What do you think of the EPCOT Central Spine redesign?

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

You don't rename a park that has that kind of gravitas behind it's title. I'm guessing it will remain Epcot. They haven't pushed that as an acronym since the 80s, and it's a name that is known around the world. For the same reason, I expect DHS will continue to have "Disney" and "Studios" in the name.

I don't question the name remaining "Epcot"! That's not the point of my inquiry. Per insider info a rumor suggests it will be renamed or gain "Center" making the rename either "Epcot Center" or some variation of that. With the new Spine being built; it seems Disney wants to "change the look of the park" but my question is Why? and what's the point?

It seems pointless to rename the park or even redesign the spine unless there's a larger goal in mind; a possible rebrand. That makes sense. EPCOT has failed and "Epcot" is also failing. It stands to reason they want to fix it any way they can. A new spine, a new name, those would play a part in renewing Epcot as does the adding of characters and IP'd rides; essentially turning the park into a Magic Kingdom 2.0. But what will Epcot eventually become? What's the end game? Clearly Epcot is changing. Into what we don't really know. Is it unreasonable to think the lands within the park might also change names?

With regards to the Spine specifically; what does this design signify for the future of Epcot. Is it's purpose just to tidy up the park or is it a part of a larger plan for Epcot?

 

[Maeryk]

I don't question the name remaining "Epcot"! That's not the point of my inquiry. Per insider info a rumor suggests it will be renamed or gain "Center" making the rename either "Epcot Center" or some variation of that. With the new Spine being built; it seems Disney wants to "change the look of the park" but my question is Why? and what's the point?

It seems pointless to rename the park or even redesign the spine unless there's a larger goal in mind; a possible rebrand. That makes sense. EPCOT has failed and "Epcot" is also failing. It stands to reason they want to fix it any way they can. A new spine, a new name, those would play a part in renewing Epcot as does the adding of characters and IP'd rides; essentially turning the park into a Magic Kingdom 2.0. But what will Epcot eventually become? What's the end game? Clearly Epcot is changing. Into what we don't really know. Is it unreasonable to think the lands within the park might also change names?

With regards to the Spine specifically; what does this design signify for the future of Epcot. Is it's purpose just to tidy up the park or is it a part of a larger plan for Epcot?

I don't think it has failed. Staled maybe. But it's still the #2 orlando park. We are reading this like they are frantically scrabbling, but I'm betting TDO has had this in the works for a while. This is calculated and planned, part of the previously stalled growth and renewal of the park. It was meant, from day one, to continue changing and evolving.

 

[Biff215]

And back to the spine, any chance Disney actually intends to wait the full 20 years they promised on Leave a Legacy? I know it's hardly an unbreakable contract, but it might be easier than dealing with it or relocating them.

 

[huwar18]

you have these two enormous buildings that could create a futuristic main street full of interesting shops and restaurants, while providing a covered arcade conntecting them all...instead of leaving them vacant and covered up...

It is crazy to me that Disney would knock down these building to construct a whole new Hub. I agree, they could use the existing structures and just spruce up the look of them. It would definitely be easier and cheaper. I am surprised they are not going to do that. It would allow them to focus more on the other parts of Future World.

 

[TheGuyThatMakesSwords]

Reserving judgement on all of this until the work actually occurs.... just us .
When all is said and done, a lot more gets said than gets done .

 

[ChrisFL]

I wonder what, if any of these possible plans are being changed due to what happened with the Siemens sponsorship

 

[Dapper Dan]

I don't question the name remaining "Epcot"! That's not the point of my inquiry. Per insider info a rumor suggests it will be renamed or gain "Center" making the rename either "Epcot Center" or some variation of that. With the new Spine being built; it seems Disney wants to "change the look of the park" but my question is Why? and what's the point?

