Do you care about Epcot's 25th?

[mousermerf]

A fairly simple little poll...

Do you care about Epcot's 25th anniversary? Would you like to see Disney celebrate it at the park?

I've been chatting away on various websites and gotten the impression that folks at at other Disney resorts (TDL and DLR for example) think nothing of Epcot's 25th and don't think it should be celebrated at all - and their opinion seems to mesh with that of corporate Disney.

So, do WDW fans or Disney fans in general care about or want to see a celebration of Epcot's 25th Anniversary?

 

[wedway71]

A fairly simple little poll...

Do you care about Epcot's 25th anniversary? Would you like to see Disney celebrate it at the park?

I've been chatting away on various websites and gotten the impression that folks at at other Disney resorts (TDL and DLR for example) think nothing of Epcot's 25th and don't think it should be celebrated at all - and their opinion seems to mesh with that of corporate Disney.

So, do WDW fans or Disney fans in general care about or want to see a celebration of Epcot's 25th Anniversary?

Yes I do 1000%. Epcot is my favorite park.I remember reading pre opening info about Epcot in the late 70s as a kids and going for the first time in 82 and since then Epcot has my fave.I would love to see a huge Celebration with lots of new merchandise for this event.

 

[Xadllas]

People at other resorts dont care because its not their resort so..
Of course it should be celebrated the park was made in Walt's honor.

 

[gjpjtj]

I absolutely think Disney should have some sort of celebration. It seems a shame it may pass by without acknowledgement.

 

[Disnut]

I voted wrong. I meant to vote yes. I really do care.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Yes, something should most definitely be done! Epcot is just as important as any other Disney Park and like Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom it to, deserves something special for ts 25th celebration. I would very much like to see recognition of Epcot's first 11 years (1982-1993). Even something as cheap and simple as reissuing Magic Journeys and the old Kodak pre-show. Just so long as it is done tastefully and not cheap like the plywood cutouts of the Kitchen Kaberet characters that show up during the Food and Wine Festival.

 

[dxwwf3]

It doesn't have to be a huge deal with a ton of money put into it, but it SHOULD be mentioned without a doubt. Little markers honoring the past, possible area music changes, and maybe even a new Illuminations (probably wishful thinking on my part) would be enough if cost was a problem. I'd be the first in line to buy Epcot 25th merchandise.

 

[MuRkErY]

YES.

Epcot, or should I say EPCOT Center is the true spirit of Walt, and Disney. I'd take them removing the wand from Spaceship Earth as a nice 25th birthday present for Epcot, lol.

 

[Xadllas]

Lets keep hoping for a new Journey Into Imagination!

 

[-SIR-]

ABSOLUTELY! I was very much expecting something to celebrate this and now that there is no big news im pretty bummed out... Epcot is also my favorite park...theres nothing else like it

 

[Clark Griswold]

I believe that Disney should celebrate Epcot's 25th Anniversary; Epcot is perhaps the best park at Disney and should have a milestone like this celebrated.

"Like a grand and miraculous spaceship..."

 

[wendysmom]

I love Epcot and hate to think that the 25th would be ignored. I don't understand why TPTB wouldn't take this great opportunity to showcase this fantastic park!

 

[darthjohnny]

I'm excited for the 25th, but I hope Disney does something at least a little big.

 

[epcotwsmd4me]

As my screenname implies...

YES!!!!

EPCOT is the best park IMHO as well as my 3 year old daughter's... I figure if a guy that is 39 and a daughter that is 3 can love it, how can you go wrong?

Besides... Where else can you go people watching for hours on end, watch the most amazing fireworks show (Illuminations) and spend the most amazingly romantic walk out of the park after everyone else has already left?

NO WHERE I TELL YOU, NOWHERE!!!

 

[Texas84]

I voted wrong. I meant to vote yes. I really do care.

Are you originally from West Palm Beach, Florida?

 

[Disnut]

Are you originally from West Palm Beach, Florida?

No. never been there.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

ha ha. Dangling Disney chads and confusing ballots. :hammer:

Anyway, shocking that I think it should... I know. But, I think it should be very large scale (like HCOE at DL) but relegated solely to the park itself with some banners elsewhere around property. I don't think it needs to be a major celebration because it doesn't necessarily reach out like the others have, but it should be a huge marketing scheme for WDW. There is a lot that can be added and integrated/replaced/fixed up around that park, and this is the perfect time to do it. They have a wonderful resurgence in interest, and this could be the perfect chance to rebrand Epcot by both growing it and calling back to what it used to be.

I think this could be done without a lot of redevelopment, too. New films for the countries (and maybe Soarin'). Do something with WOL and the Oddyssey (even if it is just repainting it and officially renaming it the events pavilion with a nice sign). Create a new set of logos. Finish the update to SSE. And announce a change to the IMAG pavilion. Yes, those are a lot of projects, but they don't all need to be completed. Announce them as a master plan and then open them in succession over the year or longer. That would drum up interest without a huge up front capital expenditure. Furthermore, if you want to draw it out, delay some of the projects (or add new ones on like a new country in WS).

There is just so much potential and an untapped market IMHO. While Epcot has had its opponents, there is a much larger following for it, especially in America, than is often given. It would make for a wonderful way to bring back some guests that may not have visited recently and those that come back annually since Epcot really does seem to be the crown jewel for many of those guests. And, for once, maybe target a Disney campaign at people other than those with tots. Believe it or not, there is a large market that WERE kids that may want to come back even if they don't HAVE kids.

 

[jedimaster1227]

Lets keep hoping for a new Journey Into Imagination!

By now you all know my thoughts about Epcot's 25th and Journey into Imagination, but I will keep to myself on this one until a little later in the year.... I don't want to get slammed for my statements as early as 25 days into the year! :animwink:

 

[unkadug]

Maybe it's going to be a surprise celebration (kinda like a surprise birthday party).

They won't tell anyone until right before it happens and then BAM... new attractions appear overnight and the wand disappears. :lol:

 

[EpcotMark]

Disney will be making a big deal out of the Spaceship Earth update this year. All my sources say that it is closing early July and reopening just before October 1st, opening day. I would anticipate some sort of ceremony, but it better NOT be just for the press. I am sick of huge events being restricted to just the press!


Also look for an update of the American Adventure this year. It will likely tie in with the 25th as well.