What In The World Is Going on at HS and EPCOT?

[Chef Mickey]

As many of you know by my posts here, I am one of the biggest Disney apologists we have. I know I am extremely Disney biased and I'm OK with that. I know most of you are too because you understand why I love the parks so much.

With that out of the way, I was just at Disney last week for 8 days. We had a wonderful time and stayed at Kidani Village in a Villa. For $900/night, I'm not sure on the value and I had some disappointments, but overall it was nice.

Now, on to HS and EPCOT. I remember a lot of stuff being unused, closed, or essentially abondeded, but can you guys help me get a list together of all the closed/unused buildings at EPCOT/HS?

My god, HS looks like a ghost town and it's sad. Building after building, nothing.

EPCOT was more status quo, but it seemed like so much was just dead. It just saddens me to see them allow two parks to whither away while they execute their "big plans."

I have to say, although being perhaps the biggest Disney supporter I know, I am disappointed with HS and EPCOT.

Help me out here:

EPCOT Closed/Not Consistently Used:

• Wonders of Life Pavilion (I don't count special events...it's nothing like it was before)
• Odyssey Restaurant
• Upstairs Imagination Pavilion
• Captain EO's old theater (Some promo Tomorrowland placeholder there now, I consider not utilized)

DHS Closed/Unused

• Backlot Tour
• Building to the right of TSMM (used to be Pirates show)
• Sounds Dangerous building
• American Idol Experience building
• There is another building to the left as you are facing TSMM, help me remember that? Abandoned.
• Streets of New York (let's be real, waste of space...ghost town)

What am I forgetting?

I'd argue DHS is half utilized right now. Between Streets of New York and the closed buildings, it's just an absolute disappointment.

We had a great time with what was there, but WDW seems to be in a state of transition.

 

[Killnme]

Don't forget Norway's ride being down so it can be turned into Frozen, or replace a Canadian Rock band and replacing it with Lumberjacks from "southern" Canada.

And all the chaos go on and around Downtown Disney.

 

[ABQ]

Don't forget Norway's ride being down so it can be turned into Frozen, or replace a Canadian Rock band and replacing it with Lumberjacks from "southern" Canada.

And all the chaos go on and around Downtown Disney.

I can't stand the lumberjacks, but Off Kilter were also "Southern" Canadian, save one member.

 

[DisneyJeff]

In Epcot, don't forget about Innovations West closing and the building where the Mickey/Minnie M&G is located. That one is just a long air conditioned hallway (that smelled bad the last time I was there).

There is so much closed and in transition that we decided not to go in 2015 after having an AP in 2014. We're hoping that 2016 will be better.

 

[Phineas]

I too, am extremely biased towards Disney, but I agree with everything here. DHS just needs to be closed and completely re-done (not going to happen, I know), and Epcot is seemingly being left to age without sign of a face lift any time soon.

 

[Weather_Lady]

[QUOTE="
There is so much closed and in transition that we decided not to go in 2015 after having an AP in 2014. We're hoping that 2016 will be better.[/QUOTE]

Ditto. We came to the same conclusion after our visit in May 2014 -- we won't be back until late 2016 or early 2017 (at the earliest), when supposedly there will be some new things to do other than check out "new" construction walls or sample "new" hotels and stores or "new" pay-extra-for-a-party type experiences. (Like the OP, I'm a Disney lover -- I really am -- I love all that the parks offer, but we can't close our eyes to the fact that Disney spends more of its energies closing and/or downsizing attractions than building them.)

 

[Stefan8]

I am sorry - I know I am new on this board and all, but do we really need another thread dedicated to this? I feel like every other day there is a new thread that says there is nothing new at DHS.

Not saying you're not right though. But no reason to clutter the forums with many threads about the same thing.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I am sorry - I know I am new on this board and all, but do we really need another thread dedicated to this? I feel like every other day there is a new thread that says there is nothing new at DHS.

Not saying you're not right though. But no reason to clutter the forums with many threads about the same thing.

Unfortunately, that's what discussion forums are for...discussing topics, even if they've been discussed before. If this was discussed a year ago or 6 months ago, bringing it up now is still valid because it's still an issue.

I simply shared my thoughts based on a recent experience I had up close and personal with the parks. If we "stopped cluttering" the forums with things we've already discussed, there would be nothing to read.

If you're new, you probably couldn't have seen that many threads. My content is usually constructive and in defense of Disney.

 

[Stefan8]

Unfortunately, that's what discussion forums are for...discussing topics, even if they've been discussed before. If this was discussed a year ago or 6 months ago, bringing it up now is still valid because it's still an issue.

I simply shared my thoughts based on a recent experience I had up close and personal with the parks. If we "stopped cluttering" the forums with things we've already discussed, there would be nothing to read.

If you're new, you probably couldn't have seen that many threads. My content is usually constructive and in defense of Disney.

I get that, but here are three very recent threads from the same subforum discussing more or less the same thing:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/happy-quarter-life-crisis-dhs.898902/
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/problems-at-hollywood-studios.898621/
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/hollywood-studios.898505/

On top of that, there is already plenty of discussion going on about this in multiple threads in the News and Rumors section.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I get that, but here are three very recent threads from the same subforum discussing more or less the same thing:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/happy-quarter-life-crisis-dhs.898902/
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/problems-at-hollywood-studios.898621/
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/hollywood-studios.898505/

On top of that, there is already plenty of discussion going on about this in multiple threads in the News and Rumors section.

So then you know not to click on this thread.

 

[Jakesky40]

One amazing prospect i believe would be an amazing expansion would be to divide Hollywood studios into several lands similar to how Magic Kingdom is split up. One land dedicated to Star Wars, one land dedicated to Pixar, One focused classic Hollywood films, and one land dedicated to music. Each with its own theme and attractions. I've always like the concept of HS but just think it's lost it's way...
I do have ideas for attractions in each area and the theme if anyone would be interested!

