News New Play Pavilion to replace Epcot's Wonders of Life

[James Alucobond]

Could you elaborate on how? (And I'm asking genuinely!) The Discovery section seems a mishmash of technology, scifi, and space travel. I'm interested in hearing from people that see it as cohesive and why. (For example, I could see TT, M:S and maybe even Play connect under technology. I could see M:S and Guardians fit under real and fantasy space travel. I've always struggled to see how they all fit together and a story that could connect them.)

In my head, I connect Test Track, Mission: SPACE, and Cosmic Rewind as a sort of present-to-future exploration of modes of transport (real or imagined) and where they can take us. So, from right to left, you go from terrestrial travel to near-space travel to deep-space travel. I really, really wish Test Track still incorporated some of World of Motion's history to reinforce this and that Cosmic Rewind's pavilion was a more generic exploration of the wonders of the galaxy that we posit might exist, anchored by a "Guardians-sponsored" ride of pure intergalactic fantasy.

PLAY! has never really fit to me, but I suppose you could stretch it and say that it's based on technology that virtually transports you rather than doing so physically.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

In my head, I connect Test Track, Mission: SPACE, and Cosmic Rewind as a sort of present-to-future exploration of modes of transport (real or imagined) and where they can take us. So, from right to left, you go from terrestrial travel to near-space travel to deep-space travel. I really, really wish Test Track still incorporated some of World of Motion's history to reinforce this and that Cosmic Rewind's pavilion was a more generic exploration of the wonders of the galaxy that we posit might exist, anchored by a "Guardians-sponsored" ride of pure intergalactic fantasy.

PLAY! has never really fit to me, but I suppose you could stretch it and say that it's based on technology that virtually transports you rather than doing so physically.

That's an interesting thought. Disney marketing could make good use of that!

 

[Epcot82Guy]

In my head, I connect Test Track, Mission: SPACE, and Cosmic Rewind as a sort of present-to-future exploration of modes of transport (real or imagined) and where they can take us. So, from right to left, you go from terrestrial travel to near-space travel to deep-space travel. I really, really wish Test Track still incorporated some of World of Motion's history to reinforce this and that Cosmic Rewind's pavilion was a more generic exploration of the wonders of the galaxy that we posit might exist, anchored by a "Guardians-sponsored" ride of pure intergalactic fantasy.

PLAY! has never really fit to me, but I suppose you could stretch it and say that it's based on technology that virtually transports you rather than doing so physically.

I actually could get behind this. Maybe under "World Exploration" or something like this. And, the Play! Idea could even work in a retooled way. They could take a hybrid of Wonders of Life and the original TransCenter to focus on sort of a whimsical history of transportation modes - hosted by various Disney characters. Not my favorite, but it could be an interesting way to evolve the PLAY! idea into something that at least fits.

The other way would be to retool the idea into "how technology allows us to explore new locations, real and imagined." GotG and Play! would then need to be retooled so you had a clear departure of the real world into the imagined - focused on tech (like CGI, social media, etc.). But, it could work with a bit of a stretch.

 

[TwilightZone]

Like I said earlier in this thread, I do believe play does fit, but the current theming of it doesn't. If it leaned more on the technology aspect (like innoventions or imageworks), the health aspect (similar to the og wonders of life), or was about the transformation of play over time (though unsure how that would go) it would have been a perfect fit. Maybe even the best fitting attraction in recent Epcot memory. But as it stands now it is an ill-fitting puzzle piece.

 

[Bocabear]

Play! should be in Disney Springs. Shocking and Sad that Disney leadership and Imagineering cannot come up with a proper replacement for Wonders Of Life in a world class theme park.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Play! should be in Disney Springs. Shocking and Sad that Disney leadership and Imagineering cannot come up with a proper replacement for Wonders Of Life in a world class theme park.

I agree. That could be a decent NBA replacement.

I still think having TT and JIIwF being part of the central area, then focusing Discovery on the real and fantasy exploration of outer space, and Nature being as it is, would have been the best bet. Play could have been any number of ideas tied to space. The building even looks like a planet already.

 

[aladdin2007]

Play! should be in Disney Springs. Shocking and Sad that Disney leadership and Imagineering cannot come up with a proper replacement for Wonders Of Life in a world class theme park.

not only that but to not use the two show buildings for attractions is hideous. Such a waste, but they don't have the skill anymore and don't want to spend so there ya go. and epcot is no longer a world class park to me its just so sad what its become.

 

[TikibirdLand]

not only that but to not use the two show buildings for attractions is hideous. Such a waste, but they don't have the skill anymore and don't want to spend so there ya go. and epcot is no longer a world class park to me its just so sad what its become.

