Plans for EPCOT?

[P_Radden]

While at Epcot on New Years Eve, I spoke to a gentleman who works in WDW management who was inline with his wife next to us in France (at the Grey Goose Slushy kiosk). I asked him bluntly if there are plans in the works for Future World and he replied with "Yes, they are working on it right now, but don't ask me what they look like because I haven't seen them." I commented on my love for the old EPCOT Center and he agreed with my feelings. I also mentioned this website and he was well aware of it.

Wish I could have had more time to talk to this gentleman but we were all separated shortly after they went through the line before us. Very nice guy and was excited to talk park operations with 2 random WDW fans, and it made my day.

 

[P_Radden]

Also, we rode Universe of Energy for the first time. Although I did enjoy the ride, you could tell it is in dire need of a refurbishment. The film looks so old.. New film, updated/added effects, new projectors and an actual Ellen and Bill Nye animatronic in the dinosaur scene would greatly help the ride. I also thought it was odd the Universe building does not have any kind of activity/exhibit/shopping area after the film exits.

 

[WDWVolFan]

Worst thing that ever happened to Epcot was to have the Food & Wine Festival and the Flower and Garden. Why? Because they can justify keeping huge buildings closed because they use during these peak days due to special events.
also because people flock to see a bunch of flowers or to stuff their faces (I'm a foodie...I stuff my face too) and to get wasted (Fireball will get you just as wasted and much cheaper)...Disney feels they don't have to do jack to Epcot because people will still go there.

 

[P_Radden]

Well I guess Epcot is now slowly starting to get some $$

-Colortopia
-Baymax Meet & Greet
-Imageworks DVC Lounge
-Frostrom Ever After

oh yeah and this little guy:

^^Although shouldn't the sign be in Spanish? JK Imagineers... JK

 

[YozhikRoth]

Considering the Disney board had to have the nickels beaten out of them to fund the no-brainer upgrades at DHS, I personally don't see where the funding to upgrade EPCOT will come from.

 

[World_Showcase_Lover007]

They should build a new Horizons with an updated version of the 'retro' future.

 

[Schneewittchen]

Only one thing - All imagineers and executives involved in any EPCOT planning/designing/whatever have to watch this first -

If you don't get Walt's vision about nostalgia about our past and giving people hope for a better future, get out.

 

[ShoalFox]

Its quite embarrassing how out of date this one is, going on 20 years since the last update?

The 20th anniversary is this September

 

[UpAllNight]

Depressing that no other immediate changes are in the works as it's a kind of desperate situation. As mentioned above, Soarin and Frozen may freshen things up a bit but this park is currently an embarrassment to Disney. A very well attended money making embarrassment granted, but I've yet to speak to a visitor from the UK who has left feeling anything other than disappointed. Nostalgia is playing a role in its attendance I feel.

Easy fix - refresh Mission Space. New screens, a new mission. Is it possible to add more interactivity? Pressing buttons that do nothing isn't cool to anyone these days.

Everything else they're gonna have to throw serious money at...wasn't $350million allocated to Epcot or is that no longer a thing?

 

[Chef Mickey]

It's not near but is being planned.

 

[World_Showcase_Lover007]

Nostalgia is playing a role in its attendance I feel.

I totally agree. I find myself going to Future World almost purely out of nostalgia, really only to reminisce about the good times I've had there in the past. If I were going there for the first time, I would likely be disappointed in what I found in this part of the park.

 

[UpAllNight]

I totally agree. I find myself going to Future World almost purely out of nostalgia, really only to reminisce about the good times I've had there in the past. If I were going there for the first time, I would likely be disappointed in what I found in this part of the park.

This is part of the problem though I feel. Epcot is no longer an interesting concept to the masses and Future World needs rebranding...maybe Discovery World or something along those lines. That simple name change could make the existing area more cohesive...and easier to enhance existing attractions/ build new ones. It's difficult to make changes with such an impassioned fan base but Epcot needs it in its current state. The notion of future world has always been, but in these times more so, impossible to realistically maintain and keep fresh without serious injections of cash just years after it's been built.