 

[orlando678-]

One amazing prospect i believe would be an amazing expansion would be to divide Hollywood studios into several lands similar to how Magic Kingdom is split up. One land dedicated to Star Wars, one land dedicated to Pixar, One focused classic Hollywood films, and one land dedicated to music. Each with its own theme and attractions. I've always like the concept of HS but just think it's lost it's way...
I do have ideas for attractions in each area and the theme if anyone would be interested!

Im interested maybe something for the imagineering forums

 

[12_Ears_Dad]

Ok I have only been to Disney once, and it was with my HS orchestra who performed at Epcot. You all present so much negativity on these boards it makes me feel that our first trip to Disney as a family won't be worth it. It's not just this thread...so much negativity other threads as well. It's fine you all can express your opinions, that's what these boards are for. My kids have never been, (my wife has been multiple times as a young kid), and we have quite a bit of funds invested in this trip...But now I am second guessing myself everyday with these negative threads on here......Well we will definitely go, and I hope you all are wrong. I hope we all have a magical time. It's just now im not so sure we will....

I often find in life you only find things wrong when you look for them. Stop looking so hard?

 

[orlando678-]

Look i enjoy everytime I go to the Disney parks. Sure HS has a shortage of ridesbut there is enough to do over there for me. Its not that it are bad parks, they are not in my opinion, its just that so much more could be there to make it even more entertaining for all ages. I just hope that Disney speeds up with this as Universal is growing fast. You should defenitely enjoy your trip, I think you wont notice that much of the negative things.

 

[Kosmo1986]

Ok I have only been to Disney once, and it was with my HS orchestra who performed at Epcot. You all present so much negativity on these boards it makes me feel that our first trip to Disney as a family won't be worth it. It's not just this thread...so much negativity other threads as well. It's fine you all can express your opinions, that's what these boards are for. My kids have never been, (my wife has been multiple times as a young kid), and we have quite a bit of funds invested in this trip...But now I am second guessing myself everyday with these negative threads on here......Well we will definitely go, and I hope you all are wrong. I hope we all have a magical time. It's just now im not so sure we will....

I often find in life you only find things wrong when you look for them. Stop looking so hard?

Don't let the boards discourage you. I am a season pass holder and go often (so are many of the people who complain too) While things are changing it still is a magical place and I am POSITIVE you will have a great time!!! I am currently counting down the days till starwars weekend

 

[12_Ears_Dad]

While things are changing it still is a magical place and I am POSITIVE you will have a great time!!! I am currently counting down the days till starwars weekend

Were counting down the days til our trip ..36 days til we leave for our 17 hour *gasp* drive

 

[WWWD]

Ok I have only been to Disney once, and it was with my HS orchestra who performed at Epcot. You all present so much negativity on these boards it makes me feel that our first trip to Disney as a family won't be worth it. It's not just this thread...so much negativity other threads as well. It's fine you all can express your opinions, that's what these boards are for. My kids have never been, (my wife has been multiple times as a young kid), and we have quite a bit of funds invested in this trip...But now I am second guessing myself everyday with these negative threads on here......Well we will definitely go, and I hope you all are wrong. I hope we all have a magical time. It's just now im not so sure we will....

I often find in life you only find things wrong when you look for them. Stop looking so hard?

Filter out the negativity, use the information on these boards to plan well (use others knowledge to avoid first timer mistakes) and you will have a BLAST. It will rank up there as one of your all time best vacations. Those family memories will be priceless!

You pull back the veil on any vacation spot and you'll find issues.

 

[12_Ears_Dad]

You pull back the veil on any vacation spot and you'll find issues.

Quite my point, exactly...

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Ok I have only been to Disney once, and it was with my HS orchestra who performed at Epcot. You all present so much negativity on these boards it makes me feel that our first trip to Disney as a family won't be worth it. It's not just this thread...so much negativity other threads as well. It's fine you all can express your opinions, that's what these boards are for. My kids have never been, (my wife has been multiple times as a young kid), and we have quite a bit of funds invested in this trip...But now I am second guessing myself everyday with these negative threads on here......Well we will definitely go, and I hope you all are wrong. I hope we all have a magical time. It's just now im not so sure we will....

I often find in life you only find things wrong when you look for them. Stop looking so hard?

No, don't second guess yourself. There are way to many doom & gloomers on these here boards that dislike pretty much everything about WDW, yet still go. They look for all of the things that may or may not be wrong, and think the place is falling apart. If you disagree with them, then you are a pixie dust snorting fool, who has no idea what you are talking about. I have been going for almost 40 years now, and while I certainly agree that certain things need fixing and updating, it is nowhere near as bad as you are led to believe by reading these threads.

We are DVC members, so go more than once a year. We were there just a few weeks ago. We visited the new MK hub that some people here think is an absolute abomination. We thought it looked awesome for the parts that were done. Yes, people here are trashing the new hub when it isn't even half finished yet. Really?!?!? We do stop and smell the roses as it were - no park commando for us, but we do not go looking for little things, like which AAs on which ride are not working this week. Yes, there are people here that do that. It is quite crazy. I cannot fathom how they can possibly even enjoy a vacation if all they are doing is looking for something to be wrong. Is everything perfect? Of course not, and it NEVER has been. You will have a great trip!

 

[Arthur Wellesley]

I'm glad some of you are sticking-up on Disney's behalf. It's ridiculous how a park can't even shut down 1/3 of it's shows/attractions, and charge nearly $100 a day without people getting all negative & upset about it.