Epcot needs...

[Tardisblue]

More of this http://mashable.com/2015/05/22/milan-expo-2015/

and less empty space. Imaginative, creative, exciting. Wasn't that Walt's vision?

It's becoming more Epcoy than Epcot.

Experimental Prototype Community of Yesteryear

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I really think that Futureworld is in serious need of some TLC. It looks dated and cold. It needs revitalizing, with new things popping up all the time, new innoventions and cutting edge technology exhibits to show that we *are* really headed into the future and not the 80s idea of what the future would look like.

 

[FreddyMercury]

It needs revitalizing, with new things popping up all the time, new innoventions and cutting edge technology exhibits to show that we *are* really headed into the future and not the 80s idea of what the future would look like.

The last time they tried add futuristic elements to Future World with the updated Test Track, they were met with SERIOUS backlash from the fans. I agree whole heartedly that Future World is becoming extremely dated. When the company first envisioned Tomorrowland, they imagined it would represent the world of tomorrow. Eventually, it became the world of 1970's tomorrow, and that is totally ok with me. Future World is supposed to constantly change and evolve in order to represent the true innovations of the future. I don't hate the new Test Track. I think that it's a genuine (and imaginative) attempt at representing the future of the automotive industry. Of all the parks, Epcot is the one that needs to be updated and renovated most often, but I imagine that its difficult to do this when every change that is made to the parks will be picked apart and scrutinized.

 

[itchin2go]

Of all the parks, Epcot is the one that needs to be updated and renovated most often, but I imagine that its difficult to do this when every change that is made to the will be picked apart and scrutinized.

It is a sad state of affairs when everyone refers to Future World as "dated".

As to the above, I don't think that's what's holding them back. I think it must have more to do with whether a costly new ride or attraction will add to the bottom line.

 

[kbelle8995]

Many of the attractions and showcases of Future World of the 80's are long gone. It does need a serious refresh. But the future is a hard thing look at the Tomorrowland of the 1970's that got outdated very quickly. I would like it to hold on to the Future World aspect of it. And show more of what they world could be.

 

[Jennytoon]

One thing I really like is the customized future on Spaceship Earth. We have always found that in the "few new technologies that we just happen to know about" we see one thing that already sort of exists even if only available to the super-rich, a few things that are easily imaginable extensions of current technology, and a couple of things that are just out there.

On our last trip (just back a week ago) we saw "controlling your house lights from your remote that you take with you" (existing tech but not yet widespread), "pre-loaded itinerary and guidebooks in our travel vehicle" (newer cars handle read / respond to text from the dash, so not too much of a stretch to see more app and smartphone technology coming that way), and "underwater hotel" (there are a few of these in the last few years although I can't remotely afford to stay in one). We also saw "rocket ship to space tourist destination" and "automated personal shopper with instant custom manufacture" -- both of these I think are quite a ways off.

I don't know for sure, but it seems to me like they do re-do the options in this section every now and then to make sure the mix of barely here / almost here / not remotely here stays similar.

 

[tlmadden73]

I think the problem with Future World is that it originally was like a World's Fair .. which means it's fun to go to once and be educated .. but it quickly gets outdated .. and doesn't draw people back. (Why get educated on the same thing again?).

The addition of more "action" oriented rides like Soarin and Test Track and Mission Space is nice. They bring a different type of ride, but sorta keep the same Epcot Flavor. They just need to do that with the other old pavilions.

 

[RustManFan]

Most of past and current Future World does appeal to my family. (well, maybe we have seen Ellen enough...) No interest in Mission Space but we are particularly fond of Soarin', the Land and the Seas. Maybe we need a the Skies pavilion (but not space... rather future innovations here on "good planet Earth"?!

 

[Tardisblue]

Most of past and current Future World does appeal to my family. (well, maybe we have seen Ellen enough...) No interest in Mission Space but we are particularly fond of Soarin', the Land and the Seas. Maybe we need a the Skies pavilion (but not space... rather future innovations here on "good planet Earth"?!

Mine too, we love Soarin' and Test Track and I've even convinced my wife and 2 daughters to join me on Mission Space Green next month. It just feels like the place has been left to wilt on the vine. Flower and Garden and W&D are great for bringing in crowds and very successful, but there haven't been any new pavilions since Norway and Soarin' is 10 years old. Disney is a multi-billion dollar company. I realize you can't please everyone, but Epcot was/should be cutting edge. Keep the classics, update them as you can but make it an exciting place to visit.

