There’s no cause to imagine that the EPCOT overhaul has a section 2 on the horizon. Walt Disney World has not hinted at it, and as a substitute steered that the transformation challenge is completed with the debut of CommuniCore Corridor and Plaza. Even when they’d, second phases of tasks typically fall by way of.
Nonetheless, there’s lots that was “briefly” shelved or introduced and placed on maintain again in 2020, ensuing within the first section not being as large or daring as initially deliberate. In consequence, EPCOT nonetheless wants updates and additions to actually stay as much as its legacy and be Walt Disney World’s sterling second gate.
With round $17 billion earmarked for Walt Disney World through the subsequent decade of enlargement and tensions between Florida and the corporate cooling, it stands to cause that every one 4 parks will see investments of various levels. EPCOT is undoubtedly decrease precedence, however there’s nonetheless plenty of untapped potential for the park. Right here’s what EPCOT wants essentially the most–a combination of postponed tasks, rumors which have by no means come to fruition, and our authentic ‘want record’ of reimaginings and additions…
Take a look at Observe 3.0 – Let’s begin out on the suitable foot, with the change that’s been really introduced (properly, a number of of those have) and continues to be slated to occur (the true distinction). Revealed ultimately 12 months’s Vacation spot D23, the following overhaul of Take a look at Observe isn’t essentially the most pressing factor on this record. Nevertheless it’s being funded largely by Chevy Bucks, and I doubt they’ve any curiosity in a Journey into Creativeness overhaul. Alas.
I beloved Take a look at Observe 2.0 when it debuted, and thought it was a major replace and enchancment to the unique Take a look at Observe. However time has achieved it no favors. Not solely has it aged poorly and now attracts unfavorable comparisons to TRON Lightcycle Run, however there’s completely nothing memorable in regards to the attraction. Even I’ve to confess that the unique Take a look at Observe had far more nostalgic enchantment!
Regardless that I don’t assume it’s a high precedence within the grand scheme of issues, Take a look at Observe 3.0 has plenty of upside and little or no draw back. That alone ought to make it a major candidate for a reimagining. Just about every little thing that anybody loves about Take a look at Observe (the thrills) can be staying, so there’s little or no threat of this experience overhaul “messing up” what individuals like in regards to the present experience.
Not solely that, however Take a look at Observe will get an replace impressed by World of Movement! That’s thrilling information that’s, as soon as once more, aimed squarely at longtime Walt Disney World followers. Whereas it stays to be seen precisely what meaning, it’s trigger for optimism. Take a look at Observe 3.0 is a low-floor, high-ceiling form of challenge…and one primarily paid for by another person, so it’s not even coming on the expense of one other Walt Disney World challenge! Win-win!
Spaceship Earth Reimagining – Introduced in 2019 and scheduled to shut in Could 2020, Spaceship Earth: Our Shared Story was to rework the experience “by way of the facility of sunshine” and be the “most bold” replace to Spaceship Earth since EPCOT Heart’s grand opening on October 1, 1982.
This reimagined Spaceship Earth was to have a brand new narration, a completely new musical rating, and new present scenes. Most notably, visitors will comply with a magical “Story Gentle” that brings the complete expertise to life in dynamic methods, giving every scene power and sweetness that ties the complete journey collectively.
Clearly, this didn’t occur. Walt Disney World assertion when the park reopened: “As with most companies throughout this era, we’re additional evaluating long-term challenge plans. The choice was made to postpone improvement of the Mary Poppins-inspired attraction and Spaceship Earth at the moment.”
Even again in 2020, Spaceship Earth was in want of a prolonged refurbishment strictly from a upkeep perspective. There are overdue mechanical points with Spaceship Earth that may should be addressed sooner or later within the not-too-distant future regardless of the reimagining.
The experience wants monitor work, amongst different issues, and a prolonged refurbishment can be needed inside the subsequent few years. It will make sense to refresh present scenes at that time, too. It’s now been ~5 years because the “Story Gentle” proposal, in order that’s most likely lifeless, however I’m truthfully not averse to the thought as long as it doesn’t contain characters or IP.
Walt Disney World virtually definitely receives visitor survey suggestions that Spaceship Earth is “boring.” Having a shiny object in every scene can be a option to make the experience extra dynamic and interesting with out essentially altering the present scenes. I’ll take that as a win. Regardless, the attraction may nonetheless use a serious replace. Spaceship Earth is the centerpiece of EPCOT and deserves to be handled as such.
