What do you think of the EPCOT Central Spine redesign?

freediverdude

Well-Known Member
Thing is, the buildings themselves are beautiful modernist structures...if the glass was not covered up with stickers and paint, if the paint whent back to white, if they sat on their original simplified landscape, you would see the monumental and clean futuristic lines again... the clutter and years of rehabs and additions have covered the very beautiful buildings that are there. They could if they wanted to, open them back up, scale back the landscape close to the buildings and let them be the breezy glass pavilions that they once were and were always designed to be...

This is what I'm afraid of, that they're going to get rid of these buildings, which gave an awe inspiring feel to the place, as well as being able to get out of the hot sun quickly if you need to, either in the building or under the breezeway. If it turns into a park-like area, Epcot will turn into a hot sweaty place to visit in the summer similar to Animal Kingdom. Yes they wouldn't have to air condition those big buildings, I'm sure that's what they're thinking, but it's really needed there with Florida weather.
 

Haymarket2008

Well-Known Member
All I can be is cautiously optimistic. At first glance, it really looks great. CommuniCore/Innoventions hasn't been a truly active part of the Epcot experience in over 15 years. So losing them is.....interesting. I'm sad that they don't want to take the risk in investing in them. How I feel about the full overhaul hinges on the content of the surrounding pavilions. If they don't deliver, count me out.
 

Fox&Hound

Well-Known Member
View attachment 216821

Epcot_Full_30602.jpg

I thought that was a new performance space. Looks like a stage to me...
 

Fox&Hound

Well-Known Member
More blank open space? I already feel like epcot has a lot of that... more so than any other park. If the plan hasn't fully been decided yet since it's still blue sky it shouldn't be too early to write off the other alternatives though hopefully

I agree- world showcase is already a plethora of sights situated around a giant vast space (in this case water). Are they trying to make the two sides of epcot match????
 

JWG

Well-Known Member
All I know is early/first artwork is roughly 50% accurate to the final outcome - so I'm not releasing any real opinions of what will likely be ver different from this. As to Innoventions/Communicore - what they became will not be missed at all. I'd prefer a return to something closer to Communicore, but nothing over flailing odd Innoventions exhibits is ok by me.
 

Myth Maker

Active Member
I like the idea of making each of the areas into more of a "land" instead of just a pavilion. But in order to do that space is needed. I don't really care for what innovations is now. I have no need for a huge buildings that just block view and host character meets and a giant shopping mall.

I rather see each of the pavilions expanded into lands that each have more shopping and dining experiences inside of them.

Living Seas - Land of the seas
The Land - Rainforest
Imagination - Made up environment
Guardians - ??? Well something neat
Missions Space - Outer Space themed
Test Track - Future / tron style theming...

And the fountain and globe serving as the "hub" for these environments that you can explore. Sounds much more immersive then some giant buildings that are poorly used that block all the view of the amazing pavilions.

If that is the way they are going I am all for it. If they are just going to bulldoze down the pavilions and plant some trees - not so much.
 

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
I like the idea of making each of the areas into more of a "land" instead of just a pavilion. But in order to do that space is needed. I don't really care for what innovations is now. I have no need for a huge buildings that just block view and host character meets and a giant shopping mall.

I rather see each of the pavilions expanded into lands that each have more shopping and dining experiences inside of them..
That is not part of the plan.
 

ChrisFL

Premium Member
I like the idea of making each of the areas into more of a "land" instead of just a pavilion. But in order to do that space is needed. I don't really care for what innovations is now. I have no need for a huge buildings that just block view and host character meets and a giant shopping mall.

I rather see each of the pavilions expanded into lands that each have more shopping and dining experiences inside of them.

Living Seas - Land of the seas
The Land - Rainforest
Imagination - Made up environment
Guardians - ??? Well something neat
Missions Space - Outer Space themed
Test Track - Future / tron style theming...

And the fountain and globe serving as the "hub" for these environments that you can explore. Sounds much more immersive then some giant buildings that are poorly used that block all the view of the amazing pavilions.

If that is the way they are going I am all for it. If they are just going to bulldoze down the pavilions and plant some trees - not so much.


If they get rid of the Communicore buildings and just have trees in the area....then only the pavilions...seems like a waste if they don't expand at least some of the pavilions a bit, or add more to the central areas of some kind.

At first I didn't mind the idea of getting rid of the buildings, but then seeing about how much indoor space will be removed when it's too hot/raining...that's bad. It's odd because Disney has practically never been in the business of tearing down buildings with no replacements...they usually just leave them empty!
 

George

Liker of Things
Premium Member
If they get rid of the Communicore buildings and just have trees in the area....then only the pavilions...seems like a waste if they don't expand at least some of the pavilions a bit, or add more to the central areas of some kind.

At first I didn't mind the idea of getting rid of the buildings, but then seeing about how much indoor space will be removed when it's too hot/raining...that's bad. It's odd because Disney has practically never been in the business of tearing down buildings with no replacements...they usually just leave them empty!

