Wait, Could Tomorrowland Be Moving To EPCOT? Earth-Shattering Implications...

[tman2000]

EDIT: Clarification. I wanted to mostly discuss the presence of the Tomorrowland movie at EPCOT, and how it could impact some of the big changes we've been expecting lately. Got carried away, yes, in order to think outside the box about it all. However, as we get more rumors about things such as Star Wars, I don't think it's unreasonable to anticipate some big changes.
________

So, crazy idea.

1)Tomorrowland movie presence at EPCOT
2)Rumor of big EPCOT overhaul at innoventions
3)Star Wars makeover for DL tomorrowland


What if...

The big EPCOT overhaul is to make future world into tomorrowland. That's right, the original T-land concept migrated to future world, abandoning the future world concept. The new movie is the thematic glue. This T-land can carry the torch of classic T-land, simultaneously providing EPCOT's neglected half with narrative consistency, while also given T-land something to do. Future world was also was T-land was meant to be: a little bit of real science, technology showcase, in-depth exploration of frontiers.

The original T-land was haphazard: some flying saucers, a moon rocket show, etc. Future world was systematic: body, mind, energy, space, the seas. Now, imagine T-land as a narratively complete concept as this new film will be presented: finally body, mind, space, seas, land etc. have a reason to coexist in one place. And the inventions plaza can still feature cutting edge technology, but within that fantasy narrative of the new T-land movie. So exhibits can be more enduring, but also subject to replacement if necessary.

It makes sense. And whatever works at EPCOT can be brought over in pieces to Anaheim. Seeing as how Anaheim is going to probably end up with a half Star Wars, half T-land theme for the "right side" of the park.

Which raises the big question: what about the Magic Kingdom's "right side"?

Okay, is it blasphemy to talk about taking T-land out of MK and giving it an "upgrade" to save future world? I don't think so. Walt Disney World is one coherent whole - that's how I see it - and moving T-land to EPCOT is not necessarily robbing MK.

So what will go in T-land's place? Star Wars?

Hmm. Well, this makes sense in Anaheim because of how Anaheim is, but it would seem weird in Orlando for two reasons:

1)MK is all about fantasy, and is beloved for the franchises and narratives it spawned for its own sake (i.e.: Pirates of the Caribbean was a ride first then a franchise).
2)Hollywood Studios is the home of Star Wars, and Star Wars is known as a "movie" phenomenon, not a "fantasy" phenomenon.

but...

1)MK has always featured outside franchises (Mr. Toad, Peter Pan, Pecos Bill). It's the flagship park, and once people got used to it, a Star Wars land is the perfect "boy" complement to the "girl" fantasyland.
2)Star Wars is a "movie" thing, but the Disney acquisition, the new movies, the side-movies, the comics, tv shows, etc - Star Wars can become "the" space fantasy in our culture. A presence in MK would signal that Star Wars isn't a movie universe, it's a fantasy universe. Which means removing the Star Wars presence from Hollywood Studios completely. Keep in mind that part of the Star Tours theming is "movie set" in character. The new MK Star Wars land will be completely "this is a real universe" and have no guy lights, set pieces, cameras, etc.

Which means that this "New Theme" for Hollywood Studios would be........ PIXAR STUDIOS. The idea being that this is a primarily Pixar park with hollywood trappings. So, Tower of Terror would remain as part of a Hollywood Blvd "land", but the entire left side of the park will be converted to Pixar: Monsters Inc., Cars Land, Toy Story Mania, UP! house, etc. etc. to include future franchises for unlimited expansion opportunities.

This is my speculation about current rumors. It all makes A LOT of sense, and I could get behind it. But, whoa... it would be earth-shattering wouldn't it.

"Rumor" (more like speculation) round-up:
-Tomorrowland leaves MK, "moves" to a re-themed EPCOT future world based on new film's story.
-MK right side becomes "Star Wars Land", Anaheim gets a mix of the EPCOT theme and Star Wars.
-Hollywood Studios becomes Pixar Studios, and entire left side gets devoted to Pixar.

 

[Tom]

This is not News or a Rumor. General Discussion at best.

 

[Flippin'Flounder]

This is my speculation about current rumors. It all makes A LOT of sense, and I could get behind it. But, whoa... it would be earth-shattering wouldn't it.

No it doesn't.

 

[tman2000]

This is not News or a Rumor. General Discussion at best.

It's based entirely on the hot rumors of the moment, and itself represents a potential rumor. IMO this is the most appropriate forum for discussing the idea.

Any discussion on this idea will be directly connected to new and unfolding news and rumor items.

I'm not attempting to Imagineer anything here, I'm responding directly to current rumors as we're all trying to figure out the next round of big changes we know are coming.

