News Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind attraction confirmed for Epcot

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

I'm amused by the "Epcot Purists" who adamantly refuse to accept any changes to "their" park.

You don't get it ... but that's ok.

I am an Epcot "purist" and all that means is I want the park to hold true to its MISSION and THEME. I don't hold each attraction to its originally built standard. I don't want to step foot into Epcot in 2017 and sit in seats, watch show scenes and films, and see animatronics that haven't changed since 1982.

What I DO want is to go to Epcot and see an organic growth of its original self. A growth that is well constructed and born over time and not simple shoehorned IP bandaids here and there to keep the audience happy. It is extremely sad and telling of our society that the vast majority of park attendees can't enjoy themselves anymore unless they see "that character" or hear "that song from that movie". Disney isn't stupid. They know about 80% of their guests only visit the parks to see Mickey and Elsa and now Star Lord and Chewbacca. They're driven by money and whatever is the hot ticket item at the box office. However, the more they continue to do this, the less identity Epcot retains. Corporate can stand on stage and wave their "more Disney, more timeless, more relevant" banner all they want, but they're not fooling me. Epcot as an entity is no longer what it was and THAT is what us "purists" are upset over.

 

[Rutt]

Expedition Everest would be a good recent example of something original that successfully brought people to the park. I remember its cool marketing as well and the fact there was a billboard right near where I lived. There was even a special on Discovery Channel.

It was, but that was also 11 years ago. Society has changed a lot. Potter changed a lot as far as Parks go as well. Im not saying I agree with the current thinking, but it is pretty clear that the popular belief business wise is that originality is out and IP/Brand recognition is in. It's probably the laziest route in the world to take, but it gives things instant recognition to the masses. No need to really explain the rides, or why theyre there. Just 'Its Frozen, come do it!" "Its a Guardians ride! You have to do it!"

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

It's probably the laziest route in the world to take, but it gives things instant recognition to the masses. No need to really explain the rides, or why theyre there. Just 'Its Frozen, come do it!" "Its a Guardians ride! You have to do it!"

^ This x 1,000.

What's truly ironic is that by trying to out-do Universal, Disney has quite literally turned into Universal in the process.

 

[Jenny72]

That's kind of what I was getting at. At least for the people I know, the reason to go to Disney is not for the latest fad, but that it's *Disney.* It's unique, special, timeless, a childhood ritual. If Disney just becomes Universal, it eats away at that. So I wonder about the longevity of Disney.

The Universal fans I know are mainly thrill seekers. That's also fine, but it's not really an institution the way Disney is. If a bigger roller coaster is somewhere else, they'll just go there (Six Flags, etc.). Disney should stay special if it wants to keep longevity.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

That's kind of what I was getting at. At least for the people I know, the reason to go to Disney is not for the latest fad, but that it's *Disney.* It's unique, special, timeless, a childhood ritual. If Disney just becomes Universal, it eats away at that. So I wonder about the longevity of Disney.

The Universal fans I know are mainly thrill seekers. That's also fine, but it's not really an institution the way Disney is. If a bigger roller coaster is somewhere else, they'll just go there (Six Flags, etc.). Disney should stay special if it wants to keep longevity.

I truly hope they get people back in charge of the company that realize this, and can course-correct for the road ahead.

 

[HauntedPirate]

It was, but that was also 11 years ago. Society has changed a lot. Potter changed a lot as far as Parks go as well. Im not saying I agree with the current thinking, but it is pretty clear that the popular belief business wise is that originality is out and IP/Brand recognition is in. It's probably the laziest route in the world to take, but it gives things instant recognition to the masses. No need to really explain the rides, or why they're there. Just 'Its Frozen, come do it!" "Its a Guardians ride! You have to do it!"

Nailed it. Per Iger, their strategies are now to "de-risk" things (not just movies), "cost containment" throughout the parks, and with Chappie as his #2, they're going to leverage movie IP and brands at every possible turn, in the name of synergy and merchandising.

