Disney did not invest the money to keep Epcot's pavilions relevant. Having the future as a theme is not a "set it and forget it" decision. It requires periodic (perhaps continuous) re-investment.
That is somewhat how it happened, however, it is a little more complicated then that. When they envisioned EPCOT they thought two things... One that industry would want to display their new "toys" there and therefore provide free future things to look at and keep the thought current. That, of course, is Future World. The timing was also terrible, because by the time it opened, or shortly after, technological advancement came at warp speed. There wasn't anyway anyone could have kept up. By the time they upgraded, things had changed so it was time for something new again. I honestly think that they didn't know what to do, so they did nothing for a long time. The old Energy was a godawful, commercial for Exxon. Horizon was still futuristic, but, focus had changed and those looks at the future were no longer what we were looking to do. WoM was a fun show with catchy music and funny scenes, but, it was really just a commercial for General Motors. The Seas were still relevant due to the fact that a fish is a fish, but, undersea systems were no longer considered the direction to go in. The land was nice, but, it didn't exactly increase your heart rate. It was more an old persons place to be. (Sort of like Cyprus Gardens, and we know what happened to that.) Basically all of it had started to be ignored by the public. Yes, of course, there were always people there, but the repeat-ability only existed with the die hard EPCOT fans. The lines were no more. The crowds were becoming smaller and smaller. Imagination still had a mind blowing beginning, but, the rest of the ride was pretty boring. Again the repeat-ability was less then stellar. They really didn't know what to do. If they decided to do what they are presently doing and do a little Synergy, they got the disdain of the Epcot purist. They couldn't just tear it all out. They needed to find a way to keep what was there with a new slant. Wonders of Life was a great pavilion if you didn't mind being reminded that all that stuff you are doing (except walking miles a day) was bad for you while you were on vacation. Those Turkey legs, Mickey Bars, Dole Whips were all things that WoL made you feel guilty about. Body Wars made people motion sick and the best part of Cranium Command was the pre-show unless you were a pre-teen.
In my mind, it didn't stand a chance. They have now dipped their toes in a few things. M:S replacing Horizons was not received by many as an improvement, except the younger set, those people that eventually would be deciding where to bring their own kids on vacation. (Oh, yea... and me a full fledged senior) The switch from WoM to Test Track was another shout out to youth, however, still a commercial for General Motors (later, Chevrolet division) Then along came Soarin followed by Nemo in The Seas. The massacre of Imagination was of no benefit to anyone. Then along came the Three Caballeros in Mexico and now I heard a small rumor that Frozen was in Norway. It will come fast and furious for awhile now, I think, the foot is in the door and the gap is getting wider. For those of us that really enjoyed the original EPCOT it is a bitter pill to swallow, but, I don't see where they had any choice other then to close the place up. The demand just plan was no longer there for what was.
As for World Showcase, it was designed to copy something that at the time was very popular and that was a World Fair. Countries and Cities used to bid to get a worlds fair in there cities. It brought in tourists from all over and was a very popular venue to show of the virtues of specific countries, states, provinces, etc. Very shortly after EPCOT opened the idea of a Worlds Fair went out of style. Everything you wanted to know about other countries was starting to get available on your computer, if before the internet (yes, the internet has not always existed) through video, etc. Anyway people were no longer willing to travel all over the place to just see one thing, it was passe. So many cities having to upgrade their highways, bridges, subways and more, nearly went bankrupt in the process. Some did! Even today the biggest thing to see in the Japanese pavilion is Pokemon, etc. China really is the only one that still maintains a pure sense of China and it's culture, maybe, Canada and the U.S. as well. The whole place needed help and upgrading the pavilions with the same things, just newer was not going to fix anything. It still has lasted longer then one would have expected. It needed change, it had to have change, but, many don't like the changes. That doesn't mean that the overall place will be revived by the new direction, but, it is better then ignoring it completely. And who knows, it just might bring the old girl back to life.
