Epcot....what happened?

[acarsme123]

I'm sorry if this is not the most appropriate forum to post this, but I didn't see any other Topic areas I thought it should go. I'm just wondering if anyone has any insight to what happened to some of the attractions at Epcot I remember so vividly from when I was a kid? I believe it was called the What-If Labs? I don't remember a lot from the first time I went to Disney back in the mid 80s, but I do remember Epcot.....I remember playing with these tables that you'd run your hand over and it would change colors. And these big screens on the wall and you'd push buttons and it would make different bubbles appear. It is seared into my memory for some reason out of everything I probably did on that first trip.....oh, and being scared to death on the Haunted Mansion. Does anyone know why Disney felt the need to get rid of this area at Epcot? I'm sure kids would still find it fascinating today. I know my son would!

We took our son to Disney for the first time two years ago and Epcot just looked to be in a really sad state. There was some pavilion area where I believe all the cool stuff I remembered from my trip as a kid was contained....but there was seriously nothing there now. Some type of simulator and some other boring activities for kids that my son had no interest in.

I told my wife that I didn't understand why Disney felt the need to get rid of all the old cool stuff. In fact, bring back some of the old stuff and make it even cooler by having a Virtual Reality pavilion! With the resurgence of VR like Oculus and HTV Vive, Epcot could really show off some futuristic things again by using this medium.

Disney has all the money in the world, certainly they could step up their game in certain areas. I realize a ton of park upgrades were announced last year, and that's great, but I still felt it to be lacking. They could and should do more. Sorry for my rant and trip down memory lane, but I thought maybe it could spark an interesting discussion.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I’m guessing it’s not exactly the same as what you’re talking about but the kids area at the end of Figment has things similar to what you’re talking about. My kids had a blast running around and playing with lighted areas on the floor that play different sounds.

 

[mshanson3121]

^^^What she said. My kids loved the ImageWorks area at the end of Figment. But, that said, I also remember what you're talking about from my own childhood trip. And I agree. While, there are definitely things at Epcot that I know interest my children, and we enjoyed our day there last time, of the three, it is the least engaging for us, and we'll be skipping it on our November trip. There really isn't much for rides there for them (Mexico boat ride, Frozen boat ride, Living with the Land boat ride.... seriously... what is up with Epcot and boat rides??, the Seas, and Figment is about it for my kids). While we found the World Showcase neat, and the entertainment was nice (really enjoyed Reflections of China), it's not anything my children have a desire to do each time they go. Let's face it - World Showcase is essentially a beautifully themed shopping complex. I definitely feel Epcot needs help, but by the sounds of things, they're going to be getting it.

 

[acarsme123]

Yes my son had fun waving his arms and making Figment play music. But there used to be so much more.

I think my VR pavilion idea would be perfect for Epcot. Think of how many different experiences you could create for that alone, and with really minimal cost too.

But bring back the bubble screens! Ha ha.

 

[jsmla]

Our kids loved the Wonders of Life pavilion and the interactive areas in Imagination back in the 90s.

 

[tinkerhon]

Bring back "Cranium Command" and Buzzy !!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Sponsors withdrew, and they shut things down or changed them.

 

[acarsme123]

Disney doesn’t make enough money that they need sponsors to keep attractions going?

 

[KenHutch]

You also have to consider the number of people visiting these attractions was dwindling steadily. My 17 year old still goes to Figment but Ellen's ride bored her to death.

 

[aprincessatlast]

I was thinking about those old things in EPCOT the other day. I remember all the little things that talked about things coming in the future....they seemed so unrealistic like lights that dim on verbal command and turning them on when away from home. Talking on your wrist etc. I now talk on my wrist and tell my lights to dim. I am living my childhood EPCOT fantasy!

