Edutainment - - - - Loss of true Epcot

[NickMaio]

Another tread prompted me to ask this question.

How do people feel about the development and changes of Epcot over the last 2 decades.

Do you lament the loss of past EPCOT - - - the park where you would learn and have fun at almost every pavillion and ride?

I personally loved the nerdy learning "edutainment" EPCOT - - - It was hands down my fav park growing up. All rides were must-do's

Does anyone share my affinity for fun and knowledge?

I do not hate the new EPCOT - - - I just prefer: Motion, Horizions, Norway, Living Seas more than - Nemo/Track/Space/Frozen and the new rides in production.

What do you think - Nerds unite

 

[marni1971]

There’s no new EPCOT. Today we have Epcot.

 

[Bob]

There’s no new EPCOT. Today we have Epcot.

Pretty sure that they renamed the park Epoct.

 

[SourcererMark79]

When you create an innovative show or educational entertainment attraction, it's outdated in such a short time. I loved horizons, and I would ride it today if were around. I can't imagine how costly it would be to be constantly updating things. Stuff would always be closed for updates, and I think guests would not to see that. They want everything open all the time.

 

[AshaNeOmah]

I'm going to be the one person who sides with the new Epcot.

As much as I loved the old version, the costs of maintaining such a park were never reasonable. WED Enterprises saw the same problem early with Tomorrowland and still forged ahead with Future World.

That being said, I think the core of Epcot should be a showcase of innovation, like Communicore was originally and Innoventions never really maintained. Not every pavilion, of course, but a centralized location where people can visit and corporate sponsors can showcase new technology.

That still doesn't give a good reason to exile Dreamfinder and Figment from the Imagination pavilion. It was one of the few rides that would have stood the test of time.

 

[marni1971]

The core pavilions were all built to be fully updated on a running cycle each decade. That was understood. Between each major makeover smaller updates would be done.

The updates were often questionable. That’s where the problems began. That and TWDC not wanting to fork out to do it themselves in some cases.

The 1982 model wouldn’t work today, either in content or sponsor framework. That’s a given. But instead of a 21st century version of EPCOT Center, in the actual 21st century we have a watered down mess of mediocre with the odd gem trying to stay alive.

The irony.

 

[NickMaio]

There’s no new EPCOT. Today we have Epcot.

Thanks Martin.

 

[NickMaio]

Epcot should just be changed to - - - - - Intellectual Property Community of Tomorrow - - - - IPCOT

 

[networkpro]

The World has changed since Epcot opened with the explosion of less expensive travel. Where at best it was aspirational, it's pretty commonplace these days. I've been to all the countries that are represented in the Word Showcase and even more that are not. The preferences to observe and consume information have changed as well. Large centrally planned cities haven't panned out (such as Brazilia) as the premises and assumptions they were designed to meet change just like technology.

 

[NickMaio]

I just really enjoyed the presentation of information and learning while having a great time.
I would rather float down a river and learn about a new country than listen to let it go or another pop song.
Epcot meant something else while on vacation. I realize that things change and in turn I need to "let it go".
Just wanted to know if other missed the learning aspect of Epcot as well.

Long live EPCOT >

 

[Lucky]

The World has changed since Epcot opened with the explosion of less expensive travel. Where at best it was aspirational, it's pretty commonplace these days. I've been to all the countries that are represented in the Word Showcase and even more that are not.

That's nice but the majority of Americans (especially in the southeast) don't even have passports.

 

[larryz]

If WDW would let Pepsi back onto the property, maybe they'd kick in some sponsorship dollars to call it... PEPCot.

 

[networkpro]

That's nice but the majority of Americans (especially in the southeast) don't even have passports.

Not all international travel has to be by passport

 

[AshaNeOmah]

The core pavilions were all built to be fully updated on a running cycle each decade. That was understood.

Were Horizons and World of Motion meant to stay Omnimover rides throughout the decades of updates? The moving theater for Universe of Energy?

I absolutely love the idea, but it seems absolutely unreasonable. When EPCOT Center was being developed, most of Disneyland's original rides were nearing 25 years old and hadn't had major updates twice. Right? The cost to do that would be gargantuan for 5-6 different pavilions.

 

[marni1971]

Were Horizons and World of Motion meant to stay Omnimover rides throughout the decades of updates? The moving theater for Universe of Energy?.

I believe so. Certainly for Horizons and Energy; I only have seen evidence for these. Technically, the Motion upgrade eventually became Test Track since the change of ride system and story began to gain strength in the early 90s, roughly aligning to the once a decade overhaul.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

As much as I loved the old version, the costs of maintaining such a park were never reasonable. WED Enterprises saw the same problem early with Tomorrowland and still forged ahead with Future World.

SSE and LwtL are formidable rides, no?

With very little changes these two classic EPCOT rides have stood the test of time. As could've WoM, Horizons, UoE. Imagination barely needed any touching whatsoever, the Seas could've used some work but the core is good. CommuniCore was meant to be redone every few years and just SoaT and Colortopia alone show how easy it is to have relevant exhibits there. Energy was nearly converted recently into a probably terrific Big Bang ride. It's just that the powers that be proscribed a superhero franchise. As they have earlier with toons and thrill rides and interactivity and whatever the theme park flavour of the day was. EPCOT lacked defenders, partly because EPCOT resists definition - after 35 year still nobody has written a concise definition what the park is, exactly. Even fans resort to science museum, edutainment, world's fair, when none of these seem to truly cover EPCOT. Our 82 baby is too unique. ^_^

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

What is Epcot today? I have no idea. What is its theme? What is its direction? Does Imagineering know? Does Iger?

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I agree that things have changed since we first went in 1993...hopefully with the purchase of FOX (which owns the Nat Geo network), they will use some of their vast resources to update some of the attractions in Future World...One can ONLY hope

 

[JIMINYCR]

I enjoyed the Edutainment Epcot. It was a park that was unique, it stood out from the rest and set itself apart from the others. I think Disney gave up on it too soon by failing to have an ongoing plan and we got what we have... a park that exists for a mish mash of festivals that fills up the park and drives revenue up.
They forgot the words of Card Walkers opening day speech.
EPCOT Center is inspired by Walt Disney’s creative vision. Here human achievements are celebrated through imagination, the wonders of enterprise, and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all. May EPCOT Center entertain, inform, and inspire, and above all may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man’s ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere in the world.

 

[NickMaio]

Thanks everyone