Universe of Energy, one last time...

[Mitzicat]

Stupid Judy is a running joke in our house. lol!

Ours too!

 

[johnnyr]

Forgive me if I missed something but did Disney officially announce this or is it speculation?

 

[Starryice]

I do love this ride, but I do think that it's time has passed. I just wish that whatever they replace it with would fit in more with the educational theme of Epcot. I love the idea of a guardians of the galaxy ride, but I just don't know that it fits in.

 

[MystikaFaith]

Folks don't want to learn stuff at WDW.

I want to learn things at WDW. I want my children to learn things at WDW. I hate to see that aspect of EPCOT disappear. I have to agree that Universe of Energy is terribly outdated and needs to go, but I do hope they maintain an edu-tainment element to whatever they decided to replace it with.

 

[Kat-n-Mouse]

I'm one of those who reminisces about the old days. I was at the opening of Epcot back in the day. I'm all for progress, but I hate seeing the empty buildings standing empty. I know that the corporate sponsors are obsolete or have seen better days, but why not do new corporate sponsors. I would love to see what Apple or Google could do for tech or see some of the Biotech companies featured for science and medicine. Regardless, sad empty shells of yesterday are just sad empty shells of yesterday. Throwing some seminars and plastic plants in during Food and Wine Fest is just as sad. At least do a little makeover on the property. I used to love Epcot but it's #3 or #4 on list these days. If I don't get there, it's no big deal.

 

[Jillpie]

Forgive me if I missed something but did Disney officially announce this or is it speculation?

I would also like to know this. I love this ride and don't want to see it gone. Where is the source coming from and is it official?

 

[BigAlsGal]

I'm pretty happy they're going to change it. Fingers crossed they pick something good!

 

[DekrRini]

I just go for the dinosaurs. The last time I rode the attraction broke down right in the middle of the dinosaurs. A fully lighted attraction loses some of its magic. I will miss it. I wish they would update/refurb rather than destroy. When do we lose Living with the Land, I wonder?

 

[Nancyg56]

Awesome.
Well, not the concept of it happening, but I love the pithy nickname. Surprised this is the first time I've someone use it. It could be done right, I suppose, I'm almost ambivalent about what the theme should be, as long as it has one!

One PP mentioned that people don't want to do edu-tainment on vacation. My family and it seems some others on this thread, really enjoyed the hands on interactive parts of FW. However, I definitely know some families who thought all of Epcot was a waste! Thank goodness some friends we met up with one trip enjoyed all the food in WS and Illuminations, because they really griped about Epcot not being an amusement park and all of FW being worthless (this was a few years ago when more of it was still open)

People do want edutainment. But I think somehow that experience needs to evolve. In order to keep FW Epcot from becoming that Once and Done for families with kids, in particular the interactive parts need to continue to be updated or changed. How many times can you take your kids who are growing up to the same exhibit? I do think that is where DIsney's problem lies. How to keep these attractions updated so that they remain relevant? I do not know the answer, but I do know that if Disney could figure that out FW would explode with visitors.

I think that DIsney has done a terrible job of promoting FW though. How many people ask here if Epcot is worth a day? What???? There is more to Epcot than a huge shopping center that circles a lake, filled with food and beer? If you ask me, that is one aspect of FW's problem...it looks vacant, and relatively speaking, not many people know that something is happening inside those huge buildings.

I get my kids interested in other things, it's not Disneys job. Also as I mentioned many adults enjoy the characters so it's not all about the kids.

Yes, as do I. But the answer to all Epcots issues cannot be another M&G, and that sems to be how they address problems now. I love the characters and even as an adult I enjoy what their presence offers, but in order for Epcot to be a viable park that offers more than variations of foos and wine events throughout the year, there needs to be a theme that is cohesive, and one that shows more thought than adding Joy ans Sadness as an alternative to one more outdated attraction.

I want to learn things at WDW. I want my children to learn things at WDW. I hate to see that aspect of EPCOT disappear. I have to agree that Universe of Energy is terribly outdated and needs to go, but I do hope they maintain an edu-tainment element to whatever they decided to replace it with.

Me too. For a few years, until my DGD finally outgrew the FW interactive attactions, DD and DSIL took her through. The child is 14 and loves science, she is an agriscience student. I cannot understand why the educational aspect of FW in Epcot is ignored when science centers and museums around the country have figured out how to add new "moving targets" to offer incentives for repeat visitors. Yes, keep some of the old, but continue to offer limited edition exhibits that change over time. Turn one of these unused buildings into an IMAX theater and show films that pertain to science. How about a Planetarium? I take Kady to these shows and they are always filled in each museum we visit. Weather, ecology, evolution, it goes on and on...... children love these and if kids are interested and can learn while parents fall asleep....well it's a win win IMO.

DIsney can update and can turn this poor wasteland of a park into a giant science museum if they wanted to, but they cannot stop focusing on what they cannot do, so they do nothing.