Play Pavilion – This EPCOT addition was beforehand introduced as coming “in time for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary” in 2021. Final 12 months, Walt Disney World lastly offered an replace that it was “re-evaluating the unique idea that was deliberate” for the Play Pavilion at EPCOT. This was unsurprising. The Play Pavilion has been paused because the parks closed, and Disney has not shared a substantive replace since then.
Play Pavilion was deliberate for the outdated Wonders of Life pavilion, which was subsequently a competition middle. Walt Disney World already did plenty of work fixing the roof and different infrastructure points with the pavilion and it is a prime piece of actual property now that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is drawing individuals to this nook of the park. So it most likely received’t sit empty without end.
However no matter finally ends up right here is also unlikely to be the Play Pavilion. By the point something does occur, it’ll be over 5 years because the authentic idea was introduced, and even longer because it was pitched. That’s an eternity within the interactive points of interest house, so it’s most likely time to revisit the idea.
For our half, we’d love for this to be an interactive kid-friendly providing. My dream is for a revival of the ‘Well being Pavilion’ idea that includes Baymax and an assortment of different characters (a Huge Hero 6 simulator experience may very well be superior), such an idea might be fraught with controversy. Another choice can be to leverage Disney’s new partnership with Epic Video games and deliberate partnership for Fortnite Universe for Disney IP. Yet one more can be some form of Marvel pavilion; there have been rumors of a Wakanda Tech Expo even earlier than Play Pavilion, and that may very well be good.
Mary Poppins Experience – Disney introduced the first-ever Mary Poppins attraction for EPCOT’s United Kingdom pavilion that will permit visitors to “step in time down Cherry Tree Lane previous Admiral Increase’s home, then enter Quantity 17, house of the Banks household, the place their journey will start.” What, exactly, this ‘journey’ can be was by no means revealed by Disney, and we had heard rumors that there have been competing pitches and the idea was troubled even pre-closure.
Because it seems, a type of was for an indoor teacups model flat experience. It will’ve featured a number of pre-show rooms main as much as the experience itself, just like Enchanted Tales with Belle with results and divulges. As for the experience, assume Mad Tea Occasion however with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway model “2.5D” scenic visuals combined with projection mapping results.
Even earlier than the Mary Poppins attraction was shelved, we cautioned followers to not get too excited as this wasn’t going to be a serious attraction. Whereas I nonetheless don’t love the idea and assume Disney was setting followers up for disappointment by hyping the Cherry Tree Lane enlargement, this aspect of World Showcase may actually use a experience. Not solely that, however Mary Poppins is a unbelievable match (so far as IP goes) for the UK pavilion. (I personally would like an Alice in Wonderland darkish experience, however house constraints could make {that a} non-starter.)
The Land Pavilion Updates – The Land is a pavilion that flies underneath the radar relating to rumors or refurbishment requests. That’s probably as a result of Soarin’ gave the pavilion a shot within the arm when it was added, and the remainder of the Land has been capable of glide on auto-pilot since. However that was almost 20 years in the past, and even Soarin’ Across the World can be a decade outdated by the point any updates right here would roll out.
Followers are already clamoring for an up to date finale to Soarin’ that displays the up to date EPCOT. I’m skeptical that’ll occur with out a completely new movie, which is what I’d prefer to see. What I’d actually love is randomized flight sequences a la Star Excursions – The Adventures Proceed. Or perhaps a rotation of Soarin’ Over California, Across the World, and a brand new model?
Along with that, just about the entire pavilion wants an replace. Superior Planet is okay, however generic. As a lot as I find it irresistible, Dwelling with the Land may additionally use a light-weight refresh, notably to its darkish experience scenes. (The Merry & Vibrant vacation overlay has been such an amazing addition.)
Likewise, the principle atrium may very well be redone to make it really feel much less like a mall meals court docket and a extra impressed place (deliver again the fountain!). All of this stuff may happen in a moderate-scale refresh to the pavilion. Mainly, I need the Land pavilion to be well-liked sufficient to justify serving dinner at Sunshine Seasons once more!
Wondrous China – You could have forgotten, however Disney introduced a brand new Circle-Imaginative and prescient 360 film for the China Pavilion titled ‘Wondrous China.’ Nothing was revealed about it, other than that it will be offered in a brand new seamless digital 360 diploma format, and have new scenes, music and places.
