Epcot is Being Turned Into Fantasyland

[mesaverdefan]

With the announcement Saturday at D23 of the addition of Ratatouille in the France Pavilion and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy in Future World, its clear that Disney intends to fundamentally change Epcot… and not for the better. Epcot is an outlier among the Disney parks. An intended fusion of entertainment and education allowing guests to experience different cultures around World Showcase and innovations of yesterday and tomorrow in Future World.

The slow decline of Epcot has been over a decade in the making. There are many events that one could call the turning point; the death of Horizons, the loss of Figment & Dreamfinder, the closing of Wonders of Life, or The Living Seas being Disneyfied with Nemo. And the hits just keep on coming. The addition of The Three Caballeros in the Mexico Pavilion, the closing of Innoventions East & West, the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival, and the blasphemy that is Frozen in the Norway Pavilion.

Now there are turn two more attractions coming. Guardians replacing the Universe of Energy and Rataouille axing Impressions de France. Both better suited to be placed in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland than the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. A digital cartoon rat trying to be a chef really personifies the cultural history of France and does such a better job than a film that showcases the beauty and cultural heritage of France. Impressions de France is one of the most breath taking films at Epcot which has aged well over the past 35 years. And who needs an attraction about Energy … you know, one of the most important issues of the 21st century. Its not like a million + people experience the Universe of Energy every year and at least learn something about energy production and consumption in an entertaining way.

The picture above is of one of the construction wall signs that used to be displayed in Future World during refurbishments. At one time, Disney was pound of its Futurism. Showcasing new and emerging technologies in themed pavilions; new and exciting technologies that were just around the corner. The sad truth is Disney is trying to turn Epcot into Fantasyland.

I am not opposed to change, but strongly support the opening vision for Epcot Center presented in the 1980s. Changes can conform to the vision for Epcot and still have the beneficial impact of drawing more guests to the park, the space themed restaurant seems like a nice addition. Here are some excerpts, taken from cast member training materials circa 1982, setting forth that vision for Epcot Center:

“With this foundation, Epcot Center has been created as a demonstration and proving ground for prototype concepts and technologies. It showcases new ideas and systems that may someday serve people everywhere. And it provides an ongoing forum where the creative thoughts of many disciplines, including industries, governments and universities, are exchanged to help provide practical solutions to the needs of people.

Epcot Center communicates this knowledge to the world. By showcasing innovations- yesterday, today and tomorrow- Epcot Center encourages the development of even better systems for the future.

The richness and diversity of the human family is highlighted in World Showcase. This unprecedented people-to-people exchange brings people from nations throughout the world together to share their cultural heritage, arts and entertainment. It offers a new look at what our world can be through understanding, cooperation and better knowledge of each other.

….

This is the essence of Epcot Center: a collective endeavor by people…for people, in the hope for a better world.”​

Here is the official dedication of Epcot Center:

“To all who come to this Place of Joy, Hope and Friendship Welcome

Epcot is inspired by Walt Disney’s creative vision. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, wonders of enterprise and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all.

May Epcot Center entertain, inform and inspire and above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man’s ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere.”

E. Cardon Walker
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
October 24, 1982​

Epcot Center had a visionary mission, embodying the heart of a permanent world’s fair. Disney is attempting to fundamentally change Epcot, the goal being to build the park around Disney characters. Forget about inspiring guests; forget about educating guests. It certainty is a strategy, whether or not it is a successfully strategy will be seen in the next 5 to 10 years. My prediction is that the strategy will fail. Guests liked the fact that there were 4 distinct and separate parks, each having its own purpose and perspective. The future goal appears to have four Magic Kingdom clones with slight variations. The result: Universal will continue to increase its market share and Disney will continue to lose its market share in Orlando.

If you also disagree with the direction that Disney is taking, then let your voice be heard. Encourage Disney to fulfill the original vision of Epcot Center to “entertain, inform, and inspire.” Disney does care what guests think, there is a whole Research Department dedicated to understating guest behavior and opinion.

Writing a letter and mailing it to one or more of the addresses below is a great way for your voice to heard and for Disney to know how you feel. Emailing or calling is also a great option for having your voice heard:

Write a Letter:

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10,040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Robert A. Iger
Chief Executive Officer
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

Bob Chapek
Chairman
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

Walt Disney Imagineering
ATTN: Bob Weis
1401 Flower Street
Glendale, CA 91221

If a Walt Disney Company Shareholder:

Shareholder Inquiries
Disney Shareholder Services
c/o Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions
P.O. Box 1342
Brentwood, NY 11717


Call:

WDW Guest Relations
407-824-4321


Email:

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

That’s my 2 cents. What do you think about the direction Disney is taking with Epcot?

 

[Irish_Mike]

That’s my 2 cents. What do you think about the direction Disney is taking with Epcot?

I'm fine with it, if only for the fact that it shows Disney is willing to do something. As it currently stands, Future World is a mess of outdated attractions (Figment, Mission:Space, Ellen's, and arguably portions of the Seas and SSE) and 1980's architecture, all encased in an unattractive swath of concrete. The innovations and ideas that Disney planned to showcase at EPCOT were a great idea - but it just feels like they failed to keep up with the times.

In a way, it's a lot like Tomorrowland. The ideas and theme were cool when they started. But Disney got complacent, and after years of neglect, they just feel dated, stale, and uninteresting.

Sure, I'd love to see Disney create more original and unique attractions and experiences for EPCOT. And I hope that with changes to Mission:Space and other portions of the park, we get those as well. But something has to be done, and if IP's are what we're getting, then so be it.

 

[disneygirlsng]

Ratatouille is not replacing Impressions de France.

I am also fine with the changes and am actually very excited to see what else they have in store for the park.

 

[fractal]

With the continual loss of sponsors, using IPs allows them justification for spending the money to update the attractions.

The sponsorship model is dead. Personally, I'm glad they don't have to cow tow to companies like Monsanto. Life goes on.

 

[Redo Epcot]

Impressions de France is staying and the rest of what you're saying makes no sense. Technology is moving too fast for them to be constantly showcasing the future and guardians of the galaxy shouldn't be in Fantasyland if at all in MK which it doesn't belong it should be in Tomorrowland. Also Rat ride is going in a brand new spot that isn't being used so they aren't losing anything except for some trees and backstage and Ellen's is about as outdated a ride as you can possibly get so if deterring from "Walt's vision" involves getting ride of a ride that is both the least visited and most outdated a see no problems

 

[Liljo22]

Future World has been a very loose term when it opened in 82.

Spaceship Earth - A reprise of history
World of Motion - A reprise of history
Living with the Land - Used farming techniques that was used in present day
Universe of Energy - Dinosaurs? Maybe we time traveled back to their time?
Journey into Imagination - Present day use of your imagination
Horizons - Only true attraction that focused on the future