Epcot is my favorite Florida park- but it needs "something" to bring it back to ita former glory. What do you think it is? I posted some ideas on my blog, but I'd love to hear yours!
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Does Epcot Need Saving?
- Thread starter EPCOTCenterLover
- Start date
CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
What about a wand at the side of Space Ship Earth ????????
Pete C
Active Member
I like that...I like that idea a lot. It would give the park a little visual pop. Something to make it stand out.
Expo_Seeker40
Well-Known Member
needs more touch screens and chicken wire.....I'd love to see some canadian chickenwire in the queue for O Canada
DisneyYorkian74
Active Member
There needs to be at least one fun and exciting ride (roller coaster or water ride perhaps) in World Showcase.
Currently there's really nothing drawing people to that part of the park; especially if you're not into 360 films or dark rides.
Currently there's really nothing drawing people to that part of the park; especially if you're not into 360 films or dark rides.
^^ That's a good idea.
On the "fun" side, how about mouse ears on top of SSE? Always liked that thought...:ROFLOL:
On the "fun" side, how about mouse ears on top of SSE? Always liked that thought...:ROFLOL:
Horizons1
Well-Known Member
Epcot has come a long way from it's sad state in the early 2000s. I feel it has anyways. There's been much attention to landscaping in the main parts of Future World recently, replacing foliage in the park that had been present for the past 25 years. Much of it was overgrown and felt...old. Espcially the flora around the Fountain of Nations. The addition of palms in the park really feels like EPCOT Center.
The Leave A Legacy clutter was removed from the side of the main entry plaza and from around the mirror column at the base of Spaceship Earth. It really opened the area up and made it feel inviting again.
We've gotten renovations that caused a stir when first announced, but when seen in person were terrific.
The Land lost its quiet country feel and gained a futuristic, modernish feel through the use of color-schemes and space. It also gained new life because of a great new attraction. The Land was really brought into the 21st century.
The Living Seas went from old and abandoned to new and rampant with guests. A visual facelift inside and out, as well as the addition (or return if you prefer) of an omnimover ride. The story in the Seas is carried much farther through new technology that's used to bring Crush to life in Turtle Talk. There's education through this media that's familiar to many people.
Imagination, while still lackluster, did get a slight bit of an improvement. Just slight.
Test Track continues to pull in guests and hold high wait times throughout the day. Now whether it's due to popularity or breakdown is up for you to decide.
Mission: Space is a fun attraction, a lot of fun...if you can do it. But it does feel weak. You're in, you're out, that's it. You never feel like you've accomplished anything and the post-show is lame.
Spaceship Earth's post-show is now alive and filled everyday with guests. Quite a change from the walls that used to tell you to exit to the left or right. The attraction...ugh. Promising at first, but a let down at the end. Guests seem to enjoy it however, no matter how insipid it may be.
Innoventions gets updates every now and then. Not in the way Innoventions '94 did, but they're starting to fix that.
Universe of Energy and of course, Ex-Wonders of Life are the only things that have not changed since then. While I enjoy energy, it does need an update.
Let us not forget that Canada got a new film, and Mexico got an updated ride. The AA got an updated film last summer.
Epcot really has come a long since the early 2000s. While there's still work that could be done, like the removal of the circus in Innoventions plaza, therefore opening that area up again; rennovations that would blow our mind with amazing new presentations and ideas for the UOE and WOL, which would bring life back to this corner of Future World East; and the addition of more attractions in the World Showcase, as well as a new country, a lot of work has been done to improve the park. And a lot more will be done to make it even better.
The Leave A Legacy clutter was removed from the side of the main entry plaza and from around the mirror column at the base of Spaceship Earth. It really opened the area up and made it feel inviting again.
We've gotten renovations that caused a stir when first announced, but when seen in person were terrific.
The Land lost its quiet country feel and gained a futuristic, modernish feel through the use of color-schemes and space. It also gained new life because of a great new attraction. The Land was really brought into the 21st century.
The Living Seas went from old and abandoned to new and rampant with guests. A visual facelift inside and out, as well as the addition (or return if you prefer) of an omnimover ride. The story in the Seas is carried much farther through new technology that's used to bring Crush to life in Turtle Talk. There's education through this media that's familiar to many people.
Imagination, while still lackluster, did get a slight bit of an improvement. Just slight.
