What if there was character interactivity in Epcot? (SURVEY)

[Oddysey]

However, they are not traveling in time and through dimensions. What you are talking about isn't even close to what I meant... A person cannot be an old man and a young man at the same time.

Either way, I'm doing a detailed project complete with music and pictures explaining what I mean for all of the pavilions. It will be an example of what Epcot could be with updates, character interactivity(plus simple backstory) and merchandise. (It will be done in small parts on the Imagineering forum so don't expect everything at once.)

I see now. Gotcha

 

[JIMINYCR]

The reason EP never reached its potential was that from the beginning it never had a plan or direction to follow. It was 2 different ideas thrown together in order to get one park. No one knew where it should go from there and they still dont really have a clue. Its new purpose is to serve as a functioning area for a variety of events and food related themed seasons. I'd love for Dreamfinder and others to make a comeback to give EP a boost and maybe breathe new life into the park. But characters arent enough, there needs to be a lot more exciting things introduced to bring the park new life.

 

[Cheekylittlerobot]

The reason EP never reached its potential was that from the beginning it never had a plan or direction to follow. It was 2 different ideas thrown together in order to get one park. No one knew where it should go from there and they still dont really have a clue. Its new purpose is to serve as a functioning area for a variety of events and food related themed seasons. I'd love for Dreamfinder and others to make a comeback to give EP a boost and maybe breathe new life into the park. But characters arent enough, there needs to be a lot more exciting things introduced to bring the park new life.

Of course. I have ideas for that too.

 

[erasure fan1]

But characters arent enough, there needs to be a lot more exciting things introduced to bring the park new life

New exciting rides will always bring people in. But in my eyes, epcot needs to find a direction first. Sadly I think they have settled on ehh whatever, just fit it in, as the approach.

 

[wombat]

I know that the title is a little confusing but let me explain. I'm not going to post the whole idea I had here because then it would have to go into the Imagineering section but I'll give you the basics.

I think that if you were to bring back old Classic Epcot attractions without a cohesive story/theme and generating interest in the classic characters/stories, it will be very hard to get younger people interested. One of the biggest qualms people both young and old had about the original 80's Epcot was the lack of Mickey and Co. However, the true problem to me is not really the lack of Mickey specifically but the lack of engaging characters with real stories. Yes, there was Figment and Dreamfinder, but they just kinda come out of nowhere and don't have a backstory or anything to explain why they even exist. (plus not everyone likes them so they alone are not enough!) Any other characters have even fewer things featuring them and didn't make much of a difference.

In order to generate interest in these new,(to most people) characters, why not unite them together? Since they don't really have their own movie "universes" to call home, why not make the park their "home" if you will and the Epcot is the place they come to share the important aspects of the world they represent with all of us. I really like seeing Disney characters interact together and I think it would make Epcot a unique park in a good way. They can interact with each other via character meet and greets, social media ect. I think this could help bring more life and energy in Epcot that the Magic Kingdom already has, plus it could unite the pavilions more and make it feel less random and more fun for kids and adults.

But what do you think? Do you think that this could potentially more the classic rides more relevant if they were brought back(along with an update to other things as well)? I would I like an public opinion on this before I include it into my Imagineering project.

Could you let me know what the 4th wall is. I have never heard of the term

 

[Astro_Digital]

I know that the title is a little confusing but let me explain. I'm not going to post the whole idea I had here because then it would have to go into the Imagineering section but I'll give you the basics.

I think that if you were to bring back old Classic Epcot attractions without a cohesive story/theme and generating interest in the classic characters/stories, it will be very hard to get younger people interested. One of the biggest qualms people both young and old had about the original 80's Epcot was the lack of Mickey and Co. However, the true problem to me is not really the lack of Mickey specifically but the lack of engaging characters with real stories. Yes, there was Figment and Dreamfinder, but they just kinda come out of nowhere and don't have a backstory or anything to explain why they even exist. (plus not everyone likes them so they alone are not enough!) Any other characters have even fewer things featuring them and didn't make much of a difference.

