LittleDreamer
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2015
I just got back from a morning at Epcot and I would like to share my thoughts. I would like to hear the thoughts of others that attended so feel free to chime in.
Let me start by saying I know Disney is in a conservative period. With many large budget projects underway and more on the horizon, I understand the desire to keep cost low on unproved events. That being said, "Come on Disney you can do better then this." This felt a bit like a community garage sale. This even was What can we do with what we already have and not much more was done. There were a few bright spots but they were minimal. I skipped the food this trip. It took to drizzling on and off and while Snacking in the Rain sounds like a nice painting, it didn't sound appetizing.
Let me start with the art. The art is beautiful but with the exception of 2-4 booths it's all stuff from elsewhere on property; Wonderland, Pop Gallery, Launch Bay, or Art of Disney they just took some extras out of the back room and threw them in some beige tents. A few artist were on hand so it was nice to see them and get a chance to chat with them. It also seemed odd that they didn't consider placement of the tents; it was a little jarring to see a tent full of Star Wars back by Morocco.
As for other offerings it was a mixed bag. The "step into art" photo ops were a nice simple addition and there should have been more of them. The combined Mona Lisa and Scream really should of been two separate stands. The festival center was in the Odyssey restaurant, instead of the usual Wonders of Life. The exhibits of Herb Ryman and Mary Blair were nice but I would of rather been given a museum of art then two small hexagons. There was a nice group paint by numbers mural which was just starting and they looked to be prepping a Graffiti wall behind Ice Station Cool. These sort of quick interactive elements are great and since they change over time it adds more incentive to walk by them again. The Animation Academy was hidden in the House of Tommorow (or maybe 5 years ago) so unless you know where to look you are going to miss it. They also had a school Jazz band playing behind the Future World fountain which was nice and when they weren't on a few living statues would come out. Japan seemed to be the only country that was participating with some Origami and Anime demonstrations offered.
Overall I think this event was underwhelming. It felt more like Disney was expecting you to buy stuff instead of offering you something. I also felt we might of reached a saturation point with the food kiosks. They are almost always there now so they don't feel special like they used to. I will give it a few more tries with different groups in the future to see if it changes my opinion but this morning was just a solo run.
Now if there are any Disney ears out there listening let me suggest something. This event is not a bad idea, but it's current state is lack luster. Yes you are showcasing art but there is more then just Disney art. First try to keep the contemporary (Disney) art in Future world or in the Showcase Plaza. Next create more uniqueness around the world showcase, Japan had the right idea. Give me mosaics in Morocco, Wood blocks in Japan, Ink/Water painting in China, better highlight the Oaxacan painting in Mexico. Let me hear Seurat talk about the art scene in France or Michelangelo about the majesty of sculpture. I feel like it would take very little money to take that extra step and give the event that bit of color it sorely needs, so take it.
Let me start by saying I know Disney is in a conservative period. With many large budget projects underway and more on the horizon, I understand the desire to keep cost low on unproved events. That being said, "Come on Disney you can do better then this." This felt a bit like a community garage sale. This even was What can we do with what we already have and not much more was done. There were a few bright spots but they were minimal. I skipped the food this trip. It took to drizzling on and off and while Snacking in the Rain sounds like a nice painting, it didn't sound appetizing.
Let me start with the art. The art is beautiful but with the exception of 2-4 booths it's all stuff from elsewhere on property; Wonderland, Pop Gallery, Launch Bay, or Art of Disney they just took some extras out of the back room and threw them in some beige tents. A few artist were on hand so it was nice to see them and get a chance to chat with them. It also seemed odd that they didn't consider placement of the tents; it was a little jarring to see a tent full of Star Wars back by Morocco.
As for other offerings it was a mixed bag. The "step into art" photo ops were a nice simple addition and there should have been more of them. The combined Mona Lisa and Scream really should of been two separate stands. The festival center was in the Odyssey restaurant, instead of the usual Wonders of Life. The exhibits of Herb Ryman and Mary Blair were nice but I would of rather been given a museum of art then two small hexagons. There was a nice group paint by numbers mural which was just starting and they looked to be prepping a Graffiti wall behind Ice Station Cool. These sort of quick interactive elements are great and since they change over time it adds more incentive to walk by them again. The Animation Academy was hidden in the House of Tommorow (or maybe 5 years ago) so unless you know where to look you are going to miss it. They also had a school Jazz band playing behind the Future World fountain which was nice and when they weren't on a few living statues would come out. Japan seemed to be the only country that was participating with some Origami and Anime demonstrations offered.
Overall I think this event was underwhelming. It felt more like Disney was expecting you to buy stuff instead of offering you something. I also felt we might of reached a saturation point with the food kiosks. They are almost always there now so they don't feel special like they used to. I will give it a few more tries with different groups in the future to see if it changes my opinion but this morning was just a solo run.
Now if there are any Disney ears out there listening let me suggest something. This event is not a bad idea, but it's current state is lack luster. Yes you are showcasing art but there is more then just Disney art. First try to keep the contemporary (Disney) art in Future world or in the Showcase Plaza. Next create more uniqueness around the world showcase, Japan had the right idea. Give me mosaics in Morocco, Wood blocks in Japan, Ink/Water painting in China, better highlight the Oaxacan painting in Mexico. Let me hear Seurat talk about the art scene in France or Michelangelo about the majesty of sculpture. I feel like it would take very little money to take that extra step and give the event that bit of color it sorely needs, so take it.