Opinion: How EPCOT Center Imitates/Predicts Life

[UmmYeahOk]

This topic my cause some controversy, as anything negative about Disney on a fan site would do, but let me start off with an agreement. The 80s and 90s were arguably the best time for the park, right? Most alive back then would agree with me. Every year drew closer and closer to the new millennium, something everyone was excited about - the future. Inside Future World was an attraction: Journey into the Imagination. Unfortunately the ride was closed and rethemed. Figment and the Dreamfinder were removed.

We literally lost our imagination. In fact, the new ride started out TELLING US we had no imagination. Without imagination, you cannot have innovation. Without innovation, you cannot create, cannot invent. Even after retheming the insulting ride, it was too late. Without a Dreamfinder, Innoventions was on a decline. Tragedy hit, and fewer people were attending the parks. The first decade of the new millennium was a sorry one, but there was some hope for the next.

With no imagination, no innovation, there was little magic, but miraculously more and more people were visiting. Hosting events of gluttony and alcoholism in such places as abandoned pavilions previously themed to promoting the idea of having a healthy body. Pavilions previously used to show off and celebrate the diversity of culture now only accessible to elite VIP groups. The irony did not matter. People were visiting, and that was what was important. Finally EPCOT could update itself, adding attractions that would get people out of a half hour line they were waiting in to take pics of a bush.

But it was too late. The decline had already started. They had 20 years to bring back a Dreamfinder, reestablish our imagination of a better global future. There is literally no future. No Future World. Don’t get me wrong, I love that they’re FINALLY doing something with the park, and the change will make it more timeless, but there literally is no future. Having everything closed and destroyed simply makes this prediction more dystopian.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Interesting perspective and not overly negative. The problem with Epcot is that during all of its eras, it has been missing crucial elements. Epcot Lovers like to look back at "what we have lost", but they forget that many of the best elements of the park were not all present at the same time.
Era 1: When the park first opened, the seas, wonders of life, horizons, and several of the countries were not opened yet. The fireworks shows were continuously swapped out since they were seen as unusual. The technology exibits were revolutionary for their time but there were almost no rides, mostly movies.
Era 2: By 1990 Epcot had all of its pavilions in their original forms, but attendance was very very low during this era. The biggest reason was that many of the rides and attractions, while informative did not have the re-rideability. Had Disney not started putting characters and updating attractions during this era, this park might have closed as guests were not interested in edutainment.
Era 3: By 1998 some of the best additions had been added to Epcot. Illuminations Reflections of Earth was the best fireworks show of the era and would be for 15 years. Test track replaced the world of motion and an updated 3D movie and Universe of Energy attraction are introduced. But many of the futuristic technology attractions in communicore/ innoventions are showing their age and many of the films in future world stay the same. THe imagination pavilion is ruined due to sponsorship problems Festivals and the park hopper pass draw guests into the Showcase in the evening as the Futureworld section languishes.
Era 4: 2010s-Present Futureworld is indeed dystopian as UofE and Wonders of Life is abandoned. The sinkhole under horizons forces its demolition and its replacement is too intense for most guests. Illuminations is replaced with a temporary show. The futuristic scenes in SSE are removed as they are no longer futuristic making the second half of the ride less enjoyable. The fireworks show is no longer "the best" and the temporary show that replaces it is ok. Innoventions is empty buildings with AC. Soarin' and Frozen rides make the park more appealing but there are still not enough headliner attractions at the park. The showcase continues its success thanks to park hopper dining and festivals. But the front of the park is a construction zone as a long needed redo is begun.
Era 5 2022 World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature replace Future World. Spaceship Earth is finally updated. Guardians replaces the empty UoE, Innoventions is gone, Journey of Water is built, Ratatouille is built, The Seas gets an interior refurb, a new "best" fireworks show is introduced that draws more diners and adults into the showcase. Futureworld gets more greenspace and less concrete. Imagination is finally fixed and the Play pavilion is finished. Epcot finally becomes a "whole family" park.

Era 1: not enough attractions but new and shiny

Era 2: Completed but not "fun enough" and no rides

Era 3: Some Rides for the family and Nightlife for diners and hoppers but future theme begins to show its age

Era 4: More Rides for the Family and Nightlife and festivals for diners and hoppers but future theme is completely outdated and eyesore

Era 5: If it becomes a reality will be the best version of the park but if budget cuts cancel too many projects Epcot will continue to be unloved middle child of WDW