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EPCOT Figment, well, to be replaced by Figment

Gusey

Gusey

Well-Known Member
If we are following the same patterns as last decade.
2017 Pandora opened and new projects for Epcot, HS & MK announced (Guardians, Space 220 and Ratatouille for Epcot MMRR for HS and Tron for MK)
2018 Toy Story Land opened
2019 Star Wars Galaxy's Edge opened, Major Epcot Renovation details announced (Journey of Water, Mary Poppins, Play, Festival Center and the three neighborhoods replacing Future World)
2020 MMRR opens
2021-2024 Epcot redo & Tron completed in phases (Ratatouille, Space 220 & Neighborhoods in 2021, Guardians in 2022, Journey of Water and Tron in 2023 and World Celebration in 2024)

2027 we're getting Tropical Americas opening and then AK's current major project will be complete, with MK having 2 major projects still in the works over the next few years (Piston Peak and Villains) and HS have 1 major (Monsters) and 2 minor opening in 2026 (RnRc Starring Muppets and Magic of Disney Animation). With D23 this year, I can see an Epcot project being announced this year as is has been 7 years since the last major Epcot project was announced (other than Test Track 3.0 in 2023)
 
The Leader of the Club

The Leader of the Club

Well-Known Member
aladdin2007 said:
If they end up saving this to be completed by 2032 for Epcots 50th, I would not expect an announcement till 2030? Why are we thinking this year? I don't for see any changes materializing before Epcot's 50th, unless D'Amaro has a mission to get something done, (its not just D'Amaro, you have Vahle who is probably the one saying no all the time) this and other things need attention for sure as Epcot still has its problems. I want a new figment to happen too like yesterday.
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I think the assumption is that they won’t close Figment and SSE at the same time, but they want them both completed by 2032.

Also, since EPCOT is the only park without any major projects, it makes sense for a potential announcement at D23 this year. Something smaller (like a single attraction refresh) could realistically happen while the other parks are under construction.
 
HMF

HMF

Well-Known Member
The Leader of the Club said:
I think the assumption is that they won’t close Figment and SSE at the same time, but they want them both completed by 2032.

Also, since EPCOT is the only park without any major projects, it makes sense for a potential announcement at D23 this year. Something smaller (like a single attraction refresh) could realistically happen while the other parks are under construction.
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I have a gut feeling Imagination is going to go down first, though admittedly it is embarrassing that the 2007 incarnation of SSE ended up going longer than the far superior 1994 version.
 
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BrianLo

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
MR.Dis said:
A major renovation was just completed at EPCOT. Currently there are major projects going on at MK, Hollywood Studios, and AK. Do not anticipate any new Figment announcement until at least 2 of the above mentioned projects are completed, so it is going to be some time--if at all.
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I personally wouldn't qualify a theoretical Imagination 4.0 as a major project. Disconnected from the level of importance people would place on it. It would be something done in <24 months and not require changes to the building envelope.

That's actually why I think when it does happen, it will just kind of randomly happen.
 
trainplane3

trainplane3

Well-Known Member
MR.Dis said:
A major renovation was just completed at EPCOT. Currently there are major projects going on at MK, Hollywood Studios, and AK. Do not anticipate any new Figment announcement until at least 2 of the above mentioned projects are completed, so it is going to be some time--if at all.
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Internally, the goal is Imagination and SSE are set to be up and refreshed in time for Epcot 50 (like what everyone else is saying). I've had SSE and Imagination flipped around numerous times for which one closes first, so no idea there.

Who knows if it'll happen because there's always been some reason why they haven't yet. But Test Track was the first part of the Epcot 50 refresh. They heard the feedback from Epcot 40 (and MK 50) so there should be some pretty considerable stuff for 50.
 
HMF

HMF

Well-Known Member
Mr. Sullivan said:
You know what, this is one of those rare times I fully agree with you. I think a redo of Imagination is gonna be a lot easier and faster for them to do than a SSE one is.
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Imagination would be a complete re-build. Ideally SSE would just be a touch up, maybe fix a few things and an actual ending so inevitably Imagination should be a MUCH bigger project. That being said, there is more demand for an Imagination refurb, and the general public would likely lean into it more for better or worse.
 
HMF

HMF

Well-Known Member
trainplane3 said:
Internally, the goal is Imagination and SSE are set to be up and refreshed in time for Epcot 50 (like what everyone else is saying). I've had SSE and Imagination flipped around numerous times for which one closes first, so no idea there.

