EPCOT Journey of Water featuring Moana coming to Epcot

[doctornick]

I agree with everything you said...except about the FoN...I loved that fountain.

Like I said, I liked the fountain and I didn't want it removed. But I don't think it was such a critical feature for Epcot that removing it was de facto wrong. I do hope that something of value gets added to the general area though since that is central to the land formally called Future World.

Doesn't the center of Epcot need and deserve something awesome, amazing and original? Does a Moana themed garden fit that notion?

Sure, but Journey of Water isn't "the center of Epcot" - it'll be the path from the center towards the Seas. I realize that it replaces part of Innoventions, but I wouldn't describe that as the central area like where the FoN was.

Edit: just to clarify... I'm concerned with the "spine" of Epcot and how it will turn out and I don't think that the table looking beer garden is any sort of answer. I just don't think that Journey of Water, in its location, is a "problem" - it being built wouldn't prevent a proper re-working of the spine into something more grandiose and fitting for Epcot. So, at least in the past coule of pages, I think JoW is taking the brunt of people's disgust for the overall plans for Epcot when it doesn't deserve it.

Also, without really knowing the full details of Journey of Water's execution, superficially it seems like it would be far more out of place in Fantasyland than it would next to the Seas. So I'm particularly confused as to why people would even suggest something like that. Relegating Fantasyland to some catch all for any cartoon IP seems just as stubbornly wrong headed to me as insisting that no IP belongs Epcot. YMMV.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

I know this might be a controversial opinion. But I'm excited for the revitalization plans for EPCOT. It will be great to see the park get some much needed love. I really hope the plans will still continue as planned. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a new Figment ride and Coco ride in the Mexico pavilion. Plus it would be great to see Honey I Shrunk the Audience replace the Pixar shorts theater.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Sure, but Journey of Water isn't "the center of Epcot" - it'll be the path from the center towards the Seas. I realize that it replaces part of Innoventions, but I wouldn't describe that as the central area like where the FoN was.

It's just a Heavily Themed Splash pad section Similar to Casey Jr in Storybook Circus that will suffice when the Future World East and Bridgeway one's get removed...

 

[marni1971]

To each their own, but I will be disappointed if Journey of Water doesn't happen..

I’d say stick it where it’s suitable, but IPCOT seems fair game for anything now. Such a shame.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Dude . . . it WAS a fountain of Nations. They did one better than merely signaling with a globe that it was a fountain of nations; it was christened on opening day with a special ceremony where delegations from countries all over the world poured water from their Nations into the Fountain. It literally was a Fountain of Nations, more than just by name. The fountain was deeply symbolic of nations coming together for the good of man. More than merely slapping a globe on it ever would be.

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Not to mention that they DID slap some globes on it, for good measure . . . :

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Surely you know your history better than this.

I'm fully aware of the opening day ceremony, only because I read about it.

Any guest that didn't read a backstory for that fountain would have no idea by looking at it that it was a "Fountain of Nations."

They could have called it "Fountain of Industry" or "Fountain of Knowledge" and it would be the same: just a fountain.

Did the fountain's shows cycle through the traditional music of the nations of the world with the colored lights showing the colors of the nations?

A one day ceremony doesn't *theme* a thing. The thing has to have the theme incorporated into it.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Which of course is your prerogative.

Let alone spending money and demolishing a perfectly usable building to build a cartoon fountain.

There were far far better options on every level.

That's not the point being discussed here. It's the branding.

Would you have been OK with keeping the building to save money and filled it with more Disney IP, then? It's all about saving money, right?

 

[marni1971]

Would you have been OK with keeping the building to save money and filled it with more Disney IP, then? It's all about saving money, right?

No. Not with what’s being spent it isn't. Or was being spent.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

The issue I have most with the central spine is the symmetry being completely lost. Moana as a whole is a close second. Ironically if they were to have torn down both CC buildings I think I might be more okay with this project, although the preference would’ve been to keep them both.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

I’d say stick it where it’s suitable, but IPCOT seems fair game for anything now. Such a shame.

I have a question Marni what would you have done differently regarding some of these decisions? I'm really curious which ones you are fine with and others you would change. Like I like the idea of France and UK getting new rides and other stuff like Spaceship Earth getting updates. But I'm not the biggest fan of the Guardians coaster. I wish it was put in Hollywood Studios.

 

[doctornick]

It's just a Heavily Themed Splash pad section Similar to Casey Jr in Storybook Circus that will suffice when the Future World East and Bridgeway one's get removed...

Not this again. It's not a splash pad. Where has that idea ever come from?

 

[marni1971]

I have a question Marni what would you have done differently regarding some of these decisions? I'm really curious which ones you are fine with and others you would change. Like I like the idea of France and UK getting new rides and other stuff like Spaceship Earth getting updates. But I'm not the biggest fan of the Guardians coaster. I wish it was put in Hollywood Studios.

Pretty much what you’ve just said. UK deserved a dark ride though. Rat works for me since a) it’s an addition and b) can be taken or left given its location. Sightlines notwithstanding. SSE needs a refurb and a finale, so long as it’s sympathetic. The ride and the park have been dumbed down enough already.

Energy and the core plans to me are a travesty. In short, Epcot should have gotten items that wouldn’t fit in any of the other parks. Then it would still have been Epcot, whilst being able to appeal to a modern audience. All IMHO of course.

Don't get me started on the cartoon night show mind.

 

[marni1971]

Not this again. It's not a splash pad. Where has that idea ever come from?

Garden with some waterfalls then?

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Pretty much what you’ve just said. UK deserved a dark ride though. Rat works for me since a) it’s an addition and b) can be taken or left given its location. Sightlines notwithstanding. SSE needs a refurb and a finale, so long as it’s sympathetic. The ride and the park have been dumbed down enough already.

Energy and the core plans to me are a travesty. In short, Epcot should have gotten items that wouldn’t fit in any of the other parks. Then it would still have been Epcot, whilst being able to appeal to a modern audience.

I agree It's always better to see additions rather than take things away. I'm still disappointed they did not replace wonders of life with an inside out pavilion. Play Pavilion sounds really lame. I really hope if the Mary Poppins project is delayed they will decide to make it a dark ride instead. Doesn't EPCOT have a lot of expansion pads? They should be able to build more rides or countries.

 

[marni1971]

I agree It's always better to see additions rather than take things away. I'm still disappointed they did not replace wonders of life with an inside out pavilion. Play Pavilion sounds really lame. I really hope if the Mary Poppins project is delayed they will decide to make it a dark ride instead. Doesn't EPCOT have a lot of expansion pads? They should be able to build more rides or countries.

It currently has 3 usable pads left in Showcase and one in FW. 4 in Showcase if you got rid of the Frozen not-allowed-to-meet-anymore.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

It currently has 3 usable pads left in Showcase and one in FW. 4 in Showcase if you got rid of the Frozen not-allowed-to-meet-anymore.

Wow that's really cool. There is absolutely a lot of potential to add some really cool stuff.

 

[doctornick]

Garden with some waterfalls then?

Sure. That seems like a reasonable description. Am I correct in believing that it will have some edutainment component in describing the life cycle of water or something like that or is it just supposed to be pretty to look at? I feel like they've hinting to some informative aspect but it's not clear.

Regardless, what is being planned is far different from some toddler aimed area to just get wet. I don't even remotely understand how anyone could look at the concept at and think this would be a "splash pad".

 

[marni1971]

Sure. That seems like a reasonable description. Am I correct in believing that it will have some edutainment component in describing the life cycle of water or something like that or is it just supposed to be pretty to look at? I feel like they've hinting to some informative aspect but it's not clear.

Regardless, what is being planned is far different from some toddler aimed area to just get wet. I don't even remotely understand how anyone could look at the concept at and think this would be a "splash pad".

To be honest it reminds me of a water feature outside the lobby to a posh hotel. I’ve seen some other stuff, but not the possibility of edutainment so I can’t comment on that.

If it’s worthy of being in this park, in this location, or what potential was lost for it, will be a discussion that will go on for quite some time.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Am I correct in believing that it will have some edutainment component in describing the life cycle of water or something like that

There was one blurb or video somewhere that I forget which made "The Journey of Water" a lesson in the cycle of water (evaporation, rain, river, lakes/ocean, evaporation, etc...). But it was more of an intimation than an exact claim that that's what it's supposed to be.

We can hope that it's the edutainment of the cycle of water. But even if that was the original intent, we know that such things can get cut in execution.

It's also suppose to be interactive with one's hands. But, that could get cut and they put up a fence keeping people away like almost all of the other water features.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

There was one blurb or video somewhere that I forget which made "The Journey of Water" a lesson in the cycle of water (evaporation, rain, river, lakes/ocean, evaporation, etc...). But it was more of an intimation than an exact claim that that's what it's supposed to be.

We can hope that it's the edutainment of the cycle of water. But even if that was the original intent, we know that such things can get cut in execution.

It's also suppose to be interactive with one's hands. But, that could get cut and they put up a fence keeping people away like almost all of the other water features.

It would seem kinda pointless and lame if guests cannot interact with it. It would basically be just a nice looking water feature with some tress. The interactivity element is the coolest sounding part about it.

 

[csmat99]

Nothing.

unfortunately for us though that EPCOT no longer exists.

Don't worry instead of Moana I'm sure Chappy will just put a Target store right in middle that everyone needs to pass through to get to World Showcase. But hey I hear it will have a fountain in front of store.