EPCOT New Park Entrance coming to Epcot

[DreamfinderGuy]

Might as well chime in as I was wondering about the EPCOT discussion. Regarding Communicore, I guess I'm a glass half full person. I would have preferred both sides of Communicore be torn down to open up the space but half down is better than none down. There was no way they were going to get rid of Mouse Gear. Every park obviously has to have a primary gift shop. As for a Festival Center, I thought the renovated Odyssey was going to do that at first but I guess it's too small. But I wasn't a fan of the new planned center either. While, yes, you would have a great view of WS from that building, it would destroy the central view of WS from the old FW or whatever those areas are going to be called.

Honest question, why do you feel both sides being torn down would be better than none? Future World as a whole was shaped around that plaza being the way it was. The new core messes up half of it rather than the entirety. What would you suppose be put on the East plot?

 

[JohnD]

Honest question, why do you feel both sides being torn down would be better than none? Future World as a whole was shaped around that plaza being the way it was. The new core messes up half of it rather than the entirety. What would you suppose be put on the East plot?

Yes. And the reason is this. Communicore/Innoventions just became half-empty buildings taking up space. The original concept only worked for about the first 10 years. I would rather the space be opened up with direct access to the attractions in Future World. So if one side is down, so much the better.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

Yes. And the reason is this. Communicore/Innoventions just became half-empty buildings taking up space. The original concept only worked for about the first 10 years. I would rather the space be opened up with direct access to the attractions in Future World. So if one side is down, so much the better.

There was direct access to the attractions in Future World almost always from 1982-2015. 2016 for the East building. That would be super easy to fix, and returning to the CommuniCore layout (or at least something that somewhat resembles it) would improve crowd flow immensely. Themed walkways where people are encouraged to stop and mess with things is not gonna make flow any better than a revitalized Innoventions West would've.

 

[JohnD]

There was direct access to the attractions in Future World almost always from 1982-2015. 2016 for the East building. That would be super easy to fix, and returning to the CommuniCore layout (or at least something that somewhat resembles it) would improve crowd flow immensely. Themed walkways where people are encouraged to stop and mess with things is not gonna make flow any better than a revitalized Innoventions West would've.

Well, you asked me an honest question. I gave you an honest answer. My preference would actually be a hub, like MK. Obviously, not with something huge in the middle. If the other side was taken down, you could move the new Walt statue there. But as it is, Innoventions/Communicore was an eyesore. I'm glad it's partially taken down.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

Well, you asked me an honest question. I gave you an honest answer. My preference would actually be a hub, like MK. Obviously, not with something huge in the middle. If the other side was taken down, you could move the new Walt statue there. But as it is, Innoventions/Communicore was an eyesore. I'm glad it's partially taken down.

Well, yeah, it was definitely an eyesore in it's later days. Likely a contributing factor to it's eventual removal. At least they're fixing that awful paint scheme with the East building.

 

[marni1971]

Yes. And the reason is this. Communicore/Innoventions just became half-empty buildings taking up space.

And that was the fault of the company. Now they figure they can’t be bothered to do anything creative with them so they wanted to spend a fortune to demolish them and build a(nother) bar.

 

[aladdin2007]

And that was the fault of the company. Now they figure they can’t be bothered to do anything creative with them so they wanted to spend a fortune to demolish them and build a(nother) bar.

Best post of the day! and so sad but true.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

And that was the fault of the company. Now they figure they can’t be bothered to do anything creative with them so they wanted to spend a fortune to demolish them and build a(nother) bar.

Build-A-Bar sounds like a delightful division of WDI.

 

[Bocabear]

Yes. And the reason is this. Communicore/Innoventions just became half-empty buildings taking up space. The original concept only worked for about the first 10 years. I would rather the space be opened up with direct access to the attractions in Future World. So if one side is down, so much the better.

They should have never been vacant buildings...They should have created new experiences and attractions within the spaces there... They should have kept all the original trees and water surrounding the buildings...All the complaints about it being a huge concrete wasteland would have never happened if they had just stayed true to the original vision.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

They should have never been vacant buildings...They should have created new experiences and attractions within the spaces there... They should have kept all the original trees and water surrounding the buildings...All the complaints about it being a huge concrete wasteland would have never happened if they had just stayed true to the original vision.
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That’s so depressing.... I remember arriving at Epcot in the mornings and getting a pastry, fruit and coffee at the fountain cafe. You used to be able to sit, at actual tables inside the cafe!

