For the Love of Epcot - DVCers, help me understand

[Tennesotans]

Great thread -- I want to love Epcot more than I do. I totally agree with FW...
thats a tough request for Disney, keeping it remotely up to date.

This last trip we took the Segway tour -- veeery fun -- a great addition to
the park albeit a low volume addition. Turtle talk looks to be the future of
character encounters. Illuminations is my wifes favorite, she crys everytime.
We have fish and chips each trip as part of our Disney tradition.
I wanted to love MS but it now stands for Motion Sickness.

We haven't talked with the CMs or eatten at the fancy restaurants --
they are on my list. I'm excited by Soarin' (hopefully it won't be MS II ).

Keep giving out your Epcot secrets

Tennesotans

 

[Caskbill]

Hmmmm, a thread started by Dr Tom about Epcot, my favorite park, and by coincidence, I recently acquired magical control over his very DIS existance.....Oh boy, Oh boy, what to do, what to do???...

I agree FW can be tough to meet it's 'name', so maybe the name should be changed? If you look at MK, there's really nothing that's really "About the future, and things to come...." in Tomorrowland, anymore.

Sure some of the old rides are gone, but IMO replaced with better ones. TT rocks, and the real 'feel' of Mission Space....well, the Old Horizons doesn't come close. Soarin' will be open soon. I've ridden the California Adventure Soarin' several times already and it's one great ride. If Dr Tom liked the old Horizons, I bet even he will wind up lovin' Soarin'

I guess which park is a personal favorite is all in the eye of the beholder. In the past, we've made several trips to the World without ever going to MK. It was definitely not my favorite park. Although it did definitely became a new regular visit for the last two trips since Wishes started, which I think are the best fireworks anywhere. Period. And Philharmagic is great. But I can only take Jungle Cruise about once every 5 years.. Sure, some of the stuff at Epcot has gotten old, but so has a lot of the stuff at MK. (And why did they ever ruin my beloved Tiki Birds show???)

So, I guess it's a lot like DVC itself, some people like OKW, while others VWL, SSR, or the Epcot Resorts BWV/BCV. For a laid back person like myself, the roominess of OKW, while the night person probably wants BWV, and the pool person wants BCV. That's what makes DVC so great. And the fact that WDW has FOUR theme parks, count em....4 !, is what makes WDW so great. Everyone can choose.

Hmmmm, now the new Stunt Show opens soon at MGM, and they've got WWTBAMPI there!, And, and, and.... Next year, Expedition Everest at AK !

Don't ya just love it?

Shoot, just thinking about it is making me hungry. Time for another trip and the lunch buffet in Germany!

Now, what was it I was going to do to Dr. Tom???, Darn, hate it when you start getting old. The mind goes so quickly anymore...

 

[kathyseb]

Not sure I want to follow Caskbill's post but will try!!!

EPCOT is our favorite park. Out of the four weeks a year we spend down at the World, probably 80-85% of our time is spent there.
We love Figment (really loved the original one) and all the different music and food you can take in.
We like talking to the CMs that are Earning their Ears. Some of the things they come up with. One day we were in the gift shop in Germany and the CM struck up a conversation with us about politics. We politely asked him how long he had been in the states and it was less than a month. We told him that some people might not think that was an acceptable topic to discuss with a stranger!

But what is there not to love? You have all the special events going on, Flower Festival, Food and Wine Festival, Candlelight Procession, Christmas arond the World.
And if none of those are going on, you have the music, the different buildings, flowers, sounds, sights, smells.

There are so many things to see and do. We never tire of it.
But as Caskbill said, there are four parks.

If someone does not like EPCOT, that just leaves more room for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gail & Joe]

OK, I can't say that Epcot is my favorite park, but I still go. My DH likes MS, I tried once and can't handle the spinning) we both like TT and we always have to go on SE. We go in Dec. and love going to the Candlelight Processional. I know it is the same everytime (except for the celebrity doing the reading) but it is still beautiful to see. We like the resturants there also. We usually do something different there each year, (backstage tour, segway tour, illuminations crusie, etc.) so it helps to keep it more interesting. We were very upset when they took figment out of the Journey ride. At least they have put him back in the ride again.
Caskill, I totally agree with you on the Jungle Cruise ride.

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

About ten years ago, Disney sent out surveys to find out ways to improve Epcot. Seems that they were getting lots of 'complaints' that it wasn't 'fun'.
Sigh.

It seems to me that they actually 'dumbed it down'...that people were telling them, hey we're on vacation and we don't want to have to THINK. Made me kind of sad. I think the original concept was to actually GET people to exercise their minds and imaginations and explore new ideas...but some people evidentally found it too cerebral aka 'boring'.And sadly, I think the Imagineer's ended up dumbing it down to be 'more entertaining'.

