Well, let me rephrase.
I think that the thematic gardens will be a major improvement over the Communicore buildings. That’s my very humble opinion, as someone who 1) never saw the original experience, and frankly 2) as a pragmatist who does not see the ability to update the content of those buildings in today's society in which the dream of communication has been essentially fulfilled, and 3) as a person who could not stand the smell of those buildings.
I also think that this is an idea that very much pulls from an older design playbook that looks for thematic and design cohesion. This is an extension of the ideas that the creators of the OG EPCOT had, with the right-brain, right-side of the park featuring more running water and a more lush feel, compared to the more tamed and sculpted feel of the landscape on the left-brain, left-side of the park. It seems like a place making Disney might have made during the creation of MGM, where the distinct difference between being “in the Studio” and “in Hollywood” was accentuated by a giant arch and the whole park looked like Mickey from above.
I feel like Incorporating edutainment into this design element is also distinctly EPCOT, and it fits the area’s theme beautifully and thematically, and the best bit is that you can tell someone who loves detail, easter eggs, and creative design put their stamp on this.
So yes, genius might be a bit of hyperbole, (Walt has done worse and better, for sure), but I stand by the core concept of “The Journey Of Water”.