Journey of Water featuring Moana coming to Epcot

Epcot82Guy

Well-Known Member
So speaking as someone that has legitimately given up on and isn't spending any time or money at the Parks, even as a recent local, I can admit the idea of this one isn't as offensive. There actually is a really compelling way to use island mythology plus science plus Moana to make a simple but cool attraction. And this looks like it may do that. I do think the placement is odd and problematic - mostly because is needs access points OR something facing the central hub to complete the "circle". But, that could be done by a really cool fountain wall or natural sculpture or something to serve as the gateway to World Nature. If this was the IP inclusion offender, I can 100% see the benefit and justification for its add.

Sadly, it's not - so it gets lumped in with all the other (much worse IMHO) offenders that destroy any notion of cohesive Epcot story. But, this one is admittedly suffers from different issues than those. And should be praised (and shown skepticism) from that lens.
 

doctornick

Well-Known Member
now the coconut pirates...they have what to do with the water cycle exactly?
Just trying to understand because it is supposed to be an educational exhibit...lol

Is that unexpected in some way? We’ve know for a long time that it’s an edutainment exhibit focused on the water cycle but featuring elements from Moana. Would expect every area or station (or however it’s set up) to have something from Moana present as a way of relaying the information.

I love Donald in Mathmagic Land but I don’t think anyone would ever say “This has a cartoon duck in it, how could it possibly teach about Geometry?”
 

aladdin2007

Well-Known Member
Is that unexpected in some way? We’ve know for a long time that it’s an edutainment exhibit focused on the water cycle but featuring elements from Moana. Would expect every area or station (or however it’s set up) to have something from Moana present as a way of relaying the information.

I love Donald in Mathmagic Land but I don’t think anyone would ever say “This has a cartoon duck in it, how could it possibly teach about Geometry?”
now there's a dark ride I would like to experience.
 

Epcot82Guy

Well-Known Member
Is that unexpected in some way? We’ve know for a long time that it’s an edutainment exhibit focused on the water cycle but featuring elements from Moana. Would expect every area or station (or however it’s set up) to have something from Moana present as a way of relaying the information.

I love Donald in Mathmagic Land but I don’t think anyone would ever say “This has a cartoon duck in it, how could it possibly teach about Geometry?”

That actually raises a really interesting point. I think the main issue will be (and this rings true for virtually all of the recent additions) - what is the central focus. The idea should be the main thesis of the attraction. I see three main ways this could work.

1. This goes cultural, and the whole showcase is done in a legitimate Polynesian style. Moana and characters are featured in a rock work mural, ala Tree of Life. But, this main focus in almost a Polynesian mythology of the journey of water. The thesis here would clearly be the journey of water told from a polynesian mythology perspective, with a Disney twist.

2. This is truly Journey of Water. Characters from Moana are used to showcase that, even in a whimsical way. I could see things like a Moana statute looking out onto the "ocean's waters" section, the pirate coconuts doing some weird climbing thing to hold up the rain section, etc. Think Science Center, but done with Disney whimsy. This would be more directly the journey of water, as told with the help with Disney characters.

3. The Journey of Water is shown independent of Moana. And, instead, Moana and the characters are sprinkled in to "add interest" because it's Disney. This would be half journey of water and half Moana attraction, muddying the waters and having (at best) a dual focus.

Time will tell. But, I think options 1 and 2 could both be used to infuse Disney into Epcot in a very meaningful way. Sadly, the most recent additions are in version 3 - so skepticism is valid. I would argue Seas, FEA, Harmonious, Rat and even Guardians all fall into category 3. And, that's the issue. The STORY is confusing or muddled. Where, in every case, it could have been a real world-focused story that featured and/or was told or inspired by Disney characters.
 

Bocabear

Well-Known Member
I love me some Polynesian mythology and anything else Polynesian, but I still question the placement of a Polynesian Mythology of the water cycle place in the hub of EPCOT...it would be beautiful in Adventureland and a perfect fit in the Animal Kingdom...
 

Phicinfan

Well-Known Member
I love me some Polynesian mythology and anything else Polynesian, but I still question the placement of a Polynesian Mythology of the water cycle place in the hub of EPCOT...it would be beautiful in Adventureland and a perfect fit in the Animal Kingdom...
I don't think most disagree, however if it does have the education...edutainment aspect, it can work in EPCOT as well. I honestly did not expect it to be the size scope it is though... so the removal of one of the buildings does make some sense.
 