Who knows if it'll happen because there's always been some reason why they haven't yet. But Test Track was the first part of the Epcot 50 refresh. They heard the feedback from Epcot 40 (and MK 50) so there should be some pretty considerable stuff for 50.
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If Test Track 3.0 is an indication direction they want to go in with future EPCOT refurbs, I am actually relatively optimistic for once.
 
HMF

HMF

Well-Known Member
trainplane3 said:
Internally, the goal is Imagination and SSE are set to be up and refreshed in time for Epcot 50 (like what everyone else is saying). I've had SSE and Imagination flipped around numerous times for which one closes first, so no idea there.

Who knows if it'll happen because there's always been some reason why they haven't yet. But Test Track was the first part of the Epcot 50 refresh. They heard the feedback from Epcot 40 (and MK 50) so there should be some pretty considerable stuff for 50.
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Unlike in 2007 when they were legitimately surprised that EPCOT had a fanbase and did a complete about face on the 25th Anniversary
 
aladdin2007

aladdin2007

Well-Known Member
HMF said:
If Test Track 3.0 is an indication direction they want to go in with future EPCOT refurbs, I am actually relatively optimistic for once.
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Yeah but you had GM getting what they wanted there and paying up,,,had that been entirely in Disney's hands I have no doubt it would have become IP and diluted.
 
HMF

HMF

Well-Known Member
aladdin2007 said:
Yeah but you had GM getting what they wanted there and paying up,,,had that been entirely in Disney's hands I have no doubt it would have become IP and diluted.
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I do have the same concern. I have a gut feeling that Imagination will be done right. SSE is a genuine concern, though.
 
Mr. Sullivan

Mr. Sullivan

Well-Known Member
HMF said:
Imagination would be a complete re-build. Ideally SSE would just be a touch up, maybe fix a few things and an actual ending so inevitably Imagination should be a MUCH bigger project. That being said, there is more demand for an Imagination refurb, and the general public would likely lean into it more for better or worse.
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Personally I think it's gonna be the other way around.

Imagination I think will get retooled to not be anything like this new version, but I don't think it's gonna take very much to do it. A lot can and likely will be left in place on the technical side, but with changes to story and show scenes.

SSE I think is going to get a pretty hefty change, and not just to guest facing things. Not only does an entire half of the ride need to get redone (the descent), I imagine it's probably also time for a rather large mechanical overhaul to it too. I think SSE by nature of what it likely needs done and also just by being a trickier space to work in is going to be more complicated and prolonged than a redo of Imagination is. Especially because there's not a whole lot to the current version of Imagination.
 
Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
Imagination and SSE won't go down at the same time. Operations would start rioting in the street.

Imagination would have a quicker turnaround than SSE. SSE needs some TLC to some stuff inside because it's a specialized building that's 50 years old. Not to the extent as previously thought but still some stuff that'd have it down for awhile.


The main issue with Imagination is the DVC lounge inside. They'd probably use a currently empty corporate lounge for it though. My vote for awhile has been The Seas (would also look better and be more luxurious than the current Imagination one). I don't think we'd get upstairs Imageworks back in this scenario though. There's a chance.

The goal is both complete by 2032. Expect another "EPCOT heavy" investment wave once Cars/Villains are nearing completion to upgrade some stuff in the park for EPCOT50. Some other stuff I've heard sounds fun.

My bottom line is that, I am of the belief that Imagination gets worked on first, and maybe Project Tomorrow goes down to make sure the lounge doesn't go down while the ride is getting a makeover.
 
J

James Alucobond

Well-Known Member
Moth said:
The main issue with Imagination is the DVC lounge inside. They'd probably use a currently empty corporate lounge for it though. My vote for awhile has been The Seas (would also look better and be more luxurious than the current Imagination one). I don't think we'd get upstairs Imageworks back in this scenario though. There's a chance.
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Just ditch the Island Tower model rooms above the Château de Voyage once they mostly sell through and put it over there.
 
Mr. Sullivan

Mr. Sullivan

Well-Known Member
Brer Panther said:
At the risk of sounding incredibly stupid... the entire pavilion, or just a select part of it?
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I think what he meant is move the executive lounge that is currently in the Imagination building over to The Seas building. It wouldn’t take the whole pavilion, just like it doesn’t at Imagination, it would just be a dedicated space somewhere backstage in that pavilion.
 
UNCgolf

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
Mr. Sullivan said:
I think what he meant is move the executive lounge that is currently in the Imagination building over to The Seas building. It wouldn’t take the whole pavilion, just like it doesn’t at Imagination, it would just be a dedicated space somewhere backstage in that pavilion.
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They probably meant using the former corporate lounge in the Seas that is now just event space, but I don't know if they'd want to give up the revenue from renting it out to people for events and weddings.
 

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