Save Epcot!

[ChrisFL]

Here's a website tribute to Horizons which has a ride-thru video and music (I LOVE the music)

http://www.horizons1.com/horizons_epcot.htm

 

[Horizons1]

Innoventions should be updated CONSTANTLY with the latest and greatest. The New Horizons Idea is wonderful, and very well could be integrated with some of the current themes. For example, Mission Space could be just a PART of a larger area devoted to Space travel, technology, and exploration. Also, Test Track could delve more into the past, present, and future of transportation. Things like this could help bring the old spirit back.

I was just down there. Did anyone else see how they've made Innoventions into a 'Meet and Great'!
UUUGGHHH!

 

[zaxmom]

Thanks for the link. Now I remember choosing land, sea or space. Anything like that for World of Motion?

 

[honey11dog]

100% AGREE!! I am hoping with the removal of the Mickey hand and the updating of Spaceship Earth that things are going to change back to the old Epcot. It isn't going to happen overnight, but maybe steps are being taken in the right direction. And I agree with you about the Land Pavillion turning into a mall food court.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I really miss the educational aspects of Epcot. It was always one of my favorite aspects of the park. Obviously I'm in the minority because it seems most people want nothing but non stop thrill rides. (I'm still crushed that I never got to go to the Disney Institute!)

 

[Horizons1]

I really miss the educational aspects of Epcot. It was always one of my favorite aspects of the park. Obviously I'm in the minority because it seems most people want nothing but non stop thrill rides.

I'm with you on that too. It seems like most people think it has to be one way or the other: Educational or Thrilling. Cut and dry, either or, no exceptions. Thats what bugs me. EPCOT center used to have an awe inspirnig feel to it. Almost like a NOVA special on PBS was turned into a park. Why can't it be both? They do have some mild exhibits after some attractions (Test Track, Mission Space, JIYI,) but they're pretty week and pretty dumbed down. More like jazzed up online games. Nothing innovative.

And does anyone know whats going on to the area that used to be known as "global neighborhood". The area where you exit Spaceship Earth?
( Last time I was there, it was completely empty and deserted, like they weren't sure of what to do with the space. I swear I saw a tumble weed blowing across the floor. )

Im honsetly nervous. I just read an article saying that WDI is only going ahead whith attractions featuring animated characters from their films, only. NO more rides that have no association to a film. Looks like the Grand Fiesta plague may be spreading across world showcase....This very well may be the end of the original EPCOT.

 

[ChrisFL]

And does anyone know whats going on to the area that used to be known as "global neighborhood". The area where you exit Spaceship Earth?
( Last time I was there, it was completely empty and deserted, like they weren't sure of what to do with the space. I swear I saw a tumble weed blowing across the floor. )

It has a whole new area from Siemens, called "Project Tomorrow" IIRC, it has a few displays so far, more coming soon. One of them is a 3D build a body out of skeletion and body parts...kinda cool and weird at the same time, and a driving simulator that talks about safety features made by Siemens.

 

[MisunderstoodLilo]

I'm torn. I too feel that Epcot has been "dumbed down" and is Future World isn't too futuristic anymore. I was another one of those folks who did not mind learning while being entertained.

I think that some updating and modernizing was needed, and Soarin is a warm welcome. I'm on the fence about Nemo. I think this is because there is too much Nemo out there (read: Finding Nemo: The Musical), but at the same time, putting Nemo in the Living Seas makes sense. I wish there was room for Horizons, World of Motion, Mission: Space, and Test Track to all live in Epcot together.

I also hope that the removal of the hand & wand and SE refurb will spark some changes in the right direction.

I love Epcot, and always will, but it's the World Showcase that is the more amazing side of the park these days.

 

[Horizons1]

It has a whole new area from Siemens, called "Project Tomorrow" IIRC, it has a few displays so far, more coming soon. One of them is a 3D build a body out of skeletion and body parts...kinda cool and weird at the same time, and a driving simulator that talks about safety features made by Siemens.

Hmm...sounds pretty cool. Can't wait to check it out on my next trip

 

[DisMN]

I miss the old Epcot. I agree that they need to keep it fresh and updated, but I wish that the new additions were somewhat educational. It seems like it has been dumbed downed somewhat in recent years.

For example, my dd loved the new Nemo ride, but I wish they had taught me something about the ocean, instead of just showing me the story from the movie. The old Living Seas movie was getting a little old, but it taught me something, and I liked that!

I know people in the past complained that it was too boring and educational, but there have to be some other people like me who don't mind learning something while being entertained!

