Depends on how it's presented. If it were done in a similar way to UoE and WoM, sure. But I was thinking more along the lines of the TT car building. Let it be engaging, using the IPs to make it more exciting to kids nowadays.
I think the problem behind "edutainment" is people's idea of it. Sure, the way it was presented 30+ years ago isn't working as well today. From an education perspective, with current attention spans and what kids (and adults, alike) have access to these days, I think it's role in keeping audiences/guests engaged is as relevant as it has ever been when it comes to learning.
As a person who regularly puts together presentations and learning materials (for adults in a corporate environment) I can tell you that I spend more time working on making what I'm producing compelling than I do on the actual source material I'm trying to present. In this day and age where everyone has one (or more) devices on them competing for attention, it's become more important than ever and that's not even taking into consideration what modern science tells us about the way people learn and retain information which for most of human history, was completely misunderstood.
That said, the thing about Epcot is that modern Disney has completely given up on the concept of what it was originally supposed to be. Edutainment hasn't failed in so much as Disney has decided that it's cheaper, easier, and more profitable to step away from just about every concept this park was founded on.
Just consider the gravity building. When Epcot first opened, experimental construction techniques were employed in many of the future world buildings. With only unique exceptions such as The Land** (where the size and scope of the structure were intentionally hidden to put more focus in the front on... well, land) the actual attraction spaces were housed in these unique structures that were
meant to be seen and marveled at. There were no "go away" paint colors. These buildings weren't just facades hiding conventional warehouse structures the way rides of similar scope (POTC, HM, for instance) were handled in the past. Universe of energy lived up to its promise employing solar power cells into it's design which were intended to be a
feature of the ascetic and not just a tack-on.
For various reasons, almost every optimistic and ambitious idea Disney originally had for this park has slowly been killed off. In terms of construction, GOTG isn't the first. Soarin ride buildings and Mission Space* which is a basic box on the back by a stylish front(both with a crazy-long exit due in part to their decision on the construction/hidden aspect) were early droppers of the original concept but GOTG obviously raises the bar with an even more obvious structure and an attraction that is (pardon the pun) entirely
alien to the for-now theme of this part of the park.
As what was, for most of its life, the second most visited theme park in the World, Epcot never really failed in original execution. The problem is that management failed to maintain and expand it. The world changes and the what we are shown as fact along with how it is presented, needs to, too.
A lot changed in the world of energy over the time that the Ellen version of UOE ran and Disney couldn't even be pressed to update to reflect the fact that most people today don't even know the star of the attraction from the sitcom version of her shown there. What hope did we ever have that they were going to redo anything else about it to make it more relative not just to today's audience but also today's reality of energy?
Keeping up with developments in the world to continue to educate takes more effort than Disney, without a sponsor in the sector willing to foot the bill, is interested in outlaying.
So Epcot is changing. We'll have a permanent outdoor beer garden in place of an indoor (air conditioned) interactive area for learning. It'll be much cheaper to maintain and update and will make a lot more money than what was there before, I'm sure.
While Epcot continues to change, those of us who remember and love what it once was will continue to be unhappy. We will continue to complain about things like this attraction, not because we don't want to see it built (well, most of us, anyway) but because we are sad that it comes at the expense of something we know is never coming back.
For those of you who came along later and saw only the mess of neglect that resulted from Disney not showing an interest in upkeep, I know this probably doesn't make sense. To you, anything new and at least semi-well done feels like a huge win but Epcot was once something totally unique in concept and vision. For those who liked that, seeing it turned into this place that is basically a weird Magic Kingdom widely known for alcohol is... uncomfortable.
*That a large and genuinely unique structure was demolished to make room for the small warehouse box that replaced it was a disappointing loss - at least the UOE front is being kept in some form - even if it is just to act as the facade to hide the new show building, I guess.
**Edited to add, as someone pointed out that JII was largely housed in a boxy structure behind the pyramids. This perhaps seems less obvious and offensive because this was worked into the design of the park to better hide - a luxury they had starting from scratch that they don't really have with additions but just the same, it's closer to Haunted mansion and Pirates than not.
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