A Few Epcot Project Updates

[The Empress Lilly]

Including Ellen and Eric Idle?

:lookaroun

And let's not forget to make short notice of Martin too! (see what I did there?)

Hurray for a celebrity-free EPCOT! :sohappy:

Strangely, I don't mind Kim Possible all that much. I'm fine with some character meet&gropes too. Both feel a bit external to the experience. Similar to having Robin Hood or Mary Poppins on Main Street. Yes, it's a thematic clash, but it is very different from, say, replacing the MS fire truck for the one from Dumbo, filled with clowns.

 

[TropicalFig8]

I've never had time to do the Kim Possible game during my trips so it doesn't really matter to me that Perrry would replace her.

 

[Prototype82]

That attraction in DLP is going to be amazing! I would not be knocking something that has only begun to be constructed :shrug:

I have no doubt that it would be an amazing ride! I just don't think it has a place in a cultural showcase. A new Impressions de France, however, might. But we all know the odds of that happening are zero.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Can we see a 1000% increase in belly dancers?

I'm holding out hope for 1000% more Hulk Hogan. Almost time for the 20th anniversary Thunder in Paradise exhibit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_CB46niNvU&t=7m43s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BLVvJMKP9c

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

One of my friends went to a group meeting with the Epcot VP and some Epcot directors and they gave a pep talk and some pixie dust reinforcing the 4 important Disney principles. Then they talked about upcoming projects but didn't provide a lot of detail. Most things were already discussed on here.

New or upcoming projects:

Next Gen being installed everywhere
Gotta justify that $1+ billion expenditure somehow. (I must say, I was actually hopeful about NextGen a few years back, but after seeing how its being implemented and what it will bring, I am rapidly souring on it and am quite apprehensive about how it will be implemented in Epcot).

Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure (Replacing Kim Possible)
A necessary and worthwhile update (though I think its still a mistake to attached it to an outside animated character that, lets be honest, in 5 years will be forgotten. Why can't they be creative and come up with a unique character thats not susceptible to popularity whims? Actually, I'm surprised they haven't made Duffy the "host" yet. :lookaroun).

Italy building a Wine Cellar
Surprised it took them this long.

France will be building a new Bakery
Much needed and will be interesting to see how they configure this into the current pavilion.

Overall though, meh. Its still pretty clear that, apart from using World Showcase as a personal cash cow (hence the focus on restaurants and not attractions), Disney doesn't have a clue what to with Epcot.

Responses in red.

 

[Ralphlaw]

If Agent P loses popularity, it should be easy to switch it again. It's just some writing, new software on the phones, a few new voices or cosmetic changes within the countries themselves, and new costumes for the CMs. It's an inexpensive overhaul that brings excitement. Compare that to overhauling Pooh, Nemo, etc . . . Quite honestly, it could be done with Little Einsteins, Zack & Cody, or even Mickey, Donald, etc . . .

Honestly, I don't think the Disney Channel has ever had a more popular series. Yes, the characters from the movies and the classic characters are bigger. But I don't see that any originally created for Disney channel characters have been bigger, but I don't know this for sure.

I came home last night and told my wife, my 12 year old son, and my 5 year old daughter, and they were all excited with "I can't wait." Face it, few people have attachments to Kim Possible. My kids'll probably want to do all of them, including Mexico, Italy, Japan, and UK, all over again even though they did them before with Kim Possible.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Maybe they'll put it next to the new Ratatouille dark ride? :lookaroun

I don't see that happening. If the new Ratatouille dark rides goes to Walt Disney World, it would be more likely that it would be located in Disney Hollywood Studios than in Epcot.

While Ratatouille takes place in France, it would make more sense for the ride being located in Pixar Place at Disney Hollywood Studios. The 2nd thing is Disney looks at World Showcase for Food, Drinks, live entertainment, and shopping.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Honestly, I don't think the Disney Channel has ever had a more popular series.

Clearly you never watched "You and Me, Kid." :ROFLOL:

 

[disneyeater]

Touring Plans has more info on the expansion of the bakery.

http://blog.touringplans.com/2012/02/24/france-pavilion-to-expand-bakery-in-epcot/

 

[aladdin2007]

Its sounding like a fairly large project. Could they possibly be expanding using the future pavilion expansion plot between France and Morocco?

 

[Admiral01]

I have no doubt that it would be an amazing ride! I just don't think it has a place in a cultural showcase. A new Impressions de France, however, might. But we all know the odds of that happening are zero.

Agreed, the ride may be wonderful, but has no place in EPCOT. As for a new Impressions, the film is relatively timeless. Other than a few shot-for-shot updates in the movie, nothing needs to change. Impressions de France is one of the best Disney attractions that I have ever encountered; a classic that needs not be touched other than to give a little TLC.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Its sounding like a fairly large project. Could they possibly be expanding using the future pavilion expansion plot between France and Morocco?

I don't think so, and hopefully Disney wouldn't be that short-sighted (even though the chances of a new pavilion being built are less than zero at this point). After looking at the layout of the France pavilion, I wouldn't be surprised if the bakery is moved to the other side of market area (where Impressions de France empties into) with a new kitchen/bakery area being built adjacent to the IdF theater.

Yellow: Current Bakery
Green: Market/IdF Exit Area
Red: Potential Expansion Site for New Bakery

 

[aladdin2007]

Great ariel view, I didnt realize that little block of land was available right behind the current Les Halles.

 

[misterID]

Agreed, the ride may be wonderful, but has no place in EPCOT. As for a new Impressions, the film is relatively timeless. Other than a few shot-for-shot updates in the movie, nothing needs to change. Impressions de France is one of the best Disney attractions that I have ever encountered; a classic that needs not be touched other than to give a little TLC.

EPCOT could use all the help it can get. At this point a Pixar ride doesn't sound like a bad idea.

 

[NoChesterHester]

What ever happen to Insider Imagine claiming all these great attractions about to be announced for Future World?

 

[Donald96]

I still think that they could replace KP with Cars 2... At least it would get Cars into WDW?

 

[NoChesterHester]

I still think that they could replace KP with Cars 2... At least it would get Cars into WDW?

You did see Cars 2 right? Hardly compelling.

Phineas and Ferb I get. At least it is clever.

 

[Captain Neo]

What happens if next gen flops? Will alot of people get fired? Will Disney finally rethink their wdw strategy?

 

[NoChesterHester]

What happens if next gen flops? Will alot of people get fired? Will Disney finally rethink their wdw strategy?

Define flop? The vast majority of it is behind the scenes.

There just isn't that much for guests to really notice outside of rabid fan boys and a videogame. Judging from the lines this far the videogame is a huge hit.

 

[JEANYLASER]

You did see Cars 2 right? Hardly compelling.

Phineas and Ferb I get. At least it is clever.

I would like to see Phineas and Ferb game in epcot!