"Old" EPCOT vs "New" EPCOT?

[MW1218]

75% of Epcot's problems could be solved if they simply brought Horizons back.

[jumrungle]

The classics will always be the classics (sadly only in our minds). I miss Horizons so much. The new Nemo ride is actually really cute, but that old Epcot feel is just so hard to find. I am so excited/nervous to see the new Spaceship Earth. I think they're keeping it pretty much the same, which is reassuring (I saw a storyboard a year ago an artist did with a roller coaster crashing out of the side of Spaceship Earth - At least they didn't go that route. Blasphemy!)

[slinkyman]

This is probably 50-50 for me. I never rode the original attractions (Horizons and World of Motion). I like some of the changes that have happened to EPCOT. I miss all the old logos, merchandise, and things like that. I also like the name EPCOT Center and the original logo for EPCOT more then the present one. There hasn't been a change I dislike - but there are some things that I like the old way.

-slinkyman

[meticulus9]

old epcot: WOM, horizons, living seas, SSE and immagination rocked

well i give the new epcot some thumbs up, some thumbs down.

up: soarin, test track (though WOM was really a great ride), and an attempt to reuse the energy ride and the old sea cabs, update to Mexico

down: mission space sucks, energy pavilion needs an update badly, lost dreamfinder, i miss the old living seas water movie (it set a great tone)

[Admiral01]

I started a new post cause I didn't look for old ones first...my bad. I don't have a real problem with updating and changing rides. That does need to happen from time to time. I liked the originals at EPCOT, but changes are made. My real problem is that the Disney Co. has taken intelligent and insightful rides like Horizons, WOM, and Living Seas, and made them thrill rides, and in the case of LS, made it a kids ride. No longer enjoyable to me. I don't go to EPCOT for roller coasters and kids rides. I do that at Magic Kingdom. If I want to experience double gravity on a space type flight, I will go back to NASA and fly on the Vomit Comet. Imagination was changed because it didn't have movie characters. UoE is now a long Jeopardy episode...though UoE is still enjoyable, entertaining, and educational. I still love EPCOT, but I miss that place I used to go.

I have no problems with World Showcase, though. Still love all of that.

[tjl151]

I am glad i was able to ride and experience the old original Space ship earth before they refurbed it. As for replying to the original question to this tread, i prefer SSE and Test Track, i am glad my friend told me to ride it way back long ago. Ever sice I love the ride. Also, many people may think i am wierd but also my other favoraite sit through air conditoned ride would have to be Ellens energy adventure.

[Calypso]

I think its just nostalgia gives me the sense that the old EPCOT was better. Sometimes, when I see video of old EPCOT attractions, I think -- wow! how lame!! But, for me, the real enjoyment and love for EPCOT is the WS, which only seems to get better with time. Gradually....

[casrin]

I started a new post cause I didn't look for old ones first...my bad. I don't have a real problem with updating and changing rides. That does need to happen from time to time. I liked the originals at EPCOT, but changes are made. My real problem is that the Disney Co. has taken intelligent and insightful rides like Horizons, WOM, and Living Seas, and made them thrill rides, and in the case of LS, made it a kids ride. No longer enjoyable to me. I don't go to EPCOT for roller coasters and kids rides. I do that at Magic Kingdom. If I want to experience double gravity on a space type flight, I will go back to NASA and fly on the Vomit Comet. Imagination was changed because it didn't have movie characters. UoE is now a long Jeopardy episode...though UoE is still enjoyable, entertaining, and educational. I still love EPCOT, but I miss that place I used to go.

The dumbing down of Epcot? *nods* It seems like their focus groups (if they had them) must have demanded more entertainment than edutainment, and a shorter experience rather than a longer one. A 2 minute ride on Test Track vs. 20 minutes on WoM, you know?

I think its just nostalgia gives me the sense that the old EPCOT was better. Sometimes, when I see video of old EPCOT attractions, I think -- wow! how lame!! But, for me, the real enjoyment and love for EPCOT is the WS, which only seems to get better with time. Gradually....

I was too young to really appreciate World Showcase when I'd been to Epcot the many times we were there. I don't know how I'd see it as an adult now.

With Futureworld, yeah, looking back it was perhaps "corny" but that's also what made it interesting and fun, even at the time. Don't you think?

[Spielberg1]

i love jeremy irons ethereal voice.

it was so dreamy and magical.

now I heard it's been changed to Dame Judy Dench?! boo !

and i can't STAND all those horrible blocks they stuck in front of spaceship earth with people's miniature face plates on them.

remember how futuristic and lovely the plaza in front of spaceship earth was? so well designed! now its just kind of a mess.

and i do miss horizons! i think i'm going to buy the video from here

[Dr. Ravenscroft]

i love jeremy irons ethereal voice.

it was so dreamy and magical.

now I heard it's been changed to Dame Judy Dench?! boo !

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But then again I can't really say whether or not it is good since I haven't heard it in person. I should know for sure, hopefully, in Dec.

and i can't STAND all those horrible blocks they stuck in front of spaceship earth with people's miniature face plates on them.

GRAVEYARD BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only problem now that they have them in front of SSE is what are they going to do with them if they do decide to move them. If they move them and the people who have their faces on them don't like where it went Disney might be dealing with some lawsuits. I hope it doesn't happen like that, but I do want Disney to move them

remember how futuristic and lovely the plaza in front of spaceship earth was? so well designed! now its just kind of a mess.

and i do miss horizons! i think i'm going to buy the video from here

I wish I could say that I remember either of these two. I was there in 93', 96' and 99' But I don't remember anything about those trips because I was too young.......well not really too young but I didn't start "really remembering" my WDW trips until 03'. My borther remembers more of Horizons than I do, but for the entrance I have pictures.....So I can dream.

[meticulus9]

dont remember the plaza w/o the graveyard.....but i loved jeremy irons voice on SSE

[Captain Schnemo]

The only problem now that they have them in front of SSE is what are they going to do with them if they do decide to move them.

They could put them at the bottom of the lake and equip the Friendships with glass bottoms. And, while they're at it, add some sea monsters.

[meticulus9]

The only problem now that they have them in front of SSE is what are they going to do with them if they do decide to move them.

They could put them at the bottom of the lake and equip the Friendships with glass bottoms. And, while they're at it, add some sea monsters.

thats hilarious

[casrin]

I'm glad to read that others thought of that as a graveyard in front of SSE! That's how we always saw it too... and didn't like it.

[Dr. Ravenscroft]

They could put them at the bottom of the lake and equip the Friendships with glass bottoms. And, while they're at it, add some sea monsters.

AA Sea monkeys at that. And if people want to see their pictures they can use a ROV with cameras.

I'm glad to read that others thought of that as a graveyard in front of SSE! That's how we always saw it too... and didn't like it. Confused

Oh there are plenty of folks that call it that. I think the first time I ever heard it was on Micechat some years back. The rumor is that this is where they bury all the GOOD ideas.