News EPCOT 2020 reopening reports

[Mainahman]

I saw some YouTube from epcot today (rhymes with Corey feeds squirrels) and he was trying to pronounce Kungaloosh. Made my day!

Epcot looked great. Especially the missing pin central tarp.

Epcot not filling up makes sense honestly. Lack of flow right now, and limited attractions with all the construction. That's coming from me a Giant EPCOT fan. Food and wine festival lite will help get some cash flowing, and I think will be the easiest to get a reservation for. Heck we may end up doing another day there just for food.

 

[Thelazer]

I really love this. I don't want to interact with characters, but I love the atmosphere they add. This one is especially fun!!

About the ONLY thing good to come from this right now, getting the characters out and about and not stuck in a step and repeat.

(also, IMHO as far as rumors. I think it's MORE likely you'll see a park go to a 5 day a week operation VS 7 days)

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

Dont you think they could fix this by opening more slots to Annual Passholders?

You can only reserve up to three visits which hopefully increases over time.

 

[Thelazer]

They could easily fix it, by dropping that and letting employee comp tickets and blue passes, part time and etc back in.

 

[disneyworlddad]

You can only reserve up to three visits which hopefully increases over time.

I'm hoping the same too! I know how it works. I have five days right now because of a resort stay and 3 more for my annual pass.

 

[Touchdown]

Back in the late 90s (or was it the early aughts, I can’t remember if I was in high school or college) I remember a very magical 2:45 am Dumbo ride with 5-7 other adults and teens and Chip, Dale, and Goofy back when EMH was 3 hours long.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

View attachment 483524
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Spotted on stream (credit- Cory Meets World)

That looks strange to me.

 

[Getachew]

It wasn't my rumor, so I am not sure what needs to be validated? I don't think you understand what my post was about. The original poster said there was going to be an announcement about Epcot. Another poster said they hope it was good news, such as space 220 opening. I said I hope that was the case, but a worst case announcement was that they would delay opening Epcot.

I thought that was pretty clear, and I didn't think I gave off the impression that I was starting a rumor.

My apologies if I misunderstood. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

[Magic Feather]

My latest understanding about the Park Pass system is that there was always intent to keep resort guests separate from AP’s and regular tickets. The decision to separate the other group appeared to be a decision to stop AP’s from eating up all availability for regular ticket guests. The general consensus seems to be that AP’s would not be able to fill the entire park capacity, but they could fill the entire non-resort guest capacity, which would drive away out-of-towners (which is a good thing given current travel safety imo, but I digress).

Also, of note is that (while I’m still double checking this info), it sounds like the “gradually increase capacity” plan has been put on hold due to the spike in cases.

Finally: These parks are at present designed to be uncrowded. We know (and Disney knows) that the parks could handle more at the moment. They plan for them to handle more in the future, but the reality is that they needed a starting point that will generate next to no operational complaints so that policies can be ironed out.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Pooh: Oh bother....

 

[brb1006]

I loved the double deckers!!!

Found more footage of the Epcot Omnibus with Disney Characters from 2003.


and 2004

 

[1HAPPYGHOSTHOST]

I can't get over these. The characters actually feel real instead of standing in the same location for hours taking pictures with kids. Seeing Joy frolic across the grass in Epcot? How cool is that.

I understand the need for standard M&G's but the two don't need to be mutually exclusive.

She has no respect for lawn maintenance.

 

[1HAPPYGHOSTHOST]

yuck. look at none of those people keeping a 6ft distance so they can get a look at Pooh. why arent case members telling them to spread it out?? no wonder florida cases keep rising.

 

[marni1971]

Dont you think they could fix this by opening more slots to Annual Passholders?

I dare say that would fill more slots. At the moment I don’t know if that’s what they want.

 

[Giss Neric]

yuck. look at none of those people keeping a 6ft distance so they can get a look at Pooh. why arent case members telling them to spread it out?? no wonder florida cases keep rising.

It may seem that like that but social distancing is not per individual but per party. Maybe that was an entire family that's why they are close. I don't distance myself from my own family or relatives, sometimes close friends. If they are seniors or really young then I definitely would.

 

[larryz]

She has no respect for lawn maintenance.

If it's a good, well-maintained lawn, a 120-lb emotion frolicking upon it won't hurt it.

 

[Andrew C]

If it's a good, well-maintained lawn, a 120-lb emotion frolicking upon it won't hurt it.

I don’t think the grass there has even seen so much Joy before....

 

[Mainahman]

Found more footage of the Epcot Omnibus with Disney Characters from 2003.


and 2004

March 2002

 

[jwutony16]

Does anyone remember the "Epcot Double Decker Bus" that had various Disney Characters traveling around World Showcase throughout the 1990s and early 2000s? After learning how WDW's been handling the characters (trolleys, single floats, standing on buildings, and Boats) that bus would be very useful now. Wishful thinking, but they should revive/bring back the bus and have various characters waving at guests as they're moving across World Showcase.

Here's footage of the bus traveling around World Showcase from 2004.

I was a friend of Pluto on that bus.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Kinda surprised they would let Joy run around on uneven ground so near a pond. The vision for the character must be severely limited and a step too-near the pond where there's a significant drop could lead to a fall into or rolling into the pond. Now, I know the handlers will keep the character from drowning in a heavy head filling up with water, but... just seems out of place for safety-conscious Disney.