 

[RustManFan]

and figure out ways to use existing buildings. do not let them sit empty year after year (life isn't such a Wonder after all, I guess)

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I think that the first place to start is with their college program. Get graduate students to take part in professional internships. Mechanical engineers who work in various energy sources should work at Ellen's Energy Adventure. The ride should be shortened and they can use the extra space the make a more interactive area. They could have things that would help the guests understand better how much energy is used to do certain things. Guests could ride a stationary bike to try and power a light bulb. They can design their own roller coaster, choose the energy source, and then choose how much energy of that source they think would be needed. Then, like in Sum of All Thrills, they can ride their design. If they didn't use enough energy, the ride just stops. If they chose too much energy, they could go shooting off the tracks and it will tell them why that happened. They will have information on solar and wind power as well as coal and natural gas. People can get better informed about what we currently use in certain situations and where the experts think we are headed. All the while, there are masters and PhD students who are on the grounds to answer questions. When they aren't answering questions (which would be one or two days a week), they would be doing actual research on the grounds there that pertain to their thesis or dissertation. You do something similar at Test Track, at Mission Space with aerospace and aeronautical engineers, and at the seas with marine biologists and oceanographers. At The Land, you can have guests grow their own plant. They can choose their plant, the type of soil or other support system, how often to water, how much light, etc. Then, you give them a card that has the link they can go to on a website to check in on their plant. It will be updated weekly with pictures of the plants and the experts can give their recommendations for how the plant could better thrive. Basically, it needs to be more interactive and more informative of where we currently are and where we think we might be headed. With college students coming in to help work these pavilions, Epcot is assured to always be in on the latest ideas.

Oh, and for the love of all things good, The Odyssey and Wonders of Life need to have something going on in them. No more vacant buildings, please.

 

[Catvondita]

Honestly I may be in the minority but I love Epcot, Future World and all. I love the attractions and the show buildings. And the music is so special to me. It may be for nostalgic reasons but I would be quite upset if they did a major overhaul. If they did some changes like maybe added one or two new attractions, or put something else in the place of Captain EO/HISTA. I also wouldn't be too heartbroken if they put something else in Ellen's Energy Adventure even though that's another nostalgic rice for me. But I don't mind the fact that it's semi-dated. I don't think its as bad as everyone is saying

 

[nilla]

I think you're overlooking Innoventions.

 

[Tardisblue]

Honestly I may be in the minority but I love Epcot, Future World and all. I love the attractions and the show buildings. And the music is so special to me. It may be for nostalgic reasons but I would be quite upset if they did a major overhaul. If they did some changes like maybe added one or two new attractions, or put something else in the place of Captain EO/HISTA. I also wouldn't be too heartbroken if they put something else in Ellen's Energy Adventure even though that's another nostalgic rice for me. But I don't mind the fact that it's semi-dated. I don't think its as bad as everyone is saying

I never said I didn't like it, just that it needs to stay current. I'm dating myself here, but I went to the '82 World's Fair in Knoxville and the '84 World's Fair in New Orleans and EPCOT in between those 2 trips. That was exciting - new stuff, learning about different cultures and seeing what the future held. I love going to Epcot to this day, it's my favorite park. I just wish Disney put a little more effort into keeping it current and finding uses for all of the empty space, especially The Odyssey - come on.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I remember only being able to go to Wonder's of Life Pavilion once in my lifetime, but I thought was a very interesting pavilion. Being a fan science, I wish I could have spent more time. I think proposed idea to have the STEM majors be on hand would help. That could actually help more STEM majors in the future is needed. I love Epcot because that helped me become fascinated in science.

 

[Bullseye]

Maybe a couple more QS restaurants in Future World.

 

[disnut8]

I never said I didn't like it, just that it needs to stay current.

Very true but "current" means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. If you buy a brand new car and drive it out of the parking lot of the dealership, it's not "current" anymore. My son refuses to buy any movie to watch at home unless it's a Blu Ray and wonders why we still watch DVDs. Many people have IPhones but my husband and I have good phones and won't get new ones until the old ones break.

Disney can have plans for any of the pavilions in Future World now but by the time it's finished, a year or two will have gone by (OK - no jokes about how long it takes for Disney to replace things) and the "current" thing will be regular and boring.

 

[eyehartdisney]

One thing I really like is the customized future on Spaceship Earth. We have always found that in the "few new technologies that we just happen to know about" we see one thing that already sort of exists even if only available to the super-rich, a few things that are easily imaginable extensions of current technology, and a couple of things that are just out there.

On our last trip (just back a week ago) we saw "controlling your house lights from your remote that you take with you" (existing tech but not yet widespread), "pre-loaded itinerary and guidebooks in our travel vehicle" (newer cars handle read / respond to text from the dash, so not too much of a stretch to see more app and smartphone technology coming that way), and "underwater hotel" (there are a few of these in the last few years although I can't remotely afford to stay in one). We also saw "rocket ship to space tourist destination" and "automated personal shopper with instant custom manufacture" -- both of these I think are quite a ways off.

I don't know for sure, but it seems to me like they do re-do the options in this section every now and then to make sure the mix of barely here / almost here / not remotely here stays similar.

To the things you say are far off: they are selling tickets to space, and 3D printers are now cheaper than a home computer.

 

[3Gsandme]

I think they need to return a similar attraction to HISTA. There are similar ones in all the parks and, frankly, people like them. I'm sure that wouldn't be too cost intensive and would probably make good fiscal sense as those theaters can move through large amounts of people. Disney has tons of unutilized/under utilized characters and movies that would work and some good ones from a future/technology perspective.

 

[Xennia]

Some things to change but some need to stay the same.


I for one hate Soarin and wish it gone.