Please Put Epcot Out Of Its Misery!

[kristennn]

I still love epcott - but I agree the whole test track silliness just seems dumb. I don;t know why they can't be upfront and clear about the refurb and when it's happening. The singers out front seems a little silly. Maybe they should have stuck Rapunzel and Flynn out there

 

[mousermerf]

I think I'm gonna stay out of this discussion, lest I suffer some sort of aneurysm.

Do you realize your signature uses artwork that Disney stole from an independent artist to make the Epcot 30th anniversary graphics?

It's true... The image of the fountain pillars is a line-by-line copy of a piece of fan artwork that Disney cut and paste and is now using as their own.

 

[bluejasmine]

Epcot i our fave park! I agree Future World needs work, its no longer very futuristic. I love the rides tho, but Imagination Pavillion is sad, Ellen is horrible.

WS is perfect, well could use some rides and another country or two and take Donald back out of the mexico ride!!!

 

[basas]

I'm confused how a park with attractions with 45 or 90 or more waits on busy days needs to be "put out of its misery". It seems to be doing just fine, thankyouvertmuch.

Personally I wouldn't cross the street to visit Harry Potter. Neither the books nor the park hold any interest for me. The movies, either. And Mission: Space has never made me vomit... but WDW did install a mild option for people like the OP who can't deal with the extreme version.

So they ARE trying to cater to a wider variety of tastes/guests - but it's hard when you get reactions like this thread.

The long waits are due to 2 simple reasons:

1) Few attractions (especially 'thrill' attractions)
2) Low capacities on those attractions

The "old Epcot" had low wait times because each attraction was a massive people-eater (aka Spaceship Earth).

I have to agree with the OP. Although I still love it, Epcot is a shell of its former self. Take a look at Future World:

-UoE which desperately needs an update
-Wonders of Life sits empty
-Spaceship Earth-refurbished with an unfinished descent
-Mission:Space (probably the biggest Disney blunder in a long time)
-Imagination - a shell of its former self
-Innoventions (been in there lately?)
-The Land (the one pavillion which has actually improved over the past decade)

And then World Showcase which hasn't added anything (attraction/country/you name it...minor refurbishments don't cut it) in over 20 years.

There is hope, but it needs help!

 

[CathrynRose]

Watching that musical performance outside of Test Track was the last straw. Epcot needs help, STAT! The evidence is overwhelming:

:

Is there a video of this?

I wanna see the last straw. I believe you. I do.

 

[blainekyle]

Is there a video of this?

I wanna see the last straw. I believe you. I do.

Found via Google:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY5AjWmw8Z8

 

[richmo]

...I haven't read all 12 pages, but surprised nobody mentioned what I personally think is the single worst part of EPCOT -- those stupid stones with face etchings. Adding whatever they are supposed to be really killed first impressions when entering the park...

...Epcot has the ugliest entrance of all four parks. Except when Flower and Garden is going on, the area is stark and unDisneylike. Leaving a Legacy with the monoliths was a disaster. I imagine the original intent was to fill all the stones with Leave a Legacy plaques, but embarrassingly few are filled. However, for some period to come, I guess they have to stay, at least somewhere on property, since some people did pay to get them. In any event, I would hope the imagineers can come up with something to improve the entrance. Even a full time garden would be an improvement....

Yes, I brought this up way back on page 2 or 3 (I think)...glad someone else agrees!

 

[arjones31]

I LOVE Epcot! Even as a small kid, I enjoyed it even more than MK. However, I don't like thrill rides and I am a lifelong school nerd. Eight years of university and a career teacher/librarian. Yeah. Living with the Land really floats my boat.

 

[mieshie75]

STOP... you all need to think about what you are saying. You are missing the whole point of Epcot. (update this, scrap that). I went for the first time in 2011, i am 36 years old and i have 7 kids who were all with me. We loved everything about Epcot, Yes the ideas in some of the rides are Now outdated but when we were growning up this was cutting edge. My kids especially the teen ones didnt realize how far we have come so quickly. We loved soaring (waited 90 min for that one) I never noticed the grainyness of the film at all. It was just magical. We loved following nemo and his friends in the tank.(that is where they live after all and Nemo is disney). Micha el Jackson was an icon and my 11 yr old loves him so this was awsome for her. If you dont like it and think it is outdated then dont go but dont bash it. For alot of people the nastalgia is part of what makes it special. I can understand Disney upgrading things here and there,(watch the 20th anniversary video on youtube and they had/have plans for this all along)but some of this stuff is only 10yrs old or so, You cant rehab everything, add the new and keep the park up and running all at once.

