What Happend to Project Gemini???

wickedfan07

Member
I want those for trim.

Ideally, I would love fiber-optics to be overlaid onto the monorail track. Ironically, it could give a lighting effect like the initially videos and posters implied with the lines traveling around Spaceship Earth (the opening of this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdDuIJiJBjM ).

See... look. I have a healthy respect for the past. I just want it to inspired by the past... not mimic the past exactly.

Now that would be really cool.
 

hpyhnt 1000

Well-Known Member
Alright. I've finally caught up on what has been said in this thread, and I just have a few (well, maybe many) thoughts.

First, from all the input on here so far, I think we can all agree that its time the major areas of Future World got an overhaul. The current design is stale and out of date and not even remotley futuristic. That being said, I don't agree with everything said.

First off, LaL should, and I think needs to go (sorry Legacy, I just don't like it). It takes up too much space in the plaza; large, dark brown monoliths will never make an area look open and spaceous, and I don't think they are particularly futuristic either. Instead, place more vegetation in the plaza, and get rid of the big bushy trees in front of SSE. I wouldn't mind seeing the palm trees return. They have a clean look, and can provide a much needed secondary focal point(s) to draw your eyes toward SSE. I know that for those of us who live in Florida, palm trees may seem boring, but for the 75% of the country that doesn't have palm trees, they are something unique and interesting.

As far as lighting goes, initially I didn't like it, but if done properly, placing color changing neon tubes on the buildings could work. However, I think that they would have to change colors VERY gradually, so that it takes maybe a minute or so before the color is fully changed. Also, I think that the colors should be limited to certain shades like blue, silver, and gold. I don't think a bright green or red would work too well. Having SSE do something similar as far as slow color changing would be nice as well (though the colors don't have to be as limited).

As for the monorail beams...*sigh*. I don't like the idea of outlining them in LEDs, even if they change colors as the monorail passes by. The whole idea behind the monorail is to make it and its rail system as un-intrusive and un-noticeable as possible. I think the worse thing you could do would be to hightlight its existence by putting lights on it. I think the best way to make the beams look better would be to paint the entire length of beam through Epcot something along the lines of an off-white/silvery gray. This would give it a cleaner appearence than the current exposed concrete look, and would make the beam look more like a sleek monument too. Painting it doesn't automatically bring attention to it, but I think it would make it more appealing to look at when you do notice it.

The idea of putting more metal and steel on the buildings...no. As someone said, its too 90's airport looking, is a fading trend, and I don't like the look of it anyway. Its too harsh and cold, and lacks an inviting appeal. Also, I've never been a fan of public art, so kingslyZISSOU, I have to disagree with that idea of placing sculptures and artwork around Epcot. It sounds nice on paper, but in the end, I feel public art tends to make an area feel more cluttered, which is the last thing Epcot needs.

I think the biggest thing Epcot needs is a return of a more simple look. Lose the salmon pinks, lime greens, and mustard yellows, and paint Epcot in neutral, clean tones (silver, white, pale blue, etc). Then, create open walkways (pressure cleaned and repainted BTW) with wide areas of green vegetation mixed in with colorful annuals. These plant areas could be highlighted at night with the use of white and green LEDs. Also, some reflecting pools in the entrance plaza to add to the ambiance (you could even have them change color at night). I think that would be an Epcot that would represent a timeless vision of the future, and still be pleasing to the eye. :)
 

EPCOT Explorer

New Member
I'm not sure if it was mentioned in the thread but I hope that the fiber optics in the ground are not removed.

Perhaps all of Future World should have it...It would be pretty cool at night to have the sidewalks twinkle even though that's very unrealistic of me...LOL
Alright. I've finally caught up on what has been said in this thread, and I just have a few (well, maybe many) thoughts.

First, from all the input on here so far, I think we can all agree that its time the major areas of Future World got an overhaul. The current design is stale and out of date and not even remotley futuristic. That being said, I don't agree with everything said.

First off, LaL should, and I think needs to go (sorry Legacy, I just don't like it). It takes up too much space in the plaza; large, dark brown monoliths will never make an area look open and spaceous, and I don't think they are particularly futuristic either. Instead, place more vegetation in the plaza, and get rid of the big bushy trees in front of SSE. I wouldn't mind seeing the palm trees return. They have a clean look, and can provide a much needed secondary focal point(s) to draw your eyes toward SSE. I know that for those of us who live in Florida, palm trees may seem boring, but for the 75% of the country that doesn't have palm trees, they are something unique and interesting.