I loved the old Imagination: first, the jumping water. Who could get bored by that? Then Figment, the song, the smooth ride, the rooms with the scents and words like "Avalanche' . And then the 3D movie with Michael that I adored and finally, taking a child upstairs and doing all the fun stuff that kept my child occupied for hours! Remember when there lots of live shows up there using our kids as 'actors'? I think it has been dumbed down.

I like Ellen DeG but I think the World of Energy was better without the humor sideshow. I loved the dark, quiet,and the 'old' scents. The mood was really special, and the dinosaurs were cutting edge. Yep, sometimes the movie got a little 'old', but the ride, never! And of course, new moms know it is a perfect place for feeding our babies!

I liked it better when Kraft sponsered the Land. I liked the ride and the behind the scenes tour. We almost always had lunch there becasue of the huge number of selections in the 'food court' area.

I disagree about the American Pavillion is glorious to me. I get chills and cry everytime I see the movie montage, and the American Singers (why am i having a hard time with their real name?) that perform a cappella in the rotunda....dang they are awesome! What I hate about the American Pavillion is that it doesn't have a good sit down elegant restaurant, like most of the other worlds. Whatup with that? But the building itself is beautiful (to me).

My daughter didn't have the game boys or any of the computer stuff, so she loved Innovations. I remember when they were testing a new game and it was timie limited so everyone could have a turn. I guess little DD had racked up a bunch of points and the 'tech' in a white lab coat came over and turned off her timer so she could play forever (there wasn't a line at the time, honest).

I admit that after the first couple trips, I was less interested in walking round the countries...it seemed like it was more about shopping and I 'm not a shopper. But when I went back this past December, I really 'missed' that I hadn't seen the gardens and the living statues, the architecture, in such a long time! So this coming trip, I will once again, explore the countries completely.

Illuminations: I didn't much like it before they changed it. Too much smoke. I always preferred MK fireworks and Fantasmic. But the Xmas 'Peace' ball and other stuff...all new to me...were fun this past December. Of course nothing can ever beat Wishes!!!!!!!! (Speaking of which, is anyone else disappointed in the changed Fantasmic?)

I've always loved Disney World more than any other 'theme parks' because you can exercize your mind in addition to being entertained. I think Epcot did this more so than the other 3. I was saddened to hear that Disney decided to 'dumb it down' to please the consumers. I think that is/was a mistake, at least for me. When my DD was in 3rd grade (with at least 6 trips to WDW under her belt) we took her and a 5th grade friend (for her first time) for a vaca to WDW. I got angry when they just ran from ride to ride and didn't stop to 'smell the roses' or READ the 'learning parts.' So we had a talk and I told them there would be no more trips unless things changed. They got the message! Our little ones are so curious and inquisitive....Is there anyone who also feels that when they get into the 'school system mentality' that the 'curiousity' and 'imagination' is kinda drummed out of them? That's why I love and appreciate the details at Disney World and the opportunity to be educated at the same time as we are being entertained.

I think that MAYBE Epcot was dummmed down ten years ago. But I think asking Imagineers to dumb things down didn't work...Things got dumber, but they lost their spark. I am hoping that the spark is coming back in addition to the 'thrill rides'. For me, I prefer the 'mix' of thrill rides (which I adore) and the 'quiet' lessons of the less thrilling rides that Disney offers ...I can't think of another 'entertainment' park that does this mix even half as well.

In sum: I don't like Spaceship Earth ride (heresy, I know! ), I am bored with the exhibits in the Living Seas and Life, I don't much like to shop and I want them to bring back the OLD figment ride!!! But I love to see how the landscaping has changed over the years, love eating different foods and (will definitely have to trying drinking my way around the world!!!!!).

I don't think Epcot is still the 'prototype community' f the original concept. And since it never was 'nostalgic' like MK and MGM...that it no longer has a 'defined' ambiance...Maybe that is what it is missing for you Dr.T.

But as someone said: between the 4 parks and the numerous 'resort properties there is something for everyone.

BTW: Wolfman..if you are a Florida resident you can buy an after 4 annual pass to Epcot that is fairly inexpensive, . I too wish that I could visit Epcot in the evening, have dinner and a stroll and then watch Illuminations. Guess we will both have to work on getting those fake Florida IDs. (just kidding everyone!).

 

[Stitch 03]

EPCOT may very well be my favorite park. It has got some great attractions (M:S, TT, SE, & Soarin) and WS is a great place to relax and explore. The great thing about staying at the EPCOT resorts is being able to go and visit the WS for an hour or so at a time.

