Edutainment - - - - Loss of true Epcot

[WondersOfLife]

You ask a question with such an obvious answer on this site. The more interesting poll would be from every day tourists, which is where most of Disney's profit comes from. They seem to want Magic Kingdom 2.0 instead of.. Well. Epcot.

Not saying I agree with that. I prefer the original concept of Epcot where it works today or not. I just am able to realize that, from a business perspective, Ipcot is better for Disney.

 

[DfromATX]

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

Everyone should have a passport. You never know when you might need one.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

we have a watered down mess of mediocre with the odd gem trying to stay alive.

Most of WDW today could be described like that.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

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

Up until recently, festivals + food and wine.

Now it's more like Universal's International Adventure.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

After the Epcot/Frozen decision I was pleased when Universal removed a Wakita, KS set attraction from their NYC area and replaced it with an amazingly "in theme" attraction in 30 Rock and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Personally I enjoyed what little bit of Edutainment Epcot I got to experience even as a little dude. But I don't think everyone enjoyed it. EE would also have trouble competing with the Internet (which it somewhat predicted!). Furthermore I think most people still thought of Epcot as a theme park. I kind of think of it as a glorified museum and there is nothing wrong with that. It was the 500 pound gorilla of museums. I think it now is going towards a niche of being an "inspirational" park that exposes you to different areas of research instead of telling you about those areas- which I agree with because there was no way in hell a boat ride or omnimover could tell you enough about a field of research or country to become an expert. This is the direction I think the park should have gone in the beginning. Really, EPCOT (Walt Disney's) had the same concept of showcasing technology to excite you for the future and to inspire you. Just my 2 cents

 

[KBLovedDisney]

Bring back Horizons Disney

 

[NickMaio]

You ask a question with such an obvious answer on this site. The more interesting poll would be from every day tourists, which is where most of Disney's profit comes from. They seem to want Magic Kingdom 2.0 instead of.. Well. Epcot.

Not saying I agree with that. I prefer the original concept of Epcot where it works today or not. I just am able to realize that, from a business perspective, Ipcot is better for Disney.

Then create your own post........????

 

[WondersOfLife]

Then create your own post........????

Its a perfectly legitimate response to this thread for a conversation on the topic at hand. Don't get offended so easily, my friend.

 

[graphite1326]

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

Although I have been beaten up for this on other threads, I agree with you. My best example is the Norway now Frozen ride. I could care less about Frozen. Never seen it. I'm an adult with grown kids who haven't seen it either. I liked the idea of seeing something about the countries we are "visiting". Not sure what they are doing with Ellen. Hope it's not another Disney film promotion like Frozen.

 

[DfromATX]

Although I have been beaten up for this on other threads, I agree with you. My best example is the Norway now Frozen ride. I could care less about Frozen. Never seen it. I'm an adult with grown kids who haven't seen it either. I liked the idea of seeing something about the countries we are "visiting". Not sure what they are doing with Ellen. Hope it's not another Disney film promotion like Frozen.

Isn't that where they're putting Guardians of the Galaxy?

 

[NickMaio]

Isn't that where they're putting Guardians of the Galaxy?

Yes - Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster.

 

[DfromATX]

I can't offer a true opinion on the matter because I am only 25 and never got to experience the original Epcot (well I did as a 4 and 8 year old I just don't remember it ) All I will say is that the Epcot I know (present day) is a snooze with the exceptions of Spaceship Earth, The American Adventure, and IllumiNations. If neither of those were around, I'd probably never bother going.

I wish I could say I was only 25, but... we didn't start going to Disney until my adult age, so I don't know the original Epcot either, but I understand what others who have are saying. I agree with you. Other than what you named AND Living with the Land (my personal favorite), Epcot is pretty boring and I'm looking forward to all the new things.

 

[graphite1326]

Isn't that where they're putting Guardians of the Galaxy?

Yes but I am not sure what kind of show it's going to be. I haven't bothered to see any previews. Is it going to be about energy like Ellen or just a ride promoting the films?

 

[Incomudro]

I loved the original Epcot and its edutainment theme.
But, times changed and keeping up with technology is a near impossibility in the way Epcot was designed.
The only way to keep up in a physical location is in a trade show type of format.
Epcot got left behind and became days of future past.

