EPCOT to become “more Disney”

[Timandalicia]

You're right, Orange Bird was Adventureland. I just notice all the OB merchandise and trinkets at EPCOT for some reason.

It makes its way around. They had a bunch at Beach club market place and then it was gone and I saw the same stuff pop up at Contemporary. Love Orange Bird. Kind of fun that it’s obscure.

 

[RamblingMad]

Better ban alcohol.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

OK, and I would say that...about Animal Kingdom. There are so many exhibits and pathways there that people overlook. It still has room for improvement (looking at you Dinoland).

But World Showcase...I dunno.
Let's not ignore the elephant in the room, it is a long walk around the lake - there's just not much payoff. I like Canada, I thought France was pretty complete even before they added Rat. Norway was a better representation of Norway before Frozen and yes, the Norwegians that were running it really did make me want to visit (though I totally get the change to Frozen - not arguing that). As far as that goes, I don't think there is much more you can do with Norway or Mexico. USA has the American Experience so OK (HoP would be better here though IMHO). Everything else is just restaurants though, and unless you have a reservation, there's not much reason to even slow down as you pass. Then there are the gaps between countries reserved for future countries - but there are no current plans for any of them.

Not saying WS is a waste, just really agreeing with the post before - it needs A LOT of work!

I think there is a lot to see in a number of pavilions, between displays and shops and just walking around things like the gardens in China or the back pathways of Morocco.

I agree it could use some additions and updates - heck the original plans called for more countries and more attractions (e.g., a river ride in Germany) - but I think there is a lot there if you look.

And I agree it is a bit similar to Animal Kingdom and similarly both seem to be things that some people live be and some people aren't fans of

 

[RangerPooh]

I first visited EPCOT as a teenage in 92. It was ok, but not someplace that I was eager to visit again. When I returned on my honeymoon in 203 DH loved the park, me I was bored. He can people watch and be happy, I need attractions and entertainment. Sure walking through WS is nice, the architecture is really well done, but what else. Basic quick service food? Trinkets?

Rio del Tiempo was boring and the Three Caballeros is only slightly better. I'm hopefully that at some point it'll be gutted for Coco. Maelstrom was ok, but too short. We always skipped the movie. It was a walk on with air conditioning. I had the opportunity to ride Remi at DLParis and loved it, so I'm eager to experience it at WDW. Count me in as someone who would like to see other countries in WS with attractions.

 

[Olaf Myfrenzargay]

I love Epcot but going there even remotely closer to sundown with children anywhere near the World Showcase can be downright nauseating with the level of open drunkenness on display.

 

[Marthasor]

You know, for a "World Showcase", the countries really aren't represented all that well. The world is an exciting place - it's not just a food court.

I totally agree, however, if the point was to introduce guests to countries and, perhaps, inspire them to travel to the actual countries, it worked for me! I was intrigued with WS as a young girl and have visited 8 out of the 11 countries plus many others not represented. I attribute a lot of my interest in travel to experiencing WS as a tween.

 

[JC1984]

I totally agree, however, if the point was to introduce guests to countries and, perhaps, inspire them to travel to the actual countries, it worked for me! I was intrigued with WS as a young girl and have visited 8 out of the 11 countries plus many others not represented. I attribute a lot of my interest in travel to experiencing WS as a tween.

Everyone seems to think kids are so bored with WS I think we should make them all third world countries and show our kids how people live in them. It could be interactive and educational. Might make more grateful kids.

“Billy you know that temper tantrum your threw over that Mickey balloon that you popped? How about a whole day in Somalia?”

 

[mshanson3121]

Yeah, like Italy. I have no reason to go in there unless I was eating - and quite frankly I can get pizza and Italian food anywhere so I really never do. I'd rather hit Germany or Morocco for eating - but they suffer from the same issue. Even if it's something pretty basic, I really think all pavilions should have something. Even the rumored Mary Poppins spinner ride would be great for kids in the back-stretch of World Showcase.

