Innoventions West to Close in May?

Wikkler

Well-Known Member
How more out of context can a post be? You deleted all but 4 words of what I wrote. I had to go back to try and understand. Wait, I still don't understand.
I apologize for the inconvenience.
Seems in line with the direction the parks are heading. Why would Disney want to have an innovative area of attractions to entertain their guests when they can spend the money on being innovative with tracking systems for guest spending. :rolleyes:

Innoventions has been somewhat of a ghost town for many years since many of the exhibit areas are vacant or in just poor condition. I fear that the area will become more event space or storage.
The full quote.

My intention was to say that Innoventions was not a ghost town, at least on a busy day.
 

PhilharMagician

Well-Known Member
I apologize for the inconvenience.

The full quote.

My intention was to say that Innoventions was not a ghost town, at least on a busy day.

True. However even Imagination is busy on busy days. Innoventions has not drawn a crowd in many years with the exception of a new exhibit opening and locals along with fanbois flock to see it first. Also ghost town was referring to not only guests, but the lack of exhibits in each pavilion. There is quite a bit of exhibit area that consistently has been vacant.

I wish Innoventions could be revived and not go anywhere. I love science and learning and that is one thing that has drawn me to Epcot. Most guests today seem to enjoy the mindless character themed thrill ride glory.
 

Wikkler

Well-Known Member
True. However even Imagination is busy on busy days. Innoventions has not drawn a crowd in many years with the exception of a new exhibit opening and locals along with fanbois flock to see it first. Also ghost town was referring to not only guests, but the lack of exhibits in each pavilion. There is quite a bit of exhibit area that consistently has been vacant.
I don't mean "New Year's Eve" busy, I mean "June" busy. I went in June and it was busier than JII.
 

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
As maybe was already mentioned here, I do think the sponsorship thing is a big problem, too. I think at one point, when Epcot and maybe even Disney in general was seen as a "World's Fair," the corporations saw it as really good PR to be involved. But for whatever reason, that seems not to be happening anymore.

Gee the condition of the place might have something to do with the lack of sponsorship.
 

note2001

Well-Known Member
Closing it but announcing no replacement likely means nothing is currently planned. Obviously, if construction on something new in the space were imminent, Disney would rather announce the replacement than just a closure.

Exactly what I'm expecting to happen here. I believe that the folk in charge have decided it's a good move to shut down this area to save money while fooling themselves into thinking they have a plan. In reality, my bet is they have a closet of plans so poorly filed and researched that they don't know where to start. If so... it will sit dormant until someone who can get it together is put in charge.
 

MaryJaneP

Well-Known Member
Okay, here goes. Shoot arrows lightly.

1. Mega-Starbucks

2. Since problem seems to be sponsorship, see #1 or quick, without overanalyzing and justifying (your love) it, name one corporation that HAS to be in Epcot for them to make money. Can't think of one, me neither. That is the hurdle TDO can't leap over.

I like the BH6/Science Fair/Expo ideas, but who is gonna pay for them? Here's one far-fetched idea. Get Universities to incorporate both a meaningful futuristic display (College of Science or Engineering or Nursing or whatever), have their Business School work on how it operates, plug the school (for admissions leads), sell alumni gear, whatever other tie-in there could possibly be for university involvement, and there you have it.

Second far-fetched idea. Future Energy technology minus Ellen.

Other far-fetched idea, but have E3/SXSW type booths for current communication leaders (i.e. Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, Net Flix, Hulu, etc). I know, lame, but could be better than empty (read soon to be demolished) space. Booths could be added/updated as needed. More churn, but that is the future.

Far-fetched idea #4, remove all signal ability throughout the park (except 911 of course) and force people to IW to get a signal. That will really drive the attendance.
 

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
Exactly what I'm expecting to happen here. I believe that the folk in charge have decided it's a good move to shut down this area to save money while fooling themselves into thinking they have a plan. In reality, my bet is they have a closet of plans so poorly filed and researched that they don't know where to start. If so... it will sit dormant until someone who can get it together is put in charge.

Ah expect it to reopen next decade or so... as the EPCOT Resort and Casino complex
 

Maccabee18

Active Member
I would like them to utilize the space for now for the event spot so they can actually work on the WoL pavilion and turn it back into something grand again. That was my favorite pavilion growing up and now it looks so squalid. I was looking at the panels on the ceiling the other day and it looks like the place is barely holding up.

It's time they make that pavilion into something and then they can do something with the West space.
 

aladdin2007

Well-Known Member
Exactly what I'm expecting to happen here. I believe that the folk in charge have decided it's a good move to shut down this area to save money while fooling themselves into thinking they have a plan. In reality, my bet is they have a closet of plans so poorly filed and researched that they don't know where to start. If so... it will sit dormant until someone who can get it together is put in charge.

I fear this as well, another cost savings move while yet taking more away from the guests and raising prices. Not that its a huge loss but still, this park is becoming a shell....Or they do have a concrete plan in place but arent ready to announce it. But its not exactly sounding promising is it.
 

FigmentFan3

Well-Known Member
I would like them to utilize the space for now for the event spot so they can actually work on the WoL pavilion and turn it back into something grand again. That was my favorite pavilion growing up and now it looks so squalid. I was looking at the panels on the ceiling the other day and it looks like the place is barely holding up.

It's time they make that pavilion into something and then they can do something with the West space.
I didn't think of that, but I kinda like it. Put the festival center, in the center of the park, well future world anyways. neat.
 

Cosmic Commando

Well-Known Member
What really blows my mind about this is that Epcot (with Maelstrom down and this now) is joining DHS in my mind, barely qualifying as a worthwhile theme park... and I even enjoy Imagination, Ellen, Nemo, Gran Fiesta and LwtL more than most! I knew DHS was really scraping the bottom of the barrel, of course, but this Innoventions news really made me think about the state of Epcot. I was bummed about missing Mael-zen on my fall trip, but it didn't really change the way I felt about the park. Strip away the nice little diversions in Innoventions, and it really changes my whole view on the park. Even discounting the quality of the attractions, there really should be more to do in the flagship resort's #2 park.

RIP Great Piggy Bank Adventure; you will be missed.
 

Haymarket2008

Well-Known Member
Apparently there has been talk of Hiro & Baymax's meet and greet moving to Innoventions. Not a fan of characters in Epcot, but if done correctly Big Hero 6 could breathe necessary and appropriate life back into Innoventions/Communicore.
 

ItlngrlBella

Well-Known Member
^^^ If true, it would be a fun idea to have various prototypes and demos of the newest in robotics and "robot wars" as a nod to the opener on BH6.

It never hurts to "wow," "inspire" and educate kids. Edutainment at EPCOT has been whittled away and in most cases been replaced by movie themed rides or just closed altogether and never replaced. :(
 
Last edited:

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom