EPCOT Is the End of Innoventions Near?

[EPCOTCenterLover]

I would take the park a different direction, but at least it is finally getting some serious attention and investment.

 

[mikejs78]

I find it hard to believe people have been inspired by Starbucks, Character Spot, and Club Cool.

Many of us were inspired by what it was before it was Starbucks, Character Spot, and Club Cool...

 

[Bender123]

Many of us were inspired by what it was before it was Starbucks, Character Spot, and Club Cool...

Mostly vacant 1980s monochrome computer monitors? I truly understand why people don't like the demolition of one of them, but I just don't understand the love for these buildings based solely on attractions that haven't been in existence for over 25 years. SMRT-1 Isnt coming back, neither is the information fountain, Univac Computer Review or EPCOT person of the century.

 

[Rich Brownn]

Mostly vacant 1980s monochrome computer monitors? I truly understand why people don't like the demolition of one of them, but I just don't understand the love for these buildings based solely on attractions that haven't been in existence for over 25 years. SMRT-1 Isnt coming back, neither is the information fountain, Univac Computer Review or EPCOT person of the century.

Because it was an example of top npotch Imagineering. Every replacement has been a backwards step for the most part. Instead of figuring out how to update it, they decided to replace it with meet and greets, shops, and a Starbucks. EPCOT inspired a lot of people - but apparently not Imagineers...

 

[Bender123]

Because it was an example of top npotch Imagineering. Every replacement has been a backwards step for the most part. Instead of figuring out how to update it, they decided to replace it with meet and greets, shops, and a Starbucks. EPCOT inspired a lot of people - but apparently not Imagineers...

Soooo...why is this attached to the buildings? You really missed the point of them being somewhat underwhelming compared to their brothers in FW and the current attractions are garbage. What else are you going to do with them? They aren't attraction buildings, they were purpose built for displays, stores and exhibits.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I think I've seen a still photo or two of Lillian Disney at the ceremony for the Fountain of Nations. And now it's gone. Sorry, getting a bit choked up at the moment...

Only other time they did something similar was during the opening of IASW at DL in 1966..

 

[danlb_2000]

I am curious to see what will be done by the time I get there in January. Hopefully the demolition will at least be done.

I would expect this demo to take a while since the area is completely surrounded by guest areas. The other interesting this is going to be getting heavy equipment under the monorail beam. you can see when the are was built that they left a section of the beam out to make it easier to get equipment in and out.

 

[gustaftp]

Soooo...why is this attached to the buildings? You really missed the point of them being somewhat underwhelming compared to their brothers in FW and the current attractions are garbage. What else are you going to do with them? They aren't attraction buildings, they were purpose built for displays, stores and exhibits.

Because the concept is completely abandoned, and the demolition is a nail in the coffin.

The Communicore area was brilliantly designed. While I am optimistic about the Life Cycle of Water and the new festival center design looks really cool, I'm not going to pretend that Communicore concepts aren't and weren't achievable today.

 

[griffin ferrari]

I would expect this demo to take a while since the area is completely surrounded by guest areas. The other interesting this is going to be getting heavy equipment under the monorail beam. you can see when the are was built that they left a section of the beam out to make it easier to get equipment in and out.

I hate to be cynical here by Any educated guesses when the frist visible signs of demo of the buildings will be?

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

I hate to be cynical here by Any educated guesses when the frist visible signs of demo of the buildings will be?

January-February. Just an educated guess.

 

[Bender123]

Because the concept is completely abandoned, and the demolition is a nail in the coffin.

Is it? The concept of an area with hands on attractions is not, but the business model certainly is. Considering the insane rate of change and the lack of sponsor interest, what exactly would you put in there that isn't already being shunted to WoL?

The initial exhibits were extensions of the pavilions to act as a central hub of the themes (sponsors). The updated version was Innoventions, which took the same concept, but opened it to self contained areas for smaller sponsors to showcase their products and story. What is left that would make that concept viable, outside basic Disney items? Disney seems to agree with you, but they went with what they have, which is interactive IP experiences.

It just seems like a concept/model that seemed better in a world before the internet and before Best Buy...

We may not like the "new" version of this type of experience, but it doesn't look like Sega is lining up to sponsor an exhibit anymore...

 

[ChrisFL]

Is it? The concept of an area with hands on attractions is not, but the business model certainly is. Considering the insane rate of change and the lack of sponsor interest, what exactly would you put in there that isn't already being shunted to WoL?

The initial exhibits were extensions of the pavilions to act as a central hub of the themes (sponsors). The updated version was Innoventions, which took the same concept, but opened it to self contained areas for smaller sponsors to showcase their products and story. What is left that would make that concept viable, outside basic Disney items? Disney seems to agree with you, but they went with what they have, which is interactive IP experiences.

It just seems like a concept/model that seemed better in a world before the internet and before Best Buy...

We may not like the "new" version of this type of experience, but it doesn't look like Sega is lining up to sponsor an exhibit anymore...

Yeah Sega to show off their latest console............oh wait

 

[nickys]

Because it was an example of top npotch Imagineering. Every replacement has been a backwards step for the most part. Instead of figuring out how to update it, they decided to replace it with meet and greets, shops, and a Starbucks. EPCOT inspired a lot of people - but apparently not Imagineers...

I would agree, except for the bolded part.