Not completely empty. Brooms and such are stored. Also, drinkable chocolate and wine are available inside for 302 days of the year now.

Living Seas - Land of the seas

Yes, themeing and placemaking at EPCOT has gotten to the point that we'l soon have a Land of the Seas. I really hope this happens.
 

George

Liker of Things
Premium Member
Odds....no plans have been finalized, let us put some numbers on possible happenings....as per the usual the house gets the juice.

1) Spaceship Earth becomes Time Racers....(1.5:1)
2) Spaceship Earth is narrated by Gilbert Gottfried reprising his smash hit role from the Tiki birds (40:1)
3) The rain forest roller coaster inspires a generation to appreciate the importance of roller coasters and their impact on the fragile rain forest ecosystem (1.2:1)
4) The triangles on the WS lagoon walkway are indeed drones. Not only are they drones, they comprise the new future security force that will eventually patrol the entirety of the resort. The first guest that gets remotely tasered will be on page 4 of The Sentinel. (1:1)
5) At a meeting, someone points out the best way to get ROI on a hedge maze is to have a kiosk somewhere in the aforementioned maze. Disney's best kept secret is perfect thematically. (2:1)
6) Half of Communicore is kept when it is realized that Starbucks expansion is inevitable and desirable. Especially, since Starbucks is one of the things that makes WDW unique. (1:1)
7) A Land pavilion expansion occurs when concern over places to eat in EPCOT becomes overwhelming and it is pointed out that The Land a) only has two places to eat and b) does have as much to do with agriculture as it does a digital Taj Mahal. (5:1)
8) It is revealed that the real reason for the "Create a Timeless Memory" slogan was so that Disney could get out of the 20 year LoL contracts (otherwise the tombstones are around until 2027). Timeless is argued by Disney's Dream Team to mean, without regard to time. The success of this tactic is debated since it is rumored that the out of court settlement is what forced MouseGears to remain open. (8:1)
9) In an effort to really sell the idea of more generalized themes that take no thought or effort, the long overdue Illuminations remake is called - "Hey Everybody, Look Up at the Cool Stuff". (6:1)
10) In an effort to tie two incredibly important IPs together, the rescue manatees are dressed up as mermaids. This causes much debate as many argue that the manatees seem to like it. (12:1)
11) An era of "good feelings" is ushered in by the WS lagoon walkway system, since more interactions mean that people realize Worldy, the WS lagoon monster of rumors, is actually quite friendly. Also, the new walkways mean the re institution of WS lagoon lifeguard system. (8:1)
12) The success of Captain EO emboldens management to re-release "Magic Journeys" as cutting edge. (3:1)
13) Further concern about the lack of eateries causes the construction of a new "Restaurant" pavilion that features restaurants from our past, present, and possible future. Fourteen restaurants in all. Also, the idea of keeping F&W open in February (the only month it isn't operating at this point) is floated. No one knows why Phil keeps bring up "The Odyssey (isn't that the diaper changing, M:S sickness area?)" at the meeting.
14) Having Dreamfinder and the purple thing in the background mural of the 12.5 mile queue before boarding the overly long (what with today's attention spans) 2 minute and 12 second, Moana's Imagination brought to you by Inside Out seems to pacify the weirdos (1:1).
15) EPCOT is renamed
a) Phil (9:1)
b) Island of Adventures (2:1) note: The effort to attract confused tourists has never been fully abandoned
c) IPCOT (7:1) note: started as message board snark somewhere on the internetz, but it fits and everyone will still know which park
d) Disney Park 2 (Simple and removes all those old fashioned thematic requirements which require up to 5 minutes of thought for a good idea)
 
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matt9112

Well-Known Member
MouseGear used to be a very beautiful, 2 level store that carried mostly EPCOT themed goods and had a higher end Gallery space...Years later that was dumbed down to the wal-mart like shop full of miscellany that is now is... I wouldn't mind losing it altogether for a special, beautiful shopping venue... Go to World Of Disney if you just wans miscellaneous Disney stuff...
But with the removal of all the buildings, I am afraid it will be Spaceship Earth, then a dead zone park of trees and planters that goes on for Acres before you actually get to any attractions, shops, or restaurants... So part of me likes the general feel, but it feels vacant...

Two floors!!!! Woah never knew.
 

zengoth

Well-Known Member
I googled "EPCOT opening day images" and found a map that showed a few bodies of water around the fountain area in between communicore/innoventions. But what about the Energy/Horizons/Motion side - did it always have that cavernous path down the middle of it that became a glorified smoker section - or was there water on that side as well?
 

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
I googled "EPCOT opening day images" and found a map that showed a few bodies of water around the fountain area in between communicore/innoventions. But what about the Energy/Horizons/Motion side - did it always have that cavernous path down the middle of it that became a glorified smoker section - or was there water on that side as well?
Purposely no water. Until WoL.

East was always meant to be hard lines and straight paths. Designating technology.

West was curved paths and water to designate a more organic and natural theme.
 

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