 

[miamimi]

There are attractions I love at WDW because of the ride vehicles. Peter Pan is one example. I don't think it would've remained as popular if you weren't sailing in a pirate ship over the scenery.

Ellen's Energy Adventure is the same for me. Yes, the attractions needs to be updated, but I will be sad to see those ride vehicles disappear. I guess I'm easily impressed, but I was more interested in watching the ride mechanics than the attraction.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

If this happens my son is going to be so upset. The last 2 trips we haven't been able to work it into our schedule because we're so busy with little people attractions and princesses. They will miss the dinosaurs and never see them. I do feel fortunate to be going from the beginning to have seen Innoventions in all its glory, Body Wars, Cranium Command and other attractions no longer around. I still really miss Sound Studio at HS also.

 

[mister morrow]

I don't understand responses like this. For a lot of kids that go to Disney (and many adults) one of the highlights of their trip is the meets and I am sure that they would like more of them.

I say there are enough meet n' greets.
EPCOT already has enough with the Epcot Character Spot, and the MANY around WS. I've seen Epcot turn into a marketing spot for movies and disney characters: WS is supposed to be for learning and being able to "travel the world" in a day, I don't think riding FEA is teaching me anything about Norway. The Norway Pavilion has transformed into a huge Frozen icon. They could've just built Arendale in Fantasyland with FEA in it.

 

[DisneyFive]

Went to this for the first time this past Wednesday, despite this being our sixth 8+ night trip. I would like to see something else there. Was not all that impressive, despite what looks like a lot of work that went into it. It was just OK. Something better could make use of all that space.

Dan

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. That's what it was. It has Future World and World Showcase. I don't mind a few meet and greets, but while I think there are a good amount of attractions for children, it is no longer what it was. The futuristic projections and displays have been allowed to become outdated; many wonderful experiences which we enjoyed are no more. It has become a hollow shell of what of what it's purpose and potential was/would be/could be. While I realize that reliving the past does not accomplish anything, there is sadness in remembering what the potential that this park once was and what it could be in the future. Disney has become commercial rather than innovative, losing sight of the marvels that once wowed us, and is becoming nothing more than an ordinary theme park. Yet I still go. I will admit, though, this trip I am down to 4 days, and hard pressed to find things to fill them with. When I have the children, it's a full on 7 days and we still don't get it all done. Out of the 4 days, I only have 2 with 3 fps. 1 day has 2, and the last day has 1. I was trying to think of what to do with the half day, and to be honest, I can't think of anything to do. I hope to just walk around WS to take up the time, something I rarely get to do when with little ones.

 

[cgattis]

If only!

They are free. If you do reserved timed entry tix (available for some) there's a $1.50 charge. However, most all are 100% free--or already covered with your tax dollars, if that's what you meant.

 

[cigar95]

They are free. If you do reserved timed entry tix (available for some) there's a $1.50 charge. However, most all are 100% free--or already covered with your tax dollars, if that's what you meant.

I think the Newseum cost us around $26 each. That's the one I can remember that had a significant cost. But if there's one, there's likely more.

 

[midge3426]

"You are off task". This is a sentence educators often say to their students who are not doing the required work. Right now, Disney is seriously "off task." There is a master plan (I hope) somewhere that is a blueprint for each park and each section. This doesn't mean that the plan stagnates development, it just gives guidance about what should happen. Disney has lost focus. Right now (actually several years ago), they need stop and regroup because the parks are a "hot" mess.Whatever idea is thrown, is what they go with. I agree that the Energy pavilion needs help, but Guardians of the Galaxy? Really?

Right now, the problem with Disney is incompetent leadership. When will Bob Igor and his minions go?

 

[jrt1176]

I hate to see anything go... I liked the way Epcot was educational and fun. Of course, attractions closed and things get outdated, but, in my opinion, it always seems like the change is not for the better. I don't like seeing "Frozen" stuff in the World Showcase, etc.

However, we did skip this attraction last trip. I just didn't want to spend all that time in it having been through it on every trip. I am glad my niece got to see it on her first trip! But, it, like so many other of the FW attractions, was in need of an update. Now it's just getting removed.

Updated need to happen in this day and age, but it would be nice to keep the themes.

 

[dreiwhit]

The question is what is Epcot evolving into. Right now there doesn't seem to be a visible direction.

Its not just Epcot. IMHO, Disney as a whole has lost their way. They need a visionary to be the "top mouse", not a bean counter and not a manager.

I personally hate to the see the parks turn into IP lands, like DHS is turning in to.

 

[Geoff_M]

Forgive me if I missed something but did Disney officially announce this or is it speculation?

I'd call it "educated speculation." It's closure has been rumored for a while, and then about a month ago Imagineers floated balloons above UofE. This is a sign that Disney is checking out the sight lines of a new structure that is being proposed and each ballon marks the position of a corner of the planned new building.