Epcot is sad

[leebee]

Sigh... I do agree with the Spaceship Earth thing.

I miss the old soundtrack SO MUCH. No offense to Judi Dench, but the new one is silly. The old one was almost like a meditation. And oddly, at the end where the extremely silly video plays in your car, I really miss the fiberoptic lights and music that used to be there.

Me too! That was my absolute favorite part of the old version and the reason I rode so often. Seeing the stars, then turning around and descending, but always looking up... Lovely. That music was the best.

I'm right with you. The video is fun, but it lacks the grandeur of either the Cronkite descent (with the amazing "Tomorrow's Child") or the Irons descent with the new show scenes. Both were just a perfect way to end the ride. Now, it feels strangely anticlimactic.

We agree. Spaceship Earth used to be my favorite thing about Epcot. We really loved the descent to earth section, with the lights, music, etc… talk about the perfect setting to reflect upon where we've come from, and where we're headed. NOW all you get is yet another silly interactive video game. Just play games on your phone, iPad, DS, etc. Do we really need another silly interactive video experience (apparently, given what they've turned Test Trak into!).

I thought that Disney had the perfect opportunity when they redid SE to celebrate our technological accomplishments, see as a LOT of the end of the old SE is stuff we do now… remember the kids doing a video chat between the US and Japan, the mom singing lullabies to her baby from her hotel room, the parents at home watching their kid's graduation? We can DO that now! IT's not the future, it's NOW. Epcot seems to have no vision for the future anymore… unless it's just one big video game. UGH.

There are so many "high tech" things that could be included at Epcot, even if they are just ending pieces to already-existing exhibits. Bring back Wonders of Life, but talk about IVF, GMO, etc (and bring back BODY WARS. It made me heave but it was a wonderful ride and would have 60 minute standby times!). Ellen's Universe of Energy can stay, but change it to include all the things we now know about energy, conservation, new sources, etc. And let's get some imagination back, even if it stems from MISSION:SPACE and traveling to Mars and beyond. Epcot, while not an "easy fix," could easily BE fixed… if it weren't for all that darned money that went into FP+...

 

[mjallemand]

I know. It's also sad that the Universe of Energy hasn't been updated in 18 years. There have been a few advances since that point.

Jesus Christ, 18 years. That blows me away.

I really miss the "Kinetic Mosaic" pre-show. It was so imaginative.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I really enjoy EPCOT. It is my 2nd favorite park. The only thing I would like to see change is the number of attractions. It needs more.

 

[maxiesmom]

I miss Body Wars, Food Wrapper, and Cranium Command. They were all great attractions that could have easily been updated to remain relevant. A refit of Body wars could be done well enough to alleviate some of the Soarin and Test Track congestion....

The food raps show was over where Soarin is now. I liked that show too, but they needed the space. Plus it was never full so I don't think we had many other people who liked it like we did.

 

[Gillyrose779]

We just went with our 2 and 4 year old in Sept. DH and I went 5 years ago before kids and did not care for Epcot.

Going back we loved it. The whole area where Nemo and the huge fish take is great and my kids (and DH) loved to play with the "dancing water". Figment was a fond childhood memory for my husband.

As for all the "future" rides and attractions those were Walt's vision of the future. Epcot was his vision of how he thought life could be. Why would you want to change that? You need to stop thinking of it as the literal future vision and more of Walt's vision. It makes for a more memorable and enjoyable experience.

 

[Jetta8300]

It's always interesting for me to read people's dis board opinions on different things at Disney, because many times people like things ONLY because they have nostalgic memories of them from long ago. The first time I ever went to Disney was in 2010, and I am 30 years old now. It was just me and my husband taking a fun vacation before plunging into parenthood, and neither of us ever got to go to Disney as children. While we really enjoyed our trip, there are things that I think people's opinions are very different/skewed from ours for mainly for reasons of "nostalgia", and this allows Disney to leave attractions untouched and un-updated, while raising prices to ridiculous amounts.