I do have to agree that some attractions could use some updating - Ellen's Universe of Energy is good, but the opening film grates (then again I watched it 5 times in one trip as the ride kept breaking down just before boarding).

The films and shows in WS are great with the film in China being my favorite. Though I do wonder if where we are from influences our likes and dislikes. I think the Canada film is an embarressment and woefully out of date . However, I think the show at Amercan Adventure is an amazing production.

 

[athenna]

I love Epcot!!
WS is my favorite section of all of WDW. I just love the sights, sounds, smells, food, booze, culture. It's almost like a theme park for adults.
I'm not in love with FW, though. Some things are ok, but I'm not big into thrills-Mission Space, Test Track,etc.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Hmmmm, a thread started by Dr Tom about Epcot, my favorite park, and by coincidence, I recently acquired magical control over his very DIS existance.....Oh boy, Oh boy, what to do, what to do???...

Caskbill: Now that I consider what you have said, it's my favorite park too. I'll bet it will be Dr. T's too when he reads this. Dis Mods have such power of persuasion.

HBC

 

[gopherit]

Ah, EPCOT. My fave park.

Is it the park it was, back in its earliest years? No.

Is it the park it could be? Again, no.

The Wonders of Life pavillion should be OPEN. (I really liked that movie "The Making of Me"... anybody know if you can get a copy of it somewhere? I think it would be really good for my kids to see!) In today's biotech world, EPCOT really needs to have a representative offering. All of EPCOT's "Technology" (especially in Innoventions) should be updated. When you title a place as "FUTURE" world, you are dooming yourself to the dogged, daunting task of staying on TOP of technology... not lagging woefully behind. THat means LOTS of upgrades. SOme will complain -- Hey! You took away Kitchen Cabaret! Some will be thrilled -- Oooooh! THANK GOD -- You FINALLY got rid of Captain EO! But you HAVE to keep it "new" or Future World becomes "Past World". And EPCOT just hasn't been able to do that.

Look at the Contemporary Resort -- the name cast its own ominous fate. Perhaps if they retitled it as, "70's Retro World!" or "Procter Silex Toaster Towers!" people would say, "Ohhh! Yes, exactly! I can see that! Way cool!" instead of "WHAT? And they call THIS Contemporary?"

Staying ahead of technology and keepin' it fresh... well that my friends ain't easy -- nor cheap. EPCOT doesn't fare nearly as well in attendance as MK; check the boards and you'll find lots of families "skip" EPCOT, thinking "Well, it's all about learning and science and stuff... my kids are too young / too uninterested / too bored..." --- whatever. As we look at the paths of other businesses (scale back offerings, sell more of less, increase the profit margin) and the wake of 9/11 and drop in tourism, it's easy to see WHY Epcot has suffered; it's not as easy, however, especially for those of us who happen to love it, to accept!

So what makes me still love EPCOT despite all of this? What makes my eldest also claim it as his favorite too (I KNEW that kid had at least a FEW of my genes in there SOMEWHERE!)?

1) THe atmospehre. When I set foot into EPCOT, it's unlike any other park. I think it's the theming, the music, the lush greenery, the flowing water, the smells of the flowers and the foods, everything -- it just takes over my senses!

2) All that water. The lake, the many fountains, some tied to musical crescendos, even... the clever little "leapfrogs" -- something about water soothes the soul! My kids could make a day of just playing in those fountains, trying to catch that jumping blob of water!

3) The countries. I love feeling like I can walk all over the world in a day! The food, the people, the culture... I enjoy the little touches too, like the street performers in some countries. We have listened to countless renditions of the SHakespearean "spoofs" and we never tire of them! ANd that balancing guy in Frnace is something to behold... and don't even get me started about the living statue people!

4) Did I mention the food? WE LOVE EPCOT FOOD! From elegant sit down meals in France to margaritas in Mexico to funnel cakes in USA to a beaver tail in Canada to kaki-goris in Japan or granitas in Italy to Japanese steakhouse -- WHATEVER! I know I've missed many more and it's all good stuff!

5) Illuminations. I love that show.

6) Ok, I leave this for last because it's actually the part that matters LEAST to me in EPCOT -- the attractions! I miss some of the shows no longer there -- like Kitchen Cabaret at Kraft, and Wonder of Life pavillion, and the "old" JII. But there's still a lot of great things there...something for thrill seekers, something for the tame folks too.

