Please Put Epcot Out Of Its Misery!

[hookedonears]

In 2000, EPCOT had a temporary pavilion called the Millennium Pavilion. It had a traveling Chinese acrobatic team that was pretty cool. Because Future World is so limited, Disney should consider opening a temporary pavilion like Millennium anytime they plan to take one of their major pavilions down for refurb.

In addition to Soarin needing to be refurbed, the only thing I can see that's desperately needed to improve EPCOT is for Disney to bulldoze the Imagination pavilion and replace it with something that’s more worthy of Disney and Future World.

 

[AlohaLily]

I have a question for everyone:

What would you add or do to Future World to make it different and more attractive for those who are not big fans of what it is right now.

 

[kohlby]

Innoventions in particular is quite a waste

No!!!!! It might be a waste of space to many adults, but it's awesome for kids. My kids absolutely love Innoventions. But they also like Ellen, Living with the land, figment so maybe we're in the minority. They loved Captain EO on our last trip which surprised me. It is cheesy 80's, but that can be nostalgia to me and my kids are young enough that it's not considered lame yet. (Ages 2-8 on last trip).

However, with the TT refurb, I'm trying decide if we need to change our originally planned dates. We absolutely love Epcot, but changing our plans by one week to increase the chances of having TT may be worth it.

We did not get a chance to venture over to World Showcase until our last trip. We had always done it pre-kids, but with only one Epcot day previously, we spent a FULL day in FW the three trips before. The kids loved WS, but they also still love FW. I'm all for a little updating though and putting something at Body Wars.

 

[jhaig]

I guess the whole point of my original rant was that Epcot used to be our favorite park in all of WDW and it's sad to see it, not so much 'deteriorate', but to not have been given the attention it deserves as far as improvements. Yes, I still love Epcot and we will continue to go there. TT is our favorite ride and hopefully the upgrade will make it even better.

World Showcase, as many have also pointed out, is Epcot's crowning jewel. We may never actually get to go to any of these countries and it's great to get a little taste of the world at WDW.

But so many of the other attractions have just been basically neglected. The Imagination Pavilion used to be great. Now, it's a complete waste. Sorry Disney, but Michael Jackson is not the answer. Why not move Phineas and Ferb in there? Think of the possibilities. An indoor coaster to rival Space Mountain, or something else. Talk about potential for imagination... but of course by the time an upgrade will actually take place, P & F will be collecting Social Security.

Future World is just becoming more and more irrelevant when it used to be a true destination. While it's still good, a facelift is needed, and soon.

 

[Belle5]

I know Test Track needs updated. I am just sad it's happening while we are there because besides Soarin' it's the only ride in Future World that interests me. Honestly, Future World has become very much like the last scene in Carousel of Progress...the one where it supposed to be futuristic for grandma to be playing video games. Soarin' needs to remake their film and I would love to see it drop the California part and do a United States or World film.

 

[Dorisk3]

I guess the whole point of my original rant was that Epcot used to be our favorite park in all of WDW and it's sad to see it, not so much 'deteriorate', but to not have been given the attention it deserves as far as improvements. Yes, I still love Epcot and we will continue to go there. TT is our favorite ride and hopefully the upgrade will make it even better.

World Showcase, as many have also pointed out, is Epcot's crowning jewel. We may never actually get to go to any of these countries and it's great to get a little taste of the world at WDW.

But so many of the other attractions have just been basically neglected. The Imagination Pavilion used to be great. Now, it's a complete waste. Sorry Disney, but Michael Jackson is not the answer. Why not move Phineas and Ferb in there? Think of the possibilities. An indoor coaster to rival Space Mountain, or something else. Talk about potential for imagination... but of course by the time an upgrade will actually take place, P & F will be collecting Social Security.

Future World is just becoming more and more irrelevant when it used to be a true destination. While it's still good, a facelift is needed, and soon.

