Fix Epcot?

[DisneyGiant]

I've read somewhere (maybe here) or heard at the theme park that Epcot has line issues due to their lack of attractions.

What do you think should be done about this?

Add new attractions? If so - what would fit within theming?

Add more things to do in World Showcase? If so, what?

Attractions with major lines (last two times we were there, lines were over 60 minutes long):

Soarin
Test Track
Mission Space (seasonal)

Attractions without lines (usually) & least popular:

Imagination (appears to be totally abandoned by the General Public)
Honey I Shrunk
Spaceship Earth (this may change when its refurbished)
Universe of Energy
The Land
Living Seas w\Nemo (this had lines in June when we were there - but I suspect it was just because the three majors were hard to get into)

I think they need another "major" attraction to replace Wonders of Life. I wonder why the crowds stopped going there, which forced them to close it? I thought it was a nice compliment to the other attractions - Body Wars and Cranium Command were pure Disney (imagineering wise). I wonder how much longer they'll be willing to keep the Imagination pavilion open?

I would also like to see learning seminars in World Showcase - seminars that would excite people to say - oh let's plan our day around the Italian fill-in-the-blank experience or the Norway blankety blank demonstration.

I guess my point is after being this long winded - Epcot is becoming a half day park for us - and that saddens me.

[Jakk]

I've read somewhere (maybe here) or heard at the theme park that Epcot has line issues due to their lack of attractions.

Umm, err, uh what do you mean by line issues exactley? :confused:


What do you think should be done about this?

Add new attractions? If so - what would fit within theming?

Add more things to do in World Showcase? If so, what?

Let the WDI figure that one out, besides that's what they get paid for.


Attractions with major lines (last two times we were there, lines were over 60 minutes long):

Soarin
Test Track
Mission Space (seasonal)

Don't you realize that any E-ticket attraction will have long lines??? E-tickets+ HUGE popularity= Long wait times!!!


Attractions without lines (usually) & least popular:

Imagination (appears to be totally abandoned by the General Public)

Disney does realize this atraction has very low attendance and is hated by alot of people. But big changes are coming soon to the Imagination Pavillion (but I'll get into that later in my post)


Honey I Shrunk

The theater is always full so it's preatty popular (I guess...)


Spaceship Earth (this may change when its refurbished)

It's a omnivor (sp???) type attraction these attractions never have long wait times...but I do think the refurb will help!


Universe of Energy

Like HISTA the vechiles are always (usally) full...


The Land

I waited last time 15 minutes for this attraction thats means somthing is right, right?


Living Seas w\Nemo (this had lines in June when we were there - but I suspect it was just because the three majors were hard to get into)

Average 30 minute wait (thats what they say on the tip board). So it's preatty popular



I think they need another "major" attraction to replace Wonders of Life. I wonder why the crowds stopped going there, which forced them to close it?

Last year I went in the WoL pavillion and I swear I was the only one there! *Creepy* But maybe people stopped going because the whole pavillion was terribly outdated and was basically stuck in the 90's? Maybe because the medical exhbits are the same you can see in your local museum? Maybe because people don't like getting sick on a attraction :ack:(BW), and like medicore attractions (CC)? I swear I remember readind that during 1990's-1995 WoL was the least visited pavillion...


I thought it was a nice compliment to the other attractions - Body Wars and Cranium Command were pure Disney (imagineering wise).

How is it good Imagineering when one is a ride that'll meake you sick, and another is a medicore attraction (at least in my opinion). Good Imagineering are attraction like JII, and Horizons!


I wonder how much longer they'll be willing to keep the Imagination pavilion open?

