News Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

[FigmentForver96]

Watch this space.

Like very very very soon.

Uh oh

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

I'll also cautiously add there is more being planned for the park. Some decisions - if they happen - are sure to please a lot of people.

I should also reiterate EPCOT Center is dead. This isn't a return to that parks hey day.

I know you're limited as to how much you can say, but i'm very curious as to which sort of people this could please. The talk about Guardians of the Galaxy coming to Future World hasn't inspired any confidence or interest on my part, even if it IS what some would consider a "quality" attraction when judged in a vacuum. I realize the park won't be like its 1982-1994 incarnation, but is ANY of what you've heard going to please people who love and sorely miss classic EPCOT Center?

It's truly awful that EPCOT Center is deemed dead. It doesn't have to be, it's a concept that will always work and could be revived at any time if they so wished. My bigger concern at the present time is how far this declaration of death is going to spread. I don't want to lose Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land or American Adventure. I appreciate updates similar to what they have received in the past, but it would be horrible if they are invaded with IP or even gutted entirely for something like Time Racers.

 

[Yankee Mouse]

When I was a kid, my parents would take us (my brother and me) to WDW for 2 or 3 days on a vacation. We'd typically come from 2 weeks on Sanibel Island, and the WDW bit was an add-on bonus. Sometimes it was a day, sometimes we did 5 or 6, but we typically did 2 to 3.

Back in the day, when WDW was just MK and EPCOT, we would spend a whole day at EPCOT, then a most of a day at MK until evening, then monorail back to EPCOT for a few hours. Once MGM opened, it was the same thing. Part of the day at MGM, then back to EPCOT.

As a kid, I remember how excited I was when we finally left the MK in the afternoon to go back to EPCOT. After a day of a bunch of lands of fantasy, I was so excited to get back to the world of science fiction. I'd get to choose the first ride after getting back to EPCOT - and would usually choose Horizons. It was awesome. After the mindless singing pirates, grim grinning ghosts, and cartoon rides, I got to go back to exploring the unlimited potential of the future. There was so much to explore. I was 3 when we started doing that, and we did that until I was 18 on my last trip with my parents in their care. EPCOT influenced me in ways I never thought possible. My memories of EPCOT Center, and what it represented, still drive me.

I didn't return until I was 27. A lot changed between 1999 and 2008. My wife and I still spend most of our WDW time at EPCOT, but it isn't the same. She never saw it before 2008, but she has heard a lot about when EPCOT was EPCOT. Its not nostalgia that makes me dislike some of the current EPCOT - it is the change in content. We as a society need science fiction with a positive outlook. EPCOT could be just that, exactly as it had been.

This is such a great post, it reminds me so much of my experiences. Growing up I only went three times in the 80s and I really only remember two trips now. But from both of those trips some of my strongest memories are from Epcot. The futuristic rides which made me feel like I was travelling in outer space on Horizons, or actually at the bottom of the ocean, letting my creative side go in the imagination pavilion, falling in love with history on spaceship earth (I ended up minoring in history in college), seeing the dinosaurs on energy. I remember how neat it was to walk around the world showcase at night exploring the different countries and vividly remember eating breakfast near the fountain in the land. I had hoped my daughter would be able to have the same type of experiences growing up where she could dream about her future. Its sad to see that her memories of Epcot will be of IPs and not all the things she can strive to become or do.

Watch this space.

Like very very very soon.

If you like certain diversionary attractions you should make the most of them.

I'll also cautiously add there is more being planned for the park. Some decisions - if they happen - are sure to please a lot of people.

I won't go into specifics yet since nothing is definite yet apart from what I've already talked about. There is a lot of proposal and counter proposal for over the next 8 years or so. However there is a definite acknowledgement the whole park needs work.

I should also reiterate EPCOT Center is dead. This isn't a return to that parks hey day.

While I never had much hope for a return, the one little spark I had which continued to hold out hope that someone might remember what the park was originally and try to get it back to about dreaming of the future just went out reading that.

 

[marni1971]

If done correctly, what's proposed could correctly build on what's considered good today whilst removing some past mistakes. The plans are quite big. As is the proposed funding. There's even a chance for an Epcot 3.0

Guardians will still be in the wrong park though. Though I'd still take this over loosing the ToT.

Not that we should have to choose.