I totally agree with this and your original post. In my opinion, Disney needs to focus less on building more DVCs and put some more money into Epcot.

Also laughable are those so "above" Universal and refuse to compare. Oh well, let 'em go on Ellen's Energy Adventure for the 15th time, I'll be having fun checking out Hogwarts!

 

[Bothepro24]

I certainly agree with much of what you say, the fact that future world hasn't kept up is more a testament to the quickness of inventions and how quick they are brought to market, the cost to make what would be monthly changes would be astronomical, as for Soarin, I have said on a couple of occasions that a great update could be done quickly and inexpensively. The fact that we have HD should make this show spectacular, that very fact that Disney reaches people across the globe means that there should be about six or seven different films that can be shown, California, the Swiss Alps, the Andes, Antartica, the Sahara, the Amazon rain forest, all of these different places around our world would make this ride even more spectacular, you would never know which one you were going to get just like they do now on Star Tours.

 

[Donald Duck888]

Ok I have to agree that I miss alot of the "old" EPCOT (circa 1980's). I also agree that world showcase is the best part of EPCOT as of right now (although I also admit that has always been the best part to me).

One thing I miss is the short lived (not sure what it was technically called) world pavilion. The one that had alot of other countries in it that are not represented perminantly.

Along those lines I bet there are alot of "small" things that could be done to really "spruce" things up a bit while the larger things get done more long term.

How bout bringing back some of the old stuff? Old Imagination? What would be better than that pavilion to have be one of the nostalgic parts to the park?

EPCOT has always been and will always be my favorite Disney park. And for those who may think kids don't love it to it is also my 5yr old's fav park too.
It just needs some fixin up here and there, certainly not in need of being scrapped.

Ellen's Energy Adventure is good, but I think its time for a replacement. I thought it would be fun to have the cast of Big Bang Theory do something with it, but that's a CBS show, so I doubt that can happen.

I vote for this I could just see Sheldon leading the tour

 

[mesaboy2]

The problem with Future World, is that the future has caught up with it. They had the same problem with Tomorrowland in MK, and redid it quite a few years ago. They made it more cartoonish, which is ok, since it will probably be a while till it is redone again. But it is difficult to do this when you are showing technology to people who always want what is really current. Things change as time marches on. Remember Xanadu, home of the future, on Highway 192 in Kissimmee? It had microwave ovens, and all sorts of wonders. It eventully was torn down when the future caught up with it. It's part of the problem when we deal with the future. I wouldn't want to see Future World torn down, but they may have to rethink how they will use it.

I certainly agree with much of what you say, the fact that future world hasn't kept up is more a testament to the quickness of inventions and how quick they are brought to market, the cost to make what would be monthly changes would be astronomical, as for Soarin, I have said on a couple of occasions that a great update could be done quickly and inexpensively. The fact that we have HD should make this show spectacular, that very fact that Disney reaches people across the globe means that there should be about six or seven different films that can be shown, California, the Swiss Alps, the Andes, Antartica, the Sahara, the Amazon rain forest, all of these different places around our world would make this ride even more spectacular, you would never know which one you were going to get just like they do now on Star Tours.

I think these two posts get at the root of the problem. It is difficult and enormously costly to keep Future World (and Tomorrowland) as true visions of the future. Technology changes far too quickly for any large physical idealization of the future to remain current, if that makes any sense.

 

[jhaig]

I certainly agree with much of what you say, the fact that future world hasn't kept up is more a testament to the quickness of inventions and how quick they are brought to market, the cost to make what would be monthly changes would be astronomical, as for Soarin, I have said on a couple of occasions that a great update could be done quickly and inexpensively. The fact that we have HD should make this show spectacular, that very fact that Disney reaches people across the globe means that there should be about six or seven different films that can be shown, California, the Swiss Alps, the Andes, Antartica, the Sahara, the Amazon rain forest, all of these different places around our world would make this ride even more spectacular, you would never know which one you were going to get just like they do now on Star Tours.