 

[Flippin'Flounder]

It's based entirely on the hot rumors of the moment, and itself represents a potential rumor. IMO this is the most appropriate forum for discussing the idea.

Any discussion on this idea will be directly connected to new and unfolding news and rumor items.

I'm not attempting to Imagineer anything here, I'm responding directly to current rumors as we're all trying to figure out the next round of big changes we know are coming.

But the only current rumor is the EPCOT makeover, Starwarsland is rumored for DHS, and Pixar Studios make no sense at all.

 

[tman2000]

No it doesn't.

Well, I won't begrudge you your opinion, but here's specifically why this makes sense to me:

1) Something has to happen to future world. "Giving" Tomorrowland to it, coinciding with the new movie, would solve all of future world's problems (well, represent a path to solving them). Now, when you visit EPCOT, you're visiting something very particular and it would make more sense to casual tourists.
2) Star Wars land on MK's right side makes sense. All the current good T-land attractions are PIXAR related, with the exception of Space Mountain which can be easily re-masked as an X-Wing coaster. It would finally give the right side of the park a coherent theme, since T-land has been a struggle there since the 80's. Plus, a solid "boy" area to balance new fantasyland.
3)PIXAR Studios would also fill in the holes of "why" Hollywood Studios exists. PIXAR is a huge part of Disney, and devoting the theme of an entire park to it would simultaneously give PIXAR the room it deserves while also giving casual tourists an obvious reason to want to visit that gate. "Oh, PIXAR. Like, Toy Story and Cars park."

The only thing that doesn't make sense is how radical it all would be.

 

[Flippin'Flounder]

Well, I won't begrudge you your opinion, but here's specifically why this makes sense to me:

1) Something has to happen to future world. "Giving" Tomorrowland to it, coinciding with the new movie, would solve all of future world's problems (well, represent a path to solving them). Now, when you visit EPCOT, you're visiting something very particular and it would make more sense to casual tourists.
2) Star Wars land on MK's right side makes sense. All the current good T-land attractions are PIXAR related, with the exception of Space Mountain which can be easily re-masked as an X-Wing coaster. It would finally give the right side of the park a coherent theme, since T-land has been a struggle there since the 80's. Plus, a solid "boy" area to balance new fantasyland.
3)PIXAR Studios would also fill in the holes of "why" Hollywood Studios exists. PIXAR is a huge part of Disney, and devoting the theme of an entire park to it would simultaneously give PIXAR the room it deserves while also giving casual tourists an obvious reason to want to visit that gate. "Oh, PIXAR. Like, Toy Story and Cars park."

The only thing that doesn't make sense is how radical it all would be.

1) That makes sense

2) Makes some sense, but this is TDO, and it would involve 2 relocations

3) This is the problem, calling it Pixar Studios would confuse people if there is more than Pixar there. Also, the icon of a Pixar themed park can't be the Chinese Theater, so GMR would have to go along with LMA, MV3D, and Indy, and another relocation of Star Tours (where would it go, because it won't work where any of the T-Land rides are) Finally, what does that have to do with Anaheim? There is no EPCOT there to put T-Land in.

 

[tman2000]

But the only current rumor is the EPCOT makeover, Starwarsland is rumored for DHS, and Pixar Studios make no sense at all.

So, the Tomorrowland movie is going to be promoted at EPCOT, which is what gave me this idea. Like, why not at actual Tomorrowland.

Plus, the rumor for Anaheim is that much of Tomorrowland will be converted to their Star Wars land. I realized that if they can do it there, a lot of the same designs and ideas can be brought to Orlando.

The only thing that isn't rumored is what it would mean to have no Star Wars presence at Hollywood. Everyone assumes that Star Wars land will be there, but that's only because that's where Star Wars is now. The only confirmed rumors involve a Star Wars presence "somewhere" in the parks. And there's a big rumor that Hollywood Studios faces a rebrand, but no one knows exactly what that means. We do expect a greatly expanded Pixar presence at Hollywood.

So, T-land in EPCOT fixes both T-land and future world. This leaves a hole in MK which can easily accommodate Star Wars - which would mean synergy between the Anaheim and Orlando conversions, and an appropriate rebranding of what Disney wants Star Wars to be (living fantasy not film history). Finally, with no Star Wars in Hollywood we have an answer for the renaming: the area is free to be exclusively PIXAR - and PIXAR can easily fill over half a park. Plus, it's a much better draw then "Hollywood Adventure" which is about as good as "MGM Studios". PIXAR Studios park - ah! I get it!

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

You've obviously thought a lot about this.

 

[PhotoDave219]

So, crazy idea.

