EPCOT Rumors

[DanBoris]

Here are some new EPCOT rumors from a fairly reliable source over at the WDWMagic boards:

- Imagination will close sometime in 2014 but not on Jan 5. The closing will be to save money not because of an imminent refurb.

- Soarin' will be getting a third theatre to increase capacity.

- A princess M&G similar to princess fairlytale hall will be built in World Showcase between Mexico and Norway.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd be amazed if Soarin got a third screen. That's a huge undertaking which would probably require expansion of the show building along with buying the screen and constructing a new ride mechanism. Can't be cheap.

 

[anthony2k7]

I'd be amazed if Soarin got a third screen. That's a huge undertaking which would probably require expansion of the show building along with buying the screen and constructing a new ride mechanism. Can't be cheap.

True, but it does however fit in with Disneys current extremely boring attitude of "more of the same".

 

[DanBoris]

True, but it does however fit in with Disneys current extremely boring attitude of "more of the same".

Correct. If they are looking for something to increase park capacity, adding a Soarin' theatre would be cheaper then building an entirely new attraction, especially since there really isn't any detailed theming in Soarin which requires a lot of labor to do.

 

[Pooksie]

Correct. If they are looking for something to increase park capacity, adding a Soarin' theatre would be cheaper then building an entirely new attraction, especially since there really isn't any detailed theming in Soarin which requires a lot of labor to do.

It would be a nice upgrade as well if Disney went to a digital format for Soarin so that they could change the scenes used in the ride.

Imagine riding Soarin three times and seeing a different "show" each time. Having a rotation of ten or twelve shows would make it a fresher experience.

 

[DisDad07]

It would be a nice upgrade as well if Disney went to a digital format for Soarin so that they could change the scenes used in the ride.

Imagine riding Soarin three times and seeing a different "show" each time. Having a rotation of ten or twelve shows would make it a fresher experience.

Now this is something I would like to see.

 

[Denmage]

I imagine they could take some space from the queue to build a third theater. The current queue is like walking the "Green Mile"; that is one long queue. Maybe they won't need as big of a queue.

 

[wiigirl]

Now this is something I would like to see.

Me too....

 

[surferdave]

It would be a nice upgrade as well if Disney went to a digital format for Soarin so that they could change the scenes used in the ride.

Changing scenes or no it needs to be done. I remember being in a very nice digital movie theater (probably one of the fake IMAX screens, which are still pretty nice) watching the 3D preview to How to Drain Your Dragon 2 and thinking that it looked much better than the Soarin' screen.

 

[Planogirl]

They would just close Imagination without any plans for a refurb, in other words this pavilion would be treated like the Wonders of Life? If true, that is very shortsighted and extremely sad.

 

[rteetz]

We'll I just wanted to add that soarin in California is going under a four month refurb early next year for some upgrades wouldn't be surprised if that kind of refurb happened in WDW as well.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I imagine they could take some space from the queue to build a third theater. The current queue is like walking the "Green Mile"; that is one long queue. Maybe they won't need as big of a queue.

The reason the queue is so long is that Soarin' is in an entirely separate building from The Land Pavilion.

 

[DanBoris]

I imagine they could take some space from the queue to build a third theater. The current queue is like walking the "Green Mile"; that is one long queue. Maybe they won't need as big of a queue.

They really can't shorten that walk since the Soarin show building is right next to the Land greenhouses. If they built a new building it would likely be behind the current show building.

 

[lugnut33]

Pretty reliable sources say there is a new Soarin' film to begin production early next year and that the movie will be Soarin' over the world, not just CA.

 

[rteetz]

Pretty reliable sources say there is a new Soarin' film to begin production early next year and that the movie will be Soarin' over the world, not just CA.

I've heard that from several places. Since they do have soarin attractions throughout the world they are going to broaden it. Also this would of course be a high definition digital film not the old kind they use now.

 

[style2k7]

Changing scenes or no it needs to be done. I remember being in a very nice digital movie theater (probably one of the fake IMAX screens, which are still pretty nice) watching the 3D preview to How to Drain Your Dragon 2 and thinking that it looked much better than the Soarin' screen.

How to drain you Dragon 2

 

[katt789]

I would love a refurb on. Soarin, it could definitely use it.

I dont feel any need for a fairytale hall like replica in there,. The princesses in Epcot never have crazy lines anyways,

 

[Minnesota!]

It would be a nice upgrade as well if Disney went to a digital format for Soarin so that they could change the scenes used in the ride.

Imagine riding Soarin three times and seeing a different "show" each time. Having a rotation of ten or twelve shows would make it a fresher experience.

Pretty reliable sources say there is a new Soarin' film to begin production early next year and that the movie will be Soarin' over the world, not just CA.

Love both of these ideas!!!

 

[mssong85]

How to drain you Dragon 2

I spat on my phone, I was laughing so hard. I know I am immature.

 

[Oh So ONO]

I can see a new film in Florida, but not a 3rd theater. I don't think they need it. When I was there in September, I was quite amazed at the slow load times for Soarin'. Either there were fewer CM's working the attraction, or they needed better training. A 30 minute wait with FP+ was entirely too long. Every time I rode Soarin' on that trip, there were issues and delays loading for each show.

When I was at DCA in July, we waited 25 mins for Soarin' without FP, and the load times were fine.