Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald takes over the creative direction of Epcot

[CrescentLake]

They need to be really careful, I'm getting optimistic.

 

[ChrisFL]

At least Tom has been around since EPCOT Center's opening.

 

[djkidkaz]

The new paint scheme going into future world seems contradictory to getting Epcot back to its roots.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

I don't think there has been a press release.

But yes, there is a desire in WDI to get Epcot back on track.

But is there any significant amount of money behind those desires?

 

[Marc Gil]

This is fantastic news! Can't wait to see some progress in these next few years! After the opening of SDMT, I'm hoping they announce big things for EPCOT

 

[Virtual Toad]

@wdwmagic, Do you have any concrete evidence and/or sources to back up the statement that WDI wants to return Epcot to its roots, or is that statement just wishful thinking (because it is something many of us are wishing for)?

Not trying to nitpick, I'm just genuinely curious about the genesis of that statement and want to know exactly *how* optimistic we should be.

 

[willtravel]

It's good this guy is big on screens. He can bring back Worldkey and tie it to Next gen. He can change the Norway flick too, that would be a screen.

As long as he doesn't change Imagination to a screen ride.

 

[Kman101]

As for the new paint scheme (ew), we don't know he had anything to do with that. Let's hope not!

 

[articos]

@wdwmagic, Do you have any concrete evidence and/or sources to back up the statement that WDI wants to return Epcot to its roots, or is that statement just wishful thinking (because it is something many of us are wishing for)?

Not trying to nitpick, I'm just genuinely curious about the genesis of that statement and want to know exactly *how* optimistic we should be.

WDI has wanted to get Epcot back on track for a while. The statement is not wishful thinking. Fitz is being shuffled for a reason. Tom has a love for Epcot, and understands the park. Disney moves slowly, but Epcot is on the radar.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

But yes, there is a desire in WDI to get Epcot back on track.

I believe that's been implied for some time now, but the major point of concern has always been "who's paying for it?"

At some point Disney will have to realize the amount of corporate dollars the park once enjoyed is never going to come back and any changes they want to make will have to be funded by themselves. It's why I think more character based stuff will come to the park because it's an easier concept for the higher ups to buy into.

 

[TravisMT81]

The internal press release says this.

 

[NoChesterHester]

Lets not be so cynical. This really is good news. 24 hours ago we were all convinced NOTHING was happening at all.

 

[Lee]

But yes, there is a desire in WDI to get Epcot back on track.

That desire has been there for years. Well, I should say the desire to do something at Epcot. That something hasn't always been....umm...great.

As for putting Fitz in charge.....
I'm skeptical, and will remain so until I see something positive happen. He doesn't have my trust.

 

[Tramp&TheLady]

YES!!!!!!!!!! Finally they have realized what we have been screaming about for years. Man I am uber excited about this. Best news in a long time!!

 

[TeddyinMO]

Consider the timing... Iger's due to step down in 2016. That means he no longer has to focus only on the shareholder return -- of course, he can't forget it, but he's bought himself some time with the incredible run he's been on. Now, he can focus on legacy building. He's completed DCA, he's building Shanghai, the movie division is flying high and Marvel is huge with Star Wars looming on the horizon close behind. MM+ is mostly implemented and NFL has expanded MK capacity. AK is well on its way with Avatar too. The last step is to fix Epcot, DHS and Paris (which we've seen rumors of this week too). Is it possible that he is wanting to make his legacy complete and really bust Potter land on the way out? I am no insider, but from a business, executive, and even an ego standpoint, it makes a lot of sense. And, he's certainly built up a ton of goodwill with shareholders to do just that.

 

[themonkeyisthesultan]

I think a nice first step would be to change the park's name back to EPCOT Center.

 

[NoChesterHester]

The new paint scheme going into future world seems contradictory to getting Epcot back to its roots.

Well getting back to its roots doesn't necessarily mean going backwards.

 

[Virtual Toad]

WDI has wanted to get Epcot back on track for a while. The statement is not wishful thinking. Fitz is being shuffled for a reason. Tom has a love for Epcot, and understands the park. Disney moves slowly, but Epcot is on the radar.

That sounds a bit more substantive. Let's hope their desire aligns with the company's desire to fund it!

 

[roj2323]

What's with all the skepticism? I thought this line alone would have given you a joyous heart attack:

"Disney is poised to begin a major re-Imagineering of Epcot, looking to restore the original intent of the park in both Future World and World Showcase."

Positive thoughts, positive thoughts!!

Hopefully they will start with canceling the color wheel Repainting project of Invoventions and paint it something that is clean and appealing. In short, I'm not a fan of salmon color it has been for years but the Technicolor motif looks cheap.

 

[GoofGoof]

I would have thought if EPCOT was returning to it's past, a Spirit might have heard something before today's announcement.

He did say a new DVC was likely at EPCOT