Changes at Epcot..

[Splatter]

Neglected?

Space in 2003
Soarin/Land Refurb in 2006
Nemo Layover in 2006/2007
Gran Fiesta in 2008
Spaceship Earth Refurb in 2008
and now Test Track's big refurb.

Are there areas that need to be improved upon? Yes, but it has not been neglected.

Refurbs should just happen to keep things in working order, which even now they are not always. So many things lacking or broken in attractions. Over time it adds up.

So 2008 is the first thing we can list before this Test Track redo, which is really needed anyway since it is a refurb. 2008. That is 4 years ago. (the attraction also needed a refurb badly then too. The ending is still not finished)

For being in the top five visited theme parks in the world, that is neglect to me.

 

[Brian G.]

Refurbs should just happen to keep things in working order, which even now they are not always. So many things lacking or broken in attractions. Over time it adds up.

So 2008 is the first thing we can list before this Test Track redo, which is really needed anyway since it is a refurb. 2008. That is 4 years ago. (the attraction also needed a refurb badly then too. The ending is still not finished)

For being in the top five visited theme parks in the world, that is neglect to me.

True, but SSE and the Land refurbs were not just general upkeeping. Still, a new E-Ticket is not what Epcot needs.

 

[shiekra38]

True, but SSE and the Land refurbs were not just general upkeeping. Still, a new E-Ticket is not what Epcot needs.

Perhaps it doesn't need one, but it would be nice to see one...I still wouldn't mind seeing a new country or even a new area...In all honesty the only real expansions worth noting on your list is Sorin' and MS and maybe SSE (which turned out really well)..Test Track is going to be amazing and I'm excited for it, but I think and e ticket in WS would be amazing..

 

[Nick]

4 years is a long time between pretty much ANYTHING happening BriMan. And it's not even like they are building a new attraction. It's just a overhaul of one that was already there. So yes, Epcot is in a state of neglect right now.

 

[Teebin]

Neglect??? That is a very strong word and really does not apply. Perhaps one attraction has been allowed to become a bit ragged but that happens at all parks. World Showcase is very popular and well maintained. Food and Wine Festival and Flower and Garden Festival are created and maintained at the highest Disney standards, and those are 3 month affairs. We all wish that the parks didn't have bad show days, but that is how it is and will always be.

If you mean neglect in that it needs new attractions... then you must also answer the 'why?' and what difference it will make to attendence/profits.

 

[UNIrd]

I like how we always go back 10 years to defend parks and what they've added. Sorry but bringing back Captain EO and some minor upgrades does not make your park cared for.

I promise that the average visitor doesn't look at the park's past 10-year timeline. They probably go back as far as 3, max 4.

 

[Brian G.]

I like how we always go back 10 years to defend parks and what they've added. Sorry but bringing back Captain EO and some minor upgrades does not make your park cared for.

I promise that the average visitor doesn't look at the park's past 10-year timeline. They probably go back as far as 3, max 4.

Would you compare Epcot's neglect to IoA's (Pre-Potter)?

 

[Splatter]

Would you compare Epcot's neglect to IoA's (Pre-Potter)?

Two issues with that.

Pre Potter being in the works IOA was less than a decade old. Not saying it is an excuse but by being under a decade and having people who have still never even visited kind of coursed it along. But no argument. Planning NOTHING new was a bad move. Clearly it had problems keeping people coming. So it is not a good example of that is the direction for comparison. I don't think anyone is defending the fact that in ten years we only got three new attractions. One being a revamped version of one that should of been there opening day.

But WDW, EPCOT specifically is the second most attended Theme Park in Florida. Top three in the WORLD. Therefore they have the budget to do and add more.

Teebin. Not sure what you mean by one attraction in disrepair.

So many effects in Energy have been gone for a long time and the animatronics are no where near what they once were. The fact that Bill Nye(as much as I like and find him compelling) and Ellen's footage in early 90s jeopardy set is not aging well.

As mentioned the novelty of Captain Eo playing in the theater again is kind of worn now.

Let's also not forget that in the last decade instead of refreshing a pavilion with multiple attractions and exhibits they just decided to close it down and use it as seasonal event space. Sort of a push to the side neglectful move.


As for World Showcase. The restaurants and buildings are constantly being refurbished it seems, and that is great. But Maelstrom is not in very good shape and could use some love.

No bias towards either Briman. What Universal did with IOA for those ten years was pretty roguh with only a few minor changes. But looking at the present condition and not the past...I have to feel EPCOT is kind of in a bleh trap.

 

[Scarletwebslingr]

I'm going to Epcot next Saturday. Drinking around the world is on my brother's "Bachelor Party to-do-list."

 

[shiekra38]

Would you compare Epcot's neglect to IoA's (Pre-Potter)?

Yes actually...ten years with only two small additions, no good...the Studios also suffered from a dark time of nothing 'big' minus Mummy. The only difference for me was $$$...as Splatter said "EPCOT specifically is the second most attended Theme Park in Florida. Top three in the WORLD. Therefore they have the budget to do and add more." where IOA and Universal didn't have the proper funds to add something, Potter was a successful risk to be honest. If it wouldn't have delivered than I shutter to think what would have happened to the resort.... Honestly WS is great and an amazing area to visit I have a problem with Future World. Considering it is all about the future it should therefore look like the future if I understand the theme correctly (see Sci-Fi city at USS)...At the moment it looks like they stopped doing anything since the Millennium Celebration.. Future World, Ellen, Seas, Fountain of Nations, HISTA, Imagination and IllumiNations needs a redux..speaking of which the fireworks in IllumiNations are never in synch anymore and the fountains are the old ones, that is a big problem to me...Epcot has gone through a lot of changes in its' history, but shouldn't it always?

