Epcot is sad

[stitchrulz]

Maybe the answer is that it's a hokey idea in conception, impossible to execute in a satisfying way.

I think the replies on this thread would respectfully disagree. And, it sounds like the bus ride wasn't really your issue after all. If Epcot doesn't appeal to you, by all means skip it. DHS doesn't hold any draw for us personally, so we usually skip it. To each his or her own.

 

[Lyndarella]

I don't understand the giant Innoventions buildings. I see very few people in there and limited things to do, especially without children.

I think there could be more RIDES in several places, given all the unused buildings. Disney probably doesn't feel the need to update anything as long as visitors crowd in there anyway.

 

[michigandergirl]

It is really hard to find a starker contrast than between the timeless charm of MK and the sad, outdated 1980s retro-futurism of Epcot. The place looks like it came out of a bad Jetson's episode. I felt insulted by the choose your future ending of spaceship earth. Horizons at least treated the issue seriously.

As for the World Showcase...does anyone else find it borderline offensive? Mariachis in Mexico. Pagodas and forbidden palace architecture in China?

Btw, it's the Temple of Heaven featured in the China pavilion, not the "forbidden palace" as you put it.

I agree that future world needs some help, but the World Showcase is just fine and not offensive in my opinion.

 

[HorizonsRIP]

There is a lot of love for Epcot here. But I ask all those in that camp if they ever went in the 1990-1995 era? Now that was the hayday.

Because of what Future World used to be, I agree with the OP. It my saddest regret that it evolved down hill from there. Boy, do I miss it.

Let the reminiscing begin...

Yup....my first trip was 1991 as an 11 year old. I think my handle says it all. Obviously Horizons had to close because it was way outdated, but how about a replacement with a similar idea? The sense of wonder at Epcot is just dead, imho. To each his own.

By the way, the best example of smart urban design is not Epcot but, ironically, Main Street USA.

 

[Magpie]

Btw, it's the Temple of Heaven featured in the China pavilion, not the "forbidden palace" as you put it.

I agree that future world needs some help, but the World Showcase is just fine and not offensive in my opinion.

So... who'd be more guilty of offensive stereotyping then? The showcase designers who attempted to create an exhibit that's representative of their own country or the person who looks at the Temple of Heaven and calls it "forbidden palace architecture" because that's the only thing that comes to their mind when they think of China?

 

[goofydad621]

Or mariachi bands at the taco bell in Omaha!

I wish they had a mariachi band ot our local Taco Bell, just think Dinner and a show. Then right across the street to Wal-Mart for shopping sounds like a great Saturday night to me, heck if we have the extra money maybe stay on the same side of the street as Taco Bell and go to Target instead!

 

[lugnut33]

There are actually major problems with Epcot as I see it.

It's been around 31 years and quite simply Disney has not done a lot of upgrading to the park. If you think about the World Showcase section very few things have been updated from when it opened, unless it's a restaurant. Maybe a lot of it is "timeless" like the architecture, but nothing has really been added to that section over the years. At one time there used to be a parade, but that's been gone for years. Unfortunately WS has become a glorified mall.

If you go over to the Future World section it pains me to say that area has really fallen behind the times. You have one the Bodyworks pavilion sitting empty, the Energy pavilion has need an update for the past 10 years, the Imagination pavilion might as well be empty with it's old video and weak ride, the aquarium part of the Seas pavilion is really showing its age (I like the Nemo ride and Crush) and Communicore just doesn't attract like it should.

One of the huge problems is lack of headlining ride capacity, which has been exacerbated by the new FP+ (tiering is a direct result of the capacity issue). Really you only have Test Track, Soarin', and Mission Space. It's not enough for the crowds that are coming to Epcot.

Due to Disney not keeping Epcot fresh and up to date, it needs a billion dollars of love. Disney will never spend that as it's always shown that the parks at WDW don't get the attention and care that DL gets.

There is so much potential there at Epcot that it makes me angry Disney doesn't tap into it. They are content pulling in the dollars that Epcot generates without giving some love back to the park.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Well, I'm Canadian and I love the Canadian pavilion. I like the way it looks with hints of the Parliament buildings, Maritimes and the Victoria gardens. The new movie with Martin Short is very funny, and paints a fair picture of my country. And Off Kilter playing Canadian rock is FANTASTIC, even if only one member of the band is actually Canadian.

I don't find anything about the Canadian pavilion offensive, in any way. The CMs lumberjack styled costumes are a leetle dorky, but hey... lumber is still a major export. And it's no worse than the Colonial get ups the American pavilion CMs have to wear.

I'd like to hear from people from other countries, what they think of Epcot's representation of their homeland.