^ This x 1,000.

What's truly ironic is that by trying to out-do Universal, Disney has quite literally turned into Universal in the process.

Yup. They are not-so-slowly descending to "Ride the movies!!!", just like Universal was for decades.

 

[larryz]

You don't get it ... but that's ok.

I am an Epcot "purist" and all that means is I want the park to hold true to its MISSION and THEME. I don't hold each attraction to its originally built standard. I don't want to step foot into Epcot in 2017 and sit in seats, watch show scenes and films, and see animatronics that haven't changed since 1982.

What I DO want is to go to Epcot and see an organic growth of its original self. A growth that is well constructed and born over time and not simple shoehorned IP bandaids here and there to keep the audience happy. It is extremely sad and telling of our society that the vast majority of park attendees can't enjoy themselves anymore unless they see "that character" or hear "that song from that movie". Disney isn't stupid. They know about 80% of their guests only visit the parks to see Mickey and Elsa and now Star Lord and Chewbacca. They're driven by money and whatever is the hot ticket item at the box office. However, the more they continue to do this, the less identity Epcot retains. Corporate can stand on stage and wave their "more Disney, more timeless, more relevant" banner all they want, but they're not fooling me. Epcot as an entity is no longer what it was and THAT is what us "purists" are upset over.

I DO get it. But I got over it.

And I particularly appreciate the irony of you using a gif of Picard's facepalm, considering the "Trek Purists" who had a cow when he took over as Captain of the Enterprise...

 

[MrHappy]

That's kind of what I was getting at. At least for the people I know, the reason to go to Disney is not for the latest fad, but that it's *Disney.* It's unique, special, timeless, a childhood ritual. If Disney just becomes Universal, it eats away at that. So I wonder about the longevity of Disney.

The Universal fans I know are mainly thrill seekers. That's also fine, but it's not really an institution the way Disney is. If a bigger roller coaster is somewhere else, they'll just go there (Six Flags, etc.). Disney should stay special if it wants to keep longevity.

IMO, this Disney trajectory you're describing a) doesn't turn it into Universal b) indicate what truly the future plans are. GOTG is probably the "least Disney" OR "most Universal" IP to have a major attraction...again IMO. Rat, Frozen, what ever they do with Inside Out and Moana...that still feels Disney magic-like to me.
Also, some of the new stuff announced at D23 are "generic" like the Theater house on main street and the Space restaurant at Epcot. And some around these boards would've made you think that Iger and Chaps wanted to IP/theme the gondola too.

I've mentioned portfolio balance before, I think that's what's going on. Just a little unexpected spice in the soup, thats all.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

I DO get it. But I got over it.

And I particularly appreciate the irony of you using a gif of Picard's facepalm, considering the "Trek Purists" who had a cow when he took over as Captain of the Enterprise...

I'll take your word for it. But at first glance, your statement of amusement didn't strike me as you "getting it".

And I'm about as non-Trekkie as they come, so any irony was purely coincidence. I just love the reaction

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

If I could give this a 1000 thumbs down and vote you the worlds biggest drama queen, I would.

Disney and Universal do what they do very differently.
From the guy that spent 3 days at each park this summer and most summers. Give it a rest.

Also, not exactly a track record, but their latest attraction Avatar is FREAKING AMAZING!!!

Go ahead and vote, but I'd only be taking the crown from you. Seriously, wow.

Explain to me though how Disney isn't completely throwing their hat in the "ride the movies" ring that Universal branded back in the 90s?? Clearly Disney will always have superior quality to Uni, but the sentiments of both of their parks are strikingly similar, and Disney shows no signs of slowing down that train.

 

[wdisney9000]

GOTG is a big time franchise now. Chris Pratt is also an A-list actor.