1)Tomorrowland movie presence at EPCOT
2)Rumor of big EPCOT overhaul at innoventions
3)Star Wars makeover for DL tomorrowland


What if...

The big EPCOT overhaul is to make future world into tomorrowland. That's right, the original T-land concept migrated to future world, abandoning the future world concept. The new movie is the thematic glue. This T-land can carry the torch of classic T-land, simultaneously providing EPCOT's neglected half with narrative consistency, while also given T-land something to do. Future world was also was T-land was meant to be: a little bit of real science, technology showcase, in-depth exploration of frontiers.

The original T-land was haphazard: some flying saucers, a moon rocket show, etc. Future world was systematic: body, mind, energy, space, the seas. Now, imagine T-land as a narratively complete concept as this new film will be presented: finally body, mind, space, seas, land etc. have a reason to coexist in one place. And the inventions plaza can still feature cutting edge technology, but within that fantasy narrative of the new T-land movie. So exhibits can be more enduring, but also subject to replacement if necessary.

It makes sense. And whatever works at EPCOT can be brought over in pieces to Anaheim. Seeing as how Anaheim is going to probably end up with a half Star Wars, half T-land theme for the "right side" of the park.

Which raises the big question: what about the Magic Kingdom's "right side"?

Okay, is it blasphemy to talk about taking T-land out of MK and giving it an "upgrade" to save future world? I don't think so. Walt Disney World is one coherent whole - that's how I see it - and moving T-land to EPCOT is not necessarily robbing MK.

So what will go in T-land's place? Star Wars?

Hmm. Well, this makes sense in Anaheim because of how Anaheim is, but it would seem weird in Orlando for two reasons:

1)MK is all about fantasy, and is beloved for the franchises and narratives it spawned for its own sake (i.e.: Pirates of the Caribbean was a ride first then a franchise).
2)Hollywood Studios is the home of Star Wars, and Star Wars is known as a "movie" phenomenon, not a "fantasy" phenomenon.

but...

1)MK has always featured outside franchises (Mr. Toad, Peter Pan, Pecos Bill). It's the flagship park, and once people got used to it, a Star Wars land is the perfect "boy" complement to the "girl" fantasyland.
2)Star Wars is a "movie" thing, but the Disney acquisition, the new movies, the side-movies, the comics, tv shows, etc - Star Wars can become "the" space fantasy in our culture. A presence in MK would signal that Star Wars isn't a movie universe, it's a fantasy universe. Which means removing the Star Wars presence from Hollywood Studios completely. Keep in mind that part of the Star Tours theming is "movie set" in character. The new MK Star Wars land will be completely "this is a real universe" and have no guy lights, set pieces, cameras, etc.

Which means that this "New Theme" for Hollywood Studios would be........ PIXAR STUDIOS. The idea being that this is a primarily Pixar park with hollywood trappings. So, Tower of Terror would remain as part of a Hollywood Blvd "land", but the entire left side of the park will be converted to Pixar: Monsters Inc., Cars Land, Toy Story Mania, UP! house, etc. etc. to include future franchises for unlimited expansion opportunities.

This is my speculation about current rumors. It all makes A LOT of sense, and I could get behind it. But, whoa... it would be earth-shattering wouldn't it.

"Rumor" (more like speculation) round-up:
-Tomorrowland leaves MK, "moves" to a re-themed EPCOT future world based on new film's story.
-MK right side becomes "Star Wars Land", Anaheim gets a mix of the EPCOT theme and Star Wars.
-Hollywood Studios becomes Pixar Studios, and entire left side gets devoted to Pixar.

Nope.

Do you have any idea how many BILLIONS of dollars this would cost?

 

[Flippin'Flounder]

Plus, the rumor for Anaheim is that much of Tomorrowland will be converted to their Star Wars land. I realized that if they can do it there, a lot of the same designs and ideas can be brought to Orlando.

I was under the impression that Starwarsland was taking over Toon Town.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Plus, the rumor for Anaheim is that much of Tomorrowland will be converted to their Star Wars land.

Disneyland's Tomorrowland having a Star Wars Expansion actually is outdated.

Micechat even back in December of last year mentioned the Star War Land plans were changed from Tomorrowland to Mickey's Toontown. Disneyinsider WDW1974 even mentioned last month that there hasn't been any change from Mickey's Toontown being changed into a Star Wars Land.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

I was under the impression that Starwarsland was taking over Toon Town.

Your impression is right. There hasn't been any rumors on trust worthy rumor sites that Disney decided to go back to putting Star Wars Land back to Tomorrowland. That Tomorrowland rumor was based on the early days of Disney acquiring Lucas and got changed some point last year.

