I think that if Epcot is going to be simply a Mall to explore, shop, and dine, then the entrance fee should reflect that.
I think TDO has seen a giant shift in Guest Spending as more guests have been giving their dollars to Universal and it's unique merchandise than to Disney.
That being said, you can point to
Soarin'
Mission Space
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
all of which were used in marketing collateral to drive attendance.
When you look at how marketing pushes the parks they try to hook you on an idea of an experience that you are going to have. Disney's commercials, billboards, brochures, videos all try this hook.
After a while people become blind to messaging after it has been repeated, in the digital world this is called "Banner Blindness" so Disney like most companies tries something new, to interest and hook people.
When you look at Epcot's marketing collateral I think it is in danger of becoming invisible to most people if it isn't already. The Billboards, brochures, videos, commercials for Epcot are the same and feature the same pitches for the past 5-6 years.
The only chance you have to really get a fresh message about Epcot is if you are local here in Florida and you see Flower and Garden/Food and Wine commercials.
So the point of all this, is again. Epcot, along with most of WDW is in danger of repeating the same message so many times, that it's ability to drive bookings is greatly diminished.