Make EPCOT that much better by adding...

[Omnispace]

I somewhat like the way the park transitions between FW and WS. Although there is an awful lot of empty there. I wonder if they simply had no real alternative to build there and sort of settled on the big empty transition out of practical concerns.

The large, modernist American pavilion that was at one point going to be the transition looks a bit unappealing, and woud've prevented several big vistas. Apart from 'America' indeed not feeling like the right transition between the two park halves. I'm happy with the choices they made, even if I do think the transition is a bit empty now.

According to Marty's recent book the doughnut-shaped American pavilion was influenced by the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington D.C. -- they liked the way it was lifted up off the ground, among other things. I've looked at photos of this model before and only just now realized how a pavilion in that location nicely completes the circle of pavilions in Future World, as well as proving a gateway to the World Showcase section. And it's big!! Look how it's the same size as World of Motion and Universe of Energy. It's too bad there is not more going on in that area of the park but I agree that it was better to put American Adventure at the far end of the lake to act as their "weenie".

Here's the plaza under the Hirshhorn...

 

[KCheatle]

I see where you're going OP, but truthfully, I like walking into World Showcase and have an unobstructed visual of all of the countries across the lake. I think it's beautiful the way it is. I don't think I would add anything.

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

You do have the bridge, shouldn't that be enough plus american dream is a great show.

 

[copcarguyp71]

Since Disney is all about theming, don't you think it would make sense for there to be some sort of official "entrance" guests pass through as they transition to and from the Future World and The World Showcase? Think about it. If you're in the MK, if you're in the hub and want to go to Fantasyland, you walk through a castle. If you want to go to Tomorrowland, you cross the bridge and there's the outcropping of rocks and futuristic signage. However, in EPCOT one second you're getting off of a car of the future in Test Track, the next...WHAM! (not to be confused with George Michael/Andrew Ridgley/Pepsi/Shirley) you're in Mexico!

Shouldn't there be some sort of entrance or transition that makes it obvious to guests that they're now entering a totally different theme? After all, these were meant to be two separate gates at first. If you were an imaginer, how would you approach this project if asked?

There is an entrance....you get to walk past an abandoned restaurant and a reheated 3D attraction from the 90's...pretty much sums it up. Seriously, before I would care one bit about spending money on a transition I would rather see vacant buildings utilized. Making an entrance would seem like a diversion from the real issue than anything else to me.

 

[Nightmarefan75]

How about placing the old rainbow tunnel from JII over the walkway between FW and WS ??

 

[awoogala]

According to Marty's recent book the doughnut-shaped American pavilion was influenced by the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington D.C. -- they liked the way it was lifted up off the ground, among other things. I've looked at photos of this model before and only just now realized how a pavilion in that location nicely completes the circle of pavilions in Future World, as well as proving a gateway to the World Showcase section. And it's big!! Look how it's the same size as World of Motion and Universe of Energy. It's too bad there is not more going on in that area of the park but I agree that it was better to put American Adventure at the far end of the lake to act as their "weenie".

Here's the plaza under the Hirshhorn...

Beautiful! I like it. It does have an "EPCOT" feel about it. I agree, something like this would have made a nice transition between the two worlds. EPCOT was really two "half-park" ideas, neither of which they thought would be enough by itself. It has a disjointed feel still- world showcase and future world don't totally fit together. I do agree they made the right choice in not making it an American exhibition, but they could have thought up other integrating ideas.

 

[Minthorne]

I somewhat like the way the park transitions between FW and WS. Although there is an awful lot of empty there. I wonder if they simply had no real alternative to build there and sort of settled on the big empty transition out of practical concerns.

The large, modernist American pavilion that was at one point going to be the transition looks a bit unappealing, and woud've prevented several big vistas. Apart from 'America' indeed not feeling like the right transition between the two park halves. I'm happy with the choices they made, even if I do think the transition is a bit empty now.

That model is really amazing. I have to say I like it's world showcase a lot. It's too bad other countries haven't been added.

 

[Glasgow]

I'm so frustrated with EPCOT these days (my fav park as well) - so much potential and so few appreciable changes. My folks just went with us recently and they hadn't been in years and years - the only thing they saw as new was Soarin .. ha. Needless to say, they won't be back again anytime soon unless we pay their way and coerce them into watching the kids again.

