News Big changes coming to EPCOT's Future World?

[EPCOTCenterLover]

I forgot about Finding Dory!

 

[rnese]

Ladies and Gentlemen...
Boyz II Men

"How do I say goodbye to what we had?"

"The good times that made us laugh, outweighed the bad."

"I thought we'd get to see forever..."

"...but forever 's gone away."

"It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday."

"And I'll take with me the memories..."

"To be my sunshine after the rain."

"It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday."

"And I'll take with me the memories..."

"To be my sunshine after the raaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiin..."

"It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterdaaaaayyyyeeeeeeeeee!"

 

[Tyler Morris]

With aerosmith retiring it would be the perfect time to redo it also.

NO!!! Don't mess with the best ride at Disney!

 

[marni1971]

Sorry for the late reply. I've been on an island all weekend with virtually no internet (honestly!)

@marni1971

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.

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

I think we may see big changes at Epcot begin before SWL is open. But there's so many plans and proposals - some fighting each other - that it will take a while to complete this makeover.

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...

Yes, yes and yes.

The hints suggest to me a major update and perhaps expansion to include new aspects of Mission Space/Space Pavilion.

Updates I've been hoping for since I got back last year...and if true, likely updates that will take it out of action for my next visit in Spring 2017. Dammit.

The pavilion should get an upgrade and some positive changes. I'd be surprised if the whole building has to close for them.

@marni1971 - is it safe to drop the "'s Future World" portion of this thread title?

I dare say it could be in the future, yes. No pun intended.

I think she's actually at her peak now. Huge following still.

That could be why ABC are now against her 1996 image in the UoE.

These people that you speak of @marni1971 that will be pleased, are they people that are celebrating the Guardians of the Galaxy overlay at Disney California Adventure or people that can faithfully recite the opening words of the Spaceship Earth narrative?

A bit of both, though leaning more to the Guardians and IP fans.

There's a lot planned for both halfs of the park. There's a chance Futureworld could go back to a more natural less neon look in its overall feel. The central area in particular from the monorail station through Innoventions and out to Showcase could have a massive overhaul. There might not even be as many empty expansion pads around the lagoon once all this is complete.

But I will say one thing. IPs are inevitable. Certainly under current management.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

But I will say one thing. IPs are inevitable. Certainly under current management.

I'll take it. Upgrades with IP are certainly better than no upgrades at all, especially in Future World. People like to label everything with IP as "cheap overlays" and I think that undersells a lot of the great work they're capable of, specifically with Frozen. Maybe Frozen fits in Norway and maybe it doesn't, but those AAs are top-notch and should be celebrated.

You talked a lot about the center "spine" of Future World... anything about Wonders of Life or Imagination?

 

[Haymarket2008]

Sorry for the late reply. I've been on an island all weekend with virtually no internet (honestly!)



Thank you. Glad you liked it.

I think we may see big changes at Epcot begin before SWL is open. But there's so many plans and proposals - some fighting each other - that it will take a while to complete this makeover.



Yes, yes and yes.



The pavilion should get an upgrade and some positive changes. I'd be surprised if the whole building has to close for them.



I dare say it could be in the future, yes. No pun intended.



That could be why ABC are now against her 1996 image in the UoE.



A bit of both, though leaning more to the Guardians and IP fans.

There's a lot planned for both halfs of the park. There's a chance Futureworld could go back to a more natural less neon look in its overall feel. The central area in particular from the monorail station through Innoventions and out to Showcase could have a massive overhaul. There might not even be as many empty expansion pass around the lagoon once all this is complete.

But I will say one thing. IPs are inevitable. Certainly under current management.

Of course, and unfortunately, IP's are going to be a large component of this overhaul. But will there be ANY pure attractions down the line? Will they continue to maintain attractions like Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land with respect?

 

[marni1971]

You talked a lot about the center "spine" of Future World... anything about Wonders of Life or Imagination?

Imagination, in the short term no. Energy is deemed more urgent for several reasons.

Life looks like it will stagnate further. Eventually I wouldn't be surprised to see it removed sadly. It's a fine structure with so much potential for relatively little outlay (like Imagaintion)

 

[marni1971]

Will they continue to maintain attractions like Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land with respect?

Up to now I've not seen anything that says otherwise. I've posted elsewhere that Siemens sponsorship finishes at the end of 2017. I hope that won't mean a shift of theme for the flagship.

 

[P_Radden]

There's a lot planned for both halfs of the park. There's a chance Futureworld could go back to a more natural less neon look in its overall feel. The central area in particular from the monorail station through Innoventions and out to Showcase could have a massive overhaul. There might not even be as many empty expansion pass around the lagoon once all this is complete.

IMO this is the most exciting part of all of this. Sure I am eager for Epcot to get new attractions, but more importantly I want to see All of Epcot get proper love.

And that last part about WS.. I really hope you are right.

**trying not to get too excited**

 

[marni1971]

And that last part about WS.. I really hope you are right.

It might read even better now I've corrected iPads auto correct too!

 

[DinoInstitute]

Sorry for the late reply. I've been on an island all weekend with virtually no internet (honestly!)



Thank you. Glad you liked it.

I think we may see big changes at Epcot begin before SWL is open. But there's so many plans and proposals - some fighting each other - that it will take a while to complete this makeover.



Yes, yes and yes.



The pavilion should get an upgrade and some positive changes. I'd be surprised if the whole building has to close for them.



I dare say it could be in the future, yes. No pun intended.



That could be why ABC are now against her 1996 image in the UoE.



A bit of both, though leaning more to the Guardians and IP fans.