There have been additionally a number of rumors about it. If I recall accurately (it’s been some time–I typically overlook this was introduced!), the brand new format was developed in partnership with Panasonic; it could or could not have run into points with the “seamless” projection. It was additionally anticipated to be created for each EPCOT and Shanghai Disneyland, a la Soarin’ Across the World.
That is hardly essentially the most urgent challenge at EPCOT and even high 10, however World Showcase may use some updates and a brand new China movie can be good if the footage was already shot and Shanghai is footing the invoice.
New World Showcase Pavilion – Walt Disney World has a protracted and wealthy historical past of unbuilt World Showcase pavilions that got here so shut to occurring. Most notable are Equatorial Africa, Spain, and Israel, all of which had been really introduced by Disney. If you happen to’re not accustomed to these ideas, there’s a lot about them in Walt Disney’s Epcot Heart: Creating the New World of Tomorrow. On the time this guide was written, it was nonetheless believed that these pavilions had been coming to EPCOT Heart, so the guide spends time discussing them.
Quick-forward to the 2010s (and even perhaps earlier), and the large rumor was Brazil. The rumors actually gained momentum from 2017 to 2019, to the purpose that an announcement through the latter 12 months’s D23 Expo was believed to be a achieved deal. A lot so {that a} scheduled tweet from Disney companions “leaked” the information that by no means was. Whereas we’ll by no means know what occurred for positive, much more rumors afterwards steered it was a timing challenge and Disney not desirous to announce through the 2019 Amazon rainforest fires. Then, after all, 2020 occurred.
Quick ahead once more to this 12 months, when Disney introduced D23 Brazil: The Final Fan Occasion to be held in Sao Paulo this November. So after all that’s going to rekindle the rumor and/or hypothesis mill. For our half, we’ve heard completely nothing credible. A few Brazil or any new pavilion in World Showcase. It doesn’t seem to be there’s any urge for food for additional enlargement in World Showcase. Even when there needs to be.
As we’ve stated earlier than, a Brazil pavilion makes excellent sense and may very well be fairly profitable for Walt Disney World. Brazilian guests are a major demographic for Disney, with the nation being the #3 overseas market when it comes to guests to Orlando–each #1 and #2 are already represented in World Showcase, as is #4.
A Brazil pavilion would have well-liked eating choices, as Brazilian visitors would search out acquainted delicacies–simply as American visitors do. Walt Disney World already sells Brazil merchandise even with out having the pavilion, however having devoted retail house for Brazil-themed objects would even be useful.
With that stated, the Tropical Americas idea in Animal Kingdom does forged additional doubt on Brazil on World Showcase. Clearly they’re not the identical factor…however there may be arguably overlap in each theme and drawing energy, maybe to a adequate diploma that Disney wouldn’t wish to do each. Having the fictionalized model of the Tropical Americas is perhaps extra politically palatable, too. Wherein case, we’d like to see the Spain pavilion plans dusted off. Whereas they’re at it, mud off the plans for the Gigantic film, too!
Attraction in Japan – If a model new nation being added to a World Showcase enlargement pad is an excessive amount of to ask or even when that new pavilion would come with out a experience, it’d be good to get an attraction inbuilt Japan or Germany, the place unused present buildings exist already. (Nicely, technically they’re used for storage and different random functions now–however all of that may very well be relocated.)
In the case of Japan, we’d actually like to see the Shinkansen simulator or Mount Fuji coaster come to the pavilion. And even only a “easy” travelogue within the White Egret Fort present constructing that was constructed for Meet the World. (You will get a take a look at the blueprints right here—the second picture is the theater.)
We’ve visited plenty of practice/transportation museums in Japan, together with a pair which have Shinkansen simulators (that’s me above, aboard one. It’s similar to being inside a practice, besides each window is a video display screen. The simulation is extremely convincing, and impressed each of us–my preliminary response after using the primary time was that it belongs in EPCOT.
That’s a low-hanging fruit concept that appears comparatively affordable. I’d want a much bigger swing, so to talk, nevertheless it’s troublesome to think about a experience getting constructed with out main sponsorship cash or an IP tie-in, and there’s nothing as natural of a match for Japan as Ratatouille for France. Huge Hero 6 may use a better presence at Walt Disney World, however that’s far more applicable for Tomorrowland or a brand new pavilion within the former Future World.
Restaurant Agrabah – Walt Disney World has taken over operations of the Morocco pavilion from Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant LLC. That third occasion working participant that beforehand ran the entire eating places and retail within the pavilion was now not financially viable, with the closure and low crowds post-reopening being the final straw. Therefore the entire modifications to the pavilion in the previous few years.
Sadly, Restaurant Marrakesh stays closed and reopens solely throughout varied festivals as a free lounge for Florida Blue members and visitors. It’s an amazing providing, and one we use often. Nonetheless, it’s not the very best and finest use of the house. A restaurant is. The issue is the tucked away location and delicacies that was beforehand too adventurous for common visitors. I don’t see how Walt Disney World can improve the situation’s recognition with out turning it into a personality meal.
At the same time as a (recovering) EPCOT purist and one who beloved the outdated Restaurant Marrakesh, this doesn’t trouble me within the least. Simply think about a hijinks-centric “road rat” character meal throughout which Aladdin and Abu run across the restaurant playfully pickpocket from visitors or take from their plates. Households would most likely pay large bucks for that have, and administration is probably going salivating on the thought of charging visitors extra to steal from them.
In-Park Lodge – That is one other long-running Walt Disney World rumors courting again to round 2016 and 2017 when it was a scorching subject that virtually occurred. This predated the unique announcement of the EPCOT overhaul, and clearly, lots has modified since then.
On the time, there have been “competing” rumors for an in-park EPCOT lodge, or quite, for its location. There have been three potential websites for the EPCOT lodge: exterior the entrance entrance adjoining to the monorail station, backstage between the Dwelling Seas and Land pavilions, or on the previous Innoventions plot. Within the 7+ years since, clearly lots has occurred and altered.
From my perspective, that is a type of “…and the monkey’s paw curled” want record entries. In my head, there’s a model of an in-park lodge on the entrance entrance to EPCOT or over by the Seas and Land pavilions that enhances the park with out detracting from it within the least. It brings stunning and awe-inspiring structure befitting of the park–an announcement piece akin to the Lodge MiraCosta or Disneyland Lodge in Paris, however befitting of EPCOT.
In actuality, I’ve seen what Disney has chosen for exterior designs from Riviera to Gran Destino to the Poly Tower to unbuilt (for now) Reflections. Suffice to say, I’m most likely “good” on the EPCOT lodge not coming to fruition till the present kinds are out of vogue and precise themed design makes a comeback. This looks as if an inevitability sooner or later, although, and perhaps the early 2030s will deliver an architectural renaissance to Disney accommodations.
Journey Into Creativeness Reimagining – Being a lifelong Detroit Lions fan has constructed up my tolerance to perpetual disappointment and dashed hopes. It has served me properly in additionally being a diehard Figment fan, as there have been rumors of a Journey into Creativeness redo since I entered the fandom as an grownup, almost 20 years in the past.
This time is completely different. Or, it needs to be. It simply is sensible to reimagine Journey into Creativeness. It will generate goodwill amongst WDW diehards and forge new followers within the course of. There’s arguably no increased affect experience reimagining that Disney may do, on condition that the present experience is usually a walk-on and a giant instance of underutilized capability. A redone JII can be one thing that will outline the EPCOT transformation, tying it collectively right into a extra cohesive challenge. Figment would change into the face and mascot of the new-look EPCOT, elevating the in any other case underwhelming central backbone within the course of.
Oh, and it’d be a license to print cash–simply consider the merchandising potential! Figment is well-liked not for the present attraction in its present sorry state, however due to the unique Journey into Creativeness. If something, the truth that the experience and its star character nonetheless have a strong maintain on adults of a sure age many years after they disappeared speaks volumes in regards to the indelible impression they left on the youth of the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties.
The unique Journey into Creativeness was mesmerizing. Not like the present attraction, it was really imaginative, as cliche as that may sound. As a younger youngster, I used to be spellbound by the unique, its characters, and the evocative scenes they inhabited. It was a timeless attraction that captivated visitors, sparked their imaginations, and cast lifelong Walt Disney World followers. Recapturing that misplaced magic and spirit of creativeness would have the identical affect at the moment, proving that rides don’t want film IP to be large successes. That the theme parks, themselves, are a type of mental property. Suffice to say, this challenge needs to be the #1 precedence for the following decade at EPCOT, as it will transfer the needle for the park excess of the rest on this record.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What would you prefer to see added or up to date at EPCOT throughout a possible ‘Section 2’ of the park overhaul? Or do you assume EPCOT is totally “fastened” and that Walt Disney World ought to dedicate the complete $17 billion to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios? Something you assume our record “snubbed” that needs to be slated for alternative or no less than an replace? Do you agree or disagree with our decisions? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