As far as lighting goes, initially I didn't like it, but if done properly, placing color changing neon tubes on the buildings could work. However, I think that they would have to change colors VERY gradually, so that it takes maybe a minute or so before the color is fully changed. Also, I think that the colors should be limited to certain shades like blue, silver, and gold. I don't think a bright green or red would work too well. Having SSE do something similar as far as slow color changing would be nice as well (though the colors don't have to be as limited).

As for the monorail beams...*sigh*. I don't like the idea of outlining them in LEDs, even if they change colors as the monorail passes by. The whole idea behind the monorail is to make it and its rail system as un-intrusive and un-noticeable as possible. I think the worse thing you could do would be to hightlight its existence by putting lights on it. I think the best way to make the beams look better would be to paint the entire length of beam through Epcot something along the lines of an off-white/silvery gray. This would give it a cleaner appearence than the current exposed concrete look, and would make the beam look more like a sleek monument too. Painting it doesn't automatically bring attention to it, but I think it would make it more appealing to look at when you do notice it.

The idea of putting more metal and steel on the buildings...no. As someone said, its too 90's airport looking, is a fading trend, and I don't like the look of it anyway. Its too harsh and cold, and lacks an inviting appeal. Also, I've never been a fan of public art, so kingslyZISSOU, I have to disagree with that idea of placing sculptures and artwork around Epcot. It sounds nice on paper, but in the end, I feel public art tends to make an area feel more cluttered, which is the last thing Epcot needs.

I think the biggest thing Epcot needs is a return of a more simple look. Lose the salmon pinks, lime greens, and mustard yellows, and paint Epcot in neutral, clean tones (silver, white, pale blue, etc). Then, create open walkways (pressure cleaned and repainted BTW) with wide areas of green vegetation mixed in with colorful annuals. These plant areas could be highlighted at night with the use of white and green LEDs. Also, some reflecting pools in the entrance plaza to add to the ambiance (you could even have them change color at night). I think that would be an Epcot that would represent a timeless vision of the future, and still be pleasing to the eye. :)

I like it...Simple is good.I think that's the problem EPCOT has right now(or all the parks for that matter-Visual Clutter.

Bring back a simple and clean look.:)
 

kingslyZISSOU

New Member
Original Poster
Perhaps all of Future World should have it...It would be pretty cool at night to have the sidewalks twinkle even though that's very unrealistic of me...LOL


I like it...Simple is good.I think that's the problem EPCOT has right now(or all the parks for that matter-Visual Clutter.

Bring back a simple and clean look.:)

but isn't that the problem? theres no visual anything? am I the only one who feels like he hasn't left the ticket and transportation center?
 

DivineMadness7

New Member
I think the best way to make the beams look better would be to paint the entire length of beam through Epcot something along the lines of an off-white/silvery gray. This would give it a cleaner appearence than the current exposed concrete look, and would make the beam look more like a sleek monument too. Painting it doesn't automatically bring attention to it, but I think it would make it more appealing to look at when you do notice it.


I know what you mean, however, I have a feeling this would be a maintenance NIGHTMARE and likely the reason for the "exposed concrete look." You couldn't just paint the beams that are visible inside of the park. You would need to paint the entire length of track. There isn't really a "cut off" point. I don't know the length of the entire monorail system, but I imagine it wouldn't be a realistic project.

Also, I've never been a fan of public art, so kingslyZISSOU, I have to disagree with that idea of placing sculptures and artwork around Epcot. It sounds nice on paper, but in the end, I feel public art tends to make an area feel more cluttered, which is the last thing Epcot needs.

I wrote my senior research methods paper on the subject of public art, so yeah, you could say I'm a fan. I won't bore you with it, but I'm not sure I would call this "public art" since you technically can't view it without an admission fee. ANYWAY, some interesting and thoughtfully placed sculpture could be nice. However, less is more. Look at Leave a Legacy for a poor example of this. I never understood why they needed SO MANY blocks, when each one has very few photos on it. I suppose they hoped it would be more popular and those blocks would be filled.
 

hpyhnt 1000

Well-Known Member
but isn't that the problem? theres no visual anything? am I the only one who feels like he hasn't left the ticket and transportation center?