We thought EPCOT was hilariously outdated, and couldn't really believe they still charge an obscene amount of money for going into a park that hadn't been changed in DECADES. We were laughing hilariously at the Ellen's Energy Adventure movie from probably 20 years ago thinking, REALLY??? They haven't changed this? Boy they really get away with these outdated attractions based on people's fond childhood memories. It's like people give them a pass because of this. I mean.... Captain EO? The video screen graphics from Mission Space even looks like something from a 1999 Playstation 1 video game. Needless to say, Epcot was probably our least favorite park, but we had a GREAT time browsing the world showcase and sampling the food, and laughing at the very 80's ish feel to it. I kind of felt like I was back in a middle school-class trip-twilight zone-time warp.

Just someone's very unbiased opinion who never went to Disney before 2010.

 

[PrettyFlower2]

I don't see why it's so hard for them to get Ellen to do a new up to date video for universe of energy. It doesn't seem like the cost would be astronomical. I feel it's the least they could do.

 

[Rose23]

To each their own. Epcot happens to be my favorite park. I always meet the coolest CM's from around the world and nothing beats Soarin for me. I love dining my way across the countries and Spaceship Earth is such a Disney icon.

Well said.

 

[mikeyg1479]

I for one, don't mind the overall decor in Epcot -I think its fine, right down to the retro-future-ness of Future World, and the World Showcase is near perfection.

That said, there are some major blemishes, mostly in future world.

We have some dead space- Universe of Energy needs a major update from Ellen and Bill Nye (nothing against the two personally, but we need a new video pronto, don't care if its those two again, just make it new, please!!) I know those dino animatronics are classics, but we need some more new to go with the old.

Imagination pavillion- waste of time and space. I know some will say they love Figment, but basically 99% of the park goers don't care- boring ride, meh. The 3D movie theater? Meh. Captain EO was acceptable as a throwback thing for a year or two after MJ's death, now its long outlasted its welcome. Seriously, people see those glass pyramids and think there will be something awesome there, and how wrong they would be. Disney's imagineers need to dream up something totally new to put in this building. Also, this goes for the entire WDW -
3d movies no longer cut it as attractions- they are in virtually every standard movie theater now, and many homes. They were a great novelty in the 80s and 90s, but its time to move on.

Of course we have another empty building here- formally Body Wars I guess? Its been years- put something in or demolish it- its an eyesore.

I'm fine with Living Seas, Land, Test Track, and Mission Space- all great places to see (although I think the Living Seas Aquarium could use a little....more, but those attractings are entertaining)

As I said before, I'm about 95% satisfied with World Showcase- I just kind of wish every country had a ride, but a small nitpick. My big thing of course is the American attraction- seriously, a fast food burger place is the best they can do with the whole thing? This would be the perfect place for an All American Bistro type restaurant- melting pot of all different kinds of things- kind of like America itself.

 

[Laketravis]

It's always interesting for me to read people's dis board opinions on different things at Disney, because many times people like things ONLY because they have nostalgic memories of them from long ago. The first time I ever went to Disney was in 2010, and I am 30 years old now. It was just me and my husband taking a fun vacation before plunging into parenthood, and neither of us ever got to go to Disney as children. While we really enjoyed our trip, there are things that I think people's opinions are very different/skewed from ours for mainly for reasons of "nostalgia", and this allows Disney to leave attractions untouched and un-updated, while raising prices to ridiculous amounts.

We thought EPCOT was hilariously outdated, and couldn't really believe they still charge an obscene amount of money for going into a park that hadn't been changed in DECADES. We were laughing hilariously at the Ellen's Energy Adventure movie from probably 20 years ago thinking, REALLY??? They haven't changed this? Boy they really get away with these outdated attractions based on people's fond childhood memories. It's like people give them a pass because of this. I mean.... Captain EO? The video screen graphics from Mission Space even looks like something from a 1999 Playstation 1 video game. Needless to say, Epcot was probably our least favorite park, but we had a GREAT time browsing the world showcase and sampling the food, and laughing at the very 80's ish feel to it. I kind of felt like I was back in a middle school-class trip-twilight zone-time warp.

Just someone's very unbiased opinion who never went to Disney before 2010.

I'd never been to Epcot either before 2010 and unfortunately I could have written your post. I thought the very same thing about Mission Space graphics ("wow, looks like an old video game"). I think the concept is still valid, not only Mission Space but that of the entire park. But they really do need to freshen up some things, especially those elements that lend themselves so easily to comparison of common every day items.