It seems pointless to rename the park or even redesign the spine unless there's a larger goal in mind; a possible rebrand. That makes sense. EPCOT has failed and "Epcot" is also failing. It stands to reason they want to fix it any way they can. A new spine, a new name, those would play a part in renewing Epcot as does the adding of characters and IP'd rides; essentially turning the park into a Magic Kingdom 2.0. But what will Epcot eventually become? What's the end game? Clearly Epcot is changing. Into what we don't really know. Is it unreasonable to think the lands within the park might also change names?

With regards to the Spine specifically; what does this design signify for the future of Epcot. Is it's purpose just to tidy up the park or is it a part of a larger plan for Epcot?

Epcot's problem is that the original sponsorship model doesn't really work anymore so if Disney has to pay for all the attractions they will use them to promote Disney things instead of communication, or agriculture, or whatever business the old sponsor was in. It's selfish and short sighted, but what else is to be expected in a corporate culture obsessed with quarterly profits?

The Communicore buildings could be used to allow guests to dive deeper into the subject matter of the surrounding pavilions, but when that subject is Finding Nemo or Guardians of the Galaxy there really isn't much deeper to go. Those buildings are huge and even if you tried to fill them with gift shops and restaurants, that's a lot of gift shops and restaurants.

Epcot was built big because they wanted it to hold big ideas. Disney just isn't into big ideas anymore.

As for the aesthetics of the central Plaza, I still think this is fine.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I betcha the circular building on the left hand side near Imagination is Starbucks.

Lewis Black confirmed that all of the circular buildings are Starbucks.

 

[drwadadli]

If Future World is suppose to present the future of science and technology and the future ideas of the world, then I think there should be NO Starbucks in Future World!!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Lewis Black confirmed that all of the circular buildings are Starbucks.

Or Houston Texas is the End of the Universe..

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

If Future World is suppose to present the future of science and technology and the future ideas of the world, then I think there should be NO Starbucks in Future World!!

Or Free Tasting Coca-Cola products from around the world.....

 

[RSoxNo1]

Or Houston Texas is the End of the Universe..

Well if they're putting in a Space themed restaurant they could call it Milliways, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

 

[drwadadli]

Or Free Tasting Coca-Cola products from around the world.....

I agree but as much as I love Coca-Cola, it never is or will be free in the future.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I agree but as much as I love Coca-Cola, it never is or will be free in the future.

Actually your paying about a $100 just to get in to Epcot for a free taste of Beverly....That's one dang expensive little cup-o-Kerosene.

 

[drwadadli]

Actually your paying about a $100 just to get in to Epcot for a free taste of Beverly....That's one dang expensive little cup-o-Kerosene.

LOL....so true....

 

[MOXOMUMD]

I hope they keep the firboptic lights on the sidewalk. Better yet extend it.

A lot of memories of the kids being mesmerized by those.

 

[Kylo Ken]

My biggest question is this...will that awful septic like smell by the Character Spot go away or will it be refurbished? Curious since I'm nostalgic about old Epcot and everything associated with it.

 

[DisneyJayL]

It's about time they gave the park some love. Not that I really hated anything, but you could tell its age. I hope it turns out to be more beautiful than the pictures show.

 

[Sam Magic]

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...

I actually didn't realize they were originally designed as such. I've only experienced the park in the 21st century...the one that began on January 1st, 2000.

 

[BenJacobs]

I love Epcot, it's easily my favourite park, and I was expecting them to completely ruin the place with the overhaul, it's happily not the case. Guardians doesn't work at all, but that's really my only complaint.

The central spine concept art looks amazing, not only does it actually look futuristic(it is Future World after all), but it seems to show how we can work with nature(there is loads of plant life on the west of Future World).

There seems to be four larger buildings in the central spine(all more towards the World Showcase), Mouse Gear will no doubt be one of these(as they confirmed that it would be coming back), then probably a Starbucks, and who knows what the other two buildings will be for. Then there are loads of what seem like small kisosks.

The whole central spine seems much more futuristic and open than it does now, it actually seems like an unexpected upgrade!