The State of Epcot

[Jon84]

I'd say out of all Disney Parks i've been to around the world, Epcot's easily has the strictest security at the front gate. Since the security uptick, the front gate is now SWARMING with security (cops/police dogs too) everywhere you look before entering the park. The actually bag check is very thorough at Epcot compared even to any other US Disney Park. Also, it's interesting to note that Epcot is the only WDW park you HAVE to go through a metal detector at if you skip bag check.

I'm not sure if it's because of World Showcase being a giant bar that the park has stepped it up so much or what it is, but it's incredibly noticeable. The front gate area of Epcot is also set up much better for a high security check, so maybe that's why.

I'd say DLP is now the strictest. Went in July after being in WDW in May.

Every person, through metal detectors, all bags through xray with check if needed. Plus bag check , and metal detector wands for everyone in hotel lobbys.

Inside the parks they are wary of people with DSLR Cameras, and people filming near the construction sites.

It's like a prison camp (with good cause to be fair given the events over the past year).

 

[Nick]

I'd say DLP is now the strictest. Went in July after being in WDW in May.

Every person, through metal detectors, all bags through xray with check if needed. Plus bag check , and metal detector wands for everyone in hotel lobbys.

Inside the parks they are wary of people with DSLR Cameras, and people filming near the construction sites.

It's like a prison camp (with good cause to be fair given the events over the past year).

Ah, well i've yet to be over to DLP. I'm not surprised though considering everything going on over there though.

 

[Jon84]

Ah, well i've yet to be over to DLP. I'm not surprised though considering everything going on over there though.

Epcot was probably the strictest WDW Park, it seem their check areas are not fit for purpose either.

That being said, it's quite easy to avoid the metal detectors at busy times.

 

[chewbacca1995]

I actually think they could have gone in the other direction with WS and remove attractions. They could split it off and make it, coupled with the resort area like a second DTD. With Frozen now I would say this isn't a possibility anymore.

No, it would be too difficult making WS its own separate district. Plus, it's fine as it is.

I'd definitely say Future World needs more help, though. Other than Test Track and Soarin', everything needs to be updated or replaced.

1. Spaceship Earth finale
2. Innoventions
3. Ellen's Energy Adventure
4. the empty Wonders of Life pavilion
5. Mission: SPACE
6. Imagination pavilion
7. Living with the Land
8. Seas with Nemo and Friends
9. empty expansion pad between Land and Seas
10. entrance area

By contrast, World Showcase's biggest issue is that it could use 2-3 more rides and another show scattered throughout to spread crowds and reduce Frozen's wait time to 60-70 minutes instead of 120-150 minutes.

I'd like to see Ratatouille, Mt. Fuji, Thame River Cruise and a 45-minute Mary Poppins musical show (similar to Aladdin/Frozen at DCA) added, but WS definitely doesn't need much. Two dark rides, a themed roller-coaster, and a crowd-pleasing show would balance out the attraction lineup for each side, though.

 

[SeventyOne]

I'm not sure if you're trolling or what, but we all know if Disney actually went ahead and removed EVERY ATTRACTION they operate in World Showcase (There's actually a lot, they just aren't rides) Disney would be ostracized for doing so.

Disney does a lot of wrong, but what you are suggesting is simply idiocy.

Not really trolling when Disney itself had this (or a close variation) on the table at one point, as part of Project Gemini. I imagine they would've found a way to keep American Adventure, monetize it somehow, but I doubt anyone would have missed the rest once the new bars opened.

 

[Nick]

Not really trolling when Disney itself had this (or a close variation) on the table at one point, as part of Project Gemini. I imagine they would've found a way to keep American Adventure, monetize it somehow, but I doubt anyone would have missed the rest once the new bars opened.

Project Gemini was a mess in most every concept i've heard that was to be a part of it. We dodged a huge bullet on that one.

Of course once they dropped Project Gemini, they basically just decided to give up on Epcot and a major project has yet to be announced to address the park's many issues.

 

[WAJAS]

Project Gemini was a mess in most every concept i've heard that was to be a part of it. We dodged a huge bullet on that one.

Of course once they dropped Project Gemini, they basically just decided to give up on Epcot and a major project has yet to be announced to address the park's many issues.

Someone wish to explain project Gemini? It rings a bell but I can't recall.

 

[Yabbadabba Doh]

Did a quick forum search... from 2011:
Project Gemini - A plan to retheme and reinvigorate Future World as Discoveryland, with Time Racers rollercoaster, rainforest rollercoaster, and numerous other projects.

 

[Nick]

Did a quick forum search... from 2011:
Project Gemini - A plan to retheme and reinvigorate Future World as Discoveryland, with Time Racers rollercoaster, rainforest rollercoaster, and numerous other projects.

Just for context on how stupid this entire plan was, the Time Racers Coaster was to replace Spaceship Earth. They were going to gut the structure and put a coaster in... until they realized that it was not built to handle the stress of a coaster.

EDIT: The "Discoveryland" name is now being tossed around as a re-brand of Tomorrowland. CarouselOfProgressLove on twitter mentioned that recently and they have been spot on with TL rumors of late.