 

[maxiesmom]

It's always interesting for me to read people's dis board opinions on different things at Disney, because many times people like things ONLY because they have nostalgic memories of them from long ago. The first time I ever went to Disney was in 2010, and I am 30 years old now. It was just me and my husband taking a fun vacation before plunging into parenthood, and neither of us ever got to go to Disney as children. While we really enjoyed our trip, there are things that I think people's opinions are very different/skewed from ours for mainly for reasons of "nostalgia", and this allows Disney to leave attractions untouched and un-updated, while raising prices to ridiculous amounts.

We thought EPCOT was hilariously outdated, and couldn't really believe they still charge an obscene amount of money for going into a park that hadn't been changed in DECADES. We were laughing hilariously at the Ellen's Energy Adventure movie from probably 20 years ago thinking, REALLY??? They haven't changed this? Boy they really get away with these outdated attractions based on people's fond childhood memories. It's like people give them a pass because of this. I mean.... Captain EO? The video screen graphics from Mission Space even looks like something from a 1999 Playstation 1 video game. Needless to say, Epcot was probably our least favorite park, but we had a GREAT time browsing the world showcase and sampling the food, and laughing at the very 80's ish feel to it. I kind of felt like I was back in a middle school-class trip-twilight zone-time warp.

Just someone's very unbiased opinion who never went to Disney before 2010.

I think Captain EO was brought back after Michael Jackson died. But yeah, I could do without it.

But Disney has updated a few things in the park since 2010. I think they are focusing on the major additions to MK right now. Hopefully after everything there is done Epcot will get a turn and get some major re-dos. New movies in the World Showcase would be nice too.

 

[NickyKnack]

OMG I'm so glad someone else sees this!!! Lol. It is God awful and should have never been dug out of the trash receptacles.

Like I've said before, apparently when you're alive it's not ok to be a child molester, only when you're dead, then we'll celebrate by bringing back your horrid movie.

Hey when you're alive I guess it's still ok to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. But once you're dead you're guilty of everything any money grubbing freak parents might accuse you of because you happened to be outside the norm and loaded.

 

[dwheaton]

It's always interesting for me to read people's dis board opinions on different things at Disney, because many times people like things ONLY because they have nostalgic memories of them from long ago. The first time I ever went to Disney was in 2010, and I am 30 years old now. It was just me and my husband taking a fun vacation before plunging into parenthood, and neither of us ever got to go to Disney as children. While we really enjoyed our trip, there are things that I think people's opinions are very different/skewed from ours for mainly for reasons of "nostalgia", and this allows Disney to leave attractions untouched and un-updated, while raising prices to ridiculous amounts.

We thought EPCOT was hilariously outdated, and couldn't really believe they still charge an obscene amount of money for going into a park that hadn't been changed in DECADES. We were laughing hilariously at the Ellen's Energy Adventure movie from probably 20 years ago thinking, REALLY??? They haven't changed this? Boy they really get away with these outdated attractions based on people's fond childhood memories. It's like people give them a pass because of this. I mean.... Captain EO? The video screen graphics from Mission Space even looks like something from a 1999 Playstation 1 video game. Needless to say, Epcot was probably our least favorite park, but we had a GREAT time browsing the world showcase and sampling the food, and laughing at the very 80's ish feel to it. I kind of felt like I was back in a middle school-class trip-twilight zone-time warp.

Just someone's very unbiased opinion who never went to Disney before 2010.

I agree with you about Universe of Energy, Mission Space, and even Captain EO, though I do think it's fun that it's back.

I don't think too many of us have nostalgia for those attractions; it's more for what was lost when the park felt more relevant. It's currently not in great shape because they've kept things that are outdated and don't generate the same nostalgia.

Now if Horizons was still around, that would be a different story...

 

[lugnut33]

I think Captain EO was brought back after Michael Jackson died. But yeah, I could do without it.

But Disney has updated a few things in the park since 2010. I think they are focusing on the major additions to MK right now. Hopefully after everything there is done Epcot will get a turn and get some major re-dos. New movies in the World Showcase would be nice too.

Couple of things going against any updating at Epcot:

1. Avatarland - not fully scheduled to open until 2017 at the earliest (see 7DMT)

2. Star Wars addition to DHS - Not sure if it will happen any time soon, but it will happen before Epcot gets any significant money sent its way.