 

[mickeee]

Most of stuff in Future World can be done on an iPad today! My kids absolutely hate EPCOT FW. They call it the Theme Park for Grandpa's!

If it wasn't for World Showcase we wouldn't set foot on it

I say bulldoze the FW and as someone suggested make it all WS or keep up with technology before you get driven out of business!!!

 

[AR81]

Wow, yall are scaring me! lol... We are going for our first time in August. I was very bummed to find out about Test Track. I am still crossing my fingers that it might be open by our trip but I know it is highly unlikely. Our trip is Aug 2nd-7th. Before finding out Test Track was going to be closed/refurbed, I thought WS was the part we wouldn't spend much time in and FW with Soarin, TT, Mission:Space would be the area we would spend most of our time. Are you saying we should skip it all together? Right now in our plans we have a whole day dedicated to Epcot with a mid-day break of course. I also have a lunch adr at LeCellier. Basic plan was FW in the morning then lunch adr then back to resort. Come back around 6:30-7:00 and tour the rest of WS and watch Illuminations. Are we going to be bored?

 

[JetsetJAK]

Epcot has always been my sentimental favorite, as even when I was a kid I've always been into the whole "retro futuristic" thing. When I was there in 2010 after not having visited WDW in a decade, I had kind of a weird realization. In the time between my 2000 and 2010 visits, I graduated high school, moved away from home, went to college and graduated, got a job...basically you could say I officially "grew up". When I went back in 2010, I realized that for the first time, I was more interested in doing all the things that I previously really had no interest in at Epcot. In all my previous visits I had never done the "Living With The Land" boat ride, the "Reflections Of China" 360 movie, that Norway movie after the Maelstrom, etc, and now being there at Epcot at age 28, it was like I was realizing there were all these other attractions to see and do that were all new to me since on all my other visits I was more interested in finding something more "exciting" to do. In fact on this most recent visit, we almost didn't even get to do "Test Track" because we were busy doing other things, we only managed to squeeze it in right at the end of the day before Illuminations.

On that same note, it was weird to see the current state of Future World after all that time. I personally didn't care for the addition of Nemo to "The Seas With Nemo & Friends", since I personally preferred the old "Living Seas" as they were. But after seeing how my little nieces loved it, I can understand why it was done. This was also my first time at Epcot since "Mission: Space" has been there. I didn't hate it, but it definitely was no "Horizons" (I'll admit...I had a brief moment of silence in memory of "Horizons" standing next to the planter outside of "Mission: Space" that's shaped like the old pavilion, lol). And of course, what to even say about Imagination...in 2000 I got to ride the "Journey Into YOUR Imagination" version, so I guess the current one is a step up from that, but I still miss the Dreamfinder. And I must say I was pretty surprised to find "Ellen's Energy Adventure" unchanged since my last visit. I still enjoy it...but it is pretty noticeably dated. Like I said, Epcot will always be my sentimental favorite, but Future World really needs some TLC.

And by the way...when they first announced the addition of "Habit Heroes" to Innoventions (before it all went horribly wrong...), did anybody else think to themselves "This would have been perfect for the "Wonders Of Life" pavilion"?

 

[cah5525]

Wow, yall are scaring me! lol... We are going for our first time in August. I was very bummed to find out about Test Track. I am still crossing my fingers that it might be open by our trip but I know it is highly unlikely. Our trip is Aug 2nd-7th. Before finding out Test Track was going to be closed/refurbed, I thought WS was the part we wouldn't spend much time in and FW with Soarin, TT, Mission:Space would be the area we would spend most of our time. Are you saying we should skip it all together? Right now in our plans we have a whole day dedicated to Epcot with a mid-day break of course. I also have a lunch adr at LeCellier. Basic plan was FW in the morning then lunch adr then back to resort. Come back around 6:30-7:00 and tour the rest of WS and watch Illuminations. Are we going to be bored?

