Blog Flume - What should Disney do with EPCOT

[sshindel]

Ohhh, thread bump finds me a thread on one of my favorite topics that I had not noticed before!

Since I've ranted about it previously, I'll just link to my original rant and add a quick update:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/youre-one-thing-to-make-epcot-better.856183/page-3#post-5222972

My update to my original rant: I like the new TT2.0 more than 1.0, so they don't have to update it. Mission Space I had left off, and I guess I can take it or leave it. It's a fun ride, but I skip it on most trips, and I think that space exploration should be GRAND at Epcot. Can we get Neil deGrasse Tyson to partner on some sort of Update/Expansion here? The rest of it, I stand by still.

World Showcase, I'd love to see them add new countries, but really, I'd rather see them pump any and all dollars into revamping all of Future World.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Give it back an entrance plaza
Remove the canopies
Remove all the concrete
Remove the stage
Improve the Fountain of Nations audio system. And restore the misters.
Finish SSE
Upgrade Energy
Repurpose Wonders and reopen it
Tweak Test Track (no finale music....really...)
Imagination (Nuff said)
Update Circle of Life. And reanimate the pavilion mobile.
Give Soarin isolated projection booths
Fix the flaws with Seas
Use all of Innoventions properly
Reopen Odyssey to day guests
De clutter WS Prom
Restore Maelstrom
Digital projection for AA
Finally use the Japan show building
Update Imp de France
Give ROE the plussing and love it deserves


....for starters. Off the top of my head.

Not too much to ask.

As with all tasks and responsibilities, then tend to pile up over time if routinely put off/ignored.

I'd add updating the AAs for AA to your list. Ben and Mark should look as good as '09 DLR Lincoln.

 

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

I want new countries so badly I'd even welcome Brazil.

Brazil has been at Epcot for many years and is staying. I don't know how they have done it, but it moves around the park as well!!

 

[ChevisMickey]

Looking at a map of the park and I will follow it around with my "wish list" and a few suggestions.
Spaceship Earth - Just keep updating it as needed. This is like a moving version of HoP at MK which makes it informative, and like a ride! Now, what are those Romans discussing...
UoE - TT and MS are rides, so make a ride here already! Same with the unnumbered and off the map WoL. I like browsing through it during the Food & Wine Fest, but that can all be moved somewhere else.
MS - I ruined a whole day back when if first opened by going on this ride, but my son likes it and he like to challenge others to ride it with him. Keep it for the foreseeable future.
TT - I like it as much and don't like it as much as the original version, which is still good enough to ride it every trip at least once, sometimes twice. It is better when the tech is all working. Keep it working and it is good for 15 more years.
Innoventions - I think this is a necessity in EPCOT because of what it does, and what EPCOT is about. Keep it, but keep updating and changing the displays and interactive tech out as needed.
Character Spot - A necessary evil to keep the right people happy. Is all of this building being used now, though?
The Seas with Nemo - I liked SeaBase Alpha, the movie, the focus on sea life as it was, but Turtle Talk makes up for the change, for now.
The Land - I love Soarin'. So does my daughter. The wife and son like it enough to ride it with us. It does need to be re-themed for Florida and the equipment needs to be upgraded. I want to throw this out, however, that if ST can have a variety of changing experiences, with an upgrade in equipment couldn't Soarin' as well? Living with the Land is educational, and a water ride! Keep it, but do something with the Circle of Life.
Imagination - Redo. Keep it in step with The Seas and The Land with... *drumroll please* The Skies! Make a new queue for Soarin' coming off of this area. New 3d movie for Captain EO (my kids will be like it now, but it needs to change), air themed. And Journey into Imagination can keep a newer, kick butt version of Figment with Dragons!, the ride.
Mexico - Good first stop or last stop for traveling the WS. Has a water ride, so it is set.
Norway - Bring back the ship! Akershus and the princesses another necessary evil. Yes, get rid of the movie after the ride. Water ride 2, right next to the other water ride.
China - Needs more people. TSMM type ride defending the great wall against the Huns!
Outpost - Aaaaaahhhhh! Why, why, why? First place to build a new country pavillion. Something South America like Brazil (another steakhouse!), with a gaucho ride (carousel).
Germany - Add a new Octoberfest ride! Good to go otherwise.
Italy - Great restaurants, nice architecture, needs a IASW like Renaissance ride.
American Adventure - More concerts! Need a big wooden coaster and more of a boardwalk feel to it.
Japan - Love the shops, but they don't change the inventory out enough. More giant robots and other toys (or should this be in China where these things are made?). I like the Mt. Fuji 'mountain' coaster idea, yet I think a Godzilla type ride with the IoA Spidey tech would work also.
Morocco - I like the way it is, and the waterfront restaurant should add to it. My son still hates us for giving him lamb and him liking it until we told him what it was. Magic carpets with Dinosaur tech.
France - Nice addition/change with Les Halles Boulangerie and Patisserie. Eiffel Tower Fear Fall anyone?
*insert*- The 'island from France, along with the land NW of it at the end of the bridge all expanded and make it Australia. 20,000 Leagues Under the Great Barrier Reef would do well.
United Kingdom - More restaurant space. I like a Mary Poppins a la Peter Pan ride here. Or Doctor Who. More contemporary culture gifts in the shops as well. I need a better TARDIS than what I can find already.
Canada - Expand the shop. Build a hockey rink.
FOR THE FINALE! - Build a mock-up of the International Space Station over the World Showcase Lagoon. Have a lightshow play off of it, and make the fireworks more visible from around the World Showcase.

