Knocking down entire Imagination building

[PuppyJonathan]

I don't think doubling Soarin's size is the right answer to make the crowds healthier...if that was true we would have two TSM's, two Expedition Everests, ect. What Epcot needs is one more E-Ticket. They have the space with WOL, the Odyssey, and Millennium Village to make that happen. The matter of fact is that HS and AK need more love at the moment than Epcot...but that will change in a few years once Avatarland and Star Wars Land and/or Pixar Place Expansion occur.

I thought Expedition Everest wasn't really that busy? I know it can get crowded but on average it has the crowds Tower of Terror gets

 

[DLFT]

I thought Expedition Everest wasn't really that busy? I know it can get crowded but on average it has the crowds Tower of Terror gets

It's not as crowded compared to the E-Tickets at other parks, it's just the only "headliner" attraction at AK...HS has 3 1/2 (RR, TOT, TSM, 1/2 for Star Tours). AK has 1 1/2 (EE and Dinosaur, which while its my second favorite attracition at WDW, had a <20min wait in the middle of the day over my trip this past spring break).

 

[HollyEpcot]

I like the idea of different films for Soarin- it would be like the new Star Tours-
The original Figment ride was amazing- would love for it to return. Can we also bring back Horizons?
I really dislike having abandoned buildings at EPCOT- so strange seeing the remains of the wonder of life pavilion when they use it as a welcome center for food and wine and garden feet! A very badly managed use of the pavilion! And what is the deal with the abandoned Greek restaurant on the water? That's been empty for how long? 10-20 years? Why hasn't something new opened there?

 

[PuppyJonathan]

You may have forgotten Kilimanjaro is a headliner too

 

[Gingerg11]

Checked back again. Yes, he definitely said bulldozing the bldg as opposed to gutting it. He either did not hear what was going to happen to Figment/Imagination or chose not to share. Confirmed he said that WoL would be reopened to "compensate" for Imagination being down (his words). And I found out he is now a full time CM. I have no idea where he heard this information.

I had heard that some of the attractions in WoL were dismantled years ago but never heard anything definitively. Who knows? Last Oct the tour guide on the KTTK tour told us SpectroMagic was coming back in Dec. that never happened, obviously. But years ago a CM at the CR told us about the game room/Food & Fun Ctr move and the vacation club (BLT) due to be built and we pooh-poohed him. Never happen we said. The joke was on us.

 

[SuperDan523]

Historically, Disney has rarely if ever told cast members or lower management anything before they tell the public. CM's whose immediate work area is going to be affected may get a little bit of a heads up that their area is going to be closed or renovated, but other than that the CMs won't know anything until its time to train them on the new element, or about half an hour before the public if training isn't required.

Unless the CM you spoke to happened to be George Kalogridis or Tom Staggs, treat the info as you would any rumor that pops up on this board.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I like the idea of different films for Soarin- it would be like the new Star Tours-
The original Figment ride was amazing- would love for it to return. Can we also bring back Horizons?
I really dislike having abandoned buildings at EPCOT- so strange seeing the remains of the wonder of life pavilion when they use it as a welcome center for food and wine and garden feet! A very badly managed use of the pavilion! And what is the deal with the abandoned Greek restaurant on the water? That's been empty for how long? 10-20 years? Why hasn't something new opened there?

EPCOT has become the place where permanent mothballing is just fine and dandy (they had done that at magic kingdom too... But quickly corrected it...10-15 years later)

Wonders of life, millenium village, the stupid wand, and the odyssey all enjoy a glorious standing as stuff that just wasn't important enough to do something with. I guess they did take out the wand.

But not to reverse course a little...but wouldn't replacing imagination for a bigger replicated soarin represent a massive psychological defeat for Disney?

Giving up imagination...
Maybe in the day and age that doesn't matter...well it damn well should.

Knocking out a pavilion for a clone would be as embarrassing a move as
I could think of...which is why I wouldn't think they'd do it.

Imagination is a little difficult to revive...I'll admit. Maybe they just
Need to do something that's already out there that Disney hasn't used...like the Spider-Man ride
System from IOA? An old ride that still is very good and popular....

That type of "mixed senses" ride, a large
Area for kids...perhaps a "spare no expense" playground of some type, and a food location....

That wouldn't work?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Checked back again. Yes, he definitely said bulldozing the bldg as opposed to gutting it. He either did not hear what was going to happen to Figment/Imagination or chose not to share. Confirmed he said that WoL would be reopened to "compensate" for Imagination being down (his words). And I found out he is now a full time CM. I have no idea where he heard this information.

