Mystery Project at Epcot

[DDLand]

Man, I really do like when you post. Especially posts like these.

Amen.

 

[DC0703]

Wasnt the original purpose of EPCOT a permanent worlds fair? This in hand tha nations remain as they are but future world can change when ever it is deemed it needs to be changed. Technology changes every day. Its not meant to last for ever. For one i actually can agree on one thing, for the price that toursist are paying for food, the quality should be better regardless of which park you are in. EPCOT had great food up until about 2008-2010 when a wave of new chefs and budget cuts were implemented on food. Somedays you might get lucky and get a decent meal but lets face it the quality is gone. I remeber a favorite of mine was the little restaurant in Japan. I used to order the Curry and used to get a lot of meat with it. Now if i get one chunk i get very lucky. Thr same goes for mexico and italy, and even the french pastry shop. I think the American pallet can stop being so naïve and realize that the food quality at EPCOT and the rest of the world kind of sucks. At least one thing that hasnt changed is the liquor and alcohol, disney can't control the distilleries and breweries. But as ive read i agree with most of you change is needed but baby steps first. The damage has been done and cant be fixed but hopefully wheb the newer generaition comes to power at the Walt Disney Co., things will change for the better because we carr and are detail oriented.

To be fair, not all of the restaurants in the World Showcase are owned by Disney. I believe Japan, France, Mexico and Italy are all owned by outside companies. Not that it excuses quality issues (I can't comment as I haven't eaten at any of those recently) but it bears mentioning.

 

[Wikkler]

To be fair, not all of the restaurants in the World Showcase are owned by Disney. I believe Japan, France, Mexico and Italy are all owned by outside companies. Not that it excuses quality issues (I can't comment as I haven't eaten at any of those recently) but it bears mentioning.

I think these are the restaurants at Epcot owned by non-Disney companies:

• San Angel Inn
• La Hacienda
• Nine Dragons
• Via Napoli
• Tutto Italia
• Teppan Edo
• Marrakesh
• Monsieur Paul
• Chefs de France

Can anyone confirm?

 

[SirLink]

Epcots previous philosophy of a worlds fair is a dead one anyway. There is no need for a worlds fair because we have YouTube. 2015 is very different than 1982- obvious, I know. The world is an incredible atmosphere- and with some minor tweaks could be spectacular- namely every pavilion having 1) a table service 2) a quick service 3) an attraction- and adding an additional couple pavilions and that place is A+.

The fundamental flaw with epcot IMO is future world. Even all the hindsight love of horizons, or wonders of life etc- once you strip out the nastalgia, it is just so boring for today's masses. Sum of all thrills is great, but outside of that- does innoventions offer a thing that YouTube can't? With YouTube I get the absolute latest and greatest everything and displayed in a more attractive way.

I'd say if Disney doesn't think of a way to reinvent future world, it's going to suck. But, well, that ship has sailed. Really, the whole premise just needs to change. outside of the land, test track, and mission space- I'd want them to reinvent everything else (including you imaginations).

'There is no need for a worlds fair because we have Youtube', what the heck am I reading so the have changed the name of it to "Expo [insert year]" but it still goes on ... and on .... and on.

Many of the ideas of healthy living, technology, how to live on an ever changing land, space exploration, etc. Are all relevant themes ... how you can claim its boring for the current park goers is kinda silly.

 

[SJN1279]

The attraction could be refurbed, but it isn't bad as is. But I do think that they need to expand the offering into a full blown "Space Pavilion". I believe that was the original plan when they were going to M:S.

I think they need to update the films, make them random like star tours, and actually interactive.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Epcots previous philosophy of a worlds fair is a dead one anyway. There is no need for a worlds fair because we have YouTube. 2015 is very different than 1982- obvious, I know.

So Expo 2015 is just a big lie?

 

[doctornick]

And wonders of life- and a show about the birds and the bees- yes- that's unnecessary and completely out of touch with today's theme park attender. As I said before- take out the nostalgia and its Boring with a capital B. The one pavilion that gets it right is the Land. Great slow ride that is educational and nostalgic, an E-Ticket, and a relevant show (which could be updated). Please point me to another pavilion that- if taken back to it's prime- would have that type of appeal.

I agree with you, but I think that classic Imagination would have a great appeal. Well, maybe a new film in the Eo theater from time to time, but the ride and upstairs area together would have long term appeal and nostalgia.