Watching the fountain and watching people enter the park while enjoying my “breakfast” was a great way to start the morning!

Same thing at Magic Kingdom Main Street Bakery. And Starring Rolls at MGM.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

They should have never been vacant buildings...They should have created new experiences and attractions within the spaces there... They should have kept all the original trees and water surrounding the buildings...All the complaints about it being a huge concrete wasteland would have never happened if they had just stayed true to the original vision.
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I appreciate the symmetry and the whole area certainly looked better with the trees and water. Those buildings are not particularly attractive, though. More than anything, they conjure up visions of suburban industrial parks or conference centres built in the 1970s and 1980s.

 

[JohnD]

I appreciate the symmetry and the whole area certainly looked better with the trees and water. Those buildings are not particularly attractive, though. More than anything, they conjure up visions of suburban industrial parks or conference centres built in the 1970s and 1980s.

I have to agree. Even when stuff was in those buildings who went there? Hardly anyone. Oh sure, there were some neat things. And a permanent World's Fair had an appeal for a while when it was the newest thing on property. But 10 years later and forward, it was no longer "new", particularly when Disney-MGM was built then AK. But let's face it with four parks., it's all about the attractions and the WS pavilions at Epcot. No one is going to hang out in those buildings and linger no matter what you put in. Might as well open us the space and provide direct access to the east and west attractions.

 

[marni1971]

I have to agree. Even when stuff was in those buildings who went there? Hardly anyone..

Hmm

 

[RSoxNo1]

From the outside it looks great. Inside there‘s tonnes of nothing apart from light leaks and visible structural beams. And a screen.

But I guess nothing more has happened to Epcots entrance....

The light leak on the backwards portion is awful. This can be fixed with some well placed tarps (take them from SSE).

 

[Bocabear]

I have to agree. Even when stuff was in those buildings who went there? Hardly anyone. Oh sure, there were some neat things. And a permanent World's Fair had an appeal for a while when it was the newest thing on property. But 10 years later and forward, it was no longer "new", particularly when Disney-MGM was built then AK. But let's face it with four parks., it's all about the attractions and the WS pavilions at Epcot. No one is going to hang out in those buildings and linger no matter what you put in. Might as well open us the space and provide direct access to the east and west attractions.

But what if there were attractions in those buildings...Not a World's Fair Exhibit , but actual attractions? They were valuable real estate when the park opened and could have continued had the company invested in attraction development...

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Even when stuff was in those buildings who went there? Hardly anyone.

It didn’t seem like “hardly anyone” was waiting in line in front of me to visit the various attractions. (House of innoventions, Velcro, storm struck, Segway, etc.)

 

[JohnD]

But what if there were attractions in those buildings...Not a World's Fair Exhibit , but actual attractions? They were valuable real estate when the park opened and could have continued had the company invested in attraction development...

I don't think it mattered what they could have put in. You can pine for the 1980s and 1990s all you want when it was something new. It doesn't change the fact that people went directly to the East and West attractions. If they went in at all, it was an air conditioned shortcut to get to that side of the park. Oh, sure, some might stop at what they were about to walk by. But I highly doubt anyone made directly for whatever was in those in buildings. The mantra, "If you build it, they will come" didn't apply.

 

[JohnD]

It didn’t seem like “hardly anyone” was waiting in line in front of me to visit the various attractions. (House of innoventions, Velcro, storm struck, Segway, etc.)

There are always exceptions, of course. When was that?

 

[marni1971]

There are always exceptions, of course.

There certainly are

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

There are always exceptions, of course. When was that?

All throughout innoventions later (post-2000) history. Some (most?) of those attractions that I listed did not overlap.

I’m guessing you think “hardly anyone” visits the wonderful rotating gallery in America either.

It would seem that Disney does think this type of attraction belongs in Epcot, because that’s what they are essentially building in the play pavilion. An IP version of innoventions.