I personally hold no nostalgia for Epcot, so I don't mind the toons invading world showcase if done well (but I understand the concerns based on what Epcot was to people)...currently it's a complete mish mash of Donald Duck in Mexico, Frozen in Norway, real life in France and China and randomly Nemo in future world...if there is to be a direction for Epcot I pray it's cohesive rather than this mess.

 

[dizda]

This is part of the problem though I feel. Epcot is no longer an interesting concept to the masses and Future World needs rebranding...maybe Discovery World or something along those lines. That simple name change could make the existing area more cohesive...and easier to enhance existing attractions/ build new ones. It's difficult to make changes with such an impassioned fan base but Epcot needs it in its current state. The notion of future world has always been, but in these times more so, impossible to realistically maintain and keep fresh without serious injections of cash just years after it's been built.

I personally hold no nostalgia for Epcot, so I don't mind the toons invading world showcase if done well (but I understand the concerns based on what Epcot was to people)...currently it's a complete mish mash of Donald Duck in Mexico, Frozen in Norway, real life in France and China and randomly Nemo in future world...if there is to be a direction for Epcot I pray it's cohesive rather than this mess.

The Discoveryland concept had promise, although I would prefer the name "Discovery World." The problem with having the future as a theme is that the future always arrives--usually sooner than expected and different than pictured. You have to commit to constant updates, even if just relatively minor when considered individually (but which can really add up collectively), to stay ahead of the time line.

 

[dizda]

With the new frozen ride coming, at least world showcase will draw alot of visitors now. Before frozen, the only high point was "O' Canada" hosted by martin short...yes...that was the most exciting thing in world showcase.

He's no Dan Aykroyd, but still . . .

 

[Monoblanco13]

I was wondering last time I was at Epcot there are walls in between Mission space and Test Track. Anyone know what this is for?

 

[Monoblanco13]

Hopefully Horizons. But then again, Horizons would be where mission space is; putting it next to it would just be awkward.

Way too small for that, probably the size of a food cart or so. its probably nothing worth mentioning.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Add the innoventions buildings to the list of free space to completely update.

 

[Raineman]

Just a thought, and I might be completely off-base about this, but it seems as if the sheer number of things that would be needed to make Epcot viable again would, at the very least, cause updates to take many years and multiple phases, or even get to the point where the capital and time needed would scare Disney away from committing to anything more than small changes. I mean, we're not talking about a band-aid fix-more like open heart surgery at this point.

 

[DisneyDaver]

Just a thought, and I might be completely off-base about this, but it seems as if the sheer number of things that would be needed to make Epcot viable again would, at the very least, cause updates to take many years and multiple phases, or even get to the point where the capital and time needed would scare Disney away from committing to anything more than small changes. I mean, we're not talking about a band-aid fix-more like open heart surgery at this point.

And after all that, much of it (particularly Future World) would be outdated again in 10 years. That is a huge problem with fixing the current them of EPCOT and I suspect it is why nothing major has happened (or been planned) yet despite the obvious need for a change. DHS has the potential to be redone over the next 10 years in a way that will make it a timeless park for decades like the MK with only moderate changes and additions needed thereafter. An earlier post suggested converting all of EPCOT into a bigger World Showcase. I think that it a solid idea. I'm sure there are other good ideas out there too. Whatever the change is, the change will have to be toward a concept that will remain interesting and fresh for a lot longer than an updated Future World.

 

[JohnD]

I agree with everyone else that there needs to be some updating around the park. As I walked around with my wife last week and was showing her different things, I was almost embarrassed to bring her into Impressions de France. Since we are both fans of France in general (she was in Paris last year), we still sat for the show (I personally love the music in it), but the CLOTHES the people were wearing in the film.... I mean...really..

Go home, France, and don't come back until you've updated your film wardrobe.

Love the music, love the majestic vistas but, yeah, looking at the people and hairstyles, you can tell the film--yes, film--is dated.