Guardians of the Galaxy coming to Energy Pavilion at Epcot

[wdwfan22]

This really sums it up nicely. I know numerous families who have skipped Epcot on a shorter trip because the other parks had more which appealed to their children. If it came down to it and they could only pick 2 or 3 parks to visit, Epcot was always skipped because there just wasn't much there for the kids. Even on longer trips they'd opt for more time at Magic Kingdom or a day at Universal over Epcot. The allure of Epcot isn't what it once was and some are choosing time at Universal as a result.

I can't say I agree with Frozen being in Norway, but at the same time I see the thought process ("How can we get more families to schedule time in Epcot?") and completely understand it from a business and marketing perspective. From those angles, it's actually extremely smart. That won't sit well with the Epcot purists, but the goal is to appeal to the majority, not the minority.

Well said and this is why Epcot will continue to change.

 

[Earl Sweatpants]

I can't say I agree with Frozen being in Norway, but at the same time I see the thought process ("How can we get more families to schedule time in Epcot?") and completely understand it from a business and marketing perspective. From those angles, it's actually extremely smart. That won't sit well with the Epcot purists, but the goal is to appeal to the majority, not the minority.

You forget that at one point the Epcot "purists" were the majority. But corporate has allowed the park to stagnate over many years, thus forcing them to scramble and figure out ways to get more families to come (Hence Frozen, hence GotG, hence whatever IP's are on the way).

Let's face it, the people who opened and ran Epcot for its first decade did it right. Then you had Eisner come in with his new perspective, and attention was greatly shifted, never to look back. Some actually call this progress...I just call it sad.

 

[marni1971]

Well said and this is why Epcot will continue to change.

It's has been doing already. Not for the better.

That's the issue. Replacements should be an improvement. Not a dumb down for the lowest common denominator.

 

[NothingRhymeswithOrange]

If these rumors are some how true, and Disney is actually negotiating with Universal over Marvel rights, could we see a swap of MCU versions of the Avengers being able to be used in Universal for Disney being able to use the Marvel name on attractions plus being able to use non original Avengers (Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Cap) in rides in Disney (i.e. Ant Man, Black Panther, Dr. Strange etc.). Yes these are rumors, just spitballing here.

 

[doctornick]

Remembering this post the GotG issue goes even further.

I don't think it the comment from @marni1971 is clear. The "gray area" may not be a reference to the GotG use or the Uni contract at all.

 

[doctornick]

There are rumblings of a potential Crossover....

Can't tell if you are being serious or not. Is this idle speculation or something you actually have head?

I personally think Dr. Strange could indeed be another possible Marvel character that could be used at WDW. He's never been an actual Avenger and his ties to Hulk (the Defenders) is fairly weak. Obviously, with the movie coming out, I could see Chapek being keen to get him represented in the parks.

That being said, the concept of magic seems about as far away as misplaced as anything for Future World. So, it would be odd to see Dr. Strange used in that area.

 

[Matt_Black]

That being said, the concept of magic seems about as far away as misplaced as anything for Future World. So, it would be odd to see Dr. Strange used in that area.

Depending on how they define "magic". Remember, in Thor, all the godly divine magic hoo-ha is handwaved with "they're aliens whose science is so far advanced that it may as well be magic".

 

[rioriz]

Can't tell if you are being serious or not. Is this idle speculation or something you actually have head?

I personally think Dr. Strange could indeed be another possible Marvel character that could be used at WDW. He's never been an actual Avenger and his ties to Hulk (the Defenders) is fairly weak. Obviously, with the movie coming out, I could see Chapek being keen to get him represented in the parks.

That being said, the concept of magic seems about as far away as misplaced as anything for Future World. So, it would be odd to see Dr. Strange used in that area.

I am serious to the fact that Crossover in the MCU has been discussed between the two Franchises fighting a similar enemy and potential for cameo....

Speculation that Strange as a character could be used in Epcot when we discuss the issue of Time and Science...

 

[Mike S]

This really sums it up nicely. I know numerous families who have skipped Epcot on a shorter trip because the other parks had more which appealed to their children. If it came down to it and they could only pick 2 or 3 parks to visit, Epcot was always skipped because there just wasn't much there for the kids. Even on longer trips they'd opt for more time at Magic Kingdom or a day at Universal over Epcot. The allure of Epcot isn't what it once was and some are choosing time at Universal as a result.

I can't say I agree with Frozen being in Norway, but at the same time I see the thought process ("How can we get more families to schedule time in Epcot?") and completely understand it from a business and marketing perspective. From those angles, it's actually extremely smart. That won't sit well with the Epcot purists, but the goal is to appeal to the majority, not the minority.

The majority can be just as easily pleased with any brand new quality offering that's fitting of the park. The problem rests in the fact that the park was so butchered and left to stagnate over the years that Disney feels like IP is the only way out and it most certainly is not. Journey into Imagination could be an incredible family attraction that also stays in tune with the park. I honestly wish that Frozen's budget was used for that instead.

