Is Epcot slowly heading backwards?

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

I feel like In a way the Disney company is slowly shifting gears with Epcot. Although we don't see Horizons going up or Nemo leaving the living seas It looks to me like they are testing the waters and trying to pull away from that late 90's and early Millenium celebration trend. But what do I know, I don't work there LOL. For a childish point of view the shirts that have been putting out there have been giving me some hope.

 

[menamechris]

I feel like In a way the Disney company is slowly shifting gears with Epcot. Although we don't see Horizons going up or Nemo leaving the living seas It looks to me like they are testing the waters and trying to pull away from that late 90's and early Millenium celebration trend. But what do I know, I don't work there LOL. For a childish point of view the shirts that have been putting out there have been giving me some hope.

I want to agree with you...but I can't just yet. Some artist/designer consultant probably came in and said "This place looks gawd-awful", and so they are going back to try and make the place look a little more tasteful and easy on the eyes. When Ellen, Imagination, and that awful arcade at the end of Spaceship Earth are taken care of....then I will believe they are serious about the park...

 

[Clamman73]

Maybe...maybe...We'll see when Test Track reopens what direction they're taking. Hopefully with a design motivated theme at the new TT, it'll take on a more futuristic feel to the whole attraction. (kinda like what Future World is supposed to be)

I would really appreciate prisms back in front of SSE though...:sohappy:

 

[copcarguyp71]

I want to agree with you...but I can't just yet. Some artist/designer consultant probably came in and said "This place looks gawd-awful", and so they are going back to try and make the place look a little more tasteful and easy on the eyes. When Ellen, Imagination, and that awful arcade at the end of Spaceship Earth are taken care of....then I will believe they are serious about the park...

Gotta agree with you! I would add getting rid of the legacy stones in front of SSE and finding a sponsor or funding for a revitalization of the WOL pavillion. It would not necessarily need to be a revamped WOL but it is a shame to see it sit like an invalid. I pine away for the Epcot of the 90's...it just feels like they have lost interest in the park and it is sad because it is where we find ourselves so often during our visits.

 

[Master Yoda]

Gotta agree with you! I would add getting rid of the legacy stones in front of SSE and finding a sponsor or funding for a revitalization of the WOL pavillion. It would not necessarily need to be a revamped WOL but it is a shame to see it sit like an invalid. I pine away for the Epcot of the 90's...it just feels like they have lost interest in the park and it is sad because it is where we find ourselves so often during our visits.

While I won't say it will never happen, it is quite unlikely. Epcot needs flexible space for conventions, special events, etc and the WoL pavilion fits that bill very well. It would take a seriously insane offer from a sponsor for Disney to give up the cash currently generated by the building.

 

[wm49rs]

While I won't say it will never happen, it is quite unlikely. Epcot needs flexible space for conventions, special events, etc and the WoL pavilion fits that bill very well. It would take a seriously insane offer from a sponsor for Disney to give up the cash currently generated by the building.

For better or for worse, I agree. While the WoL pavilion could be used again, in its current shape there would need to be a good deal of upgrading done to bring it up to par. Don't get me wrong, each time I've been there for a festival it has always been in decent shape, but the fixtures and amenities in there would need some work done.

 

[rufio]

Maybe...maybe...We'll see when Test Track reopens what direction they're taking. Hopefully with a design motivated theme at the new TT, it'll take on a more futuristic feel to the whole attraction. (kinda like what Future World is supposed to be)

I would really appreciate prisms back in front of SSE though...:sohappy:

I just really got into Epcot with my last visit in March. I've come into a lot of extra time lately, and Epcot is how I've chosen to fill it. Now, onto my point...

I feel a little stupid, but I honestly had no idea that the front half of Epcot was supposed to be Future World. Perhaps it used to portray the future, but now it only seems to portray the now.

Gotta agree with you! I would add getting rid of the legacy stones in front of SSE and finding a sponsor or funding for a revitalization of the WOL pavillion. It would not necessarily need to be a revamped WOL but it is a shame to see it sit like an invalid. I pine away for the Epcot of the 90's...it just feels like they have lost interest in the park and it is sad because it is where we find ourselves so often during our visits.

Is that possible? Didn't people pay to have those pictures put there? They look stupid, but people did pay for them.

 

[Alektronic]

While I won't say it will never happen, it is quite unlikely. Epcot needs flexible space for conventions, special events, etc and the WoL pavilion fits that bill very well. It would take a seriously insane offer from a sponsor for Disney to give up the cash currently generated by the building.

But that is what Mil Vil (Milliennium Village) is for, they do the majority of conventions and special events.

 

[wm49rs]

But that is what Mil Vil (Milliennium Village) is for, they do the majority of conventions and special events.

Perhaps, but when the Food & Wine Festival and the Flower & Garden one are being held in EP, then they're getting good use out of the space in WoL for seminars, dining, shopping, etc.....

 

[Master Yoda]

But that is what Mil Vil (Milliennium Village) is for, they do the majority of conventions and special events.

There simply is not enough space there. I have no idea why, but the parks seem to be designed with very little "flex" space. When demand or need for it increases past the capacity, a poorly attended attraction, restaurant or pavilion will get re-purposed to fill that need. It stinks, but that is the reality of the situation.

 

[rct247]

There isn't enough space in Epcot? It's the largest park!

As far as convention space goes, there is:
-Wonders of Life/Festival Center pavilion
-Millennium Village building
-Odyssey building
-Convention pads near the bridge between UK and France as well as in Italy

Compare that alone to the other parks.

Disney's Hollywood Studios uses Streets of America & the end of Sunset Blvd for conventions. They also use LMA, Indy, a building near the Backlot Tour, and sometimes The Great Movie Ride.

