Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald takes over the creative direction of Epcot

Kman101

Kman101

Well-Known Member
Shocker that was cut down as well. Can we get the original then? LOL. Because M:S leaves a lot to be desired, at least for me. I've ridden once and haven't wanted to ride since. Or sit. And what was the original plan for M:S, I'm curious because I don't recall ever coming across that before. Would like to hear about it.
 
Figments Friend

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
I am not overly excited by this.....but i have my reasons.


This has me concerned...for the future direction of the Park as a whole.

I also have serious doubts now about any of the long proposed improvements actually happening over at the Imagination Pavilion, particularly the rumored consultation on the project by a beloved ex-fulltime Imagineer.

Perhaps things will work out...but i have doubts.
 
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Captain Neo

Captain Neo

Well-Known Member
The more I think about it the new VP and having Fitzgerald be in charge of the Epcot Center portfolio is literally the worst possible situation for Epcot to be in.

It's as if they decided to dump all the losers on Epcot to keep them away from other projects.
 
jt04

jt04

Well-Known Member
Captain Neo said:
The more I think about it the new VP and having Fitzgerald be in charge of the Epcot Center portfolio is literally the worst possible situation for Epcot to be in.

It's as if they decided to dump all the losers on Epcot to keep them away from other projects.
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You should check out updates on ratatouille in Paris. That is the direction I expect they plan to take.
 
note2001

note2001

Well-Known Member
I'd like to stay optimistic and think that any change for EPCOT right now could be a good one. The latest paint job on Communicore shows that whomever approved that disaster was in an "I-don't-care-what-you-do-with-it" place of thinking.

RSoxNo1 said:
Can someone explain to me the Tom Fitzgerald hate? I hear talk of screens, but what has he been behind that was screen heavy?
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Yes, Could anyone please point out exactly what Fitzgerald has done to tick off so many people? I'm not a name follower, and I'm lost on the disappointed reactions to his appointment on here.
 
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TP2000

TP2000

Well-Known Member
doctornick said:
"In WDI" being the key point. Is there a desire "in TDO"?
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Even getting WDI and TDO to have the desire at the same time won't be enough. It will take Burbank to be full of desire too. I'm still talking about theme parks, by the way. :cool:

The project to remake and relaunch DCA was a five-year plan that cost 1.2 Billion Dollars, and had to be approved by the Board of Directors to address a pressing need. The DCA plan was announced by Bob Iger and Jay Rasulo in October, 2007, got under construction in 2008, with phased openings around the park from 2009 thru 2011, and concluded with the opening of Cars Land in 2012. And they spent 1.2 Billion on the deal, which didn't include the cost of Midway Mania which was approved in 2005 and built in 2006-08 with a previous budget.

To fix Epcot you have to go in with a budget that at least matches the DCA remake budget of 1.2 Billion. But considering the scale and scope of what needs to be done at Epcot, the budget will need to be more than what DCA got. Likely much more. Burbank and the Board of Directors will need to be involved for that to ever be considered.
 
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jlsHouston

jlsHouston

Well-Known Member
Lee said:
Ok...I'll give Fitz a chance.
But, please....give him proper funding!

Otherwise...you know...bad things can happen...
tsplmodel_tomfitzgerald.jpg
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I love this:hilarious:
 
NoChesterHester

NoChesterHester

Well-Known Member
TP2000 said:
Even getting WDI and TDO to have the desire at the same time won't be enough. It will take Burbank to be full of desire too. (I'm still talking about theme parks, by the way.)

The project to remake and relaunch DCA was a five-year plan that cost 1.2 Billion Dollars, and had to be approved by the Board of Directors to address a pressing need. The DCA plan was announced by Bob Iger and Jay Rasulo in October, 2007, got under construction in 2008, with phased openings around the park from 2009 thru 2011, and concluded with the opening of Cars Land in 2012. And they spent 1.2 Billion on the deal, which didn't include the cost of Midway Mania which was approved in 2005 and built in 2006-08 with a previous budget.

To fix Epcot you have to go in with a budget that at least matches the DCA remake budget of 1.2 Billion. But considering the scale and scope of what needs to be done at Epcot, the budget will need to be more than what DCA got. Likely much more. Burbank and the Board of Directors will need to be involved for that to ever be considered.
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Excellent post.