Regarding the FW and WS transition, though .. I'm okay with the existing pathways and what not but think they could certainly streamline the paths on the east side (ie. Odyssey). It's a convoluted system of back and forth pathways, there should probably be something more direct that doesn't run adjacent to the Odyssey bldg itself. It's not like you'd be ruining some beautiful pond or water feature .. there's a big lost opportunity for themeing and beautification there IMO.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

That model is really amazing. I have to say I like it's world showcase a lot. It's too bad other countries haven't been added.

There's more where that came from!

World Showcase close-up. Guess the countries! (Google 'EPCOT model 1978')

Equatorial Africa. It came so close to being build!

And, more pertaining to this thread, here is the AA situated on the bridge to WS. WS lagoon to the right, World of Motion in the top right corner. I'm trying to mentally combine it with @Omnispace 's picture!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I'm so frustrated with EPCOT these days (my fav park as well) - so much potential and so few appreciable changes. My folks just went with us recently and they hadn't been in years and years - the only thing they saw as new was Soarin .. ha. Needless to say, they won't be back again anytime soon unless we pay their way and coerce them into watching the kids again.

Regarding the FW and WS transition, though .. I'm okay with the existing pathways and what not but think they could certainly streamline the paths on the east side (ie. Odyssey). It's a convoluted system of back and forth pathways, there should probably be something more direct that doesn't run adjacent to the Odyssey bldg itself. It's not like you'd be ruining some beautiful pond or water feature .. there's a big lost opportunity for themeing and beautification there IMO.

Big opportunity for beautification near Odyssey's pathways? Maybe they can add some tropical foliage and beaches with flamingo's?

 

[Glasgow]

Big opportunity for beautification near Odyssey's pathways? Maybe they can add some tropical foliage and beaches with flamingo's?

I was thinking more like Starbucks marquees and vacant show bldgs ..

 

[luv]

More street entertainment, more landscaping and a Wonders of Life pavilion.

 

[Figments Friend]

I agree with @hakunamatata . Take walking towards Mexico Pavilion for example. When you make that left turn at the beginning of the WS loop walkway (after leaving Future World) and head towards the pavilion you can see a little of whats ahead, not everything. As you get near it, it kind of opens up as if you were in the jungle and you just stumbled across a pyramid. Whether it was designed that way or not, my imagination always gives me that feeling.

It was intended that way....a sign of great designing.
You are made to felt that it is being revealed to you, one step at a time.



I like the way WS is...how the different countries blend together.
There does not need to be obvious 'gates' between FW and WS...the slight transition is perfect when taking the original intent of the Park to heart.

It says a statement about what EPCOT Center, and WS in this case, was originally supposed to be promoting - Unity through a common shared experience together pursuing future goals.

If only EPCOT today continued to pursue that...

 

[Figments Friend]

There's more where that came from!

World Showcase close-up. Guess the countries! (Google 'EPCOT model 1978')

Equatorial Africa. It came so close to being build!

And, more pertaining to this thread, here is the AA situated on the bridge to WS. WS lagoon to the right, World of Motion in the top right corner. I'm trying to mentally combine it with @Omnispace 's picture!

Awesome photos. I have not seen these before until now.
Many thanks for sharing.

 

[Omnispace]

There's more where that came from!

World Showcase close-up. Guess the countries! (Google 'EPCOT model 1978')

Equatorial Africa. It came so close to being build!

And, more pertaining to this thread, here is the AA situated on the bridge to WS. WS lagoon to the right, World of Motion in the top right corner. I'm trying to mentally combine it with @Omnispace 's picture!

I love this version of World Showcase which is based on Harper Goff's designs. I like the way that the pavilions engage the promenade more and the walk around the lake becomes more an exploration of the different environments. That being said, there is something about the current promenade that works extremely well. Perhaps it is the large scale and grandness of it that lends itself to the magnitude of World Showcase. It's possible that the meandering path might have been too confusing and frustrating to navigate, like a busy day in DL's Adventureland...

As for the elevated American pavilion located at the junction between FW and WS, I'm not sure what they intended for the spaces beneath it but imagine having that heavy mass above you, compressing your view from above, and then stepping out into the grand expanse of World Showcase. It would have been a very dramatic experience.

 

[billDozer]

i once read that there was supposed be some transition between fw and ws but that long emty patch from the fountain to the lake ended up being a big sinkhole and when they started building epcot that pathway kept sinking so they ended up spending a ton to make that walkway stay up and with sinking issues they were afraid of build something

 

[FettFan]

Rhine River Tours.

 

[MikeTaylorSound]

There is already an "entrance way" if you want to call it that...

 

[Communicore]

There's no more EPCOT. Only Epcot theme park. Therefore I will say "Make EPCOT that much better by adding" Center to it lol