Opinion Poll: Should EPCOT secede from Disney World?

liquidbase · Apr 25, 2015

To prevent confusion, this post is not a rumor or a news story but is intended to share and solve whether or not EPCOT should secede from Walt Disney World and become an independent theme park/resort.

The reason I believe EPCOT must leave Disney is because of the way the company has been neglecting the park's original philosophy it was founded on. As testified on it's dedication plaque, EPCOT's mission is to explore science/technology and showcase the world's real culture/diversity. But in recent years, Disney has introduced attractions to the park designed to appeal younger kids. A few examples are a character meet & greet at Innoventions, the Finding Nemo takeover of the Seas pavilion and opening next year a ride based on Frozen at the Norway pavilion. Although these attractions help kids love EPCOT, they represent little to none of the park's main principles. Given the circumstances which don't seem to be ending or reversing, an EPCOT breakup with Disney would replace all the attractions with Disney's influence and ultimately restore the park's true purpose. This idea may sound very radical for Disney resort fans like myself, but for those who are unhappy about what EPCOT has become I feel convinced that it's the best chance in the long-term for the park to be run by people willing to prioritize its core values in all of its attractions.

What do you all think? I'm open to all votes and comments.

bmwdw · Apr 25, 2015

The problem with EPCOT was from inception. After Walt's passing the powers that be took part of what Walt wanted for EPCOT, the innovation and technology, and left out the whole new way of living in community part, in a sheer effort to attract people and make money. That has since become more and more what the entire company is about over the years. Of course they tried to get back to Walt's original vision with the Celebration project but have even abandonned that idea with the fear of the residents gaining control of decisions at Walt Disney World and withiin the company. So I believe you are correct that the EPCOT we visit today is not within the philosophy that Walt wanted from this idea, however, this is what the powers that be have wanted from their inception of EPCOT. A small amount of innovation, a small amount of culture, and a whole lot of fun, and MONEY. So I do not feel there is need for "secession". As consumers we have "allowed" this to happen by attending and paying for EPCOT through our purchases. So in part we have ourselves to blame for what we currently experience when we attend the park. This leaves us with 2 options:
1. Attend the park and enjoy what is currently there and for what the park is.
2.Stop attending and perhaps Disney will change the philosophy in an effort to win us back.
Because the truth is Disney is not going to change course as long as we continue to give them money to go to a theme park we all supposedly do not want.

a742246 · Apr 25, 2015

Epcot (World Showcase) is still my favorite park to visit! I wish they would improve Future World, though.

Bolt4Life17 · Apr 25, 2015

a742246 said:
Epcot (World Showcase) is still my favorite park to visit! I wish they would improve Future World, though.

Same here. World Showcase is my favorite in all of WDW

lockedoutlogic · Apr 25, 2015

The Internet killed EPCOT

(That's always "my thing")

Planogirl · Apr 25, 2015

I kind of believe that the Internet might actually lure people to visit those far off places. It seems that the actual places still get packed when the economy is right.

I went against the grain and voted "secede". I think that Norwegians should storm the ramparts and demand proper representation.

rteetz · Apr 25, 2015

I just don't think epcot would get any funding if it wasn't owned and run by disney. I know it's neglected currently but what company would come in and run it better?

Astridia · Apr 25, 2015

rteetz said:
I just don't think epcot would get any funding if it wasn't owned and run by disney. I know it's neglected currently but what company would come in and run it better?

Maybe the stores would be stocked with merchandise from their countries instead of Mickey merchandise. I would love to shop, if I could find things to buy.

rteetz · Apr 25, 2015

Astridia said:
Maybe the stores would be stocked with merchandise from their countries instead of Mickey merchandise. I would love to shop, if I could find things to buy.

Most of the stores have things that are from the countries or at least replicas of things that come from that country but I will agree that the merchandise has become quite generic and the same stuff is found everywhere.

Astridia · Apr 25, 2015

rteetz said:
Most of the stores have things that are from the countries or at least replicas of things that come from that country but I will agree that the merchandise has become quite generic and the same stuff is found everywhere.

The sad part is, Disney's merchandise manager is now in charge of WDW. Are the parks going to become as homogynous as the merchandise?

rteetz · Apr 25, 2015

Astridia said:
The sad part is, Disney's merchandise manager is now in charge of WDW. Are the parks going to become as homogynous as the merchandise?

The consumer products exec is now in charge of all disney parks and resorts world wide not just WDW. Last time disney did this his name was Paul Pressler and if you don't know what happened with him I suggest you look that up.

liquidbase · Apr 25, 2015

I went against the grain and voted "secede". I think that Norwegians should storm the ramparts and demand proper representation.

