Epcot? Im not feeling the magic...

[X_Mickeys_Pal_X]

Whenever I go to Epcot I never get it, I just don't feel it's that worth it. I like the world showcase I admit but I just feel that where they have tried to make it seem too modern it's turned out kind of...well tacky.

Does anyone else feel abit let down by Epcot?

What do you think they could do to improve it?

 

[Art 1]

EPCOT is my favorite park, we go there 3 or 4 times per month.

 

[maryann4086]

It's the favourite park of my whole family, and we spend a few days there each visit. I am not sure what they could do to improve it.

 

[kadesha]

I don't have any huge complaints about Epcot. We enjoy it and spend several days at Epcot each time we go. I do think that WS could use a few more rides, I think that would help more people enjoy that area of the park. I enjoy just walking around taking in the details, but I can understand why some people feel the need for more entertainment in that area.

 

[crazymomof4]

I've seen this quote and like it and thought it appropriate to use here:
"The magic is in the details"

The "details" that everyone appreciates varies from person to person. So everyone will feel the magic more in their personal favorite park.

With regard to using the word "tacky" to describe the WS-- I'll quote my mom: She is of German decent and has been back to Germany several times over the past few decades. As she puts it, "I look at the German pavilion in EPCOT and see how close it is to the feel I get when I'm in Germany. So even though I've not been to the other countries, I trust the authenticity is accurate."

My uncle is has been a scenic artist for Disney since the early '60's. He lives near Anaheim, but has worked on the building of every Disney park in the world. Last summer he told us the story of how he was working on creating part of the Jungle Cruise in Hong Kong Disneyland. Disney paid to fly him from Hong Kong to Cambodia so he could hold his paint palette up to the actual ruins he was to recreate. Before he left Cambodia he had a miniature mock up of the ruins along with dead-on accurate paint colors.

Just one example of Disney's attention to details! If persons don't appreciate the details of the WS, it's their loss.... but they ARE there for the rest of us to enjoy!

 

[Havana]

I could go to Epcot and just sit on a bench all day and be happy

 

[JoshuaShaw]

While I can find enjoyment in Future World, I do agree that it's incredibly anachronistic and needs a major overhaul. The World Showcase, however, is beautiful and incredibly timeless. It's easily the big draw of the park, despite almost all of the rides residing in FW.

 

[goofyernmost]

Nope...Epcot is my second favorite park in the whole world, not just WDW. I think that there are areas that they can improve on like Imagination, find something useful to go in the old Life Pavilion but other than that I think they have a good balance of things to see and do in Future World and World Showcase...but it's pretty good the way it is. Besides it is such a pretty place.

I do have to admit that I have gotten very little out of Communicore over the years, but I know a lot of people that like it a lot.

 

[BenKling]

Epcot is probably my favorite park, and I can't wait to get back there in a few weeks!

However, I can definitely see where it wouldn't be everyone's favorite. I distinctly remember being surprised at all the information you get from the different rides (Living with the Land for example). If people weren't expecting to learn so much on vacation, then maybe they don't get it?

That being said, as someone who adores museums, technology and amusement parks, I think it does a fantastic job of combining the three.

 

[Murron]

We also rank Epcot as our favorite park. I love World Showcase and only hope to see some added countries at some point in time. I think the Kim Possible or now P&F and other activities has made it more family friendly. My favorite place to wander at night.

Future World could use some help. We love TT and Soarin....and Sum of all Thrills, but bringing back old stuff like Captain EO is not helping. My jury is also out in bringing Nemo to the Living Seas (cute but corny)...I think I liked the old version better. And I'm not unhappy or happy with Spaceship Earth. I don't object to good change and maybe they felt the silly Spaceship Earth interaction was more family friendly, but I find it distracting and not really that entertaining.

All that being said...I still love Epcot.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's my favorite park. If they want to improve it they can add more countries, and make sure each one has a bar.

 

[Murron]

It's my favorite park. If they want to improve it they can add more countries, and make sure each one has a bar.

 

[AshleeH]

I get what you're saying. Epcot was never a favorite of ours - we dubbed it The Boring Park, but we would always go for one day (for The Seas and Nemo ride and pumpkin funnel cakes, mainly). But then on our last visit, my-inlaws met us at WDW for a couple of days and we let them choose which park we would go to on their last day - they chose that one. Because we didn't want to rush through in case they wanted to stop anywhere, we really took our time and meandered and for some reason, it "clicked". I don't know what it was, if it was a stop and smell the roses moment or just experiencing more of the sights, but we're looking forward to our next trip and we'll plan two days (and possibly more nights) at Epcot.

I think it's one you really need to slow down to enjoy. Actually, one of my favorite moments that day was when my FIL and I just sat on a bench with my youngest, waiting for MIL, DH and DS8 to come out of a show (we weren't interested in it). My FIL and I get along fine, he used to be my boss, but we don't get much chance to talk, so I loved the one one one time with him while we people-watched and discussed Disney and how they are unbeaten when it comes to designing their parks. It was great seeing Epcot through new eyes.

 

[wahoostampingirl]

Our whole family (me, dh and twins age 10) love Epcot. It is usually the first park we visit on every trip. We love all the rides (even Figment and Ellen's Universe of Energy) and usually plan on being at the park for 2 days.

There's just so much to do at Epcot and I don't really have many suggestions for improvement, although I'd love to see them do something with the pavilion that is used for Food and Wine. Is that the old Wonders of Life pavilion? We started going to Disney after that was gone. Innoventions is fun, but could use a few more interactive games. We miss building the robots, but love Sum of all Thrills and the Piggybank game.

As the kids get older, we're taking more time in the World Showcase and the Kim Possible (soon to be Perry the Platypus) game really helped my kids love exploring the different countries.

Plus, Le Cellier. Nothing else needs to be said on that.

 

[wdw4rfam]

Sorry... I am with the others, its my favorite. It is the only day that actually feels like vacation. Kids aren't pulling in 8 directions, theres a little bit for everyone. Its the "chill" day. The countries are awesome, Soarin is my fav out of all parks, the fact that the monorail goes right through it, so many things make this my favorite. Cant think of anything to improve, or add.

 

[minnie mum]

Sorry, I have to join the others here. Epcot is definitely one of our favourites. I will have to disagree with your assessment regarding World Showchase. I don't think it is either modern or tacky. The very opposite of modern in every case- the pavilions are striving to present their country in a historic context. And having been fortunate in actually visiting most of the countries represented, I think they have done a fabulous job in giving a tasteful and classic depiction.

Now your argument could certainly be made for parts of Future World, and perhaps this is what you really meant. Some of the pavilions could certainly do with either a major refurb or a complete retheming. But we still manage to enjoy the time we spend in this part of the park.

When all is said and done, everyone has their own tastes and preferences. It's OK if you don't love Epcot. Some folks don't really care for AK. And some don't like DHS. Life would be really boring if everyone liked the same stuff. Having said that- anyone who doesn't like MK , well.....

 

[dansdad]

Very well said minnie_mum.

Especially this part.

Now your argument could certainly be made for parts of Future World, and perhaps this is what you really meant. Some of the pavilions could certainly do with either a major refurb or a complete retheming. But we still manage to enjoy the time we spend in this part of the park.

 

[mkoerner]

Epcot is my 5 year old grandson's favorite park! He loves everything about it, and my family agrees with him. Just wish some things in future world weren't quite so spread out

 

[Kae]

I could go to Epcot and just sit on a bench all day and be happy

with a Grey goose slushie in my hand

Epcot is also my families favorite park.

Kae

 

[maxiesmom]

Sorry OP, I'm with the others. I love Epcot.