I know this topic has been discussed before but after spending some time watching videos of original EPCOT attractions, I felt compelled to write this.
I first went to EPCOT Center in late October 1983. I was 12 years old at the time and loved all things technology, so to me, EPCOT Center was a dream park!
I can vividly remember Horizons (which was brand new!), Imagination, Horizons, the original Universe of Energy, World of Motion and Spaceship Earth. On later visits when I was older, I can remember all of the other attractions like the Land boat ride, etc.
What I remember, more than anything else, is the feeling of optimism and the encouragement of forward thinking in all aspects of our techno-lives. All of the attractions encouraged and inspired using our minds and our shared values to create the opportunity for a better life for all. Songs like New Horizons (If we can Dream it), Tomorrow’s Child, Imagination!, Golden Dreams, and Listen the Land all exemplified this spirit.
To further bolster my point, I encourage you to take a look at this 9 minute video souvenir of EPCOT Center: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kygFzmrIroA
Now, I am NOT advocating that we should tear down Test Track, Mission: Space, etc. I am not for rebuilding Horizons and World of Motions, etc. However, I AM for reintroducing the spirit of ingenuity and discovery back into the park. I don’t claim to know how this can be done but I am fearful that the Epcot of today is becoming just another theme park, albeit a world class Disney production, but not the inspirational park that I so clearly remember as that optimistic 12-year old. I have had friends of mine tell me that the world has changed too much for all of that “sappy optimism”. I disagree.
What do you guys think? Am I just too unrealistic?
I first went to EPCOT Center in late October 1983. I was 12 years old at the time and loved all things technology, so to me, EPCOT Center was a dream park!
I can vividly remember Horizons (which was brand new!), Imagination, Horizons, the original Universe of Energy, World of Motion and Spaceship Earth. On later visits when I was older, I can remember all of the other attractions like the Land boat ride, etc.
What I remember, more than anything else, is the feeling of optimism and the encouragement of forward thinking in all aspects of our techno-lives. All of the attractions encouraged and inspired using our minds and our shared values to create the opportunity for a better life for all. Songs like New Horizons (If we can Dream it), Tomorrow’s Child, Imagination!, Golden Dreams, and Listen the Land all exemplified this spirit.
To further bolster my point, I encourage you to take a look at this 9 minute video souvenir of EPCOT Center: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kygFzmrIroA
Now, I am NOT advocating that we should tear down Test Track, Mission: Space, etc. I am not for rebuilding Horizons and World of Motions, etc. However, I AM for reintroducing the spirit of ingenuity and discovery back into the park. I don’t claim to know how this can be done but I am fearful that the Epcot of today is becoming just another theme park, albeit a world class Disney production, but not the inspirational park that I so clearly remember as that optimistic 12-year old. I have had friends of mine tell me that the world has changed too much for all of that “sappy optimism”. I disagree.
What do you guys think? Am I just too unrealistic?
...It seems we are leaving the "Entertainment for entertainment's sake" era(2001-2007-Wand) and slowly returning to an EPCOT 94 like Park.