3. Disney Springs - In construction for another year.

4. Iger has said they will spend the least amount of money possible on the parks over the next decade in order to recoup the money spent on California Adventure and New Fantasyland.

My best guess, it will be maybe 2025 before Epcot sees any major refurbs. The park will be 43 years old at that time which would give them 7 years to upgrade the park for it's 50th anniversary celebration.

 

[dwheaton]

Couple of things going against any updating at Epcot:

1. Avatarland - not fully scheduled to open until 2017 at the earliest (see 7DMT)

2. Star Wars addition to DHS - Not sure if it will happen any time soon, but it will happen before Epcot gets any significant money sent its way.

3. Disney Springs - In construction for another year.

4. Iger has said they will spend the least amount of money possible on the parks over the next decade in order to recoup the money spent on California Adventure and New Fantasyland.

My best guess, it will be maybe 2025 before Epcot sees any major refurbs. The park will be 43 years old at that time which would give them 7 years to upgrade the park for it's 50th anniversary celebration.

What you say is sad but true. The x-factor that could change the game is Universal. While Disney keeps claiming they won't respond to Universal's continued expansion, it may change if a Universal park passes DHS or DAK in attendance. Universal is adding the Harry Potter land, King Kong, more Jurassic Park, and possibly something else. At some point, there may be a larger shift.

Also, there's a chance that Iger won't be in charge forever. A different management team could take a revised approach to the parks. Of course, any changes will be slower than we'd like. Very sad.

 

[kbelle8995]

Couple of things going against any updating at Epcot:

1. Avatarland - not fully scheduled to open until 2017 at the earliest (see 7DMT)

2. Star Wars addition to DHS - Not sure if it will happen any time soon, but it will happen before Epcot gets any significant money sent its way.

3. Disney Springs - In construction for another year.

4. Iger has said they will spend the least amount of money possible on the parks over the next decade in order to recoup the money spent on California Adventure and New Fantasyland.

My best guess, it will be maybe 2025 before Epcot sees any major refurbs. The park will be 43 years old at that time which would give them 7 years to upgrade the park for it's 50th anniversary celebration.

That's pretty much it. On the nose.

 

[Networth]

Lol this is probably one of the better troll threads I have seen on these boards. World Showcase stereotypical if someone really felt that way they need to go talk to somebody about how they think of the world.

 

[Sweettears]

We just went with our 2 and 4 year old in Sept. DH and I went 5 years ago before kids and did not care for Epcot.

Going back we loved it. The whole area where Nemo and the huge fish take is great and my kids (and DH) loved to play with the "dancing water". Figment was a fond childhood memory for my husband.

As for all the "future" rides and attractions those were Walt's vision of the future. Epcot was his vision of how he thought life could be. Why would you want to change that? You need to stop thinking of it as the literal future vision and more of Walt's vision. It makes for a more memorable and enjoyable experience.

Walt never envisioned EPCOT as a theme park. It was to be an experimental community of tomorrow. He had nothing to do with the parks eventual design.

 

[si-am]

This has always been the big problem with a park revolving around the future. Technology changes too fast to keep up. Before long, "the future from the 80s" looks retro.

Also why Tomorrowland in MK got an overhaul.

I still like Epcot but honestly I'd be pretty happy to have all the original rides back: World of Motion, Horizons, Spaceship Earth (original), Imagination (original).

I mean, as long as it's dated anyway, it might as well be nostalgic!

 

[kbelle8995]

Here are some things that I love about Epcot that has zero to do with nostalgia.

1).Epcot is a big park. It holds a crowd well. Even when F&W is in full swing you can find areas and rides with no lines and not a lot of people. There are times when MK is so crowded that I feel like I have to leave immediately. It's a lot harder to reach that line of "I've had enough." at Epcot

2). Festivals. Food & Wine as well as Flower and Garden. F&G has become one of my favorites. With the playgrounds, mini-gardens, and art, seriously it is Epcot at it's most beautiful.

3). International CMs. People representing their nations and me trying their food and drink some of which is not available at my grocery store.

4). Characters greets seem slightly more relaxed here. In fact the park seems more leisurely and I am not counting having to run to Soarin for a FP. It can be crazy on occasion but still it can have respite even then.