News Character Spot, Innoventions and more to close in September

[DisneyJayL]

Can’t say I’m excited for al of the changes. Don’t want the fountain to leave. It is what it’s gonna be, I guess.

 

[Bender123]

From the front page post:

Character Spot will close on September 8, with characters relocating as follows:

• Minnie Mouse will move to the World Showcase Gazebo.
• Daisy Duck will move to the American Adventure.
• Mickey and Goofy in a temporary Innoventions West area, but with an all new location to be in the Imagination! pavilion.
• The location for Joy is still to be determined.
• No mention of Baymax has been made.

Not sure if this statement is intentional or just a slip, but it is ever so accurate.

 

[ChrisFL]

I expect we'll get a new kind of fountain....not the same, and probably not in the same place, but I think we will get another one nearby

 

[Horizons '83]

Poor Lillian Disney.

In a world named after him, the wife that Walt loved so much has lost her boat - the Empress Lilly - and now her fountain too, the centerpiece of the park build in tribute to her husband's last dream.

But bring on the beer, eh? Makes more money.

Well, its not really the centerpiece, I think SSE has something to say about that

 

[JohnD]

Makes sense...it is a huge bottleneck... Would be nice if they rebuilt it with modern technology outside of that plaza...

Of all the things listed this is the only one I would miss. But yeah. I wouldn’t mind seeing relocated outside.

 

[networkpro]

True but it isn't like there's a shortage of places to get your booze on in Epcot, already.

In my admittedly subjective opinion, we've already got plenty of spots for that (and even more "temporary" spots during the year-round festivals). Pesonally, I'd rather not sacrafice another family-friendly feature for another alcohol line.

Personally, I'd sacrifice another family-friendly feature in a heartbeat. We dont need another bucket of crayons and a stereotypical character on a popsicle stick at every different area.

 

[brb1006]

All I say is goodbye innoventions awnings....I won't miss ya!

Although, I will miss seeing the Fiber optics walkway...I hope they consider incorporating it in the next phase...

Losing the Fiber optics on the walkway is going to be a big lose. I enjoyed seeing guests playing around that section at night.

 

[*Q*]

OMG! Will Electric Umbrella be closing for good? Or is this a refurb?

A restaurant will remain in that location, but it will not be Electric Umbrella.

Nooooooo!!! They are getting rid of the fiber optics????

It's sounding like this is turning out to be a true scorched earth campaign.

 

[plutofan15]

Then I think of turning Heritage Manor gifts into the Art of Disney, and I hate losing the Americana merch from there. It was one of the few merch shops that seemed to be authentic and not have the same run of the mill stuff. I'm honestly surprised they didn't turn the Odyssey into an Art area, or create a new building that is more noticeable in FW, given the high $$ tag of a lot of the merch and the Festival of the Arts.
[/QUOTE]
In our opinion, we always found the merchandise in Heritage Manor to be mundane and dull. Maybe a few interesting books but nothing you cannot find on Amazon. I can honestly say that of the numerous times we have been in the shop, we never purchased a still item. On the other hand, we find the Art of Disney store quite interesting with many unique items not found anywhere else. Yes, there are quite a few expensive items but there are also very affordable and unique items there as well. In fact, before our son was born back in 2005, we decorated his room in a Disney theme where many of the items on the wall came from the Art of Disney. We certainly did not spend a fortune there and the items were very nice. Besides, what is more American than Disney?

 

[Po'Rich]

It sounds like it is on it's way out.

NOOOOOOO!!! I really hope this is relocated. It is such an iconic part of the park and the linchpin to connect Future World and World Showcase.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

A restaurant will remain in that location, but it will not be Electric Umbrella.

I'm probably one of small majorities that found it to be a better QS places in FW...And I would go there most of the time while there...Hopefully there will be a place to still get a burger within the confines..

 

[HoldenC]

Very disappointed to hear the FoN is being lost in the overhaul of FW.

 

[bork]

Any chance Starbucks moves into the Electric Umbrella location?

 

[412]

I've assumed the fountain of nations will be succeeded by a new, similarly elaborate fountain between the central spine and the Seas Pavilion. There's a big water feature on this map.

Can anyone confirm whether this water feature is actually going to be a fountain worthy of replacing the fountain of nations? Or should I shelve my optimism and just expect a pond in 2023?

 

[CJR]

Losing the fountain hurts. A lot. A core piece of the overall Epcot experience but since a beer garden makes more money...

I equate this to demolishing the train station at MK. It's a big deal.

 

[Nunu]

I'll definitely miss the fountain (not the stage).

And also the brisket sandwich with beer cheese sauce at Electric Umbrella...

 

[tirian]

In our opinion, we always found the merchandise in Heritage Manor to be mundane and dull. Maybe a few interesting books but nothing you cannot find on Amazon. I can honestly say that of the numerous times we have been in the shop, we never purchased a still item. On the other hand, we find the Art of Disney store quite interesting with many unique items not found anywhere else. Yes, there are quite a few expensive items but there are also very affordable and unique items there as well. In fact, before our son was born back in 2005, we decorated his room in a Disney theme where many of the items on the wall came from the Art of Disney. We certainly did not spend a fortune there and the items were very nice. Besides, what is more American than Disney?
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I used to buy plenty there too, before they jacked up the prices. I still have a few unframed prints from the late 2000s; according to the price tags, the matted prints were $14. Disney now sells those for $35.

Besides, what is more American than Disney?

Is that a joke?

 

[ar81]

If there was a petition started to save the fountain I would be all about it. I don’t see any justification for this. How does a water feature not fit into any theme? What is their rationale behind this? I just can’t wrap my head around this. It makes me very worried for SE..

 

[EvilChameleon]

If it was any other water fountain, sure, get rid of it, but this one had water from all the different World Showcase countries poured into it. All that history, gone in a flash.

 

[brb1006]

I'll definitely miss the fountain (not the stage).

And also the brisket sandwich with beer cheese sauce at Electric Umbrella...

They actually had a shortlived stage show featuring Mickey and friends called Splashtacular.


Which was an adaptation of the Tokyo Disneyland stage show of the same name.