EPCOT Energy Adventure-Days May be Numbered

[rungoofy]

While I certainly agree that the article provides some interesting insight I don't see where changing the drainage behind the building indicates the building is going to be closed. There are certainly lots of other possibilities and since there is nothing in the permit application relating to demolition or any other work on the pavilion itself. We will just have to wait and see if there are future permits relating directly to the pavilion.

Speculation, certainly, but with a fair amount of evidence:

• Rumors of Energy Adventure closing going back to summer 2016
  
• Height balloon testing in that area July 2016
• South Florida Water Management application for canal modifications
• Precedent for a pavilion being demolished to make way for a new attraction (Horizons removed to make way for Mission: Space)

You also have the "unused" Wonders of Life pavilion resulting in approximately eighteen acres of theme park real estate that can be improved. Note that the SFWM application does appear to indicate a new building behind Wonders of Life right where the canal is re-routed:

 

[monorailrabbit]

I posted this in the other thread as well, but from the article: "According to drainage design documents, the purpose of the project is, “to provide a more-contiguous area for possible future changes to parking capacity and back of house areas.""

THIS I take issue with. While I know I am in the extreme minority for liking the ride I will be pretty annoyed if its gone just to make room for more parking... Epcot needs new and exciting attractions and I will be the first to admit that Energy falls short, but please don't remove another attraction for nothing. I think an update or new something would be great, but we don't need another sad shell.

 

[Delano Fiedler]

Count me in on a GotG rollercoaster! I think the 'city of tomorrow' concept for EPCOT is long gone and we just have to accept it.

 

[rteetz]

I posted this in the other thread as well, but from the article: "According to drainage design documents, the purpose of the project is, “to provide a more-contiguous area for possible future changes to parking capacity and back of house areas.""

THIS I take issue with. While I know I am in the extreme minority for liking the ride I will be pretty annoyed if its gone just to make room for more parking... Epcot needs new and exciting attractions and I will be the first to admit that Energy falls short, but please don't remove another attraction for nothing. I think an update or new something would be great, but we don't need another sad shell.

I doubt it would be for parking. Maybe backstage parking when they do build something new but not actual expansion of the Epcot lot.

 

[DanBoris]

I posted this in the other thread as well, but from the article: "According to drainage design documents, the purpose of the project is, “to provide a more-contiguous area for possible future changes to parking capacity and back of house areas.""

THIS I take issue with. While I know I am in the extreme minority for liking the ride I will be pretty annoyed if its gone just to make room for more parking... Epcot needs new and exciting attractions and I will be the first to admit that Energy falls short, but please don't remove another attraction for nothing. I think an update or new something would be great, but we don't need another sad shell.

The ride is not being removed for parking. The permit is about freeing up land behind Energy that could be used for an expansion and/or parking.

 

[Juliet0778]

Count me in on a GotG rollercoaster! I think the 'city of tomorrow' concept for EPCOT is long gone and we just have to accept it.

I actually agree. I feel like Epcot has lost the plot as far as theming anyway, and it would add more things to do there.

 

[BigRed98]

I'm excited for a new coaster at WDW, whether its GOTG coaster or any other theme. As long as its a well done coaster I think we should all be excited.

 

[monorailrabbit]

The ride is not being removed for parking. The permit is about freeing up land behind Energy that could be used for an expansion and/or parking.

I'm not trying to be difficult, I promise. But this just sounds like a contradiction? How does it say it's not being used for parking?

 

[rungoofy]

I'm not trying to be difficult, I promise. But this just sounds like a contradiction? How does it say it's not being used for parking?

There are four distinct areas listed on the application:

• Eastern "Offsite" Area (front of energy, and its courtyard)
• Western "Offsite" Area (back of energy, and backstage)
• Back of House (green land area, and the spur of the canal proposed to be filled)
• Construction Area (nestled between current parking areas)

As per the quote you referenced, the "ride"/"attraction" space will NOT be used for parking. I guarantee you won't be able to park your car there.

It is possible that the "Construction Area" could eventually be used for additional parking of some sort.

 

[rungoofy]

also note that the soil survey encompasses areas that include the parking lot (outside of the boundary of the project) and excludes the area of the actual attraction.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Count me in on a GotG rollercoaster! I think the 'city of tomorrow' concept for EPCOT is long gone and we just have to accept it.

I'm excited for a new coaster at WDW, whether its GOTG coaster or any other theme. As long as its a well done coaster I think we should all be excited.

I'm all for upping the excitement in EPCOT - I would like it it retained some of the original vision that separated it from other parks. Even with some of the plans for Project Gemini there was to be a suspended coaster going around the Land pavilion but the plant life around it would have been build up so it was like being in a jungle, so it related to the pavilion ... hopefully this can relate somehow to the theme of a pavilion

 

[Lee Matthews]

Good to see something is happening in Epcot.. Bring on the bulldozers I say

 

[DanBoris]

I'm not trying to be difficult, I promise. But this just sounds like a contradiction? How does it say it's not being used for parking?

The permit says nothing about the removal of the ride, it's just for making more room backstage for expansion.

 

[GreatLakes]

I don't want all of the educational experiences in Epcot to be removed for thrill rides or Disney IP. I much prefer updated educational slow attractions for Future World.

 

[Aristo-cat]

Could this possibly be the gondola port of entry into Epcot? Seems the new Future World might incorporate this into it.

 

[rteetz]

Could this possibly be the gondola port of entry into Epcot? Seems the new Future World might incorporate this into it.

No, the gondola station will be at international gateway.

 

[Phicinfan]

Confirmation from Martin and others at WDWMagic.com - this permit is to make transformations to prepare for construction. Clearing and such to make room to move water retention, so they can have staging for new building to be added to UoE. The 2nd building will be the ride building, and it won't be visible from stage when looking at UoE.

 

[Planogirl]

A separate coaster building? Is there really room for that? Or would the current building be integrated into that too? Also, that wouldn't be too family friendly...

Lots to think about.

 

[Phicinfan]

A separate coaster building? Is there really room for that? Or would the current building be integrated into that too? Also, that wouldn't be too family friendly...

Lots to think about.

From what I have heard, existing building would be for Que and then there would be a walkway built with building to go to the new ride building.

 

[OSUPhantom]

I think GotG would be great...at Hollywood Studios...Epcot shouldn't just become a place to throw random IPs. Just because the original theme has faded doesn't mean it can't be re-imagined in line with the original spirit.