Exactly! Does anyone really think people come to Epcot to watch Ellen dream about Alex Trebek?!?

Soarin' should be WAY more spectacular than it already is. The potential is almost unthinkable. But therein lies Future World's problem - potential is not being translated into reality. I'm telling you - turn the Imagination Pavilion into Phineas and Ferb's back yard! Get rid of Michael Jackson!

What I wouldn't touch - the Seas. Perfect for what it's supposed to be.

World Showcase is almost perfect, but too small. There's plenty of room to expand behind what is there now. How about adding a few more countries and then adding a coaster/peoplemover type thing that travels around the whole lagoon?

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I totally agree with this and your original post. In my opinion, Disney needs to focus less on building more DVCs and put some more money into Epcot.

Also laughable are those so "above" Universal and refuse to compare. Oh well, let 'em go on Ellen's Energy Adventure for the 15th time, I'll be having fun checking out Hogwarts!

We do Universal and Disney, and we just do a few days at Universal, which is enough for us right now.

Hogwarts and WWoHP is amazing, but it was not lost on me at all that there's only one new ride and the other two are rethemes I have ridden countless times before. And FJ made me sick, though I would go through the line again in a heartbeat. I thought the ride itself was a bit disappointing.....jerking you around while flinging things in your face. I was sick within two minutes and so was my husband.

That said, just wandering around absorbing it was utterly amazing.

I agree EPCOT needs some attention.....especially Innoventions, which is a waste of space. I have to say this year I can't wait for Ellen's Energy Adventure because my son is a dinosaur nut. But I do wish they would update Soarin' and do something with what used to be Body Wars.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

I thought it would be fun to have the cast of Big Bang Theory do something with it, but that's a CBS show, so I doubt that can happen.

To the contrare! The Twilight Zone is CBS, so it is possible.

 

[DisneyAbsolutely]

I think these two posts get at the root of the problem. It is difficult and enormously costly to keep Future World (and Tomorrowland) as true visions of the future. Technology changes far too quickly for any large physical idealization of the future to remain current, if that makes any sense.

That's a really really really good point. It's quite startling how fast technology advances now. It would be impossible to keep up with. I still think they should add some new attractions. There are ways to stay relevant and still allow time to breathe between projects. It may never be totally futuristic but Epcot still has great potential. Technology has to slow down at some point, doesn't it?

 

[diskids2]

I agree! EPCOT is my favorite park, but because of WorldShowcase. EPCOT is the least favorite park of my 17 year old and now with rehab TT it's even worse!

I wish they would spend some time here when they are done with Fantasyland, but not sure if that is going to happen.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

The only rides I ride at Epcot are Test Track, Spaceship Earth, and Living With the Land. My thoughts:

GET RID OF THE HORRID (temporary) THING CALLED TEST TRACK ALL STARS. They said it would be better then staring at the wall, but TBH I'd rather look at the wall.

Make something useful for Wonders of Life. The building creeps me out for one, and who wants to learn about health at Disney? I know Body Wars and Cranium Command can still be in operation with the flick of a switch, but the pavillion is a pile of junk now. Body Wars for one made people disgusted and some even barfing, plus The Making of Me led to abortions (I think. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. UPDATE: Thanks to ZehnJahren for correcting me). It's time to put this building out of it's event headquaters and into a new pavillion. IMO making it a pavillion about computers and technology presented by Microsoft would be cool!

Close Mission Space. This ride has had problems from soft opening. Unless you go for the super tame Green Team, you're gonna have a headache for the rest of the day. Make Horizons 2.0 or something like that.

Turn Ellen's Energy Adventure into The Big Bang Theroy. As someone said on another page, retheme Ellen into The Big Bang Theroy. Perhaps Sheldon's Energy Adventure?

Retheme Soarin to Florida. I still haven't been on Soarin thanks to the scents (might affect my allergies), but retheme it to Florida, and for pete's sake TURN IT INTO HD!!!!

