Epcot is sad

[Sandy Fisher]

I won't get into the cultural aspects of the different pavilions, because I think when you have limited space, you have to choose. I find most of them informative and beautiful in their own way. The countries represented had representatives helping do the designing, etc., as already mentioned.
That said, there are things about Future World that I miss. Things like Horizons, World of Motion, the original Imagination pavilion, etc. We rarely do Test Track, have never done Mission Space, and dislike the ending of Spaceship Earth's ride through. Preferred when the space station was still there -- after all it's still in space.
There are always going to be people who prefer one type of attraction over another. If someone takes the time to explore World Showcase and spend time there beyond the couple rides offered, there are many talents, and the possibility of educating the general public. Many zoom right through it without really noticing.
I think there are countires that shoudl be part of it and maybe some day more will, but it's not an inexpensive endeavor.

 

[circhead]

EPCOT is my favorite park also.

If you take the time to go into the actual pavilions and watch some of the movies and go through some of the museums you actually can learn quite a bit.

The architecture of each pavilion was probably based upon what most of us would recognize as representative of the country presented.

Several pavilions have movies that are very enjoyable and informative. China has a museum that changes what is displayed fairly often. Several years ago they had on display authentic samurai armor - with explanations of what each of the different styles represented.

Give it a rest - if you want more of what a country had to offer - go there. If you want a small sampling of what they have to offer - go to EPCOT.

 

[kittyab]

Sounds like several agree about future world being tired, but enjoy the world showcase. Maybe I'm being a wee bit cynical...i think it was the 90 minute bus ride from Wilderness Lodge to Boardwalk last night that put my mood off.

That would make me cranky too!

 

[stitchrulz]

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.

Agreed. As for the China pavilion, the 360 film does represent the various provinces and their peoples as best it can in a short, entertaining manner. And, as someone else mentioned, you can always strike up a conversation with the native-born folks who work in the pavilions. My DH has done this several times in Germany using his rusty German.

Disney and the individual pavilions likely selected the most iconic (or stereotypical, if you prefer) representations which would be easily recognizable by people from all parts of the globe who travel to the Disney parks. As a general rule in life, if you're looking to be offended, you're probably going to be successful.

 

[JillianMarie]

Don't let the king of Morocco read this thread. He sent his personal architects to Epcot to oversee the construction of the Morocco pavilion, so any stereotypes there would be traced back to him. Not sure he would be OK with that

Ok, I've read this whole thread and here's what I don't understand. I get that tourist departments from each of these countries has had a hand in their construction. And I understand that one person from Canada thinks that it's cool so, obviously, everyone in Canada wouldn't have an issue with it. And there's one person who is really hitting the 'what would you do differently' thing which is making me think. If you can't summarize an entire culture in 75 feet - is it even a good idea to have it at all? If you reduce a people and history and nation to it's most basic tourist billboard attributes, is that even something that's worth having?

I like epcot, and I like world showcase, but I also like critically evaluating what I experience and I think they're worthwhile questions to at least consider before just giving a blanket 'it's fine' statement. I don't find it 'offensive' but I do think there might be some problems. Especially if it's being marketed as an educational and cultural experience. As a theme park ride and giant restaurant, I think it's great. But I certainly wouldn't consider it more than that.

 

[adc]

I haven't been to Epcot since 1989 when I was 9. I was very offended by my enchiladas at San Angel.

I'm returning next month. I hope to be equally offended in France, Canada and by sushi in Japan.

 

[NJdadof2]

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?

I agree with the first question. As someone who was there for the first year at EPCOT, it is kind of sad. Disney set it up as a "Community Of Tomorrow" so it needs to keep up with the times.

That being said, I can't stay away from EPCOT. Like all of WDW, I still find myself drawn to it and always have fun. Eating and drinking around the world is still cool, but I would like future world to stay in the future.

As for World Showcase, I can't speak for people from other countries, but as an American, I am not offended by The American Experience.

 

[ArwenMarie]

. If you can't summarize an entire culture in 75 feet - is it even a good idea to have it at all? If you reduce a people and history and nation to it's most basic tourist billboard attributes, is that even something that's worth having?

I like epcot, and I like world showcase, but I also like critically evaluating what I experience and I think they're worthwhile questions to at least consider before just giving a blanket 'it's fine' statement. I don't find it 'offensive' but I do think there might be some problems. Especially if it's being marketed as an educational and cultural experience. As a theme park ride and giant restaurant, I think it's great. But I certainly wouldn't consider it more than that.

Good point. It is what it is. Kind of like the AK question regarding animal welfare that was on here a couple of weeks ago...if you object to the concept, it doesn't matter how well it is executed.

 

[gwb]

Sounds like several agree about future world being tired, but enjoy the world showcase. Maybe I'm being a wee bit cynical...i think it was the 90 minute bus ride from Wilderness Lodge to Boardwalk last night that put my mood off.

