Here we go again. Another Epcot pavillion is about to unveil a controversial make-over. Most people seem excited to see that "The Seas With Nemo and Friends". But there have also been some very vocal about the "dumbing down" of Epcot, and how the park is no longer "what it was supposed to be." We went through this all before during The Land rehab. And Mission Space. And Test Track. And so on.
Hence, this history lesson about EPCOT CENTER (1982-1995), and Epcot (1995-present)
*Walt did not dream up EPCOT CENTER. He only dreamed up the name. Oh yeah, and the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The one that never got built (Celebration is not Walt's EPCOT).
*Who were the people who failed to deliver "Walt's Greatest Dream"? The same folks who designed EPCOT CENTER. They destroyed his vision, then built an un-related theme park, slapping Walt's "EPCOT" name on it to fool the public and the Florida legislature (who granted the company governmental powers for Walt's EPCOT) In essense, the people who designed EPCOT CENTER were budget-cutting, narrowminded con-artists. So before you put those people on a hero's pedestal and suggest EPCOT CENTER was something sacred, remember this park's origins.
*EPCOT CENTER was designed and built during one of the most creatively-challenged periods in Disney history. Their films during the late 70's were lackluster bombs. They didn't know how to effectively market the company's unique characters. And the corporation was on the verge of being taken over and ripped apart. Not exactly the stuff of legends.
*With all that said, most critics will agree, EPCOT CENTER was an overwelming achievement. When in opened. In 1982. I'm not good at math, but 1982 was a long long time ago.
*By its very name, half of EPCOT CENTER was devoted to the "Future World". The future that existed in 1982. Computers were not in every home yet. Few could dream of cellphones. Just one year earlier, America had launched the most-technologically advanced vehicle that was to make trips to space practically an everyday occurrance (in hindsight, we see how successful the Space Shuttle really was)
*Like Tomorrowland, the "Future World" built in 1982 was DESTINED to need updating every few years. Imagine if, on EPCOT Center's opening day on October 1 1982, there were NO audio-animatronics, there was an exhibit about launching the first satellite into space, and a pavillion dedicated to the crazy idea of color television. THAT is what EPCOT CENTER would look like had the park already been 25 years outdated when the gates first opened. Maybe now you can understand why a kid entering today's Epcot doesn't really want to see our generation's EPCOT CENTER.
*Probably like me, you have fond memories of growing up in the early 80's. And like me, you probably miss the old EPCOT CENTER attractions like Horizons and World of Motion. You probably miss the unique theme songs of those rides, too.
*Probably like me, you also miss TV shows like "Diffren't Strokes", "Facts of Life", "Cheers", and "Family Ties". And you probably miss the theme songs of those shows. Now turn on the TV and take a look. Popular shows like "CSI", "24", and "Survivor" look nothing like the shows we grew up with. And have you noticed that TV shows no longer have theme songs??? Face it, we're turning into old codgers who thought things were better "back in my day", just as our parents longed for the return of "Lassie" and the Andy Griffith whistle tune. But TV has changed with the times. Society has changed with the times. And theme parks need to change with the times (even if it means also losing those theme songs!)
*When EPCOT CENTER opened, Disney had only created 24 animated films (ending with "The Fox and the Hound"). That number has since doubled. And so have the wide array of characters. After building the Magic Kingdom, I'm sure Disney was hesitant to put Snow White, Pinnochio, or Robin Hood inside an EPCOT CENTER attraction. Plus they wanted EPCOT CENTER to be a non-Disney experience. Guess what? The parents bringing their kids expected to see the characters, and were disappointed when Mickey was not at EPCOT CENTER. And since that time, Disney (along with Pixar) has dreamed up lovable fish, bugs, African animals, talking cars, and superheroes who would make wonderful hosts for an educational, yet entertaining theme park attraction. I'm sure the guys who build EPCOT CENTER in the late 70's would have done anything to have a such a wide variety of characters at their fingertips, and especially ones the public has already voted on with their wallets!
*Yes, Disney screwed up the "Journey Into Imagination" rehab. People and corporations make mistakes. Get over it.
*When rumors started circulating that The Land was about to get a major overhaul, with "Food Rocks" torn out, a "California Adventure" clone attraction installed, and the "Living with the Land" boat ride turned into a cruise ship port, the internet community went NUTS!!!! Guess what. The cruise ship thing was an unfounded rumor. "Soarin'" has become one of the most popular (and longest lines) of any WDW attraction. And nobody talks about the rehab anymore (presumably because it ain't all that bad).
*With that said, I'm sure Nemo will fit in just fine. But my heart breaks for the kids of today's generation, who will undoubtedly flock to their new-fangled communication devices in 2031 to moan and groan about how Disney is ripping out the Nemo characters, in attempt to "dumb down" the attraction to make it fit the new 3D hologram undersea adventure video game that all the young kids are playing. "After all", they'll say, "to do that would ruin what Epcot is all about!"