Speaking of the Imagination pavillion..lol Disneys plans right now are to have a HUGE rehab for JII! The plans right now is to rehab the whole pavillion (after SSE is done with its refurb) and give it a facelift. They want to replace the current 3D show, revamp the JII dark ride, there'll also rumors (preatty verified rumor) that'll be a new layout which will have the revamped dark ride and theater spill guests into the downstairs "ImageWorks" section while the upstairs "ImageWorks" location will be totally transformed (the pyramids are staying). Both the dark ride and theater will have entrances accessible from the outside of the building, as well as the downstairs "ImageWorks" area.
Disney really wants to improve the attendance so they are changing the layout because it'll hopefully boost attendance for the whole pavillion. JII will finally return our good friend the Dreamfinder so should be a nice homecoming for our good friend! With a revamped Imagination pavillion I could easily see JII have 50-60 minute waits if not more. Now this should help with this so called "line issues. Now if you don't believe me I don't really care because I know it's defintly happening! There our many insider on various websites so it's defintley happening!:woohoo:


I would also like to see learning seminars in World Showcase - seminars that would excite people to say - oh let's plan our day around the Italian fill-in-the-blank experience or the Norway blankety blank demonstration.

That sounds like fun...kindaish..I guess...err


I guess my point is after being this long winded - Epcot is becoming a half day park for us - and that saddens me.

What!??? Are you basing that on the fact of WoL being gone? How long did you spend there?? Like 5 hours? No offence it's just that Epcot basically has the same number of rides from when it opened. Now your saying that Epcot is only a half day park because it closed WoL???? Really how long did you spend there???

[DizneyRox]

I've read somewhere (maybe here) or heard at the theme park that Epcot has line issues due to their lack of attractions.
I might argue that Epcot actually has THE MOST attractions of any park. I guess it depends on your definition of attractions however. Innoventions has tons of things to do, the countries have all kinds of sights.

Epcot is easily a two day park... At least for a first timer.

[Marker]

Oh my, for me Epcot is MUCH MORE than a half day park. I guess it could be a half day if I was only interested the "popular" rides. But for me there's so much more to Epcot than rides. In fact, if it were me making adjustments, I'd like to see Epcot go back to being about Science, Innovations, Technology, Discovery, with rides and attractions that more focused on having a "message" rather than a "thrill"... you know, the educational twist it had in the beginning..... and that's just Future World. World Showcase can be a day by itself if you take the time to explore and enjoy what each of the pavilions have to offer.

But then again, that's the beauty of WDW, if
Epcot is not your cup of tea, there's always MK, or AK or MGM.

[DDuck66]

I guess it depends on your definition of line problems. I was there last Saturday and the only line with a long wait was Soarin. It had a 40 minute fast pass wait near opening and it grew to over an hour rather quickly. We went on almost every other attraction and never had to wait more than 15 minutes.
IMHO, EPCOT is one of the better parks and we will often spend at least 2 days there during a week long stay. We live about and hour and a half away, and spent the majority of a day (9-4:00) there and never made it to all of the the different lands in the World Showcase.

[TINKERBELL_82]

We can easily spend the entire day at Epcot! We love walking around the WS, shopping and taking in all of the movies about the countries. In FW, there's a ton to do!

I do agree, however, about WOL. I really wish they would bring it into the new millenium with a rehab. Its such a wonderful addition to the park.

[offero]

I have many friends who feel this way, but i disagree. We tend to make Epcot a Two day park. 1 day for the park in general and 1 day in the countries alone.

As for Imagination.... I think since the rehab it has gone downhill, but I hear they have plans to fix it.

[LauraF]

Epcot is definitely a 2+day park. It just depends on your idea of fun. :cool: I would CRY if Epcot changed too much (i.e. all E-ticket rides and less hand-on exploration.)

For me, WOL always seemed hidden, so I think that's why a lot of people never went. (That, and it got dated very quickly.)

[mainemajor]

We always spend more time at EPCOT than at any other park. There is just so much to do and see there. EPCOT is not just about e-rides, carnival atmophere or hands and wands. Sorry another discussion there. We easily can spend a full day in World Showcase by itself.
I guess it's all what you want to see and do at the different parks. I miss both Body Battles and Cranium Command, but have moved on knowing that I will probably never see either of them again and I no longer even think of them when I think of EPCOT.

[Jared]

Epcot almost needs more than two days to experience completely. Future World alone could take longer than half of one day.

I consider Future World and World Showcase two separate theme parks underneath the general Epcot umbrella. Both sections offer completely different and unique experiences.

Wonders of Life should not be dormant. That building is too big to rest uninhabited. The current theme is outdated, but some major corporation will hopefully fund a major rehab.

