News Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

[_caleb]

I continue seeing people argue that the rides were empty, but it really is ignoring the reality of the park. Original Epcot was a capacity monster and outside of the rides, had so many shows and activities that there was something to do everywhere you looked. People also continue to gloss over that a busy day for Disney in the early 90s, which was probably around 20,000 people, is what low attendance looks like by today's standards.

The reality is that society changed. More people in the parks, yes, but also those people didn’t want to go on a 15 minute slow ride through educational and inspirational dioramas. And when they did go on those rides, the effect on them was largely not what it had been on previous generations.

 

[osian]

The reality is that society changed. More people in the parks, yes, but also those people didn’t want to go on a 15 minute slow ride through educational and inspirational dioramas. And when they did go on those rides, the effect on them was largely not what it had been on previous generations.

Not convinced..that's a very sweeping generalisation, and so cannot be true. If the park and its attractions were not wanted by any of the visitors then it wouldn't have had increased visitors. The park became more popular because people liked it, not because they hated it. And the park still has "15 minute slow, educational, inspirational" rides which people love,and you can also include the films and American Adventure in that category.

 

[_caleb]

Not convinced..that's a very sweeping generalisation, and so cannot be true.

I’ve never heard that sweeping generalizations cannot be true. I imagine you don’t really think that.

If the park and its attractions were not wanted by any of the visitors then it wouldn't have had increased visitors.

“Not wanted by ANY visitors”? I know I was speaking generally but I wasn’t saying NOBODY liked it, just that it was clear that over time, those classics weren’t met with the same degree of appreciation as they used to be.

 

[Rich Brownn]

The reality is that society changed. More people in the parks, yes, but also those people didn’t want to go on a 15 minute slow ride through educational and inspirational dioramas. And when they did go on those rides, the effect on them was largely not what it had been on previous generations.

And yet SE still draws a crowd to its slow-moving 15 minute long educational ride. The Land still draws people. The others still did but with their enormous capacity even a large for Magic Kingdom ride crowd would look empty. And it still doesn't detract from the fact that Epcot nowdays is hardly unqique withers IP-driven coasters, simulators and trackless clones.

 

[_caleb]

And yet SE still draws a crowd to its slow-moving 15 minute long educational ride. The Land still draws people. The others still did but with their enormous capacity even a large for Magic Kingdom ride crowd would look empty. And it still doesn't detract from the fact that Epcot nowdays is hardly unqique withers IP-driven coasters, simulators and trackless clones.

So are you saying everything at Epcot was just fine as it was?

I'm a huge fan of Epcot's original edutainment approach. I loved those classic attractions. One of my favorites is still Living with the Land. I really treasure Spaceship Earth. I'm just a bit more sober-minded about the impact those rides have on modern audiences vs. the impression they made on folks a generation ago.

From my own personal experience, I've observed that as those rides grew/have grown long in the tooth, they became less popular (beyond what can be explained by high throughput). This doesn't mean NOBODY rides them or that NOBODY likes them, or that they don't still draw guests, just that they don't resonate with guests the way they used to.

I'm surprised anyone would disagree with this assessment.

 

[tparris]

Most of the EPCOT logo ground lighting seems to be working now, save for one or two sections with incorrect colors. The weird thing is, it still seems to be in some sort of B-mode, where they’re never ever on all at the same time, but instead random sections slowly pulsate on and off. They do change colors for the shows, but even then it remains in the weird B-mode and it’s not nearly as intertwined with the shows as it should be. The lights lose most of the charm that way imo, and I really dont understand why it’s not in proper show mode if most of them are working now.

 

[tparris]

Most of the EPCOT logo ground lighting seems to be working now, save for one or two sections with incorrect colors. The weird thing is, it still seems to be in some sort of B-mode, where they’re never ever on all at the same time, but instead random sections slowly pulsate on and off. They do change colors for the shows, but even then it remains in the weird B-mode and it’s not nearly as intertwined with the shows as it should be. The lights lose most of the charm that way imo, and I really dont understand why it’s not in proper show mode if most of them are working now.

Several of the tree lights aren’t working, and quite a few of the pavement lights at Dreamer’s Point aren’t working either.

