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

[Ripken10]

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.

MIght have already been posted, but seems related: https://touringplans.com/blog/2020/03/24/crowd-calendar-and-coronavirus/

Notable part: "Once Disney opens, we expect that it will take 8-10 weeks for Disney attendance to reach normal levels, and then attendance will be above normal as people reschedule their canceled vacation. This means it would take a year for Disney to get back normal crowd levels."

Obviously they are just making estimates, but if it works out to be true, we would see LARGER crowds in less than 3 months after it reopens. A lot depends on when it reopens. Not to venture too far into the politics of all this, but there is an argument that Disney's core target is not as hard hit by this economically as other classes are (not saying they are not affected) and in that class will be looking for outlets to spend cash they have not been spending.

A lot of layers to this, but the truth is nobody knows how people or the economy will respond to something like this. But I could see a scenario play out where these sort of things will be needed sooner than many are expecting it to.

 

[No Name]

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

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

Nothing is comparable to the current situation. The point is that if Disney determines that the cost to run the Play pavilion outweighs the benefits it’ll have on the park, they’re not going to run it. Just because they built it doesn’t mean they have to open it.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Nothing is comparable to the current situation. The point is that if Disney determines that the cost to run the Play pavilion outweighs the benefits it’ll have on the park, they’re not going to run it. Just because they built it doesn’t mean they have to open it.

There's always *seasonal* openings.

If they finish it.

 

[marni1971]

we would see LARGER crowds in less than 3 months after it reopens..

There may be larger demand, but theres a chance it’ll outstrip supply.

 

[Ripken10]

There may be larger demand, but theres a chance it’ll outstrip supply.

At this point nobody knows. this is unchartered waters, and even those in positions of know can't make any predictions.

 

[marni1971]

At this point nobody knows. this is unchartered waters, and even those in positions of know can't make any predictions.

Just bouncing something that’s been mooted.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

Just bouncing something that’s been mooted.

You would think they would built whatever was supposed to go where The Fountain Of Nations yo open that areas up a bit.
They were a month or two off to where they had Innoventions West gutted but still standing.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

With all this COVID-19 business, you'd think Disney would open a spiritual successor to Body Wars. But no. We have no health pavilion anymore, and it sucks. I just wanna see inside the Falcon, damn it!

With all this COVID-19 business, you'd think Disney would open a spiritual successor to Body Wars. But no. We have no health pavilion anymore, and it sucks. I just wanna see inside the Falcon, damn it!

I would love a health pavilion battling obesity but that would be calling most of the guest who cone to the parks. It sounds mean but walk around Epcot and most of the guest would be under the category of being obese under the standards put forward by the medical experts.

 

[Kman101]

So this gonna end up being all meet & greets? Not really concerned about this too much, but have been curious about how far along they were on the inside. Landscaping torn up outside ...

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

So this gonna end up being all meet & greets? Not really concerned about this too much, but have been curious about how far along they were on the inside. Landscaping torn up outside ...

They could always which it back to a festival center since it looks like the new one is probably a goner.

 

[Kman101]

They could always which it back to a festival center since it looks like the new one is probably a goner.

Yeah that too. LOL.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

So this gonna end up being all meet & greets? Not really concerned about this too much, but have been curious about how far along they were on the inside. Landscaping torn up outside ...

Permits suggest that they started installing stuff. Gutting was completed at the bare minimum. Steel framing was visible from the access point between Pure & Simple and Cranium Command during the last marathon, and standing between Space and the Breezeway just before the parks closed got you a clean look into the area between Body Wars and Frontiers, which was also home to steel framing.

 

[Kman101]

Permits suggest that they started installing stuff. Gutting was completed at the bare minimum. Steel framing was visible from the access point between Pure & Simple and Cranium Command during the last marathon, and standing between Space and the Breezeway just before the parks closed got you a clean look into the area between Body Wars and Frontiers, which was also home to steel framing.

Thank you! I wasn't sure where they were at. Appreciate the info on it!

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

New permit today via the site which shall not be named

 

[danlb_2000]

New permit today via the site which shall not be named

Expires 12/31/2021

4/20/2020 - Epcot - Balfour Beatty Construction
1360 Avenue of the Stars - Added Information and detail of set areas

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Expires 12/31/2021

4/20/2020 - Epcot - Balfour Beatty Construction
1360 Avenue of the Stars - Added Information and detail of set areas

Nice. I'm still not a big fan of this. I still wish the wonders of life was brought back with a inside out re theme but this should be nice I guess. Like a next level Disney Animation Building that was at Hollywood Studios.

 

[JEANYLASER]

I can't wait to see when it's finished next year I hope!

 

[Disney Maddux]

I haven't been keeping up on updates here, can someone give a quick rundown on what the latest for this is?

 

[Kman101]

Nice. I'm still not a big fan of this. I still wish the wonders of life was brought back with a inside out re theme but this should be nice I guess. Like a next level Disney Animation Building that was at Hollywood Studios.

Same.

Not a huge fan of this but I'm OK with it because it moves all the random IP stuff into one building for kids. Done. I'm good with it. I'd like better ... but at least they seem to be continuing with this. They kinda have to.

I still would like to see the Animation building at DHS be restored. But they likely demo it in the future. It opens up that area by doing so.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Same.

Not a huge fan of this but I'm OK with it because it moves all the random IP stuff into one building for kids. Done. I'm good with it. I'd like better ... but at least they seem to be continuing with this. They kinda have to.

I still would like to see the Animation building at DHS be restored. But they likely demo it in the future. It opens up that area by doing so.

I agree I would love to see it make a comeback at Hollywood Studios or even build it at Disney Springs to replace the NBA Experience and move the Walt Disney Presents props to it and make it a massive Disney Museum/ Experience.