News Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

[jt04]

Amazing that you know what millions of people want.

Muppet.

There is plenty of recent evidence. Cars Land, Frozen, Pandora, Guardians at DCA and all the buzz around SWL.

Simple logic Captain.

 

[marni1971]

There is plenty of recent evidence. Cars Land, Frozen, Pandora, Guardians at DCA and all the buzz around SWL.

Simple logic Captain.

And as an example for a none IP recently added major investment to balance your argument?

Come back when you actually go to WDW.

 

[marni1971]

I think if it is $2 Billion for Epcot, that's not bad.

Rat shouldn't cost too much if it's basically the same ride already in DLP, no having to re-invent anything for it, that and GOTG less than $300 million?

Refurb the front area and area between the empty shell of Innoventions, plus whatever they're going to do to Innoventions, maybe one more attraction in World Showcase after RAT?

We might still have $1 Billion left over for Imagination overhaul, and another Future World attraction, and extra stuff?

You'd be surprised how much things will cost.

There's also a lot of incidentals and other things that quickly eat into a budget.

 

[ChrisFL]

You'd be surprised how much things will cost.

There's also a lot of incidentals and other things that quickly eat into a budget.

I know, it's wishful thinking partially....hoping imagineers may skip a few caviar and champagne meals once in a while

 

[toeknee]

Any worse than the current placement of "it's a small world" in Fantasyland? Yes, moving an attraction can constitute "a waste of resources" but only if there isn't a reason to move it. Relocating it's a small world opens up a huge area in Fantasyland where multiple attractions can be added that better fit the updated feel (see: not tent facades) of the Enchanted Forest area of Fantasyland.

If I had my way, I'd have it's a small world in Epcot and a Speedway equivalent in DHS to facilitate the necessary improvements to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

Moving IASW to EPCOT will not dramatically increase attendance at EPCOT. I doubt IMO that Disney will spend any resources moving it, never mind thinking about moving it? Any investment has to be able to have a return via additional guest counts, reduced operating costs, or other $-related efficiencies.

 

[ChrisFL]

I'm expecting that SSE, M:S, Nemo, The Land and Test Track would be un-changed in this new plan? (other than the minor makeover that M:S is getting)

 

[MisterPenguin]

I'm expecting that SSE, M:S, Nemo, The Land and Test Track would be un-changed in this new plan? (other than the minor makeover that M:S is getting)

The ones you mentioned have been mentioned as getting some minor updates. M:S is a little more than a minor update since it's getting a new mission, which is more of an upgrade than update. At least, that's what we know so far.

 

[ChrisFL]

The ones you mentioned have been mentioned as getting some minor updates. M:S is a little more than a minor update since it's getting a new mission, which is more of an upgrade than update. At least, that's what we know so far.

I suppose it depends on how much they change on it. Getting new video and some different movements doesn't really make me consider it a major change...budget wise.

 

[Virtual Toad]

I commented earlier today on the Avatar forum about how stunningly well-done the Pandora addition is to AK. It's arguably the best use of IP at WDW in a long time and shows how it can be done properly if a) it's not an overlay and b) you can make it genuinely fit the theme of the park. I was a big critic of the Avatar project but WDI really did it right. The land and attractions are stunning and immersive, the IP does not hit you over the head, it doesn't feel at all like a cheesy commercial (cough- Frozenstorm) and it really does make sense in terms of AK's message of conservation.

As I mentioned in my other post, Pandora has created a whole new problem for WDW-- it shows that WDI really can knock people's socks off when they're given the proper $$ and creative canvas to work from. But my goodness, it makes Epcot's use of IPs look really, really trashy and pathetic by comparison. The toonification of Epcot is a far cry from what they accomplished at AK with Pandora, and I don't see any way they can stop the toon train from destroying what's left of the park unless a complete mind shift takes place and soon.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

*cough*speedway*cough

I keep waiting to hear them announce docking The Liberty Belle, close Tom Sawyer Island and drain the water out to use that area which would be a shame.

 

[HMF]

I'm expecting that SSE, M:S, Nemo, The Land and Test Track would be un-changed in this new plan? (other than the minor makeover that M:S is getting)

Spaceship Earth desperately needs a major refurbishment, However I would prefer they wait until the Bobs are gone before they commence it.