 

[ifuhadwings]

In my opinion, World Showcase still accomplishes the goal that is set for that part of the park. Future World, on the other hand, does not. Although I'm not a huge fan of the Test Track redesign, it's the biggest step that's been taken in recent memory to bring the futurism back to that side of the park, and I see that as a step in the right direction.

The 3 most immediate changes I see needing to be made are a full refurb of Universe of Energy (even if I may be one who loves Ellen and Bill Nye and would be sad to see them go), additional attractions added to an expanded Mission Space (can't even be called a pavilion in it's current state, just a ride with so much expansion potential given the theme), and something, ANYTHING to change with Imagination.

man, that eyeless Mickey is freaking me out

 

[piccolopat]

I agree completely! I've been to Norway and Sweden (the actual countries!) and the food and architecture are amazing. I'd love to dine at Akershus to get a reminder of that experience (even a watered-down, Disneyfied one), but NOT at the cost of being hounded by Princesses at a meal that is geared entirely toward children, with all the resulting noise and dumbing-down of the menu. It's not that I'm anti-children or anti-Princess. I have two kids, and we enjoy taking them to character dining. I just don't see how Norway has anything to do with the princesses, particularly when none of them are Scandinavian! We'd love to try Akershus someday, but ONLY if they made it a non-character restaurant... or if they were offering me a lot of free aquavit first...

Or at the very least, keep the princess stuff for breakfast and lunch and leave dinner alone, even if it is only for a few nights a week!

 

[piccolopat]

Change Soarin to soar over the world. There are so many great palces around the world that we will never see and that will never be represented in WS. We can follow the Amazon, see whales and glaciers in Alaska, cruise through the Greek islands and down the Nile, fly over the volcanos of Hawaii, etc.

 

[luv]

Dear god please. This was something I thought about the last time I visited the park. If they keep doing this, the only spot you'll be able to get a decent view from are the VIP/Party viewing areas.

And in general just fix future world. please.

IMO, if they continue this building, there won't be any reason at all to care about the views because they won't be any good.

For illuminations, you'd have good viewing.

But they've already ruined the view of Mexico. Have to see how Morocco turns out.

 

[openendedsky]

IMO, if they continue this building, there won't be any reason at all to care about the views because they won't be any good.

For illuminations, you'd have good viewing.

But they've already ruined the view of Mexico. Have to see how Morocco turns out.

Exactly. I genuinely don't know what they are thinking by continuing to do this.

 

[luv]

Exactly. I genuinely don't know what they are thinking by continuing to do this.

That they'll make more money.

Ruining the World Showcase will make them less money in the end, though. They don't think it through. People who go through a relatively ugly and very cramped World Showcase won't relish the idea of returning or go home to tell others how lovely it was.

This World Showcase business bugs me more than anything else Disney has ever done. Honestly.

 

[openendedsky]

That they'll make more money.

Ruining the World Showcase will make them less money in the end, though. They don't think it through. People who go through a relatively ugly and very cramped World Showcase won't relish the idea of returning or go home to tell others how lovely it was.

This World Showcase business bugs me more than anything else Disney has ever done. Honestly.

I can agree to that. For one, I just like being able to see spaceship earth from the showcase, and additionally, it just becomes a glorified food court at that point. I want to know who was thinking that this was a good idea, and why.

