The State of Epcot

[AlexanderMBush]

Something that is almost a given to be announced is more Marvel at DCA. Bug's Land is going away and Monster's Inc. is too. TSMM is coming to both HKDL and WDSP. Updates on SWL, TSL, etc. The closest thing to definite for WDW is Rat. Oh, gondolas... they'll definitely bring up the gondolas.

Anyway, we're getting way too far off topic so :topic:

Hence why I said putting up a D23 thread early. :tongue:

Here's a look at a good overview of what is believed to be the layout of the building, queue, etc. For those wondering, Martin mentioned that Impressions de France isn't necessarily safe yet.

That's...interesting.


Edit: A rightful reason to edit...

 

[Ryan]

Something that is almost a given to be announced is more Marvel at DCA. Bug's Land is going away and Monster's Inc. is too. TSMM is coming to both HKDL and WDSP. Updates on SWL, TSL, etc. The closest thing to definite for WDW is Rat. Oh, gondolas... they'll definitely bring up the gondolas.

Anyway, we're getting way too far off topic so :topic:

That's still pretty insane, though!

 

[n i c k]

Something that is almost a given to be announced is more Marvel at DCA. Bug's Land is going away and Monster's Inc. is too. TSMM is coming to both HKDL and WDSP. Updates on SWL, TSL, etc. The closest thing to definite for WDW is Rat. Oh, gondolas... they'll definitely bring up the gondolas.

Anyway, we're getting way too far off topic so :topic:

Monsters Inc is being replaced?

 

[Nick]

Monsters Inc is being replaced?

In DCA, yes, it should be. Marvel is performing a hostile takeover.

 

[Yabbadabba Doh]

I for one am very stoked about getting Remy in France. I know I will probably never get to DLP and this is one ride I was really interested in seeing. I hope they do take the opportunity to improve on the original since it was done several year ago and some new tech or lessons learned might improve the experience.

 

[epcyclopedia]

I for one am very stoked about getting Remy in France. I know I will probably never get to DLP and this is one ride I was really interested in seeing. I hope they do take the opportunity to improve on the original since it was done several year ago and some new tech or lessons learned might improve the experience.

Epcot attractions typically get more budget than their counterpart versions. Magic Eye films, Soarin, Nemo, even Test Track over Rocket Rods. So there is precedent.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Epcot attractions typically get more budget than their counterpart versions. Magic Eye films, Soarin, Nemo, even Test Track over Rocket Rods. So there is precedent.

Well that explains Guardians being a coaster while Anaheim is stuck with a crappy ToT overlay..

 

[Nick]

Maybe there will be minor enhancements here or there, but from all accounts Rat is mostly going to be a straight clone. The one thing it does have going for it is that Tom Fitzgerald was the project lead in Paris and will be so here in Epcot too, so maybe he will want to improve upon his baby.

 

[UNIrd]

Ratatouille was only okay but it'll make a nice addition to Epcot and it's especially fitting for France. In true Disney fashion, they should've done this 10 years ago but alas.

 

[Alicia]

Maybe I'm imagining this, but did I hear somewhere that Paris had a five year exclusivity deal on that ride? I feel like some of the international parks make deals that they get rides for a few years to themselves, before they're cloned in other places. I've been saying for a few years that I bet when the time is up Epcot would be getting it.

 

[Nick]

Ratatouille was only okay but it'll make a nice addition to Epcot and it's especially fitting for France. In true Disney fashion, they should've done this 10 years ago but alas.

The movie is only 10 years old (to the day, coincidentally)

And it's not like it's ever been a big merch mover either.

If announced now, a 2019 opening would make sense so that would put it right at 5 years since opening if true.

WDSP originally had a 5-year exclusivity on the ride anyway. Of course I'm not sure if that exclusivity still stands since Disney now owns DLPR outright, but it doesn't matter since the ride won't be open until at least 2019 anyway.

 

[UNIrd]

If announced now, a 2019 opening would make sense so that would put it right at 5 years since opening if true.

 

[Alicia]

WDSP originally had a 5-year exclusivity on the ride anyway. Of course I'm not sure if that exclusivity still stands since Disney now owns DLPR outright, but it doesn't matter since the ride won't be open until at least 2019 anyway.

Oh yea that's true. Guess they can break the rule if they're now both parties in the contract.

 

[UNIrd]

The movie is only 10 years old (to the day, coincidentally)

And it's not like it's ever been a big merch mover either.

Is it really? Happy Anniversary, Ratatouille! But yes, this would've been an ideal addition to Epcot back in 2009 or 2010. Instead we only got the Remy puppet at Chefs de France but I loved that.

DLP had lots of Ratatouille merch but of course that's due to some Parisian pride for it. I was struggling to figure out what merch to buy my friends back home so I was at the main store in Disney Village like... "Should I get them a Ratatouille chef hat? Or Ratatouille apron? Cookbook? T-shirt?" We'll definitely be seeing some of that in France if it's not there already.

 

[Alicia]

Is it really? Happy Anniversary, Ratatouille! But yes, this would've been an ideal addition to Epcot back in 2009 or 2010. Instead we only got the Remy puppet at Chefs de France but I loved that.

DLP had lots of Ratatouille merch but of course that's due to some Parisian pride for it. I was struggling to figure out what merch to buy my friends back home so I was at the main store in Disney Village like... "Should I get them a Ratatouille chef hat? Or Ratatouille apron? Cookbook? T-shirt?" We'll definitely be seeing some of that in France if it's not there already.

We have mugs, aprons, plush and some cookware with Remy at Epcot's France pavilion currently. Then he's on lots of merch for the Food and Wine Fest too.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

 

[Alicia]

Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed trough the universe of time... and for a brief moment, Siemens has been among its many passengers.

 

[Alicia]

I say they bring back AT&T and the old ending with communications vignettes all the way down the return to Earth. I'm tired of the Your Future cartoon and would really prefer anything utilizing some physical sets on the way down again.

 

[Nick]

Both SSE and Illuminations are in line for new versions by 2019/2020 sponsor or not. As a matter of fact, supposedly the new entry way is going to look a lot like Project tomorrow and TT2.0 in terms of futuristic vibe/color.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I say they bring back AT&T and the old ending with communications vignettes all the way down the return to Earth. I'm tired of the Your Future cartoon and would really prefer anything utilizing some physical sets on the way down again.

You're assuming AT&T was pushed out and wants to come back.