Actually, at this point, I think there's a tad too much visual anything. From LaL at the front to the circus tent and wire ropes in Innoventions Plaza, there's just too much "stuff" to look at. To me, the very nature of Epcot's Future World is meant to be a simple, minimalistic look, with the individual pavilions as the visual focal points. Personally, I think the visuals can be improved with plants, trees, and water features. Open the windows around Innoventions to allow sweeping views into and out of the buildings. FW should demonstrate how man made buildings and natural landscapes can co-exist in perfect harmony to create a visual feast for the eyes.

As for the TTC and Epcot, the TTC, as EPCOT Explorer said, has problems, and is a disaster. Asthethically, its one of the worst guest areas at WDW (and a depressing gateway for the MK). It didn't always look that way; when it first opened, it was actually pretty nice. Simple, yet inviting. The biggest differences over the years? First, Disney put up a bunch of colored metal gates and arches that clash with the architecture of the buildings. Second, the loss of trees and plant areas in favor of concrete. Sound familiar?

When it comes to visuals, I feel there's no sustitute for a shady grove of trees with some bright, colorful flowers surrounded by green grass. Then, throw in a small water fall or reflecting pool, and dramtically light it at night. That is a look the never goes out of style. Art monuments can work, but in the end, I feel its no substitute for natural landscaping.

I know what you mean, however, I have a feeling this would be a maintenance NIGHTMARE and likely the reason for the "exposed concrete look." You couldn't just paint the beams that are visible inside of the park. You would need to paint the entire length of track. There isn't really a "cut off" point. I don't know the length of the entire monorail system, but I imagine it wouldn't be a realistic project.

As far as a cutoff point, there's two possible areas: A) at the Epcot monorial station, or B) the point where the beam goes behind a grove of trees just past the Epcot toll plaza. Obviously, B is better because the cutoff would be hidden, but to keep the amount of work as little as possible, a cutoff at the monorial station could work as well. The paint would start where the beam finishes going over the parking lot but before the beam reaches the ticket booths, then continue to the monorial station where it would stop.

Maintenance? So you paint it, what, every 5-7 years or so? Doesn't seem that difficult to me. :shrug:

DivineMadness said:
I wrote my senior research methods paper on the subject of public art, so yeah, you could say I'm a fan. I won't bore you with it, but I'm not sure I would call this "public art" since you technically can't view it without an admission fee. ANYWAY, some interesting and thoughtfully placed sculpture could be nice. However, less is more. Look at Leave a Legacy for a poor example of this. I never understood why they needed SO MANY blocks, when each one has very few photos on it. I suppose they hoped it would be more popular and those blocks would be filled.

I realize that the art in Epcot would be far from "public"; it was just my way of describing the idea of placing artwork such as sculptures around the park. As far as why I don't like them, you hit it with LaL. The idea was great, but it was poorly executed. But as you said, less is more, so it can work, but if done improperly, we'll see ourselves talking about visual clutter at Epcot again in the future.

In the end, I just want more natural things instead of man made things at Epcot.
 

EPCOT Explorer

New Member
Actually, at this point, I think there's a tad too much visual anything. From LaL at the front to the circus tent and wire ropes in Innoventions Plaza, there's just too much "stuff" to look at. To me, the very nature of Epcot's Future World is meant to be a simple, minimalistic look, with the individual pavilions as the visual focal points. Personally, I think the visuals can be improved with plants, trees, and water features. Open the windows around Innoventions to allow sweeping views into and out of the buildings. FW should demonstrate how man made buildings and natural landscapes can co-exist in perfect harmony to create a visual feast for the eyes.

As for the TTC and Epcot, the TTC, as EPCOT Explorer said, has problems, and is a disaster. Asthethically, its one of the worst guest areas at WDW (and a depressing gateway for the MK). It didn't always look that way; when it first opened, it was actually pretty nice. Simple, yet inviting. The biggest differences over the years? First, Disney put up a bunch of colored metal gates and arches that clash with the architecture of the buildings. Second, the loss of trees and plant areas in favor of concrete. Sound familiar?

When it comes to visuals, I feel there's no sustitute for a shady grove of trees with some bright, colorful flowers surrounded by green grass. Then, throw in a small water fall or reflecting pool, and dramtically light it at night. That is a look the never goes out of style. Art monuments can work, but in the end, I feel its no substitute for natural landscaping.