In order to generate interest in these new,(to most people) characters, why not unite them together? Since they don't really have their own movie "universes" to call home, why not make the park their "home" if you will and the Epcot is the place they come to share the important aspects of the world they represent with all of us. I really like seeing Disney characters interact together and I think it would make Epcot a unique park in a good way. They can interact with each other via character meet and greets, social media ect. I think this could help bring more life and energy in Epcot that the Magic Kingdom already has, plus it could unite the pavilions more and make it feel less random and more fun for kids and adults.

But what do you think? Do you think that this could potentially more the classic rides more relevant if they were brought back(along with an update to other things as well)? I would I like an public opinion on this before I include it into my Imagineering project.



..... of course this is not confusing at all.

EPCOT was great when it opened, you wanted Fantasy "Mickey Mouse" go to the Magic Kingdom

Disney's first mistake was giving in to the few and bringing in the characters it was the start of dumbing EPCOT down.
The one by one the removed anything that requires a brain from the front of the park.
Close Horizon build Mission Space, no omnimover. Some thing that you can kill a good 20 minutes replaced with a 2 minute attractions that at the start made everybody sick... only to be tamed

Close Innoventions big red flag in the Future the Future World Showcase .... has nothing to do with the future

Of course Imagination .... an entertaining show subject imagination to remove half the track, and dumb it down, the slot machine with the skunk sent .... go to be 5 to like that or find humour


World of Motion
Another Omnimover goes bye... bye for a 5 minute ride with very little of a show

Space Ship Earth .... is still kind of educational and a Omnimover but it lost half of the show .... when you return to Earth

The Living Seas... not much you can do to wreck that

Universe of Energy .... a Roller Coaster based on a cartoon ? It is like the decided Future World Showcase doesn't exist anyway .... do why not.

I even have a problem with "Living with the Land".... Soarin does not really fit here. Yes Soarin strictly speaking is not part of the Living with Land Pavilion... You know that big blue painted blue, that nobody notices

Of course you have "Wonders of Life" ... lets out benches and trees in front a make believe it never existed.


Epcot is like a train wreck as far as the Future World Showcase is concerned...... it is still ok and if I was sweating in 90+ humid Florida now I take it for what it is now......

 

[Cheekylittlerobot]

I know that the title is a little confusing but let me explain. I'm not going to post the whole idea I had here because then it would have to go into the Imagineering section but I'll give you the basics.

I think that if you were to bring back old Classic Epcot attractions without a cohesive story/theme and generating interest in the classic characters/stories, it will be very hard to get younger people interested. One of the biggest qualms people both young and old had about the original 80's Epcot was the lack of Mickey and Co. However, the true problem to me is not really the lack of Mickey specifically but the lack of engaging characters with real stories. Yes, there was Figment and Dreamfinder, but they just kinda come out of nowhere and don't have a backstory or anything to explain why they even exist. (plus not everyone likes them so they alone are not enough!) Any other characters have even fewer things featuring them and didn't make much of a difference.

In order to generate interest in these new,(to most people) characters, why not unite them together? Since they don't really have their own movie "universes" to call home, why not make the park their "home" if you will and the Epcot is the place they come to share the important aspects of the world they represent with all of us. I really like seeing Disney characters interact together and I think it would make Epcot a unique park in a good way. They can interact with each other via character meet and greets, social media ect. I think this could help bring more life and energy in Epcot that the Magic Kingdom already has, plus it could unite the pavilions more and make it feel less random and more fun for kids and adults.

But what do you think? Do you think that this could potentially more the classic rides more relevant if they were brought back(along with an update to other things as well)? I would I like an public opinion on this before I include it into my Imagineering project.



..... of course this is not confusing at all.

