Just Imagine: Epcot History Museum at Epcot

[liquidbase]

To avoid confusion, this post is not a rumor of any sort but an invitation to use your imaginations and step into "my" dream WDW.

Several years ago, Epcot had a temporary exhibit about the theme park's history at Innoventions West. Now imagine if it it came back as a permanent attraction: an Epcot museum similar to One Man's Dream at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's contents would include displays featuring vintage Epcot items, original designs and models, and some orignal animatronics and props from various attractions of Epcot's past. Also included, a theater featuring a short film of Epcot's history from it's earliest conception as a city to present day. The ideal location for the museum attraction would be in the hexagonal building over the small lagoon between Future World and World Showcase where the Odyssey resturant used to be. Imagine if this attraction became reality it would serve as a window for people who want to learn more about the Epcot they know or don't know.

 

[Max Rebo]

That might be neat.

I'd put it in the Imagination pavilion, and turn the whole place into a tribute to Disney imagineering.

 

[jheigl]

I think this is an outstanding idea. I love all of WDW history in general, but Epcot is and always will be my favorite (oh how I miss the old spirit of Epcot

). Not to rant or hijack, but I am really growing tired of seeing Disney replace great rides at their parks for rides that are themed to their movies...and I think The Living Seas is a great example of that. I like it now as Nemo, but to me Epcot deserves to be / have little Disney movie inspired rides. Epcot, to me, was a place to learn about things...now it is getting away from that.​

 

[dopey2]

I remember this and miss it. We still look for it and would love to see it again. If I recall some of the exibits were on loan to Disney and this could be one reason it is no longer there. I am sure Disney has a lot of memorabilia they could use and a short film would be great and something we would visit on every trip.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

That might be neat.

I'd put it in the Imagination pavilion, and turn the whole place into a tribute to Disney imagineering.

I actually really like this idea...but EPCOT won't see anything like a "museum" until 50 years...and we aren't there yet.

But to expand - this makes me think about EPCOT...and specifically imagination.

Imagination worries me more than anything at a Disney park - because i think that there will be no will to fix it after Eisner tried - to his credit - and was failed - not to imagineering's credit - to redo it.

I think they may just "horizons" it - and replace it outright...or even worse - "wonders of life it" and quietly just put it into mothballs...

But the problem with the EPCOT long term plan - and the problem with them flubbing it so badly...starting with test track...is that you need a consolidated effort.

the park is still the one most tied to the overall concept...and even non-"disney addicts" - recognize almost immediately that they are in a different concept when they walk in.
And i think it looks disjointed to those that are not that familiar with it and stale to those that are.

But i don't think you can do "one thing" piecemeal. they need a magic kingdom or california adventure (oir hong kong for that matter) style attack on renovation.

Not just a new country or a rehab or a new addition to Future world...they need one or two new countries and a new pavilion to swap in for wonders of life and much overdue updates or revisions to energy and imagination.

What's ironic is that they could stretch it out over a 5 year calender and use it as a selling point for the park.

"Expanding the future" and do displays with concept art, have interactive updates/ construciton camera or even apps for the general public that could show the concepts and methods being used to "produce the shows"...then they could budget it out and space it out to fit their own predetermined budget guidelines, use the approach in sponsor negotiations, and push it as a longterm marketing/ repeat business strategy.

The old EC fans would eat it up with spoons...and if it were relayed right...they could play on parents or travelers heartstrings to show what will be new when they enter a new phase of their life.


But anyway...marketing brainstorm aside...I just wanted to comment on imagination and the future...cause i'm very concerned that they won't even bother to do anthing to bring it back.

and they should...because luckily imagination and the message isn't outdated by technology or the evolution of society....it's now just armed with better tools and more possibilities.

Horizons...was really doomed by the internet if you think about it. it was a simple idea that said - in the future, we'll be able to maybe do this. now anyone can read about what's new and possible with a click of a button. Also, the message at horizons can be relayed by energy, the seas, the land, and even wonders of life...

which brings me to wonders of life - it is ridiculous that not only is it the newest pavilion (of the originals built)...but it also is an area of study that is becoming more important with every passing day.
What is more important now than genetics, bio technology, medicine, and conservation for eco diversity?

the answery is: nothing...and now its nothing but another repurposed convention space and a jewel in the mothball collection around property...a distinguished list that includes: the milennium village (which should have been torn down immediately as it had been designed), Ariels at the Beach Club, the Carousel of Progress most of the year, Wonders, most of imaginations interior, the backlot, the production facilities at Studios, most of pleasure island, half the west side, bomafamilles at port orleans, Parrot Cay at Caribbean Beach, and the canada beaver tail stand...

just to name a few...plus river country and discovery island...the crown jewels of "nobody will notice its gone"

but hey...at least they final put something where 20,000 leagues was and removed the skyway stations.

sorry for the tangent...talk of imagination took me to the bad place

 

[umichigan10]

Like to say this is a great idea. I'm a sucker for Disney history and this would suck me in like a bug to zapper.

To the pp above me I'd like to say that your marketing idea is genius. I also share your concerns with the state of the imagination pavilion and the World in general. They could do so much with all those areas you listed (discovery island and Rc chief among them) but they're to cheap and lack initiative to do so

 

[jheigl]

Hate to say it, but we aren't going to see anything major at the World for a long time as Disney is cutting back their spending. I don't think AVATAR-land will turn out to be a huge deal as it was made out to be, and I certainly don't see them doing any HUGE projects with Epcot or any other theme park (anytime soon) after Cars Land at DL and New Fantasyland at MK.

 

[umichigan10]

Yes but I don't think said museum would be that costly. It comes down to acquiring merchandise from over the years and they could always out source to the American pickers for that

 

[Wynton67]

Love this idea!!!

 

[wdwpins]

I was a passholder during Epcot's 25th Anniversary celebration, and made several visits to the exhibition that the poster is talking about. I knew it wouldn't be there forever so I took pictures of everything I possibly could--posters, costumes, souvenirs, books, display models, etc. I also took pictures of the timeline images on the wall outside of the exhibit. I think a permanent exhibition in the park would be an excellent idea.

The next WDW park to have a 25th anniversary is Hollywood Studios in 2014, not too far off in the distance. I plan to be there on May 1 with my trusty digital camera.