 

[Kalima45]

I had another idea kicking in my head pertaining to EPCOT, figured I'd write it down if just not to forget. I was thinking about a Soarin type ride for the France pavillion, except instead of going up on a hang glider you would be seated like you were on a bike. The ride would be called Tour De France, and it would give you a ride through some of the beautiful country side and loosely follow the bike tour. I figured it would give most people the chance to expierence something that only a couple hundred get to do each year while showcasing some of the sites.

 

[MikeTaylorSound]

Future World:
#1. Re-open Wonders of Life Pavilion and revamp Body Wars, sponsored by GE. Make a big deal out of it.
This solves a few problems: crowd size; the lack of a "new" ride, and an easy way to tie-in GE's new technology they're so proud of (thinking of the Hugo Weaver commercial).
#2. New film on Ellen's Energy Adventure.
We really just want to see the dinosaurs and be on our way.
#3. Add new ventilation system, menu, and character greeting in Coral Reef restaurant.
It's on the back end of the Seas and out of sight-out of mind. Character greeting solves that.
#4. Captain EO retired, replaced by Pixar's WALL-E 3D movie with seats that move, ala Star Tours.
WALL-E is based in the future, perfect setting for a tamer version of a ride simulator.
#5. Use the Odyssey Center.

Set up booths or something for each country so tourists can have an air conditioned place to hang out and learn about vacation packages that each country has to offer.

World Showcase:
#1. Use Horzions track and cars in a new country's ride, probably Scotland for a "Brave" tie-in.
Using the scenic countryside and layer scenes from the movie, the ride would probably be a book report. The perfect country to sell single Malt Scotch (and make $$$). Will-o-the-Wisps lighting at night would be easy to do and a maze for the kids in a castle portion would make a lot of sense for a Merida character greeting. The Pavilion replaces the OUTPOST. There's plenty of room behind there.
#2. New Bathrooms at American Adventure (may have started construction already?)
There's always a line (even for the guys?!) after it lets out. Problem solved.

 

[FigmentJedi]

As I've pointed out "Habit Heroes" was not nearly as controversial as the "Fatty, Fatty, Two by Four, Do Some Push-Ups, Hit the Floor" workout show it replaced.

The old Habit Heroes had charmingly goofy characters though. Like Captain Planet level villainy mixed with an Incredibles design aesthetic.

The current Habit Heroes is just generic "Let's ripoff Kremzeek from the old Transformers cartoon" monsters now and has nothing memorable as a result.

#4. Captain EO retired, replaced by Pixar's WALL-E 3D movie with seats that move, ala Star Tours.
WALL-E is based in the future, perfect setting for a tamer version of a ride simulator.

Except that it has nothing to do with Imagination's theme, it's just randomly forcing a Pixar property in like Nemo, and although Wall-E is set in the future, it's a dystopian future and as such, doesn't belong in Epcot.

I think a big budget reinterpretation of Magic Journeys would be a good idea.

 

[Communicore]

Bring Communicore back!

 

[Jeff456]

I wonder if after UOE is shut down or refurb... which is inevitable... if people will start the "Save the Universe of Energy thread" even though its rarely full or even has a line...

I would quite happily make that thread... I love the ride just the way it is! Maybe it is nostaligia I don't know but I love it!

'Stupid Judy, Stupid Energy.'

 

[tare]

I have always thought there should be a ride in every country. I don't want to stand and watch a show/movie about the countries. I can do that for free by ordering one from my library.

 

[JohnD]

