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

[UNCgolf]

Does what they're doing actually impact the old theater and simulator areas? I don't think converting the dome itself into PLAY! is necessarily inefficient. The continued disuse of the attached spaces seems to be the actual problem, but it's a separate issue, I think.

I meant that combined with demolishing Communicore/Innoventions and replacing it with basically nothing (at least as far as we know). What we know about the Play Pavilion could have easily gone in that space, leaving the former WoL pavilion and its attraction space available for something else. All of that together seems very inefficient to me -- it appears like there will be much less usable guest space than there would have otherwise been.

 

[CastAStone]

Play is "making use of a building that can, has, could, and should be used for much more".

I am happy to make that evaluation after we *actually* know what’s inside of it.

 

[James Alucobond]

I meant that combined with demolishing Communicore/Innoventions and replacing it with basically nothing (at least as far as we know). What we know about the Play Pavilion could have easily gone in that space, leaving the former WoL pavilion and its attraction space available for something else. All of that together seems very inefficient to me -- it appears like there will be much less usable guest space than there would have otherwise been.

I guess my thought is that, in my mind, there was never really anything of particular interest housed in the domed vestibule of Wonders anyway, so shifting something there isn’t any more or less efficient than it ever was. But I certainly agree that maintaining the other space and activating everything optimally would be ideal.

 

[UNCgolf]

I guess my thought is that, in my mind, there was never really anything of particular interest housed in the domed vestibule of Wonders anyway

It was definitely my least favorite pavilion. I barely remember it -- the only thing that comes to mind is the exercise bikes with video that was synced to your pedaling speed. I think either Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom was one of the options but there were others.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I am happy to make that evaluation after we *actually* know what’s inside of it.

We already know: $15/hour hugs!

 

[Patcheslee]

There was logic to begin with?

Yes: offer alcohol before guests get too far into the park, then guests will be less aware of the rest.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I think that’s fair, but it is kind of replacing Innoventions space. Meanwhile, Innoventions is getting replaced with…some waterfalls and…?

A festival-themed land area, duh!

 

[FigmentFan82]

EPCOT is all about the progress of human culture, civilization, architecture, and ladders.

 

[ToTBellHop]

A festival-themed land area, duh!

If only the centerpiece of a World Celebration themed area were a Fountain of Nations that celebrated the world…

 

[Bocabear]

"If Only" should be the new name for Futureworld....
or "So Many Missed Opportunities land" lol

 

[FigmentFan82]

or "So Many Missed Opportunities land" lol

because they only seem to be thinking SMMOL

 

[SirLink]

"If Only" should be the new name for Futureworld....
or "So Many Missed Opportunities land" lol

TBF it is located in "World Discovery" area of epcot - Discover a World of bad IP seems a bit on the nose.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

This is kind of like complaining that Mermaid “replaced” 20k Leagues Under the Sea. It really didn’t even if it kept a bit of the structure.

To me, this is more like when 20K was finally demolished and a corner of the site became Pooh's Playful Spot.

After years of sitting idle, an attraction with appeal to a wide audience is allocating some of its available space to an experience with a more limited target demographic.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

It was definitely my least favorite pavilion. I barely remember it -- the only thing that comes to mind is the exercise bikes with video that was synced to your pedaling speed. I think either Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom was one of the options but there were others.

It was Disneyland. The video of it has been posted on YouTube.

 

[ToTBellHop]

To me, this is more like when 20K was finally demolished and a corner of the site became Pooh's Playful Spot.

After years of sitting idle, an attraction with appeal to a wide audience is allocating some of its available space to an experience with a more limited target demographic.

The one silver lining here is Play is reversible in a decade or two if it’s not working. Other changes at Epcot have permanently damaged the park.

Of course, JII has been trash for many years and they’ve just left it that way…

It‘s a pity they don’t make this kind of like a science museum with characters. Kids love science museums. Our local one, the Connecticut Science Center, is great. I understand why this location won’t have a thrill ride but that doesn’t mean that M&Gs are the only option.

 

[James Alucobond]

The one silver lining here is Play is reversible in a decade or two if it’s not working. Other changes at Epcot have permanently damaged the park.

I should think not only reversible but also completely reprogrammable if the content of the pavilion changes since it seems to be mostly screens.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I should think not only reversible but also completely reprogrammable if the content of the pavilion changes since it seems to be mostly screens.

I’m sure that is part of the appeal for Disney. They’d rather never have to update an Epcot pavilion again if possible.

 

[HauntedPirate]

The one silver lining here is Play is reversible in a decade or two if it’s not working. Other changes at Epcot have permanently damaged the park.

Of course, JII has been trash for many years and they’ve just left it that way…

It‘s a pity they don’t make this kind of like a science museum with characters. Kids love science museums. Our local one, the Connecticut Science Center, is great. I understand why this location won’t have a thrill ride but that doesn’t mean that M&Gs are the only option.

What could be more timeless, more relevant, more family, and more Disney than character M&G’s??? Everyone loves Disney characters!

 

[doctornick]

Does what they're doing actually impact the old theater and simulator areas? I don't think converting the dome itself into PLAY! is necessarily inefficient. The continued disuse of the attached spaces seems to be the actual problem, but it's a separate issue, I think.

Yeah that’s my take. They need to put a ride in the old BW space and a new show in the Cranium Command theater. Those spaces are still there even with whatever they are putting under the dome.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I don't think that's really the point.

It's more that they have a location with existing attraction space that they are using for something they could have easily put in another existing structure, and they're not even using the attraction space. It just doesn't make much sense from a master planning standpoint -- it's an inefficient use of space.

If the Play Pavilion was there answer to IP integration in a park that historically (pre Iger) wasn't driven by IP integration, than so be it. The problem is this is just one of many IP centric things. Having said all that, I'm anticipating this will be similar to the original Innoventions with a lot of interactive exhibits for kids.