When watching the show inside of the "Epcot Experience" Exhibit at the Odyssey Pavilion, I found myself to be pleasantly surprised with how blunt they were in regards to Epcot's future. While I feel that we all have a good idea as to what will transpire in World Discovery, World Showcase, and World Nature, there seems to be a lot of uncertainty as to World Celebration, so let's clarify some things.
World Celebration will stretch from the park's entrance all the way to showcase Plaza. As of now, it will also encompass Imagination and Odyssey. While the addition of Imagination may seem like an odd, out of the way annex, in reality the new festival center will widen the area leading up to Imagination's entrance, allowing the area to naturally flow towards the pavilion.
Starting with the park's entrance, most, if not all of what was found on Clickbait's other site is accurate. While I often disagree with what they do, it is hard to deny that they do know people. Unfortunately, they have a really low batting average. This will segue into Spaceship Earth with its new "Our Shared Story" tagline that was revealed in the EE and at D23. I personally find the framework to be clever, and a nice way to modify SSE's original intent. Those worried about this opening the door for IP integration have not-unfounded concerns, but, from what I have seen, SSE may be the most tasteful part of this Epcot overhaul. If you lack confidence, remember two things. Firstly this attraction is about storytelling, not the stories themselves, and TWDC considers themselves a "Storytelling" company, so... Also, in EE, a showcase where Disney was unafraid, and almost proud, to show of any and all IP's being integrated into the park (ex. a giant Kevin in the Concept art for the festival center or the heavy emphasis on Moana's mild influence in Journey of Water), but, for the SSE segment, they did not choose to conjure much more than inspirational words and imagery, because its often hard to sell history. Also, I haven't 100% confirmed, but I have strong reason to believe that the concept art floating around with the supposed Moana Manta Ray may not actually be the Moana Manta Ray.
Leaving SSE into Dreamer's Point is where the most valid IP concerns are. For the most of you that selectively ignored concept art, there is literally an Alice in Wonderland Tea Garden in the middle (which is what I heard replaced the Beer Garden, but that may just be a miscommunication). This paired with other nonsense like the Story Tree, Enchanted Woods, and Story Fountain has me slightly concerned for this area, but at least we are getting trees. Starbucks and Character Spot (which I believe to be in World celebration, but has a chance at being classified as world nature) should both be nice, but relatively uninspiring as far as design goes.
I have a feeling this part has been said (maybe even by me), but the two remaining East building will be split between Dining and Merch, with North going to dining and South going to shopping (although both may temporarily move into North for a short spell).
By far, the most interesting part of this project to me is the festival center, as, I believe, this is the return of actually unique architecture to Epcot, likely compensating for a certain "invisible" building. The space under the canopy will likely be for performances, dance parties, etc. and the building itself won't be too kind to vistas in WS, but, hey, I'd say it has more going for it than against it.
Until next Time,
Feather
World Celebration will stretch from the park's entrance all the way to showcase Plaza. As of now, it will also encompass Imagination and Odyssey. While the addition of Imagination may seem like an odd, out of the way annex, in reality the new festival center will widen the area leading up to Imagination's entrance, allowing the area to naturally flow towards the pavilion.
Starting with the park's entrance, most, if not all of what was found on Clickbait's other site is accurate. While I often disagree with what they do, it is hard to deny that they do know people. Unfortunately, they have a really low batting average. This will segue into Spaceship Earth with its new "Our Shared Story" tagline that was revealed in the EE and at D23. I personally find the framework to be clever, and a nice way to modify SSE's original intent. Those worried about this opening the door for IP integration have not-unfounded concerns, but, from what I have seen, SSE may be the most tasteful part of this Epcot overhaul. If you lack confidence, remember two things. Firstly this attraction is about storytelling, not the stories themselves, and TWDC considers themselves a "Storytelling" company, so... Also, in EE, a showcase where Disney was unafraid, and almost proud, to show of any and all IP's being integrated into the park (ex. a giant Kevin in the Concept art for the festival center or the heavy emphasis on Moana's mild influence in Journey of Water), but, for the SSE segment, they did not choose to conjure much more than inspirational words and imagery, because its often hard to sell history. Also, I haven't 100% confirmed, but I have strong reason to believe that the concept art floating around with the supposed Moana Manta Ray may not actually be the Moana Manta Ray.
Leaving SSE into Dreamer's Point is where the most valid IP concerns are. For the most of you that selectively ignored concept art, there is literally an Alice in Wonderland Tea Garden in the middle (which is what I heard replaced the Beer Garden, but that may just be a miscommunication). This paired with other nonsense like the Story Tree, Enchanted Woods, and Story Fountain has me slightly concerned for this area, but at least we are getting trees. Starbucks and Character Spot (which I believe to be in World celebration, but has a chance at being classified as world nature) should both be nice, but relatively uninspiring as far as design goes.
I have a feeling this part has been said (maybe even by me), but the two remaining East building will be split between Dining and Merch, with North going to dining and South going to shopping (although both may temporarily move into North for a short spell).
By far, the most interesting part of this project to me is the festival center, as, I believe, this is the return of actually unique architecture to Epcot, likely compensating for a certain "invisible" building. The space under the canopy will likely be for performances, dance parties, etc. and the building itself won't be too kind to vistas in WS, but, hey, I'd say it has more going for it than against it.
Until next Time,
Feather