 

[Christian Fronckowiak]

Yes but I am not sure what kind of show it's going to be. I haven't bothered to see any previews. Is it going to be about energy like Ellen or just a ride promoting the films?

As far as we know, it will be a Guardians of the Galaxy-themed attraction with nothing to do with Energy or the Future.

 

[graphite1326]

As far as we know, it will be a Guardians of the Galaxy-themed attraction with nothing to do with Energy or the Future.

I hope not. I feel it's a shame what they are doing toe EPCOT

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

You ask a question with such an obvious answer on this site. The more interesting poll would be from every day tourists, which is where most of Disney's profit comes from. They seem to want Magic Kingdom 2.0 instead of.. Well. Epcot.

Not saying I agree with that. I prefer the original concept of Epcot where it works today or not. I just am able to realize that, from a business perspective, Ipcot is better for Disney.

I've been waffling on something that relates to this topic so I guess I'll post it here:

EPCOT, IMO was nothing more than an amalgamation of hodgepodge concepts from the beginning. A nice park, my second fav! But it was always two halves of a park merged together -- never unified. Edutainment was the common denominator that held those two halves together but it didn't quite work; or it worked... but just barely. It gave World Showcase a purpose and Future World a way to disguise a sponsor's brand or mission statement as knowledge; essentially treating parkgoers to darkride infommercials... And while that worked for a while; I'm thinking when the "sponsor a ride" concept died a lot of the edutainment aspects followed suit.

Thankfully WS has managed to keep most of it's edutainment through cultural heritage and a country's history. Today's Epcot hasn't changed THAT much! I don't think edutainment will disappear completely. I think it will still remain but let's not kid ourselves and think edutainment is bringing in the kiddos. Enter the IPs!

IPs -- love'm or hate'm they're today's common denominator... or glue. Like edutainment before it, IPs can mend the two park halves together again while simultaneously bringing in more families and merchandise opportunities. :eyeroll: I joke but I think the two actually benefit one another and can help make a better Epcot. Sure original concepts are preferable but there's no saying that a character or IP vehicle can't be used for edutainment in a ride concept.

It's been hit or miss but Epcot isn't exactly known for being stable. EPCOT, Epcot or Ipcot. Whatever you call it, IMO it's still going to retain it's edutainment roots and possibly even gain some. Edutainment might not always be there on every attraction but it's still Epcot; a park always in flux. True to form.

 

[larryz]

I've been waffling on something that relates to this topic so I guess I'll post it here:

EPCOT, IMO was nothing more than an amalgamation of hodgepodge concepts from the beginning. A nice park, my second fav! But it was always two halves of a park merged together -- never unified. Edutainment was the common denominator that held those two halves together but it didn't quite work; or it worked... but just barely. It gave World Showcase a purpose and Future World a way to disguise a sponsor's brand or mission statement as knowledge; essentially treating parkgoers to darkride infommercials... And while that worked for a while; I'm thinking when the "sponsor a ride" concept died a lot of the edutainment aspects followed suit.

Thankfully WS has managed to keep most of it's edutainment through cultural heritage and a country's history. Today's Epcot hasn't changed THAT much! I don't think edutainment will disappear completely. I think it will still remain but let's not kid ourselves and think edutainment is bringing in the kiddos. Enter the IPs!

IPs -- love'm or hate'm they're today's common denominator... or glue. Like edutainment before it, they here to mend the two park halves together again while simultaneously bringing in more families, and merchandise opportunities. :eyeroll: I joke but I think the two actually benefit one another and can help make a better Epcot. Sure original concepts are preferable but there's no saying that a character or IP vehicle can't be used for edutainment in a ride concept.

It's been hit or miss but Epcot isn't exactly known for being stable. EPCOT, Epcot or Ipcot. Whatever you call it, IMO it's still going to retain it's edutainment roots and possibly even gain some. Edutainment might not always be there on every attraction but it's still Epcot; a park always in flux. True to form.

Today's consumer hasn't been conditioned to expect edutainment as they were in the 80's and 90's. They do, however, expect to find Disney characters in a Disney park. I think that's where Epcot is going.

 

[trainplane3]

I always enjoyed Epcot. It's been my favorite park since I started coming to WDW at the age of 4. I think it's because it doesn't feel like a Disney park. It's...unique? And now the uniqueness will probably be completely gone very soon since we have to jam the latest Pixar movie into every attraction.