My family generally spends one day in Future World, and one half-day for World Showcase and IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Many people spend an entire day or more with World Showcase, but I do not care much for that portion of the park.

[DisneyGiant]

Wow - I guess my "half day park" comment hit a few nerves! Didn't mean for it too - I guess I didn't explain myself properly. It just seems that its becoming a half day park for us............

We have a line tolerance of lets say - 30 minutes.

Our last visit to Epcot - we went to Soarin first thing - there was already a half hour line (seriously, how do people beat us? It was early opening - and we got to the park at 8 am!!)

We had to get a fast pass. This made us wait for another fast pass for Test Track. So in the mean time - we got breakfast, jumped on the Land - 5 minute wait at the time. Head on into JII - no one at all in the place. The Kodak lady was thrilled when we came out to take our picture. Then since it was time to get the fast pass for TT - we ran over there to get it. Run back - go on Soarin.

Can't go back to TT until 1:30pm - so we get on line for Living Seas - 45 minute wait.

This time - its lunch - and we have to go back to the Boardwalk for a birthday celebration.

We go eat - go back to Epcot - ride TT - then leave for swimming. Its now 3:30ish.

So - only thing we have left to ride is SE - kids hate Energy - & MS. Would love to go back on Soarin - but no fast passes left.

The point I was trying to make with WOL - was that if there were another major attraction - the lines would be more equitably split - maybe making them a little more tolerable to wait on.

My problem is probably that I contrast this to an early opening at MK - we can do basically all the rides in Fantasy Land and Tomorrowland with no waits - and grab a Splash fast pass to boot!!!!

And Innoventions seems so outdated - half the stuff didn't work - or its too hard to compete to play with some of it.

As far as the countries go - we frequently eat in them - but don't linger in them - part of the reason is the kids attention spans only go so far - the other is - we're always visiting when its really really hot - so its hard to explore them in the heat when the pool is beckoning.

Oh well - thanks for the responses.

For the record - Body Wars never made me sick - I loved it - and remember when it usually to have 30 minute waits. And Cranium Command was always a must see for us!!!!

Looking forward to the changes that are planned for the Imagination pavillion. To me - that's the most important pavillion of all!!!!!

[Jakk]

And Innoventions seems so outdated - half the stuff didn't work - or its too hard to compete to play with some of it.

you don't find the WoL pavillion outdated???

But as for major attractions there are bluesky rumors for a E-ticket attraction in the World showcase. But it still in the concept idea and shouldn't really come about in the next couple years. There are various concepts for what to replace the WoL pavillion but again like the WS E-ticket it really won't come about until the next couple years...

[Speedy1998]

I might argue that Epcot actually has THE MOST attractions of any park. I guess it depends on your definition of attractions however. Innoventions has tons of things to do, the countries have all kinds of sights.

Epcot is easily a two day park... At least for a first timer.

I agree that it has the most attractions of all the parks. Think of all the live entertainment. The movies and rides in most of the countries. Plus the rides in Future World. The only problem I have had with EPCOT lately is they seem to be dumbing down some of the attractions. The attractions in Future World are becoming more about pure entertainment, when in the old days you used to learn something if you paid attention.

[dolphinmickey9170]

Just curious if Star Tours makes you sick as well? This and Body Wars are vary similar type moving rides. Or do you mean the "sight of blood" so to speak that makes you sick.

I love Epcot. I take AT LEAST two days when we are there. Never been a half day park for us.

[Polynesian Dweller]

We really enjoy Epcot and its our favorite park in which to just spend some time. We go there several time during the week. WOL dated very quickly and never really reached its concept.

Good to hear about yet another JII rehab. Hopefully the Imagineers put some Imagination into the attractions this time.

As for more rides in World Showcase, I would love to see some. Hard to do at the Germany through France end since the park come right up to Buena Vista boulevard so not a lot of room. As you drive to DTD on Buena Vista you can see the back sides of the pavillions if you look carefully.

[DisneyGiant]

you don't find the WoL pavillion outdated???



Sure - the stuff other than Body Wars & Cranium Command was outdated. They could have done a much better job with the activities - especially considering all the news about how important health and weight control are.