As far as a cutoff point, there's two possible areas: A) at the Epcot monorial station, or B) the point where the beam goes behind a grove of trees just past the Epcot toll plaza. Obviously, B is better because the cutoff would be hidden, but to keep the amount of work as little as possible, a cutoff at the monorial station could work as well. The paint would start where the beam finishes going over the parking lot but before the beam reaches the ticket booths, then continue to the monorial station where it would stop.

Maintenance? So you paint it, what, every 5-7 years or so? Doesn't seem that difficult to me. :shrug:



I realize that the art in Epcot would be far from "public"; it was just my way of describing the idea of placing artwork such as sculptures around the park. As far as why I don't like them, you hit it with LaL. The idea was great, but it was poorly executed. But as you said, less is more, so it can work, but if done improperly, we'll see ourselves talking about visual clutter at Epcot again in the future.

In the end, I just want more natural things instead of man made things at Epcot.

Hit the nail perfectly on the head.Keep it new,keep it interesting,keep it simple.:animwink:
 

Slowjack

Well-Known Member
but isn't that the problem? theres no visual anything? am I the only one who feels like he hasn't left the ticket and transportation center?
All right, first off, it's the Transportation and Ticket Center, not the other way around. You lose 1 Disney-uber-geek point for getting it backwards :).

But really, I think futurism always requires a certain amount of austerity in design. "Decorating" a building, to me, makes it less futuristic.

Has anyone else here played the game Mass Effect? I thought the main space station in the game looked pretty "Epcotish" and still holds up as futurism:

mass-effect-20070917074132383_640w.jpg
 

hpyhnt 1000

Well-Known Member
^Now, that, I consider to be pretty darn futuristic looking. Note how the building's color ranges from white to silver to gray, and notice the trees and water. I'm not saying Epcot should look exactly like that, but its pretty close to how I would like to see it.

Thank you for the pic Slowjack. :wave:
 

HMF

Well-Known Member
All right, first off, it's the Transportation and Ticket Center, not the other way around. You lose 1 Disney-uber-geek point for getting it backwards :).

But really, I think futurism always requires a certain amount of austerity in design. "Decorating" a building, to me, makes it less futuristic.

Has anyone else here played the game Mass Effect? I thought the main space station in the game looked pretty "Epcotish" and still holds up as futurism:

mass-effect-20070917074132383_640w.jpg
Well Epcot should look less Sci-Fi than that. put in some landscaping. Remove the canopies in Millenium Central, remove LAL and paint SSE and Innoventions buildings powder blue and you have it.
 

wickedfan07

Member
Well Epcot should look less Sci-Fi than that. put in some landscaping. Remove the canopies in Millenium Central, remove LAL and paint SSE and Innoventions buildings powder blue and you have it.

Why does everyone think that Epcot will be saved once the legs of SSE are repainted powder blue? That was 1982, this is 2008. I hope and expect to see something new in the entrance plaza and in Innoventions Plaza. I don't want 80s futurism, I want timeless futurism.
 

HMF

Well-Known Member
Why does everyone think that Epcot will be saved once the legs of SSE are repainted powder blue? That was 1982, this is 2008. I hope and expect to see something new in the entrance plaza and in Innoventions Plaza. I don't want 80s futurism, I want timeless futurism.
The legs were not powder blue in 82. I am thinking more like the new entrance to Spaceship Earth.
 

EPCOT Explorer

New Member
All right, first off, it's the Transportation and Ticket Center, not the other way around. You lose 1 Disney-uber-geek point for getting it backwards :).

But really, I think futurism always requires a certain amount of austerity in design. "Decorating" a building, to me, makes it less futuristic.

Has anyone else here played the game Mass Effect? I thought the main space station in the game looked pretty "Epcotish" and still holds up as futurism:

mass-effect-20070917074132383_640w.jpg

Nice.That looks classy.

Why does everyone think that Epcot will be saved once the legs of SSE are repainted powder blue? That was 1982, this is 2008. I hope and expect to see something new in the entrance plaza and in Innoventions Plaza. I don't want 80s futurism, I want timeless futurism.
A Dark Blue would be nice...Kinda like the entrance tunnel to SSE.
 

TubaGeek

God bless the "Ignore" button.
You don't want anything new, do you?
Geeze, what's with that tone? I like new things, I just hate this idea. I like updating rides, but only if they need an updating. Other than that, the mouse somehow manages to find room to put in new attractions without ruining existing ones.
 

SMRT-1

Active Member
:thread bump:

someone mentioned in another thread about the "Rainforest Coaster" that was to be built. anyone know more about this?
 

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