Put Imagination out of it's misery. Bring back the original Imagination and Imageworks, and put something with Phineas and Ferb in Captain EO.

Add more rides to WS. Sure, the WS atmosphere is great, but I need more rides and not the 2 lousy boat rides.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

I like Figment too. I recall him being much cooler in the late 80's though. Did they change him?

In any event, future world is really outdated and.. dare I say it, lame.

Ellen is obnoxious in Energy, I miss the old narrator skits.

Mission Space, was really cool in the 80's. Not so much any more, but I'm ambivalent on that one, lots more to address prior to that.

Test Track. I enjoyed it. I didn't think it was spectacular or anything. That said, my wife loved it and so did the kids. Leave it be.

Sorin... was soooo much cooler last decade. It needs to have the video footage reshot and brought into the HD age. Other than that, the ride is still top notch IMO.

Captain EO... where to begin? Send it back to the 80's. What a waste.

The land is still cool, except that horrid movie, how it's lasted this long, I have no idea.

Future World needs major work. It's like Disney has just written it off.

I still like Epcot. I'm hoping after the new Fantasy land gets finished, they start on Future world ASAP.

I agree with much of this, but Mission Space just opened in 2003. Not sure how it was cool in the 80's. Confused...

 

[Jennasis]

Enough with the Phineus and Ferb! In 5-10 years they'll be long forgotten like so many other Disney "stars". Besides, they've already been given Kim Possible's thing in WS.

Seriously, I finally watched an episode for the first time last week and I don't get the appeal. The only funny thing was Doofenshmirtz (and a lot of it was the "zany" name).

 

[ZehnJahren]

Add me to the people who LOVED Epcot in the 80s. Now, I feel like it's a shell of its' former self.

There are TOO MANY EMPTY BUILDINGS. It seemed like such a ghost town when I went back in January - low crowds, plus empty buildings, made me feel like I was in a Disney ghetto. It was very sad to me, since I remember Horizons and Wonders of Life so clearly (but to the PP who said "Making of Me" caused abortions - um, what??? Think that's the person's choice, not Disney's.). How can Disney look at those empty buildings day after day and think it's alright to leave them barren?

Epcot was my favorite as a child; I loved all the futuristic rides and the catchy music. I still do love SE, but Soarin' was disappointing to me and LWTL is nice but bores me after one ride a trip. Ellen - well, you'll never see me get on a 45 minute ride (I mean, come ON). Figment is just a sad, sad shadow of his former self, and anything at ALL would be better than Captain EO. TT was nice, but it's really the only exciting ride to me in all of Future World. Now, my favorite ride (still, and tied with HM) is Gran Fiesta Tour; but I'm not one of those people who thinks more needs to be added to WS - it's enough of a walk as it is!

Because of this, my new favorite park is MK, with HS behind. Then, if I feel like walking and not riding, I go to Epcot. I wish they'd do something with Future World and at least turn it around to face its' former glory. For now, it's just sad.

 

[Finally08]

I wish I could understand the love for World Showcase. I think it's lovely....a photographer's dream. But it's mostly a collection of gift shops and food stands/restaurants. I've caught a few of the performers along the way...but as much as I enjoy "looking" at it all, there really isn't much to "do."

 

[Missymouse18]

I absolutely adore Epcot. I am very sad that TT is going to be closed during our summer visit. Epcot is such a fave that it is where we begin our Dis vacation every year. It holds so many memories and still excites me every time I go there. I LOVE DUFFY and think that Future World and World Showcase are awesome. Not to mention Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, which is, IMO, top notch. Maybe for the OP Epcot has it's glitches, but if given a choice of where to spend my day, I would choose Epcot over Universal any day, even if Universal was offering me a free day. There is something about going to Spaceship Earth first thing in the morning and then having Coca-Cola from around the world that just doesn't compare to anything else in my book. And for the guy who still loves Grand Fiesta Tour - Ditto for me!