[Melanie]

Just a friendly moderator reminder to keep the sarcasm out of this discussion (and any discussion here for that matter), as using sarcasm is against the INTERCOT Terms of Service.

The original poster is looking for legitimate discussion about why he feels Epcot needs to be fixed. Keep the sarcasm out of it!

Thank you and back to your regularly scheduled thread. :)

[Jakk]

The only problem I have had with EPCOT lately is they seem to be dumbing down some of the attractions. The attractions in Future World are becoming more about pure entertainment, when in the old days you used to learn something if you paid attention.

Well the Imagineers had no choice but to dumb down the attractions! The whole Education thing wasn't connecting with the guests I mean kids go on vacation to have fun not basically go to school in a more entertaining way. Thats why Epcot had low attendance, now it's attendance has skyrocted! Besides it's not like none of there newer attraction don't teach anything it's just in smaller ways...

[RBrooksC]

WoL won't have anything done to it until some sponser steps up to the plate. When MetLife stopped its sponsorship, the pavillion went to its current seasonal opening. When I was there last in September 2004, it wasn't open. It was open in May of 2001 but, again, I think that was seasonal.

Epcot is what ones makes of it. I enjoy taking a leasurely stroll around World Showcase with my wife and just taking in everything. I don't think I have seen a movie there since 1983 but I do enjoy the shops and the sights of that area of the park.

Usually what we do is do Future World on one day and World Showcase on another day. Also, World Showcase is usually an afternoon thing for us. A way for us to slow down during our trip and just relax while still enjoying the parks.

[mcjaco]

Well the Imagineers had no choice but to dumb down the attractions! The whole Education thing wasn't connecting with the guests I mean kids go on vacation to have fun not basically go to school in a more entertaining way. Thats why Epcot had low attendance, now it's attendance has skyrocted! Besides it's not like none of there newer attraction don't teach anything it's just in smaller ways...

I'd have to disagree with that statement. The addition of Universal Islands of Adventure played a large in how Disney decided to reshape parts of all the parks. Families with teenagers were heading to IOA/USO for thrills, which is a huge chunk of attendance for any park. Disney had to put in thrill rides to get some of those numbers back. I just think they did it in the wrong park.

That was when the additions of MS and TT were added. Although they try to educate, they pale in comparison to Horizons and World of Motion. You also have to remember that most of EPCOT's original attractions are 20+ years old. Not very Futury if you ask me. I'm not saying I like it, but there it is. I'd die a happy man if Horizons was rebuilt.

As for WoL, I really don't get the attraction to that pavillion. I thought it was poorly planned, poorly themed, and in reality wasn't that big of an attendance draw anyway. Lines, no matter what how many attractions there are, always seem to be the same.

[magicman]

WoL won't have anything done to it until some sponser steps up to the plate. When MetLife stopped its sponsorship, the pavillion went to its current seasonal opening. When I was there last in September 2004, it wasn't open. It was open in May of 2001 but, again, I think that was seasonal.


I only go in the off-season, and WoL wasn't opened for my visits in 2004, 2005, or 2006.

I think EPCOT does need something more to siphon some visitors/crowds away from Soarin' & Test Track.

[BMan62]

WoL pavillion should be sponsored by Pfizer.

That way "The Making of Me" could be brought to you by Viagra!:thedolls:

[Rayadragon]

I have to defend the people who believe that Epcot can be finished in a day or less.

Although there are lots of attractions in Epcot, not everyone likes the same attractions. To my dad and brother, attractions = rides. For the most part the WS only exists because of El Rio de Tiempo (haven't been since the rehab) and the Maelstrom. Occationally they realize that there's good food there. That's it for them. If you don't like exploring all the details of the pavillions, the outdoor shows, and the shopping, then WS can be finished in under an hour, easy.

They tend to do a bit more in FutureWorld, but it depends on the day and what mood they're in. Haven't been there since the Living Seas opened up again, so I can't really factor that in. You can walk on JiI (the CMs were happy to see people in there actually...), Soarin is a 30 min wait with fast pass (off season), Land is pretty quick. We normally skip HISTA now, along with the Energy Adventure (although we did go on this last time). We didn't do M:S this most recent trip. Had fast passes for TT and ate lunch while waiting for them. That was pretty much it.