Test Track continues to pull in guests and hold high wait times throughout the day. Now whether it's due to popularity or breakdown is up for you to decide.
Mission: Space is a fun attraction, a lot of fun...if you can do it. But it does feel weak. You're in, you're out, that's it. You never feel like you've accomplished anything and the post-show is lame.
Spaceship Earth's post-show is now alive and filled everyday with guests. Quite a change from the walls that used to tell you to exit to the left or right. The attraction...ugh. Promising at first, but a let down at the end. Guests seem to enjoy it however, no matter how insipid it may be.
Innoventions gets updates every now and then. Not in the way Innoventions '94 did, but they're starting to fix that.
Universe of Energy and of course, Ex-Wonders of Life are the only things that have not changed since then. While I enjoy energy, it does need an update.
Let us not forget that Canada got a new film, and Mexico got an updated ride. The AA got an updated film last summer.
Epcot really has come a long since the early 2000s. While there's still work that could be done, like the removal of the circus in Innoventions plaza, therefore opening that area up again; rennovations that would blow our mind with amazing new presentations and ideas for the UOE and WOL, which would bring life back to this corner of Future World East; and the addition of more attractions in the World Showcase, as well as a new country, a lot of work has been done to improve the park. And a lot more will be done to make it even better.
Expo_Seeker40
Well-Known Member
Epcot needs a purpose again.....right now its just a magic kingdom with a golf ball out front and and a really big fantasy and adventureland 
I have to honor the fact as to what Disney hoped to achieve with EPCOT Center, the problem is....Brad and Janet don't really want to learn about saving fuel when they can get wasted at the germany pavilion and can go ride space mountain by nightime.
With everything thats wrong with the world right now, and everything that could somehow be better, a new....err EPCOT Center if you will, can not be a place full of AA attractions and films.
An EPCOT Center 2.0 is fine to use disney characters and shows in certain areas like meet and greets and around world showcase, or more generic and maybe new futuristic costumes of mickey and friends in future world.
While films and boat rides are ok for world showcase, there is room for more countries and more rides, including thrill rides.
Future World needs a direction, how far in the future do we go, or do we show what we have today can lead us to the future.
Test Track is about today and the possiblities of tomorrow (post show wise)
Mission: Space is certainly about the future
Wonders of Life can easily be used for something else, like a weather pavilion that could have both thrill ride and other things to see
Universe of Energy needs an overhaul......1.10 gas prices and mobile phones are a thing of well.....1996 Universe of Energy could be edutainment or even solid education...it wouldn't be for everyone....but Disney could sure make a film that could scare the crap out of people. :drevil: :lookaroun
Spaceship Earth for me is a bit of a loss. While project tomorrow is a great edutainment place for fun and learning.....the entire ending of SSE is nothing more than a joke and drastic difference from everything we saw going up into the ride it doesn't allow us to think, or question, it simply allows to say "Oh snap girlfried you look sooo fat on that cartoon body, haha let's film this and post on youtube"
Soarin' is a great way to celebrate the diversity of the land, I think circle of life film needs a new film and direction, and living with the land is still a pleasent edutainment ride.
Imagination could use some new imagination
and the seas with pixar and co-workers is a bit too much. Now you can ride the movie all over again, without exploring seabase alpha and allowing nemo and friends to tell you fun and interesting facts about the oceans...with the exception of turtle talk.
and don't even get me started on the cosmetics of future world :lol:
I have to honor the fact as to what Disney hoped to achieve with EPCOT Center, the problem is....Brad and Janet don't really want to learn about saving fuel when they can get wasted at the germany pavilion and can go ride space mountain by nightime.
With everything thats wrong with the world right now, and everything that could somehow be better, a new....err EPCOT Center if you will, can not be a place full of AA attractions and films.
An EPCOT Center 2.0 is fine to use disney characters and shows in certain areas like meet and greets and around world showcase, or more generic and maybe new futuristic costumes of mickey and friends in future world.
While films and boat rides are ok for world showcase, there is room for more countries and more rides, including thrill rides.
Future World needs a direction, how far in the future do we go, or do we show what we have today can lead us to the future.
