The State of Epcot

[ChrisFL]

Oh, don't get me wrong. I love me a good Big Mac or Whopper every once in a while. I eat the burgers at Burger Digs in the Discovery Center with no complaint because the theming is so epic and the view from the balcony escorts me to nirvana. My post was more aimed at the crap theming and the void of a cafeteria dining room. It is absolutely horrid there.

Well for Epcot, it's a bit disingenuous to me to have 10 other countries which feature the better parts of their cuisine and America gets crap burgers and fries.

 

[Nick]

Well for Epcot, it's a bit disingenuous to me to have 10 other countries which feature the better parts of their cuisine and America gets crap burgers and fries.

But what really is American cuisine beyond that stereotypical type of things like Burgers and Hot Dogs? Sure a good steak sit down would possibly fit the pavilion nice, but the park already has that in Le Cellier.

I mean, America is such a multicultural experience, we take things from virtually every country represented in WS and make them our own. So again, what really is "American Food"?

 

[IzzyB]

But what really is American cuisine beyond that stereotypical type of things like Burgers and Hot Dogs? Sure a good steak sit down would possibly fit the pavilion nice, but the park already has that in Le Cellier.

I mean, America is such a multicultural experience, we take things from virtually every country represented in WS and make them our own. So again, what really is "American Food"?

That is why the multi-station works so well. Because there are foods that were born here. BBQ is one, Cajun is another, and southern cooking is another. We also have regional sandwiches that became popular country wide like Philly Cheese steaks. When it comes to Hot dogs you can do special ones like Chicago Dogs. There are many parts of the country to pull food ideas from, but it seems fast food is the one they went with. Which is ironic since the fast food industry has branched out to many countries so most of the foreign travelers can probably get the food served in the American Pavilion in their hometown.

Oh I forgot another regional sandwich is the Lobster Rolls from Maine.

 

[Nick]

That is why the multi-station works so well. Because there are foods that were born here. BBQ is one, Cajun is another, and southern cooking is another. We also have regional sandwiches that became popular country wide like Philly Cheese steaks. When it comes to Hot dogs you can do special ones like Chicago Dogs. There are many parts of the country to pull food ideas from, but it seems fast food is the one they went with. Which is ironic since the fast food industry has branched out to many countries so most of the foreign travelers can probably get the food served in the American Pavilion in their hometown.

Oh I forgot another regional sandwich is the Lobster Rolls from Maine.

I think it's more about having a "safe" place to eat in WS. Epcot really only has 2 in total (Electric Umbrella being the other) and you know that the demand is there. I just wish that there was a sit-down place to go along with the QS.

Unfortunately, a new restroom complex they built a few years ago took up the expansion pad for America.

 

[Teebin]

Philly cheesesteak too. Boston Baked Beans. Turkey tetrazzini. And on and on. Oh, and American Chinese. Even the Chinese love it!

 

[IzzyB]

I think it's more about having a "safe" place to eat in WS. Epcot really only has 2 in total (Electric Umbrella being the other) and you know that the demand is there. I just wish that there was a sit-down place to go along with the QS.

Unfortunately, a new restroom complex they built a few years ago took up the expansion pad for America.

You can still have the burgers and fries station, so people get it if they need it. But I think you would be surprised at the number of kids that will eat BBQ. It is why outside of burgers it seems to be the other type of restaurant most parks have. Then southern cooking would have friend chicken which is another kid friendly food. So really just Cajun would be the only one kids probably wouldn't go to. But I think they should add a couple location specific sandwiches to the burger and fries place. It would easily turn America from the worse QS place to one of the best QS places in all parks.

 

[Brian G.]

They can keep burgers on the menu, just... try. A craft burger spot could go a long way.

I've always been disappointed with AA pavilion out side of the show. Meh food, meh shop, meh atmosphere.

 

[rhino4evr]

That is why the multi-station works so well. Because there are foods that were born here. BBQ is one, Cajun is another, and southern cooking is another. We also have regional sandwiches that became popular country wide like Philly Cheese steaks. When it comes to Hot dogs you can do special ones like Chicago Dogs. There are many parts of the country to pull food ideas from, but it seems fast food is the one they went with. Which is ironic since the fast food industry has branched out to many countries so most of the foreign travelers can probably get the food served in the American Pavilion in their hometown.

Oh I forgot another regional sandwich is the Lobster Rolls from Maine.

I like this idea.

 

[JungleSkip]

They can keep burgers on the menu, just... try. A craft burger spot could go a long way.

I've always been disappointed with AA pavilion out side of the show. Meh food, meh shop, meh atmosphere.

The Fife and Drum Corps was pretty great.

 

[Friar Tuck & Roll]

The last time I ate near the American Adventure I was with a then 9 year old boy, and he did not like like any of the choices in the main QS and instead had a turkey leg from the now semi permanent stall from the food and wine festival. Turkey legs are not the best representation of American food but still better than burgers and fries.