 

[Scott W.]

Would be cool to see World Showcase get an expansion, especially since the right side is fairly barren in terms of attractions.

Also, since the UK wasn't ruled out as a proposed area of expansion (Japan and Canada were), I'm inclined to think there might be a Mary Poppins proposal of some sort - especially with the sequel slated for 2018.

France (Ratatouille clone, Impressions de France update)
United Kingdom (stage show, Mary Poppins - first-of-its-kind 'carousel' dark ride)

If only Future World weren't in such bad shape but two 2,000-2,500/hr dark rides in WS would definitely help Frozen Ever After (and also Soarin'/Test Track, to a lesser extent).

I would love to listen to that phone call. "Hi, UK, it's Bob Iger. I know you're currently dealing with the crapstorm that is Brexit but how do you feel about writing a large cheque so we can open a Mary Poppins ride in your area of EPCOT?"

 

[Nick]

At least the state of Epcot security is good. A man from Louisiana was arrested for trying to bring a gun into the park.

Deputy: Louisiana man arrested after attempting to bring gun into Epcot - Orlando Sentinel

Don't want to derail this thread but didn't know where else to put this:

An Alabama Woman was also arrested trying to bring a gun into a Disney Park, this time Animal Kingdom. This had been reported earlier in the week, but when the report of the man came up, people thought there was a mix up.

Woman tried to enter Disney's Animal Kingdom with pistol in backpack, records show - Orlando Sentinel

Both were found on the same day, mere hours apart.

 

[s8film40]

Don't want to derail this thread but didn't know where else to put this:

An Alabama Woman was also arrested trying to bring a gun into a Disney Park, this time Animal Kingdom. This had been reported earlier in the week, but when the report of the man came up, people thought there was a mix up.

Woman tried to enter Disney's Animal Kingdom with pistol in backpack, records show - Orlando Sentinel

Both were found on the same day, mere hours apart.

This happens all the time, It's really just sensationalized reporting. I wonder if these back to back reports are a coincidence or just the Sentinel looking into reports more thoroughly to keep the story alive. These only get reported if someone didn't have a permit and gets arrested which likely is a very slim percentage of the actual number of times this happens.

 

[Nick]

This happens all the time, It's really just sensationalized reporting. I wonder if these back to back reports are a coincidence or just the Sentinel looking into reports more thoroughly to keep the story alive. These only get reported if someone didn't have a permit and gets arrested which likely is a very slim percentage of the actual number of times this happens.

Well the woman at DAK had an expired Alabama permit so hers fits your description. Not sure about the guy at Epcot.

 

[Scott W.]

This happens all the time, It's really just sensationalized reporting. I wonder if these back to back reports are a coincidence or just the Sentinel looking into reports more thoroughly to keep the story alive. These only get reported if someone didn't have a permit and gets arrested which likely is a very slim percentage of the actual number of times this happens.

What's the protocol if somebody shows up with a gun and a permit but didn't realise they weren't allowed a gun in the park?

 

[s8film40]

Well the woman at DAK had an expired Alabama permit so hers fits your description. Not sure about the guy at Epcot.

Yeah the only way someone is going to get arrested is if they don't have a valid permit and hence those are the only one's we will ever hear about. If someone is found to have a gun and has a permit they are simply asked to leave. This happens countless times and since Disney only checks randomly it's very likely on any given day there are people in the parks carrying guns. It's far more common than most realize.

 

[s8film40]

What's the protocol if somebody shows up with a gun and a permit but didn't realise they weren't allowed a gun in the park?

They are asked to take it back to their hotel or home, I think in some cases they may even just allow them to take it back to the car.

 

[Teebin]

What trash thinks they can bring a gun to a major theme park. To what end?

 

[Scott W.]

They are asked to take it back to their hotel or home, I think in some cases they may even just allow them to take it back to the car.

Would they be escorted by security back to their car or forbidden from riding the tram?

I'm probably on a list now for asking this but I'm just curious. America is fascinating.

 

[chewbacca1995]

I would love to listen to that phone call. "Hi, UK, it's Bob Iger. I know you're currently dealing with the crapstorm that is Brexit but how do you feel about writing a large cheque so we can open a Mary Poppins ride in your area of EPCOT?"

If it's Mary Poppins, I don't think Disney would even ask the UK for money why would they need to ask the country to fund any movie-based attractions when Disney owns the rights to that particular film? There's no significant risk to adding a family-friendly dark ride featuring what many consider Walt Disney's masterpiece to an area similar to Mary Poppins's set design.

Ratatouille in France and Mary Poppins in the UK could be greenlit pretty easily once their respective countries give TDO the all-clear. I don't think Disney would ask France or the UK to pay for those dark rides unless they're completely factual/serious.

 

[s8film40]

What trash thinks they can bring a gun to a major theme park. To what end?

Well that's a whole other discussion, but at Disney there's not really much to stop them other than the chance of being randomly selected. Most of this security is really just theater but I have to respect Universal for at least providing consistency and ensuring there are no weapons in the park.