1982 Guest Suggestions/Complaints About EPCOT Center

[Foolish1]

Disney music, characters, and souvenirs should be allowed at Epcot.

Redesign the entrance way so that SSE lines aren't the first thing visitors see as they enter the park. Give people time to assimilate and be awed by what they see. Use Main Street, U.S.A in the Magic Kingdom as an example.

Erect more signs that tell how long the wait is in each line

There should be more places to escape the sun: shade trees or covered areas. Also, more benches.

Bands could play in gazebos for older citizens who are tired.

Street entertainers or video programs could entertain visitors while they wait in line.

This is a great thread!

But, here a few thoughts. Some of the comments were way off, while others really hit their mark. To me it's interesting that people want "Disney stuff" in the park, yet Disney created and built the park. Hmmm...

I think that having SpaceShip Earth where it is, is actually an advantage. You have a grand world about to open up to you, and all you have to do is step through the doorway to it. What's behind the door? Who knows! Let's find out.

They did add signs denoting the wait times since then. I was at the park for the first time less than a year after it opened with my parents. Some things had wait times, but not nearly as many as now. I still remember the oh-so cool wait sign for the film O Canada! I was so impressed with that little detail. It was that one little detail that made me realize just how important theming really is. (Strange, huh?)

Unfortunately, I have to agree on the part about about more shade, though they did add a lot of benches in later years.

I'm not sure when the "bands" were added, but they were added. Not sure when Off Kilter, Mo'Rockin' or the Beatles tribute group were added, but I would think they were a response to that criticism.

While I can't say they added a lot of entertainment for while waiting in lines, they did add at least some. On a number of occasions I remember seeing managers talking with guests in very long lines, though not in recent years. But the game in Soarin' I would call sort of a response. Every time I have been to O Canada', the CM has talked with the crowds for 5 or more minutes, sometimes half of the wait.

I too find it sad about Jay Walkin' and people's attitude to history and education in general. I have to say, when I was in high school (15 years ago) I thought history was boring. I find it much more interesting now. And I find The American Adventure, Hall of Presidents and so forth fascinating. But then, back in high school I much preferred algebra, geometry, computer programming, chemistry, physics over history. (Probably explains why I got 3 degrees in engineering.)

The funny thing is I have a friend who until graduating high school thought there was a state called "New England". I guess it makes sense when you consider New York and New Jersey, though.

 

[Captain Hank]

This is a great thread!

But, here a few thoughts. Some of the comments were way off, while others really hit their mark. To me it's interesting that people want "Disney stuff" in the park, yet Disney created and built the park. Hmmm...

This is probably due to the mindset of management when Epcot first opened that characters were not welcome in the park. The person likely meant "character" merchandise rather than the preponderance of Epcot merchandise, as the park was still establishing itself as a brand.

 

[prberk]

I guess the education system was much better when these people were in middle school. Personally, I am a history buff, but I've attended AA with various friends and relatives who are completely clueless about American History and actually learned alot from this attraction (even though they may have taken lengthy naps for the bulk of it).

Most people from my generation and below (30 and under) are clueless about American History and it's quite a shame. If you've ever seen the "Jay Walking" segment on the Tonight Show or other things like that, you probably know what I mean....

I am totally with you there, and I am afraid that because of it we are risking our understanding of freedoms and why it is so precious...

I absolutely LOVE the American Adventure. I am 41 years old, and I got to see EPCOT Center in 1982 or '83 -- I remember my impression of AA as being very well-done and intentionally more well-rounded (without being PC), including important but often overlooked parts of the American story, such as Teddy Roosevelt's national park emphasis, and the striking Indian scene, and the swampy scene around Frederick Douglas. Very well done. Again, inclusive and well-rounded without being overly PC. I still think that.

As for the rest of EPCOT Center, I distinctly remember thinking, "It's very nice, but too permanent" (to live up to an "experimental prototype" anything of tomorrow). I had gone to WDW in the early '70s and had been treated to "The Walt Disney Story" on Main Street, which still included the original film (not the whole EPCOT film, but the attraction film) that had Walt saying what he expected EPCOT to be: constantly changing, and experimental.

So, that was my biggest impression at the time: very nice (even "futuristic-looking"), but too permanent.

Looking back, I can understand what a tall order it would be to make something that is continuously experimental and forward-looking. I guess it has to be balanced with some more permanent and RETROspective things (like history), which ultimately gives the future some perspective....

At the end of the day, even EPCOT extends the vision began with the MK: Tomorrowland on one side and history on the other, with a little sparkle and imaginativeness thrown into the middle...

Paul

 

[TheBeatles]

BUMP.

Thought some people would find or re-find this interesting. I'll try to share more from the source of info for the post.

 

[GenerationX]

Someone also said it was "An adult park for 12-year-old legs."

I think this was the most interesting comment. It very succinctly addressed the primary issues of the park. Over the years, the park's appeal has grown to include younger folks, and scooters have been added to help older folks with creaky knees. I visited Epcot in early '83, and it has most definitely improved since then.

 

[s8film40]

Redesign the entrance way so that SSE lines aren't the first thing visitors see as they enter the park.

See now if your an Imagineer you know how to think outside the box. They simply redesigned the ride so that there would be no lines, problem solved, well except for really really busy days.

 

[mp2bill]

Thanks for bumping this thread. It was interesting to see what people thought about EPCOT almost 30 years ago...and even 3 years ago.

 

[SirNim]

See now if your an Imagineer you know how to think outside the box. They simply redesigned the ride so that there would be no lines, problem solved, well except for really really busy days.

:ROFLOL:
Problem: Solved! :lol:

 

[SeaBase86]

I wonder what were guest complaints and suggestions for the magnificent The Living Seas back in 1986. Any clues?

And from those comments mentioned, it seemed Epcot was pretty stale back in 1982.

 

[TheBeatles]

I wonder what were guest complaints and suggestions for the magnificent The Living Seas back in 1986. Any clues?

And from those comments mentioned, it seemed Epcot was pretty stale back in 1982.

I'd say it was a combo of people being used to an MK-style park and EPCOT Center being too advanced for the time.

Either way, EPCOT Center ruled.