At this point (after lunch) you can hit the couple of rides in the WS, and the "boys" were done with Epcot. Mom and I tend to spend a bit more time exploring, but we're generally finished in a couple of hours.

It really depends on what type of experience you're looking for when you're at Epcot. If you're just there for the rides and you wind up skipping some, it can go pretty quick if you luck out with the Fast Passes.

[Figgyluv03]

I love EPCOT. I'm a science techie kind of person, so I enjoy all of the attactions on the future world side. I'm not a huge fan of WoL, but then again, any medically usually gets me sick, so i can't be in there too long. I think the only thing I liked doing there was doing the bike thing and picking what park you wanted to ride around in. They should replace it and bring back Horizons or World of Motion (I think it was called that). And I love World Showcase. The people are in their native culture and always so warm and welcoming. There are always plenty of stuff to see and do there. We are definetely making it a two day event on our next trip!

[Olivia's Daddy]

For us, rides are down on the list in terms of the EPCOT experience. We love the food, and here also is plenty of elbow room. The other parks have a bit of a rush rush vibe about them, where at EPCOT, you can stroll around or just sit and relax. We easily spend most of our time at EPCOT every vacation.

[Jakk]

I'd have to disagree with that statement. The addition of Universal Islands of Adventure played a large in how Disney decided to reshape parts of all the parks. Families with teenagers were heading to IOA/USO for thrills, which is a huge chunk of attendance for any park. Disney had to put in thrill rides to get some of those numbers back. I just think they did it in the wrong park.

But Imagine not having any thrill rides in Epcot (I'm not a real thrill seaker) that'll exclude alot of guests, not everybody likes a dark ride. Also is it just me but did it feel like every dark ride felt very similar? Kinda like there were overduing it? Anywho that's how I felt it not much variety.


That was when the additions of MS and TT were added. Although they try to educate, they pale in comparison to Horizons and World of Motion.

But see now your statment is completly wrong! Horizons was never meant to be replaced, heck ever Eisner himself loved it. But the building was having serious bulding issues and eventualy it would collapse on it's own weight. Mission Space was never really supposed to happen but I guess what would you rather have a replaced ride, or a empty bulding? Yes, the learning is very lttle compared to WOM, and Horizons but I remember when I went on Horizons or WOM I NEVER had to wait more than 5-10 minutes. So I guess technicaly because of the wait times for MS, and TT compared to WOM and Horizons that MS and TT are way more popular. The average guest dosn't want to learn they want to be amused.



I'd die a happy man if Horizons was rebuilt.

Well isn't Horizons basically coming back in the new refurbished SSE? I mean I know SSE won't focus completly on the future but they'll have scenes about the future and you can choose your own ending (alot lke Horizons). So I guess it's take it or leave it kinda thing!


At this point (after lunch) you can hit the couple of rides in the WS, and the "boys" were done with Epcot. Mom and I tend to spend a bit more time exploring, but we're generally finished in a couple of hours.

What about SSE????? Does your family not like SSE, or you forgot to mention it in your post?

[Rayadragon]

What about SSE????? Does your family not like SSE, or you forgot to mention it in your post?

Forgot to mention it :blush: Even so, SSE is generally walk on, unless my brother's using a wheelchair that day (he has some mobility issues and has difficulty managing the whole day on foot). Last year he did, and we wound up being behind 6 other families. We waited longer for SSE than we did for Soarin'. Should've just back out (before the next 2 famlies got behind us) and walked in the entrance

[mcjaco]

But Imagine not having any thrill rides in Epcot (I'm not a real thrill seaker) that'll exclude alot of guests, not everybody likes a dark ride. Also is it just me but did it feel like every dark ride felt very similar? Kinda like there were overduing it? Anywho that's how I felt it not much variety.

I don't have to imagine there not being any thrill rides. That's the way it was from 1982 until Test Track was built. Unless you want to count Maelstrom. Second, none of the dark rides were remotely similiar. Each touched on a seperate topic in completely different ways.