 

[RoysCabin]

@marni1971 , can't thank you enough for keeping us abreast of what's going on as much and as best you can. The "EPCOT Center is dead" part is a punch in the gut (made me realize we'll be relying an awful lot on your videos going forward!) but here's hoping the optimistic aspects you're mentioning are fully on the table and being seriously considered.

This is going to be a tough nut to crack for Disney in a lot of ways. We might not get EPCOT Center back, but barring radical changes (which are always a possibility, granted) the architecture of a number of the pavilions seems to nearly guarantee that a lot of its trappings cannot be done away with without expenditures that go out of this world, thus leaving areas like Spaceship Earth, the aquarium in the Seas, the greenhouses in the Land, etc. to stick out. With those concepts and structures still there (not to mention attractions like American Adventure still being in the other end of the park), it seems like that "working research centers" and "edutainment" aspects of original EPCOT Center linger, and would have to be integrated into even something as ambitious as an "EPCOT 3.0" or risk a completely uneven, directionless presentation similar to what we have now.

The funny part is that I don't think they'd have to do much in terms of enormous, grand scale projects to make many people much happier with EPCOT these days; like I was saying before, bringing a bit of the World Showcase vibe to Future World (sans even more alcohol, that's begging for trouble...not that I'd personally be complaining, but still) combined with updates to Energy and Imagination (maybe the Seas down the road some time?) would probably do a lot to increase goodwill at a smaller cost than what they may be discussing, but it also wouldn't generate as much hype among shareholders, I suppose.

I did have to chuckle a bit concerning building on what they have now while righting some wrongs, since for a lot of us fans of EPCOT Center there's so little that's "strong" in Future World right now. If the era of the 20+ minute attraction in a fully integrated pavilion is truly buried (GMR's coming closure at the Studios seems to be a nail in that coffin), then at the very least I think that could mean hoping for attractions that seek to inspire while they do whatever else they intend to do, in the way that Soarin' does for a lot of people even as it seeks to thrill them.

But if it's a general "there's going to be some real good done here" feeling, then I think for nearly all of us that would mean some love being thrown toward Imagination, which alongside a "keep the aesthetics fresh with refurbs but keep the general experience intact" Horizons should've served as half the beating heart of Future World all along. Here's hoping!

 

[montyz81]

Watch this space.

Like very very very soon.

If you like certain diversionary attractions you should make the most of them.

I'll also cautiously add there is more being planned for the park. Some decisions - if they happen - are sure to please a lot of people.

I won't go into specifics yet since nothing is definite yet apart from what I've already talked about. There is a lot of proposal and counter proposal for over the next 8 years or so. However there is a definite acknowledgement the whole park needs work.

I should also reiterate EPCOT Center is dead. This isn't a return to that parks hey day.

I have a 2 part question:
1. Grasping at straws here.... Is there at least an attempt to put some of the "optimistic about the future" or "Rides involving the future" back into Future World or will this kill everything including the name "Future World" and of course the only ride staying true to FW, SSE?
2. What happens to World Showcase in all of this? For the most part, all the lands (save for maybe the Three Caballeros and Frozen) have stayed true to the original Epcot Center feel of World Showcase.

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Watch this space.

Like very very very soon.
I

I have a 2 part question:
1. Grasping at straws here.... Is there at least an attempt to put some of the "optimistic about the future" or "Rides involving the future" back into Future World or will this kill everything including the name "Future World" and of course the only ride staying true to FW, SSE?
2. What happens to World Showcase in all of this? For the most part, all the lands (save for maybe the Three Caballeros and Frozen) have stayed true to the original Epcot Center feel of World Showcase.

3. Like, how soon?

#WeekendPlans

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

@marni1971 - The fact you aren't expressing outright disgust, and indeed even seem cautiously optimistic, goes a long way. The "correctly building on what's good today while removing past mistakes" sounds promising. Look forward to seeing the details. At the very least, thank the theme park gods that folks at Disney realize Epcot is in dire need of help and that it needs more than just food and booze to right the ship.

You said 8 years worth of proposal and counter proposal - should we not expect to see any big earth works (apart from maybe GotG) taking place until after Star Wars is completed?

Also, as an aside, very nice work on the TTA tribute. Watched it yesterday and it's very well done and reminded me why I love that attraction so much, despite it's flaws.

 

[britain]

Hmm.. Yes... new entryway would indicate the new spin they're putting on the theme of the park. Like Buena Vista Street at DCA.

So, when they reveal that the new entryway will have lots of Stark Expo signs, we'll know the direction they are going.

(I kid, I kid - no need to bring up the legal issues with Marvel).

