News Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

DreamfinderGuy

Well-Known Member
We lost so much space when they removed that second floor thet Electric umbrella had that could have been helpful...
There really wasn't much of a net loss, the second floor of EU provided significantly less seating than the expansion into the Innoventions show area provided Connections. The loss of the little bubble that expanded into the plaza and the fact that the space has to be shared with Starbucks are more important capacity impacts
 

trainplane3

Well-Known Member
No I think here is close to zero chance of getting a fountain.

I am really at a loss as to explain how it got into this situation. Putting lights in the ground is not hard, and has been done many times before.
I don't think they want to dig up anything in the middle due to the issues they ran into during construction of the area. Well maybe if they do eventually dig the middle again, they won't hit the same utility multiple times.

And just to add to the article it was a few hours into their debut when they started having issues, not weeks.
 

Rinx

Well-Known Member
EMBARRASSING! I met the lead imagineer for this project (friend of a friend had the hardhat and all) when CM previews were open for Journey of Water. I politely asked about timelines and was told the spline will be so worth the wait. But the biggest issue with this interaction was the lead imagineer was early to mid 30's in age so really not a lot of experience hours going into some of these projects.
 

monothingie

Evil will always triumph, because good is dumb.
Premium Member
No I think here is close to zero chance of getting a fountain.

I am really at a loss as to explain how it got into this situation. Putting lights in the ground is not hard, and has been done many times before.
Ambitious but not practical designs coupled with rush deadlines.

Underground lighting is tricky, especially in high traffic areas. These were custom built fixtures that were already broken on day 1, they had no chance. Even the commercially available well lights that surround the perimeter of Connections and Creations are showing extreme wear and not working properly.

I think the problem is, and this carries through to a lot of WDI projects that have rocky starts, that no one is empowered to speak up and point out issues and there is a disconnect between the contractors doing the work and the architects/engineers doing the design.

In my experience, and I see it time and again, it is easier for contractors to build or put in something that is destined to be problematic because that's what the plans call for, rather than speak up and bring attention to problems.

I also have a feeling that the response to any scrutiny directed at WDI over this or other type fails, is to blame the guests or someone else.
 

tparris

Well-Known Member
I visit the park pretty much weekly and the lighting effects around World Celebration (including the lights on SSE) are all in the worst shape they’ve ever been. I’m thinking of recording a video showcasing the dozens of broken lights and effects sometime soon.
 

Nottamus

Well-Known Member
I am here now - and was very excited to see the lighting effects in action,


And you know what? Sure, they are not working - BUT the whole area Is really amazing. They did an amazing job!

We asked for seating - and there’s seating - the sculptures and lights that do work, really make this a win in my opinion - it really feels awesome out here !
 

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
It's like they ran out of (budgeted) money. The elements for Dreamers Point got installed very late (compared to the lateness of the rest of the projects), the stage elements were also delayed in finishing up (the back-facing display put in late), they aren't fixing the lights, the central planter was supposed to have a nice display that synced with whatever festival was happening, and Communicore Hall is bare.

At least we know there will be an attempt to rightfully decorate Communicore Hall for the holidays.
 

DCBaker

Premium Member
Seriously?!

From one of the photos @wdwmagic posted:

Epcot_Full_58160.jpg
 

trainplane3

Well-Known Member
How did they used to repave the concrete sections that had the fiber optics in them? or did they just never get repaved, and miraculously survived all those years...
They were plates that could be lifted up I believe. They weren't actually concreted into the ground. They had a hollow feeling when you walked over them.
 

James Alucobond

Well-Known Member
Repair by removal?
Which holiday? Independence Day 2025?
Seeing what they’re doing more closely, it doesn’t look like permanent removal, at least not yet. They wouldn’t just be slapping another plastic cover on top since the durability of that is part of what caused issues in the first place. I think they’d swap out the lighting channel for something more durable if they ultimately get rid of it entirely.
 

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