Plans for EPCOT?

[raven]

But I do still love Spaceship Earth and the Land Pavilion. To me, those are timeless. I hope they remain forever.

Heard they were removing SSE to replace it with a 200' golden "$" with Mickey ears at the front of the park.

 

[P_Radden]

I'm sure it has been discussed before, but can someone tell me what the heck they were thinking when they shortened JII? What was the corporate motivation there?

I just don't understand that decision.

 

[P_Radden]

Heard they were removing SSE to replace it with a 200' golden "$" with Mickey ears at the front of the park.

quit playin!

 

[Satans Hockey]

Not sure how, but partnering with (hold your breathe) Apple or Samsung to own a pavilion that boasts new technology seems pretty "futurey",

I just attended epcot for the first time this week since 99 or 2000 and only went because my girlfriend loves epcot. This was the same kind of idea I was talking to her about. Partnerships with major technology companies is a win win for both companies. Making a partnership with companies like Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, etc etc etc wouldn't cost Disney much because of all the free advertising that these companies would get. Seeing and getting to try out gadgets that aren't released yet would be a major improvement to this park. I remember playing Sega dreamcast the last time I visited.

I absolutely hated the rides here and thought it was a complete waste of money. They have that awful test track ride that isn't the least bit educational and it throws you into a car showroom for Chevy towards the end. They need to pick better sponsors to partner up with that are actually making some real technological advancements.

I thought epcot was much cooler when I was a little kid. I can't believe that almost visiting 16 years later that basically nothing major of note in the park had changed
So many outdated rides that I felt like I was going back in time and it even smells old on some of the rides.

I would really like to see a lot of changes to make epcot fresh and updated but I don't follow anything about Disney to know enough about their financial situations.

I stumbled upon this thread when I was searching for updates to epcot

 

[marni1971]

I'm sure it has been discussed before, but can someone tell me what the heck they were thinking when they shortened JII? What was the corporate motivation there?

I just don't understand that decision.

I could but I'd be accused of being pessimistic.

 

[P_Radden]

Something I would like to see done in Epcot is re-landscaping the open area FW East to feature shallow ponds similar to those in FW west.

I love water features.

 

[MrHappy]

Something I would like to see done in Epcot is re-landscaping the open area FW East to feature shallow ponds similar to those in FW west.

I love water features.

That's a good one, seems rather utopic which also seems like a piece of Walt's original vision. It would also make the park more timeless while increasing it's beauty.

 

[Monoblanco13]

I could but I'd be accused of being pessimistic.

Still willing to hear this i wouldn't judge, though unable to speak for others.

 

[Phineas]

All I want is Dreamfinder back, with Figment back to his old self (More childhood wonderment and personified joy than-whatever it is you'd call it now-but it's not Figment.) Their dynamic relationship is what made that experience special for me. And after the intro, it was like exploring a living, breathing pop-up book. The ride as it stands now is a mockery of what once was, and is so soulless it's depressing-but my family and I still go, because some Figment is better than none at all, I suppose.
I wouldn't even mind if they incorporated elements from Marvel's Figment comic series-which felt truer to the spirit of the Imagination pavilion than anything currently there-seriously, give it a look if you haven't already.

 

[Monoblanco13]

All I want is Dreamfinder back, with Figment back to his old self (More childhood wonderment and personified joy than-whatever it is you'd call it now-but it's not Figment.) Their dynamic and relationship is what made that experience special for me. And after the intro, it was like exploring a living, breathing pop-up book. The ride as it stands now is a mockery of what once was, and is so soulless it's depressing-but my family and I still go, because some Figment is better than none at all, I suppose.
I wouldn't even mind if they incorporated elements from Marvel's Figment comic series-which felt truer to the spirit of the Imagination pavilion than anything currently there-seriously, give it a look if you haven't already.

I've yet to read them but have all the comics

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

@marni1971 stated this before and I agree with him. The infrastructure is already there at the park. EPCOT could be brought back to life with a healthy budget but really needs a clear vision on what type of park it's going to be. I keep thinking they will turn future world into the Magic Kingdom 2.0. ( hopefully not ) and I kept waiting to hear Star Wars being put in the park.

 

[MrHappy]

All I want is Dreamfinder back, with Figment back to his old self (More childhood wonderment and personified joy than-whatever it is you'd call it now-but it's not Figment.) Their dynamic and relationship is what made that experience special for me. And after the intro, it was like exploring a living, breathing pop-up book. The ride as it stands now is a mockery of what once was, and is so soulless it's depressing-but my family and I still go, because some Figment is better than none at all, I suppose.
I wouldn't even mind if they incorporated elements from Marvel's Figment comic series-which felt truer to the spirit of the Imagination pavilion than anything currently there-seriously, give it a look if you haven't already.

Until about a week ago I 100% agreed with you, go back to the original (trippy) Imagination. But while hyping up our coming trip to my 4 yo son, I showed the ride on YouTube to him. He can't get enough! Particularly when figment destroys the eye chart and especially "the skunk stinkies" part. I still would probably vote for a Figment 3.0, but definitely can finally appreciate what we have now, and (I can't believe I'm saying this) Journey Into Imagination is now in the top 5 of rides I'm looking forward to going on. That's the magic of Disney I guess! When adults see the world through kids eyes.

 

[marni1971]

I'm sure it has been discussed before, but can someone tell me what the heck they were thinking when they shortened JII? What was the corporate motivation there?

I just don't understand that decision.

As per people asking.

Epcot was being updated between 1994-9. Kodak wanted a new draw. Cheaper to maintain and obviously not expensive to build.

The JII ride system had inherent issues that were never full resolved. The tech wasn't able to fully do what was wanted of it in 1983 (today, and even in 1999 it would have been easy). One of the main issues was with the rotating Flight scene and the interface with the ride vehicles. Instead of fixing the problem they just got rid of it.

Moving Imageworks downstairs also saved money in sponsored space, fully maintaining the upper level etc.

The JIYI overlay was undoubtedly cheap for Disney. It was a victim of its time - in fashion, in style, and also in budget and scale. The ride system was asked to do what was never intended of it - ride stops - and up until 30 minutes before Eisner and Kodak arrived it still wouldn't work properly.

Eisner rode, disembarked, and was seething at the lacklustre new ride. Very shortly after plans were begun to be drawn up for version 3.

It's no secret it was a monumental mistake. To fans and to the company. They know if they try a version 4 they have to get it right. Chatting with Tony Baxter about the debacle is particularly interesting.

 

[P_Radden]

As per people asking.

Epcot was being updated between 1994-9. Kodak wanted a new draw. Cheaper to maintain and obviously not expensive to build.

The JII ride system had inherent issues that were never full resolved. The tech wasn't able to fully do what was wanted of it in 1983 (today, and even in 1999 it would have been easy). One of the main issues was with the rotating Flight scene and the interface with the ride vehicles. Instead of fixing the problem they just got rid of it.

Moving Imageworks downstairs also saved money in sponsored space, fully maintaining the upper level etc.

The JIYI overlay was undoubtedly cheap for Disney. It was a victim of its time - in fashion, in style, and also in budget and scale. The ride system was asked to do what was never intended of it - ride stops - and up until 30 minutes before Eisner and Kodak arrived it still wouldn't work properly.

Eisner rode, disembarked, and was seething at the lacklustre new ride. Very shortly after plans were begun to be drawn up for version 3.

It's no secret it was a monumental mistake. To fans and to the company. They know if they try a version 4 they have to get it right. Chatting with Tony Baxter about the debacle is particularly interesting.

So is version 3 what we currently have today? What are the differences in v2 and v3?

Edit: Never mind I found all I need to know

 

[marni1971]

So is version 3 what we currently have today? What are the differences in v2 and v3?

Edit: Never mind I found all I need to know

This will show you more

 

[KingOfEpicocity]

I don't remember Horizons being that great. I've looked at the videos to try and find out what I'm not seeing. Seriously, did I miss something? Like whole ride?

its less about entertainment value. the perfect blend of technology, story telling, and provocative themes and ideas. made it a masterpiece of imagineering.

 

[Haymarket2008]

As per people asking.

Epcot was being updated between 1994-9. Kodak wanted a new draw. Cheaper to maintain and obviously not expensive to build.

The JII ride system had inherent issues that were never full resolved. The tech wasn't able to fully do what was wanted of it in 1983 (today, and even in 1999 it would have been easy). One of the main issues was with the rotating Flight scene and the interface with the ride vehicles. Instead of fixing the problem they just got rid of it.

Moving Imageworks downstairs also saved money in sponsored space, fully maintaining the upper level etc.

The JIYI overlay was undoubtedly cheap for Disney. It was a victim of its time - in fashion, in style, and also in budget and scale. The ride system was asked to do what was never intended of it - ride stops - and up until 30 minutes before Eisner and Kodak arrived it still wouldn't work properly.

Eisner rode, disembarked, and was seething at the lacklustre new ride. Very shortly after plans were begun to be drawn up for version 3.

It's no secret it was a monumental mistake. To fans and to the company. They know if they try a version 4 they have to get it right. Chatting with Tony Baxter about the debacle is particularly interesting.

This will probably open a whole 'nother can of worms, but when you say that they know they "have to get it right", does that a) explain their hesitancy to bite the bullet and just do it b) mean that they understand Dreamfinder needs to come back?

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

@marni1971, is there anything you can say about the prospect for relatively-sooner aesthetic changes to FW's central area around the Fountain of Nations? That area has always stuck me as "low-hanging fruit" for easy improvement that could make a significant difference to the whole feel of FW. The fact that they repainted and are supposedly removing the pin station seems like a good sign (that they're considering the aesthetics of that area). Perhaps something will be done about the tarps, the "Mouse Gear" signs and "gear" planters, the Electric Umbrella, or other things like that?

 

[marni1971]

This will probably open a whole 'nother can of worms, but when you say that they know they "have to get it right", does that a) explain their hesitancy to bite the bullet and just do it b) mean that they understand Dreamfinder needs to come back?

I don't know. I'm just aware that it's known within TWDC and WDI how bad the last two versions have been both creatively and in popularity. Comments were made any next version would have to "get it right"

 

[marni1971]

@marni1971, is there anything you can say about the prospect for relatively-sooner aesthetic changes to FW's central area around the Fountain of Nations?

There have been plans for quite a while for a "central spine" project to better the whole public area from turnstiles all the way to beyond the fountain, including both the LaL stones and the canopy / pin station. If this is the beginning of it I don't know.