EPCOT World Showcase Rotational Pavilion

[Ralphlaw]

One more idea just struck me. Each year cub scouts do pinewood derby competitions. To win, you have to address friction, steering, etc . . Such competitions can be huge. I'm sure tons of other similar competitions are done. Why doesn't Disney host events like this, tying the whole thing in to overall science and Future World?

I think what we're getting at is the notion that Epcot shouldn't be just an amusement park. Walt wanted Epcot to be a living breathing incubator for science and development. Having competitions could help further that original goal. Right now we have the gardening festival and food and wine festival. Honestly, cutting edge events could be going on every week.

 

[blueboxdoctor]

The consoles are there to promote Disney games. In most stores, Disney hands-on demos are nonexistent so this gives people the opportunity to try their games. I noticed they were still there on my last trip when I was waiting for the cardmember meet and greet.

So much Disney Infinity, which was a somewhat underwhelming game when it came out, though, the newest one seems to have fixed some of the major issues with the past ones.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Not to go off topic, but since you went there, some people think Song of the South was actually a decent movie. That is kind of a sensitive topic, though, so I would avoid it, bro

Offensive or not, it was definitely not popular at the time and hardly anybody even knows of its existence.

The point was that the attraction was good enough to stand by itself with raving popularity.. despite what it was based on. If Avatarland is REALLY well done, then it does not matter whether the movies are any good or popular.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Offensive or not, it was definitely not popular at the time and hardly anybody even knows of its existence.

The point was that the attraction was good enough to stand by itself with raving popularity.. despite what it was based on. If Avatarland is REALLY well done, then it does not matter whether the movies are any good or popular.

Splash Mountain was approved following a relatively successful theatrical rerelease of Song of the South.

 

[Ralphlaw]

I saw Song of the South when I was 7 years old back in the early 70's during a re-release. I absolutely loved it, but it indeed has apparently been considered racist since the day it opened. I also remember singing some of the songs during a school concert. It still has great music, and the laughing place sequences were hilarious. Parts of the movie were also featured in the Disney Sing Along videos a generation ago. It's too bad that so much effort and quality went into a racially insensitive project. It would seem that a rewrite or two could've saved it from this ignominious end.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Splash Mountain was approved following a relatively successful theatrical rerelease of Song of the South.

That's great. But it is still definitely not a popular movie by any means. Hardly anyone knows about it. Under the age of like, 50.

Perhaps another example I could give is Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom. Yes, it was known as "countdown to extinction" for like 2 years.. But when it was changed to dinosaur, to be loosely tied to a movie that hardly anyone remembers today, it is STILL an outstanding attraction with popularity.

The same can be said for attractions with NO movie. IT DOOOES NOT MAAATTERRRRR WHAT THE RIDE IS BASED ON AS LONG AS IT. IS. GOOD.

 

[Ralphlaw]

No one under 50 knows about it because it hasn't been fully re-released in over 40 years. If, somehow, they could tone down the racist elements, it could be very popular. To be honest, I don't remember anything racist about it, but it was 1972 and I was 7 years old. The snippets that I saw on the sing along videos were not insensitive to me. Given the technology, I see no reason why some kind of redo couldn't be done to bring back a movie which will have some huge appeal and profit to it.

Also, if you look at a good chunk of the controversy, you'll see that much of it was based on misunderstandings and critiques from people who hadn't actually seen the film. There will always be some vocal critics playing the race card. Back in the 90s, people claimed Seinfeld was racist because the 4 main characters were all white. The response: Who should we make black? Jerry? (Uh, it's his show, so probably not.) George? (Uh, he's an inept often unemployed opportunist, which is not very admirable. Casting him as black would be seen as inappropriate.) Elaine? (The bed-hopper who has tremendous loyalty/disloyalty issues. Not exactly a positive role model either.) Kramer? (The constantly unemployed moocher? I don't think so.) The point: Some people will always play the race card, and doing nothing is the only way to avoid criticism. Perhaps Song of the South was rightly critiqued in that vein, but it would be impossible to utterly avoid controversy for any re-release.

Again, I think some tweaking could make it appropriate and profitable for 21st century audiences, but what do I know?

 

[dizda]

Is there a reason (other than lack of desire) that prevents using World ShowPlace for temporary exhibitions in between the Flower and Garden and the Food and Wine festivals?

 

[WondersOfLife]

No one under 50 knows about it because it hasn't been fully re-released in over 40 years. If, somehow, they could tone down the racist elements, it could be very popular. To be honest, I don't remember anything racist about it, but it was 1972 and I was 7 years old. The snippets that I saw on the sing along videos were not insensitive to me. Given the technology, I see no reason why some kind of redo couldn't be done to bring back a movie which will have some huge appeal and profit to it.

Also, if you look at a good chunk of the controversy, you'll see that much of it was based on misunderstandings and critiques from people who hadn't actually seen the film. There will always be some vocal critics playing the race card. Back in the 90s, people claimed Seinfeld was racist because the 4 main characters were all white. The response: Who should we make black? Jerry? (Uh, it's his show, so probably not.) George? (Uh, he's an inept often unemployed opportunist, which is not very admirable. Casting him as black would be seen as inappropriate.) Elaine? (The bed-hopper who has tremendous loyalty/disloyalty issues. Not exactly a positive role model either.) Kramer? (The constantly unemployed moocher? I don't think so.) The point: Some people will always play the race card, and doing nothing is the only way to avoid criticism. Perhaps Song of the South was rightly critiqued in that vein, but it would be impossible to utterly avoid controversy for any re-release.

