Guardians of the Galaxy coming to Energy Pavilion at Epcot

[Wikkler]

"Epcot phase 3" would only ruin the theme if they keep the themes they are running with now. From what I understand, and I could be wrong, is they are taking this park in a whole new direction theme wise. So the new rides may very well for their new theme.

Now liking that new theme or direction is another matter.

To invent a new theme for Epcot, they'd have to destroy every facade in the park.

 

[GoofGoof]

All of this talk? All of this chatter or talk from brainstorming sessions? It's easily 5-10 years out.

Someone earlier mentioned Energy closing as soon as September this year. Is that not true? Or would they just close Energy and leave it vacant for 5 to 10 years

 

[Disneyhead'71]

IPcot will become "Disney's Discovery Kingdom"

Future World will become "Science!"

World Showcase will become "Exploration!"

Problem solved.

"But GotG isn't Science!"
"No, but it is "Science....Fiction". Perfect fit!"

 

[Wikkler]

IPcot will become "Disney's Discovery Kingdom"

Future World will become "Science!"

World Showcase will become "Exploration!"

Problem solved.

"But GotG is Science!"
"No, but it is "Science....Fiction". Perfect fit!"

Well, if time was going backwards, in about twenty years it will be.
But it's not.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Someone earlier mentioned Energy closing as soon as September this year. Is that not true? Or would they just close Energy and leave it vacant for 5 to 10 years

Good question. I don't have an answer for it other than I was told that all this Epcot speculation is years away.

 

[DisneyJayL]

Oh it shall begin. Because that is dangerous thinking.

It appears that Epcot may be entering its third phase. Now you may disagree with how I group the phases, but it is the easiest way to talk about each period, so just bear with me. This will be a long post.

The first phase was the original park. EPCOT Center. It had attractions that weren't the most thrilling or entertaining, but that were proud to educate and inspire you.

The second phase of Epcot began when GM's contract for World of Motion expired and it was time to renew. But GM decided that they wanted a "cooler" ride. They wanted to have the most popular thing in the park, something that would be on the front of the maps, the headliner attraction! And so the slow World of Motion was replaced by the thrilling Test Track. These attractions are what primarily exist today, and they strike a greater balance between entertaining and educating than the original EPCOT Center rides did. Phase 2 is in danger of ending.

The third phase of Epcot looks to be full of attractions that don't really go with the theme of the park at all. These rides, like a GotG one, would sacrifice nearly all educational/inspirational value. The first of these rides is Frozen Ever After, or possibly Nemo. So perhaps phase 3 has started already.

Now, most EPCOT Center fans see each new phase as a step down. But I don't. While I myself am a fan of phase 1, there needs to be a solid balance between educational/inspirational and entertaining. And if that balance is struck well, Epcot would be a strong park. It's just that there are too many problems with what we have today. Styles that don't match, lowered capacity, some pretty bad rides, and a graveyard in the front of the park, just to name a few.

But phase 3 is certainly a problem. Because if it becomes reality, it'll terribly weaken the theme of Epcot. There is a park called Hollywood Studios right next door, we don't need two of them. If all four parks become too similar, that'd be very bad. Most people don't know it, but they really wouldn't enjoy spending an entire week riding through the movies and visiting four parks that all feel the same. Each park needs to remain unique.

The Test Track example is very important because your thinking today is the same as Disney's and GM's back then. World of Motion wasn't all that popular. It was old and tired, kind of dirty, things were breaking. But Test Track was insanely popular! And it didn't end with one ride. Test Track led to nearly every other ride replacement in the following years, because nearly every other ride was uncool by comparison, and so they had to be replaced to "keep up." The park went from phase 1 to phase 2.

And so the same domino effect of changes would more than likely occur if a GotG ride found its way into future world. The park would go from phase 2 to phase 3. And unlike phase 2, phase 3 is very bad.

If you support phase 3 of Epcot becoming reality, then you should support a GotG ride replacing Energy.

I support it. Nothing in that area drew me over there. I still haven't been. I know some are having a knee jerk reaction to this, but I like it.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Someone earlier mentioned Energy closing as soon as September this year. Is that not true? Or would they just close Energy and leave it vacant for 5 to 10 years

I said that and then later said it was a mistake. That's the timeline at DCA. Epcot's work, like seemingly everything else, is meant to finish up by the 50th. Doesn't mean nothing will change until 2021, though.

