Iger mentions plans for EPCOT

Omnispace

Omnispace

Well-Known Member
Progress.City said:
If you think of it, money spent on EPCOT could go a long way because most of FW simply just need "software" upgrades and not new show buildings. I can forecast what will not be included:

Soaring/ The Land
Test Track
Nemo

These attractions could get new software:

UoE
Space
Magic Eye Theater

A complete redo of the Imagination ride would probably be the most costly of the entire project.

Updates to SSE and new Innovation exhibits are also a given.

If they really wanted to spend money, there is still one parcel of vacant land left in FW.

There is also the WoL question. It could be torn down and replaced, gutted and replaced, or left as an exhibition hall.
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Good ideas. Don't forget about Innoventions. The current "black box" concept, (in that any sponsor can move in there and set up a random exhibit), is a detriment to the function of Future World -- not to mention that a lack of sponsorship has left entire areas vacant. What is lost from Communicore is the permeability of the buildings and the relationship between the exhibits there and the surrounding pavilions. I don't wish to armchair imagineer the details, but a revamped Innoventions (give it a new name) could be the centerpiece to creating a revitalized Epcot. Opening-up all those pavilions to the outdoors again and placing several relevant attractions there that can be a draw for guests would be two big moves they can make. There would be more a sense of place and guests would be able to move around Future World more easily.
 
Bocabear

Bocabear

Well-Known Member
Iger said they are working on some plans and are yet unnamed... That coould be anything... where are we getting "Big Plans" out of that? Their "Plans" could be a Frozen Dinner Package and a price increase... I think it is just too vague to speculate...
 
JWG

JWG

Well-Known Member
I fully expect that WDW will be in the best shape it's been since open by 2021. If DL is an example in 2005, they'll want to have the place looking sharp for MK's 50th. It looks like most things will be done between 2016-2019 at the other parks. That leaves Epcot and a few years. I think they'll do something at Epcot during that time as other things (Pandora, Toy Story Land, etc.) come off the docket.
 
bethymouse

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
JWG said:
I fully expect that WDW will be in the best shape it's been since open by 2021. If DL is an example in 2005, they'll want to have the place looking sharp for MK's 50th. It looks like most things will be done between 2016-2019 at the other parks. That leaves Epcot and a few years. I think they'll do something at Epcot during that time as other things (Pandora, Toy Story Land, etc.) come off the docket.
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OMG! I have to wait 5 years!:arghh:
 
D

doctornick

Well-Known Member
hpyhnt 1000 said:
THIS so many times over. Even if we ignore the "characters don't belong in Epcot" argument, Nemo and Donald taking over their respective rides are still annoying because of the execution. They're generic Fantasyland-esque overlays that center on the characters rather than the pavilion. These attractions should be focused on the oceans and Mexico, not finding Nemo and Donald.

Using characters to explore a larger topic is EXACTLY why the original Journey into Imagination was such a great attraction. The ride was not about Figment; it was about the human creative process with Figment being used as a way to introduce concepts and ideas.
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This. There's a good way to use characters effectively and keep with the "mission" of Epcot. You can have Nemo in the Living Seas but it should be as an avenue to present exploration of the underwater world (Mr Ray is a perfect host for that with Nemo as the wide eyed comic relief). Rehashing the film in ride format doesn't fit at all.

Use Professor Von Drake to explain science concepts in a ride would work. Using Hiro and Baymax to host a robotics exhibit would work. Disney doesn't seem to want to make the effort and choose the lazy way out.
 
po1998

po1998

Well-Known Member
Even if at one time WDW was looking for EPCOT attraction sponsors, that clearly shouldn't be the reason any longer why this park is in disarray. Get sponsors if you can, and if not, they clearly have the means to fix this mess themselves.

It drives me crazy whenever any brings up sponsors as the reason why Disney let this park go down the ter.
 
EPCOTCenterLover

EPCOTCenterLover

Well-Known Member
Of course, Iger mentions plans for Epcot. He has to. So many people inside and outside the company know its been neglected for too long. Whether they actually do have plans or not, he has to look like he cares about the park beyond the booze festivals. He couldn't actually admit anything but having plans.
 
SpaceMountain77

SpaceMountain77

Well-Known Member
(1) It surprises me to hear that Mr. Iger is aware of the existence of Epcot. I had assumed he knew it as Disney's Festival Center.

(2) Mission: Space and Test Track center on physical science and electrical engineering, respectively. If the neighboring pavilions become anything other than STEM centered, then the eastern side of the park is going to be a thematic mess.
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
UpAllNight said:
The issue is however, that Disney could spend hundreds of millions on creating rides which showcase technology, but the follow up to a kids excitement and wonder of what they have seen would not be another trip to Epcot, it would be getting out their phone and looking things up on the Internet. It's a major cultural shift that Disney just can't compete with.
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An effect can't prevent a cause. Kids following up an attraction by looking it up on their phone to learn more would be a fabulous outcome.

Herbie said:
Not sure we're on the same page here...
Do I agree with the truth I presented? Debatable, because I am atleast open to experiencing the change in Epcot's direction. Should they settle for exclusive IP? No. Should they give up on their original mission? No. But they're going to have to compromise in some ways.

I personally have a hard time believing the younger children and the Brazil tour groups are going to Disney expecting to see the Epcot of years' past. Around 2008, before I moved to Florida, I was planning a Disney trip with my family. I remember my aunt, superficial as she may be, complaining about the lack of rides in regards to Epcot. I believe the trip she took for her sons' sports tournament thing was probably around 2000-2003.

After living in Florida for a few years, my older sister and I travel to Disney a bit, having annual passes and such. She's the Magic Kingdom-type fan, per se. She does love Soarin' though. But I don't think she's even aware that Universe of Energy, Journey Into Imagination, or even Test Track exist. The only reason we've set foot in Innoventions is, surprise, the Sum of All Thrills. I have a feeling that, if these perspectives don't represent the 'general public' as you say, then they at least represent a very decent-sized portion.
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You're still just arbitrarily picked one set of interests and ascribing to them an undeserved superiority.

UpAllNight said:
You make good points and it's hard to argue against most of the points you make. I will however have to disagree with the notion that the culture of people and way we have developed over the decades has no impact, in regards to this specific point on a futuristic theme of Epcot that it is more difficult for Disney to achieve what they could in the past.
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Futurism is always difficult. The key is thinking bigger than the immediate future.

Omnispace said:
When John Lasseter came on board with Disney I remember reading an interview in which he talked about how he would like to enable bringing fresh content onto the parks. In fact, I think his statement went so far as to suggest having a movie and a related theme park attraction debut at the same time so that one could see the movie and immediately enjoy the experience at the parks. I'm not going to suggest that Lasseter is behind the shoehorning of ill-placed attractions into the parks but the mindset of turning the parks into a place for current IP definitely resonates with him, based on that article. The challenge is understanding what IP is going to be a classic and what is going to be a transient fad. Walt Disney seemed to have that ability but it's not evident that he current WDC does.
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It's long been a goal of Disney's and it was touted as a sort of given following the Pixar acquisition. But Lasseter should just be largely discounted when it comes to parks as e used up all of his influence on Cars Land.

Brer Panther said:
Why not? The Haunted Mansion still has decent lines, and I don't think there are any movie characters in it (unless you count the Jack Skellington cameos). Same with the Jungle Cruise.
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The "general public" bought into new characters in Frozen, Inside Out, Finding Nemo and the first film of every franchise that gets brought up as necessary to engage the public.
 

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