I had heard that some of the attractions in WoL were dismantled years ago but never heard anything definitively. Who knows? Last Oct the tour guide on the KTTK tour told us SpectroMagic was coming back in Dec. that never happened, obviously. But years ago a CM at the CR told us about the game room/Food & Fun Ctr move and the vacation club (BLT) due to be built and we pooh-poohed him. Never happen we said. The joke was on us.

None of what you're told has any real validity...

"CMs" know absolutely nothing. Just the way it is.

Why would people who make basically minimum wage or a little above on average know the corporate plans of a Dow 30 company?
Pretty easy riddle to solve there

 

[skier_pete]

None of what you're told has any real validity...

"CMs" know absolutely nothing. Just the way it is.

Why would people who make basically minimum wage or a little above on average know the corporate plans of a Dow 30 company?
Pretty easy riddle to solve there

This is no different than at any company, including my own (another Dow 30 company):

- A couple of employees speculate that something might happen.
- Other employees overhear and misconstrue that its going to happen.
- The word starts to spread.

Certain people enjoy this. We had an employee that would call around to people and say "Did you hear anything about (insert rumor here)?" He had no actual information, but just the fact of him asking the question would start rumors to spread like wildfire.

So - I agree with LOL - any rumor you hear about the future plans of WDW from an "on-the-ground" CM is likely BS - and if it turns out to be right it is more lucky guess than anything.

I am not saying OPs friend is lying, I'm sure this is what he was heard/was told, just saying the likelyhood of it being correct is extremely low.

 

[rabbitxstyle]

whooo

 

[PuppyJonathan]

The only purpose for Wonders of Life now is to even out congestion in the pathways

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The only purpose for Wonders of Life now is to even out congestion in the pathways

To sell more product during special events or as a catering location... Actually

Millenium village as well...which is apparently gonna be there for another 988 years

 

[DCTooTall]

I like the idea of different films for Soarin- it would be like the new Star Tours-
The original Figment ride was amazing- would love for it to return. Can we also bring back Horizons?
I really dislike having abandoned buildings at EPCOT- so strange seeing the remains of the wonder of life pavilion when they use it as a welcome center for food and wine and garden feet! A very badly managed use of the pavilion! And what is the deal with the abandoned Greek restaurant on the water? That's been empty for how long? 10-20 years? Why hasn't something new opened there?

Greek Restaurant?

OH!!!! The Odyssey??

That wasn't a Greek restaurant. It was a pretty standard Counter service with the usual burgers/fries/pizza etc. It also featured a stage which the Fab5 in their "Futuristic EPCOT Center" outfits would come out on and visit the tables.

Between the way Character interactions have evolved over the past 10-15yrs due to the crowds, and the simple fact that the Odyssey was pretty standard food available at any number of other locations and not really well placed for foot traffic, It ultimately became redundant and not really worth keeping open on a regular basis. (I recall back when it went Seasonal).


I will however say that the Odyssey isn't the best example of Disney's wasting something by letting it remain empty and not choosing to either demolish or repurpose the space. For starters, the Restaurant really wasn't anything really special. Between the Electric Umbrella and Fountain View you already had plenty of counter service options with similar food nearby, and much more conveniently located. The closure of the restaurant wasn't really a major loss. (The Character shows had already been mostly discontinued due to changes in the way the characters appeared, and the lack of guests eating at the restaurant).

Next, It's off to the side where most people didn't even notice it, and the building doesn't really stand out to constantly remind you of what used to be. (the had to let the trees around the Wonders Pavilion grow out to try and hide the building so people wouldn't notice it).

Then there is the fact that I personally think they've done a pretty decent job repurposing the space. True, It's often closed to the public, but it is used on a pretty regular basis for private functions. It could be receptions for a Disney Wedding, or corporate events/rentals. They've also used it during some of the festivals for events. The Restaurant's size is very well suited for these kind of events, so it's a very efficient use of the space. Compare this to WoL where you can't help but notice how empty and sad the place looks when decked out as the Festival Center.


And the Biggest factor? Pavilions like Wonders were just abandoned and left empty and unused for years. The Odyssey has never been truly abandoned. While they did close the public restaurant in the building, there has always been life within the building. Not only are the bathrooms located there still in use, but EPCOT's Baby Care center is located in that building. Backstage is also the employee Cafeteria which had always shared it's kitchen with the Odyssey.

 

[circus4u]

Greek Restaurant?