No, don't skip it, there is a lot to see if it's your first time!
Disney does count on repeat visitors...DVC and Disney lovers...that's why some of us may feel a little sour - what can they freshen up or, improve on to keep their repeat visitors coming back - that's all... definitely go, you'll enjoy it!

 

[mcd2745]

I still love epcott - but I agree the whole test track silliness just seems dumb. I don;t know why they can't be upfront and clear about the refurb and when it's happening. The singers out front seems a little silly. Maybe they should have stuck Rapunzel and Flynn out there

Yeah, I don't get the singing group either. Like you said, setting up a character M&G would be a much better idea. Rapunzel and Flynn wouldn't be bad as they've proven to be able to attract a large crowd to siphon away from other areas...but they already have a spot in MK. A better choice would be an Agent P and Dr. Doofenshmirtz M&G. That would draw a LOT of people and provide some relief for other attractions.

 

[DisneyFive]

Originally Posted by indimini
...I haven't read all 12 pages, but surprised nobody mentioned what I personally think is the single worst part of EPCOT -- those stupid stones with face etchings. Adding whatever they are supposed to be really killed first impressions when entering the park...

Originally Posted by richmo
...Epcot has the ugliest entrance of all four parks. Except when Flower and Garden is going on, the area is stark and unDisneylike. Leaving a Legacy with the monoliths was a disaster. I imagine the original intent was to fill all the stones with Leave a Legacy plaques, but embarrassingly few are filled. However, for some period to come, I guess they have to stay, at least somewhere on property, since some people did pay to get them. In any event, I would hope the imagineers can come up with something to improve the entrance. Even a full time garden would be an improvement....

Yes, this exactly! You know I didn't remember my very first impression of Epcot until you both pointed this out.

Now I remember walking through the turnstiles and looking up at Spaceshiip Earth and thinking "Wow,that's freakin huge, and cool looking" and then looking down and thinking, "What the heck is this?" "Kind of looks like a wasteland of concrete, with wierd monolithic shapes. How do we get around this?" Even for how new that section of Epcot is, it immediately looked dated. It made for a very uninviting entrance, plus they are smack dab in your way when trying to get to the main part of the park.

It sets the mood right away. So then you walk past Speceship Earth, and what is there in Future world? More concrete, hard surfaces, and shops. It kind of felt like I was walking around in parking lots. I didn't care for it at all.

Epcot is by far our least favorite park, partly due to the feel of Futureworld, and the lack of good attractions/rides. (besides Soarin', the seas, and TT)

Dan

 

[richmo]

Wow, yall are scaring me! lol... We are going for our first time in August. I was very bummed to find out about Test Track. I am still crossing my fingers that it might be open by our trip but I know it is highly unlikely. Our trip is Aug 2nd-7th. Before finding out Test Track was going to be closed/refurbed, I thought WS was the part we wouldn't spend much time in and FW with Soarin, TT, Mission:Space would be the area we would spend most of our time. Are you saying we should skip it all together? Right now in our plans we have a whole day dedicated to Epcot with a mid-day break of course. I also have a lunch adr at LeCellier. Basic plan was FW in the morning then lunch adr then back to resort. Come back around 6:30-7:00 and tour the rest of WS and watch Illuminations. Are we going to be bored?

No, you aren't going to be bored and please don't be scared!

Back around page 2 or 3 of this post I gave a laundry list of things I thought be done to improve Epcot. But, at the end I said it was my favorite park, and has been for a long time.

I'll miss Test Track a lot if I get back there this summer as its probably my favorite attraction at all of Disney World. But, even in its absence, Epcot is such a nice place to visit. Its so nice walking around, looking up and not seeing roller coasters. Epcot is worth visiting even if you don't go in a single attraction -- you don't hear screaming people; the loudest noise I can think of is the sound of the fountains or the hum when the monorail occasionally passes.

Not mentioned much in this thread is the food of Epcot: several fabulous restaurants, especially in World Showcase. You'll enjoy your time at Le Cellier. Actually, where Epcot improvements have been made in the past few years has been at World Showcase eateries. New restaurants are in Italy and they recently built a new one on the lagoon at Mexico.