Again, I think some tweaking could make it appropriate and profitable for 21st century audiences, but what do I know?

You guys are like totally ignoring the point that I have made and are focusing on a topic that has nothing to do with it.

Splash mountain is popular, but the movie is not well known or loved by millions of people.

Dinosaur is popular, but the movie is not well known or loved by millions of people.

Soarin, test track, space mountain, expedition everest, and jungle cruise are popular, but they are not based off of a popular movie that is known or loved by millions of people.

Mr. Toads Wild Ride over at disneyland is based off of a movie that was never extremely popular as well, but the ride is still popular.

THE. POINT. IS. Avatarland does not need to worry about whether the films are popular and loved by millions.. As long as it is done right.

 

[Ralphlaw]

Mr. Toad wasn't in Song of the South. What do you mean? I thought this was about Seinfeld.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Mr. Toad wasn't in Song of the South. What do you mean? I thought this was about Seinfeld.

No. It's about oven toasted rainbow unicorns. Gosh. Nobody on these forums pays ANY attention. -.-

 

[Ralphlaw]

No. It's about oven toasted rainbow unicorns. Gosh. Nobody on these forums pays ANY attention. -.-

Agreed. The Yeti is finally back in full operation.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Agreed. The Yeti is finally back in full operation.

FINALLY somebody understands what I'm trying to say!

 

[yedliW]

Agreed. The Yeti is finally back in full operation.

It's a Festivus Miracle!

 

[Maelstrom Troll]

You guys are like totally ignoring the point that I have made and are focusing on a topic that has nothing to do with it.

Splash mountain is popular, but the movie is not well known or loved by millions of people.

Dinosaur is popular, but the movie is not well known or loved by millions of people.

Soarin, test track, space mountain, expedition everest, and jungle cruise are popular, but they are not based off of a popular movie that is known or loved by millions of people.

Mr. Toads Wild Ride over at disneyland is based off of a movie that was never extremely popular as well, but the ride is still popular.

THE. POINT. IS. Avatarland does not need to worry about whether the films are popular and loved by millions.. As long as it is done right.

I get your point, but rides like Splash Mountain aren't in a land completely dedicated to that IP. You don't have multiple rides based off Splash Mountain characters, or theming that extends past the boundaries of the ride. I imagine Avatarland to have both of these things and after the movies become tired, I don't see first timers getting excited about going into that area of the park. On top of that it just feels cobbled together. Asia, Africa, Avatar? One of these things is not like the other. I'm not completely sold on Beastly Kingdom, but if the mythology were to be tied into the existing themes, it would be a better fit. Animals are timeless, mythology the same, I'm not so sure about Avatar.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I get your point, but rides like Splash Mountain aren't in a land completely dedicated to that IP. You don't have multiple rides based off Splash Mountain characters, or theming that extends past the boundaries of the ride. I imagine Avatarland to have both of these things and after the movies become tired, I don't see first timers getting excited about going into that area of the park. On top of that it just feels cobbled together. Asia, Africa, Avatar? One of these things is not like the other. I'm not completely sold on Beastly Kingdom, but if the mythology were to be tied into the existing themes, it would be a better fit. Animals are timeless, mythology the same, I'm not so sure about Avatar.

I completely agree... However, I still say that if the attractions within the area are amazingly AWESOME.. Then people will forever be excited to ride them.

A personal opinion for an example.. I hate harry potter.. HATE it. I've seen all of the movies. I couldn't care less about Harry Potter's existence in Universal Studios.. But the thing is.. The themed areas are SO FREAKING AWESOME!!! The rides are AMAZING!! I could ride Forbidden Journey or walk through Escape from Gringotts queue all day!! It's amazingly well done!

I hate Star Wars as well.. But if Disney is going to do a freaking awesome job at building that section of the park, and the attractions will be awesome, then by all means, I will be flocking to that section alongside all of the star wars fans!

The same is said for Avatarland compared to the movies it is based on.

 

[The90skid]

I completely agree... However, I still say that if the attractions within the area are amazingly AWESOME.. Then people will forever be excited to ride them.

A personal opinion for an example.. I hate harry potter.. HATE it. I've seen all of the movies. I couldn't care less about Harry Potter's existence in Universal Studios.. But the thing is.. The themed areas are SO FREAKING AWESOME!!! The rides are AMAZING!! I could ride Forbidden Journey or walk through Escape from Gringotts queue all day!! It's amazingly well done!

I hate Star Wars as well.. But if Disney is going to do a freaking awesome job at building that section of the park, and the attractions will be awesome, then by all means, I will be flocking to that section alongside all of the star wars fans!

The same is said for Avatarland compared to the movies it is based on.

Woah, woah, woah, let's summarize here: you dislike Harry Potter, Avatar, AND Star Wars? What's left to like??

 

[WondersOfLife]

Woah, woah, woah, let's summarize here: you dislike Harry Potter, Avatar, AND Star Wars? What's left to like??

Disney and Pixar. Yep. I'm a total odd-ball! I probably don't fit in here!