Epcot Update 12/18/2015

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

Was at Epcot on Friday, saw a few things that was under construction for NYE and a support column at Test Track.

Test track: Rode it twice, the lasers in the scanning part for economic (i believe) was not working. everything else looked fine
Soarin': Didn't get a picture of this, but it looks like they have installed new walls at the entrance with the Soarin' glider which lights up. The Film was dirty, saw a lot of black spots during the ride. (Cant wait for the update)
Mission space: Everything looked fine, didn't see anything wrong.
Did not ride figment, Ellen, or Nemo.
The bathrooms were installed before Canada.
Attached below are some pics i took.

 

[ChrisFL]

The bathrooms were installed before Canada.

NEW Bathrooms before Canada? That would be great, because the existing ones are TINY and always have a line

 

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

NEW Bathrooms before Canada? That would be great, because the existing ones are TINY and always have a line

They are the temporary trailer ones they install each year. They should expand those bathrooms to where the temporary ones are located.

 

[disney4life2008]

I was there tonight. Soarin was great as always. Holiday illuminations was absolutely amazing my first time seeing it. Disney knows fireworks! The update to the boat ride in Mexico was nice. Fish and chips were the best i ever had. Epcot is so much nicer without that booze infested entertainment.

 

[flynnibus]

I guess that's what the temp bathrooms near imagination were for... They were still behind walls this week.

Soarin was fine... Just dust that flew out after a second or two... Nothing major in my concourse (to the right)

Still the only attraction I know of where people applaud every time I ride

 

[sgtmgd]

I WAS also there Friday dodging raindrops early, thought the Pixar Shorts were going to be open but werent, rode soaringlad all the scents were working, test track single rider was 10 minute wait so we road back to back, loved 3 Caballeros......end the family really enjoyed the xmas stories around the showcase caught several..and was glad we made some time for them.

 

[marni1971]

Still the only attraction I know of where people applaud every time I ride

They even applauded when it looked like this

No accounting for some things is there?

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Still the only attraction I know of where people applaud every time I ride

I think that might have to do with Disney attracting the same crowd that applauds wildly whenever a pilot manages, quite routinely, to not get himself killed by successfully landing a plane. Soarin' might remind them of that.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

They even applauded when it looked like this

View attachment 123797

No accounting for some things is there?

Ah, but when we look at that picture we see dust and specks and failing maintenance. Most visitors by contrast see they are suspended twenty feet in the air, dangling in front of a massive Imax screen, being gently swayed in tune to the images, to spirited music. It is quite an uplifting (ha!) experience.

Arguably, they see the forest for the trees, see the whole picture much clearer (ha!) than we do.

Disney is like that old movie theater that charges $8.50 for popcorn, then presents you a movie in a rundown theater with broken chairs, creaky sound, and thirty year old out of focus projection. They get away with it when home cinema hasn't been invented yet (boy did that ever help to get good seats in cinemas all of a sudden), or when they are the only cinema in town, or when management doesn't understand that with a more aggressive guest satisfaction strategy you could drastically expand your business rather than squeeze it out like a lemon. Or, to revert back to your point, when you can replace your audience with uncritical rubes.

 

[marni1971]

Indeed. If an old movie theatre shows episode 7 on its old, dirty, two track projector the crowd is still likely to applaud. Apparently.

Roll on digital. At least for cleanliness.

 

[Clamman73]

Was at Epcot on Friday, saw a few things that was under construction for NYE and a support column at Test Track.

Test track: Rode it twice, the lasers in the scanning part for economic (i believe) was not working. everything else looked fine
Soarin': Didn't get a picture of this, but it looks like they have installed new walls at the entrance with the Soarin' glider which lights up. The Film was dirty, saw a lot of black spots during the ride. (Cant wait for the update)
Mission space: Everything looked fine, didn't see anything wrong.
Did not ride figment, Ellen, or Nemo.
The bathrooms were installed before Canada.
Attached below are some pics i took.

Seems like there's never enough fog in that first room to ever make the scanning laser effect visible enough before you get to the aerodynamic room.

 

[indyumd]

They even applauded when it looked like this

View attachment 123797

No accounting for some things is there?

They applaud, because while it hasn't been kept to a standard we'd all like, it is still a joyful experience to ride. When you approach it with a desire to have fun and enjoy it, that is.

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

The digital projection will make a big difference. I ride Soarin' Over California at least twice on every visit to DCA now, and it seems like the general audience reactions, e.g., applause levels, are greater than before the switch.

My big concern is whether Disney appreciates the significance of the current score in making the experience come together. I hope that if the new film includes a new score, it'll be comparably enthralling. The present score will be hard to beat, though, as we all know...

 

[JEANYLASER]

awesome! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Imagineerwannabe]

Funny, the "high standards" we all have used to be the everyday standards Disney set forth. I can still ride and enjoy Soarin' while also recognizing the ride is in terrible condition. The two aren't exclusive.

I agree, it's still enjoyable, after all, we know that the digital upgrades are coming anyway. I just ignore the dots and lines knowing it will be improved Bd enjoy it for what it is. Often forget that lots of people re riding it for the first time and are still amazed by it despite its flaws

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

They even applauded when it looked like this

View attachment 123797

No accounting for some things is there?

UNFORGETTABLE Happens Here!

 

[indyumd]

Funny, the "high standards" we all have used to be the everyday standards Disney set forth. I can still ride and enjoy Soarin' while also recognizing the ride is in terrible condition. The two aren't exclusive.

That was my point.

 

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

Seems like there's never enough fog in that first room to ever make the scanning laser effect visible enough before you get to the aerodynamic room.

I rode it on the 5th, and you could barely see the laser. Did not see any fog at all on both occasions. (@marni1971 Do you know of fog on test track before the aerodynamic room?)

 

[ToTBellHop]

I think that might have to do with Disney attracting the same crowd that applauds wildly whenever a pilot manages, quite routinely, to not get himself killed by successfully landing a plane. Soarin' might remind them of that.

I heard a joke once that we Americans applaud anything. It actually is a pretty accurate assessment I think.

 

[DisneyGentleman]

My big concern is whether Disney appreciates the significance of the current score in making the experience come together. I hope that if the new film includes a new score, it'll be comparably enthralling. The present score will be hard to beat, though, as we all know...

The original score is by the late great, Jerry Goldsmith. He is one of a kind and will be hard to beat (or even match). One can only hope.