Looking at a map of the park and I will follow it around with my "wish list" and a few suggestions.
Spaceship Earth - Just keep updating it as needed. This is like a moving version of HoP at MK which makes it informative, and like a ride! Now, what are those Romans discussing...
UoE - TT and MS are rides, so make a ride here already! Same with the unnumbered and off the map WoL. I like browsing through it during the Food & Wine Fest, but that can all be moved somewhere else.
MS - I ruined a whole day back when if first opened by going on this ride, but my son likes it and he like to challenge others to ride it with him. Keep it for the foreseeable future.
TT - I like it as much and don't like it as much as the original version, which is still good enough to ride it every trip at least once, sometimes twice. It is better when the tech is all working. Keep it working and it is good for 15 more years.
Innoventions - I think this is a necessity in EPCOT because of what it does, and what EPCOT is about. Keep it, but keep updating and changing the displays and interactive tech out as needed.
Character Spot - A necessary evil to keep the right people happy. Is all of this building being used now, though?
The Seas with Nemo - I liked SeaBase Alpha, the movie, the focus on sea life as it was, but Turtle Talk makes up for the change, for now.
The Land - I love Soarin'. So does my daughter. The wife and son like it enough to ride it with us. It does need to be re-themed for Florida and the equipment needs to be upgraded. I want to throw this out, however, that if ST can have a variety of changing experiences, with an upgrade in equipment couldn't Soarin' as well? Living with the Land is educational, and a water ride! Keep it, but do something with the Circle of Life.
Imagination - Redo. Keep it in step with The Seas and The Land with... *drumroll please* The Skies! Make a new queue for Soarin' coming off of this area. New 3d movie for Captain EO (my kids will be like it now, but it needs to change), air themed. And Journey into Imagination can keep a newer, kick butt version of Figment with Dragons!, the ride.
Mexico - Good first stop or last stop for traveling the WS. Has a water ride, so it is set.
Norway - Bring back the ship! Akershus and the princesses another necessary evil. Yes, get rid of the movie after the ride. Water ride 2, right next to the other water ride.
China - Needs more people. TSMM type ride defending the great wall against the Huns!
Outpost - Aaaaaahhhhh! Why, why, why? First place to build a new country pavillion. Something South America like Brazil (another steakhouse!), with a gaucho ride (carousel).
Germany - Add a new Octoberfest ride! Good to go otherwise.
Italy - Great restaurants, nice architecture, needs a IASW like Renaissance ride.
American Adventure - More concerts! Need a big wooden coaster and more of a boardwalk feel to it.
Japan - Love the shops, but they don't change the inventory out enough. More giant robots and other toys (or should this be in China where these things are made?). I like the Mt. Fuji 'mountain' coaster idea, yet I think a Godzilla type ride with the IoA Spidey tech would work also.
Morocco - I like the way it is, and the waterfront restaurant should add to it. My son still hates us for giving him lamb and him liking it until we told him what it was. Magic carpets with Dinosaur tech.
France - Nice addition/change with Les Halles Boulangerie and Patisserie. Eiffel Tower Fear Fall anyone?
*insert*- The 'island from France, along with the land NW of it at the end of the bridge all expanded and make it Australia. 20,000 Leagues Under the Great Barrier Reef would do well.
United Kingdom - More restaurant space. I like a Mary Poppins a la Peter Pan ride here. Or Doctor Who. More contemporary culture gifts in the shops as well. I need a better TARDIS than what I can find already.
Canada - Expand the shop. Build a hockey rink.
FOR THE FINALE! - Build a mock-up of the International Space Station over the World Showcase Lagoon. Have a lightshow play off of it, and make the fireworks more visible from around the World Showcase.

Just a general observation: Maybe I'm too entrenched as a state employee but unless the acroymn is completely obvious in this Disney audience (e.g. MK, AK, HS, Ep), can you all spell them out?

If I thought hard about it, I was able to figure out some but not all: HoP, TT, MS, ST, WS, TSMM, IASW. It's like a Greek Alphabet.

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

I think they should make a Journey into Imagination flume ride with DreamfinderI and Figment. They can have the drop at the scarey scene. Screens are off limits to the ride .

 

[RedFurredCadet]

And now, being the WoL-nut that I am reading this, here are my two cents, like it or drop it:

First of all I would renovate wonders of life. And bring it back as wonders of life. Times have changed in the last 20 years... people care a lot more about health, nutrition, ext.. now. Sure the attractions need to be renovated, expanded, or updated. But the concept could and would be more accepted with the next generation.

Not to sound Biblical here, but amen to that.

Bring back Body Wars.

And that would mean how, I presume? Wile the previous probe units have been replaced, will management have enough dough and chips to afford better units, as well as the ride features that made Star Tours 2.0 today? I guess it'll be easier imagined than actually happen, but wise words of support.

Although health & nutrition can be a touchy subject nowadays, as they learned with that Innoventions attraction--Habit Heroes? That was unfortunate.

Fortunately they learnt from their mistakes and retooled Habit Heroes, the end result of the 2.0 is more appealing, and likely WoL-worthy.

I also agree that Wonders of Life could be a huge bank of possibilities with the advances we've made in the health/medical world, but again it would need to be easily updated.

Yes, yes, yes, and arguably, yes. One can pick any two medical news journals and notice it. Once upon a time, you would have peeked at Frontiers. But a major drawback now? You can get your medical breakthrough news on the web. I wonder if Epcot can keep up at this rate (but its meant for anything really groundbreaking and successful, so why not?)