EPCOT Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

aladdin2007

aladdin2007

Well-Known Member
Brian said:
You'd be surprised just how much EPCOT's management dictates some of the terrible decisions being made. WDI, as others have wisely put it, is essentially a contractor. Management at varying levels of the organization tell them what to design, and they do it. They don't come to management and say 'I have a great idea for a new Figment ride', management comes to them and says 'how about an Encanto show in that new plaza you're making?'
Click to expand...
I feel like and have been saying this awhile now, that Epcot has the worst park management around. I don't know what's going on there but it needs to change. At least someone decided to bring the divers back to the seas.
 
ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
aladdin2007 said:
I feel like and have been saying this awhile now, that Epcot has the worst park management around. I don't know what's going on there but it needs to change. At least someone decided to bring the divers back to the seas.
Click to expand...
I’ve actually noticed marked improvement there operationally. I think the issue is:

1) WDI designs updates that, invariably, are far too expensive
2) a far lower capital expenditure is approved
3) WDI redesigns their plans and builds a cheaper version, cuts corners, and rushes to complete the project

Lately, they always seem to fly by the seat of their pants to sloppily complete projects that took twice as long as they should have to complete.

I think they can still design beautiful spaces, but they basically function as a contractor that both charges too much and designs too slowly. So, after a very protracted design period, a lot gets contracted or subcontracted externally to the lowest bidder and we get that new Morocco tile work.
 
aladdin2007

aladdin2007

Well-Known Member
ToTBellHop said:
I’ve actually noticed marked improvement there operationally. I think the issue is:

1) WDI designs updates that, invariably, are far too expensive
2) a far lower capital expenditure is approved
3) WDI redesigns their plans and builds a cheaper version, cuts corners, and rushes to complete the project

Lately, they always seem to fly by the seat of their pants to sloppily complete projects that took twice as long as they should have to complete.

I think they can still design beautiful spaces, but they basically function as a contractor that both charges too much and designs too slowly. So, after a very protracted design period, a lot gets contracted or subcontracted externally to the lowest bidder and we get that new Morocco tile work.
Click to expand...
Horrible decisions made there on that one and then some, it should have been left alone, not to mention the bad operation or lack thereof now of that pavilion. Disney should be operating Marrakesh themselves as a character dining experience etc, since a third party isn't available.
 
Bocabear

Bocabear

Well-Known Member
Or....and I know this sounds crazy, but Disney could operate Marrakesh themselves as a Moroccan restaurant... Maybe do it a little more like Ohana... Multiple things brought to the table, minimal choices. Kefteh and kebabs...Morrocan grilled meats brought around like a churrascaria... that sort of thing. Make the restaurant look more whimsical and beautiful...Some more family friendly entertainment that is more than belly dancing... If it was even slightly similar to an Ohana experience it would be a huge hit.
 
Figments Friend

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
Brian said:
You'd be surprised just how much EPCOT's management dictates some of the terrible decisions being made. WDI, as others have wisely put it, is essentially a contractor. Management at varying levels of the organization tell them what to design, and they do it. They don't come to management and say 'I have a great idea for a new Figment ride', management comes to them and says 'how about an Encanto show in that new plaza you're making?'
Click to expand...

Yep.
This.

This is why Tony Baxter told me a few years ago that if we want to see the Imagination Pavilion ‘fixed’, we need to convince WDW management to do so.
If they do not see a need to do so, nothing happens as we are all well aware of.

So the million dollar question is for the class today is -
HOW do you go about doing so…?
How do YOU convince WDW management that this needs to be done…?

-
 
mattpeto

mattpeto

Well-Known Member
Bocabear said:
Or....and I know this sounds crazy, but Disney could operate Marrakesh themselves as a Moroccan restaurant... Maybe do it a little more like Ohana... Multiple things brought to the table, minimal choices. Kefteh and kebabs...Morrocan grilled meats brought around like a churrascaria... that sort of thing. Make the restaurant look more whimsical and beautiful...Some more family friendly entertainment that is more than belly dancing... If it was even slightly similar to an Ohana experience it would be a huge hit.
Click to expand...
I'd love to see Marrakesh to return, but restaurants are having a hard time filling up their tables right now. I just checked availability for two days from now and it seems like everything is available. This is also during Diet Epcot, when the table service restaurants don't get competition from the Food Booths.

The whole dining thing is fasinating to me. Just seems like they are having issues filling the tables. It sure felt like ADRs were more consumed pre-covid (also with a 180 ADR window). There is circumstancial evidence that there is a problem, look at the "kids free on the dining plan" for 2026. It also doesn't help they count a 10 year old as an Adult.

My guess is the QS offerings have improved over the years and people have pivoted from doing more sit downs because their budget went to lightning lanes, airport transfers and Magic Bands.
 
HauntedPirate

HauntedPirate

Park nostalgist
Premium Member
Figments Friend said:
Yep.
This.

This is why Tony Baxter told me a few years ago that if we want to see the Imagination Pavilion ‘fixed’, we need to convince WDW management to do so.
If they do not see a need to do so, nothing happens as we are all well aware of.

So the million dollar question is for the class today is -
HOW do you go about doing so…?
How do YOU convince WDW management that this needs to be done…?

-
Click to expand...

Tell them to fix the ride. If they refuse? Fire them all. Message sent.
 
tparris

tparris

Well-Known Member
Cracks are forming in the restored overhangs on Connections/Creations. Fun fact: these cracks have only appeared on the NEW sections of the overhang that were added back to the building in the last few years… the original overhangs from 1982 are still going strong lol
IMG_6040.jpeg
 
Disstevefan1

Disstevefan1

Well-Known Member
tparris said:
Cracks are forming in the restored overhangs on Connections/Creations. Fun fact: these cracks have only appeared on the NEW sections of the overhang that were added back to the building in the last few years… the original overhangs from 1982 are still going strong lolView attachment 872885
Click to expand...
Another disappointment in this failed EPCOT renovation.

This project should be called the EPCOT ruination.
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
Stucco is a cement-based material and cracks, just like concrete. It’s not necessarily anything to be concerned about. If it was bubble off the sub straight then that would be a bigger concern. It would probably be more concerning on the older areas, as those areas long ago would have been patched and repainted.
 
tparris

tparris

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
Stucco is a cement-based material and cracks, just like concrete. It’s not necessarily anything to be concerned about. If it was bubble off the sub straight then that would be a bigger concern. It would probably be more concerning on the older areas, as those areas long ago would have been patched and repainted.
Click to expand...
Why has it not happened to the older parts of the building?
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom