Completely agreed - I hadn't thought much about the entertainment (seeing as this year it became more of a non-factor), but that's so true as well. Mariachi Cobre adds so much to Mexico, and I hope Matsuriza (the Taiko drummers of Japan) return at some point. Serveur Amusant in France would also catch my eye unexpectedly.
I really hope management continues to understand how much the entertainment adds to WS as they start to bring the park back up to normal operations. It almost feels like a throwback to "old Disney" that they have continued to put the effort into finding and paying good, appropriate entertainment for each pavilion.
I like your attitude toward the rest of World Showcase - the base might be old, but it's still so good (it's not like ornate Moroccan architecture can get stale!), and there are aspects of it that are fresher. The food scene has also seen frequent updates, with many of the newer restaurants (from Via Napoli to Takumi-Tei) being well-received. I'd be shocked if we never receive a new pavilion, and hopefully post-COVID reopening there's more of an impetus for another country to establish a presence in WS (or an IP integration Disney can't resist building out, like Encanto).
Thinking again about the "old Disney" throwbacks, it did also occur to me that World Showcase is one of the few places where the shops sell different things mostly related to each pavilion/land and often not even Disney-branded. There are actually some interesting, unique shops still in this part of a WDW park! While I get why some may not find "shopping as entertainment" all that compelling, I do think it adds at least some interest to looking in the shops as you may still find something random you want to buy that you can't just pick up at World of Disney. Perhaps the benefit of neglect, but I do hope there is decent management at the park that understands why this kind of thing is what sets Epcot apart at a time it is struggling for an identity.
On that note and perhaps randomly, I think fondly sometimes of this video of Liberace giving a tour of his Palm Springs home (don't ask how I came across it by chance!) and mentioning a purchase from WDW that is a testament to the kinds of, ahh, unique things they used to sell in the parks:
Also agreed that AK is my favorite park! Unpopular opinion, clearly, but it's my favorite Disney park, edging out DisneySea and Disneyland, and that's more for the continent lands (Africa and Asia) than Pandora. When they tear out Primeval Whirl, somehow it'll be even better.
Glad to find another big AK booster! For me it's also far more about the continent lands than Pandora. If I'm honest, while I can see that Pandora is an impressive feat of Imagineering, it doesn't really do much for me as a land. Seems more a case of how Rhode and those working with him were able to do something great with a bad brief. Also agree with Primeval Whirl, which may have been my least favourite WDW attraction!
Wow, what a place to quarantine! Of course I imagine it wasn't so magical at the time, with the park and resort closed - will probably change her impression of the HKDL Resort forever.
Once she got out and the resort was open again she went back to HKDL despite not being a Disney fan as such, so I guess she wasn't too scarred! Apparently they did bus them through the HKDL carpark to the very grim quarantine centre, though!
That attitude about extended time abroad is fantastic, and it's something I really wish I did (never studied abroad for a semester, and haven't worked abroad yet). Hong Kong seemed like a great option for a while, but the volatility now is sad to see; I hope things stabilize soon.
Yeah, it is certainly sad to see what has been happening in HK. It has such a huge expat community that I imagine China wants to keep there generating wealth, but I guess this will probably result in the expat bubble becoming even more impenetrable.
Between you and me, neither of these attractions is that bad! It's easy to get into critic mode when we have certain expectations (for instance, I expect motion out of a trackless ride vehicle, which Ratatouille is fairly light on), but they're all pleasant enough. Frozen's blank walls look cheap, but the AAs are fluid and impressive, while Under the Sea wins me over with the joy of its signature scene, even if the figures are lame.
As for Ratatouille....it might be the score? Perfectly pleasant soundtrack for a few minutes, even if not much is happening with the vehicle.
Well, yes, neither is Superstar Limo or Primeval Whirl! I do see some positives in Under the Sea and I get that old school Fantasyland rides were always simple, but for me this one is off in terms of charm and scale. I'll be honest and admit that I don't really notice the Frozen walls when on the attraction, but I get why it is an issue others do notice.
For Ratatouille, the music certainly helps and I guess I just find it fun and kind of charming. It's certainly not perfect and the lack of motion is noticeable. But, what can I say, I liked it!