Rhinocerous

Premium Member
What is a “cultural consultant”, and how do I become one?
Prior to releasing a big, non-contemporarily set movie, my company brought in a university professor to review an early cut of said film. The purpose of this review was to ensure the final feature contained nothing offensively racist.

I imagine a cultural consultant provides a similar service. That is, to give insight on what would be authentically correct theming and story elements, rather than relying on stereotypes.
 

Patcheslee

Well-Known Member
The fact that Communicore was largely wasted space in recent years had nothing to do with the structure and everything to do with Disney’s budgetary approach and vision of EPCOT, neither of which will change because the building has pointy corners. One of the defining characteristics of modern EPCOT is the huge amount of unused, indoor, carpeted space, much of which once held Edutainment exhibits - witness Life, Imagination, Odyssey, the Millennium Pavilion. This new structure is destined to become another one in a few years.

As for festivals, do you really think the company slashing live entertainment across the resort is going to worry about keeping acts on that stage? What’s the demonstrable ROI on those acts?
Will the stages be in an area that can be used as "Fireworks viewing" or "Dessert Party"?
 

mysto

Well-Known Member
I don't think most disagree, however if it does have the education...edutainment aspect, it can work in EPCOT as well. I honestly did not expect it to be the size scope it is though... so the removal of one of the buildings does make some sense.
The water cycle is a great topic for education in this entertainment. A little pendulum swing towards old Epcot.
 

dreday3

Well-Known Member
Does anyone who might know these things have a guess as if to whether or not they will wait to open this until the other projects are finished and then they can do a "grand reveal" all at once?

Because if so, I will definitely put this out of my mind for our late April trip.
 

SilentWindODoom

Well-Known Member
I stop by this Moana thread every couple of weeks.
Yup -
Still looks like a mess.
Still looks like it will never be completed.
Still not looking forward to the attraction more than looking forward to the WALLS COMING DOWN!!

My friend, let me tell you about a whole 'nother world known as the Tron Thread. o_O
(At least someone doesn't pop in here weekly to ask if there's a date for the railroad re-opening.)

The link isn't really clear at all... the "World Nature" designation is entirely arbitrary with no physical or geographical existence within the park itself, purely the creation of a board-room. Moana and its rockwork will be the only "natural" structure in the entire front half of the park, completely out of place. So I think the link bears analysis.

Since the opening of the park, Future World's two sides have represented the natural world and the technological world. Wonders of Life straddles, but was handled by a medical standpoint. The hardscape and entire designs of the sides were created to fit this. It is not just pulled out of nowhere by empty suits. It's one of the foundations of EPCOT.

Lion king helped save Disney animation. Moana is a good film in a line of good disney films. I agree Frozen was the only movie that matched the renaissance fervor.

Everything I have heard from parents of today's young children show Moana being a juggernaut. While Frozen captured pop culture more, Moana seems to have the hearts of a generation.
 

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
Since the opening of the park, Future World's two sides have represented the natural world and the technological world. Wonders of Life straddles, but was handled by a medical standpoint. The hardscape and entire designs of the sides were created to fit this. It is not just pulled out of nowhere by empty suits. It's one of the foundations of EPCOT.
The neighborhoods don’t follow how Future World would have been subdivided. World Nature does not encompass the old Future World West.
 

DonniePeverley

Well-Known Member
Epcot looks awful with these walls.

No workers working on the days i was there. Unless i just missed them. But didn't feel like any major renovation going on.
 

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
Epcot looks awful with these walls.

No workers working on the days i was there. Unless i just missed them. But didn't feel like any major renovation going on.
You constantly posted that EU wasn't going to get built... and it is.

Now you're questioning whether any real construction is happening in the EPCOT hub even though this thread has been documenting its progress.
 
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WDWFREAK53

Well-Known Member
My friend, let me tell you about a whole 'nother world known as the Tron Thread. o_O
(At least someone doesn't pop in here weekly to ask if there's a date for the railroad re-opening.)



Since the opening of the park, Future World's two sides have represented the natural world and the technological world. Wonders of Life straddles, but was handled by a medical standpoint. The hardscape and entire designs of the sides were created to fit this. It is not just pulled out of nowhere by empty suits. It's one of the foundations of EPCOT.



Everything I have heard from parents of today's young children show Moana being a juggernaut. While Frozen captured pop culture more, Moana seems to have the hearts of a generation.
While there is no arguing what you’ve said, the Journey of Water attraction should be part of World Nature shouldn’t it? It appears as if the building that was formally there is part of World Celebration. Maybe the entrance will be part of World Nature and that’s what counts.
 

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