Absolutely! I must admit it helped create the travel bug in me but that was the early 90's. With that said it is 2016 and it is a different world. Outside of books there was not easy access to different cultures back in the day. That is just the not the case anymore. I can go to my local Asian shop and get half of what is in Epcot snack wise. Heck I can order many Japanese snacks straight to my door in a surprise snack box. My kids go to a school with kids from all over the world and we live in suburbia midwest. If I am curios about a country I can google it or better yet youtube it and see what it is actually like there. I loved World Showcase back in the day but it is just not the same today nor should it be.

Bring on the Disney IP's I say. Frozen was done very well in Norway. I would love to see a Brother Bear ride in Canada or a Ratatouille ride in France. Lady and the Tramp show in Italy. (what do they have there besides a few restaurants anyway?) or a Mulan show in China. My kids would eat this stuff and so would I. Then again I am not holding on to the Disney glory days as that ship has sailed years ago. Figment was botched decades ago and they got rid of Wonders of life so bring on the movies!

The next time something new opens in WDW you should follow that same philosophy since it's clearly just the same as being there. It'll save you money too.

Well said and this is why Epcot will continue to change.

...for the worse.

You forget that at one point the Epcot "purists" were the majority. But corporate has allowed the park to stagnate over many years, thus forcing them to scramble and figure out ways to get more families to come (Hence Frozen, hence GotG, hence whatever IP's are on the way).

Let's face it, the people who opened and ran Epcot for its first decade did it right. Then you had Eisner come in with his new perspective, and attention was greatly shifted, never to look back. Some actually call this progress...I just call it sad.

The Living Seas and Wonders of Life weren't bad at all but he did get that proverbial wrecking ball rolling in the mid-to-late 90's.

 

[Matt_Black]

I am serious to the fact that Crossover in the MCU has been discussed between the two Franchises fighting a similar enemy and potential for cameo....

Speculation that Strange as a character could be used in Epcot when we discuss the issue of Time and Science...

Well, a lot of the trailers seem to be playing up the altered perception angle, and there have been studies about that sort of thing. Like, the sense of self is in the right hemisphere of the brain, so scientists stimulated the same area of the left to see if there was a "sense of other".

 

[flyerjab]

Can't tell if you are being serious or not. Is this idle speculation or something you actually have head?

I personally think Dr. Strange could indeed be another possible Marvel character that could be used at WDW. He's never been an actual Avenger and his ties to Hulk (the Defenders) is fairly weak. Obviously, with the movie coming out, I could see Chapek being keen to get him represented in the parks.

That being said, the concept of magic seems about as far away as misplaced as anything for Future World. So, it would be odd to see Dr. Strange used in that area.

That's right. They keep the rides about magic in World Showcase.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

That's right. They keep the rides about magic in World Showcase.

Better yet- keep them in Fantasyland.

 

[BrianLo]

Let's face it, the people who opened and ran Epcot for its first decade did it right. Then you had Eisner come in with his new perspective, and attention was greatly shifted, never to look back.

Eisner became CEO before Epcot's 2nd birthday...

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Eisner became CEO before Epcot's 2nd birthday...

QUIET YOU

 

[SpaceMountain77]

It's has been doing already. Not for the better.

That's the issue. Replacements should be an improvement. Not a dumb down for the lowest common denominator.

Lately, I have been thinking about how disingenuous it is of Disney to continue referring to the park as Epcot. It should really be renamed to capture the planned direction. No, I am not suggesting IPCOT , but something that captures the IP/Magic Kingdom theming.

 

[Daveeeeed]

Lately, I have been thinking about how disingenuous it is of Disney to continue referring to the park as Epcot. It should really be renamed to capture the planned direction. No, I am not suggesting IPCOT , but something that captures the IP/Magic Kingdom theming.

The name is not going to change though

 

[zengoth]

The name is not going to change though

It's got to be a marketing nightmare to even think about changing Epcot's name. Despite Disney-MGM becoming DHS (soon to probably drop the Studios, could even drop the Hollywood) - does the Epcot name even make sense without some form of Future World in play? World Showcase at least says what their theme is - Epcot as a theme park name is still very married to its opening day concept.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Epcot as a name is already devoid of meaning. It's a gibberish word that is merely a homophone.

 

[tribbleorlfl]

I am serious to the fact that Crossover in the MCU has been discussed between the two Franchises fighting a similar enemy and potential for cameo....

Speculation that Strange as a character could be used in Epcot when we discuss the issue of Time and Science...

I haven't heard the Dr. Strange/GotG cameo rumor, though there have been significant rumors of him appearing in Thor Ragnarok.

 

[wdisney9000]

Because now all of these parents who may have skipped an Epcot visit are now visiting. I hate FROZEN being in Norway but I know a handful of families that now will visit Epcot because of it, who would have passed over the park before.

So, after riding FEA, what do these families do for the rest of their time at Epcot?