News Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

[Castle Cake Apologist]

I'm sorry, but are we just not going to discuss the concept art for the singalong thing? Why did they make the show look so unpopular? Legitimately only like 15 people in the crowd, and most of them seem to be unaccompanied minors.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

I hated the concrete and barely-any-shade aesthetic.

I'm not quite sure there's enough trees for shade for summer now. Back then you had FON. I don't know if there's a difference other than scenery.

 

[Earlie the Pearlie]

…kids these days

I’m not exactly old. I wasn’t even there when Wonders was open. But I’m an Epcot Center purist anyway.
Go figure.
And long live The Land.

 

[pigglewiggle]

Was at Epcot the year it opened and many years after.

Liked it then, like it now. Certainly miss some things, but still find it enjoyable.

 

[Communicore]

I’m appalled they kept the Communicore name, it’s as if it’s mocking me.

 

[Communicore]

National Geographic is releasing a new special titled EPCOT Becoming: Inside the Transformation on April 29, 2024.

Here’s the synopsis:

EPCOT BECOMING showcases the reimagining of EPCOT® for a new generation. Watch as Walt Disney World Resort teams rise to the challenge of bringing the constantly evolving park into the future, from creating an innovative new coaster to exploring the wonder of water and culminating with the debut of the next legacy in nighttime spectaculars: “Luminous The Symphony of Us.”

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National Geographic – National Geographic

www.natgeotvpressroom.com

More like, the “bastagization”

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I'm sorry, but are we just not going to discuss the concept art for the singalong thing? Why did they make the show look so unpopular? Legitimately only like 15 people in the crowd, and most of them seem to be unaccompanied minors.

Yes, it makes the show look very... minor.

Disney's concept art in recent years has been all over the place. You get stuff like the Tropical Americas overview of DAK that whets the appetite for future additions like classic Disney concept art, then you get pieces like this that look like Encanto day at a local Kindergarten.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Yes, it makes the show look very... minor.

Disney's concept art in recent years has been all over the place. You get stuff like the Tropical Americas overview of DAK that whets the appetite for future additions like classic Disney concept art, then you get pieces like this that look like Encanto day at a local Kindergarten.

Disney concept art, especially for the Blogs, has always been awful. Laughably so at time.

But what do I know, I'm the Disney Defender.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Disney concept art, especially for the Blogs, has always been awful. Laughably so at time.

But what do I know, I'm the Disney Defender.

Who are you and what have you done with MisterPenguin?

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Who are you and what have you done with MisterPenguin?

Apparently he talked about Bruno... Now he's on our side...

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Bob thanks you. In fact, Bob is depending on you.

He’s 14…Bob is depending on Mom and Dad

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

He's 14

*she, please!

 

[Earlie the Pearlie]

Instead of gatekeeping, perhaps we could introduce evidence as to why we love classic Epcot Center.

First of all, the shadeless, barren concrete plaza you and I experienced was not part of original Epcot. The original plaza was beautiful and natural, with planters, water features, and many trees to provide shade. Mirrored on either side by the Communicore buildings, it effectively achieved what this current plaza does, but with the added benefit of symmetry and the fountain. Most people are not mourning the loss of the concrete; they are disappointed in the new plaza because they know that the original did almost everything this one does and more, with the fountain and the symmetrical buildings as an integral part of this design. Many of us are also upset at the loss of those two artifacts of the original design. I would recommend Martin’s Ultimate Communicore tribute for great footage of this plaza.

Secondly, while Guardians is, in fact, a great coaster, one of my personal favorites anywhere, it is detested by many for eliminating one of the last mostly untouched Future World pavilions. While these lengthy dark rides may not seem incredibly interesting at first, if you consider the weight and impact of each individually, and how thematically strong the park was when it showcased not only transportation, energy, nature, communication, technology, and health, but where it all came from and how it all tied together, you just might see why this park is so special to us, and why we can kind of be jerks about the changes to it; many of us wouldn’t hate these rides in of themselves if they just weren’t in our park, slowly killing everything that made us love it in the first place. I would recommend reading the parklore.com articles on each of these attractions, and if any of them pique your interest watching Martin’s tribute for any individual ride or component. You don’t have to like any of them, but you might find something to appreciate in the artistry of EPCOT Center.

Sorry for this humongous post. Thanks for reading if you did.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

*she, please!

…I stand corrected…Good to have you

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

Secondly, while Guardians is, in fact, a great coaster, one of my personal favorites anywhere, it is detested by many for eliminating one of the last mostly untouched Future World pavilions.

I don't even think this is the primary reason people detest Guardians. The major problem is that it's just not thematically appropriate for EPCOT. It's a fun attraction, but being fun is not enough to justify its placement. If Universe of Energy were gutted for something that stayed true to Future World's values, I don't think there would be nearly as much outcry.

 

[Earlie the Pearlie]

I don't even think this is the primary reason people detest Guardians. The major problem is that it's just not thematically appropriate for EPCOT. It's a fun attraction, but being fun is not enough to justify its placement. If Universe of Energy were gutted for something that stayed true to Future World's values, I don't think there would be nearly as much outcry.

Exactly what I was trying to say in that sentence, but said much more clearly
Mainly I was trying to add some context as to why the objectively inferior (in a vacuum) UoE is missed so much, but this was my main point.

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

So this makes June 10 the official end date of the Epcot overhaul right?

I went last in 2017, and sure, I was only 7 so I don't remember all too much, but based on photos and what of it I can remember, other than Illuminations and FoN going away, it's been entirely positive IMO. I hated the concrete and barely-any-shade aesthetic, and I (again, going off photos and videos) like this much, much more. I think the plants are beautiful, even if the center planter does look a bit like... the female body... but the plants are gorgeous; the points of light are stunning; the France expansion is wonderfully themed and entirely positive; GotG is a wonderful coaster and excellently themed despite the giant show building; Space 220 alone is worth the price of going back from what I've seen; the new entry plaza finally looks like a theme park, not a graveyard; Walt statues are always a plus, even though it looks like he's on the toilet; Journey of Water is gorgeous; and the concept art for the new Test Track looks much better than what we have now.

Don't worry about the replies you're receiving. People on these forums get extremely dramatic over Epcot.

Personally I'm with you in that I'm just thankful that Disney finally made a major investment into the park after decades of stagnation.

 

[pigglewiggle]

I actually enjoyed Epcot the most (as a whole) when Tapestry of Nations was happening. We really enjoyed that.
I am looking forward to seeing the gardens in person. It may not please everyone but I think it fills a need. And all the lighting, not just ones in sync with show, really gives good atmosphere.

 

[HMF]

I actually enjoyed Epcot the most (as a whole) when Tapestry of Nations was happening. We really enjoyed that.
I am looking forward to seeing the gardens in person. It may not please everyone but I think it fills a need. And all the lighting, not just ones in sync with show, really gives good atmosphere.

The fact that I can't hear the ToN score while walking out of the park again fills me with sadness. I became a drummer because of that parade.

 

[pigglewiggle]

The fact that I can't hear the ToN score while walking out of the park again fills me with sadness. I became a drummer because of that parade.

I understand that.

I think I was 9 or so when I went on the original boat ride in the Mexico Pavilion. It used to be like tourism advertising for the respective countries.
I promise you that started my need to visit Mexico, then Jamaica, then all of the Caribbean. Most people wouldn't name that as one of their most missed rides, but I miss it.

(James Bond movies also contributed to my island hopping obsession)