I didn't even read the rest of the posts because you expressed my feelings exactly! DH and I have thought Epcot has been slowly "dumbed down" for at least 10 years now. I hope it doesn't get worse but I suspect it will.....and that's sad. One of the biggest reasons we got hooked on WDW, Epcot in particular, was that it WAS educational. Our learning disabled daughter came away from Epcot with info she wasn't absorbing in a sit-down school situation......

 

[ocalla]

My DH and I were just wondering what ever happened to the area in EPCOT way back in early 90's, for making dining reservations? I remember seeing the "operator" on a computer monitor, and spoke to them "in person" to make the ressie's? Of course this would only work during the "off season" times if you actually wanted a reservation, but it was kind of futuristic feeling.

Was this actually there, or was this all a dream?

I do miss WOM, and if they change the Spaceship Earth ride completely, I will really be very upset.

 

[MickeyDee]

I'm so with you! I miss the old Epcot. I was in love with it when I was 8 and we visited for the first time. I actually liked it more than MK back then, if you can believe that! I have very fond memories of the 80s Epcot. Indeed.

 

[Disney Padawan]

Sadly, & I'm not going to sugar coat this: the world's population is getting dumber. (I know there's studies on this subject in American Universities.) Not that I agree 100% with that statement but I bring it up to make my point.

"The majority," no longer seem to be interested in "educational rides." People now a days, seem to be looking for the next big thrill and parents, for the next character driven family ride. This is why Epcot has been changing so much, to accommodate this idea.

I too miss the way Epcot used to be, I also understand that there's always a need for change. However, Epcot's entire image is changing, along with it's rides. It would be great for them to upgrade "The Wonders of Life," it would be spectacular for them to make a weather pavillion or a "Horizons" 2. But these things don't seem like they're ever going to happen. I've heard a rumor that "Test Track" will be changed to a "CARS" theme in the future. I wouldn't be surprised if they did away with "Figment" and put in a more recognizable Disney character. Maybe they've been planning this all along, slowly changing Epcot's image.

Hopefully with the new changes (wand coming down, new SE upgrade) things will slowly get better, but I feel that the whole "educational" & "Futuristic" aspect of the park is going away. Maybe they feel that they've got a good mix of rides right now?

In the end, it's the majority vote that's going to change something. If enough people (we're talking hundreds of thousands here) wrote to them & expressed how they felt then maybe it'll work for Epcot. I'm not sure how true this is but, I heard that's what happened with "Alien Encounter." Enough people complained about it, so they changed it several times. Of course, many don't like the "Stitch" version either but the ride generates enough attendance & positive remarks now for them to keep it as is for a while.

All in all, if Disney is taking out the educational aspect of "Future World," then they should just stop calling it that. After all, maybe they think they're giving the people what they want, but obviously, many of us think otherwise.

 

[Horizons1]

My DH and I were just wondering what ever happened to the area in EPCOT way back in early 90's, for making dining reservations? I remember seeing the "operator" on a computer monitor, and spoke to them "in person" to make the ressie's? Of course this would only work during the "off season" times if you actually wanted a reservation, but it was kind of futuristic feeling.

Was this actually there, or was this all a dream?

I do miss WOM, and if they change the Spaceship Earth ride completely, I will really be very upset.

Yea, that wasn't a dream, you really could make dining reservations like that at Epcot, but as far as I know, they've completely discontinued that awhile ago. It was little touches like that, that made Epcot so cool. I almost forgot about that.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

I remember going to Epcot in 1982 when it was a brand new park...I was a teen and I loved it!!!

I haven't been to WDW since 1996--but am going in Sept of 2007.

I'm a little bummed out that so much has changed.

Hee... I even liked that corny Kitchen Caberet in The Land. (we liked the broccoli's afro) And how many hours did I sing that "It's fun to be free " song from the world of motion? And my brothers and I could never agree which to vote on--land, sea, space--in Horizons.

ahhh, Memories.

 

[rootbeerkid]

While not Epcot, the feelings expressed resonate here with regard to the Magic Kingdom and attractions that have disappeared or changed. Nostalgia? Sentiment? It's uncertain. But in thinking about it, for me, the feelings are wrapped up in the shared joyful experience with people at a time and place that are no longer accessible.

A complicating factor is that my initial 1974 Magic Kingdom visit was made by a teenager who is now 50 years old. Certainly I have changed and were it possible to transport magically through time so that the current embodiment could re-experience that time and place, the feelings and impressions could possibly be very different.

So, what of these precious memories that are tenuous because if they are not considered they flee altogsther but if visited too often beome thread worn and untrustworthy? They are personal treaures that are nwo more than 30 years old. My hope is that the memories that are formed today with friends and loved ones can be at equally rich and joyful so that 30 years from now when I am 80, I can feel the same way about them.