[/QUOTE]

There have actually been reports on the internet that the majority of Norwegians don't want the new Frozen ride to open. If this blog was seen on Norwegian social media, it's likely that Norway would endorse EPCOT independence.

Planogirl · Apr 25, 2015

Before someone posts the inevitable comment that Norway should have anted up money then I only ask why only them? Why is it always Norway that has to take all of it?

liquidbase · Apr 25, 2015

rteetz said:
I just don't think epcot would get any funding if it wasn't owned and run by disney. I know it's neglected currently but what company would come in and run it better?

I was thinking that EPCOT would be run by a start-up company made up of members from a pro-EPCOT secession movement.

Magic Fanatic · Apr 25, 2015

If EPCOT were independent, EPCOT would be closed in a year. Without park hopper multi day tickets, there would not be enough one day admissions to support it. No one has even seen the Frozen ride yet, but many have already written it off. I agree the park needs attention, and there are probably plans, but with Avatar and other changes in AK and major changes at the Studio, I doubt we will see any major EPCOT additions for a while.

Yellowstonetim · Apr 25, 2015

I think Magic Fanatic has hit on the truth. Neither Animal Kingdom nor Epcot could ever survive as stand-alone theme parks anywhere else in the world. But as part of Walt Disney World they fit perfectly and get lots of attendance. My favorite theme park in the entire world is Animal Kingdom, but I know it would not survive anywhere else. Changes and updates will come slowly. First was MK with New Fantasy Land (Which was a perfect addition for the target audience if not the posters here.) Next AK with Pandora and nighttime activities. Then the Studios with Toy Story & Star Wars. Then they will go to Epcot. I think, as another thread has stated, Disney cannot really grow anymore and must manage what it has and limit employee growth.

beer dave · Apr 25, 2015

Magic Fanatic said:
If EPCOT were independent, EPCOT would be closed in a year. Without park hopper multi day tickets, there would not be enough one day admissions to support it. No one has even seen the Frozen ride yet, but many have already written it off. I agree the park needs attention, and there are probably plans, but with Avatar and other changes in AK and major changes at the Studio, I doubt we will see any major EPCOT additions for a while.

All Epcot would need is to keep cycling between food and wine, flower and garden( which now resembles food and wine) and some other annual specials to fill the rest of the year. Keep people drinking and eating some " special" offerings, and the park will stay full. At least in the evenings......

lockedoutlogic · Apr 25, 2015

rteetz said:
I just don't think epcot would get any funding if it wasn't owned and run by disney. I know it's neglected currently but what company would come in and run it better?

I think only Disney would have tried it... Let alone pulled it off...the book Project Florida (I think...been awhile) is a must read for fans of EPCOT... The one built not the concept.

But In building it...I believe they signed a lifetime contract to defend her as best they can...until the Visigoths come pouring over the 7th hill...

This frozen move could be throwing the gated open in surrender...

Too spoiled...little...girls

lockedoutlogic · Apr 25, 2015

Yellowstonetim said:
I think Magic Fanatic has hit on the truth. Neither Animal Kingdom nor Epcot could ever survive as stand-alone theme parks anywhere else in the world. But as part of Walt Disney World they fit perfectly and get lots of attendance. My favorite theme park in the entire world is Animal Kingdom, but I know it would not survive anywhere else. Changes and updates will come slowly. First was MK with New Fantasy Land (Which was a perfect addition for the target audience if not the posters here.) Next AK with Pandora and nighttime activities. Then the Studios with Toy Story & Star Wars. Then they will go to Epcot. I think, as another thread has stated, Disney cannot really grow anymore and must manage what it has and limit employee growth.

Only half of the stuff you mentioned exists in reality at this point...

And "new fantasyland" really was just a rehab to correct neglect/decay...if we're honest.

liquidbase · Apr 25, 2015

Magic Fanatic said:
If EPCOT were independent, EPCOT would be closed in a year. Without park hopper multi day tickets, there would not be enough one day admissions to support it. No one has even seen the Frozen ride yet, but many have already written it off. I agree the park needs attention, and there are probably plans, but with Avatar and other changes in AK and major changes at the Studio, I doubt we will see any major EPCOT additions for a while.

You've got a point that EPCOT could close without Disney. On the other hand, what about other Orlando attractions like Holy Land Experience? It has still been in buisness even while selling one, two day non-multiple park tickets. Unless park size is an issue, EPCOT could still operate in this fashion.

Opinion Poll: Should EPCOT secede from Disney World?

Would you advocate EPCOT's independence from Disney World?

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