EPCOT was great when it opened, you wanted Fantasy "Mickey Mouse" go to the Magic Kingdom

Disney's first mistake was giving in to the few and bringing in the characters it was the start of dumbing EPCOT down.
The one by one the removed anything that requires a brain from the front of the park.
Close Horizon build Mission Space, no omnimover. Some thing that you can kill a good 20 minutes replaced with a 2 minute attractions that at the start made everybody sick... only to be tamed

Close Innoventions big red flag in the Future the Future World Showcase .... has nothing to do with the future

Of course Imagination .... an entertaining show subject imagination to remove half the track, and dumb it down, the slot machine with the skunk sent .... go to be 5 to like that or find humour


World of Motion
Another Omnimover goes bye... bye for a 5 minute ride with very little of a show

Space Ship Earth .... is still kind of educational and a Omnimover but it lost half of the show .... when you return to Earth

The Living Seas... not much you can do to wreck that

Universe of Energy .... a Roller Coaster based on a cartoon ? It is like the decided Future World Showcase doesn't exist anyway .... do why not.

I even have a problem with "Living with the Land".... Soarin does not really fit here. Yes Soarin strictly speaking is not part of the Living with Land Pavilion... You know that big blue painted blue, that nobody notices

Of course you have "Wonders of Life" ... lets out benches and trees in front a make believe it never existed.


Epcot is like a train wreck as far as the Future World Showcase is concerned...... it is still ok and if I was sweating in 90+ humid Florida now I take it for what it is now......

To be honest, your comment is kinda confusing. I wasn't referring to adding movie characters. I meant adding back the original characters that were there when the park opened. It would still be 100% learning focused like before. Essentially it would be original Epcot with more park exclusive characters to get the modern audience interested. No dumbing down, just more new, friendly faces for kids to identify with, meant specifically for Epcot and teaching.

 

[Cheekylittlerobot]

Could you let me know what the 4th wall is. I have never heard of the term

Here: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Breaking the Fourth Wall

In this case, the characters will know that they are in a Disney park and consider it their home. They could even have apps, cartoons and or social media. For example, Figment could have a Twitter and talk to fans and teach about imagination. I also think it would be cool if they made a "create your own Figment" app where you could design an imaginary friend and then take care of it and play with it.

 

[Christian Fronckowiak]

Here: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Breaking the Fourth Wall

In this case, the characters will know that they are in a Disney park and consider it their home. They could even have apps, cartoons and or social media. For example, Figment could have a Twitter and talk to fans and teach about imagination. I also think it would be cool if they made a "create your own Figment" app where you could design an imaginary friend and then take care of it and play with it.

There lies the only issue that I have about the upcoming Ratatouille ride. Are we in France or the France pavilion at Epcot?

 

[Cheekylittlerobot]

There lies the only issue that I have about the upcoming Ratatouille ride. Are we in France or the France pavilion at Epcot?

My idea only applies to original Epcot characters, not characters from pre-existing Disney movies. They already have a backstory and media about them. In my ideal Epcot, Original characters would be in Future World and Movie characters would be in World Showcase(as appropriate).

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Other than Figment and Dreamfinder there is Buzzy and General Knowledge(from Cranium Command in WoL), Bonnie Appetite from Kitchen Kabernet, Tom Morrow from Innoventions, Tiger and Bird from World of Motion?(I'm not 100% on that one) And a few others that really don't matter I think. Obviously, they would need to add more characters, but the old ones can be repurposed and rebranded.

One's I think should be acknowledged....
besides the other characters of Kitchen Kabaret there's the Food Rocks Characters

Atlas & Jason plus the 2 Cartoon fishes in the background of this photo were also orignial park characters from The Living Seas

SMRT-1 At Communicore

Star-Nac (which is another version of Timekeeper), And Alec-Tronic of Innoventions

Gyro 1.0 & 2.0

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

At least with Figment they at made educational films Beyond the Theme parks to be shown in schools..

 

[geekza]

Could you let me know what the 4th wall is. I have never heard of the term

"Breaking the Fourth Wall" comes from the Theatre. In a traditional proscenium arch theater, the most common type, you have a stage area with a frame around the front of it. Proscenium literally means, "in front of the scene." For a long time, the prevailing type of play took place in a single location, usually a room in a house or a central square in a town, etc. On those types of sets, you usually had walls on either side and in the back, however the actors and audience take for granted that there is also an invisible wall that is at the front: the fourth wall. When an actor communicates directly to the audience, rather than pretending they aren't there, that's called, "Breaking the Fourth Wall."