The Odyssey has never been truly abandoned. While they did close the public restaurant in the building, there has always been life within the building. Not only are the bathrooms located there still in use, but EPCOT's Baby Care center is located in that building. Backstage is also the employee Cafeteria which had always shared it's kitchen with the Odyssey.

The First Aid station is also located in this building.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

To sell more product during special events or as a catering location... Actually

Millenium village as well...which is apparently gonna be there for another 988 years

Not during Food and Wine or Flower and Garden though

 

[HollyEpcot]

Greek Restaurant?

OH!!!! The Odyssey??

That wasn't a Greek restaurant. It was a pretty standard Counter service with the usual burgers/fries/pizza etc. It also featured a stage which the Fab5 in their "Futuristic EPCOT Center" outfits would come out on and visit the tables.

Between the way Character interactions have evolved over the past 10-15yrs due to the crowds, and the simple fact that the Odyssey was pretty standard food available at any number of other locations and not really well placed for foot traffic, It ultimately became redundant and not really worth keeping open on a regular basis. (I recall back when it went Seasonal).


I will however say that the Odyssey isn't the best example of Disney's wasting something by letting it remain empty and not choosing to either demolish or repurpose the space. For starters, the Restaurant really wasn't anything really special. Between the Electric Umbrella and Fountain View you already had plenty of counter service options with similar food nearby, and much more conveniently located. The closure of the restaurant wasn't really a major loss. (The Character shows had already been mostly discontinued due to changes in the way the characters appeared, and the lack of guests eating at the restaurant).

Next, It's off to the side where most people didn't even notice it, and the building doesn't really stand out to constantly remind you of what used to be. (the had to let the trees around the Wonders Pavilion grow out to try and hide the building so people wouldn't notice it).

Then there is the fact that I personally think they've done a pretty decent job repurposing the space. True, It's often closed to the public, but it is used on a pretty regular basis for private functions. It could be receptions for a Disney Wedding, or corporate events/rentals. They've also used it during some of the festivals for events. The Restaurant's size is very well suited for these kind of events, so it's a very efficient use of the space. Compare this to WoL where you can't help but notice how empty and sad the place looks when decked out as the Festival Center.


And the Biggest factor? Pavilions like Wonders were just abandoned and left empty and unused for years. The Odyssey has never been truly abandoned. While they did close the public restaurant in the building, there has always been life within the building. Not only are the bathrooms located there still in use, but EPCOT's Baby Care center is located in that building. Backstage is also the employee Cafeteria which had always shared it's kitchen with the Odyssey.

Thanks for that - I've been wondering about the Odessey for years! It would look a lot better if they gave it a new facade or skin. Where is the defunct Millenium Village located?

 

[Dis1992]

None of what you're told has any real validity...

"CMs" know absolutely nothing. Just the way it is.

Why would people who make basically minimum wage or a little above on average know the corporate plans of a Dow 30 company?
Pretty easy riddle to solve there

There are some CMs who do have info. If you ever plan a wedding at Disney, the wedding planners have a ton of info. They don't just come out and tell you, but while you talk with them about certain things, they will let you know about cranes and construction that will be in the area a year ahead of time. I would think if you are spending 50-100k on a wedding, they should probably let you know about any construction that might be taking place.

 

[skier_pete]

Where is the defunct Millenium Village located?

I believe the entrance to it is hidden between Canada and England. It is not actually defunct, they DO use it for special events.

 

[kmac2384]

What do weddings have to do with attractions? Lockedoutlogic is right. Plans to build attractions are never released to any CM's. I know this, I'm not just saying this. Even when an idea comes to light that affect CM's directly they are still the last to know. In addition, there are confidentiality agreements that Disney makes. There are also concepts that are designed with every intention to be completed and never see an end result. I am not talking out my butt. I really do know this but hey, you guys take it for what it's worth. With Disney- believe it when they make an official announcement. Until then, none of it is true.

 

[doconeill]

There are some CMs who do have info. If you ever plan a wedding at Disney, the wedding planners have a ton of info. They don't just come out and tell you, but while you talk with them about certain things, they will let you know about cranes and construction that will be in the area a year ahead of time. I would think if you are spending 50-100k on a wedding, they should probably let you know about any construction that might be taking place.

They have info on where the cranes are because it affects their job. They do not necessarily have info on why the cranes are there.

Same thing for construction walls, if the party wants to have pictures taken in certain areas that might be affected.

I'll bet you donuts that they weren't told (or if somehow they knew, they could NOT say) that the building being constructed at the Grand Floridian which would have affected the Wedding Pavilion was a DVC building, until it was actually announced. If they did say so, then they were working off the same rumors we all knew, and not on any official info.