You can easily spend a full day at Epcot, with or without Test Track. Make sure you get back for Illuminations. You may get some complaints here that it, too, needs an update. Perhaps, but I still think its among the best nighttime shows at the World and a definite "don't miss", especially for a first-timer.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Originally Posted by kaytieeldr View Post
I'm confused how a park with attractions with 45 or 90 or more waits on busy days needs to be "put out of its misery". It seems to be doing just fine, thankyouvertmuch.

The long waits at Soarin and Test Track are a function of only having 3 super headliners and very few if any headliners to back them up. And none of the 3 super headliners are total people eaters either. Epcot's man eating golf ball is no longer the headline attraction it once was. It still eats a lot of people. But mostly in the morning as people that have no plan go on the first ride they see.

Epcot. Super Headliners.
Soarin, Test Track, and Mission Space
Headliners. Maybe the Living Seas

Compare this to
Magic Kingdom Super Headliners
The three mountains.
Headliners
POTC, Buzz, Peter Pan, Pooh, Small World, Haunted Mansion.
Small World, and POTC are total people eaters.

So at MK, you have 6 headline attractions backing up the 3 super headliners. At Epcot, you have grudgingly one. That's the real problem at Epcot right now. Beyond the three super headliners, and one of those three is noticeably in need of some TLC and another could use some better theme, there isn't much. And then you have World Showcase which is little more than a glorified shopping mall. Epcot is in serious need of attention.

 

[DisneyFive]

Epcot. Super Headliners.
Soarin, Test Track, and Mission Space
Headliners. Maybe the Living Seas

Compare this to
Magic Kingdom Super Headliners
The three mountains.
Headliners
POTC, Buzz, Peter Pan, Pooh, Small World, Haunted Mansion.
Small World, and POTC are total people eaters.

So at MK, you have 6 headline attractions backing up the 3 super headliners. At Epcot, you have grudgingly one. That's the real problem at Epcot right now. Beyond the three super headliners, and one of those three is noticeably in need of some TLC and another could use some better theme, there isn't much. And then you have World Showcase which is little more than a glorified shopping mall. Epcot is in serious need of attention.

...and I'm not so sure Mission Space is a Super Headliner. Every time we've been at Epcot, it is FAR less busy than either Soarin' or TT. It typically has very short standby times, like 20 minutes or less all day.

I think the only Super Headliners are Soarin' and TT, with headliners of Mission Space and The Seas.

Dan

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Originally Posted by AR81 View Post
Wow, yall are scaring me! lol... We are going for our first time in August. I was very bummed to find out about Test Track. I am still crossing my fingers that it might be open by our trip but I know it is highly unlikely. Our trip is Aug 2nd-7th. Before finding out Test Track was going to be closed/refurbed, I thought WS was the part we wouldn't spend much time in and FW with Soarin, TT, Mission:Space would be the area we would spend most of our time. Are you saying we should skip it all together? Right now in our plans we have a whole day dedicated to Epcot with a mid-day break of course. I also have a lunch adr at LeCellier. Basic plan was FW in the morning then lunch adr then back to resort. Come back around 6:30-7:00 and tour the rest of WS and watch Illuminations. Are we going to be bored?

With that schedule, you won't end up bored. There is plenty to do for a day. And because this is your first trip, some of the lesser attractions won't be stale for you.

 

[blainekyle]

Epcot. Super Headliners.
Soarin, Test Track, and Mission Space
Headliners. Maybe the Living Seas

Compare this to
Magic Kingdom Super Headliners
The three mountains.
Headliners
POTC, Buzz, Peter Pan, Pooh, Small World, Haunted Mansion.
Small World, and POTC are total people eaters.

So at MK, you have 6 headline attractions backing up the 3 super headliners. At Epcot, you have grudgingly one. That's the real problem at Epcot right now. Beyond the three super headliners, and one of those three is noticeably in need of some TLC and another could use some better theme, there isn't much. And then you have World Showcase which is little more than a glorified shopping mall. Epcot is in serious need of attention.

I think you are discounting World Showcase a bit too rashly. Surely Maelstrom can fill the "headliner" slot to match MK's Pirates of the Caribbean. It's not quite the same level of "people eater," but I think it scratches the same itch, so to speak. And to compare with Small World, you've got the Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico. That still doesn't quite stack up to MK, but you could say the same thing for MGM or AK. Perhaps especially AK.