 

[aladdin2007]

Spaceship Earth desperately needs a major refurbishment, However I would prefer they wait until the Bobs are gone before they commence it.

This, and or a new sponsor as well, Siemens hasn't been all that great for it. If that was my company on the sign I would want it finished and finished right! Not to mention better upkeep in general, are park ops aware at all that the black sheets are literally falling down from the ceiling in the descent???

 

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

It was reported on themeparkinsider that the re-do has been given $2billion (always sceptical was DHS budget was surely nowhere near what was reported).

With the way Disney spend money, will $2billion be enough? I mean, it could sort a ton of issues if spent wisely, but I don't imagine they'll do much else in the park for a length of time afterwards, so if it doesn't get sorted in this round then are we to wait an extra decade? I worry about talk of Rat. That'll take a good chunk out of $2billion, and potentially leaves an area of future world without updates.

I'm still staggered about the talk of what they're spending on Toy Story. If that's the value they're getting out of their projects, the rumoured money set aside for Epcot isn't going to make a dent on the improvements needed.

$2billion would be enough for spine and some upgrades to rides, not to cover the cost of everything.

 

[Daveeeeed]

2 Billion would probably cover
World Showcase
Ratatouille
U.K. (C-ticket?)
Coco
New Country
Future World
Living With The Land (minor updates)
Circle of Life replacement
Spline redo
Innoventions replacement
Mission: Space update
The Seas update (making it more educational and subtle and be themed to Finding Dory).

Will it be able to include Imagination? I believe that is the question.

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

2 Billion would probably cover
World Showcase
Ratatouille
U.K. (C-ticket?)
Coco
New Country
Future World
Living With The Land (minor updates)
Circle of Life replacement
Spline redo
Innoventions replacement
Mission: Space update
The Seas update (making it more educational and subtle and be themed to Finding Dory).

Will it be able to include Imagination? I believe that is the question.

I hadn't heard the seas to finding dory plan is that an actual possibility? I heard updates but I didn't really hear much else

 

[PizzaPlanet]

I keep waiting to hear them announce docking The Liberty Belle, close Tom Sawyer Island and drain the water out to use that area which would be a shame.

Then don't even suggest such a thing!

 

[HMF]

This, and or a new sponsor as well, Siemens hasn't been all that great for it. If that was my company on the sign I would want it finished and finished right! Not to mention better upkeep in general, are park ops aware at all that the black sheets are literally falling down from the ceiling in the descent???

I would try to get AT&T back if possible. At least Siemens removed the wand though.

 

[Timothy_Q]

Considering the character invasion is (and has been) inevitable, I'd love it if they at least kept them either at WS of FW only
For *some* type of consistency in the park.

If it were me trying to juggle the IP need, I'd place all the characters in WS.
Ratatouille, Mary Poppins, Coco, Mulan, in their respective countries without removing any existing shows/movies.

Then remove Nemo from the Seas, update Imagination and Energy.

You end up with a somewhat consistent Park with a completely original and updated FW and a WS filled with new movie-based rides removing the strain on Frozen and adding lots of extra capacity.

 

[marni1971]

Will it be able to include Imagination? I believe that is the question.

No. The figure for Imagination being thrown around would not be part of a “2 billion" (or there abouts) slush fund. But we're talking 2022 and beyond. Plenty can change.

 

[Ralphlaw]

Who wouldn't want more IPs?

Impressions de France with Pluto, Chip & Dale. They could throw truffles and escargot at each other. The French wouldn't be offended.

A daily show in Italy where hijinks flow when Goofy tries to clean the top of the bell tower. Imagine him up there hanging by one foot.

Donald and his nephews take over the Japanese drum show. What fun. It could end with Donald flying off after his drum explodes.

Instead of the poet narrating the China 360 film, let's have Genie and Baloo instead. Two giant blue guys all over China. That'll work.

And, of course, Jar Jar Binks would be a natural fit all over Epcot.

All of this would be so much better than having actual cultural ambassadors or scientists or nobel laureates or tech innovators actually speaking at Epcot. Yeah, such great speakers would be cheap to bring in and would be truly newsworthy, but IPs are just so much more fun and appropriate. The icing on the cake of course would quite literally be Elsa on the top of the Illuminations globe bringing fake snow all over the lagoon. I just can't get enough of that "Let it go" song. It's far more timeless than the current Illuminations music.