Yes that could put a mood off but look at your original post. The WS pavilions were almost all completed with the help of the governments of the counties they represent. About the Mexican mariachi band I work at a site that has a lot of Mexican immigrants and when they play their radio stations it has a lot of mariachi band music on it.1 big tip is if you hated the bus ride rent a car

 

[DLFT]

I'm personally more offended that there is an empty half dome between UOE and Mission Space, a big empty ride building behind Germany, an Empty show area behind the UK, an empty upstairs area in the Imagination Pavillion, and a restaurant right along the walkway towards World Showcase that hasn't operated as such in years than any of the issues the OP brought up. Epcot is special because it is so much different than the other parks, and its problem isn't anything that is there right now (well, maybe the Three Caballeros boat ride, containing one Mexican duck, one American duck, and one Brazilian duck :/), its the fact that there are things missing that shouldn't be or should have been refreshed/replaced. Most of the countries are represented better and more accurately than any other sort of media, in my personal opinion.

 

[Tomh]

Like most of the posters here, I love EPCOT, putting it on equal ground with MK.

I agree 100% that the park could use updating. The animations that form the ending of Spaceship Earth are sad at best. Soarin' could really use a new film, perhaps Soarin around the world, digital projection, and 3D would really make a nice presentation.

World showcase, well, someone PLEASE do something with the Three Caballeros in Mexico. Really, leave the Mariachi's alone, and do something with that poor ride!

The American Pavilion . . .the food . . . does not represent us well, really. Overall, I would love to see more country specific merchandise, and less generic Disney stuff in World Showcase. Another ride or two would be a good thing, and I don't think anyone would complain if they were to add another country.

That said, I don't find anything offensive about EPCOT, nor do I find it to be sad. It is a magnificent park, where we spend plenty of time while on vacation just enjoying the scenery, and the atmosphere.

 

[nkereina]

OP, let's not forget that the World Showcase is an attraction inside a theme park in the United States meant for entertainment. It's not an embassy, a museum, or a center for authentic cultural experiences. If you start putting obscure foods and trinkets from countries, it might become unrecognizable to the average family from middle America, or even overseas, that is visiting. They have mariachis in Mexico so it can't be offensive.

 

[stitchrulz]

As a theme park ride and giant restaurant, I think it's great. But I certainly wouldn't consider it more than that.

I think you just answered your own question. BTW, when people do travel to the actual countries, where do most of the tours go and what do they do? For the most part, it's many of the same things highlighted in Epcot. When I visited London for a short trip during college, one of the Brits in the group of friends suggested if he were visiting, he'd like to get out and visit the countryside, away from the city. He was roundly shouted down with, "No! Stay in London and see the sights!" And, that is what I did and is also what is largely represented in the pavilion at Epcot. Heck, at any given time half the folks around the pavilion are British tourists, so they must be doing something right.

The Epcot experience has to balance being entertaining and informative which is tricky. Think of all the folks who keep on walking and skip the Norway film. At least the experience is fun for the most part, and it might spark some interest which folks can explore further on their own once they've left the parks. One little spark . . .

 

[Tomh]

I don't find it 'offensive' but I do think there might be some problems. Especially if it's being marketed as an educational and cultural experience. As a theme park ride and giant restaurant, I think it's great. But I certainly wouldn't consider it more than that.

Did I miss something? Isn't EPCOT in reality, just that, a theme park? Granted, it is a theme part that endeavors to teach you a little something about our history, our future, and the world around us, but still, it is a theme park first and foremost. It is there to entertain you, not educate you. I don't recall ever seeing any marketing materials from Disney selling EPCOT as an educational and cultural experience.

 

[smallworldnh]

I'm with the majority here. I love Epcot, it is a must do when we go. I do think Future World could use some updating and refreshing, but I also do enjoy the attractions. World Showcase is awesome. I don't find that including the things that are unique to the different countries and cultures stereotypical at all. Would love to see some new countries represented though, like Austria or Hungary or one of the Slavic countries, or even Russia or Australia and New Zealand and all that their cultures offer!!

 

[ImDMous]

I live half an hour from the Mexican border so there are lots of neighbors around who are first generation in this country. On any given weekend there is a party within earshot with a live mariachi band. When they're on our street and we see them arriving they are in their full outfits with all the glitter and buttons. Mariachis are both accurate and relevant, and pretty awesome as long as it's not past midnight.

 

[HorizonsRIP]

Then why can't you answer the question if it is so easy. You have a 75 yard wide space to summarize Mexico's culture. You have one building and it has to have a restaurant and some sort or ride, show, or attraction in it. You're not allowed to be depressing and focus on horrible incidents in the Mexico's history. After all, this isn't a museum. It is an amusement park. It also has to be appropriate for adults and small children. How would you do it? Yes, this is a serious question.

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

 

[wookiebeck]

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...

 

[sydneysmom]

I would say if you don't enjoy it, don't go. Then it won't offend you so much.

There's alot of people out there, myself included, that actually enjoy seeing Epcot. I love World Showcase because I do find it interesting. I think seeing the different architecture is what makes it special. Everything can't be 100% authentic or 'non-touristy' because guess what? Epcot is FULL of tourists! Some of those people, again myself included, may never get to go to the actual countries represented. So it's interesting to watch the films, see the products they sell, look at the architecture... it's just fun.

Just take a deep breath and enjoy.....

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

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?

I don't think WS has stereotyping of each country. I think they do an excellent job of incorporating the different foods and music of each country and portraying it. As for MK vs Epcot, there is no comparisons! Although they are each themed completely different. I love both parks but will always favor MK.