Is Epcot about to get some love?

[NoChesterHester]

In my opinion it is now the worst Disney park in America.

Blasphemy. You need to be tried for heresy. You call yourself a Disney fan?

You even like Disney?

On that note... you have been to Hollywood Studios right? Worst park title has to be nestled over there.

 

[TropicalFig8]

Ehhhhh...
I say all the parks are bad in general. Not saying that one is worse than the other.

 

[Hyperion]

You know who would make for a great Spaceship Earth narrator? Neil deGrasse Tyson. That or actually expand Mission Space into a pavillion that consists of more then just a Gravitron and a McDonalds playland and put some kinda space dark ride in.

Ditto on Tyson and ditto on Mission Space's incredibly wasted oppurtunities.

 

[Enchantâmes]

Now that DCA is (mostly) fixed and WDSP is starting to get fixed Epcot is the worst Disney Theme Park out there. Which is the most horrible thing to say but its true just look all that's left is mediocre attractions, restaurants, and stores. I hate being so negative but there is almost no hope left for the park at this point.

Its time to stop being nice people, its time to quit waiting for something to happen, I want EPCOT back and I want it now not 20 years from now.

 

[SeaCastle]

You know who would make for a great Spaceship Earth narrator? Neil deGrasse Tyson. That or actually expand Mission Space into a pavillion that consists of more then just a Gravitron and a McDonalds playland and put some kinda space dark ride in.

I always thought that Carl Sagan would've been a brilliant host for Spaceship Earth.

That said, for a repeat visitor there really isn't much to do in Future World besides Spaceship Earth and maybe The Land pavilion on a good day. It's a travesty that the park with the most promise has a future (and present) looking perhaps the most bleak.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Blasphemy. You need to be tried for heresy. You call yourself a Disney fan?

You even like Disney?

On that note... you have been to Hollywood Studios right? Worst park title has to be nestled over there.

I'll take the attraction lineup at DHS, as short as it is, over Epcot right now. In terms of cohesive theming Epcot has DHS beat largely because of World Showcase. But if you're comparing areas the front part of DHS is incredibly well themed (Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard), it's the rest of the park that's somewhat disjointed.

When Carsland comes to DHS it's not even going to be close.

People's fascination and love of Epcot is based on nostalgia. But you're a fan of something that no longer exists.

 

[katarn112]

He's a really charismatic (and obviously brilliant) guy - I'm not sure Spaceship Earth is the best spot, but I would love to see him host an attraction at Epcot.

I've thought about it before myself, and if they were ever to do a massive update on Universe of Energy, I'd totally love to see Morgan Freeman do it. Anyone here watch Through the Wormhole? He's a fantastic narrator. I think he already does the hall of presidents, but oh well, you can never get enough Morgan Freeman! Neil DeGrasse Tyson is definitely a good idea too, wouldn't mind seeing him at all. I suppose my top 4 if they were ever to do a redo of that attraction is Morgan Freeman, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Michio Kaku, or Bill Nye.

 

[Enchantâmes]

I've thought about it before myself, and if they were ever to do a massive update on Universe of Energy, I'd totally love to see Morgan Freeman do it. Anyone here watch Through the Wormhole? He's a fantastic narrator. I think he already does the hall of presidents, but oh well, you can never get enough Morgan Freeman! Neil DeGrasse Tyson is definitely a good idea too, wouldn't mind seeing him at all. I suppose my top 4 if they were ever to do a redo of that attraction is Morgan Freeman, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Michio Kaku, or Bill Nye.

Oh God no! He narrates enough stuff as it is... bring in someone new.

 

[tomman710]

My understanding on a new Soarin' film is that the combination of the camera costs, and the permit costs are what's stopping them. Having said that, there's a Soarin' building in Shanghai so perhaps that film will find it's way to the States

Eh I am not buying that ... look I know this is oversimplifying it but Avatar cost 280 million and was 162 minutes, they invented new tech and sunk a ton into research and development, so it was roughly 1.8 million per minute.

Soarin' is a 5 minute film so that means 1.8 million times 5 ... is 9 million, Soarin' doesn't need all the tech and new research and dvelopment, all they need is digital imax cameras ... so let's just add another 5 million just for whatever ... 14 million at most? That's peanuts to upgrade an attraction and gives them something new to market. They threw a press event for bleachers ... imagine what kind of year long celebration they could throw for a new Soarin' ride film?

