How to improve Epcot's Future World

[buccikulju]

I'll be back in WDW in a few weeks, yay! But of all the things I'm excited to see anew and see again, I am not excited about Future World at Epcot. In fact, I am already dreading the boring walk from the front of Epcot to the World Showcase. The wide expanses of beige and grey cement feel cold,impersonal, dull, and sad. And, by the way, as a teenager I went to Epcot the year it opened and had the same opinion...a snooze fest. Now, sadly, it's even worse. (Although World Showcase is better than it was, and a wonderful WDW experience.) The Land pavilion has some nice attractions, but it feels like a mall. And that's probably the best of the pavilions. In general Epcot doesn't feel "immersive", which is one of those things I LOVE about Disney...the immersion in a different world.

So, question, what can be done to improve Epcot? Should it try to be more "Futuristic"? One thought I had is for there to be some connection between the pavilions....like a People Mover, for example (which I understand from the Connecting with Walt podcast, that was an original plan for Epcot.) Or maybe connective buildings themed in some way. Obviously, the outdated attractions need to be switched out. I don't know. What are your thoughts?

 

[BrianL]

Well, on the plus side you'll be happy to know the they have added some color to Future World, which I like, so it's not so grey anymore.

I think for the most part, Future World shows it's age, but it really just needs some sprucing up more than a complete overhaul. Energy could use an update for sure. The Seas and Imagination could as well, though less so than Energy. Something new in the EO theater would be welcome. Really though, the issue is the empty space. The Life pavilion, the Oddessy building, Innoventions West, all of these could house attractions, or something other than dead space. Epcot certainly needs more attractions!

I would like to see the Life Pavilion recommissioned (not necessarily as Life) and the Festival Center moved to the Oddessy. If space is needed, then build a new center where Oddessy is or somewhere more in the Showcase area. Life could house an E-Ticket of some kind.

 

[Ava]

I think the Seas and Land pavilions are fine as is. I do see how The Land can feel like a mall, but its nice & bright inside and not off-putting to me. I haven't been on the Ellen's Energy ride in years so can't really comment on that one, but I think in general that pavilion would be better off with 2 shorter attractions than one ride that takes 45 minutes. That's why we end up skipping it, there just isn't time. The Imagination pavilion needs something updated in the Captain EO theater.

The biggest miss is letting the former Wonders of Life pavilion sit empty. Body Wars was a fun ride, and Cranium Command was an interesting, entertaining little show. I still don't understand why Disney closed both of those attractions.

 

[lustergirl]

I agree it needs something, but what? Sometimes I get mad because I have to waste my time walking through here to get to WS.

 

[hakepb]

1) EPCOT was supposed to be an actual community ... At least add an in-park hotel like Disney Sea in Tokyo

2) Shanghai Disneyland Tron

/end thread

 

[ArwenMarie]

I don't mind FutureWorld. The big buildings are good for rainy days. I also don't feel as claustrophobic in there as I do in some other parts of the parks. Club Cool, Sunshine Seasons, MouseGears, the fountains.

But a few more rides would help.