Old Epcot is missed

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by SnackyStacky
HOLD on a minute.....

I thought that the Spaceship Earth change had been completely scrapped because the ride mechanisms inside were an integral part of the structure, and it would be too costly to try and change it. Did I miss a memo? Is that no more?

I've heard this too and that Time Racers is now no more. But I've also heard, perhaps incorrectly, that the ride mechanisms are wearing out and that it would be costly to refurbish. THAT is what worries me.

 

[mitros]

Last couple of times we were there, we were told that the redo was off because of the extent of what would have to be added to the building. In fact,anyone that has been there recentley should have noticed that at least one scene in the ride was curtained off for rehabs. Looks like for the time being it will stay the way it is, but with refreshed scenes. I just hope they redo the ending {when you go backwards} and put "Tomorrows Child" back in . Yea, right!

 

[old lost boy]

King Triton, the Six Flags point is excellent. My DW and I travel about 1000 miles once or twice a year to go to WDW. There is a Six Flags 30 minutes from my home that I haven't been to in at least 15 years. It seems to me the entire company has lost its focus. Disney Stores aren't what they used to be, the parks are becoming very transparent promotional opportunities for other Disney enterprises (ESPN, ABC,etc) and the service that made staying on the grounds so special is declining. All this while park attendance declines. The company's reaction is to continue this failed direction and raise prices as they do it. I don't think you need to be a Wharton Business School graduate to figure out something is wrong.

 

[ashjohnson80]

I guess I can see both sides of this argument because some things do need to be updated. But I went to Epcot in 89 and remember loving Horizons and World of Motion. I haven't ridden TT or MS yet, I'll ride them when I go at the end of the month. But I do hope that Spaceship Earth is NEVER removed. That is one of my favorite rides. I also hope that Disney does not become like Six Flags or something. That would just make it lose all that is magical about the place.

 

[texas8891]

I'm as nostalgic as anyone. In fact, my favorite ride is still Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Yet, I think that WDW has to continually upgrade their rides and the technology of the parks. I remember when I went to the Magic Kingdom in 1972 that the most remarkable thing was the futuristic technology of the rides--even the Carousel of Progress was amazing. Over the years, the technology of the old rides became commonplace or outdated. So I think that WDW has to continually reinvent itself or risk losing their core market--children. Today's kids want bigger, faster and more complex. Sensory overload has become a necessity in today's computerized, Play Station society. I think WDW is being responsible by trying to meet or exceed those expectations. The Philharmagic attraction in Fantasyland and Mission Space are perfect examples. So, I understand your sorrow at seeing some of the old rides disappear, but it's a necessary evil. I think that the presence of Universal merely increases the pressure to stay current. The one thing I will agree with you on is they screwed up by removing the original Imagination ride. The new one is a poor replacement. I wish they would totally renovate the Living Seas, the Land, the Mexico boat ride and the Norway ride. The Living Seas has become downright pathetic.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Originally posted by Kismetdreams
I loved the original Figment ride and am now curious why they changed it to this annoying, cheesy ride? There were other rides that I vaguely remember enjoying, that are not longer there. (I was 10 the first time around)

At least you did not see the one in between. It was an unmitigated disaster.

The way Imagination Pavilion was originally set up you first went onto Journey Into Imagination, then went upstairs to The Image Works, and Finally into Kodak's 3-D movie, Magic Journeys. After a few years they changed out Magic Journeys to Michael Jackson in Captain EO, but you still did Journey first and then the Image Works.

When they redid the Magic Eye Theatrer and put in Honey I Shrunk the Audience, they moved the queue line outside, and Journey dropped from the second most popular attraction in Epcot (after SE) to about 7 or 8. The powers that were felt Figment had lost his popularity, but they had made it into a minor attraction compared to Honey.

They then ripped out the turntable and part of the track, putting in the Kodak lab, did away with Dreamfinder, and almost killed off Figment. However, they realized they were selling over a $M in Figment merchandise, so they kept him in a cameo role.

Within six months Journey into Your Imagination garnered more complaints than everything else in WDW combined and there were a couple of fan sites leading to bring back Figment.

What you see know is the result of limited money available but the Imagineers did a great job based on the resources they were given as well as the fact they had lost a lot of their original space. They even brought the Sherman Brothers out of retirement to modify "One Little Spark" to coordinate with the ride as it is now. We have from reliable sources that it is still a work in progress, and there will be additions in some of the dead space as more money becomes available.

Mike

Official Photographer and one of the founders of the www.friendsoffigment.org web site

 

[mitros]

Hi Mike, any idea when your site will be up again?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

According to Howard, it will be sometime around Valentine's Day (this year).

 

[cindysteve]

I also wish Disney would bring back more dark rides. It is what sets Disney apart form the rest. They could combine a small level of thrill with animatronics (like Splash Mountain) and incorporate true Disney themes. We have at least three great water themed disney movies (Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, Atlantis) to work with. Just think of what the Living Seas could become! I just could scream. They should set me loose in a room of imagineers..... And if they want to copy Universal, why not copy the creative thrill stuff (like Spiderman) or the slightly more thrilling dark rides (like Cat in the Hat). I want to be able to ride the attractions with the very young and the young at heart. I'll never forget riding JIYI without Figment for the first time, and followed up by the current version. What a disappointment. Also my first visit when WoM was gone..