I also that the Seas needed an update but it went 3 steps too far. Changing the film/ride/hydrolaters to a Nemo theme was actually reasonable, but it should have been done in an educational way with Mr. Ray (the teacher) and Nemo (the wide eyed curious student) introducing us to the specifics of living under the sea and guiding us to an underwater human lab of Seabase Alpha. That would have been able to retain the wonder and futurism of the original pavilion while also making it more entertaining and engaging. Just IMHO.

 

[SirLink]

Youve been in innoventions, yes? That "display booth" layout is absolutely terrible and not relevant anymore. It needs to be redrawn/reimagined from scratch. The only "exhibit" worth a damn is actually a simulator/ride... because of well... the design/ride aspect.

And wonders of life- and a show about the birds and the bees- yes- that's unnecessary and completely out of touch with today's theme park attender. As I said before- take out the nostalgia and its Boring with a capital B. The one pavilion that gets it right is the Land. Great slow ride that is educational and nostalgic, an E-Ticket, and a relevant show (which could be updated). Please point me to another pavilion that- if taken back to it's prime- would have that type of appeal.

This forum is the twilight zone- I swear. When Disney doesn't change things, people complain they need to change things. When Disney makes changes- the complaints are to go back to how it used to be.

Innoventions needs changing it needs four key areas to focus on: VR, Holograms, Wearables and Robotics.

Completely disagree health is the most important aspect that Disney should focus on in Epcot it should have its own area.

The Land has an E-ticket I wasn't aware it had one I know it has two D-ticket attractions and one C-ticket though.

Test track back to World in Motion, Mission Space back to Horizons great experiences squandered on the silly short term views of WDI who came up with the Project Gemini plan.

Not all change is for the better. Getting rid of the soul of Epcot for some pre-teens not great, getting rid of Nescrape and replacing it with both Jofferys and Starbucks is good change.

 

[sshindel]

Has this turned into a general rant about Epcot thread? I've got somewhere around 5 million words (and growing) written on this subject that I may have to post...

 

[Magenta Panther]

I'm stating the obvious here (obviously), but Epcot will sadly never be what Walt wanted it to be. So what SHOULD it be? Well, I think that World Showcase is pretty darn wonderful pretty much as it is. I always have a great time there. But I think that each country should have its own dark ride (like Maelstrom...I know I know...dead horse) or, at least, something more than just a gift shop and restaurant, and as for the other side of Epcot...well, it should showcase new technologies. If characters have to be used, the gang from Big Hero 6 would be perfect as mascots for a robotics exhibit, one that could be updated regularly as robotics technologies advance. And Tesla Motors should have an exhibit at Epcot - it's building a viable electric car, definitely a next-generation advance. There should also be exhibits about holography, new, futuristic home tech (I recently read about a tech that makes walls light up, so that you wouldn't need lamps) and sound tech (there's a new tech that involves uber-focused sound that you would only hear if you stand right in front of the speaker - no need for earphones!) There are all kinds of advancements going on right now...you can read about them on the net (like I did), but imagine experiencing them in person...Epcot would be perfect for that.

And of course TDO should build a new Imagination ride and bring back Dreamfinder and Figment. Duh.

 

[andysol]

I'm stating the obvious here (obviously), but Epcot will sadly never be what Walt wanted it to be. So what SHOULD it be? Well, I think that World Showcase is pretty darn wonderful pretty much as it is. I always have a great time there. But I think that each country should have its own dark ride (like Maelstrom...I know I know...dead horse) or, at least, something more than just a gift shop and restaurant,

Right on.
I've said it a dozen times- I've been in the camp that each country should have- At Least:
1 Table service
1 quick service
1 attraction

Why they don't is beyond me.


My dream would be a Switzerland pavilion where the Africa area is now with the Matterhorn coaster there and the Fiji coaster in Japan. Two giant mountains flanking The back of the world pavilion. Tell me that wouldn't be a sight to behold.

 

[marni1971]

I think they need to update the films, make them random like star tours, and actually interactive.

Interactive would be a problem. Each cabin (on each of the two fugues that actually spin anymore) move in sync with each other. And they have to.

Any random "change of course" generated by a rider would need a simulated cabin movement. Which it can't do.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Interactive would be a problem. Each cabin (on each of the two fugues that actually spin anymore) move in sync with each other. And they have to.

Any random "change of course" generated by a rider would need a simulated cabin movement. Which it can't do.

The best they could offer is two different experiences--one for each centrifuge. Not that Disney has any impetus to do so. I'd be happy with one program with vastly improved graphics. It looks like Nintendo64 in there! I feel like it is an inherent problem with going with a CG ride--it does not age well at all. Comparatively speaking, it's not an old ride. Yet it feels ancient to me. It is also a pity to me that they can't do more with the post show. There is so much more that they could do with the space theme. instead we get a lame video game and a Discovery Zone.