As we all know, we have a huge project opening next year and that's the big focus now.

 

[Beholder]

Odd rumor indeed. Not sure what to make of it or how I even feel about it. Was there Sunday (07/03/2016) and I was again reminded how much EPCOT needed something. Perhaps many something's. GotG? The traditional and fan side of me deplores the IP aspects of EPCOT, but the practical (resigned to accept things as they are) side thinks that the "pure" EPCOT is gone forever, that ship has sailed. Hit a reef and killed all those aboard. And possibly the surrounding wildlife. IF the powers that be are bent on having these things, then so be it, nothing I can do about it, but for Walt's sake, please don't cheap out. Enough of that already. It deserves so much more than its received.

 

[GoofGoof]

I said that and then later said it was a mistake. That's the timeline at DCA. Epcot's work, like seemingly everything else, is meant to finish up by the 50th. Doesn't mean nothing will change until 2021, though.

As we all know, we have a huge project opening next year and that's the big focus now.

Makes sense. So assuming Disney's 3+ years of construction per project we probably have until the end of 2017 to enjoy UOE one last time...unless it breaks down before then

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

I've got to think they're going to want this done between 2020-2021. It can help alleviate crowds from SWL and MK 50th if done by then. I believe many have said a lot planned between now and 2021 but not sure if this is included

 

[ToTBellHop]

Makes sense. So assuming Disney's 3+ years of construction per project we probably have until the end of 2017 to enjoy UOE one last time...unless it breaks down before then

A reasonable timeline. This is a major project for UoE.

 

[NearTheEars]

Walt Disney once said:

[Disneyland] will get better as I find out what the public likes.​

The point is, Walt wanted to hear from the public and build what was going to be popular.

Who thinks the current Universe of Energy or shuttered Wonders Of Life are popular?

Who thinks replacing those with GotG wouldn't be insanely popular?

Who will refuse to experience GotG at Epcot because it's "thematically inappropriate"?

Admittedly, I don't think like an Imagineer nor do I aspire to be one. Instead, I prefer to experience a new attraction and its surrounding before deciding if I like it.

Still, I believe GotG "fits" within Future World and could be the best thing to happen to Epcot in decades.

Let the flaming begin ...

Great post.

 

[NearTheEars]

IPcot will become "Disney's Discovery Kingdom"

Future World will become "Science!"

World Showcase will become "Exploration!"

Problem solved.

"But GotG isn't Science!"
"No, but it is "Science....Fiction". Perfect fit!"

Has anyone made the IPcot joke yet? If not, kudos.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I said that and then later said it was a mistake. That's the timeline at DCA. Epcot's work, like seemingly everything else, is meant to finish up by the 50th. Doesn't mean nothing will change until 2021, though.

As we all know, we have a huge project opening next year and that's the big focus now.

You mean Avatar? They're behind again.... Still aiming for April i believe.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Makes sense. So assuming Disney's 3+ years of construction per project we probably have until the end of 2017 to enjoy UOE one last time...unless it breaks down before then

My central issue with the rumor surrounding Wonders of Life, and possibly the closure of Energy, is the relocation of the Festival Center. Right now, Epcot offers 18 weekly demonstrations and seminars, each with seating for approximately 216 guests, during the International Food & Wine Festival, at a rate of $15 per person. Not counting the premium events, one stage within the Festival Center can potentially gross $58,320 per weekend. Demonstration kitchens are going to appear somewhere because the cheapest, single-stage offering likely yields $500,000. This figure does not include the premium offerings at the Festival Center, which start at $125 per person.

Wonders of Life will not close until there is a plan for the foodies.

 

[Mike S]

My central issue with the rumor surrounding Wonders of Life, and possibly the closure of Energy, is the relocation of the Festival Center. Right now, Epcot offers 18 weekly demonstrations and seminars, each with seating for approximately 216 guests, during the International Food & Wine Festival, at a rate of $15 per person. Not counting the premium events, one stage within the Festival Center can potentially gross $58,320 per weekend. Demonstration kitchens are going to appear somewhere because the cheapest, single-stage offering likely yields $500,000. This figure does not include the premium offerings at the Festival Center, which start at $125 per person.

Wonders of Life will not close until there is a plan for the foodies.

The rumor is that Energy is first. WoL is "Phase 2."

 

[Phil12]

Oh it shall begin. Because that is dangerous thinking.

It appears that Epcot may be entering its third phase. Now you may disagree with how I group the phases, but it is the easiest way to talk about each period, so just bear with me. This will be a long post.

The first phase was the original park. EPCOT Center. It had attractions that weren't the most thrilling or entertaining, but that were proud to educate and inspire you.

The second phase of Epcot began when GM's contract for World of Motion expired and it was time to renew. But GM decided that they wanted a "cooler" ride. They wanted to have the most popular thing in the park, something that would be on the front of the maps, the headliner attraction! And so the slow World of Motion was replaced by the thrilling Test Track. These attractions are what primarily exist today, and they strike a greater balance between entertaining and educating than the original EPCOT Center rides did. Phase 2 is in danger of ending.

The third phase of Epcot looks to be full of attractions that don't really go with the theme of the park at all. These rides, like a GotG one, would sacrifice nearly all educational/inspirational value. The first of these rides is Frozen Ever After, or possibly Nemo. So perhaps phase 3 has started already.

Now, most EPCOT Center fans see each new phase as a step down. But I don't. While I myself am a fan of phase 1, there needs to be a solid balance between educational/inspirational and entertaining. And if that balance is struck well, Epcot would be a strong park. It's just that there are too many problems with what we have today. Styles that don't match, lowered capacity, some pretty bad rides, and a graveyard in the front of the park, just to name a few.

But phase 3 is certainly a problem. Because if it becomes reality, it'll terribly weaken the theme of Epcot. There is a park called Hollywood Studios right next door, we don't need two of them. If all four parks become too similar, that'd be very bad. Most people don't know it, but they really wouldn't enjoy spending an entire week riding through the movies and visiting four parks that all feel the same. Each park needs to remain unique.

The Test Track example is very important because your thinking today is the same as Disney's and GM's back then. World of Motion wasn't all that popular. It was old and tired, kind of dirty, things were breaking. But Test Track was insanely popular! And it didn't end with one ride. Test Track led to nearly every other ride replacement in the following years, because nearly every other ride was uncool by comparison, and so they had to be replaced to "keep up." The park went from phase 1 to phase 2.

And so the same domino effect of changes would more than likely occur if a GotG ride found its way into future world. The park would go from phase 2 to phase 3. And unlike phase 2, phase 3 is very bad.

If you support phase 3 of Epcot becoming reality, then you should support a GotG ride replacing Energy.

I agree with your explanation but I think it's important to add one more imperative factor. You touched on it when you mentioned GM. In phase 1 Epcot had big corporations that sponsored every attraction. The corporate sponsors included AT&T, Exxon, United Technologies, Kodak, GM, Met Life, Kraft, Smuckers, T. Rowe Price, Coke, Nestle, IBM, Sperry Univac, GE and Liberty Mutual to name a few off the top of my head.

In phase 2 those sponsorships were starting to dry up. It was becoming difficult for all of the Disney parks to attract big sponsors as easy as they once did. Disney has a history going back to Walt's time to let sponsors foot the bill for construction and upkeep of many attractions. Those days are coming to an end and we're moving to phase 3.

Without sponsors to pay for the construction and ongoing upkeep of attractions, that cuts into margins. Therefore, as Disney stops being paid to sing the praises of corporate sponsors, Disney will instead sing its own tune and sell its IP. They've got to keep both Mickey and Minnie supported in the style to which they are accustomed.

 

[ToTBellHop]

You mean Avatar? They're behind again.... Still aiming for April i believe.

I had heard April would be quite the achievement at this point.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I had heard April would be quite the achievement at this point.

I heard a very similar statement today as well.... but i believe they can start catching up if DAK stops staying open late.

 

[Mike S]

I heard a very similar statement today as well.... but i believe they can start catching up if DAK stops staying open late.

I'll be ok with that and I assume plenty of others. When I was there for the night hours the place was pretty much dead. There's not enough there to keep it open that late yet. Get Avatar open sooner.