Test Track is about today and the possiblities of tomorrow (post show wise)
Mission: Space is certainly about the future
Wonders of Life can easily be used for something else, like a weather pavilion that could have both thrill ride and other things to see
Universe of Energy needs an overhaul......1.10 gas prices and mobile phones are a thing of well.....1996 Universe of Energy could be edutainment or even solid education...it wouldn't be for everyone....but Disney could sure make a film that could scare the crap out of people. :drevil: :lookaroun
Spaceship Earth for me is a bit of a loss. While project tomorrow is a great edutainment place for fun and learning.....the entire ending of SSE is nothing more than a joke and drastic difference from everything we saw going up into the ride it doesn't allow us to think, or question, it simply allows to say "Oh snap girlfried you look sooo fat on that cartoon body, haha let's film this and post on youtube"
Soarin' is a great way to celebrate the diversity of the land, I think circle of life film needs a new film and direction, and living with the land is still a pleasent edutainment ride.
Imagination could use some new imagination
and the seas with pixar and co-workers is a bit too much. Now you can ride the movie all over again, without exploring seabase alpha and allowing nemo and friends to tell you fun and interesting facts about the oceans...with the exception of turtle talk.
and don't even get me started on the cosmetics of future world :lol:
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
Epcot needs a purpose again.....right now its just a magic kingdom with a golf ball out front and and a really big fantasy and adventureland
I have to honor the fact as to what Disney hoped to achieve with EPCOT Center, the problem is....Brad and Janet don't really want to learn about saving fuel when they can get wasted at the germany pavilion and can go ride space mountain by nightime.
With everything thats wrong with the world right now, and everything that could somehow be better, a new....err EPCOT Center if you will, can not be a place full of AA attractions and films.
An EPCOT Center 2.0 is fine to use disney characters and shows in certain areas like meet and greets and around world showcase, or more generic and maybe new futuristic costumes of mickey and friends in future world.
While films and boat rides are ok for world showcase, there is room for more countries and more rides, including thrill rides.
Future World needs a direction, how far in the future do we go, or do we show what we have today can lead us to the future.
Test Track is about today and the possiblities of tomorrow (post show wise)
Mission: Space is certainly about the future
Wonders of Life can easily be used for something else, like a weather pavilion that could have both thrill ride and other things to see
Universe of Energy needs an overhaul......1.10 gas prices and mobile phones are a thing of well.....1996 Universe of Energy could be edutainment or even solid education...it wouldn't be for everyone....but Disney could sure make a film that could scare the crap out of people. :drevil: :lookaroun
Spaceship Earth for me is a bit of a loss. While project tomorrow is a great edutainment place for fun and learning.....the entire ending of SSE is nothing more than a joke and drastic difference from everything we saw going up into the ride it doesn't allow us to think, or question, it simply allows to say "Oh snap girlfried you look sooo fat on that cartoon body, haha let's film this and post on youtube"
Soarin' is a great way to celebrate the diversity of the land, I think circle of life film needs a new film and direction, and living with the land is still a pleasent edutainment ride.
Imagination could use some new imagination
and the seas with pixar and co-workers is a bit too much. Now you can ride the movie all over again, without exploring seabase alpha and allowing nemo and friends to tell you fun and interesting facts about the oceans...with the exception of turtle talk.
and don't even get me started on the cosmetics of future world :lol:
Beat me to it...If they could do the character integration WITH the inspiring futurism of yesteryear, all would be well.Now,Epcot is pretty good...Could it be better?Yes.Bring back the sence of optimism and a image of inspiration and culture (while still having the "fun") EPCOT Center would truely be realized once again.
Here,I said this a few months ago in a similar topic:
MKCP 1985
Well-Known Member
Q: Does EPCOT need saving?
A: No.
:lol:
It is the second most visited theme park in the world, if I'm not mistaken. Certainly without question a top 5.
By "former glory" you mean the pavilions as they opened in 1982? Yeah, well it was determined that format was a bit lacking and so changes were made resulting in the park being more popular today (as judged by attendance numbers, I suppose).
That's not to say there aren't fans of the old who grumble about the good old days . . . :lookaroun . . . or that it can't be improved . . . but the EPCOT park is doing very well and is in no need of being saved from its current success.
A: No.
:lol:
It is the second most visited theme park in the world, if I'm not mistaken. Certainly without question a top 5.
By "former glory" you mean the pavilions as they opened in 1982? Yeah, well it was determined that format was a bit lacking and so changes were made resulting in the park being more popular today (as judged by attendance numbers, I suppose).
