Mystery Project at Epcot

[marni1971]

I'm pretty sure that @marni1971 has specifically said that a replacement for Illuminations if not in the cards at this time.

As of last fall that's what I know.

 

[Monoblanco13]

[QUOTE="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.[/QUOTE]

You heard it here first Body wars is coming back! LOL

 

[tribbleorlfl]

Epcot's current food quality. It's a problem with WDW as a whole, but EPCOT in partcular used to be well known for its high food quality (don't know when exactly things dropped off so sharply but i suspect it began in the mid-late 90's, the time wdw's downward spiral as a whole commenced). And i would say my praise of classic EPCOT food holds some weight, i count myself very lucky to have been raised with some pretty high standards of cuisine. The peak of my good fortune having been my childhood visit to a number of countries in Europe and experiencing some truly wonderful fine dining, which gave me a pretty good reference point in judging World Showcase's food quality. They once did a surprisingly good job in that regard. Epcot's current food quality is just another sobering reminder of how far the park has fallen.

I also tried out some dishes at last year's food and wine fest (never tried any of the festival food and thought it might be a bit better than normal EPCOT food), i was NOT impressed whatsoever.

Since this is off-topic, I'm going to quote over in the restaurants sub-forum to continue, but I categorically disagree with you (and anyone else) that states WDW's food offerings are of poor quality.

 

[Brian Swan]

Argh, it terrifies me whenever I hear of Epcot 'mystery projects'... not only does it mean that Disney might take an existing attraction and make it worse (as they did with Journey into the Imagination, Spaceship Earth, Horizons/Mission Space), but Captain EO is always rumored to be on the chopping block! I think I am the only person who loves that attraction, and that makes me so sad!

You are

 

[Brian Swan]

If you look at WS on Google Maps there is plenty of room to build at least 2 new countries without trashing a current one. Outpost is also disposable as well.

Actually, someone posted on this board an annotated map that shows there is room for 6 or 7 more countries. Problem is that Disney can't get countries to up the $$$ to participate.

 

[marni1971]

Problem is that Disney can't get countries to up the $$$ to participate.

Or pay it themselves.

 

[Skippy]

Actually, someone posted on this board an annotated map that shows there is room for 6 or 7 more countries. Problem is that Disney can't get countries to up the $$$ to participate.

The only governments to contribute to their pavilions in the world showcase are Morocco (sent artisans to contribute to it's construction) and Norway (contributed 2M and a loan vs the 33M private Norwegian companies invested). Any other financial involvement came from private companies through sponsorships, restaurants, etc.
Maybe the problem is Disney can't get the same kind of backing from sponsors as it did before, but I think it's more of a lack of desire to expand WS.

 

[Brian Swan]

I know nothing.
Haven't heard of Rat as a real possibility.

My money would be on Imagination....if I had to go out on a limb.

I would also venture a guess on Imagination. It has an existing functional ride system, 3D theater, and exhibit space; retheming is much cheaper than new construction.

Short of a complete gutting, UoE is tied to the preshow-movie-ride-movie format. And like her or not, Ellen is STILL a well-known name with a very popular day-time TV show. But I agree that more updated films would be nice to have.

I would love to see "something" in the WoL building during the months that it isn't used for the 2 festivals. I don't know if the BW ride systems are still functional, but if they are, it would not be a huge cost to develop a new film. If the od CC theater is still there, it would not cost alot to create a new show - even if it was just to install a screen and 3D projection system. The building itself is so generic, just about ANY theme/sponsor could use it...

 

[Monoblanco13]

I would love to see "something" in the WoL building during the months that it isn't used for the 2 festivals. I don't know if the BW ride systems are still functional, but if they are, it would not be a huge cost to develop a new film. If the od CC theater is still there, it would not cost alot to create a new show - even if it was just to install a screen and 3D projection system. The building itself is so generic, just about ANY theme/sponsor could use it...

According to a CM last time I was there BW is still intact but Buzzy if I'm correct from CC was going to the Archives.

 

[Fox&Hound]

I wonder if Disney would ever scrap the future world portion (as predicting the future or keeping their vision from growing stale was never their strength) and just make it more countries. I've always failed to see the connection between FW and WS. Maybe it's just me. I know there is more space to expand in WS as it is (quoted above in an earlier post) but if you gave each country more room then you could: add a table service or quick service to many of the countries represented, represent parts of the world that should have their culture represented, allow for more room for stage shows and street entertainment, and add more rides. Even if they went the route and added more tie-in's to IP's (frozen in Norway) by taking over FW it would give them more space to create sprawling countries where the tie-in's could be set back or incorporated so they they do not stand out as much (does that make sense). I'm just not sure how you'd tie in Nemo, TT, and Space Ship Earth....