If trends are to be believed however then Epcot's attendance is not only flat, but may be in decline. If we look at the growth of the overall industry in Orlando then the very meager growth of Epcot is definitely a sign that its attendance is suffering. If it wasn't for Food and Wine type events Epcot would be dead.

The BOD can be shown these trends as justification for investment.
 
RTeker

RTeker

Active Member
I really hope that do alot of upgrading or redesigning alot of the Future Showcase cause lets face it the place seems kinda of 'eh been there don't wanna go back during this trip'. The last 3 times I've gone in the last 20 years I've seen that section of Epcot go down the drain in quality. The Seas used to have a draw, Imagination used to have a whole second floor full of fun to play around with, Innovations seemed alot bigger than it does now. Then there's 'Elens Energy Adventure', with all the tech available to Disney, the ride seems like it stuck in te the late 80's or early 90's by the feel of that attraction.
 
jlsHouston

jlsHouston

Well-Known Member
mitchk said:
I can't read through all these posts right now, all I will say is that Tom put in his time... Recording the original BTM safety ... Script work on SSE, started out as a Haunted Mansion host..ect. My opinion though, I don't like his direction with the things he finds so mind blowing, are just stupid interactive screens, they may seem cool to a 60 some year old dude, but come on, these kids today have that type of stuff at home. Bottom line, I don't like, or respect any of his ideas or direction .. To be blunt, I think he is a person who is in a position to do great things for EPCOT, but can't, and won't because he is a ....how can I put this? ... Donkey
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Tell us how you really feel?
 
jlsHouston

jlsHouston

Well-Known Member
aladdin2007 said:
Tell us how you really feel lol....I kinda agree with a lot of that though..but still hoping this brings some type of restoration/direction,,and not just a third Soarin theater/screen!!!!
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OMG that was exactly what I just posted after I read his post. HAHA, I loved it though because it was so you know ...real ....
 
Omnispace

Omnispace

Well-Known Member
TP2000 said:
Even getting WDI and TDO to have the desire at the same time won't be enough. It will take Burbank to be full of desire too. (I'm still talking about theme parks, by the way.)

The project to remake and relaunch DCA was a five-year plan that cost 1.2 Billion Dollars, and had to be approved by the Board of Directors to address a pressing need. The DCA plan was announced by Bob Iger and Jay Rasulo in October, 2007, got under construction in 2008, with phased openings around the park from 2009 thru 2011, and concluded with the opening of Cars Land in 2012. And they spent 1.2 Billion on the deal, which didn't include the cost of Midway Mania which was approved in 2005 and built in 2006-08 with a previous budget.

To fix Epcot you have to go in with a budget that at least matches the DCA remake budget of 1.2 Billion. But considering the scale and scope of what needs to be done at Epcot, the budget will need to be more than what DCA got. Likely much more. Burbank and the Board of Directors will need to be involved for that to ever be considered.
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Fortunately, Epcot has/had a lot going for it already. With the pavilions already there, most costs would be to update the shows -- and they have been updating different shows over the years. Most of the DCA work was new construction with some of the existing buildings being torn down. Consider two major Future World shows, (three if you include Wonders of Life opening again), perhaps a lot of work on Innoventions (could already be budgeted if they are starting work on that now), and one show in WS (Maelstrom) that hasn't had a major update in a long time. The rest would be infrastructure. Even if they wanted to add a show, Japan already has a building constructed for one so that saves on some cost as well.

One would hope that the DCA makeover is proof to the Board that striving for quality at the parks is key to getting guests to visit, but the entire MM+ strategy seems to indicate otherwise, (unless they felt that was actually going to bring the entire park experience to another level.)
 
Kman101

Kman101

Well-Known Member
And for anyone wanting to remember or see what EPCOT was like (and MK and D-MGM), just find RetroWDW on youtube. Excellent videos. I can't stop watching them.
 
NoChesterHester

NoChesterHester

Well-Known Member
World Showcase may not have anything new, but in reality it is the most completely themed area in all of WDW. I'm resigned to the fact that WS is now just the worlds most impressively themed shopping mall with fun food.

If they can focus on fixing Future World.... I mean really spend some cash to fix it, they can ignore WS and I can 100% get behind that.
 

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