Hence, this history lesson about EPCOT CENTER (1982-1995), and Epcot (1995-present)
*Walt did not dream up EPCOT CENTER. He only dreamed up the name. Oh yeah, and the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The one that never got built (Celebration is not Walt's EPCOT).
*Who were the people who failed to deliver "Walt's Greatest Dream"? The same folks who designed EPCOT CENTER. They destroyed his vision, then built an un-related theme park, slapping Walt's "EPCOT" name on it to fool the public and the Florida legislature (who granted the company governmental powers for Walt's EPCOT) In essense, the people who designed EPCOT CENTER were budget-cutting, narrowminded con-artists. So before you put those people on a hero's pedestal and suggest EPCOT CENTER was something sacred, remember this park's origins.
*EPCOT CENTER was designed and built during one of the most creatively-challenged periods in Disney history. Their films during the late 70's were lackluster bombs. They didn't know how to effectively market the company's unique characters. And the corporation was on the verge of being taken over and ripped apart. Not exactly the stuff of legends.
*With all that said, most critics will agree, EPCOT CENTER was an overwelming achievement. When in opened. In 1982. I'm not good at math, but 1982 was a long long time ago.
*By its very name, half of EPCOT CENTER was devoted to the "Future World". The future that existed in 1982. Computers were not in every home yet. Few could dream of cellphones. Just one year earlier, America had launched the most-technologically advanced vehicle that was to make trips to space practically an everyday occurrance (in hindsight, we see how successful the Space Shuttle really was)
*Like Tomorrowland, the "Future World" built in 1982 was DESTINED to need updating every few years. Imagine if, on EPCOT Center's opening day on October 1 1982, there were NO audio-animatronics, there was an exhibit about launching the first satellite into space, and a pavillion dedicated to the crazy idea of color television. THAT is what EPCOT CENTER would look like had the park already been 25 years outdated when the gates first opened. Maybe now you can understand why a kid entering today's Epcot doesn't really want to see our generation's EPCOT CENTER.
*Probably like me, you have fond memories of growing up in the early 80's. And like me, you probably miss the old EPCOT CENTER attractions like Horizons and World of Motion. You probably miss the unique theme songs of those rides, too.
*Probably like me, you also miss TV shows like "Diffren't Strokes", "Facts of Life", "Cheers", and "Family Ties". And you probably miss the theme songs of those shows. Now turn on the TV and take a look. Popular shows like "CSI", "24", and "Survivor" look nothing like the shows we grew up with. And have you noticed that TV shows no longer have theme songs??? Face it, we're turning into old codgers who thought things were better "back in my day", just as our parents longed for the return of "Lassie" and the Andy Griffith whistle tune. But TV has changed with the times. Society has changed with the times. And theme parks need to change with the times (even if it means also losing those theme songs!)
*When EPCOT CENTER opened, Disney had only created 24 animated films (ending with "The Fox and the Hound"). That number has since doubled. And so have the wide array of characters. After building the Magic Kingdom, I'm sure Disney was hesitant to put Snow White, Pinnochio, or Robin Hood inside an EPCOT CENTER attraction. Plus they wanted EPCOT CENTER to be a non-Disney experience. Guess what? The parents bringing their kids expected to see the characters, and were disappointed when Mickey was not at EPCOT CENTER. And since that time, Disney (along with Pixar) has dreamed up lovable fish, bugs, African animals, talking cars, and superheroes who would make wonderful hosts for an educational, yet entertaining theme park attraction. I'm sure the guys who build EPCOT CENTER in the late 70's would have done anything to have a such a wide variety of characters at their fingertips, and especially ones the public has already voted on with their wallets!
*Yes, Disney screwed up the "Journey Into Imagination" rehab. People and corporations make mistakes. Get over it.
*When rumors started circulating that The Land was about to get a major overhaul, with "Food Rocks" torn out, a "California Adventure" clone attraction installed, and the "Living with the Land" boat ride turned into a cruise ship port, the internet community went NUTS!!!! Guess what. The cruise ship thing was an unfounded rumor. "Soarin'" has become one of the most popular (and longest lines) of any WDW attraction. And nobody talks about the rehab anymore (presumably because it ain't all that bad).
*With that said, I'm sure Nemo will fit in just fine. But my heart breaks for the kids of today's generation, who will undoubtedly flock to their new-fangled communication devices in 2031 to moan and groan about how Disney is ripping out the Nemo characters, in attempt to "dumb down" the attraction to make it fit the new 3D hologram undersea adventure video game that all the young kids are playing. "After all", they'll say, "to do that would ruin what Epcot is all about!"