 

[tparris]

Some lights work during some sequences, and not at all during others. Now I’m just questioning the know-how of the people behind the programming/software end of this stuff if it’s this blatantly unreliable.

 

[James Alucobond]

The weird thing is, it still seems to be in some sort of B-mode, where they’re never ever on all at the same time, but instead random sections slowly pulsate on and off. They do change colors for the shows, but even then it remains in the weird B-mode and it’s not nearly as intertwined with the shows as it should be. The lights lose most of the charm that way imo, and I really dont understand why it’s not in proper show mode if most of them are working now.

I had assumed it was an intentional mode meant to obfuscate when things were going awry since it makes it less apparent that certain sections are out.

 

[tparris]

I had assumed it was an intentional mode meant to obfuscate when things were going awry since it makes it less apparent that certain sections are out.

The thing is as of tonight every single section is at the very least lighting up, again save for some incorrect colors on a few. There’s not much reason to be using the mode still

 

[voodoo321]

It's not that we need to go back to the old EPCOT, though it WAS greatness in it's original form and up to the early nineties. There are many valid arguments why it changed and doesn't work in today's world. There are also valid arguments why it would. It really boils down to the fact that there is no vision now and the things they are bringing to the park these days aren't inspiring. Theme parks, at their core, should be about escapism and creating dream-worlds that an a person can step into to escape from ordinary life. Not only are these new areas uninspiring and ordinary, there is no flow that draws you into them or to pavilions beyond. There isn't any sort of wonder about any of it and no connectivity. It could be in any downtown modern American city and we would say. "hey this is nice". And that's the most that can be said about it.

I just got back from my first trip to Tokyo and if you haven't been, they do it the way it used to be done here or better. Instead of complaining and fretting about the parks here and knowing that the company will keep going down this road, it is worth it to me to make Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea my home parks from now on. Even with the high airfare the total cost is comparable or less than a WDW vacation and the people are actually nice to you there, which hasn't been much the case in my last couple years at WDW.

I keep going back to WDW like a battered wife. It's sad to say goodbye but it's Tokyo for me now. I had thought Paris was going to be my new happy place too until Iger bought it out, raised the prices and cut staff.

Hail the OLC! I can still ride the GAOAT there too.

 

[maxairmike]

The thing is as of tonight every single section is at the very least lighting up, again save for some incorrect colors on a few. There’s not much reason to be using the mode still

I noticed that as well a few nights ago. I'm hopeful that they'll be on top of this with the vendor/manufacturer to polish this up. Definitely not great that they're doing this after it all opened up, but from what I've seen they seem to be really trying to get this figured out. Since all sections can light up, that's possibly a good indication the problem is on the software/controller side and not with the light fixtures themselves, which is my biggest concern.

 

[tparris]

I would love to know why Disney still insists on keeping the west construction bypass open when all main pathways have been open for almost a month now.

 

[vikescaper]

I would love to know why Disney still insists on keeping the west construction bypass open when all main pathways have been open for almost a month now.

Maybe it is still open because part of the main walkway by CommuniCore Hall/Plaza is still behind construction walls?

 

[MisterPenguin]

I would love to know why Disney still insists on keeping the west construction bypass open when all main pathways have been open for almost a month now.

I'm of the opinion that more bypasses is more better.

Let's get the Eastern bypass back open!

 

[James Alucobond]

I'm with @tparris. Traffic flow is no longer a problem. It's time to close the bypass and restore the surrounding backstage areas so that we no longer have to look at mud and the water treatment facility when we pass by on the monorail.

 

[DCBaker]

Here's a 4K video taken today of areas still under construction.

 

[Bocabear]

When is this supposed to be completed?

 

[MisterPenguin]

When is this supposed to be completed?

The updated timeline: 2024.

The Sacred Timeline

The following is a timeline of stuff for which we have a specific date, or our legit insiders have indicated. All the other stuff for which have no time frame at all, such as projects indefinitely on hold (e.g. Stitch's replacement, Mary Poppin attraction) are, by definition, indefinite and...

forums.wdwmagic.com

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

When is this supposed to be completed?

By the way they are going....Mid summer at the latest..Not sure a real reason they are going at such snails pace..By the time they finish that Epcot will be needing another retheme once it's ready..