There's a lot planned for both halfs of the park. There's a chance Futureworld could go back to a more natural less neon look in its overall feel. The central area in particular from the monorail station through Innoventions and out to Showcase could have a massive overhaul. There might not even be as many empty expansion pads around the lagoon once all this is complete.

But I will say one thing. IPs are inevitable. Certainly under current management.

Awesome news! Even though I know it won't be ideal for most of us here, I'm still hopeful for it to be a nice overhaul. I have a couple questions-

-I got excited for hearing about expansion in WS, but then I remembered what you said about IPs Do you know if the IPs will be contained mostly to Future World, or will they go in WS too? Honestly I'm more fine with them being in a new FW, and with a new theme it could make sense (some sort of Discoveryland thing I'm sensing, but idk).
-As far as positive Mission:Space pavilion updates go, does that mean nice but general refurbishment with an update, or larger scale Space Pavilion expansion?

Again, thanks for all of the news you bring us! Much appreciated!

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Sorry for the late reply. I've been on an island all weekend with virtually no internet (honestly!)



Thank you. Glad you liked it.

I think we may see big changes at Epcot begin before SWL is open. But there's so many plans and proposals - some fighting each other - that it will take a while to complete this makeover.



Yes, yes and yes.



The pavilion should get an upgrade and some positive changes. I'd be surprised if the whole building has to close for them.



I dare say it could be in the future, yes. No pun intended.



That could be why ABC are now against her 1996 image in the UoE.



A bit of both, though leaning more to the Guardians and IP fans.

There's a lot planned for both halfs of the park. There's a chance Futureworld could go back to a more natural less neon look in its overall feel. The central area in particular from the monorail station through Innoventions and out to Showcase could have a massive overhaul. There might not even be as many empty expansion pads around the lagoon once all this is complete.

But I will say one thing. IPs are inevitable. Certainly under current management.

Lots of great info to digest here, thanks Martin!

I must say this all has me cautiously optimistic. There's a lot to like initially. A redesigned, more natural Future World and entrance plaza? Definitely! A reimagined Innoventions? Yes! Fewer empty plots of land around World Showcase? Excellent!

Of course there's the IP issue - no surprise there. But good to hear there's indications that it's not completely all inappropriate IP shoehorning (right?). Gives me some hope that a balance can be achieved over the long term so that Epcot doesn't just become IPcot.

But for now, cautiously optimistic...

 

[marni1971]

But good to hear there's indications that it's not completely all inappropriate IP shoehorning (right?). Gives me some hope that a balance can be achieved over the long term so that Epcot doesn't just become IPcot....

The balance is the crucial thing. I feel - almost fear - it'll be IP heavy. Any new WS build will include IP.

The day they superimpose a cartoon on Relections of China will be a sad one. Not that I've heard mention of this I hasten to add.

 

[marni1971]

-As far as positive Mission:Space pavilion updates go, does that mean nice but general refurbishment with an update, or larger scale Space Pavilion expansion?

I can't go into details yet, but it should be a ride overhaul that also makes better use of the disengaged centrifuge half of the ride. Expect something added too if plans come through, though again I shouldn't go into detail yet.

 

[JWG]

The question becomes what are the actual themes of the various parks? Now that IP is taking over all of them and in no apparent manner of theme (GoG in Epcot, Pixar everywhere, etc.) what will the focus really be?

 

[englanddg]

The question becomes what are the actual themes of the various parks? Now that IP is taking over all of them and in no apparent manner of theme (GoG in Epcot, Pixar everywhere, etc.) what will the focus really be?

Revenues.

 

[yeti]

The balance is the crucial thing. I feel - almost fear - it'll be IP heavy. Any new WS build will include IP.

The day they superimpose a cartoon on Relections of China will be a sad one. Not that I've heard mention of this I hasten to add.

I'm reluctantly okay with IPs in World Showcase (better there than in FW, I guess), as long as they are additions not replacing current infrastructure. For attractions that basically leaves the theatre shows, for which I can't imagine there's as much cost-benefit as, say, retrofitting the Great Movie Ride. Apart from Oh Canada, it would be a travesty to waste these great attractions, no matter how low-key they are.

I guess what I'm asking is, if Reflections of China is safe, does that mean Impressions de France is safe too?

 

[DinoInstitute]

I'm reluctantly okay with IPs in World Showcase (better there than in FW, I guess), as long as they are additions not replacing current infrastructure. For attractions that basically leaves the theatre shows, for which I can't imagine there's as much cost-benefit as, say, retrofitting the Great Movie Ride. Apart from Oh Canada, it would be a travesty to waste these great attractions, no matter how low-key they are.

I guess what I'm asking is, if Reflections of China is safe, does that mean Impressions de France is safe too?

I'm feeling the opposite. If they are going to do IPs no matter what, I'd actually prefer they constrain them to FW and try and keep them out of WS as much as possible. WS is supposed to be a realistic and informative view (and, well, showcase) of the world. Considering FW is already seemingly going to have a shift in direction/mission, I think there it will work better rather than ruining what I love about WS.

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

Imagination, in the short term no. Energy is deemed more urgent for several reasons.

Life looks like it will stagnate further. Eventually I wouldn't be surprised to see it removed sadly. It's a fine structure with so much potential for relatively little outlay (like Imagaintion)

So it seems as if WOL turning into GOTG part II has been canceled or put on the back burner for now?

 

[SpaceMountain77]

The balance is the crucial thing. I feel - almost fear - it'll be IP heavy. Any new WS build will include IP.

The day they superimpose a cartoon on Relections of China will be a sad one. Not that I've heard mention of this I hasten to add.

@marni1971 , how would you describe the planned thematic direction of Epcot and, specifically, Future World?