Does it bum anyone else how soulless Epcot feels these days or is it just me?

[kirby428]

DUDES, with Crush at the livin Seas being like RIGHTEOUS n stuff, no way does Epcot lack soul. You are just on the wrong side of the tank. Horizon was cool um knarley but the future is like SWIMMIN TA MARS. Why ride a slow movin people mover thru a talk about motion when you now can like actually MOVE and fast at TT. The Dino dudes are still at Energy, but I still don't like Ellen. VOICE sounds familiar, but I liked her better when she was BLUE. Don't mix up nostalgia with no soul. Find the right current and you'll get there faster.

 

[bellaally]

So dramatic ....I remember visiting Epcot for the first time, it's like it was yesterday. Oh yea the first time I visited was this year. I love the place soaring was amazing. Mission space was crazy. My kids had a blast with figment. Going though the world is so mind blowing the full immersion from one country to the next. Every single detail the sights, smells and sounds were on point. Add all the beautiful topiaries and colors from flower and garden. I love EPCOT.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I thought this thread died already.

Totally agree. I'd rather be in my local Six Flags park where at least things are updated and the theming is consistent.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Nope. I think Epcot is a wonderful park and I thoroughly enjoy it.

I agree.

 

[maxiesmom]

So dramatic ....I remember visiting Epcot for the first time, it's like it was yesterday. Oh yea the first time I visited was this year. I love the place soaring was amazing. Mission space was crazy. My kids had a blast with figment. Going though the world is so mind blowing the full immersion from one country to the next. Every single detail the sights, smells and sounds were on point. Add all the beautiful topiaries and colors from flower and garden. I love EPCOT.

Epcot is my family's favorite park, and has been from the first trip. It feels far from soulless to me.

One of my friends hates Epcot, and is not even planning on visiting during her trip next month. To her, it is too educational and not fun.

I think this is another case of different strokes for different folks.

 

[disneylovin24]

I LOVE EPCOT. It's been my favorite park from a young age and that hasn't changed.

I don't think it feels soulless at all. I do prefer World Showcase over FW but that's just because I love to travel and love getting the experiences of all the different countries. I love Mission Space, Soarin, and Test Track and even really enjoy Spaceship Earth since it became interactive. Also think Mouse Gears is one of the best stores in Disney and love all the different food options. We were there this past March for F&G and that made me love it even more!

I hate to compare Illuminations to Wishes because they are 2 different shows, but if I had to pick 1 to see I would pick Illuminations 9 times out of 10. Going for NYE this year and going to EPCOT that night because I think it'll just be a better atmosphere for NYE.

I just really love EPCOT.

 

[Trek Girl]

While I still do love Epcot, I'll agree that it is soulless compared to EPCOT Center of the 80's and early 90's.

I think its hard for those that never experienced EPCOT during those years to understand that it was much more than a collection of rides, there was a palatable sense of wonder, a sense of inspiration, that just permeated through Future World. Going through the FW attractions was like attending a giant pep rally for the future, you got the feeling that it was just around the corner and it was going to be AWESOME!

Limitless communication; multiple renewable and clean energy sources; efficient transportation; medical breakthroughs; undersea living; sustainable agriculture- it was all possible, it was all within our reach, if we only had the imagination and the belief that if we could dream it, we could do it.

It was heady stuff, and as a kid it seemed even more magical than anything at the Magic Kingdom, because it was (or at leas could be) REAL.

Compare all of that to today, and yeah, soulless does come to mind. FW is not bad, but it certainly does not possess the "soul" of inspiration and wonder that it once head.

I still enjoy Epcot, and I think rides like Nemo are cute and MS are fun, but I wish that Disney hadn't let the wonder and inspiration slip away.

This is EXACTLY how I feel about Epcot. I grew up going to the World throughout the 90s (first trip was in '91), and Epcot was my favorite park, easily surpassing MK. I still like it, but when I look around FW now, I can't help but be a little bummed at what's happened to it. I think they were on the right track with MS. To me, it's one of the only rides that feels like it stays true to the original intent of FW. I think the redesigned TT helps bring FW back to this original intent, too, not just aesthetically, but also with the car design/test component. The old TT was a good ride, but there wasn't anything futuristic about it. The redesign at least makes an effort.

 

[Missymouse18]

Although I empathize with you, I cannot agree with you, simply because I am an absolute Epcot fanatic. I cry the moment i see SE and I cry even worse after Illuminations. It is my happiest happy place.

 

[poohgirl6]

Yes, I absolutely get what OP is talking about. FW used to be educational with some fun and a few thrills mixed in. Remember the Anacomical Players that would do improv in the Wonders of Life Pavilion? Many exhibits were more like stuff you'd see at a Museum of Discovery or Children's Science Museum. But it took quite an investment of time to fully appreciate and I am not sure all visitors were willing to do that. The urge to "hurry up and get to the next ride" led to overlooked attractions and the demand for more rides and something more for young children.