But see now your statment is completly wrong! Horizons was never meant to be replaced, heck ever Eisner himself loved it. But the building was having serious bulding issues and eventualy it would collapse on it's own weight. Mission Space was never really supposed to happen but I guess what would you rather have a replaced ride, or a empty bulding? Yes, the learning is very lttle compared to WOM, and Horizons but I remember when I went on Horizons or WOM I NEVER had to wait more than 5-10 minutes. So I guess technicaly because of the wait times for MS, and TT compared to WOM and Horizons that MS and TT are way more popular. The average guest dosn't want to learn they want to be amused.

The reasoning behind the demise of Horizons has never been confirmed. You're basing all your information on rumors. I've heard it all, the sink hole, the lack of sponsorship, etc. In the early years I waited 40 minutes for Horizons and World of Motion. Both had huge ride capacity which neither TT or MS do. Finally, there's the whole problem. You're not supposed to go to EPCOT for thrills. It was meant as an educational park through entertainment.


Well isn't Horizons basically coming back in the new refurbished SSE? I mean I know SSE won't focus completly on the future but they'll have scenes about the future and you can choose your own ending (alot lke Horizons). So I guess it's take it or leave it kinda thing!

Again, speculation from rumors. We're all grasping at straws because of the mention of a "choose your own ending" type addition. I'll save my judgment until I see the update first hand. Thus far, it looks like a rehab of the track, the sets and the ride vehicles, nothing as elaborate as we'd like.

[wedway76]

I understand what DisneyGiant is trying to say about the lines, and I remember it being discussed on this board several months back. One or more people had alluded to the fact that for people that are into RIDES (as opposed to attraction), EPCOT really only has Mission Space, Soarin’ and Test Track, and you seem get a lot of people gravitating to those three queues. I wouldn’t be surprised if some people go there for those three rides and leave.

To me it does seem like Soarin’ and Test Track have the worst lines in all of WDW; Soarin’ because it’s new and Test Track because it seems to break down all the time. Maybe after some of the novelty of those three wears off, the lines may become more manageable.



For my family EPCOT is at LEAST a two day park. We usually spent more time there than that. On several trips we spent two entire days there and hopped there on two or three more days.

[Jakk]

Second, none of the dark rides were remotely similiar. Each touched on a seperate topic in completely different ways.

I know that each dark ride had diffrent topics and themes (communciations, motion) but they felt very alike I felt thery were over using AA and none of the attractions felt special (excpet for JII, and Horizons) I felt like they were very bland and boring (at least that's MY opinion)


The reasoning behind the demise of Horizons has never been confirmed. You're basing all your information on rumors. I've heard it all, the sink hole, the lack of sponsorship, etc.

Well acutally there not rumors there facts! Like I said Eisner wanted Horizons fixed but there could be nothing done (except rebuild). I have many friends that work as WDI I wouldn't post stuff that wasn't for a sure fact and the sinkhole was a FACT. Your acting like Disney destroyed Horizons just to put a thrill ride, but that wasn't the case.


Finally, there's the whole problem. You're not supposed to go to EPCOT for thrills. It was meant as an educational park through entertainment.

I thought EPCOT was meant to be a working city of tommorow? Not a pernament worlds fair and who said that there shouldn't be any thrill rides? Is there like and unoffical written law?



Thus far, it looks like a rehab of the track, the sets and the ride vehicles, nothing as elaborate as we'd like.
Say what? UGH!!! Seriously look up for the info before you state untrue facts. Here's the offical press release:


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (April 11, 2007) -- Inside the Epcot icon, remarkable changes will be taking place over the next several months. A re-imagined Spaceship Earth presented by Siemens will combine the magic of the iconic attraction's time-travel adventure into the past with a new finale which provides guests the opportunity to imagine their futures.

On a trip through time inside the Spaceship Earth attraction, guests discover how each generation of mankind has invented the future for the next generation, and how the spirit of innovation has moved people from the caves to the cosmos.

Enhancements to the time-travel attraction will encompass changes to each of the ride scenes. New show scenes will be added to the attraction's story along with new lighting effects, costumes, set decoration, narration and musical score.

This adventure through time leads ultimately to the very top of Spaceship Earth's geodesic dome, where guests arrive at the present. The time travel adventure will be enhanced through new, interactive touch screens installed aboard each "time machine" that will enable guests to create their own visions of the future and see themselves in that future.


it's not gonna focus on communication anymore, it'll focus on technology. How's that not elaborte? Sheesh....