 

[SpaceAce]

Is there still room in Disney World for a new park?

I would love to see Disney start building new instead of taking out the old. (i.e. Horizons, Mr. Toad, etc...) I would estimate that opening a new park would provide more interest in visitors than a ride update here and there within existing parks ever would. It seems to me that a new park that balanced education with fun would increase profits over a period of between 5-10 years. I doubt that AK caused such a rise because it opened with a slant towards education and away from entertainment, in my opinion, which was even further than Epcot, and there was no way to disguise it otherwise.

I just wondered about the space with all of the hotels, etc... that have popped up.

Anyway...

 

[SpaceAce]

1) Just for the record...I loved the dark rides of early Epcot, and I was a kid when I saw them. There was an aesthetic reaction to these rides, creating feelings of wonder, exhileartion, and curiosity. I think there is a very delayed appreciation...it takes years after to cultivate if you're a kid.

Anyway, my second and major point....

2) I am not sure that Disney has considered the reality that in the next 10 years millions of baby-boomers are retiring. This generation acts much younger than previous generations did at their age and would be more willing to travel. Thus, there could be a huge market for getting their tourist money...but if all they offer is thrill rides these people will stay home because their bodies have aged to the point of not riding something while their minds are still "young." I am surprised that Disney is not catering to them more. Maybe they should build a "20th Century Ride or Park." Think of all the interesting historical events that could be incorporated into a park or ride...two world wars, several smaller wars, going from bicycles to flying in space in far less than 100 years. The rise and fall of communism. A salute to truly great people of the century, whether politicians (hehe), scientists, stars, or humanitarians. Inventions, inventions, inventions. I could go on...

Maybe I should quit my day job....

 

[petula]

Count me in as one who misses the old Epcot, but isn't opposed to change as long as it's for the better. I miss the old stuff, but I also used to trust them to replace it with decent new stuff. At Epcot that hasn't really happened. I'm dismayed by the changes in Imagination (although I was a little bit consoled upon finding out that Dave Goelz provided the new figment's voice, and it's certainly better than that middle version). Test Track was fine, but I don't understand its re-ridability as either a family ride OR a thrill ride. Isn't once enough? I'm dying to get to Mission Space and still hold high hopes, but there's also something telling me not to.

I love both thrill rides and dark rides, and I think the most recent dark rides are excellent. Cat in the Hat, Pooh, Dinosaur, Men in Black, and Spiderman are brilliant rides, and I'd love to see things move in that direction a little more.

But the thing that really, really bothers me about Epcot is the hideousness of the design changes. The Epcot sign tacked to Spaceship Earth that someone mentioned previously. That disgusting bright orange on Imagination. And those atrocious silver things with the pictures leading up to Spaceship Earth. Talk about not understanding the concept of negative space. WHO IS BUYING THOSE? At least the bricks were useful and not so in your face.

 

[jcodespoti]

I hated the Old Epcot it was bad (imho). Those Dark rides did not leave me with the same feeling that it left with the majority here. I thought they were very cheesy. But thats me.

Joe in CT

 

[bjr]

There are certain attractions that should remain untouched for one reason or another and Spaceship Earth is one. It is the icon for the park! There are attractions that do get old and need replacing from time to time but not the icons. That would be akin to removing the castle to Magic Kingdom. It's a Small World is another because of it's history and COP is another. It is true however that whichever theme parks have the fastest and wildest new rides sells the most tickets. It's a very competitive business.

 

[donnajon]

Speaking of EPCOT changes, does anyone else hate the new Illuminations as much as I do? I lovd the classical music and the "illumination' of the "Nations". What does this new show have do do with that? I found it rather boring. And I was so looking forward to this. Other friends have said the same thing.

 

[wtg2000]

What does this new show have do do with that?

The new show is called Reflections of Earth. It begins with the chaotic primeval fire at the beginning of time. Then the world appears and spins and the history of man is projected on the globe. Then the earth opens up to reflect the future and the possibilities that lie ahead. So it is a different concept than the illuminations of the the nations. It was instigated for the millenium celebration.

 

[texas8891]

I think that the time has come to add to the World pavillion, perhaps a Russian pavillion. Also please update the Living Seas and the Land pavillions. I also think some updates to the landscaping needs to be added. The area between the Future world and World showcase could be turned into a beautiful area.

 

[wtg2000]

I think that the time has come to add to the World pavillion, perhaps a Russian pavillion. Also please update the Living Seas and the Land pavillions.

The plans for a Russian pavilion fell through years ago. There was a drawing and description in a newspaper article back in the early 90s. It looked fantastic. With Russia's perpetual economic and political woes I doubt we'll ever see one.

The Land is being updated with Soarin. As for the ride through I really like it and hope they don't change it. The Living Seas does need a new attraction.

 

[texas8891]

If not a Russian pavillion, I think a pavillion for Spain, Brazil, Kenya, Australia, Austria, Egypt or Switzerland would be a good addition.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I do think EPCOT needs a new dark ride that combines what was lost from Horizons and the World of motion. I haven't ridden mission space but it does seem like the park is missing a vision of what life will be like for ordinary people a few years down the road.

If they are struggling for vision maybe they contact the makers of Vanilla Sky and Minority Report. Both of those movies did a nice job of making a plausible vision of the near future.