That's not to say there aren't fans of the old who grumble about the good old days . . . :lookaroun . . . or that it can't be improved . . . but the EPCOT park is doing very well and is in no need of being saved from its current success.
maggiegrace1
Well-Known Member
If it was up to me...They would remove Mission Space and bring back the original JII and then it would be fine..
markjohns1
Member
The primary void I see that needs filled at Epcot is the empty WoL building. Future World East just seems very incomplete. They did an awesome job of breathing life back into the Seas pavilion, which helps to spread the crowds out a bit. We can nitpick attractions and whatnot all day, but I think the WoL gap is the primary issue.
Also, why does WS need a thrill ride? I think it is plenty popular without one. For me (and I'm probably not alone), WS is more about trying to immerse yourself in the food, culture, and entertainment from various countries around the world. It's about talking to those cast members who are actually from those countries. It's much more about the people, which is what makes Epcot unique from any other theme park. Would I be opposed to rides added to WS? No, but I hardly think there is a "need" for it. I'd be much more in favor of adding new countries.
Also, why does WS need a thrill ride? I think it is plenty popular without one. For me (and I'm probably not alone), WS is more about trying to immerse yourself in the food, culture, and entertainment from various countries around the world. It's about talking to those cast members who are actually from those countries. It's much more about the people, which is what makes Epcot unique from any other theme park. Would I be opposed to rides added to WS? No, but I hardly think there is a "need" for it. I'd be much more in favor of adding new countries.
wickedfan07
Member
Epcot does not need saving. DCA (apparently) needs saving. what Epcot needs (particulary in Future World) is a little bit of focus. There's is an amazing amount of potential in that park, and little by little Disney will start to work with some of that potential. We can't expect disney to fill world Showcase up with new pavilions and E-tickets in the next five years! Give it time and the park will continue to change.
It bothers me when people throw around the name "EPCOT Center" like it is the standard by which all things Epcot should be measured by. EPCOT Center is just another same for Epcot. It is the SAME park. We cannot og back to 1982. That would be creatively irresponsible and is not the answer to any of Epcot's problems. Epcot was built and stands for the spirit of the future and the possible. If we only lock ourselves into what's behind us, NOTHING at Epcot will every match the so-called "glory days" f the 80s. Keep moving forward!
Is Epcot perfect? No. Will it ever be? no. Does it currently need saving? No.
It bothers me when people throw around the name "EPCOT Center" like it is the standard by which all things Epcot should be measured by. EPCOT Center is just another same for Epcot. It is the SAME park. We cannot og back to 1982. That would be creatively irresponsible and is not the answer to any of Epcot's problems. Epcot was built and stands for the spirit of the future and the possible. If we only lock ourselves into what's behind us, NOTHING at Epcot will every match the so-called "glory days" f the 80s. Keep moving forward!
Is Epcot perfect? No. Will it ever be? no. Does it currently need saving? No.
Expo_Seeker40
Well-Known Member
but that's where you're wrong...EPCOT Center was built and stood for the future and the possible. Epcot is a park set on making money as it should. It
s not about the hope and promise of a better tomorrow.
EPCOT Center lost attendance, let alone failed (to a point) because we allowed it to fail. We didn't want to learn about something new or possibily interesting on our vacation. We wanted Space Mountain and Mickey Mouse and we'd be damned if General Motors or the Bell System was going to tell us a 15 minute story when we have a golf match or dinner reservation at a much more "fun" place.
Epcot is a product of what the public (supposedly wants). Kids love Nemo, and hey we have this seas place over here (which was a very unpopular place), but rather than keeping with the EPCOT Center message and allowing the future and nemo to better co-exist, we'll devote 3/4 of it to a modern fad pixar movie, and 1/4 to explore and discover.
Rather than explore the history of anicent mexico and where the country is now in modern times, how about you go with donald and his amigos....like nemo....donald leaves the pack, and someone has to go see where he went.
See the vistas of canada in circlevision? Sure, but now a great deal of the movie is devoted to martin short and the same image repeated 9 times, let alone most of the actual circlevision footager is still from the 1980s and hardly from 2007.
Want to see where we got our ABC's from? Sure, but after that you can laugh yourself to death when you watch your personalzied jib jab video in a black tunnel.
