The brutal truth of where EPCOT is headed...

[Expo_Seeker40]

Hey y'all,

I haven't posted much here in the past few years (I saw Lee made a cameo!) but I have been tracking what's going on at WDW.

After watching the official announcements regarding EPCOT at D23 yesterday (feels weird to spell it EPCOT vs Epcot after all these years), I thought I'd write something.

For just over 10 years, EPCOT Center stood out, whether you loved it or were bored with it, stood out nevertheless...as an incredible feat for Disney. From architecture, bold planning, detailed attractions, and an array of shopping and dining. It broke away from the Magic Kingdom concept and arrived during the 80s tech boom and final years of the Cold War as an ambitious look at the future.

For all of its strengths, it was marred by criticism. EPCOT Center's Future World was full of 15-20 minute omnimover attractions, high science, and a World Showcase with no thrill rides and (still) vacant plots of land.

I first visited Epcot in 1996 as a tween during Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary. I am so glad I saw it in its second phase (In my opinion, which was from 1994-1998). The original entrance was still there, Spaceship Earth had the great, very spiritual Jeremy Irons version, the Living Seas was in its original form, and the Land's first refresh was quite entertaining and educational with Food Rocks and Circle of Life.

I got to see the original Journey into Imagination, Wonders of Life, and Horizons, while experience Innoventions at its peak and Illuminations 25(A).

All of those experiences hold special memories for me. Epcot and the rest of my trip to WDW inspired me to go into the creative field where I'm now an Art Director.

The changes coming to EPCOT over the next few years in time for its 40th in 2022 solidify something that all fans must come to accept. EPCOT Center is dead. It is never coming back. There will never be another Horizons, don’t hold your breath on Figment and especially Dreamfinder, and don’t expect a new country coming to World Showcase without an IP tie in.

I have made my peace with EPCOT Center/Epcot. Not to sound like old Rose from Titanic, but it exists now only in my memory, my photos, my home movies, and the numerous pieces of footage found online.

I am so glad I got to see a blend of new and old in 1996 and have watched two key things since that first trip: seeing much of the park rot away since 2001 and the invasive addition of IP.

Nemo and friends don’t teach us anything about the ocean. It’s not about edutainment IP like Circle of Life did or inspiring attractions with no characters in like Soarin'. I have no problem with character meet n greets in Future World or World Showcase, but to overlay an entire ride for Frozen? Seriously?

Will Moana teach us about the beauty of nature and water on our way to the Living Seas, or will it be a playground where kids meet Moana randomly in a discovery theme park?

Will Spaceship Earth still be inspiring or will it be an indoor projection show overlayed on beautifully made sets that took years of research to produce?

The most disturbing thing I’ve heard over the past two years regarding Epcot comes from Bob Chapek, “…more Disney, more family, more timeless.”

EPCOT Center was Disney. It was family. Parts of it were timeless. It is through a lack of creative will and managerial vision that the public continues to associate Disney meaning character movies and nothing else that can be unique for the parks aside from constant IP.

Disney used to be so much more than the movies it produced or the properties it acquires, sadly one to two generations have no clue about that.

So, when I do visit EPCOT around 2021/22 I will look forward to seeing a beautiful landscaped park, cherishing my memories, but watching curiously at those buying up any retro EPCOT Center merchandise, watching them hope and pray for a park to return that only exists in the nostalgia of the 1980s.

No new pavilion icon or Figment plush will bring that park back, we can only hope EPCOT transitions smoothly over the next few years into a science and discovery theme park that uses IP wisely to inspire us and help us believe in a better world.

 

[eliza61nyc]

this ought to be fun.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Future World died in 2006 when the Living Seas was closed to add the Nemo overlay. It's been a shadow of itself ever since. Horizons and World of Motion were at least replaced by appropriate attractions; not necessarily better, but appropriate.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

Maybe it is headed in a good direction...

 

[Tom Morrow]

We knew already that EPCOT Center is dead and never coming back. So far, everything we've seen seems to be the best possible outcome for "IPcot" - they're at least attempting to align with, or pay lip service to, the park's mission statement. All of the proposed changes look beautiful and high quality, regardless of content.