Magic Kingdom doesn't have convention and special event space, because it is the most expensive park to book, but I think they use Tomorrowland Terrace as one area and Hall of Presidents as another.

I'm not sure about Animal Kingdom.

Epcot doesn't need to use all those facilities solely as special event space. They have other options as well. Why can't the Oddessy building serve as a the Festival Center. It is more centrally located after all and closer to Food & Wine and FLower & Garden stuff.

 

[copcarguyp71]

I just really got into Epcot with my last visit in March. I've come into a lot of extra time lately, and Epcot is how I've chosen to fill it. Now, onto my point...

I feel a little stupid, but I honestly had no idea that the front half of Epcot was supposed to be Future World. Perhaps it used to portray the future, but now it only seems to portray the now.



Is that possible? Didn't people pay to have those pictures put there? They look stupid, but people did pay for them.

I believe those stones were never meant to be forever. If I remember correctly they were supposed to stay there for a period of time and then be interred elsewhere. Maybe someone on here has the specifics but I think that was the original intention..

 

[invader]

There isn't enough space in Epcot? It's the largest park!

As far as convention space goes, there is:
-Wonders of Life/Festival Center pavilion
-Millennium Village building
-Odyssey building
-Convention pads near the bridge between UK and France as well as in Italy

Compare that alone to the other parks.

Disney's Hollywood Studios uses Streets of America & the end of Sunset Blvd for conventions. They also use LMA, Indy, a building near the Backlot Tour, and sometimes The Great Movie Ride.

Magic Kingdom doesn't have convention and special event space, because it is the most expensive park to book, but I think they use Tomorrowland Terrace as one area and Hall of Presidents as another.

I'm not sure about Animal Kingdom.

Epcot doesn't need to use all those facilities solely as special event space. They have other options as well. Why can't the Oddessy building serve as a the Festival Center. It is more centrally located after all and closer to Food & Wine and FLower & Garden stuff.

Animal Kingdom generally uses Dinoland for events. (We just had Homecoming there this year!). The park is actually really cool when there's no day guests.

 

[copcarguyp71]

Is that possible? Didn't people pay to have those pictures put there? They look stupid, but people did pay for them.

Found the info on another thread from someone who went back and read their contract.

Leave A Legacy - Guaranteed for 20 years from the sponsorship date.

 

[Communicore]

I believe those stones were never meant to be forever. If I remember correctly they were supposed to stay there for a period of time and then be interred elsewhere. Maybe someone on here has the specifics but I think that was the original intention..

I will gladly take part in the demolition of the legacy stones, for free.

 

[threeyoda]

There isn't enough space in Epcot? It's the largest park!

As far as convention space goes, there is:
-Wonders of Life/Festival Center pavilion
-Millennium Village building
-Odyssey building
-Convention pads near the bridge between UK and France as well as in Italy

Compare that alone to the other parks.

Disney's Hollywood Studios uses Streets of America & the end of Sunset Blvd for conventions. They also use LMA, Indy, a building near the Backlot Tour, and sometimes The Great Movie Ride.

Magic Kingdom doesn't have convention and special event space, because it is the most expensive park to book, but I think they use Tomorrowland Terrace as one area and Hall of Presidents as another.

I'm not sure about Animal Kingdom.

Epcot doesn't need to use all those facilities solely as special event space. They have other options as well. Why can't the Oddessy building serve as a the Festival Center. It is more centrally located after all and closer to Food & Wine and FLower & Garden stuff.

I would have to assume it's because the Oddessy is no where near as big as WOL, and the Millenium Village building is too far back in the park. But that's just me guessing, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[G00fyDad]

I'd love to see the return of the 80's logos and the feel of the park then. :sohappy:

I want to agree with you...but I can't just yet. Some artist/designer consultant probably came in and said "This place looks gawd-awful", and so they are going back to try and make the place look a little more tasteful and easy on the eyes. When Ellen, Imagination, and that awful arcade at the end of Spaceship Earth are taken care of....then I will believe they are serious about the park...

HEY! Ellen is a perfectly great place to sleep! :lookaroun

Gotta agree with you! I would add getting rid of the legacy stones in front of SSE and finding a sponsor or funding for a revitalization of the WOL pavillion. It would not necessarily need to be a revamped WOL but it is a shame to see it sit like an invalid. I pine away for the Epcot of the 90's...it just feels like they have lost interest in the park and it is sad because it is where we find ourselves so often during our visits.

^^ This!!

I will gladly take part in the demolition of the legacy stones, for free.

I can help. I have a ____________hammer. :wave: (Why blank out the word $ledge?)

 

[Oddysey]

While I won't say it will never happen, it is quite unlikely. Epcot needs flexible space for conventions, special events, etc and the WoL pavilion fits that bill very well. It would take a seriously insane offer from a sponsor for Disney to give up the cash currently generated by the building.

What about the Millennium building in the WS? Isn't there adequate space there? In fact, I went to a work convention there in 2006 where we were entertained by Frank Calinendo (comedian). One would think that space would be more than adequate, and its wide and open layout when compared to the WOL actually makes it more funtional for dining and entertainment. Not to mention it has a stage for a speaker that can be seen from anywhere in the main room.

 

[c-one]

Epcot's problem is the slow cartoonization of Future World, eroding the theme. Epcot's always been a bit schitzophrenic, with the odd juxtaposition of Future World and World Showcase, but when Future World loses its cohesive theme, that's when things really start to go south.

 

[unkadug]

Does anyone else find the title of this thread confusing?

Heading backwards denotes sliding into disrepair, but the OP seems to think the opposite. :shrug: