News Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

[RSoxNo1]

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.

I understand that moving "it's a small world" to Epcot is unlikely to increase attendance at Epcot. What it will do is allow them to further expand Fantasyland and add an attraction to Epcot that actually fits. For those of us that feel that Epcot should have limited use of movie based IPs in their attractions, there are other ways to help that park. It's why I've also suggested that if they have to rebuild Space Mountain from the ground up, why not put that in Epcot as well as part of a larger Space Pavilion?

What people fail to realize is that many classic attractions have name/brand recognition that's as good as some movies. If Disney would allow themselves to think further than next quarters balance sheet they would realize that what separated them from everyone else is that all of the pieces in a park fit together. When they don't fit together they need to undertake a massive overhaul to fix it.

The time to make a pie in the sky move like relocating "it's a small world" is when there are other moving pieces involved. By itself, moving "it's a small world" doesn't fix Epcot, but as a piece in a larger puzzle it helps put the park in a better direction.

As for the overall $ related efficiencies/inefficiencies. Those would be generated by the additions to Fantasyland that would be easier to accomplish by removing "it's a small world".

 

[RSoxNo1]

If Epcot truly has $2 billion coming to it, it would be nice to see what's included in that. If the Gondola system is included in that I can't imagine getting too far on that $2 billion. If we hear any of this proposal at D23 we'll see how many people on these boards approve of the transformation. My best guess:

• Ratatouille - $200-250 mil
• Energy replacement - $200-300 mil
• At least one new World Showcase Pavilion - no idea on cost
• Mission: SPACE updates - <$50 mil
• Future World aesthetic updates - no idea on cost
• UK attraction - <$100 mil

That still seems well short of $2 billion unless it's two World Showcase pavilions w/attractions and/or the Gondola system is included in that price.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Not that I know of. But at least it's still maintained.

It was nice being able to go in there for Festival of the Arts, even if the food was gross.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Who and/or what are you parroting here?

Parroting?? sorry I don't follow. My comment was actually a joke about the funny old men on the face of the hundred and twenty dollar bills...but you know...over your head. No harm done.

 

[Phicinfan]

If Epcot truly has $2 billion coming to it, it would be nice to see what's included in that. If the Gondola system is included in that I can't imagine getting too far on that $2 billion. If we hear any of this proposal at D23 we'll see how many people on these boards approve of the transformation. My best guess:

• Ratatouille - $200-250 mil
• Energy replacement - $200-300 mil
• At least one new World Showcase Pavilion - no idea on cost
• Mission: SPACE updates - <$50 mil
• Future World aesthetic updates - no idea on cost
• UK attraction - <$100 mil

That still seems well short of $2 billion unless it's two World Showcase pavilions w/attractions and/or the Gondola system is included in that price.

At one time, I believe, the cost for expansion of UoE and the ride system was quoted by @marni1971 as some of the highest spend they have had..... He can confirm, and no idea of the plan has changed since he made a statement like that.

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

If Epcot truly has $2 billion coming to it, it would be nice to see what's included in that. If the Gondola system is included in that I can't imagine getting too far on that $2 billion. If we hear any of this proposal at D23 we'll see how many people on these boards approve of the transformation. My best guess:

• Ratatouille - $200-250 mil
• Energy replacement - $200-300 mil
• At least one new World Showcase Pavilion - no idea on cost
• Mission: SPACE updates - <$50 mil
• Future World aesthetic updates - no idea on cost
• UK attraction - <$100 mil

That still seems well short of $2 billion unless it's two World Showcase pavilions w/attractions and/or the Gondola system is included in that price.

I agree with this, the budget seems very high yet I feel like we know about very little happening. We know Rat and spine update are coming along with energy replacement and MS updates but no way does that equal 2 billion. UK doesn't seem green lit, neither does a new WS pavilion or imagination updates. Not sure where the rest of the money is going.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

@marni1971 - I would be interested what, if any, the parks attendance news is having on any of this. I could see it be either be a shot in the arm to projects or a reason to take another direction (i.e. Else didn't help enough - so try something different). Or, it could just be expected smoke from the ticket prices.

Any shareable thoughts thus far?

 

[larandtra]

I think what is happening is that the benefit readers here have of the "insiders" gets everyone going but not being realistic on timelines. Keep in mind the insiders are way ahead with information and plans, some while they are still in the design, approval, and thinking about phase, so have some patience because as a couple of them have stated , all of those plans can change overnight. They always put qualifiers on their rumors, so be thankful for the info they provide, but, understand the timeline the public is aware of is probably 9-12 months behind what you read here. Patience young Jedi.

 

[marni1971]

@marni1971 - I would be interested what, if any, the parks attendance news is having on any of this. I could see it be either be a shot in the arm to projects or a reason to take another direction (i.e. Else didn't help enough - so try something different). Or, it could just be expected smoke from the ticket prices.

Any shareable thoughts thus far?

Attendance and feedback are playing a part.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

"Ohhh! Look at all the exhibits! How can you do this park in one day, seriously?"

Just watching Finding Dory. Was this a reference to Epcot? Lol. I know there were fan rumors about possible Living Seas updates.

That was the first thing I thought of. Hey look its Living Seas. No, wait Sea World. ahhhhhhh

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I think what is happening is that the benefit readers here have of the "insiders" gets everyone going but not being realistic on timelines. Keep in mind the insiders are way ahead with information and plans, some while they are still in the design, approval, and thinking about phase, so have some patience because as a couple of them have stated , all of those plans can change overnight. They always put qualifiers on their rumors, so be thankful for the info they provide, but, understand the timeline the public is aware of is probably 9-12 months behind what you read here. Patience young Jedi.

This is a very important message for us all. Any time someone is sharing potential information, it's done intentionally and by someone who is in a place of trust. And, as a lawyer at a public company myself, I appreciate you being open as you can be while being cautious and respectful to your sources. It's wonderful the passion we all share (and concern). But, we are members of the public - and need to be patient. Thank you to all of our insiders who make this so much more interesting than pure speculation! Respect is what makes this great (and what needs to be present if it will continue to be that way).

 

[No Name]

The One World replacement opened a couple weeks ago at SeaWorld San Diego, called Orca Encounter. It feels way less flashy and circus-like, and far more informational and educational, than what it replaced. They call it a "live documentary."

I mention this because EPCOT Center fans might want to give it a look, and might be interested in how successful it is.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I understand that moving "it's a small world" to Epcot is unlikely to increase attendance at Epcot

Well, if they:

• Used the puppet style of Sinbad
• Orchestrated IaSW better rather than being overly repetitive and cloying
• Included more languages in the song
  
• Put a huge background projection on the walls behind the dolls with parallax to give the impression we are traversing a land or city and put them on a long loop so that each ride would have you seeing different scenes from each of the countries/continents
• put an actual themed ceiling, with images of the planets and galaxy so we see that, yes, indeed, it's a small world we're on
• represented the regions of the world in a more adult manner (e.g., maybe not use the animals of the continent to represent the people)
  
• had a knock-your-socks-off finale with super realistic fireworks
• included nods to each of the country pavilions in the World Showcase
• made the ride even longer

... them maybe that would draw people to Epcot.

Too bad it will never happen.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Attendance and feedback are playing a part.

Assuming the Figment Questionnaire was a part of that feedback... Will that play a part in Epcot's purported 2-billion overhaul?

 

[marni1971]

Assuming the Figment Questionnaire was a part of that feedback... Will that play a part in Epcot's purported 2-billion overhaul?

I believe not.

 

[peter11435]

Well, if they:

• Used the puppet style of Sinbad
• Orchestrated IaSW better rather than being overly repetitive and cloying
• Included more languages in the song
  
• Put a huge background projection on the walls behind the dolls with parallax to give the impression we are traversing a land or city and put them on a long loop so that each ride would have you seeing different scenes from each of the countries/continents
• put an actual themed ceiling, with images of the planets and galaxy so we see that, yes, indeed, it's a small world we're on
• represented the regions of the world in a more adult manner (e.g., maybe not use the animals of the continent to represent the people)
  
• had a knock-your-socks-off finale with super realistic fireworks
• included nods to each of the country pavilions in the World Showcase
• made the ride even longer

... them maybe that would draw people to Epcot.

Too bad it will never happen.

That would no longer be "it's a small world."

 

[Kman101]

I think what is happening is that the benefit readers here have of the "insiders" gets everyone going but not being realistic on timelines. Keep in mind the insiders are way ahead with information and plans, some while they are still in the design, approval, and thinking about phase, so have some patience because as a couple of them have stated , all of those plans can change overnight. They always put qualifiers on their rumors, so be thankful for the info they provide, but, understand the timeline the public is aware of is probably 9-12 months behind what you read here. Patience young Jedi.

I think we are aware. We're just impatient

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

Has there always been an ocean-side scene opposite of the Phoenicians in SSE? I rode this morning and noticed it, never have before. Maybe I just haven't been paid attention in the past Also noticed the woolly mammoth sound effects was the loudest I've ever heard too.

It has, but they adjusted the lighting during the 2008 revision -- which is to say, they cut the Blacklight that illuminated the scene so it would be basically dark aside from the remaining Fiber Optics. A weird and disappointing waste.

 

[marni1971]

Has there always been an ocean-side scene opposite of the Phoenicians in SSE? I rode this morning and noticed it, never have before..

Yes. Don't you watch my videos??!

Prior to 2007 there was also a model boat and a projected one too.

 

[Unplugged]

Odyssey is roughly where I want to put "it's a small world"

Sure, but a little further back. Perhaps, back in the dumpsters.

It makes no sense to move such an aged attraction between parks, let alone any attraction. While it's classic, and I do enjoy the classics, if it were to simply go away in favor of a new generation attraction, I don't think it would be missed that much when one looks at the guests that are driving the revenue stream these days. While I'm not a fan of the attraction, I fully appreciate the history of it. SO dare I say, it'd only be missed by those of us for whom it brings back family trip memories or history buffs.