 

[Coaster Lover]

I'd be really surprised to see Disney ever significantly change Space Mountain. I mean, if they won't even do Haunted Mansion Holiday, the thought of them changing Space Mountain seems almost blasphemous. I think the rumor of Star Wars coming to the Studios is much more probable (especially with Star Tours already being at the Studios) and if Star Wars goes to the Studios, more or less all of the rest of this thought/rumor falls apart. I do agree that Pixar will probably gain a larger presence at the Studios, but it won't be the theme of the entire Studio property.

 

[tman2000]

1) That makes sense

2) Makes some sense, but this is TDO, and it would involve 2 relocations

3) This is the problem, calling it Pixar Studios would confuse people if there is more than Pixar there. Also, the icon of a Pixar themed park can't be the Chinese Theater, so GMR would have to go along with LMA, MV3D, and Indy, and another relocation of Star Tours (where would it go, because it won't work where any of the T-Land rides are) Finally, what does that have to do with Anaheim? There is no EPCOT there to put T-Land in.

The relocations represent a big hurdle, but they can convert rides. Space mountain can become "Death Star Attack". Star Tours can become a PIXAR ride, which would be kind of a heartburn for TDO, but they wouldn't have to replace the machinery. Plus all of the droids can be relocated and needed at the Star Wars land.

What I imagine for Anaheim is a Star Wars land North and Tomorrowland (movie theme) South. This is consistent with the rumors. So, for Orlando you have these two sections in different parks. Where EPCOT's front half is the flagship "Tomorrowland" where Anaheim's section would be a satellite featuring the cream of EPCOT's crop.

As for Pixar, the idea is that this is a Studio, much like the MGM or Hollywood theme. So, it's "in" Hollywood. It could be PIXAR Hollywood Studios. The important part of it all is that this is the "Pixar" park - for tourists. Like Pixar? Come here. They'll figure out the rest, Muppet Studios, Hollywood Blvd wise.

 

[LAKid53]

Nope.

Do you have any idea how many BILLIONS of dollars this would cost?

Yeah, my thought exactly. Imagine deconstructing all the major rides in Tomorrowland - Astro (which Disney just renovated), Space Mountain, People Mover, etc. (I would NOT move Speedway unless the plans included bringing it up to the 21st century) - and then rebuilding them somewhere in EPCOT. Is the space at Innoventions large enough to house Astro, Space and the other major rides in Tomorrowland? Disney just spent major bucks redesigning the Hub in MK, which included new pathways to alleviate the crush between Tomorrowland and Main Street. I cannot see them moving all of Tomorrowland to EPCOT. Someone in Glendale would have had to have lost their minds to agree to this.

And Iger has already talked about the hoped for expansion of Star Wars at DHS.

 

[Flippin'Flounder]

The relocations represent a big hurdle, but they can convert rides. Space mountain can become "Death Star Attack". Star Tours can become a PIXAR ride, which would be kind of a heartburn for TDO, but they wouldn't have to replace the machinery. Plus all of the droids can be relocated and needed at the Star Wars land.

I meant that I would think they wouldn't get rid of Star Tours, where would it go in T-Land.

 

[tman2000]

I'd be really surprised to see Disney ever significantly change Space Mountain. I mean, if they won't even do Haunted Mansion Holiday, the thought of them changing Space Mountain seems almost blasphemous. I think the rumor of Star Wars coming to the Studios is much more probable (especially with Star Tours already being at the Studios) and if Star Wars goes to the Studios, more or less all of the rest of this thought/rumor falls apart. I do agree that Pixar will probably gain a larger presence at the Studios, but it won't be the theme of the entire Studio property.

You're right, and I think the biggest argument for Star Wars at Hollywood would be to draw traffic there and away from the other parks. And it's where my rumor falls most.

However, the big piece I've speculated on involves making future world into "Tomorrowland". This makes so much sense to me, now that they're doing this film and have a new coherent narrative for the land. Future world is much more consistent with what Tomorrowland is supposed to be. Plus the film's idea of making this Tomorrowland world sort of like Walt's E.P.C.O.T. Future world's replacement, then, masquerades as an actual futuristic community of innovators, making the park's theme much more in line with the original EPCOT vision.

The only problem is what to do with the old tomorrowland at MK. This crazy shuffling idea is just my effort to sort that out.

 

[tman2000]

I meant that I would think they wouldn't get rid of Star Tours, where would it go in T-Land.

Maybe they would just have it for Anaheim? It seems like a waste, but they redid the ride before they were trying to reinvent Star Wars as this long-term Disney property.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Nope.

Do you have any idea how many BILLIONS of dollars this would cost?

Do you have any concept of costs? Because you seem to think everythin. At Walt Disney World would cost BILLIONS.