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

[MisterPenguin]

Also, on the Board and close to the Board aren't the same thing.

Indeed the source of the rumor wrote:

sources in the company now indicate that executives have “officially” canceled the project during a retreat to Walt Disney World.​

So the source is "in the company" and according to that "source in the company" it wasn't from or near the board, but from the park execs at their retreat.

Ya know, bus drivers are "in the company" and a "source" of "news."

 

[UNCgolf]

FWIW, I’ve not heard it’s canceled. Possibly postponed like TRON was (and we all know that postponement didn’t last very long). If the Board actually canceled it this week, why release that exclusively to the bad site? They hate him.

Also, I doubt the Board would make a decision like that. Might they have decided to pull its FY23 funding and shuttle it elsewhere? Sure. That would delay the project by a year (if it then was added to the FY24 budget). But a cancellation from that group seems unlikely.

This I completely agree with. The suggestion that it was canceled during an executive retreat never made much sense -- if it's actually true that it's canceled, and he actually got that information from somewhere, it's likely he still got his wires crossed somewhere in the reporting (or he just made it up entirely, which obviously isn't out of the question).

 

[No Name]

I am flabberghasted that everyone seems to think this is gospel. I'll hold my judgment until literally any reliable source says something.

And lack of refutation from a reliable source doesn't equate a confirmation.

These days most people rightfully don’t even believe an announcement. It’s not hard to see why people would have no issue believing it’s been cancelled when they’ve cancelled so much else.

Because it is terrible looking from the monorail. It is just a really bad look.

I’d argue the blue square looming behind it is 100x worse.

 

[Andrew C]

The pavilion sitting unused for years like Stitch's Great Escape is

I thought the wreck is Ralph construction started already.

 

[JustInTime]

I thought work was mostly done anyway? This would be such a tiny thing to cancel at this point.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I thought work was mostly done anyway? This would be such a tiny thing to cancel at this point.

I presume it would be delayed due to staffing. They honestly need this type of space in the park. That’s why it simply makes more sense to me that they would have delayed the project. No sense in opening such a facility at current staffing levels. I would guess it gets pushed to 2024, but that is entirely a guess.

 

[gerarar]

Breaking.

 

[Coaster Lover]

Could this be made into an indoor theatre similar to what was announced for the Magic Kingdom off of Market Street??

Could it be made into a "theater" space? Sure. Could it be made into a proper theater like they were going to build on Main Street? Not without significant modifications. The shape of the building itself is not ideal acoustically and the building doesn't have the proper space (especially vertically) for the necessary BotH operations of a theater.

make it an outerspace planetarium imax theater with cool solar system universe shows

I like this idea... make that whole section (Guardians, WoL/Play, Space) have an overarching "space" theme. However, while turing the entire inside into a big pla etarium/IMax protection could be cool as a lobby type area, it wouldn't be ideal for a headline for the pavilion. Project things on the roof, sure, but maybe have some displays/interactive exhibits about space in the main area and build a new E ticket attraction as an extension to the current building as the headline attraction of the pavilion.

 

[UNCgolf]

I presume it would be delayed due to staffing. They honestly need this type of space in the park. That’s why it simply makes more sense to me that they would have delayed the project. No sense in opening such a facility at current staffing levels. I would guess it gets pushed to 2024, but that is entirely a guess.

Isn't this partially what they're doing with the rebuilt Communicore, though?

It's not exactly the same thing, obviously, but I thought they were putting meet and greets into the new building.

 

[JohnD]

Breaking.

I was just in one last week. They DO sell authorized HM, Hocus Pocus, and Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I presume it would be delayed due to staffing.

Indeed. If they don't have enough staff for random M&Gs and Character Meals at the same time, then they certainly don't want to open a permanent characterpalooza at this time.

Several character meet and greets to be cut at Walt Disney World as labor shortage continues

Several character meet and greets to be cut at Walt Disney World as labor shortage continues

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[cranbiz]

Ya know, bus drivers are "in the company" and a "source" of "news."

Yes, we (current and former bus drivers) are both in the company and a source.

We were also much better at accuracy of our info before MIMs.

 

[JustInTime]

I presume it would be delayed due to staffing. They honestly need this type of space in the park. That’s why it simply makes more sense to me that they would have delayed the project. No sense in opening such a facility at current staffing levels. I would guess it gets pushed to 2024, but that is entirely a guess.

I absolutely agree! This space is so needed. Basically a centralized kids area with meet and greets. Current m&g are kinda squeezed everywhere right now. I feel like the budget should be somewhat minimal and would just be surprised to see this canceled.

 

[doctornick]

I absolutely agree! This space is so needed. Basically a centralized kids area with meet and greets. Current m&g are kinda squeezed everywhere right now. I feel like the budget should be somewhat minimal and would just be surprised to see this canceled.

I would be surprised to see it cancelled especially if a lot of the fabrication and instillation were already done. I feel like pre-pandemic people were talking about how they were working on the inside so I've wondered how much was completed.

This is definitely something that would help that side of the park as an indoor area that would be useful for all age (as all the rides on that side of old FW have certain thrill level/height restrictions now). I've hoped that they would at least open Play and then from there later add a new ride or show into the existing spaces of the building (which are apparently just being left empty with Play).

 

[J4546]

the new communicore plaza has a couple stages and dedicated character meet n greets...maybe after considering what the new plaza would bring and what the play pavilion was supposed to be they decided to change the concept of what that pavilion should be? I guess we will find out in time

 

[MisterPenguin]

the new communicore plaza has a couple stages and dedicated character meet n greets...maybe after considering what the new plaza would bring and what the play pavilion was supposed to be they decided to change the concept of what that pavilion should be? I guess we will find out in time

The new Communicore Plaza building will seem to hold the same Mickey & Friends M&Gs that the old building in the SW quadrant also had.

This will pull Mickey & friends out of the Imagination building and random M&Gs.

PLAY! should theoretically be the home for Inside Out, Big Hero 6, Wreck-it Ralph and other misc. M&Gs.

 

[mattpeto]

The new Communicore Plaza building will seem to hold the same Mickey & Friends M&Gs that the old building in the SW quadrant also had.

This will pull Mickey & friends out of the Imagination building and random M&Gs.

PLAY! should theoretically be the home for Inside Out, Big Hero 6, Wreck-it Ralph and other misc. M&Gs.

cough cough WALL-E.

I'm not an IP hater, but how in the world is that perfect IP not in Epcot at all?

 

[Hakunamatata]

cough cough WALL-E.

I'm not an IP hater, but how in the world is that perfect IP not in Epcot at all?

I think he floats by outside Space220.

 

[ToTBellHop]

cough cough WALL-E.

I'm not an IP hater, but how in the world is that perfect IP not in Epcot at all?

Make a weather pavilion with a deep dive into climate change…it could be filled with judgey Disney characters.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

cough cough WALL-E.

I'm not an IP hater, but how in the world is that perfect IP not in Epcot at all?

An actual attraction was part of the original plaza plans. Got axed for Moana, the IP that clearly has more to do with EPCOT.