Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald takes over the creative direction of Epcot

[MarkTwain]

Not singling out your post, but it reminds me of a question I have for the community... what exactly would people want/expect to see in Innoventions? I see it knocked often here, but I'm not sure exactly what people are looking for. To be honest, I don't remember Communicore all that well.

I understand wanting to see the characters out of Epcot and Innoventions is ground zero for that. But otherwise, Innoventions seems pretty reasonable to me. The stuff in West is somewhat kid oriented, but decent for what they are; meanwhile, the IBM Think exhibit goes along with the ideals of classic Epcot. In East, Sum of All Thrills is IMHO quite enjoyable and a completely underrated (and not well known) gem.

I'm not saying I love Innoventions, but it never really struck me as a problem either. Just curious as to what others think.

Speaking personally, my issue with Innoventions isn't so much with the content; I realize that the current model has it so that Disney's largely dependent on whichever sponsors are available. And many of the exhibits, as pointed out, ARE interesting in their own right. My issue is more with the presentation. While Disney has made sure the individual exhibits meet the sponsors' expectations, the total effect of the space is simply of dark, windy and confusing hallways wrapping around the bare exterior walls of the inward-facing exhibits, with the covered windows not doing much to help the atmosphere.

I wouldn't object to a sponsor-driven exhibit model like the current Innoventions, but if it were up to me I'd be a little more careful to coordinate the exhibits (and perhaps being willing to negotiate a slightly lower fee on the sponsors' part) to ensure they could more cohesively co-exist in a more open, naturally lit environment. Take down some of the high walls, or at the very least the window coverings, and arrange the spaces to be more open and intuitive.

Anyone have a before/now map of the Communicore/Innoventions complex? @marni1971 ?

 

[PhotoDave219]

They do, Magic Kingdom

Disney Characters have been in Epcot since the beginning.

I'm curious what your justification for a Disney theme park NOT having characters is. Essay form, plz.

 

[Captain Neo]

Disney Characters have been in Epcot since the beginning.

I'm curious what your justification for a Disney theme park NOT having characters is. Essay form, plz.

This isn't true at all

 

[PhotoDave219]

This isn't true at all

Then cite something. Back up your argument. Because Mickey & Goofy in their futuristic spacesuits have been in photos from October 1982. Then you had Dreamfinder & Figment from the early 80s as well.

So if you're gonna tell me I'm wrong, back it up. Either way, Characters have been in Epcot for over 20 years.

 

[Matt_Black]

Then cite something. Back up your argument. Because Mickey & Goofy in their futuristic spacesuits have been in photos from October 1982. Then you had Dreamfinder & Figment from the early 80s as well.

Also, Ben Franklin.

 

[Captain Neo]

Then cite something. Back up your argument. Because Mickey & Goofy in their futuristic spacesuits have been in photos from October 1982. Then you had Dreamfinder & Figment from the early 80s as well.

So if you're gonna tell me I'm wrong, back it up. Either way, Characters have been in Epcot for over 20 years.

I can't find any photos of Mickey and Goofy in Epcot opening day. I know what costumes you are talking about as I have seen them in promotional images but my understanding is that they were added at a later date when people complained (A similar situation occurred at Disney's California Adventure when it first opened that there was a lack of Disney characters).

EDIT: So far looks like I'm correct http://www.imagineeringdisney.com/blog/tag/epcot Characters were added by Michael Eisner when he took over later on.

Epcot's early days did have some characters but they were original creations for the park like the World Showcase children:

and as you said Figment & D-Finder

 

[lazyboy97o]

Then cite something. Back up your argument. Because Mickey & Goofy in their futuristic spacesuits have been in photos from October 1982. Then you had Dreamfinder & Figment from the early 80s as well.

So if you're gonna tell me I'm wrong, back it up. Either way, Characters have been in Epcot for over 20 years.

It's well documented in plenty of EPCOT Center histories. You're ultimately asking for a negative to be proven since your basis is the promotional images. Even then the characters showed up in promotional material for Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom far more than they actually did within the parks.

 

[Kman101]

According to this article: http://www.examiner.com/article/a-first-hand-account-as-epcot-turns-30-years-old

Characters were appearing as early as 1985. EPCOT opened in 1982. We're splitting hairs here.

 

[Matt_Black]

According to this article: http://www.examiner.com/article/a-first-hand-account-as-epcot-turns-30-years-old

Characters were appearing as early as 1985. EPCOT opened in 1982. We're splitting hairs here.

Simple, but not bad. Way too many pop-ups over there, and a blatant spelling error in the last sentence. GWORN?