However, I understand the argument of why invest anything in an attraction that is the most popular in the park already ... but that's the whole problem with TDO philosophy ... "why invest anything in WDW when it's still the most popular parks in the world."

 

[Skippy's Pal]

I'll take the attraction lineup at DHS, as short as it is, over Epcot right now. In terms of cohesive theming Epcot has DHS beat largely because of World Showcase. But if you're comparing areas the front part of DHS is incredibly well themed (Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard), it's the rest of the park that's somewhat disjointed.

When Carsland comes to DHS it's not even going to be close.

People's fascination and love of Epcot is based on nostalgia. But you're a fan of something that no longer exists.

Sadly, I must agree with you. EPCOT has long been our favorite park, but when we were there last year I repeatedly caught myself talking about what was, what we did on prior trips, and how things used to be, and what we missed. Like a once-great restaurant that has gone downhill, and is only getting by on its old reputation, with customers continuing to just hope it gets better once again.

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

The sad part is how much they profited from our mourning with all the retro EPCOT merch. This isn't gonna cut it for the 40th! An Energy update, Imagination update, removal of Nemo from The Seas, and actually doing something with WoL would make me very happy. SSE, Space, Test Track, and the entire The Land pavilion are very good. They're not as good as EPCOT of the 80's/early 90's, but I'll take it.

 

[Enchantâmes]

I'm surprised some of you even still go to the park, its not going to get better by simply buying retro merch and hoping it'll get better. TDO is playing you for your money do something about it.

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

I'm surprised some of you even still go to the park, its not going to get better by paying for retro merch and simply hoping it'll get better. TDO is playing you for your money.

Even though it's a shell of its former self, there is still a lot offered that is still enjoyable and feels "EPCOTish" to me:
- The Land pavilion is perfect. We just need a new Soarin' film. I can live with that for now.
- Spaceship Earth is good. The narration isn't the greatest, but I don't mind the decent as much. I would alter it if I could, but I'm still okay with it.
- Mission: Space is not even comparable to Horizons. Horizons was the greatest theme park experience of all time. That said, Space at least fits in EPCOT because of its space theme. I would like to see more added to it, such as a theater show of sorts about the history of space exploration. But it is a fun ride and I do enjoy it. And I know that Horizons isn't going to magically spring back to life in its place so I'll accept it.
- Test Track is good. I'm glad they finally gave it the love it needs and I'm sure the new version will be awesome.

- Universe Of Energy needs a huge update. The ride system and the building itself are stellar. The experience itself just needs to make the great leap out of 15 years ago.
- WoL needs to be used for something. I would be interested in a pavilion about meteorology or geology.
- Imagination needs to just be retro-engineered to be its original, timeless version.
- The Seas was another timeless attraction. Take some of the emphasis off the cartoons and it's good. Put a more temporary looking sign in front of the building to promote Turtle Talk, similar to what The Land has with Soarin'.

- World Showcase is still magnificent. The films should just be updated more regularly.

The architecture in Future World is worth a trip alone. We have a long way to go with bringing EPCOT back up to par. But if the people in charge of making it happen are smart, they will realize that we will not be lining up to buy retro t-shirts for the 40th if some changes aren't made.

 

[po1998]

In my opinion it is now the worst Disney park in America.

After a visit this summer, I agree, and this is coming from someone who doesn't think much of AK. Epcot is now 6 of 6 in my ranking of Disney US Parks.

 

[baymenxpac]

I'll take the attraction lineup at DHS, as short as it is, over Epcot right now. In terms of cohesive theming Epcot has DHS beat largely because of World Showcase. But if you're comparing areas the front part of DHS is incredibly well themed (Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard), it's the rest of the park that's somewhat disjointed.

When Carsland comes to DHS it's not even going to be close.

People's fascination and love of Epcot is based on nostalgia. But you're a fan of something that no longer exists.

this, a thousand times over. that's what so upsetting about EPCOT in its current state. going to the park, you can still feel the ghost of something truly amazing. unfortunately, a ghost is all it is.

i happen to detest DHS in its current state. but RNRC, ToT, ST2, TSMM, GMR. those are five repeatable attractions right off the bat (whether you can get on them all in a timely fashion is another story). EPCOT: spaceship earth, soarin' (both of which suffer from their own problems: a bad narration and unfinished descent in the former, dust particles and a incoherent california theme in the latter), and...

seas is a total bummer with the neo overlay, imagination is laughable, test track currently closed (but that gets a reprieve obviously), mission: space is so disjointed there are two versions of the ride, innoventions is a hilarious waste of real estate. but we can get a shot glass (sorry, tooth pick holder) with the horizons logo on it! WOOHOOOOO!