GoTG and/or Chris Pratt only serve as a recognizable feature to elicit an emotional response. It does not signify quality or theme in any way. Cafe Risque has billboards with scantily clad women all along highway 75 to catch your attention. It only serves to cater to those interested in that particular type of service. There is no mystery. You now exactly what your getting when you see Chris Pratt as Star Lord or a half naked woman on a billboard. Lowest common denominator and all that...

For me, I prefer to hold opinion till the project is complete.

The same was said about FEA and Fantasyland Expansion. Neither have done much for attendance and profits, let alone actually providing groundbreaking and awe inspiring entertainment. Fool me once.......

 

[wdisney9000]

If I could give this a 1000 thumbs down and vote you and some of the "purists" the worlds biggest drama queens, I would.

Calling people names is nothing more than lack of a coherent and educated rebuttal.

From the guy that spent 3 days at each park this summer and most summers. Give it a rest.

3 WHOLE DAYS!!!! Wowzers!

 

[ChrisFL]

Putting this into context, whether GOTG is a big franchise now or not isn't the point.....it's akin to asking whether Star Wars belongs in Epcot....they're both franchises that deal almost entirely in fantasy with no basis in real science/technology.

That isn't a knock on either franchise as I greatly enjoy both (GOTG2 was extremely entertaining) as much as it is explaining where the attractions would fit in better other than Epcot.

We're seeing Disney execs play the game of trying to "spread the wealth" of attractions to other parks, instead of MK which I fully understand. If TRON was going to Epcot instead, I don't know whether that would be considered a better fit but it is slightly more grounded in earth in modern times.

 

[Kman101]

Oh this thread ... it's going to be a long couple of years.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Go ahead and vote, but I'd only be taking the crown from you.

This has got to stop right now. It's a 'tiara', not a 'crown.'

That is all.

 

[Irie]

I'm amused by the "Epcot Purists" who adamantly refuse to accept any changes to "their" park.

I'm amused by people who have no idea what a "theme park" is supposed to be.

 

[FigmentJedi]

A quick google search tells you they got listed on the NYSE in 1957. That means they definitely had shareholders by the time they were building EPCOT Center.

I went to the Griffith Observatory and witnessed a pretty decent crowd. There was even a large group watching the simple tech of a pendulum clock. The Museum of Natural History in New York has also been packed whenever I've been there.

Same goes for Chicago's Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry.

 

[Jenny72]

I can say for sure that my kids love the "museum-style" attractions at Epcot (SE, Living with the Land) and would have loved World of Motion. In fact, I have to ride SE over and over with them (which is easy because of its capacity!). And they are normal kids who like Dumbo, Mine Train, etc. too.

Why do people keep saying that everyone thinks Epcot is boring, no one goes, etc. Hasn't it been only behind the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland for attendance in the U.S.? What's the actual (numerical) basis for assuming that people (especially kids) find Epcot boring, and without more excitement, absolutely no one will come?

 

[lazyboy97o]

I can say for sure that my kids love the "museum-style" attractions at Epcot (SE, Living with the Land) and would have loved World of Motion. In fact, I have to ride SE over and over with them (which is easy because of its capacity!). And they are normal kids who like Dumbo, Mine Train, etc. too.

Why do people keep saying that everyone thinks Epcot is boring, no one goes, etc. Hasn't it been only behind the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland for attendance in the U.S.? What's the actual (numerical) basis for assuming that people (especially kids) find Epcot boring, and without more excitement, absolutely no one will come?

Epcot remains less popular than EPCOT Center based on attendance. The story that EPCOT Center was a bust was part of the justification for Roy’s coup in 1984. Michael Eisner also never understood or liked the park.

 

[Mike S]

Epcot remains less popular than EPCOT Center based on attendance. The story that EPCOT Center was a bust was part of the justification for Roy’s coup in 1984. Michael Eisner also never understood or liked the park.

At least he was willing to give the go ahead on projects like Living Seas, Wonders of Life, Norway, and Morocco in his early years.