 

[CanadianGordon]

I will be really unamused if they get rid of the American Experience. I missed it last time and am kicking myself for it.

 

[RobbinsDad]

If done correctly, what's proposed could correctly build on what's considered good today whilst removing some past mistakes. The plans are quite big. As is the proposed funding. There's even a chance for an Epcot 3.0

Guardians will still be in the wrong park though. Though I'd still take this over loosing the ToT.

Not that we should have to choose.

I know the experimental prototype community of tomorrow no longer exists, but that's no reason Epcot can't be synonymous with excellence. If Disney is truly invested in Epcot, they'll turn it into the most innovative, most imaginative theme park experience in the world.

 

[Princess Leia]

And now we wait for the announcement(s).

I'm actually feeling a little excited?

 

[Dizney Crew]

How's about we just get some new videos in WS pavilions, that seems like an easy fix to at least update EPCOT at little bit. It's sad when YouTube has better videos of the countries on display than a theme park dedicated to put these countries on display.

 

[michmousefan]

Watch this space.

Like very very very soon.

If you like certain diversionary attractions you should make the most of them.

I should also reiterate EPCOT Center is dead. This isn't a return to that parks hey day.

Reading between your lines is a fun thing to do, @marni1971 ... assuming the "diversionary" attractions are the ones left in Innoventions... does that mean a wholesale re-imagining of Communicore and a farewell to TomMorrow (he's not around any longer anyway, right)? Maybe even losing the crappy sunshades and adding a bit more green back to that center plaza area? Speculation is fun, and free...

 

[Earl Sweatpants]

If done correctly, what's proposed could correctly build on what's considered good today whilst removing some past mistakes. The plans are quite big. As is the proposed funding. There's even a chance for an Epcot 3.0

That's a mighty big IF. Wanting to overlay GotG is already an egregious offense. And just for kicks and giggles, what do most people consider "good" today about Epcot?

I'll say this...should that "Epcot 3.0" not include a revamped FW where learning and imagination are at the heart instead of movie characters, then I'd say they missed the mark pretty badly.

 

[Auggie]

reading through all these posts make me sad.

not even in just this thread, but in other ones related to this topic, too.

using IPs as a fixer-upper is clearly not the long-term solution disney is striving to create here. it's only going to cause more problems, the park is going to quickly outdate itself again... it's just not going to work.

i think we're all pretty disenchanted with how things turned out here, as the years have gone by.

 

[Earl Sweatpants]

i think we're all pretty disenchanted with how things turned out here, as the years have gone by.

Disenchanted is an understatement.
I was having lunch at WDI a couple weeks ago and lamenting on all the changes Epcot has undergone since the 90s. To my amazement, the guy I was having lunch with said, "What do you mean? What's changed?"
As I proceeded to list all of the changes, I watched his smirk fall to a frown. "Oh yeah," he said. "I guess you're right."

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

Watch this space.

Like very very very soon.

If you like certain diversionary attractions you should make the most of them.

I'll also cautiously add there is more being planned for the park. Some decisions - if they happen - are sure to please a lot of people.

I won't go into specifics yet since nothing is definite yet apart from what I've already talked about. There is a lot of proposal and counter proposal for over the next 8 years or so. However there is a definite acknowledgement the whole park needs work.

I should also reiterate EPCOT Center is dead. This isn't a return to that parks hey day.

Thanks again for all the info. While I realize there's little hope for Epcot to ever be as good as its heyday I do hope this version upcoming is as close as we've been to Epcot greatness in a very long time.
Edit: I'm also assuming by very very soon you mean some minor attractions/beautifications or even plussings being announced relatively soon

 

[munchiezxx]

Walt was dreaming about EPCOT on his death bed. Even though EPCOT Center wasn't what he had planned, I think he would have loved it.
I don't know how this fits into the conversation but I've been thinking about that a lot lately. EPCOT was his last dream.

 

[DinoInstitute]

If done correctly, what's proposed could correctly build on what's considered good today whilst removing some past mistakes

When you say this, do you mean what people on this forum generally tend to consider mistakes/consider good, or the more general fan base/TDO?

Like, obviously things like Frozenstrom and (presumably) GotG aren't going to be changing, which are things we generally consider to be mistakes... But I feel like some of the things I would call good, like Living With the Land, could be on their way out.

Would it be fair to say this overhaul could be on the same scope of the old Project Gemini (just with no Time Racer and Little Mermaid )?