 

[Astro_Digital]

"Breaking the Fourth Wall" comes from the Theatre.

Had no idea, and I do not care; and this is what I found confusing about the post.
Now I know I wonder how that applied to EPCOT or Epcot because the theme park really can not be compared to a Theatre.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

"Breaking the Fourth Wall" comes from the Theatre. In a traditional proscenium arch theater, the most common type, you have a stage area with a frame around the front of it. Proscenium literally means, "in front of the scene." For a long time, the prevailing type of play took place in a single location, usually a room in a house or a central square in a town, etc. On those types of sets, you usually had walls on either side and in the back, however the actors and audience take for granted that there is also an invisible wall that is at the front: the fourth wall. When an actor communicates directly to the audience, rather than pretending they aren't there, that's called, "Breaking the Fourth Wall."

Deadpool does this a lot.

 

[ppete1975]

Other than Figment and Dreamfinder there is Buzzy and General Knowledge(from Cranium Command in WoL), Bonnie Appetite from Kitchen Kabernet, Tom Morrow from Innoventions, Tiger and Bird from World of Motion?(I'm not 100% on that one) And a few others that really don't matter I think. Obviously, they would need to add more characters, but the old ones can be repurposed and rebranded.

The problem with that is those attractions no longer exist outside of figment..and you could bring back dreamfinder. I think those two are needed because as a kid I missed no mickey but figment seemed to give me that cute character that kids love.. I guess we could bring back duffy.
I do like your idea of them being on social media.. that's kind of intriguing. Maybe do takeovers, like mischevious figment wrote a message somewhere in test track. Not obnoxious like they did with stitch.
Of course you add walle baymax and beaker and you have ips that make sense that could kind of draw social media attention and super cheap hidden mickeys (but not mickeys just couldn't come up with a term) that would be temporary, wouldn't ruin the show and you might not even notice if you aren't a huge Disney fan.. like a flag from imagination flying on test track.. oh and also bring back the old signs!!!!

 

[ppete1975]

I even have a problem with "Living with the Land".... Soarin does not really fit here. Yes Soarin strictly speaking is not part of the Living with Land Pavilion... You know that big blue painted blue, that nobody notices

QUOTE]
I don't have a problem with soaring being there. It doesn't seem to hurt the theming.. and honestly if it wasn't there id be worried my favorite attraction at epcot might be on the chopping block. Soaring and the restaurant is what keeps the pavilion open, unfortunately.

 

[danyoung56]

Could you let me know what the 4th wall is. I have never heard of the term

As others have mentioned, it's when a theater or television character acknowledges the viewing audience, and turns to talk directly to them. I can't see why this has anything to do with what the OP was suggesting, however.

 

[ChesterKiwi]

Personally, I don't think making an overarching "Epcot universe" would make much of a difference with regards to the general public. Disney seems to be pushing Epcot toward more of a standard theme park model, so it's become more synonymous with Test Track, Soarin', or alcohol in the World Showcase. So for most people, there's no expectation of anything more than entertainment. Would it improve it? Maybe, but if only a very select demographic cares it doesn't seem like a great decision.

 

[Cheekylittlerobot]

Personally, I don't think making an overarching "Epcot universe" would make much of a difference with regards to the general public. Disney seems to be pushing Epcot toward more of a standard theme park model, so it's become more synonymous with Test Track, Soarin', or alcohol in the World Showcase. So for most people, there's no expectation of anything more than entertainment. Would it improve it? Maybe, but if only a very select demographic cares it doesn't seem like a great decision.

Ok, I'm starting to think that a lot of people are misinterpreting this post... This was created as a SURVEY for a new Imagineering project that I'm working on. It's not meant to fix the current Epcot by itself, but with the return of other rides and attractions of which these characters once belonged to. Essentially, old rides brought back with some improvements as well as fun media to go with it. To help people get to know these old characters better so that they are not confused. THIS IS NOT MEANT FOR EPCOT AS IS!!! I never said that!!