Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
I finally got to ride it last night. Walked away mixed. I think execution wise, it's great. There are some really cool modern effects. Story-wise, it's not the best. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it actually leans into the future aspect too much. Classic Epcot to me always showed a fair bit of the past and how we got to where we are. Then a glimpse at the future. Most of your classics were majority past. Even Horizons was about 50-50. I realize Test Track doesn't lend itself to that very easily, given how short it was. But, I think that's where a really cool queue could have helped. Right now, there is just no point other than showing some cool tricks. It's a lot of flash without substance.
I also think the music was a huge miss. I think an upbeat, modern Fun to be Free starting in the forest would have been a great story. Right now, there is no point for the outside loop. Having a narrative about how, "no matter how advanced we get, there's nothing like the thrill of the drive - It's kinda fun to feel free..."
With that, I do love the return to something that very much fits the original themes of EPCOT more and feels founded in our real world and being inspirational. People seem to be enjoying it, and wait times showed that. I also think it shows, right now, people just want fun distractions. So, it will work quite nicely there.
EDIT: One thing I didn't mention - I loved the easter egg from the WoM finale in the old hot/cold rooms. I thought that was a very fun touch. It would lend itself very well to holiday or seasonal overlays. And, it could easily be updated over time. And the new, much fuller forest scene with practical sets afterwards really re-grounds you in the experience after the screens. Job well done there.
I also think the music was a huge miss. I think an upbeat, modern Fun to be Free starting in the forest would have been a great story. Right now, there is no point for the outside loop. Having a narrative about how, "no matter how advanced we get, there's nothing like the thrill of the drive - It's kinda fun to feel free..."
With that, I do love the return to something that very much fits the original themes of EPCOT more and feels founded in our real world and being inspirational. People seem to be enjoying it, and wait times showed that. I also think it shows, right now, people just want fun distractions. So, it will work quite nicely there.
EDIT: One thing I didn't mention - I loved the easter egg from the WoM finale in the old hot/cold rooms. I thought that was a very fun touch. It would lend itself very well to holiday or seasonal overlays. And, it could easily be updated over time. And the new, much fuller forest scene with practical sets afterwards really re-grounds you in the experience after the screens. Job well done there.
Last edited:
