Has Epcot reached a new level of depressing?

[PSUGuy]

With the loss of Off Kilter, the World Showcase Players and Maelstrom I'd use the word 'disappointed' to describe my thoughts on Epcot.

Bill From PA

 

[tjevans]

I slightly understand OP's point. I was at Epcot during it's first year. Back then, there was a spirit of idealism and of a bright, shiny future (at least in Future World. I've never cared for World Showcase).

But that represented the future of the early 80's. Our culture's idea of the future has changed. Now, most sci fi focuses on a dystopian future instead of the "everything is great" future. Having a Future World themed around that would be depressing.

I think part of the problem with Future World was that it was created in a very unique time. Computers were just starting to become popular, and it was easy to be amazed at those 8-bit graphics. You couldn't go to a mall and find a simulator ride. Museums with interactive exhibits were more rare than they are today. But if you look at what's available in the real world today, computers are everywhere. We watch movies that feature lifelike (or at least what we think it was like) dinosaurs that look much better than what Ellen fights on UoE. It takes much, much more to amaze us than it did in the early 1980's. So much more, that I think it's price prohibitive, especially when maintenance and upkeep of the attraction are factored in.

 

[tjevans]

WS is amazing. It's FW that is the problem.

I have to respectfully disagree. I know I'm in the minority, but I have never cared for World Showcase. To me, it's a bunch of shops and restaurants. I can get better "ethnic" food in almost any large city, and shopping is not my thing.

What interests me about other countries (mainly Europe) is the idea that I am seeing things, touching things, and walking places people I have studied experienced. To me, World Showcase feels as phony as the theming at Vegas casinos (Paris; the Venetian; New York, New York).

 

[seelyt2]

Not for me - it's one of my very favorite parks! The only downsize for me is that I wish they would re-vamp up their merchandising in the world showcase. I find that within the last year or two it is lacking what they used to sell in the little shops (specifically non-Disney things in the countries that are specific to that particular country).

As far as Future World - I'm still in love with it. Change is inevitable, but then again I'm a go-with-the-flow kinda gal.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

One of our Epcot days last week:

Breakfast at Akershus - met the princesses
Rode Test Track
Rode Soarin
Rode Spaceship Earth
Shopped at Mouse Gear and dropped $300. I have no regrets.
Drank soda at Club Cool. some got coffee at Starbucks
Explored Canada and watched the lumberjack show
Explored UK, met Pooh and Tigger and ate fish and Chips. Drank a Bass ale (yum)
Got a Phineas and Ferb thing for my youngest. She did it in France.
Explored France, watched Server Amusant, had a Grey Goose Slushie (yum)
Explored Morrocco, watched the band there but I do miss Mo' Rockin. I think because of the belly dancing but I'm not sure.
Skipped Japan since we were having dinner there later
Watched some of the singers in the outside US pavilion then went in to see Voices of America
Explored Italy
Explored and got caramels in Germany (yum)
Took a boat to Mexico and did the VISA meet and greet with Mickey and Goofy at Innoventions. got a free 5x7.
Rode Nemo
Rode Turtle Talk
Walked back to Mexico and explored. Met Donald Duck. Had a margarita with spicy salt on the outside (yum)
Watched the acrobats at China and explored. Had a Tipsy Duck (yum)
Hucked it over to Japan...long walk. Stalked pick a pearl...did it two days later.
Had dinner at Tokyo dining
Walked over to UK bridge and watched Illuminations

I love Epcot. We went back two other times during our trip.

 

[palavra]

Epcot is my favorite park. I like it for the reasons that some of you don't like it. It seems like more of an adult park; it is large so it doesn't seem as crowded as other parks, and it has the best food in the parks. Soarin', Test Track, Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Living With the Land and The Three Caballeros ride are some of my favorites in all the parks. In fact, Epcot has as many favorite rides for me as MK does.

 

[Hopefully]

Epcot is not depressing for us!!! It is our favorite park. We spend 2 1/2 days and 5 evenings of a 8 day trip there each year. We love WS and never get bored with it. We do not expect thrill rides in Epcot, that is not its mission.
I agree, different strokes for different folks, but like a PP wondered, is the OP a 1/2 empty kind of guy?

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

We spent a day and a half there on our last trip and still didn't get to everything, but I do agree FW is in need of updating. Our upcoming day at DHS will actually keep us busier this time around.

 

[IWRBIE]

Can't please everyone...

 

[ArwenMarie]

I have to respectfully disagree. I know I'm in the minority, but I have never cared for World Showcase. To me, it's a bunch of shops and restaurants. I can get better "ethnic" food in almost any large city, and shopping is not my thing.

What interests me about other countries (mainly Europe) is the idea that I am seeing things, touching things, and walking places people I have studied experienced. To me, World Showcase feels as phony as the theming at Vegas casinos (Paris; the Venetian; New York, New York).

I think it's an amazing creation as a theme park. Theme parks, are by definition, fake. I can see though if you don't think it is done well.

 

[SaintsManiac]

You want to see depressing? Head on down to the lower ninth ward. You'll see depressing.

I love Epcot. Then again I love Carousel of Progress and the Great Movie Ride so take me with a grain of salt.

As a New Orleanian I must agree with you. Hey, There's a great big beautiful tomorrow am I right?!?!

 

[PetePanMan]

I actually think it needs to be updated quicker than it has been. There are quite a few very old and tired attractions that no longer fit the theme

 

[Cjblake95]

Personally, I feel that EPCOT is not depressing, but I can see where the author is coming from. I am not old enough to know EPCOT before TT and MS, but if I would have grown up on those rides, I could see myself feeling the same way. As far as future EPCOT changes, I feel it needs to be done, just like MK did with Fantasyland. I don't have any ideas, but a slight renovation would make the park even better. Maybe change the story for MS like the did for TT, or update Spaceship Earth to expand on 21st century history; even though that ride is a "classic".

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I don't go to EPCOT to go on the rides, I go to gorge myself on the delicious food around the world.

I can see how some would see it as "boring." In truth - I fell asleep on Spaceship Earth last year (although I LOVE this ride and was getting a cold...) Soarin' just doesn't do it for me... and Test Track takes too long. Just let us get on the ride. Why must we customize a car? TT has started feeling a bit "dirty." The GM Marketing used to feel much less obvious. Now you literally walk into a car showroom after. I'm surprised they don't have a guy in a cheesy blazer selling you a car yet. "Just think of the memories every time you start your Corvette - now sold in 'Mickey's Pants Red'!"

DHS has gotten a bit boring, really - and I really love that park.

But it comes down to this - we go down every year. We've seen MK go from a construction site with terrible looking cranes all over the place to a gorgeous Fantasyland and new hub. I have confidence in Disney that the best is yet to come.

 

[momof2n2]

I understand your complaints, but I love it! Love Soarin' and Test Track, think Mission Space, Spaceship Earth, and Living with the Land are nice, and really enjoy walking around WS!

Omit LWTL and this is us. We also like innoventions.

 

[tlmadden73]

I think part of the problem with Future World was that it was created in a very unique time. Computers were just starting to become popular, and it was easy to be amazed at those 8-bit graphics. You couldn't go to a mall and find a simulator ride. Museums with interactive exhibits were more rare than they are today. But if you look at what's available in the real world today, computers are everywhere. We watch movies that feature lifelike (or at least what we think it was like) dinosaurs that look much better than what Ellen fights on UoE. It takes much, much more to amaze us than it did in the early 1980's. So much more, that I think it's price prohibitive, especially when maintenance and upkeep of the attraction are factored in.

This ...

Technology is destroying the "Magic" of theme parks .. especially ones that were based ON future technology.

To me . .the concept of "Future World" is like the Carousel of Progress at WDW .. it was a neat "World's Fair" type of exhibit for its first 10 years . .then it got dated as technology outgrew its vision of the future.

Epcot just hasn't/can't keep up with the technology. (at least affordablby)

I think Epcot needs to just ditch Future World .. close it down, open up World Showcase for a discounted price and make a whole new theme park in Epcot's place. What that would be? No idea.
Would be more believable/feasible than a 5th gate.

 

[MotherRunner]

Did the Germany pavilion have Grapefruit beer back when Body Wars and Image Works were still running? No? Then, sorry, Epcot has become LESS depressing.

I rest my case.

So true. My friend who HATES beer discovered it for the first time at food and wine this year. She went back to CA and tracked it down there. It's SOOO good.

 

[RustManFan]

Some of you people are much too negative and judgmental of others that are simply expressing their own opinions. Last time I heard, people were allowed to do that in the United States.

You may have a different take on Epcot and that is, of course, your right. But just bashing others? Or making generalizations that might apply to you and yours but are still only opinions after all?

Some of you have clearly expressed what you continue to enjoy at Epcot and I applaud you for that. But I also applaud the OP that is completely allowed to express their opinion as well.

I'm happy to return to Epcot.... this thread? not so much

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Lol. For a moderator, that was a kind of harsh post. I don't think there was that much bashing going on. To be fair, the OP formated this thread AS A QUESTION, not just her opinion too...? We also just went to Germany for the grapefruit beer and how can anyone find Soarin depressing? Question asked and answered...

 

[anonymousegirl]

My first visit to EPCOT was 1985 when there were just two parks. I loved Living with the Land, Food Rocks, Horizons (rode it three times in a row so I could choose different endings). Loved Figment. World of Motion was fine, but the Living Seas was a yawn to me, as was Innovations. Loved WS as I had never been outside of the US. Does anyone elee remember the special fountains that jumped water from one planter to the next?