News Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

[doctornick]

I get the impression it'll be FW orientated, though WS won't be left out.

I dare say we will continue to see incremental plussings and improvements to attractions and entertainment that tackle the tip of the iceberg before anything major. I also believe the 350mil isn't the end of it. It's no DCA but it's more than just paint.

Well, great to hear. And I actually think that focusing the big projects on DAK and DHS first while "plussing" Epcot is actually the right call. Not that Epcot doesn't need help, but some tinkering here and there can hold it over until there are the bigger splashy openings later.

I'm both excited but also concerned about what they might come up with to "fix" or "improve" Epcot though.

 

[marni1971]

Not speaking of the long term unknowns, but in the short(er) term, do you think they'll repair, never mind plus, the fountain? That alone would make me smile.

One would hope. I was surprised to find the temporary PA setup this fall for it, with the original audio system removed.

Though if temporary becomes permanent it'll be another utter fail. Seeing the misting system return let alone all broken nozzles fixed would be quite the revelation.

 

[ElvisMickey]

I noticed when driving over to DHS last night that one of the new exit signs on 417 now reads "EPCOT" instead of "Epcot". I got super excited lol. Baby steps...

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

Well, all of your news, Martin, makes me want to postpone my next trip until after the new Epcot premiers. I'm excited for the changes to the Studios, but I'm not a big Star Wars fan. Perhaps I can wait. Perhaps...

 

[englanddg]

(Properties and movie tie ins everywhere!)

;P

 

[JAtheFourth]

(Properties and movie tie ins everywhere!)

;P

I for one welcome our new animated overlords if it means that Epcot is getting new stuff

 

[Chris82]

Are we talking an complete FW conceptual change?

Gosh I hope not. "Complete conceptual change" without sufficient budget is what leads to broken Rocket Rods and messed up Tomorrowlands with brown paint jobs

 

[lazyboy97o]

I noticed when driving over to DHS last night that one of the new exit signs on 417 now reads "EPCOT" instead of "Epcot". I got super excited lol. Baby steps...

Those signs are not new. If you look closely you can see how "Disney Springs" was affixed over "Downtown Disney."

 

[PREMiERdrum]

t's no DCA but it's more than just paint.

Hopefully plenty of paint...

 

[DisneyGentleman]

This picture is the perfect metphor for EPCOT management in the recent past.

"Splash paint on it and they will never notice".

Sort of like an aging actress trying to look younger with lot's of lipstick. Here is the great actress Sheila McRae at age 92.

But the fact is that we do notice, and the place cries out to us from the past glory of wonder and imagination.

Hopefully management is now hearing that message.

 

[JEANYLASER]

Any Update for Universe of energy and Imagination?

 

[Daveeeeed]

Any Update for Universe of energy and Imagination?

Not that I am aware of sadly, but I could easily see it happening in the coming years.

 

[dizda]

I have been trying to think about what the $350 million for Epcot could do, and I am having difficulty conceptualizing how much certain projects would cost. For example, Ratatouille in Paris supposedly cost over $250 million. With those kinds of costs for Disney, would $350 million be enough to do much more than a major rebuild of one of the large Pavilions, such as Imagination or UOE, both of which need complete rebuilds?

 

[Bocabear]

350 Million will get a new Churro cart and a new Ad campaign about how they just spent 350 Million to create a new Ad Campaign....

 

[mimitchi33]

Any Update for Universe of energy and Imagination?

No to the former, but I've heard rumors of an update for Imagination which involves a certain candy elekitten from Inside Out partnering up with Figment...

 

[PlutoHasFleas]

I have also heard a lot about Bing-Bong bringing the fun back to Imagination. Kick out Dr. Nigel Stuffyshrit McBrit and his cold, clinical journey into the 5 senses, bring back the Imagination.

(Yes, we would all love to see the Dreamfinder again, but it's never going to happen)

 

[mimitchi33]

I have also heard a lot about Bing-Bong bringing the fun back to Imagination. Kick out Dr. Nigel Stuffyshrit McBrit and his cold, clinical journey into the 5 senses, bring back the Imagination.

(Yes, we would all love to see the Dreamfinder again, but it's never going to happen)

Bing Bong would do a great job presenting that ride! I'm also guessing that the new ride vehicles would be based off his rocket.

 

[VIPguide_2030]

I get the impression it'll be FW orientated, though WS won't be left out.

I dare say we will continue to see incremental plussings and improvements to attractions and entertainment that tackle the tip of the iceberg before anything major. I also believe the 350mil isn't the end of it. It's no DCA but it's more than just paint.

Any new rumblings on this? Is Shanghaiest putting a temporary hold on these talks? I am very hopeful that things don't fall by the wayside and that what you were hearing is still a possibility.

 

[marni1971]

Any new rumblings on this? Is Shanghaiest putting a temporary hold on these talks? I am very hopeful that things don't fall by the wayside and that what you were hearing is still a possibility.

Nothing since I'm afraid.

 

[VIPguide_2030]

Nothing since I'm afraid.

Thanks for the reply, your posts are always on my radar from way up in WI so keep up the great work! Would love to hear your thoughts on what you would do for the day if you were in charge of EPCOT. Drop me a PM sometime if you don't want to put it out on the message board and have to hear everyone dissect it.