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

[pdude81]

You should be here now on a Friday night with the candlelight procession, the new fireworks, and the new hub, and all the Friday night drinkers here.

It was rough last night

 

[J4546]

Retheme play to planetarium theater with 1000+ seats looking up at a massive dome screen journey though universe.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

I think you could probably salvage the infrastructure. Fundamentally, I don't think there's an issue with the idea of the entire interior of the dome being screens or projections that can shift and change even if the imagined interactivity is bunk. The issue is that the screens can't be the attraction on their own; they need to resurrect the adjacent theaters to whatever extent they can to have something that the dome builds toward.

That's true, and part of the design was so that things could be easily interchanged as time goes on. The problem is they barely installed anything in there, and if they go back to the drawing board I think it would make more sense to build from the ground up instead of around the bones of a half finished project.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

The decision to cancel Play was made after NBA Experience closed, but before the permanent closure announcement was made. There's not much correlation, aside from them both being interactive experiences and a large amount of the project team having been part of both projects. I think the decision for NBA was more "This had poor attendance pre-COVID, it absolutely couldn't survive post-COVID and we can just blame the closure on the pandemic" and Play was more "Interactive experiences post pandemic? That could be a bad idea, let's press pause." Then when the conversation was held on when/how to unpause it, they realized it just wasn't worth finishing for a variety of factors.

Also worth mentioning one was a standalone experience with separate admission, the other was part of a greater theme park. Attendance wouldn't have been an issue.


This was a big thing. Creative on Play was done over five years ago. I spoke to some people on the project team, they openly admitted that much of the tech they were working with was already somewhat dated even then. Opening Play as it was originally envisioned just isn't feasible today, if they were sticking with the same basic concept they would need to start over on a lot of it.

I heard the technology being outdated too. Another thing that was a huge blow to this project and still cripples the company was the decision to let go their seasonal entertainment cast members. Lots went on to better things and there’s still a struggle to fill those spots.

 

[GladToBeHear]

That's true, and part of the design was so that things could be easily interchanged as time goes on. The problem is they barely installed anything in there, and if they go back to the drawing board I think it would make more sense to build from the ground up instead of around the bones of a half finished project.

Do you know if there was ever a consideration to linking the pavilion to M:S and making it a post-mission experience?

 

[DisneyDreamerxyz]

As much as it pains me to see this pavilion vacant, I can’t help but feel relieved this was canned. To me it seems like it could’ve made for another JII situation, where the abandoned pavilion is given new life again but in a much more mediocre way. We’d likely be stuck with it for decades, so I think they made the right call. I hope Test Track 3.0 is a smashing success and shows disney there’s still interest in what made Epcot special, and helps move the needle for this and Imagination to get the redos they deserve

They made the pavilion even more hidden when Cosmic Rewind opened by building a curb in front of it with landscaping. The winding walkway up to the pavilion used to be there just blocked off by a rope, now it is totally in-accessible.

When they used it for Food & Wine in 2018 I made a point to go in there because I wanted to see it. It was very retro feeling and old but in a good way.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

Do you know if there was ever a consideration to linking the pavilion to M:S and making it a post-mission experience?

I’m unaware of that ever being actually considered. Hopefully it wasn’t too, the park already has two space themed pavilions as it is. Wonders should be something different.

 

[OSUPhantom]

They have to do something with that; it’s such a waste for it to sit empty. Doesn’t need to be an E-ticket, even a simple C ticket would be welcome and needed.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

Could this be made into a theatre or something ??

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

Could this be made into a theatre or something ??

The short answer is no. The long answer is that'd have to be one huge theatre or a ton of space would be wasted considering that building used to house five of them. Nine if you count the Body Wars cabins as theatres.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I’m unaware of that ever being actually considered. Hopefully it wasn’t too, the park already has two space themed pavilions as it is. Wonders should be something different.

I still vote for a Weather Pavillon and TDS Storm Rider..

And yes I am aware that body wars ride vehicles were removed but if they could enhance it then it could work..

 

[CJR]

It'd be cool if they could maybe do a new take on If You Had Wings, or something. Any dark ride would make me happy. Especially in this wing of the theme park, sandwiched between Guardians and Mission: Space.

Take that, toss in a theater show, add some shopping and exhibits and bam, you're set. It's easy!

 

[doctornick]

Could this be made into a theatre or something ??

The entire building would be a waste, but the former pavilion had two dedicated theaters before (one for Making of Me, the other for Cranium Command). And had the show space for Body Wars. And had the indoor walking around area for smaller scale stuff and a small food service counter.

so basically... there's a lot of space that could be used for different things. Personally, I'd really like to see it reopen with both a ride and show - that side of the park could really benefit from a family friendly ride (without height restriction) as well as a show you can easily walk in when desired. If there was also the return of some counter service food, that would be a plus as well.

 

[Disstevefan1]

This is a fun and interesting discussion but we know they will do nothing with the building. It makes me wonder, does Disney get tax breaks of buildings not in use?

Lately, it seems TWDC is more interested in what that can write off, write down instead of investing into the parks, especially WDW.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

This is a fun and interesting discussion but we know they will do nothing with the building. It makes me wonder, does Disney get tax breaks of buildings not in use?

Lately, it seems TWDC is more interested in what that can write off, write down instead of investing into the parks, especially WDW.

I believe at one time there were demolition permits for the building

 

[Disstevefan1]

I believe at one time there were demolition permits for the building

That would be a shame! But I would not be surprised.

 

[Disney Analyst]

With Inside Out 2 coming next year, they really could tie this into that universe in some way... Heck, bring an Emotional Whirlwind attraction like in DCA and plunk it inside.

 

[Disstevefan1]

With Inside Out 2 coming next year, they really could tie this into that universe in some way... Heck, bring an Emotional Whirlwind attraction like in DCA and plunk it inside.

OK that is too logical, too correct, too perfect, too economical, therefore they will never do it.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

I believe at one time there were demolition permits for the building

If you're referring to the one filed in 2012 that was to knock out the soundproof walls that separated the Body Wars bays. Er, at least two of them, they kept the one dividing Bay 1 and 2 for some reason. Then more were filed in 2019 to gut the dome and Cranium Command.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

If you're referring to the one filed in 2012 that was to knock out the soundproof walls that separated the Body Wars bays. Er, at least two of them, they kept the one dividing Bay 1 and 2 for some reason. Then more were filed in 2019 to gut the dome and Cranium Command.

I thought it was way back in 2007 For the whole thing to come down.