 

[Scarletwebslingr]

Yes actually...ten years with only two small additions, no good...the Studios also suffered from a dark time of nothing 'big' minus Mummy. The only difference for me was $$$...as Splatter said "EPCOT specifically is the second most attended Theme Park in Florida. Top three in the WORLD. Therefore they have the budget to do and add more." where IOA and Universal didn't have the proper funds to add something, Potter was a successful risk to be honest. If it wouldn't have delivered than I shutter to think what would have happened to the resort.... Honestly WS is great and an amazing area to visit I have a problem with Future World. Considering it is all about the future it should therefore look like the future if I understand the theme correctly (see Sci-Fi city at USS)...At the moment it looks like they stopped doing anything since the Millennium Celebration.. Future World, Ellen, Seas, Fountain of Nations, HISTA, Imagination and IllumiNations needs a redux..speaking of which the fireworks in IllumiNations are never in synch anymore and the fountains are the old ones, that is a big problem to me...Epcot has gone through a lot of changes in its' history, but shouldn't it always?

I feel like Epcot is, for many, the "Retro/Nostalgic" park. That said, I think a great start for them is to refurb the classics (Imagination, Universe of Energy, World of Motion area), and toss a fresh new country on the vaguely African plot of land between China and Germany. I've heard rumor of Greece, Australia, Brazil... whatever, I don't care if it were the Czech Republic. Any new country would be welcomed.

 

[Teebin]

Teebin. Not sure what you mean by one attraction in disrepair.

Actually, I said 'ragged' and was just implying that almost all attractions have high points and low points; features break down etc or an attraction becomes dated. ET, Imagination, Energy are examples of attractions that have become dated or are a wee bit dusty looking. Regardless, people are not not going to return to a park because one or two items are off their best game.

 

[Brian G.]

I still think neglect is the wrong word to use.

 

[Felipe]

EPCOT is supposed to be all about learning, and growing, and technology, and innovation, right? So as much as I'd love a new thrill ride here, not any random thrill ride would do. We've got a lot of creative minds on here. Who wants to give it a go and come up with some possible ideas for a new EPCOT ride?

 

[Hatetofly]

I feel like Epcot is, for many, the "Retro/Nostalgic" park. That said, I think a great start for them is to refurb the classics (Imagination, Universe of Energy, World of Motion area), and toss a fresh new country on the vaguely African plot of land between China and Germany. I've heard rumor of Greece, Australia, Brazil... whatever, I don't care if it were the Czech Republic. Any new country would be welcomed.

My sister lives in the Czech Republic, and unless your selling drugs it won't work I would love to see Greece come to the World Showcase though.

 

[UNIrd]

So I was just at Epcot on Saturday night for Extra Magic Hours.. which as long as I can remember, Disney has never offered Extra Magic Hours on Saturday nights. Was this another change due to Test Track being closed?

 

[Captain Tragedy]

I'm going to Epcot next Saturday. Drinking around the world is on my brother's "Bachelor Party to-do-list."

Good luck! Whenever I do this, I start in Mexico and usually start to run into trouble around France. It's those Grey Goose Slushies I tells ya.

On the other topic at hand. I would love for Epcot to get some TLC. I haven't been in four years and it sounds like they have not done much besides some Innoventions changes and Captain EO (wooptie doo). That said, I cannot wait for the new Test Track and I'm sure Disney has more stuff up their sleeves, at least I would hope so.

 

[Disneyhead]

Concerning the timeline of additions at IoA, you have to remember that right after IoA opened, NBC bought Universal and then spent 5 years trying to sell off the parks. During that time, they not only didn't add anything new, they let maintenance slide into an embarrassing state. The result of this kind of management was they saw their attendance numbers slide from 9 million a year to just over 5 million a year. A slide that even with Potter they have yet to have fully recovered from.

Now, on to Epcot. While Disney seems to be bullet proof in regards to this kind on management style. I believe that the "decade of resting on their laurels" is going to catch up to them and bite them on the ass.

 

[Hatetofly]

Good luck! Whenever I do this, I start in Mexico and usually start to run into trouble around France. It's those Grey Goose Slushies I tells ya.

France???? I'm lit by the time I hit Italy, hung over by Morocco, ready for a nap in England, and coming round for another go in Canada

 

[Hatetofly]

Concerning the timeline of additions at IoA, you have to remember that right after IoA opened, NBC bought Universal and then spent 5 years trying to sell off the parks. During that time, they not only didn't add anything new, they let maintenance slide into an embarrassing state. The result of this kind of management was they saw their attendance numbers slide from 9 million a year to just over 5 million a year. A slide that even with Potter they have yet to have fully recovered from.

Now, on to Epcot. While Disney seems to be bullet proof in regards to this kind on management style. I believe that the "decade of resting on their laurels" is going to catch up to them and bite them on the ass.

I'm just hoping this does come true so we can see some aggressive expansion! I love Disney and its aggravates me everyday to see them just sitting back and counting profit dollars rather than building upon what used to be an AMAZING resort.