I agree. I don't think it has to be a ride in every one, but something - a cultural movie, regular hourly entertainment (not what they used to have where you had to time your visit just right in order to be able to see it), something like the Beauty & Beast Singalong etc... As far as rides, adding the Mary Poppins attraction and then yes river ride in Germany that's been mentioned a couple times would be perfect.

Maybe I'm weird, but the World Showcase is my favorite part of WDW.

I remember enjoying Epcot (Future World) as a child, but I have no memory whatsoever of the WS. If that's because it bored me so I forgot it, or we just never went, I'm not sure.

On our first trip with our kids (they were 5 & 8), we were all "meh", especially the kids. Honestly, it felt like a big concrete, overheated (June/July trip) open-air shopping mall with shops and restaurants and not much else. The kids, while they enjoyed elements of it (pick a pearl, face painting and the Mexico boat ride), weren't all that enthused. It was a lot of walking in the hot sun, for not much honestly. They also didn't enjoy Future World that much, for that matter. They enjoyed Figment & ImageWorks, but hated TT, Mission Space was still too much for them, and Soarin' lines were still way too long back then for us to try it without a FP+. Sadly, I don't think we were aware of Nemo and the Seas so we missed that.

Our next trip with them they were older, 9 & 12, we went during Flower& Garden, and that was a completely different experience. That is the trip honestly, where we all fell in love with Epcot. I mean, the beauty alone of F&G, all the different things to see, kept us all entertained. They loved the butterfly garden. All the topiaries really made the WS come alive to us. They were older too, so better able to appreciate the architecture and scenery of WS. We were able to catch some of the entertainment. And of course they had added Frozen. The character place was there now and it was great to meet so many characters in such a short period of time. We got to do Soarin' which they loved. We did Nemo & Seas which was a huge hit. I'm so glad we did Epcot, because based on our last trip there, we were actually considering skipping it.

So, all that to say... I really do think they need to do more at Epcot to appeal to families with younger children, especially in the WS. Because while I know there are hardcore fans here whose young kids love Epcot/WS, in the real world, a lot of the families I talk to have the same impression as we did when our kids were young: there just wasn't much there for them.

 

[NickC]

Different strokes, I guess. I love WS and could spend a week just there. SWGE, not so much. I don't go to WDW for the rides. I go because it provides a great environment for family time. We create more memories waiting in line than we do on the rides. We've had some of the most memorable experiences on transportation to and from the parks. I wouldn't enjoy being barraged with IP everywhere. WS is a nice escape from it actually. I understand that my opinion isn't everyone's opinion, which is why (as I posted previously), I've taken a step back from being upset at the changes. If the new direction pleases more people, then that's great, and, honestly, it's the right choice for Disney. It's up to us if Disney is the right choice for us. And so, we will keep going until we don't.

 

[maverik85]

Yeah, like Italy. I have no reason to go in there unless I was eating - and quite frankly I can get pizza and Italian food anywhere so I really never do. I'd rather hit Germany or Morocco for eating - but they suffer from the same issue. Even if it's something pretty basic, I really think all pavilions should have something. Even the rumored Mary Poppins spinner ride would be great for kids in the back-stretch of World Showcase.

Yea don't see any major additions soon but even something small could help. A Mary Poppins themed carousel would help that pavilion and be fairly inexpensive, and could fit in still if they ever go back to the Cherry Tree Lane expansion.

 

[BrianL]

Yea don't see any major additions soon but even something small could help. A Mary Poppins themed carousel would help that pavilion and be fairly inexpensive, and could fit in still if they ever go back to the Cherry Tree Lane expansion.

I know people always complain about spinners, but they serve a purpose. The World Showcase could really use something like that for the kids, especially in the back half there. A simple carousel would certianly work, though I've always dreamed of a legit Mary Poppins dark ride. The nice thing about carousels is that they also add atmosphere - even when not riding they have a charm. It would certianly be welcome.

 

[maverik85]

Yea htey're basic but look nice and woudl be great in the UK area. Hopefully they would eventually add a Mary Poppins dark ride as well.

