Odyssey opens once again - for the Food and Wine Festival

[wdwmagic]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Events/Inte...ne-Festival-along-with-the-Odyssey-Lounge.htm

 

[boufa]

This certainly has more detail than a temporary opening. Internet and charging stations? Sound like they might be toying with the idea of creating an internet cafe in Epcot. I realize that F&W brings in a slightly different crowd, and that there are a ton of locals who attend. I think the concept could be a winner if they end up keeping it long term.

 

[Monorail Lime]

Has there ever been an internet cafe inside the parks previously? It will be interesting to see how that goes.

 

[devoy1701]

It's kind of ingenious and long overdue. Tons of people nowadays are tied to their iPhone/iPads no matter where they are...a recharging area is a great idea for these people. Add a snackbar in there serving desserts, drinks, or quick eats, or coffee bar (not a full counter service) and it could be a great money maker.

Then again I'm sure the private catered events are an even bigger money maker...but maybe TDO is once again trying to find a way to answer one of the smaller calls that the fanboys have been yelling...

If it is a beta test for a more permanent offering...I say good move.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Has there ever been an internet cafe inside the parks previously? It will be interesting to see how that goes.

Not that I know of at Disney, though I definitely spotted an internet cafe at Islands of Adventure when I was there a few weeks ago; kinda caught me by surprise as I had never seen something like it before in a theme park. Looks like Disney may be jumping on board with this concept...

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I think this is a great idea. I use my iPhone for Lines and other Disney related stuff when I am in the park and the iphone doesn't hold the best charge. I would love a place to be able to just plug it in while getting a drink or snack.

 

[Prototype82]

An internet cafe...in Future World...First relevant addition in years? I think so. I love the idea. I hope they're experimenting with it...

 

[Choodles]

This certainly has more detail than a temporary opening. Internet and charging stations? Sound like they might be toying with the idea of creating an internet cafe in Epcot. I realize that F&W brings in a slightly different crowd, and that there are a ton of locals who attend. I think the concept could be a winner if they end up keeping it long term.

Will never open full time again they make way too much money from the private events.

 

[devoy1701]

An internet cafe...in Future World...First relevant addition in years? I think so. I love the idea. I hope they're experimenting with it...

What would be additionally great is if there are sponsorships with Google or Microsoft to showoff some new tech...such as those Microsoft Table Tops and whatnot...

A place where you can recharge your current tech, recharge yourself, and check out the latest and greatest tech.

Talk about reeeeeallly homing in on the point of Future World of past EPCOT Center...almost like CommuniCore revisited...

Though I'm sure there's nothing to get our hopes up yet for!

 

[devoy1701]

Will never open full time again they make way too much money from the private events.

How many private event lounges do they really need anyway? They still have a whole pavilion they can use for it and half of another! Plus there is still no reason why it can't be closed for some private events if they do reopen it on a regular basis.

 

[JWG]

Any word on where the Illuminations dinner is being moved to? I think this could be permanent addition and still protect private events. Close at 5pm and still available for night events.

Internet throughout the parks would be an innovative concept that would be great. All sorts of apps could be developed for this.

 

[Glasgow]

Hold on a second. There's a new thing in Epcot that has to do with technology and maybe the "future" ... get outta here! ha

 

[Choodles]

How many private event lounges do they really need anyway? They still have a whole pavilion they can use for it and half of another! Plus there is still no reason why it can't be closed for some private events if they do reopen it on a regular basis.

1. It's a restaurant not a pavilion.
2. Its not needed on a daily basis.

 

[MickeyPeace]

I think this is a great idea. I use my iPhone for Lines and other Disney related stuff when I am in the park and the iphone doesn't hold the best charge. I would love a place to be able to just plug it in while getting a drink or snack.

I bought a charger for my iphone 4 to specifically use at Disney and its great. That is another option. Charge it at night. Bring to the parks. When your battery dies, plug it into phone and you get enough juice until closing. Love it.

 

[WDWmazprty]

I bought a charger for my iphone 4 to specifically use at Disney and its great. That is another option. Charge it at night. Bring to the parks. When your battery dies, plug it into phone and you get enough juice until closing. Love it.

Where did you get it?

 

[devoy1701]

Will never open full time again they make way too much money from the private events.

1. It's a restaurant not a pavilion.
2. Its not needed on a daily basis.

I guess I'm missing your point?

There are still plenty of other areas throughout EPCOT that can be used for special events, and from what I heard the kitchen in the Odyssey wasn't a fully functional kitchen anymore. Food for special events was prepped elsewhere and for the most part brought to the Odyssey for these special events.

As to your second point. If the Odyssey is indeed reopened as an internet lounge then it will definitely be something appreciated and used widely. Why would you be opposed to reopening something that used to be available to all guests?

The Odyssey sits empty most days and a good amount of evenings. Why not open it to regular guests until 4 or 5 like someone else mentioned and just close it in the evenings when it's needed for special events?

 

[Tigger1988]

I bought a charger for my iphone 4 to specifically use at Disney and its great. That is another option. Charge it at night. Bring to the parks. When your battery dies, plug it into phone and you get enough juice until closing. Love it.

I bought something similar. It was a godsend on my trip last month.

 

[TestTrack]

It is sad how tied to cell phones some people are. I guess I could see using it for lines...but otherwise I hardly would use mine at WDW(don't have a smartphone in the first place).

Another downside is during all the firework shows all you see is P&S cameras and cell phones in the air with their insanely bright screens.

But sure...an internet cafe is alright...there are some logistical problems in what "non-disney" things could be displayed especially when some people looking to cause trouble go in. Anything to get this place open again is a good thing in my opinion.

 

[devoy1701]

It is sad how tied to cell phones some people are. I guess I could see using it for lines...but otherwise I hardly would use mine at WDW(don't have a smartphone in the first place).

Another downside is during all the firework shows all you see is P&S cameras and cell phones in the air with their insanely bright screens.

Ditto...except that with 8MP, my DroidX rivals my Sony Cybershot for daytime pics, and it's nice to have that as an option if I don't feel like lugging around my camera sometimes.

But I agree...seeing couples or families sitting in line clicking away at their own devices instead of conversing is sad...though to give them credit maybe they're talking via text message.... :lookaroun

 

[TestTrack]

Ditto...except that with 8MP, my DroidX rivals my Sony Cybershot for daytime pics, and it's nice to have that as an option if I don't feel like lugging around my camera sometimes.

But I agree...seeing couples or families sitting in line clicking away at their own devices instead of conversing is sad...though to give them credit maybe they're talking via text message.... :lookaroun

Haha yeah I've thought the same thing. Family sitting out at dinner somewhere each on their own cell phone...sad situation.

I agree that the cell phone is good for off the cuff pics...but I guess I'm pickier than most and would rather cart around the SLR than be left with pictures I don't feel like could be printed at good enough quality.