My DH finds MGM more his cup of tea, and dd is still young enough to love MK more, and DS#2 loves the thrill rides at MGM and Kali and the animals at AK. So if you're not an EPCOT lover, hey, that's ok -- you can say "Hi!" to the rest of my family at the other parks! But as for me and my eldest, you'll find us at our happiest strolling the walkways of EPCOT!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

I go off feelings there for some reason. I do miss the 90s. I think innoventions was much better back then and I also feel it has too much sponsorship now. Like getting off test track being bombarded by GM stuff gets old quick.

BUT there is something that is "world's fair ...ish" about Epcot. At least to me being too young for the NY World's fair but I still see the remanats of it when we drive to NYC. Anyway seeing the ball I am still in awe when I walk in. Looking around at stuff that is supposed to be futuristic (but isn't anymore ) but still captures the feel of it....Does that make sense?

The fountain never gets old to me. The music just has a soothing quality to it...I don't know what it is but I love Epcot while I am there. I do however spend the leat amount of time there. Usually we get there eraly and leave and spend the rest of the day elsewhere and reverse it for when we want to eat at WS and see illuminations.

I love world showcase but do get the been there done that feeling too. BUT we always go back when we visit and I still get that happy feeling when we walk in. There is something about Epcot that draws me back.

I know this was of no help Doc... LOL

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Okay, guys...LET'S GET HIM!!!

Naw, just kidding. I agree with many of the specific comments you have made, but I still consider Epcot a very special place - especially the World Showcase.

Yes, I've seen it before, but one of the things I like best about Epcot is just hanging out. The pace is so different, it's a perfect "day off" from the other theme parks. My wife loves to shop ( ), and I like to go grab a beer and just plop down on a bench and relax. She can sample a dozen countries' wares and so can I.

I also like the restaurants there. My favorite is Le Cellier at Canada and Italy is second, but there are a number I haven't tried yet because we like those two so much.

I have seen the movies at China, France and Canada a number of times. I don't go back to them every visit, but I do go back and I never get tired of them.

It's hard to believe that, with a country as beautiful as the U.S., we ended up with that silly show at the American place. It was boring when it opened (and I LIKE American history!), and I haven't been back there in years. The American showcase is an embarrassment as far as I'm concerned.

Part of my liking Epcot may be that I am getting a second look at it now with my 3 year old daughter. I thought she'd wilt right after the character breakfast at Norway - and she did nap through Africa, Italy and Germany - but she conquered the place. To my amazement, she REALLY liked the three movies. I thought she'd be scared, but she would have gone again if we'd let her.

AK is a place I will go occasionally, but I go to Epcot every trip, and it is usually one of the best parts of any trip.

I completely agree with that. What is up with the restaurant or should I say cafeteria? It really puts a bad face on for the people who visit from other countries IMO. I have always been shocked at the American showcase.

 

[CharlesTD]

You know what is funny is that we were having thsi same conversation over on the CDN board about the Canada pavilion and how we don't care for the movie in ours. It is kinda funny how those from the country feel the same way about their own display at Epcot. BTW there is no better place to eat at Epcot than Le Cellier it will be even better when we can start getting CDN beef back into the restaurant.

 

[Doctor P]

The OP is interesting because consistently I had felt Epcot was my least favorite of the parks for many of the reasons outlined, but each time we go to WDW we find ourselves spending more time at Epcot than just about any other park. I think it is because there are just some many nooks and crannies to explore that we STILL have not seen the whole place and there are lots of things I have never done or haven't done in a long while. I think it is the least active of the parks in terms of rides and attractions, but there are still tons of things to do in terms of entertainment, eating, and other things.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I'm another fan of Epcot--that's why we bought at BWV! I love taking my morning walk around the lagoon and into Epcot every day! I look at the roses, make ressies for Le Cellier, and France, and I am absolutely transfixed by the fountain up front. I sit down and wait for the different "shows", shopping during the 15 minute time span until the next show begins. And the arches at Christmas! WOW! There is nothing anywhere as neat as the lighted Christmas arches and fountain show duet! Epcot is all about looking for me. If I were still going on rides, I would be bummed(No more Figment!) And the revised Illuminations is dumb! It was much better when the lights shone on the individual countries, and they played representative music.

It's true that there is something for everyone at WDW. DHs favorite park is MK, but I hate it there. I have had two panic attacks there from the crowds and the enclosed space, and all the strollers make me turn into the Terminator! Wishes is really enjoyable, but I would rather watch it from over at Poly.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

I think the MK will always be first in my heart, as it's so like Disneyland and makes me think of Walt. But Epcot is a very close 2d, and maybe even almost a tie at this point. My reasons:

F&G
F&W
Restaurants
Illuminations
The various acts that perform in WS, especially the living statues in Italy, The British INvasion in the UK, and of course Off Kilter (in the photo below, wrote about them in another thread yesterday). I have been known to see all five OK shows in one day.

