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

DoleWhipDrea

Well-Known Member
Is the play pavilion still opening up this year? Did they change whats going to be inside?

If WDI has made any changes, it would have to be more on the minimal side, as sets had already been fabricated for PLAY! Luckily for them, it looks like there's at least a decent amount of it that leans into digital technology, which means that a lot can be changed. Still, it's a play area for kids, which is a problem right now when little ones can't get vaccinated. The recommended age has dropped down to starting at 12 recently for some of the vaccines, so things are getting better.

I figure Disney is hoping that they can get it open alongside GotG:CR so that there's a decent play area available to children while the older set will check out the new ride or M:S in the same vicinity.
 

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
The problem with Edutainment is that a person can be repeatedly entertained, but the can typically only be educated once.

Pure entertainment has much greater staying power.

"thank the Phoenicians" was cute the first time I heard it...

But Spaceship Earth is still better and more entertaining than 90-95% of the rides on WDW property.

It all depends on what entertains you, of course.
 
Last edited:

_caleb

Well-Known Member
The problem with Edutainment is that a person can be repeatedly entertained, but the can typically only be educated once.

Pure entertainment has much greater staying power.

"thank the Phoenicians" was cute the first time I heard it...
Well-designed educational content is multi-layered—each pass teaches the learner and prepares them for the lessons they will learn in the next pass.

Epcot’s edutainment was designed like this. The entertainment drew the guest in. They also happened to learn something (perhaps unknowingly!). Then they came back and—through exploration—had the opportunity to use what they had learned to find more entertainment. (Which, by the way is an excellent near-term reward for learning).
 

WondersOfLife

Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
The problem with Edutainment is that a person can be repeatedly entertained, but the can typically only be educated once.

Pure entertainment has much greater staying power.

"thank the Phoenicians" was cute the first time I heard it...
If they do it right, it doesn’t matter. I’m still in awe of Spaceship Earth a thousand rides later. And I still get excited to hop on Living with the Land.
 

DoleWhipDrea

Well-Known Member
If they do it right, it doesn’t matter. I’m still in awe of Spaceship Earth a thousand rides later. And I still get excited to hop on Living with the Land.
Not only are these two my top favorites in EPCOT, but throughout all of WDW. I can't hear other guests on SSE, but every trip on LwtL, there are guests of all ages excitedly reacting to what they are seeing with farming, pointing out all sorts of things to their group, and talking about what they might want to try growing when they get back home. Edutainment in EPCOT's purpose is to inspire you and teach you useful knowledge that you can bring home with you and use in your everyday life to make it better. You can bet that I've been researching various hydroponics systems for when I am able to install one!

Edutainment can work when it's done right. I don't expect much edutainment from the PLAY! Pavilion, but I am kinda hoping that Edna Mode will discuss the best types of materials for superhero-level activities and which fabrics to absolutely stay away from if they're flammable.
 

The Grand Inquisitor

Well-Known Member
If WDI has made any changes, it would have to be more on the minimal side, as sets had already been fabricated for PLAY! Luckily for them, it looks like there's at least a decent amount of it that leans into digital technology, which means that a lot can be changed. Still, it's a play area for kids, which is a problem right now when little ones can't get vaccinated. The recommended age has dropped down to starting at 12 recently for some of the vaccines, so things are getting better.

I figure Disney is hoping that they can get it open alongside GotG:CR so that there's a decent play area available to children while the older set will check out the new ride or M:S in the same vicinity.
Oh ok that makes sense. Thanks for the update! :)
 

doctornick

Well-Known Member
Is the Play Pavilion going to utilize the old Body Wars show building area at all? I don't think it will if I understand correctly. If not, is the pavilion set up in a way that in the future a new ride could be put into that space and accessed? In other words, did the designers here at least leave open the possibility of expansion to include a proper ride in this space if down the road TDO is willing to fund it?
 

FigmentFan82

Well-Known Member
Is the Play Pavilion going to utilize the old Body Wars show building area at all? I don't think it will if I understand correctly. If not, is the pavilion set up in a way that in the future a new ride could be put into that space and accessed? In other words, did the designers here at least leave open the possibility of expansion to include a proper ride in this space if down the road TDO is willing to fund it?
I believe that as it stands the plans are to only use the interior dome space for the new features. Body Wars area and Cranium Command area seem to not be used as off the current plans
 

Naplesgolfer

Well-Known Member
I believe that as it stands the plans are to only use the interior dome space for the new features. Body Wars area and Cranium Command area seem to not be used as off the current plans
I think Disney has other functions/Back stage operations in the Body Wars ride building. I have seen Run Disney photos showing they added a lot of windows and some entrances to the back side. The people within side knowledge may be able to clarify.
 

DreamfinderGuy

Well-Known Member
Is the Play Pavilion going to utilize the old Body Wars show building area at all? I don't think it will if I understand correctly. If not, is the pavilion set up in a way that in the future a new ride could be put into that space and accessed? In other words, did the designers here at least leave open the possibility of expansion to include a proper ride in this space if down the road TDO is willing to fund it?
I don’t believe they have any interest in expanding Play. From what we’ve heard it seems like a temporary band aid to justify fixing Wonders’ structural issues. If the Body Wars and Cranium Command spaces ever get used for guests again it’ll most likely be for a whole different pavilion.
I think Disney has other functions/Back stage operations in the Body Wars ride building. I have seen Run Disney photos showing they added a lot of windows and some entrances to the back side. The people within side knowledge may be able to clarify.
Any you could find and share by any chance? I know they poked some holes in the outermost bay wall but I haven’t seen anything else.
 

FigmentFan82

Well-Known Member
I don’t believe they have any interest in expanding Play. From what we’ve heard it seems like a temporary band aid to justify fixing Wonders’ structural issues. If the Body Wars and Cranium Command spaces ever get used for guests again it’ll most likely be for a whole different pavilion.
Your best guess or based on something?
 

dreday3

Well-Known Member
This is not close to being done, correct? Or the fountain?

Help me for October - what will be ready is the new entrance, the lights on Spaceship Earth, Creation store, the cool club or club cool soda place, Harmonious and Ratatouille?

Everything else is still a work in progress?
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom