Epcot to get major transformations

[TheMaxRebo]

There were plans under Eisner for a major future world revamp in which it would be called discoveryland. That never happened of course. There are current rumors that tomorrowland will be changed to discoveryland.

and if they resurrect the part of that plan that called for a suspended roller coaster that goes around the Land pavilion I would not complain

Definitely excited for these plans and hopefully they see the return on investments to Pandora and Star Wars Land, etc. and give this the $$$ needed to make it great

 

[rteetz]

and if they resurrect the part of that plan that called for a suspended roller coaster that goes around the Land pavilion I would not complain

Definitely excited for these plans and hopefully they see the return on investments to Pandora and Star Wars Land, etc. and give this the $$$ needed to make it great

Great again?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Great again?

Their going to build E-Ticket attractions and Universal is going to pay for it!!!

(and to be fair, Disney already did "drain the swamp" when the built WDW )

 

[Neptune's Fork]

I wonder what it could be, a new country? New attractions? I can't imagine where they could but a whole new country, I feel like it would have an awkward fit.

It seems like they could possibly do something between China and Germany.

 

[HCinKC]

Although future world looked dated and a bit scruffy and with the world show case past Norway (by the way loved, loved, loved the Frozen ride) it great if you want food and drink but not as entertaining for the younger members of the family as some of the other parks.

Also for the UK I've always thought the should resurrect "Mr Toads Wild Ride" and put it in there, a total classic and would fit perfectly with the Theme

There is a place for a ride like Frozen, and it's not in the World Showcase. Regardless of how great it may or may not be, a ride like that has nothing to do with what the WS was intended to be...and should be. True that it might not be in your face, surface entertainment, but I don't think it should be. We need to be teaching our kids how to value all types of experiences. There is plenty of enjoyment there if kids are guided and encouraged (although a bit more shade in the summer wouldn't hurt!). Kids who love travel, dance, music, art, all kinds of different interests can be encouraged to have a fun, learning experience in WS.

And while I would ADORE Mr. Toad coming back...I still don't think it is a good fit. IMO, WS is not the place for non-cultural and/or educational rides.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

There is a place for a ride like Frozen, and it's not in the World Showcase. Regardless of how great it may or may not be, a ride like that has nothing to do with what the WS was intended to be...and should be. True that it might not be in your face, surface entertainment, but I don't think it should be. We need to be teaching our kids how to value all types of experiences. There is plenty of enjoyment there if kids are guided and encouraged (although a bit more shade in the summer wouldn't hurt!). Kids who love travel, dance, music, art, all kinds of different interests can be encouraged to have a fun, learning experience in WS.

And while I would ADORE Mr. Toad coming back...I still don't think it is a good fit. IMO, WS is not the place for non-cultural and/or educational rides.

I fully agree about children enjoying all forms of entertainment - though I do think there is a place for more traditional rides in WS if it helps with the immersion and teaching about the country, etc. For example, while not perfect, I think the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride in the Mexico Pavilion does a pretty good job of that - it is entertaining but showcases different areas of the country and gets you into the pavilion.

The biggest issue I had with the Frozen ride being in the Norway Pavilion is that Frozen didn't take place in Norway ... if it was very clearly situated in Norway in the Movie and then the ride helped showcase Norway (like Maestrom did) then I would be fine with it - but all it does is tell a Frozen story set in a fictional land

 

[mcjaco]

EPCOT was built to display technology and culture

Every brick is "infotainment"
That is the soul. It doesn't have to be disney store product for brats.

And anyone that's been there in the last ten years knows there's no feasible way to keep the park up to date on emerging technologies and culture. It's too costly, and companies don't want to participate (for whatever reasons).

I'm as much as an EPCOT purist as there could be, but at some point you have to be reasonable. IPs into the park is what will likely save it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

And anyone that's been there in the last ten years knows there's no feasible way to keep the park up to date on emerging technologies and culture. It's too costly, and companies don't want to participate (for whatever reasons).

I'm as much as an EPCOT purist as there could be, but at some point you have to be reasonable. IPs into the park is what will likely save it.

See here's the thing...it doesn't need to be "saved"...it gets 10 million visitors a year!

What it didn't need is to stagnate from 1999...and other than two projects that's what they have done. And closures...nothing like shutting down stuff and then complaining at stock seminars about nobody wanting to pay the ransom to enter the park, huh?

It needs solid investments and additions...not more embarassing overlays. They have the room and the infrastructure in place.

I can agree that futureworld is obselete...so a pivot towards more varied concepts can be good.

The showcase should have more countries added or things not involving Olaf...that's embarassing and there was no need.

4 magic kingdoms is not gonna be a wise move longterm. If disney loses the nostalgia angle in the future...which is a very real possibility...then they have no variety to offset a changing culture.

 

[Volne]

There you go. DVC in EPCOT with unlimited free access to EPCOT included in the contract.

What's the name of that old song? Dream an your dream comes true.