I agree with the poster who finds the American Adventure inspiring and touching. (The singing group you couldn't think of is called voices of liberty) But I also agree that there should be a nice sit down restaurant there.

I find Ellen really entertaining, much better than the old Universe of Energy, especially that movie that seemed liked one big Exxon commercial to me.

Like spaceship earth alot too, make a point to visit at least twice per trip. Test Track is one of my favorite rides, I don't like roller coasters but Test Track I enjoy tremendously.

I too miss the Making of Me, and I also really miss cranium command. I thought it was really clever.

The boat ride in the land is nice and relaxing, and even educational.

I even liked Food Rocks, although I have been flamed for that. Sure it was cheesy, but my kids and I always got a laught out of it.

Always nice to stop in at innoventions, although I agree that it was better in days of yore.

MouseGear is always worth a look see for shopping.

ON a hot day ice station cool is a fun break.

The bakery near the main fountain is yummy.

The talking water fountain opposite the Land Pavillion is always a laugh.

The rose garden path on the right walking towards world showcase from future world.

Topiaries throughout the park

I don't each and every movie in WS each trip but I still enjoy them.

The garden outside the canadian pavillion

The railroad outside of Germany

Playing around in Imageworks, especially the computers that take pics and email them home and to friends.

Strolling around WS

Pastries from the pastry shop in france.

I'm sure I've forgotten something. Oh yeah--the little lights in the ground in future world at night are really cool.

 

[poohkie]

There are 195 countries in the world. I would really like to see them all. But at the moment. EPCOT and WS fit in nicely. I love to shop in WS. In fact I want to be able to shop in ever country. I want to eat in every country. I love the rides as well TT MS SE. But WS is what keeps me there. I could easily spend all day just walking around there. Looking for that one hidden Mickey I never seem to be able to find. I have yet to see everything WS has to offer. I want to see it. I love the detail Disney puts into everything. I could look over WS a 100 times and never find all of the details. Of course -the- biggest reason I go to EPCOT is for that candy in Norway. I refuse to leave Disney without getting some. (Of course i'm forgetting the name of it.) That has got to be some of the best stuff i've ever had before. So in short. That's about the best answer I can give you. Hope it helps a little.

 

[nutflush]

The main repeat epcot draw for me is the restaurants in the WS. I enjoy being able to have a drink and relax around the WS.

 

[MJTinNH]

I think the MK will always be first in my heart, as it's so like Disneyland and makes me think of Walt. But Epcot is a very close 2d, and maybe even almost a tie at this point. My reasons:

F&G
F&W
Restaurants
Illuminations
The various acts that perform in WS, especially the living statues in Italy, The British INvasion in the UK, and of course Off Kilter (in the photo below, wrote about them in another thread yesterday). I have been known to see all five OK shows in one day.

And everything else idratherbeinwdw mentioned. This is the park that I can just hang out in and not feel that I must be traveling from one attraction to the next. The ambiance allows me to just take my time and enjoy what ever takes my attention.

I really do enjoy the F&G Festival every year. It lets me shake off the last vestiges of winter in my mind. It also causes me to try a little harder in my gardens in NH.

Anyway Dr. T., enjoy WDW at your own pace. Maybe someday Epcot will grow on you.

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

Epcot, my favorite park with my favorite show - Illuminations. There's something about it, the atmosphere, the music, the rides, the food and drinks, the shows in WS, the festivals(F&G, F&W), the awesome Christmas decorations and the Candlelight Processional. It seems like each season there's a reason to want to be there.

Sure I miss the World of Motion but TT is very cool. MS is good too, unfortunately it makes me queasy. SE is a must every trip, our DD's love it. Now if they could get a sponsor and put something where you exit the ride. It's like a ghost town. I'm looking forward to seeing Soarin in June.

One thing I really wish they would bring back is the Tapestry of Nations parade. I loved that. Another one of my favorites.

Did I mention Fiesta Margarita's??? YumYum

The Flower Power Concerts at the F&G festival. Wish I could see Davy Jones this year.

Being close to Epcot is one of the reasons we bought at the BW.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Charles TD, I'm just reading through the comments. Yes, I went across Canada on the RR in 1963. We stayed at Banff, Lake Lousie, Jasper, we saw the mountains, so I'm going by what I saw and remember. We went back to Victoria BC in '95 and it was still wonderful, tea at the Empress Hotel, Buchart Gardens, the wonderful Parliament Buildings. So, if it's not "what is" in Canada, it's "what was" for sure! Also, I love the sites of Nova Scotia!

If they change the film, to what is now, that's fine! I appreciate the updated China film.

Bobbi