What EPCOT refurb never should have happened?

Admiral01 · Post by **Admiral01** » Jul Fri 25, 2008 8:57 pm

I hadn't even thought about the Land foodcourt and building itself as an option. Good points. Excellent points. I do miss the fountain.

Figment of Imagination · Post by **Figment of Imagination** » Jul Sat 26, 2008 1:06 am

It was a hard choice. I'd have to say Journey into Imagination (original) (what a surprise). I'm sort of gald and sad that its leading the pole. So many enjoyed it and now its gone.

I did like the Land foodcourt better in the past, for the layout, colors and food. I'm glad at least the balloons are still there.

epcotgirl · Post by **epcotgirl** » Jul Sun 27, 2008 4:51 am

Journey Into Imagination. But I'd really like to see them do something with WOL, and hate that my favourite SE has been changed. And wish I had another chance to go on Horizons...

Blackie Pueblo · Post by **Blackie Pueblo** » Jul Sun 27, 2008 9:49 am

Wow open up the flood gates of memories and broken dreams! This is a tough question just because you start to remember the "old school" EPCOT and what it use to be. Sorry, I have to do like so many of you and really analyze a couple that stand out, maybe OVER analyze.

Imagination-This is my top pick. What use to be a very great ride teaching kids that the imagination is a great thing and let it run free. It even helped adults remember how it felt to just dream. We get lost in the adult world too often. Plus the hands on exhibts were ten times better than they are now. It was like the ride didn't end there was still so much to do. What a child wonder ride. The new ride just seems idiotic and the message lost in ridiculousness.

Energy-Needed an update. What we got was throwing a couple of quasi celebs in. Still blah so I can't complain. I don't feel it got any better, or any worse.

Seas-I'm kind of impressed by this to be honest. I really got bored going here for a while because the tanks got to be almost empty and there really wasn't anything here. It was actually sad to me. But the Nemo ride, although I'm not a big fan of the film, gave the ride CPR and gave new life. Good job. It feels like it's worth seeing now.

World of Motion-Miss it. Great ride. But I enjoy the replacement. It doesn't necessarily fit in the EPCOT future idea but I don't hate it. Just wish they could have have kept World of Motion as well.

Mexico-I love Donald and love that they tried to incorporate characters. BUT... it seems like they took away what idea of what Mexico is. You spend more time watching Donald then watching the sights of Mexico. Kind of a shame really.

"Everything in EPCOT will be dedicated to the happiness of the people who will live, work, and play here... and to those who come here from all around the world to visit our living showcase."
---Walter Elias Disney

sunny34 · Post by **sunny34** » Jul Sun 27, 2008 6:07 pm

kcarts wrote:I agree SW. I hate to see space not being used. If they are doing something on the inside then I stand corrected.

I was down last fall and again this spring and both times it was being used as the Festival Center for the Food & Wine Festival and the Flower & Garden Festival. Not exactly a perfect use for the building.. but at least it is being used.

earningmyfins · Post by **earningmyfins** » Jul Tue 29, 2008 4:37 pm

What's with Wonders of Life? They need to do something with that area or atleast spurce up what is there!

Nothing worse than unused things, right guys?

Admiral01 · Post by **Admiral01** » Jul Tue 29, 2008 11:01 pm

I still think the Wonders of Life building looks enough like the original Carousel of Progress building from the World's Fair that the Imagineers could make it look nearly identical to the original and put a Horizons updated ride inside.

JWG · Post by **JWG** » Jul Wed 30, 2008 8:11 am

WoL is frequently used for paid and private events (ie Food & Wine HQ). It is, I believe, under the control of Special Events. I'm hopeful that in the next 3-5 years it's put back into service as a pavilion - but I'm not holding my breath.

Lots of good ideas for it from forum members - move CoP to this site (not likely), weather pavilion (cool), a new and updated health pavilion (not a bad opportunity it today's somewhat unhealthy world), etc.

Futureworld needs some more work - Imagination Refurb. (planned), The Land getting a new sponsor, Universe of Energy Refurb., and a WoL tenant. Though, the attention they have given SSE and just knowing Imagination is in the works is a great start.

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Jul Wed 30, 2008 8:18 am

JWG wrote: the attention they have given SSE

Um, just my opinion: They could have given it more attention. I don't like the video screens or the script.

JWG · Post by **JWG** » Jul Wed 30, 2008 8:39 am

agingerbugg wrote:Um, just my opinion: They could have given it more attention. I don't like the video screens or the script.

Since they didn't rip out all of the animatronics, put in a bunch of 3D screens and Pixar characters - I'm willing to accept the the new descent video piece (see how Imagineering has beaten me into submission).

I think it's the best thing to come out of Futureworld since Test Track. The Imagination Refurbs were a disaster, though the 2nd one wasn't really a "refurb" since they post-haste had to figure out how to get Figment back into the ride. Mission Space isn't (in my mind) anything more than a fancy gyroscope/gravitron and lacks real indepth theming and story line like I'd expect from Disney. Removing cast members from The Land was a money saver and helped put cast members in more needed areas, but I think is a down grade. Seas to Nemo, less Turtle Talk, if I wanted to sit and watch Marlin chase after Nemo on a video screen I'd watch the movie. Soarin' is good, don't get me wrong, but it's really just an IMAX screen with moving seats. I get that imagineering the flight simulation was difficult but again - i'm watching a movie and there's no real theming.

Was it a significant upgrade in "wow" from the Jeremy Irons version? In ride, probably not - but post-show absolutely. I think it's great that the post-show isn't just dead space finally. I didn't think the Jeremy Irons version was any great improvement from the Walter Cronkite version.

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Jul Wed 30, 2008 8:47 am

JWG wrote: I didn't think the Jeremy Irons version was any great improvement from the Walter Cronkite version.

I agree whole heartedly on this point. I have and listen to often, the Cronkite version.

gameboy862 · Post by **gameboy862** » Jul Wed 30, 2008 3:08 pm

The wonders of life shutdown/refurbish project was like a time bomb. they had some great stuff in there like body wars (ahh, the priceless moments of people getting sick on a ride that didn't even move an inch forward or back, Mastercard can't buy those moments!)

more than 3 years later, it's still empty and collecting dust on a massive scale, maybe they want to make a giant dust bunny to shape into mickey mouse...maybe, just maybe

Admiral01 · Post by **Admiral01** » Aug Sun 03, 2008 1:33 am

The whole WoL building was great. First time I went on Body Wars it destroyed me for the rest of the day. But after the re-timing and shortening of the ride I really enjoyed it. They need to use it for more than just a Food and Wine fest. Its a real shame that the building isn't being used for the incredible purpose that was intended (though I think the same can be said about Living Seas, Imagination, Universe of Energy...)

davyjones · Post by **davyjones** » Aug Thu 07, 2008 3:38 pm

Captain Schnemo. Your list. Your analysis.

Holy ****.

Will you marry me?

Admiral01 · Post by **Admiral01** » Aug Sat 16, 2008 1:38 am

I agree, Captain Schnemo you analysis is one of the best things I've seen. Plus I agree with it, so thats a plus in my book

It seems Journey into Imagination is winning.

Subsonic Radio

What EPCOT refurb never should have happened?

What ride/show should have been left alone?