Epcot's Character Spot to close for major refurbishment

[wiigirl]

It will be interesting to see what comes out of it, especially after such a lengthy refurb!

Yeah, I wonder what "upgrades" they are going to make.

 

[MagicMike]

I think this is awesome. The current backdrop for EPCOT's character spot consists of very cheap looking stylistically outdated cutouts. I hope they they draw inspiration from EPCOT park and its history for the new setup. Given Disney's current dedication to details and extraordinary meet and greets this sounds very promising.

 

[Bolna]

Yeah, I wonder what "upgrades" they are going to make.

at least adding FP+ I would guess...

 

[PurpleRose]

*groans* I'm so tired of hearing about FP+!


I know, I know, Next Gen and all that. I dislike it.

 

[Ignohippo]

The timing is really strange. FP+ could be the only reason.

Otherwise, why not just wait until January and miss the busy Christmas season? It could then be back up by Spring Break.

 

[BLY]

I am really pleased they are doing - I have so many pictures from in here that look the same year in year out, it is getting a bit tedious. Even when my kids have grown I think I may still be visiting the character spot!

 

[RSoxNo1]

Too much to ask for another quick serve food area like this used to be? Ropes and a greeter have not helped Electric Umbrellas continued failure to cope at peak times.

Maybe they should try something extreme like offering good food.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Here's what I'll say about that. It appears that Disney is lavishing more detail and attention
to small, seemingly insignificant things, than they have lately. So, yes. Go ahead and do
a great job with the M&G, Disney. But don't forget to dream big, too, while you're at it.

I do think that Meet and Greet locations are almost on par with infrastructure improvements. They're the cost of doing business, but very rarely are they the driving force behind the purchase of a ticket or a vacation package.

It seems that one of the things Disney is trying to do with Next Gen is make these infrastructure improvements be an attendance driver. I just don't see it happening. Enchanted Tales with Belle is an elaborate Meet and Greet that has some impressive effects, but I don't think it's going to be an attendance driver (capacity doesn't actually support it). I think we can look at a better approach being taken over at the Little Mermaid area where a new attraction opens with a relevant Meet and Greet right next door.

Infrastructure improvements and meet and greets are necessary evils, but to truly boost attendance their needs to be substance in the form of new rides. No amount of incredible theming is going to create sustainable attendance increases if there are no rides to compliment it. Changing the Epcot Character Spot may be necessary from a capacity standpoint, but they can't expect that to be something that affects attendance.

 

[wdwmagic]

This is now confirmed
http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...be-closing-this-weekend-for-refurbishment.htm

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

This is now confirmed
http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...be-closing-this-weekend-for-refurbishment.htm

At least my prediction of having M&G's in the old Segway area came true...Leave Innoventions West corridor as is...Thank you

 

[raven]

At least my prediction of having M&G's in the old Segway area came true...Leave Innoventions West corridor as is...Thank you

VP's had a meeting in there this morning along with John Lasseter. The queue will be in the hallway outside the room toward the doors exiting by Club Cool.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

VP's had a meeting in there this morning along with John Lasseter. The queue will be in the hallway outside the room toward the doors exiting by Club Cool.

Hmm curiouser and curiouser..However I won't be out there until the end of January anyways..

 

[WDW1974]

*groans* I'm so tired of hearing about FP+!


I know, I know, Next Gen and all that. I dislike it.

I'm more tired of the fact we're all going to have to deal with living with it soon ... VERY soon.
It will NOT make a WDW vacation better, but more of a chore except for the mentally ill (OCD is a mental disorder before I get jumped on like a young fanboi at an Imagineering party) who plan trips on spreadsheets a year in advance.

 

[djkidkaz]

VP's had a meeting in there this morning along with John Lasseter. The queue will be in the hallway outside the room toward the doors exiting by Club Cool.

Cars Land meeting?

 

[asianway]

I'm more tired of the fact we're all going to have to deal with living with it soon ... VERY soon.
It will NOT make a WDW vacation better, but more of a chore except for the mentally ill (OCD is a mental disorder before I get jumped on like a young fanboi at an Imagineering party) who plan trips on spreadsheets a year in advance.

How many of the OCD will attempt to make weekly MAGICal trips with the new promotion? Non-locals that is

 

[WDW1974]

How many of the OCD will attempt to make weekly MAGICal trips with the new promotion? Non-locals that is

I've had that conversation with numerous folks since the announcement. Obviously, it will give the bloggers/podcaster/Disney Lifestyle whores something to do for 2013 (real jobs, not that they exist here in FL anyway, can be put off another year!) ... but I do wonder how it will affect trips.

Reading here (and other Disney sites) over the years has been illuminating on how people will drop anything when Disney has a non-event event, like the 24-deal or EPCOT30 etc.

 

[raven]

Cars Land meeting?

Haha...no.

 

[dreamfinder]

If it stays at 3 characters in the future like the updated post indicates, sounds like it gives some validation to the multiple room theory.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

If it stays at 3 characters in the future like the updated post indicates, sounds like it gives some validation to the multiple room theory.

That area seems to be fairly small to do that..Since they had a queue and that small turn to meet each one...

 

[soccerstud652]

I lost that hope when they changed the carpet

Anyone have pics of the old carpet?