Worst mistake in Epcot history

[Goofyernmost]

Judging from the comments, being built to begin with.

No, it was worth it and timely when it was opened. It was a great influence on a lot of young people and great entertainment for a lot of adults. It was well worth being in existence. Moore's Law was in existence earlier, but not widely known except by people in the computer electronics field. Disney was up on computers and their advancements but Moore's conclusions didn't take the internet into account and the impact that social media would have because it wasn't in existence at the time.

They made a mistake on two items. One was the concept that the internet would make new item promotions instantaneous whereas Disney would take months to design and build attractions that kept up. If they picked up on an idea or product by the time they could display it, the next one would have been introduced. Second was the Edutainment aspect. They felt that advertising it as Edutainment would be incentive but it instead created the atmosphere of going to school. An atmosphere that many spent money on vacations to avoid. Had they just relied on the entertainment it might have had a longer life, also a few quality upgrades would have helped extend the life of the concept. Instead people started to lose interest and those that still supported the park, financially, were not enough to keep it going. In short, EPCOT Center was brilliant but it's concept only had about a 10 year shelf life due to its own mission. However, it was great while it lasted.

 

[Mesa Azul]

I feel like I’m saying this into a void, but I will say it again, Science Fiction, and stories and themes about the future, are not trying to predict… they’re meant to inspire. I think there is a huge misconception on what a park about technology and the future should be doing. The point is not to be “right,” but to inspire the populous to dream and think about the future and to make it their own.

 

[TwilightZone]

EPCOT's sponsor based attractions were a problem, signs of the issues with it were already popping up in the 90s with the fall of Wonders of Life and Horizons. It really became uglier once Journey into YOUR Imagination opened and the failure to upkeep Innoventions. It was simpler easier and cheaper for companies to advertise their new tech and products within their own conventions or other means rather than making large, elaborate attractions with Disney.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I feel like I’m saying this into a void, but I will say it again, Science Fiction, and stories and themes about the future, are not trying to predict… they’re meant to inspire. I think there is a huge misconception on what a park about technology and the future should be doing. The point is not to be “right,” but to inspire the populous to dream and think about the future and to make it their own.

In order to have that they needed "imagineers" that were capable of envisioning something that didn't exist and create a show around that vision. Everything that was shown in EPCOT had already been envisioned and if not produced was in the works. If your creation does not exist and you also have to explain how it worked and benefited the masses it would take up twice the size of EPCOT. They did that for many things but it is asking a lot to continue to expand upon those creations.

 

[lifeguard1020]

Has anyone brought up when the brought in and had the Circus performing over the Fountain of Nations??? I'd say that was a pretty big mistake.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Has anyone brought up when the brought in and had the Circus performing over the Fountain of Nations??? I'd say that was a pretty big mistake.

Yep I did a few pages back..

Worst mistake in Epcot history

As someone lucky enough to experience Epcot in the 80’s, there’s not enough time left in the day to list all the mistakes of the last 2 decades or so.

forums.wdwmagic.com

 

[RETLAW]

Worst Mistake..... TEST TRACK!

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Worst Mistake..... TEST TRACK!

2.0 is the best

 

[GinaD613]

When Robert Moses insisted on tearing down the pavilions for the 64-65 NY Worlds fair in favor of an empty, useless, stupid park, instead of letting Walt take it over and keep it going on a permanent basis.

I have the same nostalgia for the Fair as you all have for original Epcot. My favorite part of Epcot was going with my Dad, may he Rest In Peace.

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

Horizons is still my favorite attraction of all time and it closed forever before I was in high school. But Imagination was the biggest mistake. Reason being the original ride was absolutely timeless. It would have never needed any major changes to remain relevant and popular. Horizons, as much as I love it, would feel dated in certain ways today if left totally alone. Illuminations was a spectacular, tear-jerking show but based on my experiences at Epcot this week, Harmonious is extremely well liked by most guests, and that’s what really counts. I enjoyed it a lot for what it is.

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

When Robert Moses insisted on tearing down the pavilions for the 64-65 NY Worlds fair in favor of an empty, useless, stupid park, instead of letting Walt take it over and keep it going on a permanent basis.

I have the same nostalgia for the Fair as you all have for original Epcot. My favorite part of Epcot was going with my Dad, may he Rest In Peace.

I’m so jealous that you got to experience the 64 Worlds Fair!! (My mom was born that year!)

It’s really wonderful that you have those memories of going to Epcot with your father. My condolences on your loss.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Horizons, World of Motion, and Spaceship Earth didn't need to exist at the same time. "Journey through history through the lens of technology," "journey through history through the lens of transportation," and "journey through history through the lens of communication" are redundant.

The soundtracks were bangers, though.

 

[UNCgolf]

Horizons, World of Motion, and Spaceship Earth didn't need to exist at the same time. "Journey through history through the lens of technology," "journey through history through the lens of transportation," and "journey through history through the lens of communication" are redundant.

The soundtracks were bangers, though.

Eh, not as long as the content was different in all of them, and it was. I'd take a whole park that was solely "journey through history" rides!

Plus I think the main draw of Horizons was the future living portion; the history part was just a prologue.

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

Horizons, World of Motion, and Spaceship Earth didn't need to exist at the same time. "Journey through history through the lens of technology," "journey through history through the lens of transportation," and "journey through history through the lens of communication" are redundant.

The soundtracks were bangers, though.

Listen.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Just keep adding food booths.... Folks love the food booths..

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

Just keep adding food booths.... Folks love the food booths..

I spent so much at Chozo de Margarita this week that Disney should easily be able to finish World Celebration soon.

 

[rioriz]

That was the easiest vote I've ever casted! #justicefordreamfinder

 

[OceanBlue]

You needed to be of a certain age, probably. 80s kids saw the future in Horizons. You also needed to be a nerdy techie kid from the 80s. I'm actually surprised it is so well loved. I adored the ride as a kid, but I was a nerdy 80s kid in love with space and computers. The future that Horizons presented me inspired me to get into computers, to work for NASA, and to basically try and dream it and do it.

I take Horizons as a big part of what Epcot was all about for us back then. I actually like Journey into Imagination more now, looking back, than I did as a kid. I loved World of Motion, hell I loved Test Track... Spaceship Earth and Living Seas. I loved the whole park, although Journey was a bit of an outlier for me as a kid: What's this dragon dude doing in a technology park? As an adult looking back now, Imagination is amazing, and essential, but I wasn't into WDW like I was EPCOT, and Journey was more WDW than EPCOT to me back then

I can get why kids who experienced Horizons late in its life, or just weren't into what it was showing would shrug the ride off. I get that completely. It also has some how became the topic of countless online columns and videos. I can see why some people would shrug it off and say, "What's the big deal?" If you were of that certain age and nerdiness, though... It was pretty magical.

I have a few set pieces from Horizons in my office, a few props salvaged from the ride, and they're as important to me as some people would value a winning game ball or some other collectable that inspired them as to who they are today. I have friends that see them and go, "That's cool..." until they hear what I paid for them then they look at me very concerned... but for a nerdy 80s kids, they're a part of me.

Totally agree! EPCOT was my happy place as a kid. I'm turning 39 and Horizons was everything to me. It was also special because my parents loved it too, we all wanted to ride it equally. My mom always wanted to pick the orange groves. She loved the smell, and I miss those memories. Nothing could beat a night in EPCOT in the late 80s, early 90s. Light up pavement, cool background music everywhere. My sister was older (a teenager 11 years older) and always dragged us to Captain EO which terrified me but it was her must do or she wouldn't go. I too was a little weirded out by Figment and dream finder, but loved the rainbow alley and the flying ships. I've finally let that EPCOT go, but still wish it could come back.

 

[WDWJoeG]

Is it bad I have crazy nostalgia for Ellen's Energy Adventure?

Especially the music

(skip to 4:15)

I am offended by its all white cast, lack of inclusion, male scientist having to "educate" the female, mocking an old man clearly suffering from dementia, and referring to a female scientist as "Stupid Judy".

It is a shameful exercise in misogyny, mansplaining, elder abuse, and toxic masculinity.

(I miss the old Disney - can you even imagine how pandering and unfunny that attraction would be if it were built today....)

 

[pantalones79]

I feel like I'm the only person who liked World of Motion better than Horizons. I remember riding it when I was 10 years old and laughing out loud at how funny it was. Good old Ward Kimball.