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

[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.

 

[TwilightZone]

As much as I mostly dislike the cancelled Discoveryland plans for Epcot, I feel like it handled the IP integration (or at least the ones I am aware of) a little bit better than current Epcot.

For example the Seas with the Little Mermaid seemed to actually incorporate humanity's influence on the health of the seas in it's story.

I kinda wonder what a Discoveryland version of Play would be like...it's a bit tricky incorporating play with an educational aspect but I feel like it could be done.

 

[TheEPCOTHistorian]

New chain-link fencing around Play!... Runs from Treasures of Xandar to Mission: Space.

 

[Rob562]

New chain-link fencing around Play!... Runs from Treasures of Xandar to Mission: Space.
View attachment 628965

Yeah, that's not opening any time soon...

-Rob

 

[vikescaper]

They should have replaced the gold panels with blue ones. Then it could have blended in with the big blue box.

 

[No Name]

They should have replaced the gold panels with blue ones. Then it could have blended in with the big blue box.

Well its an actual attraction pavilion people walk right up to, so that would be pretty dumb.

 

[vikescaper]

Well its an actual attraction pavilion people walk right up to, so that would be pretty dumb.

I was joking.

 

[DVCakaCarlF]

New chain-link fencing around Play!... Runs from Treasures of Xandar to Mission: Space.
View attachment 628965

Probably construction fence

 

[networkpro]

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

Especially the Furries!

 

[MisterPenguin]

Especially the Furries!

Those are the people that want the anthropomorphic animals to remain in Splash Mountain, right?

 

[No Name]

I was joking.

Oh okay, with this crowd it’s hard to tell!

 

[networkpro]

Those are the people that want the anthropomorphic animals to remain in Splash Mountain, right?

Those are the folks who are a little too excited when confronted with anyone wearing a humanized animal costume.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Those are the folks who are a little too excited when confronted with anyone wearing a humanized animal costume.

Yep.

 

[Nonja]

But, we never ever knew what really was on the Play pavilion...

There are meet&greets, kid playgrounds, something with trains, The Animation Academy, interactive experiences... and that was only a part of it. This pavillion sounds fun. Like that building in Disney California Adventure. Nothing big but a lot of small thing to do and have a good time with.