 

[Princess_Lisa]

Bring back Body Wars

 

[acarsme123]

I remember my second trip to DW when I was a sophomore in high school. My marching band went down to march in a Disney parade. Epcot had a section that was showing off musical products. I remember getting to demo a mute for the trumpet that would muffle the sound to where you could barely hear it, but you could plug in headphones and hear the trumpet. So you could practice without disturbing anyone! They also had an acoustic piano with a similar concept. I think it was a special showcase that week when all the marching bands were down.

 

[acarsme123]

I remember Innoventions where they would show off futuristic products. I don’t see why that concept couldn’t still work today. Have it be like an all year round Consumer Electronics show. Demonstrate VR, upcoming robot tech. Smart home tech. Self driving car tech!!

 

[Magic_Man]

Have it be like an all year round Consumer Electronics show.

Sponsorship or not, for the life of me I cannot figure out why Disney can't get Sony, LG, Apple, Google, Tesla, (and on and on and on) to display their current and prototype products in Epcot. Huge audience. Engaged audience. Free publicity. If that is not the proper direction for Epcot, I don't know what is. Oh yeah. Now I remember. Wanna Build A Snowman?

 

[acarsme123]

I don’t care if they want to add additional rides based on movies at Epcot. It makes sense to make the park have a bigger audience draw. But they don’t have to scrap the futuristic side of things in order to do this.

Frankly I would rather have them put movie based rides at Hollywood studios. Think of how amazing that park alone could be with all the potential movie based rides they could do, especially now that they own Fox.

 

[Magpie]

One of the things I love about Disney is how they are constantly building new attractions. One of the things that always makes me a little sad, though, is that they are constantly closing old attractions. Mostly to make room for new ones, but sometimes because people just weren't interested any more.

I'm sure you can find old discussion threads on Innoventions. People were mean! Calling it a waste of time, nothing but corporate advertisements, boring, just a place to get out of the heat, this or that is offensive, etc. Yes, I loved it too... even the house-built-by-Bosch! But, I can see why, given the feedback and lack of foot traffic, why Disney decided it wasn't worth investing in any more.

On the other hand, I am very excited about the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride coming! And I'm looking forward to finally getting to ride Frozen in a couple weeks. I really, really adore the way Disney has expanded their seasonal Festival offerings at Epcot. That's something that was barely getting off the ground when we first visited back in 2005, and now it's almost all year round, with the Arts Festival, and the Food and Wine, and the Flower and Garden, and Christmas. I'm thrilled! I can't wait to try the Figment scavenger hunt thing (I'm a huge fan of scavenger hunts, I don't care if they're supposed to be for kids).

So, it's sad to see some things go, but I think maybe that's the trade off we have to make for new development and growth. And I wouldn't want to see the parks stay the same forever.

 

[acarsme123]

I totally agree with you. Especially Tesla. Tesla should be sponsoring the Motor Speedway at MK with electric based cars. It’s amazingly head scratching why gas guzzling cars are still being used. Actually, a Sugar Rush themed Motor Speedway would be better than that even!

 

[Magic_Man]

I don’t care if they want to add additional rides based on movies at Epcot. It makes sense to make the park have a bigger audience draw. But they don’t have to scrap the futuristic side of things in order to do this.

The writing is on the wall. Frozen is in. Soarin' is renovated. Guardians of the Galaxy is on the way. And what announcements has Disney made about improvements to the "futuristic side" of things? What will become of the old CommuniCore and Innoventions aspect of Epcot? .......Crickets.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

You're talking about ImageWorks the upstairs portion of the post ride area of Figment.
I loved it up there. Wish they hadn't closed it.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Periodically these types of thread emerge regarding the loss of the distinct theme of each park. I too miss the day when "MGM" was a working studio and the attractions related to a movie studio. I miss EPCOT being a look at new or futuristic technology, innovation or just science. I agree with others that they could/should get sponsors like Tesla, Apple to show off those new technologies. There is no reason why introducing these educational or science concepts can't still be a ride or attraction that draws enough patrons to disperse the crowds evenly.