With Epcot’s 30th coming up next year, I was daydreaming today about changes I think would revitalize the park. Got me to wondering, what would you say if Imagineering sat you in a room and said “tell us what we should do next.”
Personally, and I know many will cry heresy, I would say it’s time to notch up the Disney factor. Yes, I know in the beginning the rule was no characters, but we know that changed. You’ve already got a Donald ride in Mexico. So now I’d embrace it. Create attractions, tastefully nestled inside the World Showcase pavilions that connect Disney to that individual country. For instance, a Pinocchio dark ride in Italy like the one in Disneyland. How about Alice in Wonderland or even a Mary Poppins attraction in the UK? Brother Bear in Canada? Oh wait, nobody saw Brother Bear . . . but you see where I’m going.
Heck, give Snow and the boys a fresh coat of paint and move them over to Germany. It’s better than storage or the scrap yard. The queue areas themselves would make great places to tell the origin stories of each tale, from where they started to how they evolved into Disney classics. And I’ve just randomly picked some obvious examples that they’ve already had proven successful attractions with. How about some kind of Mulan attraction in China?
I know, in the age of Kim Possible and Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, dark rides might seem like a step back to some. Especially in the age of pushing technology. Having recently waited 15 minutes to ride Maelstrom, I think it’s fair to say dark rides still hold their charm and appeal even in the “Community of Tomorrow.” But alright, how about some kind of digital Remy’s Paris Adventure in France? Admittedly, that’s a bit more of a stretch since it doesn’t have the traditional folklore angle.
People are always saying they’d like a Greece pavilion. Imagine a 3D Hercules ride, taking on the mythological beasts, etc. Okay, okay, I realize this is blue sky here. It will never happen. Like I said, just day dreaming. But what do you Mousejunkies think?
Where would you like to see Epcot go next? What changes? What upgrades? What new pavilions can you imagine? Not just in World Showcase. Is there something you’ve always thought would be amazing in Future World? They’ve already got one empty pavilion being used for presentations and special events. And I do wonder if Ellen’s Energy Adventure might one day soon be extinct. (Especially if the rumors are true that the next Dinosaur refurb will add an animatronic Oprah.)
So let’s hear your thoughts. Remember if you can dream it, they can do it. They probably won’t . . . but they could. It’s still fun to imagine!
Isn’t that right Figment . . .?
Discussion
Yes! More countries = more tasty food!
I LOVED BROTHER BEAR. It’s in my top 5 favorite Disney movies!
But I would love to see more World Showcase Pavilions. The Outpost is useless and needs to be turned into something. I like the Disney element, but I think Disney would only add it if Epcot numbers were really dropping and they wanted to get more kids into World Showcase. Some attractions do need some TLC, like Circle of Life, Universe of Energy, and the entire Imagination Pavilion. Imagination could be really awesome, Disney is full of imagination, but they are really lacking there. As long as there will always be room for Soarin’, Living with the Land, and IllumiNations I will always find myself in Epcot.
It’s high time they put something good in those innovations pavilions. Most of the stuff at a Best Buy is just as high tech nowadays and really I just use those pavilions as a visual landmark to get myself to ice station cool for a dixie cup of watermelon soda. So what would I put in the pavilions? I dont know…Hovercars? Shoes that tie themselves? Hard to say, since my imagination of the future is really just a buncha “Back to the Future 2″ references
I too would like to see more countries…and thus more food! I like your idea of incorporating some Disney theme-age into Epcot. It doesn’t sound unreasonable to me. But new countries would be awsome. I’m thinking Russia, Australia, Sweden, Ireland…
I agree that they really need to do something with those Innoventions buildings. I hate to say it, but they’re pretty lamers!
Luzemburg anyone? Or Monte Carlo?
BTW Innoventions stinks unless you have lots of free time and kids
I have always thought, don’t hate me here, but that It’s a Small World should be moved to Epcot. It just makes sense there. Think about it, you know I am right. Then, FantasyLand can add more “boy” centered rides. Yes, FantasyLand can be more than just Princesses, and also yes, I have 2 sons so I hear “yuck! Princesses” a lot! So, Small World could become a Pinocchio ride. Or a Cars themed ride. Or an Up themed right. Anything appealing to a boy
Second request, am I the only one the remembers the Life Pavillion? What are they doing with that one. Can they bring back the old World of Motion…was I the only one that liked that ride?
My request year after year has been to put in IRELAND….. great food and wonderful people and let’s not forget the original and best tasting Guiness
I would second the motion for Ireland, or at least a permanent Ireland addition to the UK. Especially if they’d serve that Fisherman’s lobster & scallop pie they had at Food & Wine! I scalded my mouth but it was worth the burn! And that ice cold Meade was the perfect ointment!
Oh, and yeah, well I am Irish too so there’s that . . .
I would like to see a central or south american country represented. Maybe a rainforest ride or a rio concept for Brazil? Also, let’s perfect smell-o-vision and add it to inovations. Disney could make a fortune on that!
How about this for a new Innoventions concept? An attraction centered around Wall-E. Everyone is so green-crazy now, and saving the Earth was the theme in that movie. What’s more futuristic than that?
Well, to be honest, the first thing that popped into my head was “remodel the World Showcase bathrooms” because they’re looking pretty grungy. I do love the idea of bringing back World of Motion. Test Tract is fun, but it’s no World of Motion. The bathrooms probably have only a slightly better chance at reality than WoM.
I would like them to mame like a soarin ride that features scenes all over the world. I agree more Disney characters in the countries.. . The cold war has been over fir decades now what about a Russian pavillion. Also I think in all the parks a foot massage center to regenerate my feet mid day.
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