Is Epcot about to get some love?

[yeti]

Ever been to Walt Disney Studios Paris?

Or Six Flags La Ronde? Hell Gardens? Shijingshan?!
Hyperbole.

I've been to Studios Paris. Don't really want to stir memories of that place.

And that's a bit of a ridiculous comment. Not everything found at DCA in February of 2001 was horrible. Soarin was and is still spectacular--if only they could clean the film. Epcot's problem is that they should have built Soarin with greater capacity than DCA's version (since Epcot sees many more guests annually) and by now it really should have a new, more park-appropriate film.

Ridiculous to think that Epcot's most popular attraction should be better than Soarin'? Or ridiculous to associate Soarin' with the "worst park ever built"? Because that wasn't my intention. I really like Soarin'. But a park like Epcot, in theory, should have the best attraction ever.

The real point is, there's a certain level of mediocrity in Future World 2012. If that's a personal observation, then so be it. I still think it has merit.

 

[aladdin2007]

First of all it would be nice if they would clean it up asthetically, time to get rid of all the poles and triangle panels, wires etc across innoventions plaza, the graveyard at the entrance, and lose the ugly scrap metal canopy over testtrack. One plus is they did finally clean up the Land in the front.

 

[Enchantâmes]

Future World lost all of its charm for me ages ago. I quit going to WDW all together 3 years ago because the resort has very little left that I like and wish to see. I go to DLR now because they do a better job at taking care of their parks and the great attraction losses are few and the new attractions in Cali make up for the slack. Epcot can't say that, every replacement in Future World does not come anywhere close to how great their ancestors were. Watching the 30th anniversary videos its rather sad that when the Archivists go to Epcot the only attraction they want to go on is Spaceship Earth, why? Because other than Living with the Land it is the only other true EPCOT experience left and even that is a stretch. I'm all for updating an outdated park but if your going to suck out all of the fun, charming, and amazing things about it then why bother? If Soarin' is the headlining attraction for Epcot now that makes me want to barf because each and every ride that was at EPCOT's Future World pre 1996 blew that out of the water in every possible way. I'm sorry to rant on but when we praise a imax screen show as the best there is to offer for the whole park that is extremely pathetic.

 

[backinaction]

Or Six Flags La Ronde? Hell Gardens? Shijingshan?!
Hyperbole.

I've been to Studios Paris. Don't really want to stir memories of that place.



Ridiculous to think that Epcot's most popular attraction should be better than Soarin'? Or ridiculous to associate Soarin' with the "worst park ever built"? Because that wasn't my intention. I really like Soarin'. But a park like Epcot, in theory, should have the best attraction ever.

The real point is, there's a certain level of mediocrity in Future World 2012. If that's a personal observation, then so be it. I still think it has merit.

I agree with your points but I think FLE and AVATAR were much more needed then any addition to EPCOT. Everyone already thinks of EPCOT as a "whole day" park, and Disney knows that people spend the least amount of time at AK. I think the AVATAR expansion will turn AK into a definite "whole day" park. As for FLE, I'd much rather see that then another mission space catastrophe. Remember that Disney tried to add "the best ride in the world" to EPCOT, but after the deaths associated with MS occurred, I think a large amount of the guests were alienated from the ride. How much did MS cost them again? 100 million? I think they are reluctant to gamble on EPCOT right now, and would rather add smaller attractions rather then a large E-ticket type ride.

 

[Godshalk3]

I've seen a few social media posts that referenced some remarks that Marty Sklar made. It was reported that Marty was excited for the future of Epcot and that we would be as well. Has anyone heard any rumblings?

Apologies for going off-topic...speaking of Marty - any word on if/when his autobiography is still coming out?

 

[WDWBryan]

it's coming out. he plugged it during his presentation

 

[yeti]

I agree with your points but I think FLE and AVATAR were much more needed then any addition to EPCOT. Everyone already thinks of EPCOT as a "whole day" park, and Disney knows that people spend the least amount of time at AK. I think the AVATAR expansion will turn AK into a definite "whole day" park. As for FLE, I'd much rather see that then another mission space catastrophe. Remember that Disney tried to add "the best ride in the world" to EPCOT, but after the deaths associated with MS occurred, I think a large amount of the guests were alienated from the ride. How much did MS cost them again? 100 million? I think they are reluctant to gamble on EPCOT right now, and would rather add smaller attractions rather then a large E-ticket type ride.

Forgive me if I'm missing your point, but Mission: Space suffered several cutbacks before any deaths occurred. Whether or not any previous development plans had anything to do with the $100 million budget I have no idea. I doubt it. But point being, maybe if they went all the way it would've have crashed and burned?

By the numbers, yes, there are definitely areas that need more attention than Epcot. But looking at it both rationally and from a penny wise perspective, I imagine they'll have to build something new there sooner rather than later, especially with Cars Land on the way.

As for Project Avatar's development...who knows? It's so delicate an addition to Epcot could happen first!

 

[psukardi]

I don't even think of EPCOT as a place for rides (not sure if it's good or bad)

To me it's a place to walk around, slow down, get my grub on, and just enjoy my vacation. Maybe that's what some people want - maybe the mouse is too cheap - who knows? In any event, I wish they'd fix Future World.

It's sad that it's so dumbed down. I remember 10+ years ago when they had the video phones and other cool tech. Show me some future R&D stuff guys. Get the Google glasses out. Get me some of the Microsoft Touch stuff. How about something with Google Fiber showing a future where I no longer need physical media and can just download a movie at the touch of a button with no buffering. Show me how 3D-TV could be used for the future of video games where we get rid of split screen. Show me anything....oh and bring back the real figment

 

[baymenxpac]

Future World lost all of its charm for me ages ago. I quit going to WDW all together 3 years ago because the resort has very little left that I like and wish to see. I go to DLR now because they do a better job at taking care of their parks and the great attraction losses are few and the new attractions in Cali make up for the slack. Epcot can't say that, every replacement in Future World does not come anywhere close to how great their ancestors were. Watching the 30th anniversary videos its rather sad that when the Archivists go to Epcot the only attraction they want to go on is Spaceship Earth, why? Because other than Living with the Land it is the only other true EPCOT experience left and even that is a stretch. I'm all for updating an outdated park but if your going to suck out all of the fun, charming, and amazing things about it then why bother? If Soarin' is the headlining attraction for Epcot now that makes me want to barf because each and every ride that was at EPCOT's Future World pre 1996 blew that out of the water in every possible way. I'm sorry to rant on but when we praise a imax screen show as the best there is to offer for the whole park that is extremely pathetic.

precisely. to me, the best thing about soarin' is the score. that's what differentiates it. the score of soarin' feels old school disney to me. everything else about it is, to quote a generation who's horrible at verbal expression, "meh."

personally, i'm kind of insulted by all the social media hype they did about EPCOT's 30th. it's like they think that by tweeting out a vintage horizons commercial or playing "guess which awesome attraction that is no longer here almost had a different name" trivia is going to somehow make me forget that future world, at this very moment is, really has no more than two worthwhile attractions. one of which boasts the most egregious result of dumbing down the parks (the spaceship earth narration).

so, to the OP, does EPCOT need some love. arguably more than anywhere on property. but it also needs someone with some freakin' vision at the wheel again.

 

[SirNim]

How about something showing a future where I no longer need physical media and can just download a movie at the touch of a button...

I'm already living in that future!

...with no buffering.

Oh.

 

[articos]

Major sponsorship (i.e., Siemens) is what ruined Spaceship Earth...and every other pavilion, come to think of it.

No, bad creative decisions and Imagineering both allowing the dumbing down of the script and not fighting back against poor notes from the sponsor and/or offering creative alternatives to those notes is what allowed SE's show quality to decline in the successive renovations. In the past, Imagineering would not allow show quality or intent to be compromised by sponsor's requests. That's not as prevalent any more, due in part to the many, many layers within the company. If it's a bad request that will impact show quality, Imagineering's task is to take that note and incorporate it in a better way that still keeps show quality, while giving the sponsor the branding they want. It's a delicate balance, but it's doable. When Imagineering gets lazy or just doesn't have the time or proper people working on a project, then decisions are made that lead to things like the current incarnation of SE and JII.

 

[Bolna]

First of all it would be nice if they would clean it up asthetically, time to get rid of all the poles and triangle panels, wires etc across innoventions plaza, the graveyard at the entrance, and lose the ugly scrap metal canopy over testtrack. One plus is they did finally clean up the Land in the front.

Yes, my sister who had been to DL and DLP commented on her first visit to Epcot two years ago that she can't believe that this ugliness is really a Disney theme park after her first hour of exploring Future World. The park did grow on her, but I found it a very telling first impression.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

If Disney gets any love for Epcot after Test Track, it would be something food related for World Showcase at this point. At this point, any true love Disney gives Epcot will be coming after a lot of current people of TDO is gone and Bob iger leaves in 2015. The insiders on these forums expect a lot of people from TDO to be gone in 12 to 18 months. The other problem at this point is DHS needs even more help than Epcot at this point.

Epcot problems are mostly on the Future World side. My only issues with World showcase is the fact it seems like they starting to get carried from the food in terms restaurants and table service places there based on what they are adding and Norway needs their film updated.