 

[asianway]

According to this article: http://www.examiner.com/article/a-first-hand-account-as-epcot-turns-30-years-old

Characters were appearing as early as 1985. EPCOT opened in 1982. We're splitting hairs here.

It's not splitting hairs, in the beginning it was very intentional to keep them out.

 

[Matt_Black]

And that is no longer the intent and hasn't been for at least 2 decades.

 

[Darth Sidious]

Not known yet. My personal opinion, Disney knows physical sets are a value, so I wouldn't get overly concerned. However, screens are a cheap way to get more for your dollar when building attractions. It's just a matter of integrating them properly.
Can't answer this yet.
Yes.
Hope, yes. Have to wait and see if it's realized. But this is a good day for Epcot.

A screen behind a physical set could be a great compliment. I envision a set like Splash with some screens behind to create a more immersive environment with moving clouds and other effects. That would look great but I doubt a screen would be used in that small of a complimentary role.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

According to this article: http://www.examiner.com/article/a-first-hand-account-as-epcot-turns-30-years-old

Characters were appearing as early as 1985. EPCOT opened in 1982. We're splitting hairs here.

It's more than splitting hairs. EPCOT Center was conceived of deliberately void of traditional characters (apart from the odd one briefly popping up here or there). By very design philosophy, to distinguish it from the MK, to present it as a different park, with different aspirations than to be just an amusement park.

And that was in a WDW where the MK had less cartoons than Epcot has now. Outside of Fantasyland, toons were mostly limited to walk-round characters.

 

[Kman101]

I know what the point of EPCOT was.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Since some have posted their wishes for a revitalized EPCOT, allow me to add mine.

My understanding has been that Horizons was a sequel to a Carousel of Progress. I'd like to see the WOL pavilion either repurposed or replaced with a combo of a transplanted COP and a new Horizons. Due to the space limitations, I suspect this may require a new, more vertical structure.

From my perspective, this would put a treasured part of the Walt Disney legacy in the most appropriate park, return what was, IMO, one of EPCOTs better attractions, and open up a space for an addition to Tomorrowland.

Let me go one step further. Instead of one country, add a "global village" in World Showcase with architecture from multiple nations not presently represented. And move "It's a Small World" there. This would have the further benefit of freeing up a considerable area in Fantasyland for Frozen or other attraction(s).

Again, just a couple of my wishes.

Count me amongst those that want to see "it's a small world" moved to Epcot. My suggestion has been where The Odyssey currently sits.

 

[RSoxNo1]

LOL. I get that, but they won't ever take the characters out of Epcot. It's not like you see Mickey roaming around Germany or Goofy in Morocco. And I'm one who actually doesn't mind the face characters in the countries their films are based in. Now, Donald in Mexico ... I can agree with that, but I see why they would do that. Again, not saying I agree, but I see why.

I also understand folks want the countries to remain 'pure' and 'character free' but that just isn't the reality anymore, as much as I'd like it to be.

Isn't Epcot the park that had the character omnibus ... Characters have almost always been in Epcot. Figment, anyone? The space outfits for Mickey, etc. back in the day ....

 

[RSoxNo1]

Then cite something. Back up your argument. Because Mickey & Goofy in their futuristic spacesuits have been in photos from October 1982. Then you had Dreamfinder & Figment from the early 80s as well.

So if you're gonna tell me I'm wrong, back it up. Either way, Characters have been in Epcot for over 20 years.

Where they there on opening day or added shortly thereafter? My recollection was shortly thereafter, but I could be wrong.

 

[asianway]

Where they there on opening day or added shortly thereafter? My recollection was shortly thereafter, but I could be wrong.

Not there on opening day

 

[alphac2005]

Disney rarely seems to "go back" (unless it suits them) so I don't want to see folks to get their hopes up for a Figment ride that was exactly like the original (even if I agree they should try and recapture it as much as possible and yes to most it would be a brand new ride). They could surprise us but it's like them rebuilding Horizons. It probably won't ever happen. Unfortunately.

The only going back is to sell shirts and pins with attractions that they've shuttered.

 

[George]

Also, Ben Franklin.

In all seriousness, I've always felt that in WS you ought to have historical personages from the various countries out and about. There are plenty of non-controversial, famous people from each country that if they were walking about in appropriate period garb, people would stop, get pictures with them, and it would be a different sub-subset of autographs than just the traditional characters. "Mom, I need to get Emperor Qianlong's autograph before we go home!" You could even augment the famous actual historical figures with famous folk from literature from a few countries (Sherlock Holmes, say). Plus, you could have a few generalized iconic folk (samurai in Japan, etc.) out and about. If done right, it could work really well. This might be a terrible idea, but I've always kind of liked it.