I'm from Canada as well and enjoy our pavilion. I do however think they could do without Off Kilter wearing all that plaid. lol. Also, don't shoot me *hiding behind my couch*, they could get rid of some of the Toronto Maple Leaf paraphernalia.

 

[lugnut33]

I'm from Canada as well and enjoy our pavilion. I do however think they could do without Off Kilter wearing all that plaid. lol. Also, don't shoot me *hiding behind my couch*, they could get rid of some of the Toronto Maple Leaf paraphernalia.

What aboot the maple syrup they sell? eh?
Should they throw that oot also? eh?

 

[Lorelei528]

Is this a serious question? Do you think that Mexican Culture is limited to what you can find at a Taco Bell in Omaha?

China has several provinces each with a unique cultural identity

Right, that's what you are able to see in the movie....have you not seen it?

 

[damo]

What aboot the maple syrup they sell? eh?
Should they throw that oot also? eh?

Futureworld needs a ton of tlc. It really needs a new identity.

 

[Karbase8]

I see both sides. Epcot the park itself is beautiful to walk around the gardens, the fountains, etc. I think FutureWorld needs to be updated one step at a time to actually reflect the concept "Future World". World Showcase maybe could use one or two more attractions, but for the most part it's good how it is. I think even 1-2 attractions in FutureWorld would help and hope Disney does so. I was even concerned about MK back in August 2013 feeling runned down and not as taking care ofwhen I last visited and DHS has become my favorite park.

 

[KNovacovschi]

What aboot the maple syrup they sell? eh?
Should they throw that oot also? eh?

No the syrup can stay.

 

[AmyB2006]

I don't understand the giant Innoventions buildings. I see very few people in there and limited things to do, especially without children.

I think there could be more RIDES in several places, given all the unused buildings. Disney probably doesn't feel the need to update anything as long as visitors crowd in there anyway.

I think Innoventions is a GIANT waste of space, although before they were there, it was even more of a waste of space. :/

 

[Magpie]

What aboot the maple syrup they sell? eh?
Should they throw that oot also? eh?

Bite your tongue! Maple syrup is delicious!

 

[kbelle8995]

Well I went to Epcot after it opened in the 80's. and visited it a lot throughout the decade. The 80's were good to Epcot especially Future World

 

[GusGus77]

There are actually major problems with Epcot as I see it.

It's been around 31 years and quite simply Disney has not done a lot of upgrading to the park. If you think about the World Showcase section very few things have been updated from when it opened, unless it's a restaurant. Maybe a lot of it is "timeless" like the architecture, but nothing has really been added to that section over the years. At one time there used to be a parade, but that's been gone for years. Unfortunately WS has become a glorified mall.

If you go over to the Future World section it pains me to say that area has really fallen behind the times. You have one the Bodyworks pavilion sitting empty, the Energy pavilion has need an update for the past 10 years, the Imagination pavilion might as well be empty with it's old video and weak ride, the aquarium part of the Seas pavilion is really showing its age (I like the Nemo ride and Crush) and Communicore just doesn't attract like it should.

One of the huge problems is lack of headlining ride capacity, which has been exacerbated by the new FP+ (tiering is a direct result of the capacity issue). Really you only have Test Track, Soarin', and Mission Space. It's not enough for the crowds that are coming to Epcot.

Due to Disney not keeping Epcot fresh and up to date, it needs a billion dollars of love. Disney will never spend that as it's always shown that the parks at WDW don't get the attention and care that DL gets.

There is so much potential there at Epcot that it makes me angry Disney doesn't tap into it. They are content pulling in the dollars that Epcot generates without giving some love back to the park.

AGREED!!!!!!!!

 

[Laketravis]

While I disagree with some of the previous comments in this thread, I do agree with the topic.

Epcot is sad.

I see absolutely no current evidence of the sole and initial premise of EPCOT, the "City Of Tomorrow"

Rather it's more like the "City of Obsolescence". They should relocate the COP from the MK to Epcot, it seems more appropriate there.

 

[Dan Murphy]

How about the great food at Via Napoli? Or, shifting parks, 50's Prime Time at the Studios?

And welcome to the dis, H RIP.

 

[W.E.D.]

I agree with some of the ideas on both sides of this debate.

With the rate at which technology advances now, they'd really have to update FW every couple of years, and that might be too long. And there's no way they can afford that. On the other hand, I agree it is outdated in many respects. What I miss is the time, not that long ago, when FW was really devoted to learning and education under the cover of having fun. Now we get cheap movie tie-in overlays.

I guess what I find offensive about EPCOT (which is still our favorite park) is the dumbing down of the whole place. El Rio Del Tiempo is now El Rio Del Some Movie Hardly Anyone Remembers. The museum in Norway (and I'll admit the Viking exhibit had been there too long) is now Frozen product placement.

Urg. End rant.