 

[Brian Swan]

Don't know.
I hope not.
Figment...eh...ok. Dreamfinder...no thanks. At least not without a major makeover.

But with the new comic/graphic novel makeover that Dreamfinder and Figment have had, there are some real possibilities...

 

[Monoblanco13]

Side note a Different CM made me aware that Imageworks 2nd floor was an office for Imagineers but I'm starting to believe the CM's Like to spread wild rumors lol

 

[marni1971]

I don't know if the BW ride systems are still functional,

BodyWars is gone.

 

[marni1971]

Side note a Different CM made me aware that Imageworks 2nd floor was an office for Imagineers but I'm starting to believe the CM's Like to spread wild rumors lol

Imagineering did have a small space up there amongst conference space and trashed storage space. So the CM wasn't exactly wrong.

 

[Monoblanco13]

Imagineering did have a small space up there amongst conference space and trashed storage space. So the CM wasn't exactly wrong.

Is it reading too far seeing that you used the word "did"? meaning no longer lol

 

[Brian Swan]

So yes, I saw this on another site. The ideas being tossed around are either some new type of ride attraction never seen before, OR, a replacement for Illuminations.

What is interesting about this is that I also recently read that there is a rumor about a second restaurant opening in the unused building at the top of the Canada Pavilion. Why is this interesting? Because up until now, the building was not usable due to fireworks that are launched right in back of this particular building. The Canada restaurant rumor also included the point that a new replacement for Illuminations was coming, and that this new show would not launch fireworks from that location. This would then make this particular building usable, and one reason that it would be good for a new restaurant is that the view from atop the Canada Pavilion is excellent. And obviously, a used building generating money is better than an empty asset that garners nothing. We shall see.

Canada is the only country that doesn't have a QS. Can you imagine how popular it could be if they offered the LC Beer-Cheese Soup, Poutine (minus the truffle oil, please), beaver tails, and a few other items...?

 

[Brian Swan]

Didn't Canada have more stores before besides the one in front. I'm pretty sure there was more to look at in Chateau Laurier and the stretch of buildings across from it..

I've been going to EP more or less since it opened, and I don't remember anything ever being in the Chateau or in the small line of buildings across from it. Those buildings would be a great location for a QS...

 

[lentesta]

My bet is on an IllumiNations replacement. Last December we were discussing with Disney the availability of spots for an IllumiNations dessert party in December 2015, the question we got back from them was "What if it's not IllumiNations? Would that be okay?"

 

[Brian Swan]

If this is the case I would hope nothing too WoC-like, as it appears Rivers of Light is going to follow that style.
And I do quite enjoy the blend RoE has between fireworks/centerpiece currently. Maybe new fireworks with an innovative lighting/laser/non-fireworks interlude.
WoC requires massive underground infrastructure for holding tanks, water cannons, etc. EP is mostly built on a reclaimed swamp; the ground would never be able to support the weight. I'm assuming that the ground under AK is more stable...

Also, this just got me thinking.. if they ever take away the Torches around the world showcase I will be deeply saddened. I love that addition and I think it could be tastefully added to whatever comes after RoE. (Plus entering EPCOT at the end of the marathon and seeing the torches alight around the lagoon was absolutely amazing).


Could be. Hope so. My bingo sheet has west coast star wars land, DHS 2.0, and an EPCOT surprise on it at least.


The more time passes the more I'm inclined to think likewise. The only hesitation is can they put something in there that is more than just another 3d/'4d' show? Something larger than life? Or is that just passion for a personal project getting everyone's hopes up?

 

[Brian Swan]

The peak of my good fortune having been my childhood visit to a number of countries in Europe and experiencing some truly wonderful fine dining, which gave me a pretty good reference point in judging World Showcase's food quality.

I am a self-proclaimed "food snob"; I have been going to EP since it first opened, and I have not noticed the "drop-off" that you mention. EP is a theme park, not a "fine dining" venue (although I would argue that Monsieur Paul IS fine dining and Le Cel comes close). What EP IS, is a place where people who haven't had the luxury of 4-star dining in the capitols of Europe to at least get a "reasonable" sampling of international cuisine. Yes, there are a couple of "fails", but most are at least "good", and a few are truly excellent. If you want "fine dining" in WDW, go to the signatures, and if they aren't "fine" enough, try the V&A Empress Room or Chef's Table (for about $400/person). I think the TSs in EP generally put out very good food, for a (relatively) reasonable price.