 

[graygables]

My DH and I were just wondering what ever happened to the area in EPCOT way back in early 90's, for making dining reservations? I remember seeing the "operator" on a computer monitor, and spoke to them "in person" to make the ressie's? Of course this would only work during the "off season" times if you actually wanted a reservation, but it was kind of futuristic feeling.

Was this actually there, or was this all a dream?

I do miss WOM, and if they change the Spaceship Earth ride completely, I will really be very upset.

That was the Communicore and you could find out all kinds of interesting information, factoids, plus make dining arrangements, etc. We thought that was sooooooo cool!

My first visit to WDW was for my 18th birthday and the opening of EPCOT Center (actually Nov, 82) Epcot was the ONLY reason my Dad agreed to go and we spent most of our time there. We LOVED it, so much so that my older DB and I went back again the next year for our birthdays. We spent HOURS in the Imagination pavilion, riding the ride and playing with the pin tables, the paint "guns" (remember the 'sploitch' sound they made?), conducting the symphony, and more. It was a huge playground for kids of all ages.

Imagine (pun intended) my horror when I returned with my family to find (again, pun intended) Dreamfinder gone and replaced with Monty Python and skunk stench??? Maybe I've got selective memory, but I don't remember Figment being *annoying* in the original incarnation... Incidentally, if you take the Behind the Scenes of Futureworld tour at Epcot, they take you up to the old playground part of the Imagination pavilion. The pin tables and all the stuff is still there, looking sad. I told the guide they were missing out on a HUGE opportunity if they didn't reintroduce the space to the public (it's currently used for retail "staging", tape on the floor marking out counters and walk space in proposed shops...pathetic!)

I love Test Track, won't do Mission Space, love Soarin', like Nemo (and Crush, *rocks*, dude!), love Spaceship Earth (and can't wait to see what Siemens does with it...they are usually a class act). I'm glad to see parts of the park evolving and updating, but some things, they just missed the mark (Imagination, Wonders of Life). So much real estate, so little edutainment.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Imagine (pun intended) my horror when I returned with my family to find (again, pun intended) Dreamfinder gone and replaced with Monty Python and skunk stench??? Maybe I've got selective memory, but I don't remember Figment being *annoying* in the original incarnation... Incidentally, if you take the Behind the Scenes of Futureworld tour at Epcot, they take you up to the old playground part of the Imagination pavilion. The pin tables and all the stuff is still there, looking sad. I told the guide they were missing out on a HUGE opportunity if they didn't reintroduce the space to the public (it's currently used for retail "staging", tape on the floor marking out counters and walk space in proposed shops...pathetic!).

This strikes me as so sad! I would have figured that they had trashed all that stuff or sold it off on ebay. What a waste! The playground area was one of my favorite spots in epcot. I always wanted to stay, and usually had to be dragged out by my parents so we could see something else. Now when I go to Epcot in Oct. all I'll be thinking of is those great toys sitting unloved upstairs at Imagination.

 

[ChrisFL]

Sadly, & I'm not going to sugar coat this: the world's population is getting dumber. (I know there's studies on this subject in American Universities.) Not that I agree 100% with that statement but I bring it up to make my point.

Well, I think in America, and maybe some other countries, our schools often don't let us enjoy education as much. I mean finding teachers who actually ENJOY what they're teaching makes a huge difference in people wanting to learn.

So the knock against EPCOT being educational was probably part of the overall problem that people didnt want to be reminded that they're learning something or like they're in school

 

[PamNC]

I really miss Horizons, World of Motion and the original Imagination! Horizons seriously needed an update but I would have preferred they had updated it rather than adding another thrill ride. I like Test Track a lot, but I miss WOM. I do like the new Ellen's Energy Adventure. Soarin' fits well with the Land pavillion but I agree it has a suburban mall feel now. It's a total madhouse and not at all relaxing like it use to be. I love Soarin though, what a great attraction. I really hate the fact that they just closed up Wonder of Life, I especially miss Cranium Command. I despise, I repeat DESPISE, the new JIYI. What was wrong with the original I have no idea. They need to get a new 3-D film in there, Honey I Shrunk the Audience is way outdated. I love Spaceship Earth and I'm thrilled that the stupid wand is going away.

So, in conclusion, there have some some good and some bad changes. But given the "future" aspect of future world, change is going to happen.

I'm glad World Showcase stays the same - I love it. In fact, I still love Epcot despite all it's faults. Especially when I'm staying at the BC and can walk there. Which will be the case in 9 short days!

PamNC