 

[Herman]

On top of a future world revamp I'd like to see another country introduced Brazil would be my choice

 

[Wysdom]

I have always thought Future world at Epcot should look like Tomorrowland of the Movie at least give it a futuristic feel. We will probably not ever in the life time see the Tomorrowland of the movie in our everyday life, sot he chance of becoming outdated are slim.

Walking around "Future World" now is like living in the past.

 

[ChrisFL]

I have always thought Future world at Epcot should look like Tomorrowland of the Movie at least give it a futuristic feel. We will probably not ever in the life time see the Tomorrowland of the movie in our everyday life, sot he chance of becoming outdated are slim.

Walking around "Future World" now is like living in the past.

Well that's one of the difficulties when they designed EPCOT...it potentially clashes with Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland.

So basically, Tomorrowland had to be more science fiction, where EPCOT was meant to be science fact based.

 

[Wysdom]

Well that's one of the difficulties when they designed EPCOT...it potentially clashes with Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland.

So basically, Tomorrowland had to be more science fiction, where EPCOT was meant to be science fact based.

OOOOO well that makes sense ( I dont like it lol but is make sense) Well then I now agree the name should be changed from Future World.

 

[ChrisFL]

OOOOO well that makes sense ( I dont like it lol but is make sense) Well then I now agree the name should be changed from Future World.

Yep, it's a difficult line to stay on, since future predictions can easily never happen and be resigned to science fiction.

 

[highkite]

I think if they reopened the Imagination Pavilion exactly as it was when it originally opened it, pin tables, weird projection bubble maker, green screen, and neon tunnel, it would be the most popular area of the park. Screw you and your tiny pin art toy you paid way to much for at sharper image, I'm going to EPCOT.

 

[graspthesun]

I think that Future World could work with many of the pavilions that exist. A lot of the pavilions have post-show areas where you can play with new tech toys. Update the main attraction now and then update the post-show areas piecemeal every year or so as they need updating. That saves money and gives you something shiny and relevant pretty quickly.

 

[Ryan]

Update Universe of Energy, trash Mission: Space, install either a new, grander Imagination Figment ride (NO Eric Idle or fake institutions) or an Inside Out-themed attraction. New narration on Spaceship Earth along with ridding of those screens on the vehicle.

Mission: Space should be turned into an attraction hosted by Neil DeGrasse Tyson exploring the universe and possible space habitation in the future. I don't care how they make this attraction, just no space shuttle to PlayStation 2 Mars ride anymore.

Wonders of Life bulldozed (don't forget to donate Buzzy to the archives!), either used for extra area for the neighboring new Space attraction or something non-health related. The Land has kind of kept the healthy eating habits theme in a subtle way, and IMO I feel like a revived WoL would just feel redundant, I have no idea what to do with it. Inside Out, if not paired or replacing Imagination would feel very redundant. So yea I have no clue what to do with it.

Innoventions I would at least keep Character Spot. It's something people want and that'll keep it tucked away. The rest is hard to tell... Communicore and the early days of Innoventions focused on the rise in computer technology. Outside of making this a woeful eternal CES, you got me. However, I think a small area celebrating the ideals of both EPCOT and the original EPCOT Center thru video images and displays done in an intentional retro-style would be an absolutely fascinating Horizons-esque throwback. "The History of the Future".

Odyssey should be repurposed as a restaurant. No major changes to the Land or Seas. Universe of Energy should be kept the same, fixed up and given a new film and vibe. I can not think of any franchises to attach so anything goes. The length of the attractions dictates that we have to keep the humor element or some heavily stylization.

World Showcase I would had either a Switzerland or Sweden pavilion, also a Brazilian pavilion as well as Australia. France would be expanded to include the WDSP Ratatouille ride. Add a film/show in Japan. Otherwise not much more.

I think if Disney embraces the nostalgia and themes of EPCOT, and chooses to celebrate it that it could gain an identity that guests would fawn over if done right.

 

[Scott W.]

Yep, it's a difficult line to stay on, since future predictions can easily never happen and be resigned to science fiction.

The big problem is that they need sponsorship for the rides and a major commitment from the sponsor for years after the ride is built to keep it updated. The big problem this creates is that rides can get dated very quickly and nobody wants to take the risk any more. Spaceship earth in it's current form is 8 years old and technology has moved so quickly since then that it looks old and who wants to attach their name to it? Mission Space has had a rocky past and again who wants to be tied into such a ride?

What really bothers me about this is that Disney is doing well enough that they shouldn't need sponsorship and that because they require sponsorship, they won't have complete control of the rides without some external input which is pathetic.

 

[rhino4evr]

Disney absolutely doesn't "need" sponsorship. Part of the original idea was to let other companies "advertise" in their parks to help introduce millions of people to you product in a fun way. It sounds great on paper, it's just an extremely expensive proposition. I do remember Kodak being listed on every park map, and all over the place in the 80s...I wonder what happened to them?