Need a nap? Universe of Energy has a 10 minute wait
I doubt anyone here wants the park to be as it was in 1982...a cluster you-know-what of commercialized corporate ads and audio animatronics show and big hair and knee socks.....though some may like the big hair.....
Epcot must be compared with EPCOT Center because thats where it began, that's where its roots are and what had started at its purpose....the park is only the same park in the basic physical sense.....not at all as to what its message is.
People know what the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom is, I'm sure they know what DHS is.....but what is Epcot.....its a word that means nothing, what is it now...is it a world's fair.....what person under 20 even knows what world's fair is....where is the park going? It seems it will become a mess of pop culture and fads and less of finding a balance to keep people coming,while staying true to its purpose. Give people something will like, and hope they might come out inspired.
The only excpetion, and one I am for would be the addition of thrill rides to world showcase themed to say....a matterhorn for switzerland, etc that would be detailed and themed
but all this nonsense for just modern fads? nemo will be forgotten in 10 years, and kim possible sooner than that? Why spend all that money to play it safe because they know people will simply come for a clown fish, and actually use your talent and mind and come up with something daring and different and timeless than can be around for more than a decade
s not about the hope and promise of a better tomorrow.
EPCOT Center lost attendance, let alone failed (to a point) because we allowed it to fail. We didn't want to learn about something new or possibily interesting on our vacation. We wanted Space Mountain and Mickey Mouse and we'd be damned if General Motors or the Bell System was going to tell us a 15 minute story when we have a golf match or dinner reservation at a much more "fun" place.
Epcot is a product of what the public (supposedly wants). Kids love Nemo, and hey we have this seas place over here (which was a very unpopular place), but rather than keeping with the EPCOT Center message and allowing the future and nemo to better co-exist, we'll devote 3/4 of it to a modern fad pixar movie, and 1/4 to explore and discover.
Rather than explore the history of anicent mexico and where the country is now in modern times, how about you go with donald and his amigos....like nemo....donald leaves the pack, and someone has to go see where he went.
See the vistas of canada in circlevision? Sure, but now a great deal of the movie is devoted to martin short and the same image repeated 9 times, let alone most of the actual circlevision footager is still from the 1980s and hardly from 2007.
Want to see where we got our ABC's from? Sure, but after that you can laugh yourself to death when you watch your personalzied jib jab video in a black tunnel.
Need a nap? Universe of Energy has a 10 minute wait
I doubt anyone here wants the park to be as it was in 1982...a cluster you-know-what of commercialized corporate ads and audio animatronics show and big hair and knee socks.....though some may like the big hair.....
Epcot must be compared with EPCOT Center because thats where it began, that's where its roots are and what had started at its purpose....the park is only the same park in the basic physical sense.....not at all as to what its message is.
People know what the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom is, I'm sure they know what DHS is.....but what is Epcot.....its a word that means nothing, what is it now...is it a world's fair.....what person under 20 even knows what world's fair is....where is the park going? It seems it will become a mess of pop culture and fads and less of finding a balance to keep people coming,while staying true to its purpose. Give people something will like, and hope they might come out inspired.
The only excpetion, and one I am for would be the addition of thrill rides to world showcase themed to say....a matterhorn for switzerland, etc that would be detailed and themed
but all this nonsense for just modern fads? nemo will be forgotten in 10 years, and kim possible sooner than that? Why spend all that money to play it safe because they know people will simply come for a clown fish, and actually use your talent and mind and come up with something daring and different and timeless than can be around for more than a decade
Lots of great input. I do think the optimism is missing, though- and that was an integral element. I do not want 1980s Epcot, even though I loved it. But I do not want a character invasion, lack of maintenance, of closed pavillions either. I agree, alot has been done- but there is much to do as well.
It IS still a wonderful place, no doubt!
It IS still a wonderful place, no doubt!
DisneyYorkian74
Active Member
There still is a lot of learning to be had at Epcot as it exists today.
Disney is trying to find a happy medium between education and entertainment with these new attractions instead of boring the general public to death with educational dark rides.
Expo_Seeker40 said:
I think the fact that Epcot is still the only theme park in WDW not to have a roller coaster just shows that Disney still wants Epcot to be a different experience.
That's unfortunate for me because I'd love to experience at least one coaster at Epcot; even if its as tame as the Matterhorn.