[mcjaco]

I know that each dark ride had diffrent topics and themes (communciations, motion) but they felt very alike I felt thery were over using AA and none of the attractions felt special (excpet for JII, and Horizons) I felt like they were very bland and boring (at least that's MY opinion)

One could say the same thing about Fantasyland too. ;):D I thought each touched on each subject differently. WoM was comical, SSE was serious, UofE was boring :D, Horizons was forward thinking, and JII was silly.


Well acutally there not rumors there facts! Like I said Eisner wanted Horizons fixed but there could be nothing done (except rebuild). I have many friends that work as WDI I wouldn't post stuff that wasn't for a sure fact and the sinkhole was a FACT. Your acting like Disney destroyed Horizons just to put a thrill ride, but that wasn't the case.

I'm not denying Eisner didn't like Horizons. There's never been any documented proof that it was a sinkhole. Just a lot of conjecture. I'm not saying it isn't that reason, I'm just saying without documented proof, I'm not believing it. If you can show me the proof, then I'm all ears. :thumbsup:


I thought EPCOT was meant to be a working city of tommorow? Not a pernament worlds fair and who said that there shouldn't be any thrill rides? Is there like and unoffical written law?

The original concept of EPCOT was a working city, the theme park not so much. That's not to say thrill rides couldn't be added, but it's a bit hard to educate people when they're zooming around at 60 mph, or spun around, isn't it?


Say what? UGH!!! Seriously look up for the info before you state untrue facts. Here's the offical press release:


it's not gonna focus on communication anymore, it'll focus on technology. How's that not elaborate? Sheesh....

I'd say that's the Disney spin doctoring at it's best. Here's what were doing in general terms, but were not divulging any real specific information. Let's let the Disney fans eat this up and make their own conclusions. I'd say they've done a good job. ;)

[pook@wdw]

It saddens me to hear that someone thinks of Epcot as a 1/2 day park. There is soooo much more to this jewel than the FW attractions! World Showcase is itself a full day if enjoyed properly! And believe me, we LOVE to explore all the beauty of the various countries, sample their cuisine, and look for out-of-the-ordinary photo opps. A late afternoon/evening stroll "around the world"...:cloud9: what a magical time!!:thumbsup:

[Horizon93]

Epcot is my favorite park. I could sepend 7 days there! There is so much more to it than the rides, which are a key component of the park but not its central focus.

The classic, now gone attractions are of course near and dear to my heart. Horizons, WOM, and the original JII will always live in my memory. I am happy to see that SE will now be giving a nod to Horizons. Dark rides are great and can be successful with the true Disney imagination. Thrill rides are fun, but it is the Disney experience and in this case the Epcot experience that makes it great.

Epcot does not need to be fixed, it simply needs to continue to grow and evolve. I think it looks like that is the direction that the great park is heading.

[bkfree]

Our last trip to WDW with our 6 and8 year old kiddos and Epcot was one of our favorite parks, in fact it beat out MK for fun and enjoyment.
One trick we have to beating the lines is
GO IN JANUARY!!!
During early morning magic hour we rode Soarin, Test Track and Mission Space, 3 times each. Yes, 3 times in a row each. We just walked off the ride around the queue and right back on the ride.
We also eat almost all our lunches and dinners at World Showcase which has the best food.We always stay at an Epcot resort so it is an easy stroll to WS to eat.Us and our kids Love Worls Showcase. We take our time in each country, listening to the bands, watching the street entertainment and sampling the food, crafts and shopping and drinks.
My two look forward to the band in Canada, the street play in England, the Drum and Fife performance at the American Experience, the Juggler in Morroco as well as the belly dancing, the Frozen Cherry Ice in Japan, the music in Germany , the drums in Africa, and the Marachi Band in Mexico , just to name but a very few of the many things we do at WS.
Last trip we had our worst time at AK and some of our best times and character thrills at MGM.
The only changes I look for at Epcot are adding more countries like Russia,Spain, Jamaica,Puerto Rico and Greece. I see lots of potential in these pavilions.