 

[sshindel]

I am sorry that I've only been able to skim a lot of these well thought out plans for an update to future world, so if this has been asked an answered, please let me know.
I tend to agree mostly with folks thoughts here. The current pavilion lineup really needs some love without question, and honestly, this is where any return to glory should start. Enough has been better thought out and better put by previous posters than I could possibly put into words myself.

My question would be around expansion of future world. We all know that the WS part of the park has a bunch of "expansion" pads where future countries could be added without too much disruption to the current lineup. I think that the count was 7 (or was it 11) expansion pad areas. Not to mention the Japan (empty?) ride building, etc...

Outside of a demolition / revamp in the Wonders of Life pavillion, is Future World basically out of expansion space? I was looking around on Wikimapia / Google Maps trying to find places to place any new additions, and was having trouble finding it. My only places were existing locations: WOL, Odyssey. There would almost be a space if they could somehow relocate the Seas seawater filtration system, though I don't really see where they could move that to, and I'd think that they would have a hard time relocating this without taking The Seas down, moving all sealife inside to an offsite location while they took down the filtration system and rebuilt it. I'd have to think that too expensive and potentially harmful to the sealife inside, so I dont see it happening.

Am I missing something obvious, or without WOL/Odyssey being involved, is that it for potential expansions to Future World?

 

[wolf359]

People's fascination and love of Epcot is based on nostalgia. But you're a fan of something that no longer exists.

I have the opposite opinion; I think many hate Epcot now just because it isn't EPCOT Center c. 1988. I think nostalgia affects both groups to some degree, the differences in opinion comes from how one deals with it.

 

[RSoxNo1]

After a visit this summer, I agree, and this is coming from someone who doesn't think much of AK. Epcot is now 6 of 6 in my ranking of Disney US Parks.

I've long defended the Animal Kingdom, it obviously has it's shortcomings and it's definitely not for everyone. Having said that, it's more true to it's theme than Epcot, and I get far more satisfaction out of visiting the Animal Kingdom than I do at Epcot. A great day at Disney for me starts at DAK, and ends up at Epcot where I can hit up a few things I enjoy and Illuminations. There's so much content in Epcot, but the amount of content that really interests me actually makes it a half day park for me. Admittedly that's changed more in recent years as I've spent more time photographing World Showcase, but the entire park certainly needs some love.

I would argue that every attraction in the park needs some sort of change or enhancement. The only attraction that might be the exception is Turtle Talk with Crush.

 

[RSoxNo1]

this, a thousand times over. that's what so upsetting about EPCOT in its current state. going to the park, you can still feel the ghost of something truly amazing. unfortunately, a ghost is all it is.

i happen to detest DHS in its current state. but RNRC, ToT, ST2, TSMM, GMR. those are five repeatable attractions right off the bat (whether you can get on them all in a timely fashion is another story). EPCOT: spaceship earth, soarin' (both of which suffer from their own problems: a bad narration and unfinished descent in the former, dust particles and a incoherent california theme in the latter), and...

seas is a total bummer with the neo overlay, imagination is laughable, test track currently closed (but that gets a reprieve obviously), mission: space is so disjointed there are two versions of the ride, innoventions is a hilarious waste of real estate. but we can get a shot glass (sorry, tooth pick holder) with the horizons logo on it! WOOHOOOOO!

I wrote this a while ago over on my site. It's an article called Why Epcot? It's largely relevant to the discussion going on in this thread about why people like that park. Also, I bought a bunch of that merchandise so I'm contributing to the problem.

 

[lobelia]

I dunno. Except for the tombstone entrance, the external parts of Epcot feel mostly like they did in 1983 (my first trip to EPCOT). I strongly remember walking in that first day in the spring of 1983 thinking to myself "this would be great if this was a 1960s corporate campus but as a 1980s theme park ..."

The more I read this thread, the more I realize Epcot really does need some TLC. I think I've been viewing it with rose colored glasses for the last few years.

I may be in this boat, except my glasses were the color of the greygoose slushey following the wine tour. I never had so much fun as the last time I was there. It was also the first time my husband didn't rush me out of the World Pavilion.