 

[Jedi Stitch]

I had only been to the park in 2016, and only one day. I only have the just pre Frozen look at the place. Looking at plans on video, It does seam drastic, to the level of reshaping the space. I look forward to going back and seeing all the changes.
I would hope that all new buildings add to the theming and help to draw you into the park even more. EPCOT Center it will not be.

 

[Heppenheimer]

Epcot has long needed a redo. The original concept was already dying by the early 90s, along with the World's Fair model on which it was based. That kind of event has long since faded from the public interest so it was inevitable that a Disney park trying the emulate the same theme would need to change with the times.

I'm glad they're trying something new.

 

[danyoung56]

Epcot has long been my favorite park, and nothing they're doing lately has changed that.

 

[Hank Hill]

For those that never knew that Epcot, it doesn't matter what it used to be, if they love the park now. And in a few years, some of those people will be vocal about the changes and how they miss this or that. I never went there before 06, and for me it has always been my least favorite park once I started going more often. I still love it, just less than the others. I think these changes will all be good if executed well. Personally, I like when Disney moves forward, not back when making changes. Nostalgia is fine to a certain degree, but things I liked 10 years ago will not feel the same as today. So I would rather have newer stuff.

 

[OvertheHorizon]

I was 36 years old when EPCOT Center opened. I loved it and have visited nearly every year, often disappointed at how replacements didn't live up to the promise of the original (Nemo's overtake of the Living Seas, "upgrades" to Journey into Imagination, the destruction of the Horizons pavilion, and fewer innovations in Innoventions). I miss the hydrolators and the smiles they brought to my face. There've been great additions, like Soarin and Mission Space. I miss Buzzy. Hell, I even wish they still had the Epcot poll (raise your hands if you remember). When the park opened, familiar Disney characters were intentionally missing to create a different kind of park. It didn't take long until Goofy wore a kilt in the England pavilion and Minnie dressed like a geisha in Japan. Now it seems like the imagineers (or perhaps it's management) feel as if no one will come if every corner of the park isn't touched by the latest animated feature star.

I'm glad they're re-imagining EPCOT and will hope for the best. Hope that whatever they come up with can inspire new generations and stay fresh. I'll be 76 before they bring this new vision to fruition. My last few visits I've had to rent an electric vehicle to get around, so my fond wish is to continue to be able to visit my favorite Disney park. As another poster said, I still have my fond memories.

 

[willtravel]

Oh SSE the and Land Pavilion, my heart goes out to you. I guess I am down to MK and AK now to visit. Won't need a 7 day ticket now. Just me......

 

[Beacon Joe]

At least we can breath a sigh of relief that Chapek didn't shoehorn Coco into the Mexico Pavilion.

And they're leaving their dirty hands off of the Land pavilion and Spaceship Earth as far as we know, right? Right?

 

[ColdSarsaparilla]

You must've missed this little beauty...

 

[larryz]

You must've missed this little beauty...

View attachment 402175

Clearly an homage to Tampa Bay's professional baseball team...

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

Me trying to make EPCOT's central plaza symmetric despite Innoventions West being demolished soon.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Things change.
You don't like it?
Don't go.
These types of threads are getting ridiculous.

 

[ColdSarsaparilla]

Things change.
You don't like it?
Don't go.
These types of threads are getting ridiculous.

Yes, and fans discuss. You don't like it? Don't read.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Yes, and fans discuss. You don't like it? Don't read.

It's not discussing its whining. Would you like some cheese.

 

[Beacon Joe]

You must've missed this little beauty...

View attachment 402175

Oh, God.

Watching what they're doing to EPCOT is like watching a slow moving train wreck.

 

[FettFan]

Hey y'all,

I haven't posted much here in the past few years (I saw Lee made a cameo!) but I have been tracking what's going on at WDW.

After watching the official announcements regarding EPCOT at D23 yesterday (feels weird to spell it EPCOT vs Epcot after all these years), I thought I'd write something.

For just over 10 years, EPCOT Center stood out, whether you loved it or were bored with it, stood out nevertheless...as an incredible feat for Disney. From architecture, bold planning, detailed attractions, and an array of shopping and dining. It broke away from the Magic Kingdom concept and arrived during the 80s tech boom and final years of the Cold War as an ambitious look at the future.

