Without getting terribly nostalgic OR curmudgeonly, there have been (and still are, but with lesser success), Disney attractions that, while not necessarily educational themselves, celebrate a love of education. They weren't necessarily meant to teach, but to inspire the guest to learn more. That, to me, is the sense of wonder that was attempted with Epcot. The park was meant to be a testament to exploration. You might not remember thing one about The Living Seas, but it may spark an interest to pick up books on marine life, or watch a Nat. Geo. documentary or do something where you would eventually learn something. Ditto with Spaceship Earth, where you get an idea as to how far civilization has come, perhaps making you want to take a more active role in its future. Whether WDW lost that, or never really had it, is up to everyone's individual interpretation, but IMHO, that always seemed to be something to which Walt aspired, not to be the teacher but to plant the seed that makes someone want to learn. It's unfortunate that some people rebel against it, for fear that they might learn somethning whilst on vacation (and once in a while that includes me, so it's not like I'm trying to act like somne sort of culture snob on an effin' Disney forum, thank y'all very much), but that's the feeling I miss. Not the sensation of "Man, that was awesome," but of looking at a subject with fresh eyes, maybe even for the first time, and realizing I want to learn more. Part of it may be from being a misanthrope, cousin to the cantankerous. But maybe, it's a mindset Disney no longer really posseses, and that's a little sad. It's that sense of wonder that also inspires some people to want to become Imagineers, and thus inspire the next generation. Without it, WDW will keep changing, but I fear perhaps not for the better. I see more movie tie-ins and thrill rides, and less stimulating, thought-provoking experiences that will truly change the way you think of yourself.
