News Reflections of Earth confirmed to be replaced by Harmonious

[HMF]

My gut feeling is that this will fully transform Epcot and World Showcase in particular from a Showcase of the real world to a showcase of Disney IP that ties into the cultures of the real world. I personally find a showcase of the real world to be a more noble undertaking and abandoning that is rather sad but of course I was not consulted.

 

[Marc Davis Fan]

A giant compass that serves as a window to the world with projections seems to be where the clues are heading.

This sounds like it will be more of a fictional narrative, e.g., here is a magical compass, and it opens windows to the world, etc. If done well, that could be good. If the music and visuals/effects are really impressive, and the message is meaningful, we could have something great.

I personally find a showcase of the real world to be a more noble undertaking and abandoning that is rather sad but of course I was not consulted.

I’m shocked that you weren’t consulted.
You should complain to City Hall.

 

[HMF]

I’m shocked that you weren’t consulted.
You should complain to City Hall.

If only having a significant part of your life shaped by an experience gave you personal ownership of it LOL! In all seriousness though I do have a LOT of emotional investment in Epcot and I know many on this board do.

 

[aaronml]

North, south, east and west. All directions point to IP.

I’ve said nothing. It all depends on which way the compass is pointing...

 

[Stripes]

The globe is being replaced by a compass!

 

[TwilightZone]

Yay I was right about it being literal!
For now.

 

[DisneyGentlemanV2.0]

yeah also the disneyland toontown trolley pull back toys.

That don’t move because it’s welded to the rails.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I’m shocked that you weren’t consulted.
You should complain to City Hall.

Said in jest, but...why shouldn't HMF have been consulted?

Not him personally, but him as 'the EPCOT fans'. The park was built for us, made great and profitable by us. It could've remained an immensely profitable park forever by catering and listening and indeed consulting the fans.

It's just that Disney discovered there are other groups who make for an even more profitable customer yet. And that they felt the parks are needed for a new business model catering to them.

Rant: why on earth can't Disney just build another park four miles down the road, stripped of everything Disney but with all the Marvel and Pixar and toons and beer they want and all the drunks and slobs they seek to attract with that. And just leave us fans our timeless, classic Disney boutique EPCOT park.

 

[HMF]

Rant: why on earth can't Disney just build another park four miles down the road, stripped of everything Disney but with all the Marvel and Pixar and toons and beer they want and all the drunks and slobs they seek to attract with that. And just leave us fans our timeless, classic Disney boutique EPCOT park.

Yeah, they could even have specific "Studios" for them.

 

[shernernum]

And just leave us fans our timeless, classic Disney boutique EPCOT park.

Even if EPCOT stayed true to it's original vision, it was never meant to be a "boutique" park. And we all know why it's unrealistic to believe it would ever be allowed to stay a "boutique" park ($).

Also, I have another issue with some of the sentiment that talks about "consulting" us on where the park should go. Either we want Disney to be innovative and groundbreaking (not doing what the fans want but anticipating and creating what the fans will want without them ever knowing they wanted it) which is what EPCOT originally was, or we want what others have derogatorily called a museum piece. EPCOT was never about standing still, so while I am also nostalgic for what it was, my frustration has nothing to do with its evolution, it has to do with the directionless nature and style of what it is evolving into.

 

[Stripes]

The globe is being replaced by a compass!

Oh gosh, I was being funny. Didn't realize that's the rumor

I like the idea though.

 

[Notes from Neverland]

Love the hints that have been thrown out. So much fun.

 

[EvilChameleon]

My theory based upon the theories already posted here is that each country that is highlighted will have its own fireworks show, similar to the NYE tag, with fireworks coming from behind the pavilion.

Although in this theory, not sure how one would transition from fireworks on the lagoon to fireworks behind the pavilions. With NYE it's easy.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

Rant: why on earth can't Disney just build another park four miles down the road, stripped of everything Disney but with all the Marvel and Pixar and toons and beer they want and all the drunks and slobs they seek to attract with that. And just leave us fans our timeless, classic Disney boutique EPCOT park.

Why spend millions building a new park when clearly the group of latter folks generate more revenue than the ones you're representing? Obviously if Epcot had been turning a massive profit from the former group you described they would likely not have shifted their focus the way they did. I've always loved Epcot but I have enough common sense to know it's reeking-of-the-early-80s vibe would not carry over to today's tourism market. It would not be viewed as retro, quaint, or nostalgic. It would be viewed as outdated and out of touch. Do I agree with that sentiment? Not really. I'd be fine if it had never changed. But I can understand and stand by why it had to.

 

[180º]

Interesting. How do you design a compass as a centerpiece for a show in the round? Compasses are flat are best viewed on a certain axis.

 

[TwilightZone]

Why spend millions building a new park when clearly the group of latter folks generate more revenue than the ones you're representing? Obviously if Epcot had been turning a massive profit from the former group you described they would likely not have shifted their focus the way they did. I've always loved Epcot but I have enough common sense to know it's reeking-of-the-early-80s vibe would not carry over to today's tourism market. It would not be viewed as retro, quaint, or nostalgic. It would be viewed as outdated and out of touch. Do I agree with that sentiment? Not really. I'd be fine if it had never changed. But I can understand and stand by why it had to.

Well actually the 80s are in right now. But this will not last forever.

 

[TalkingHead]

Interesting. How do you design a compass as a centerpiece for a show in the round? Compasses are flat are best viewed on a certain axis.

Spin it.

 

[JoeCamel]

Interesting. How do you design a compass as a centerpiece for a show in the round? Compasses are flat are best viewed on a certain axis.

Spin it.

You could have one of these rise up out of the lake. Voila` globe compass.

 

[TTA94]

You could have one of these rise up out of the lake. Voila` globe compass.

View attachment 317389

If it will be a globe compass they might just reuse the current globe, or parts of it.

 

[MisterPenguin]

If it will be a globe compass they might just reuse the current globe, or parts of it.

I would hope they use something more appropriately size.

If it's a compass, then if it's coin-shaped, or two coins intersecting at its center poll, then they can spin it. Or, it can be a cube, or four coins creating a cubic-like structure. In that case, it wouldn't have to spin.