WS used to be a place to interact with CMs from that particular country and find interesting food and gift items exclusively from that place. Now it seems to be more of a eat, drink, hang out and enjoy the landscaping, weather, people watching, etc. Not saying there's anything wrong with that, but it's not what it was.

We were frequent WDW visitors in the early 90's and I miss that era at the parks for more reasons than I've stated here. Yes, there is some new, cool stuff, but the entire WDW mood and quality has slipped a few rungs IMHO. Yes, we still love it and yes, we will be there in Sept for 12 nights, and no, I won't walk around complaining about "the good ole days" and let it ruin our trip. But will I feel a twinge or nostalgia and regret, yep.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I am a Biology/History teacher and have lived the majority of my adult life overseas and/or in cross cultural situations so it is a no brainer that EPCOT has been one of my favorite parks. I love Spaceship Earth, The Seas (watching the dolphin training sessions) the Land, and food and wine is a favorite of mine - especially the food demonstrations at the Festival Center.

In many ways though I do agree that there is a LOT of room for EPCOT to evolve - I think it could use some "vibe" and at times it has felt "soulless" to me but I am not sure if I can define why it sometimes seems that way. Illuminations is absolutely my favorite show and I think sums up a lot of what EPCOT is all about - what I think defines what is great about EPCOT and where I hope it continues to grow. The human spirit of creativity, diversity and imagination! I look forward to seeing more at EPCOT and to see what will come in the years ahead.

 

[TGaines107]

The park just needs more rides. IMO, Universe of Energy needs to go, OLD and tired. Where Cranium Command was, well it's been empty and closed forever it seems. Need a good ride there as well. Wouldn't hurt if they'd put a coaster in China based on a dragon or something. Maybe a dark ride in France. Innoventions, again, complete re-hab needed. Journey into the Imagination, where's the imagination? Captain EO... again... forget it, it's no "Thriller" but "Filler". LoL.

We go to Epcot because... well, it's Epcot! Food and drink, it wins hands down. Presentation of countries and it's fireworks are superb. It's got Mousegears! However I really think it needs another good ride or two. Seems there's a lot of dead/unused/under used space over there.

 

[fla4fun]

I have been visiting Epcot since it first opened. While Epcot is still my favorite park, I agree that the park had it's "golden age" from the mid eighties to the mid nineties. It was a big loss to the park when they started replacing the original attractions instead of supplementing them with new ones. I do miss the Epcot of that era, but I still enjoy the Epcot of today. Only time will tell if it continues to be my number one choice.

The only time I avoid Epcot is during F&W when too many people have a little too much wine and not enough food.

 

[lustergirl]

I love EPCOT but have to admit that I skip right through to the World Showcase and spend plenty of time there. I think the need more to do in the front of the park.

 

[mjallemand]

Sorry to bump such an old thread, but I found an excellent article explaining my feelings:

By the Numbers I: The Trinity

 

[agavegirl1]

Excellent analysis!

 

[Safari Queen]

Epcot is still a great park, but I also loved the original concept in Future World. There was just as much commercialism in the past -- Energy was a very fancy ad for nuclear energy and Motion was practically a car showroom at the end -- but it really was Future World and it fed the imagination beautifully. I miss it.

 

[Auntie Sherry]

I first went to EPCOT in 1983 on my honeymoon(0nly18). I have been back every year with my family. We still enjoy it but I get what is being said it is not the same. I remember it was the first time I used a touch screen computer and email. There were things you could do that we're not available at the time and then u saw this happen. Why couldn't they make test track into something like google is working on where cars drive themselves or show how robots work in factories and maybe we will have them do our housework someday or more on recycling. That is what is missing. I will still love Epcot but I often am thinking about how cool it was when I first went

 

[AmyB2006]

I was at Epcot the year it opened. I was 8. I loved it as a kid and I still love it as an adult.

However, I do understand your feelings. I even agree with some of them.

 

[lalanik]

But if people don't have the time or money to take a European vacation, or Canada or so, EPCOT just gives you a nice scaled down version, that is at least authentic enough to almost bring you there w/out actually being there

No offense, but I totally disagree with your statement...

 

[newdeal]

I was born in 1982. I have been over 15 times for sure. Epcot was always my favourite. I was interested in the same things as you. I don't love Epcot anymore. I do love spaceship earth still and I also like soarin but other than that it has lost it's former glory to me and my kids don't like it much either. Of course my kids are 1 and 3 so they are very young but even so it's become a park that we skip. This coming trip we are skipping it and only going for akershus