Epcot's World Showcase- A Different Vision?

[ChrisFL]

Now that Frozen has opened to somewhat positive reviews, and we've seen previously what the 3 caballeros have done in Mexico....I think it's time for us to revisit the idea of the World Showcase and it's importance.

While I've been an EPCOT Center purist since my father helped to open the park as one of the computer technicians in 1982, I realize some things change.

I am NOT advocating for Disney to just add characters to all of the World Showcase...that's already being done.

What I am saying is that the importance of the World Showcase may be different than it was when EPCOT Center first opened.

Taking the attraction that the 3 Caballeros replaced, El Rio Del Tiempo....that was basically a light-hearted look at some historical things in abstract, then what was like a living travel brochure of landmarks, pools and salespeople.

In that era, cable television was a brand new concept, people didn't own computers...this look at Mexico was the first way a lot of people saw it. The same with the China movie, etc.

Now we're a MUCH more connected society, we can hop online and talk to people from all over the world in minutes, or search wikipedia, google images in seconds to gain knowledge about different countries, and many more than the 11 shows in the World Showcase.

It is still important to keep the basics intact, the authentic foods, the cast members who are actually from those host countries...but maybe giving the World Showcase some more "life" with new attractions done tastefully, even if they include Disney characters isn't such a bad thing in the end...as long as the rest is kept intact.

Thoughts?

 

[marni1971]

Like it or not it's coming.

 

[Phicinfan]

Like it or not it's coming.

Hmmm....
Like ratatouilli coming to france and so on??

 

[marni1971]

Hmmm....
Like ratatouilli coming to france and so on??

Nope.

 

[Jones14]

Nope.

Anything you can share yet? Is any of it greenlit, or is it still in the planning phases?

 

[TikiTorch]

I don't see why you can't do both: incorporate attractions that are more kid-friendly and even film-based, but also have at least one area in each pavilion that is an authentic showcase of history and/or culture. Some pavilions do that well already, but there's always room for improvements. Kids love characters and teens love thrills. Thoughtful adults (and teens also) love to feel like they are learning along the way.

 

[marni1971]

Anything you can share yet? Is any of it greenlit, or is it still in the planning phases?

Things are.... progressing.

 

[Jones14]

Things are.... progressing.

This may be asking for too much info at this time anyways, but if Guardians goes through for Epcot, it'll be in Future World, not the Showcase, right?....right?

 

[ChrisFL]

BTW, I thought I posted this thread in General Discussion, not News and Rumors (oops)

 

[doctornick]

As much as Future World needs attention, I do hope that any money invested into Epcot includes building a ride or two in the World Showcase. There needs to be more "stuff" beyond just the streetmosphere and shopping/eating in that side of the park. They particularly need someone in the stretch around France to Germany half of WS to help spread out crowds.

 

[AEfx]

WS is simply an outdated idea. For better or worse, it would never have been built today. Presenting largely cultural stereotypes as authentic recreations just wouldn't fly.

I mean, we live in a world where most of the Halloween costumes we wore as kids are no longer appropriate due to "cultural sensitivity" - can you imagine them bringing the "original intention" of WS back today?

 

[fractal]

No inside info but I have to believe the loss of sponsors is driving them to develop character based attractions. If you can't get sponsor money, make it up with more Blu-ray sales.

 

[marni1971]

WS is simply an outdated idea. For better or worse, it would never have been built today. Presenting largely cultural stereotypes as authentic recreations just wouldn't fly.

I mean, we live in a world where most of the Halloween costumes we wore as kids are no longer appropriate due to "cultural sensitivity" - can you imagine them bringing the "original intention" of WS back today?

In all fairness those characters were hastily brought over from Disneyland to add some character (no pun) to the park from opening. It wasn't a planned look or intention for WS.

Meet the World would have done far more damage.

 

[AEfx]

In all fairness those characters were hastily brought over from Disneyland to add some character (no pun) to the park from opening. It wasn't a planned look or intention for WS.

Meet the World would have done far more damage.

LOL - I'm just prepping for the folks who insist everything stay as it was opening day at EPCOT who might not understand why that wouldn't be such a great idea.

 

[AEfx]

Meet the World would have done far more damage.

BTW, can you tell us about that one? That's new to me.

 

[marni1971]

BTW, can you tell us about that one? That's new to me.

I could but I think my interpretation of the story - and lyrics - could itself be considered ethnically unsuitable in 2016.

 

[AEfx]

I could but I think my interpretation of the story - and lyrics - could itself be considered ethnically unsuitable in 2016.

Got ya - that was what I was getting at - just trying to figure out what it was - a stage show it sounds like?

 

[marni1971]

Got ya - that was what I was getting at - just trying to figure out what it was - a stage show it sounds like?

MTW?

Carousel theatre show in Japan.

 

[Bocabear]

Carousel stage show....which ended up running in Tokyo Disneyland's Tomorrowland theater. Yay Martin has it!

 

[DisneyJunkie]

I agree with you to a point. Things certainly are changing with WS and (IMO) not for the better. Instead of keeping the focus on the individual countries and trying to educate about their culture and history, Disney is going all "cash grab" now in respect to WS, and the change-over of Maelstrom to Frozen Ever After is a prime example of it. Unfortunately, the film was a hit and remains highly popular, so why not capitalize on it and make it into an attraction? I see no problem with that, but I do with where they chose to put it. Maelstrom at least had the premise of WS in mind when it was put in there (and yes the trolls and monsters DID educate on Norway as far as their cultural myths and so forth). The Disney films, particularly these fantasy ones like Frozen, do have a place and it's in Fantasyland, not in World Showcase. Why erode the nobel idea behind WS with this kind of stuff? On the other hand, WS has been in dire need of rides (even if they do teach at the same time, gasp!) for decades. I just wish they'd add the rides, but make them tie-in to the educational purpose behind the park as a whole.