I’m sure the Imagineers have plenty of inspiration, but the money men either don’t see the benefit of their ideas or don’t want to cough up the money for them.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Soooo...why is this attached to the buildings? You really missed the point of them being somewhat underwhelming compared to their brothers in FW and the current attractions are garbage. What else are you going to do with them? They aren't attraction buildings, they were purpose built for displays, stores and exhibits.

The buildings are large shells designed to be able to hold a variety of functions. What is replacing them that could not use a large shell? There’s plenty of areas to tear up poorly placed hardscape and replace it with softscape. They’re tall enough to fit multiple levels. The roof could even be reworked and reenforced to support a bar.

 

[FigmentFan82]

I think you should be able to know the answer to that based on my nonchalance about the area being demolished. While I visited Epcot in 96 and 99, age 4 and 7, I do not recall this so called sacred place. When I returned in 2008 I was greeted by mediocre exhibits that was so bland I'd rather have taken a nap. Now fast forward to the present and nothing of relevance exists in this space so it is a time of celebration that Disney finally decided to remove the cancer in Future World

You seem super angry. Do you need a nap? Maybe you should take a nap

 

[nickys]

Do you want a cookie or a gold star? I guess I'll just never understand the people who were inspired by a theme park building.

It isn’t the building on it’s own. It’s what was in the building, together with the design of the building. Did you watch the video on Communicore? I didn’t visit until after Communicore had disappeared, but I really wish I had.

 

[trainplane3]

The buildings are large shells designed to be able to hold a variety of functions. What is replacing them that could not use a large shell? There’s plenty of areas to tear up poorly placed hardscape and replace it with softscape. They’re tall enough to fit multiple levels. The roof could even be reworked and reenforced to support a bar.

Exactly what I keep thinking. They're essentially convention centers aka modular to the max. You could modify the outside to make them look "modern" to appease the crowd that complains about them. For once, this is a project I wish had it's budget slashed. It just seems wasteful.

And these were built prior to the warehouse days of Disney so I wonder how little reinforcement they would need for a roof level bar. They're probably concrete bunkers.

 

[gustaftp]

Do you want a cookie or a gold star? I guess I'll just never understand the people who were inspired by a theme park building.

I owe my college major to Spaceship Earth and my Information Technology career to Communicore. I guess I'll just never understand the people who willfully misinterpret and set up strawman arguments about what people are saying.

Is it? The concept of an area with hands on attractions is not, but the business model certainly is. Considering the insane rate of change and the lack of sponsor interest, what exactly would you put in there that isn't already being shunted to WoL?

The initial exhibits were extensions of the pavilions to act as a central hub of the themes (sponsors). The updated version was Innoventions, which took the same concept, but opened it to self contained areas for smaller sponsors to showcase their products and story. What is left that would make that concept viable, outside basic Disney items? Disney seems to agree with you, but they went with what they have, which is interactive IP experiences.

It just seems like a concept/model that seemed better in a world before the internet and before Best Buy...

We may not like the "new" version of this type of experience, but it doesn't look like Sega is lining up to sponsor an exhibit anymore...

Not all technology used has to be tied to a sponsor. Showcase all the amazing technology Disney is using across their parks and resorts. I work with all sorts of awesome technology as part of my job: everything from automated warehouses to dimensioning equipment to telephony to enterprise resource planning.

When people think about technology, they often think too narrowly about it, which is some of the problem with Innoventions: it was consumer focused and that stuff changes fast and is somewhat superficial. But what about the things that make things go behind the scenes? There is no less of a need for computers, servers, new ways to extract energy sources, transportation methods, construction techniques, etc. The internet can show you videos, but it doesn't provide a hands-on experience. And Best Buy just has a smattering of consumer goods. So those seem to be pretty superficial comparisons.

I really liked that a company like Siemens sponsored Spaceship Earth, and it would've been awesome if they had some sort of exhibit describing what it is they do. Having been to 3M's Innovation Center, it is very much an EPCOT-like experience that would've fit in perfectly into this space. And any number of other companies.

Part of me wonders if Disney just threw in the towel on trying, as opposed to actively looking for exhibitors and demonstrating in meaningful ways how they can effectively reach people in a deeper and more interactive way than the Internet or Best Buy can.

 

[mikejs78]

I owe my college major to Spaceship Earth and my Information Technology career to Communicore. I guess I'll just never understand the people who willfully misinterpret what people are saying.

Same. EPCOT Center made me aware of the possibilities of the future - and influenced my decision to get into Software Engineering.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Exactly what I keep thinking. They're essentially convention centers aka modular to the max. You could modify the outside to make them look "modern" to appease the crowd that complains about them. For once, this is a project I wish had it's budget slashed. It just seems wasteful.

And these were built prior to the warehouse days of Disney so I wonder how little reinforcement they would need for a roof level bar. They're probably concrete bunkers.

Those celebrating the building’s demise seem to be completely forgetting, or ignoring, that its mirror is still going to exist. If one thinks they’re ugly buildings, then Disney is only doing a half assed job. If one is is excited to see wasted space replaced, they’re largely being replaced with unprogrammed space but with far less potential to again be something.

I don’t know the particulars of the roof structure, but changing from mechanical space to assembly after a few decades is a rather big change that would require work.

One thing not shown in the art for the new festival center is the fire stairs. Those don’t tend to look very pretty.