For all of its strengths, it was marred by criticism. EPCOT Center's Future World was full of 15-20 minute omnimover attractions, high science, and a World Showcase with no thrill rides and (still) vacant plots of land.

I first visited Epcot in 1996 as a tween during Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary. I am so glad I saw it in its second phase (In my opinion, which was from 1994-1998). The original entrance was still there, Spaceship Earth had the great, very spiritual Jeremy Irons version, the Living Seas was in its original form, and the Land's first refresh was quite entertaining and educational with Food Rocks and Circle of Life.

I got to see the original Journey into Imagination, Wonders of Life, and Horizons, while experience Innoventions at its peak and Illuminations 25(A).

All of those experiences hold special memories for me. Epcot and the rest of my trip to WDW inspired me to go into the creative field where I'm now an Art Director.

The changes coming to EPCOT over the next few years in time for its 40th in 2022 solidify something that all fans must come to accept. EPCOT Center is dead. It is never coming back. There will never be another Horizons, don’t hold your breath on Figment and especially Dreamfinder, and don’t expect a new country coming to World Showcase without an IP tie in.

I have made my peace with EPCOT Center/Epcot. Not to sound like old Rose from Titanic, but it exists now only in my memory, my photos, my home movies, and the numerous pieces of footage found online.

I am so glad I got to see a blend of new and old in 1996 and have watched two key things since that first trip: seeing much of the park rot away since 2001 and the invasive addition of IP.

Nemo and friends don’t teach us anything about the ocean. It’s not about edutainment IP like Circle of Life did or inspiring attractions with no characters in like Soarin'. I have no problem with character meet n greets in Future World or World Showcase, but to overlay an entire ride for Frozen? Seriously?

Will Moana teach us about the beauty of nature and water on our way to the Living Seas, or will it be a playground where kids meet Moana randomly in a discovery theme park?

Will Spaceship Earth still be inspiring or will it be an indoor projection show overlayed on beautifully made sets that took years of research to produce?

The most disturbing thing I’ve heard over the past two years regarding Epcot comes from Bob Chapek, “…more Disney, more family, more timeless.”

EPCOT Center was Disney. It was family. Parts of it were timeless. It is through a lack of creative will and managerial vision that the public continues to associate Disney meaning character movies and nothing else that can be unique for the parks aside from constant IP.

Disney used to be so much more than the movies it produced or the properties it acquires, sadly one to two generations have no clue about that.

So, when I do visit EPCOT around 2021/22 I will look forward to seeing a beautiful landscaped park, cherishing my memories, but watching curiously at those buying up any retro EPCOT Center merchandise, watching them hope and pray for a park to return that only exists in the nostalgia of the 1980s.

No new pavilion icon or Figment plush will bring that park back, we can only hope EPCOT transitions smoothly over the next few years into a science and discovery theme park that uses IP wisely to inspire us and help us believe in a better world.

The change in Epcot is just one part of how Disney's attitude towards its guests has changed.
In its prime, Epcot Center was about the guests being presented scenarios that were going to change the way we would live and work in the future.
Key word there: "WORK".

I hold Horizons to be the key attraction.... by tying the themes of all the other pavilions together, Horizons was essentially the heart of Future World, and showed how we would be working and producing for ourselves utilizing the newest advancements in technology.
We saw desert farming with the help of robotic harvesters and genetic manipulation, underwater schools and communities that focused on kelp harvesting and underwater research, and both mining and crystal growing in space.

Epcot as originally envisioned wanted to show the guests where they would be going.



Current Epcot doesn't really give a spit of where you're going....just as long as you browse the gift shop before you leave.
TDO doesn't see the guest as a future producer, but as a current consumer.

I think we can also see shades of this in the Imagination Pavilion....the original ride was about exploring the products of the imagination.....visual arts, performing arts, literature, mathematics, and science.
Modern Imagination presents three of the five senses, before playing the song over and over and presenting you with fifty animatronic Figments before going to browse and buy Figment merchandise in a Diet Cola version of the Imageworks.