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

[Dragonman]

“TRON+Runaway Railway. This interior is going to be absolutely insane aesthetically. Unfortunately, we may be seeing a lot of style to compensate for the little substance. At least the kids will get to meet all of their favorite DISNEY Friends”
-A Quote from a Good Friend

I know that there isn’t a lot of new stuff there (for me at least), but still figured that I’d pass it along

I’m just happy something is going in there after Wonders had a very unfortunate neglect and downfall. I’d rather see it used again to bring happiness instead of basically abandoned most of the year.

 

[disneyC97]

And I guess the body wars and cranium command areas can conceivably become attractions again in the future?

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

And I guess the body wars and cranium command areas can conceivably become attractions again in the future?

The body Wars attraction area has been gutted and used for Most of the PEO festival storage. The theatre where cranium command was still in place during the 2018 F&W festival. I have no idea if that area has been gutted.

 

[MisterPenguin]

“TRON+Runaway Railway. This interior is going to be absolutely insane aesthetically. Unfortunately, we may be seeing a lot of style to compensate for the little substance. At least the kids will get to meet all of their favorite DISNEY Friends”
-A Quote from a Good Friend

I know that there isn’t a lot of new stuff there (for me at least), but still figured that I’d pass it along

At least they'll be a nice place for the M&Gs rather than stuck in every corner. Kids can let off steam. Air Conditioned. Naps.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

At least they'll be a nice place for the M&Gs rather than stuck in every corner. Kids can let off steam. Air Conditioned. Naps.

Hopefully the M&G areas have FP+ so guest have more opportunities to use them

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

Hopefully the M&G areas have FP+ so guest have more opportunities to use them

Hey @marni1971 !! FP+ was supposed to spread the crowds out!! Remember Just ask Tom Staggs

 

[marni1971]

Hey @marni1971 !! FP+ was supposed to spread the crowds out!! Remember Just ask Tom Staggs

Tom “where are you now” Staggs and the SPG.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

Tom “where are you now” Staggs and the SPG.

Is Chapek the fall guy so Iger can come back to save the company?

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

The body Wars attraction area has been gutted and used for Most of the PEO festival storage. The theatre where cranium command was still in place during the 2018 F&W festival. I have no idea if that area has been gutted.

Not entirely gutted out. A couple of the soundproof walls are still there and Bay Four is still empty, but of course that could’ve changed by now. There’s not a chance that Cranium Command is still intact.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

So this might not happen?

 

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

So this might not happen?

It's quite far in the project. I would assume construction has stopped and would resume when possible.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

It's quite far in the project. I would assume construction has stopped and would resume when possible.

Thanks for the reply. I really hope it still opens next year. It will be nice to see the space be used for something other than storage and festivals.

 

[MisterPenguin]

What might cause PLAY! to be delayed in opening is that it's not a profit center, like a restaurant or store would be.

And it's not a headliner that would draw people to the park. In the end, it's just a play area. Nice to have for a crowded park. Unneeded for an uncrowded park.

 

[CJR]

What might cause PLAY! to be delayed in opening is that it's not a profit center, like a restaurant or store would be.

And it's not a headliner that would draw people to the park. In the end, it's just a play area. Nice to have for a crowded park. Unneeded for an uncrowded park.

I agree, although, I find it hard to believe EPCOT won't be crowded once Guardians opens next door. We'll see though, it's (Guardians) still pretty far out.

Technically, they can move work on PLAY! faster than they have been, so if they opt to move forward after stopping it, it shouldn't be hard. All the design work is complete, so this is something that I believe will come to EPCOT at one point or another.

 

[Haymarket2008]

I would imagine PLAY! to very much still be on track. This was supposed to open within 18 months. I think they are too far into development.

 

[No Name]

I think they are too far into development.

Wonders of Life had completed development when it closed. Even if the Play pavilion is finished, I’m not sure ops will ever open it in the foreseeable future, because the cost to operate might outweigh the benefits.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I would imagine PLAY! to very much still be on track. This was supposed to open within 18 months. I think they are too far into development.

And streetmosphere acts are fully developed and yet cut to save costs to 'operate.'

When cash is tight, it's not at all about what's finished or unfinished it's about what generates income.

 

[Haymarket2008]

And streetmosphere acts are fully developed and yet cut to save costs to 'operate.'

When cash is tight, it's not at all about what's finished or unfinished it's about what generates income.

I don’t think that is a comparable comparison in this instance.

 

[Haymarket2008]

Wonders of Life had completed development when it closed. Even if the Play pavilion is finished, I’m not sure ops will ever open it in the foreseeable future, because the cost to operate might outweigh the benefits.

Not even remotely the same thing. Sponsorship had been pulled on a dated experience. Closure was inevitable.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I don’t think that is a comparable comparison in this instance.

I disagree. The argument is "it's almost built, so they *have* to finish it!"

They have to finish it based on what?

They announced it? (Hello, Main Street Theater!)

I've said that if the parks are back to their original crowds and they need capacity, *then* is makes sense to finish it.

But if crowds are low, Disney has no incentive to put money into a project to finish it that will then cost even more to run and is not a profit center, nor is it an attendance magnet. GotG will be an attendance magnet. PLAY! is just for extra capacity. No extra attendance, no PLAY!

Disney *is* a business.