I think that's where you're mistaken. Oh, they like to spend -- I'm told 2 BILLION for SW Lands. Seems they're not willing to spend the money where it makes the biggest difference. That, my friend, is a lack of imagination and of leadership.

 

[Mickeynerd17]

I actually could get behind this. Maybe under "World Exploration" or something like this. And, the Play! Idea could even work in a retooled way. They could take a hybrid of Wonders of Life and the original TransCenter to focus on sort of a whimsical history of transportation modes - hosted by various Disney characters. Not my favorite, but it could be an interesting way to evolve the PLAY! idea into something that at least fits.

The other way would be to retool the idea into "how technology allows us to explore new locations, real and imagined." GotG and Play! would then need to be retooled so you had a clear departure of the real world into the imagined - focused on tech (like CGI, social media, etc.). But, it could work with a bit of a stretch.

I like this! It would provide a consistent theme on that side of the park.

My only qualm would be with Mission Space. That pavilion seriously needs another ride element inside it.

IDK how feasible, or even possible, this is, but just imagine the structure and facade around the simulators was taken out, a new structure built over the simulators, and two omnimover (or PPF style) attractions installed (one for Orange and one for Green). The current exits from the simulator rooms are perfectly set up for this, and both omnimovers would weave in and out of each other's paths with some shared show scenes and exclusive scenes for each track. Both attractions would exit into a main postshow space like the Living Seas with rotating exhibits on current space travel advances. I honestly should draw an example to explain it more, but it would be a major step above having just simulators.

Even if that's not 100% feasable, I'd love to see more added to Mission Space to make every ride on that side of the park a strong offering.

 

[TikibirdLand]

I like this! It would provide a consistent theme on that side of the park.

My only qualm would be with Mission Space. That pavilion seriously needs another ride element inside it.

IDK how feasible, or even possible, this is, but just imagine the structure and facade around the simulators was taken out, a new structure built over the simulators, and two omnimover (or PPF style) attractions installed (one for Orange and one for Green). The current exits from the simulator rooms are perfectly set up for this, and both omnimovers would weave in and out of each other's paths with some shared show scenes and exclusive scenes for each track. Both attractions would exit into a main postshow space like the Living Seas with rotating exhibits on current space travel advances. I honestly should draw an example to explain it more, but it would be a major step above having just simulators.

Even if that's not 100% feasable, I'd love to see more added to Mission Space to make every ride on that side of the park a strong offering.

I love the facade of M:S and the ride too. I also miss everything it replaced. Why can't dark rides co-exist with thrill rides? Seems to work for MK. It can work for EPCoT as well.

 

[CastAStone]

I would like to see what it actually is before I bash it. Details remain extremely scarce.

 

[CastAStone]

not only that but to not use the two show buildings for attractions is hideous. Such a waste, but they don't have the skill anymore and don't want to spend so there ya go. and epcot is no longer a world class park to me its just so sad what its become.

It’s unthinkable to have an Epcot pavilion filled with small scale, interactive exhibits.

 

[TikibirdLand]

It’s unthinkable to have an Epcot pavilion filled will small scale, interactive exhibits.

Yeah, but they torn down the building dedicated to them... Then, they destroyed a pavilion dedicated to health and fitness in order to put in something else. But, whatever...

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Forgot this was still a thing.

 

[CastAStone]

Yeah, but they torn down the building dedicated to them... Then, they destroyed a pavilion dedicated to health and fitness in order to put in something else. But, whatever...

Health and fitness?

Biology.

 

[TikibirdLand]

Health and fitness?

Biology.

OK. I remember the Goofy fitness booth too fondly. But, hey, whatever. Loved the pavilion. The problem is that Disney relied on corporate sponsors too long to pay for their attractions. Updates were anathema. EPCoT paid the price -- and still is.

 

[Goofy Ninja]

Could you elaborate on how? (And I'm asking genuinely!) The Discovery section seems a mishmash of technology, scifi, and space travel. I'm interested in hearing from people that see it as cohesive and why. (For example, I could see TT, M:S and maybe even Play connect under technology. I could see M:S and Guardians fit under real and fantasy space travel. I've always struggled to see how they all fit together and a story that could connect them.)

It's not perfect, but it goes with the Discovery theming. Because it involves space and possibly time travel. Which is some of man's and woman's greatest ideas and concepts.

 

[kevlightyear]

The path leading to the Play Pavilion has been removed from the map.

Here's the old version for reference:

 

[Phicinfan]

Star Trek Themed Transporters locked in - Confirmed

 

[Next Big Thing]

The path leading to the Play Pavilion has been removed from the map.

View attachment 623650

Here's the old version for reference:

View attachment 623652

I suspect this to be because when walls come down for GotG, they will still be up around Play!