 

[Tink-osophy]

Yea don't see any major additions soon but even something small could help. A Mary Poppins themed carousel would help that pavilion and be fairly inexpensive, and could fit in still if they ever go back to the Cherry Tree Lane expansion.

A Mary Poppins carousel would be a great addition to the UK pavilion!

I also love the idea of a river ride for Germany and a log flume for Canada (is there room there?)

Mary Poppins is the perfect IP for UK, because it's historically British.

I don't think a Germany river ride or Canadian log flume need IP, though, if they are done in a way to appeal to young and grown-up alike. Disney are very capable of achieving that if they want to.

 

[BrianL]

A Mary Poppins carousel would be a great addition to the UK pavilion!

I also love the idea of a river ride for Germany and a log flume for Canada (is there room there?)

Mary Poppins is the perfect IP for UK, because it's historically British.

I don't think a Germany river ride or Canadian log flume need IP, though, if they are done in a way to appeal to young and grown-up alike. Disney are very capable of achieving that if they want to.

The only issue would then be four boat rides in World Showcase. I think they could do something different for Germany - a dark ride, but not a river. I'm not exactly sure what it would be, but at least it would add some variety.

 

[hertamaniac]

The only issue would hten be four boat rides in World Showcase. I think they could do something different for Germany - a dark ride, but not a river. I'm not exactly sure what it would be, but at least it would add some variety.

Autobahn Racers.

 

[maverik85]

Love the Autobahn themed dark ride. Race past German landmarks or something. That was the one think i wondered for th Rhine river ride was it being too similar style to all the other boat rides there are.

I also love the idea of a river ride for Germany and a log flume for Canada (is there room there?)

I don't think a Germany river ride or Canadian log flume need IP, though, if they are done in a way to appeal to young and grown-up alike. Disney are very capable of achieving that if they want to.

It is a tight fit but there would be room between Canada and the Imagination pavilion. Especially if they took up just a little bit of backstage space behind the Canada pavilion too. And I agree it wouldn't need any IP, just showcase some Canadian landscape and things unique to different areas like some totem poles and animals. Could see them potentially try to work Brother Bear into it but that's not a big IP so might not worry about it. And if there is no IP to try to fit a whole storyline around it would be easier to make it a little smaller and focus on thrills and scenery still to make a great ride.

 

[BrianL]

Autobahn Racers.

That's a good one - though it would need to be distinct from Test Track. I don't think they could put that style of attraction in that space anyway, but Autobahn does indicate speed - maybe just a relatively fast dark ride (something like Mr. Toad or Roger Rabbit) and a super-speed tunnel section could work.

 

[hertamaniac]

That's a good one - though it would need to be distinct from Test Track. I don't think they could put that style of attraction in that space anyway, but Autobahn does indicate speed - maybe just a relatively fast dark ride (something like Mr. Toad or Roger Rabbit) and a super-speed tunnel section could work.

and travel between cities to show different landscapes, regions and historical sites. Education with a little bit of thrill tossed in. It can be made family friendly.

 

[bffer]

I like the idea of bringing the Matterhorn to Germany. 🏔

 

[Tink-osophy]

The only issue would hten be four boat rides in World Showcase. I think they could do something different for Germany - a dark ride, but not a river. I'm not exactly sure what it would be, but at least it would add some variety.

Good point. A different kind of dark ride then, like...

Autobahn Racers.

It is a tight fit but there would be room between Canada and the Imagination pavilion. Especially if they took up just a little bit of backstage space behind the Canada pavilion too. And I agree it wouldn't need any IP, just showcase some Canadian landscape and things unique to different areas like some totem poles and animals. Could see them potentially try to work Brother Bear into it but that's not a big IP so might not worry about it. And if there is no IP to try to fit a whole storyline around it would be easier to make it a little smaller and focus on thrills and scenery still to make a great ride.

Interesting, thank you. And, yes, plenty to celebrate about Canada and make it a fun ride and I actually like the idea of Brother Bear, too. As you say it would be milder IP and it would help with the appeal to little kids as well as us big kids - as long as they didn't just focus on Brother Bear, that is.