead, created it's own space for them. Not only that, he wants to commend WDW for all that seating. He's looking forward the seasonal occupants of those kiosks.

Think of this space mobbed with queues of folks for both food booths.

EPCOT today is all about food festivals selling $7-$12 food samples...

 

[retr0gate]

Not to beat a dead horse but what's frustrating for most members here (including myself) isn't that people have negative opinions of the new central plaza - that's their prerogative. It's that that we have to scroll through the same comments over and over that provide little to no value to the overall conversation. Instead of making the same unfunny joke for the 5th time in a row, maybe use that energy to provide valid criticism of why you don't like the new hub.

I like it from the photos I've seen so far, and I'm looking forward to seeing it in person for the first time next week. I do agree that it leaves a bit to be desired, but we have a pretty solid foundation now if they ever choose to expand upon it (without needing to wall off the entire center of the park again). Whatever way you look at it, this area is in a much better position than it was 10 years ago.

 

[Moth]

I think I miss the pin-trading purple canopies (is that what they were?) but like, other than that from what I can see? It's fine. It's okay.

 

[retr0gate]

I think I miss the pin-trading purple canopies (is that what they were?) but like, other than that from what I can see? It's fine. It's okay.

Right, that's been my attitude towards the whole thing. It's not the most groundbreaking thing in the world but it doesn't really need to be? There are far worse things in current EPCOT to be upset about

 

[Moth]

Right, that's been my attitude towards the whole thing. It's not the most groundbreaking thing in the world but it doesn't really need to be? There are far worse things in current EPCOT to be upset about

I think it's perfectly adequate and there are bigger sores in EPCOT as of now. I think it serves an alright job even if I think the Walt statue is a smidge tacky. I think the extra greenery makes the park feel more 'alive' at least.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I don’t honestly have the patience to wade through all of these absolutely remarkable posts, so can someone tell me if they have fixed the color changing lights around the central planter?

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Right, that's been my attitude towards the whole thing. It's not the most groundbreaking thing in the world but it doesn't really need to be? There are far worse things in current EPCOT to be upset about

I understand your sentiment. And I think you may have nailed it right here. The big issue is the amount of time, energy and hype that has gone into the park. To create something that seems fine or nice enough. I agree there is a lot of rehashing. The challenge is, for people who really enjoyed what WDI used to create, it's tougher to get excited for a lot of these. So, you slip into negativity. IMHO the company is really struggling with its size, an overinflated management team getting in the way of creative, and a corporate attempt to be safe and inoffensive - while also potentially over relying on data. They are trying to run parks like you run a shopping experience and/or theatrical experience.

Physical spaces require a different form of vision and creation. And, I think some of us see that in many of the projects.

Again, I can completely understand your point. And, I think complaining should always involve suggestions for improvement. You can never please everyone, and it's clear Disney doesn't care about message boards beyond being a free advertising source. But, for people who love what the company used to do, it's the only space that exists for that hope. I think that may underly a lot of what you are seeing.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I understand your sentiment. And I think you may have nailed it right here. The big issue is the amount of time, energy and hype that has gone into the park. To create something that seems fine or nice enough.

Honestly, I think the energy and the hype disappeared pretty quickly from this project. They released the revised plans with very little fanfare once the two storey building was axed, and Zac was put out to pasture which also put an end to all the social media posts. My personal view is that they have missed another opportunity to truly re-think Epcot, but at this point they seem to be (slowly) limping to the finish line with little enthusiasm.

 

[UNCgolf]

Honestly, I think the energy and the hype disappeared pretty quickly from this project. They released the revised plans with very little fanfare once the two storey building was axed, and Zac was put out to pasture which also put an end to all the social media posts. My personal view is that they have missed another opportunity to truly re-think Epcot, but at this point they seem to be (slowly) limping to the finish line with little enthusiasm.

Yeah, Journey of Water is nice enough, and Guardians is obviously a hit attraction. The hub and new QS etc. are nicer than what existed prior to the start of construction.

Overall, though, it feels like they spent years and some unknown amount of money (I'd imagine close to a billion, if not over, considering how much they apparently spent on Cosmic Rewind alone) to end up with a relatively minimal update instead of the major overhaul that was originally intended.

I guess you could throw the Ratatouille expansion in there too even though it was a bit earlier, but even that was kind of a misfire. The ride itself is fine as an addition, but the restaurant was a failure.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Yeah, Journey of Water is nice enough, and Guardians is obviously a hit attraction. The hub and new QS etc. are nicer than what existed prior to the start of construction

Overall, though, it feels like they spent years and some unknown amount of money (I'd imagine close to a billion, if not over, considering how much they apparently spent on Cosmic Rewind alone) to end up with a relatively minimal update instead of the major overhaul that was originally intended.

Entirely agree.

It's very hard to see the marketing logic of this approach unless it was almost a case of cutting their losses once the pandemic struck and they found themselves with the centre of the park already demolished. Initially, it seemed like they were aiming at a big re-launch of the park when all of this was finished. However, they then started opening everything in such a slow, piecemeal fashion that any sense of a 'new Epcot' faded away as bit by bit things opened with large sections of the park still behind walls right up until today. You would think that opening Guardians, Journey of Water, and the hub together would have made a far bigger splash.

 

[UNCgolf]

Entirely agree.

It's very hard to see the marketing logic of this approach unless it was almost a case of cutting their losses once the pandemic struck and they found themselves with the centre of the park already demolished. Initially, it seemed like they were aiming at a big re-launch of the park when all of this was finished. However, they then started opening everything in such a slow, piecemeal fashion that any sense of a 'new Epcot' faded away as bit by bit things opened with large sections of the park still behind walls right up until today. You would think that opening Guardians, Journey of Water, and the hub together would have made a far bigger splash.

Yeah -- I think if Covid had hit before demolition started, they'd have axed essentially the whole project.

They'd likely have gone forward with Cosmic Rewind, but I think everything else would have gone untouched until they circled back a few years later.

In retrospect, that probably would have been for the best. They could have created a more cohesive plan and done something more impressive than the piecemeal concept we ended up with.

 

[plutofan15]

We're not talking about that. The millennium hub was messy and missing trees.

THIS is what we're talking about:

View attachment 779665View attachment 779664

Clean, orderly pathways with plenty of green space, trees, and a kinetic water feature that functionally make sense with the surrounding architecture.

I don't understand why this design was "bad."

In my opinion, this looks awful, Especially the second aerial photo. With the exception of Spaceship Earth, it looks like a vast suburban office park/corporate center or an outlet mall. Just my opinion though.

 

[UNCgolf]

In my opinion, this looks awful, Especially the second aerial photo. With the exception of Spaceship Earth, it looks like a vast suburban office park/corporate center or an outlet mall. Just my opinion though.

That's exactly how people could describe (and actually have described) the new version too, though.

I personally think the original version was better (if only because of the fountain), but it's not like the new version is doing something fundamentally different. It's arguably the same concept just via current design trends.