Epcot as whole to me isn't all about rides. What Future World was about is the future, but that hasn't been that way for innoventions for years. I remembered what Epcot was in the early 1990's.

 

[ebof1023]

I think that once all of this stuff that is going on with the parks over seas , and now that DLR got its love o think the focus will shift back to WDW since there are many issues that need fixed there.

 

[Funmeister]

Epcot has had an identity crisis almost since it opened (or shortly after). The problems Epcot is experiencing are not new. This is not a problem that snuck up on the company in the last few years. I know some here feel what they did to Imagination and Wonders of Life were turning points in contributing to Epcot losing its focus on what it is supposed to be. The problem is...no one knows what it is supposed to be or exactly what to do with it? Don't believe me? Let's take a look back...

- Do you remember or even know that when Epcot first opened there were NO Disney characters (Traditional characters...Fab 5, any characters found in any full length animated film or short) in the park? Figment, Dreamfinder, SMRT-1 and another white robot whose name escapes me at the moment were the only "charcters." Due to guest demand characters (Fab 5) were quickly added.

- Epcot has tried for years to cover up the obvious with various events and festivals. Who remembers when Epcot decided to host a circus in Future World? NOT a futuristic circus but a hire-wire act, elephants, Las Vegas style "thrills" and the whole ten yards right there in the plaza between Spaceship Earth and the entrance to World Showcase. (Forgive me for not remembering the official name - EPCOT Daredevil Circus maybe?) Check it out here - This was a blatent attempt to try something to attract people to Epcot when the going was not going so good.

- Also, remember that The Great Movie Ride almost landed as part of the Imagination building. Sure it can show the imiginative side of film...but...really?....in Future World? Talk about an identity crisis cover up!

- Remember "Epcot World Festival of Kites?" - This was plain horrible. THis was an attempt to make Epcot an all-year-around festival theme park. Remember to ask yourself what this has to do with Future World and World Showcase. Unless you think the universal language of kite flying is the least bit interesting.

- Let's make it an ongoing "ever-changing" World's Fair...I present to you the ill-fated Epcot '94 and Epcot '95. There is a reason none of us saw Epcot 96', '97, '98 and so on...

- Not to mention close to reality rumors of a re-brand of Future World to Discovery World and even the possibilty of splitting the park up into two seperate gates.

The fact is that Epcot always has had a nidentity problem and will continue to do so unless they decide to pump mega-bucks into the park which is highly unlikely. I think having a true "Future World" could work again like it did in the early stages in the park but it cannot be done like a World's Fair.

I think with the addition of a few more countries in World Showcase (how cool would India or Russia be to the WS skyline?) and a futuristic overhaul of all pavillions would be a start.

I believe that there is hope for all of the parks at WDW. Compare where WDW is quality-wise compared to Disneyland when it was this old. Is it possible that a renaissance for WDW is not far off as it was for Disneyland before it turned 50? I guess time will tell.....

Hopefully Epcot will find itself and find the spirit it had when it was created.

 

[Uddy]

I'm for Apple sponsoring a large part of Future World! Holy cow, that would spice things up!

 

[InsiderImagine]

Some new stuff is coming to Epcot. However, nothing to be excited about.

 

[danlb_2000]

Some new stuff is coming to Epcot. However, nothing to be excited about.

Since you are bringing up some new Epcot info, would you address what you posted last year? What happened to these plans?

Something WILL be completed in time for Epcot's 30th.

Other than the TT refurb...something is about to be started on.

Something will also be announced new for Epcot's 30th. TDO is in the process of bringing back the future to Future World and new additions to World Showcase.

Unfortunately Avatarland took Epcot's main new addition (bc of budget concerns) so the next two minor but still amazing additions will be added first and then the main new addition will be added at a later time.

 

[Sam Magic]

Epcot obviously need's an update. I know many people here are before my time,but I think that Epcot's Future World need's to become an actual future world like it was in 82. I really think that even though learning is fun and Epcot is, people my age hate it because it is still simi stuck in the 90's. I call for a major overhaul of Future World and the only thing that stay's is Spaceship Earth , Mission Space , and Test Track 2.0

 

[Enchantâmes]

Epcot obviously need's an update. I know many people here are before my time,but I think that Epcot's Future World need's to become an actual future world like it was in 82. I really think that even though learning is fun and Epcot is, people my age hate it because it is still simi stuck in the 90's. I call for a major overhaul of Future World and the only thing that stay's is Spaceship Earth , Mission Space , and Test Track 2.0

Mission: SPACE needs to go IMO