I believe the line is "If we can dream it we then we can do it"

 

[Joben]

it gets 10 million visitors a year!

complaining at stock seminars about nobody wanting to pay the ransom to enter the park, huh?

this is illogical

 

[DBDiz]

IP's I can see fitting in (all pure speculation):
-Ratatouille in France
-Cars themed ride focused on the World Grand Prix (maybe Germany or Japan for their racing pedigree?)
-Stark Expo in FutureWorld (if Disney ever feels compelled to grapple Marvel rights back from Uni)
-A new Pacific island nation "country" or designated area, to fit in Moana and/or Lilo
-something Incredibles themed based around saving the world

Biggest wish list item? TRON coaster clone. Doubt it'll happen though. Especially if the Energy replacement is a Guardians coaster.

 

[rteetz]

IP's I can see fitting in (all pure speculation):
-Ratatouille in France
-Cars themed ride focused on the World Grand Prix (maybe Germany or Japan for their racing pedigree?)
-Stark Expo in FutureWorld (if Disney ever feels compelled to grapple Marvel rights back from Uni)
-A new Pacific island nation "country" or designated area, to fit in Moana and/or Lilo
-something Incredibles themed based around saving the world

Biggest wish list item? TRON coaster clone. Doubt it'll happen though. Especially if the Energy replacement is a Guardians coaster.

No stark at WDW. The rumors indicate an expo of some sort though.

 

[Keels]

I've heard it will be a tiered expansion, with milestone openings in 2018, 2020 and 2022.

There will almost certainly be at least one new country added, if not two. The lead on this project has already visited the countries under consideration, and it's a combination of country tourism contribution coupled with how the new country would fit in with the landscape of the World Showcase that's a working order right now.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

Their going to build E-Ticket attractions and Universal is going to pay for it!!!

(and to be fair, Disney already did "drain the swamp" when the built WDW )

Some parts they did better than others, remember Epcot is sinking after all

 

[TheMaxRebo]

No stark at WDW. The rumors indicate an expo of some sort though.

if they did leverage the Incredibles it could be themes around Edna E Mode or something .... or make it Big Hero 6 themed with the lab from the school or Hiro's garage

 

[rteetz]

if they did leverage the Incredibles it could be themes around Edna E Mode or something .... or make it Big Hero 6 themed with the lab from the school or Hiro's garage

I've seen this expo theme won't have an IP attached.

 

[HCinKC]

I fully agree about children enjoying all forms of entertainment - though I do think there is a place for more traditional rides in WS if it helps with the immersion and teaching about the country, etc. For example, while not perfect, I think the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride in the Mexico Pavilion does a pretty good job of that - it is entertaining but showcases different areas of the country and gets you into the pavilion.

The biggest issue I had with the Frozen ride being in the Norway Pavilion is that Frozen didn't take place in Norway ... if it was very clearly situated in Norway in the Movie and then the ride helped showcase Norway (like Maestrom did) then I would be fine with it - but all it does is tell a Frozen story set in a fictional land

Yes, I totally agree that rides like the Mexico one are fine. I just don't want to see thrill rides or completely unrelated rides like Frozen. If Frozen had been similar to Mexico, the characters hosting a tour of Norway or even exploring Norse mythology through an adventure, then I would have been ok with it. Alas, what's done is done. I just hope they don't make more Frozens in WS.

 

[k8Davies]

And while I would ADORE Mr. Toad coming back...I still don't think it is a good fit. IMO, WS is not the place for non-cultural and/or educational rides.

I think Mr Toad wild ride would give you an education about the UK and its culture, as it gives you a idea on what driving down a British country lane is like - actually I think the ride is tamer lol

 

[ThurlFan]

IP's I can see fitting in (all pure speculation):
-Ratatouille in France
-Cars themed ride focused on the World Grand Prix (maybe Germany or Japan for their racing pedigree?)
-Stark Expo in FutureWorld (if Disney ever feels compelled to grapple Marvel rights back from Uni)
-A new Pacific island nation "country" or designated area, to fit in Moana and/or Lilo
-something Incredibles themed based around saving the world

Biggest wish list item? TRON coaster clone. Doubt it'll happen though. Especially if the Energy replacement is a Guardians coaster.

While you're dreaming of all that, I'm bracing for "Iger's Stockholder Adventure" in the Universe of Synergy pavilion.

 

[sachilles]

I think a generic Caribbean pavilion in the world showcase would be a nice addition. Kettle drums, rum drinks, some sort of hurricane experience as an attraction.

I think the key to future world is to actually do something, anything. All buildings should be utilized, another dark ride, another show. It need not be Avatar Land in detail, but it needs to be better than temporary walls inside pavillions. I think they are grasping for a cohesive identity, and I think there isn't one to be had at this point. They lost future world. Discoveryland is about the only thing that can work, aside from randomland. It certainly needs one more featured attraction.
Sadly the architecture there hasn't proven to be timeless.
World showcase really appeals to the parents. I dream of the day when my son is old enough to tour by himself with a friend in future world, while my wife and I stroll through the world showcase enjoying an adult beverage. We meet up for dinner, watch alluminations or whatever show is happening then.