 

[articos]

I really, really hope you're right... in my view the half-hearted and obvious work of the Imagineering of today doesn't deserve to be in the same breath as the incarnation of Imagineering that made Pirates, Splash or Mansion, or the guys who did Wizarding World for Universal.

Quite simply, the work of today is almost never in the same league as the originals, but it's also not the same company as back then. With a few notable exceptions where budgets are blown and creative folks are led by a fearless leader who goes to bat again and again - Indiana Jones, Tower of Terror, RSR - it's just an uphill battle to get an attraction at the level of the classics within the organizational structure of the company as it stands/stood within the past few decades. Unless there's a will from the upper levels to get something done, in which case, it gets done.

Regarding the guys who did Wizarding World...many of those people also have worked for WDI. And many of the people at WDI have worked for Universal Creative. Same people, different day, different company. It's easily possible to get the same levels of work at both companies, it just depends on time, budgets, will from above and who's available.

 

[articos]

The best they could offer is two different experiences--one for each centrifuge. Not that Disney has any impetus to do so. I'd be happy with one program with vastly improved graphics. It looks like Nintendo64 in there! I feel like it is an inherent problem with going with a CG ride--it does not age well at all. Comparatively speaking, it's not an old ride. Yet it feels ancient to me.

It's amazing how badly Mission Space has aged. Not something that was foreseen at all by any of the people I've worked with.

 

[RSoxNo1]

It's amazing how badly Mission Space has aged. Not something that was foreseen at all by any of the people I've worked with.

Is there any easy solution to this? I'm not sure that having a randomized experience here fixes the attraction.

 

[Monoblanco13]

Right on.
I've said it a dozen times- I've been in the camp that each country should have:
1 Table service
1 quick service
1 attraction

Why they don't is beyond me.


My dream would be a Switzerland pavilion where the Africa area is now with the Matterhorn coaster there and the Fiji coaster in Japan. Two giant mountains flanking The back of the world pavilion. Tell me that wouldn't be a sight to behold.

This would be great, I feel it will be well use of the park. Too bad its unlikely to happen, Universal would have to be doing major damage to Disney's numbers to consider such a radical idea.

So is everyone on the consensus that the mystery project a replacement for Illuminations though Jerry has never done a firework show that I'm aware of? I'm on the other side of the boat with him working on the replacement for Captain EO as I feel the shoe fits better.

 

[Monoblanco13]

Is there any easy solution to this? I'm not sure that having a randomized experience here fixes the attraction.

Unfortunately as humans we are insatiable, its not every day you experience a centrifuge like this unless your and APer. I wish they could breath life into this attraction once again. I rather ride TT with the Tron overlay. It didn't change much from its original test dummy design but I still make sure to go on it every morning I go to Epcot.

 

[doctornick]

Quite simply, the work of today is almost never in the same league as the originals, but it's also not the same company as back then. With a few notable exceptions where budgets are blown and creative folks are led by a fearless leader who goes to bat again and again - Indiana Jones, Tower of Terror, RSR - it's just an uphill battle to get an attraction at the level of the classics within the organizational structure of the company as it stands/stood within the past few decades. Unless there's a will from the upper levels to get something done, in which case, it gets done.

Regarding the guys who did Wizarding World...many of those people also have worked for WDI. And many of the people at WDI have worked for Universal Creative. Same people, different day, different company. It's easily possible to get the same levels of work at both companies, it just depends on time, budgets, will from above and who's available.

Also, I'm not convinced that the leadership at Uni necessarily "gets it" either and are huge theme park fans and advocates compared to Disney. Right now, they are happy to build premium attractions because they are seeing an excellent return on investment. But once the return gets smaller or is minimal, I would expect them to become stingy with budgets and makes cuts and stuff (WDW1974 indicated that there was stuff put on hold when DA didn't get the kind of unrealistic returns that corporate types wanted).

It will be interesting to see the long term behaviors of the companies.

 

[doctornick]

So is everyone on the consensus that the mystery project a replacement for Illuminations though Jerry has never done a firework show that I'm aware of?

I'm pretty sure that @marni1971 has specifically said that a replacement for Illuminations if not in the cards at this time. There's never been any evidence to think that was was Rees is working on; it just seems like an internet rumor.

I don't know if Rees is working on an Eo replacement or something else, but I feel confident it will be something on that scale. If not at Imagination, maybe it would be a new film at the old WoL pavilion.