EPCOT to become “more Disney”

[maverik85]

EPCOT really needed an overhaul. I have no problem with them bringing in IP to the park because it makes it more interesting. I totally walk by some of the countries because there is nothing to draw me in, if there was a ride, I would be more inclined to stop and ride.

I'm ok with IP done well but really this is the main thing, they need to add more rides to World Showcase to have more stuff to do. IP or not. There's space by Japan to put in the Mt. Fuji coaster, could add a rapids ride or log flume to Canada, space for the rumored Rhine River cruise in Germany. And that would still leave a large plot next to Germany to add another country still if they wanted. None of these rides would need an IP either, especially the coaster, but would probably still increase attendance and at least interest in the areas. Plus the more people that stop in the countries to experience the new attractions the more likely they will be to explore the shops and buy stuff versus just walking through them to get to another ride.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I'm ok with IP done well but really this is the main thing, they need to add more rides to World Showcase to have more stuff to do. IP or not. There's space by Japan to put in the Mt. Fuji coaster, could add a rapids ride or log flume to Canada, space for the rumored Rhine River cruise in Germany. And that would still leave a large plot next to Germany to add another country still if they wanted. None of these rides would need an IP either, especially the coaster, but would probably still increase attendance and at least interest in the areas. Plus the more people that stop in the countries to experience the new attractions the more likely they will be to explore the shops and buy stuff versus just walking through them to get to another ride.

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.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I honestly don’t see a huge problem with it if they can keep it different yet familiar

 

[DodgerGirl]

I think ever since Disney bought Marvel one of their dreams now that they own Marvel was to have their own Marvel theme park and now that EPCOT Center is gonna have the Guardians Of The Galaxy area of Future World they are one step closer to having that dream come true and who knows if it is a hit there will be other Marvel related projects in the future such as Marvel character breakfasts an interactive Marvel show and so much more. But when I went to WDW in 1997 my favorite part of EPCOT Center was World Showcase and Mom and I spent a lot of time there because I liked it but there are some things make World Showcase not so worthy of visiting. Like if you go to the United Kingdom Pavilion and shop and look at their merchandise of The Beatles and Doctor Who why bother buying it when you can go to Hot Topic and buy the exact same Doctor Who merchandise there? Also when you go to the World Showcase restaurants especially the Mexican restaurants and Chinese restaurants why bother eating Mexican food and Chinese food when many cities have Chinese restaurants and Mexican restaurants that taste even better but it is worthy if you want to try French food or Moroccan food. But with this new image I think EPCOT Center will improve itself and focus more in families

 

[yulilin3]

I think ever since Disney bought Marvel one of their dreams now that they own Marvel was to have their own Marvel theme park and now that EPCOT Center is gonna have the Guardians Of The Galaxy area of Future World they are one step closer to having that dream come true and who knows if it is a hit there will be other Marvel related projects in the future such as Marvel character breakfasts an interactive Marvel show and so much more. But when I went to WDW in 1997 my favorite part of EPCOT Center was World Showcase and Mom and I spent a lot of time there because I liked it but there are some things make World Showcase not so worthy of visiting. Like if you go to the United Kingdom Pavilion and shop and look at their merchandise of The Beatles and Doctor Who why bother buying it when you can go to Hot Topic and buy the exact same Doctor Who merchandise there? Also when you go to the World Showcase restaurants especially the Mexican restaurants and Chinese restaurants why bother eating Mexican food and Chinese food when many cities have Chinese restaurants and Mexican restaurants that taste even better but it is worthy if you want to try French food or Moroccan food. But with this new image I think EPCOT Center will improve itself and focus more in families

There can't be too much marvel because odd universal. Not getting into thre specific but Google universal/ Disney marvel agreement. Characters portrayed at IOA cannot be at WDW in any shape or form

 

[LovesTimone]

They need to ditch the Florida resident after 4 annual passes for Epcot. UCF students and many others get just that pass to enjoy drinks around world showcase with their buddies.

either you cough up the 400-800 for an annual Florida pass, or you don’t get the privilege to drink around WS on the weekends and during festivals.

This is very true, not only UCF students, there are several other colleges within 45/60 minutes that is a easy drive to head into the park...
You can't stop selling the Florida Resident after 4 AP, just due to the amount of people here locally that have that pass... and just go for dinner, and to the festivals, alot of retired people have this...

There has to be some remedy to stop serving someone when they reach that point, How is the big question, being able to cut someone off is the best and quickest route, with all the booths, restaurants, and QS how do you get the word out on cutting this person off
limiting the amount of drinks that someone can have is not really a answer, some people can tolerate adult beverages more than others...
Or create some perk for someone who is the designated driver, a lounge area with free soda, water, juice ... I know when I was young, we had several places that if you were the designated driver, they would give you a button, stamp, wrist band or necklace with designated driver on it... you could get free non-alcoholic beverages all night, no cover charge, and some of the places would give you like coupons for a free cover charge later on, or a free drink, one sports pub would comp your meal and drinks...

I think that having more security might help, or even under cover security moving in the crowd watching for this type of behavior, so that if a cast member has cut someone off, they can let someone know, and then they can make the decision on how to handle it... and what action to take... if they need to leave the park, and/ or get them back to the resort, hotel on or off property.. or even get them a ride home... You can't just put them out of the park, and then they try to drive home... there are alot of moving parts for this which is a slippery slope...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Also maybe a 3 drink limit at EPCOT? They could do it pretty easily by scanning a ticket or AP.

This topic has come up before - personally I think they need to address the behavior more than add limitations.

So you see someone drunk (like not just a tad tipsy), escort them out/to a holding area - rather than adding more restrictions that impact those that aren't an issue

Plus, just limiting drinks in the park wouldn't help as some of the worst issues are from people "prepartying" in their rooms or the parking lot - so they get to the park drunk already

 

[TheMaxRebo]

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.

Well, beyond that just the architecture is a big thing, and then the music of the area (pieped in or live) and the art in the exhibits ... Plus having the CMs from the countries adds a ton - some of my favorite parts of each trip are talking to the international CMs.

So I think a lot is there if you look for it (and obviously doesn't replace visiting the country but hopefully it peaks your interest and would motivate you to visit a country that you found interesting)

 

[yulilin3]

They need to ditch the Florida resident after 4 annual passes for Epcot. UCF students and many others get just that pass to enjoy drinks around world showcase with their buddies.

either you cough up the 400-800 for an annual Florida pass, or you don’t get the privilege to drink around WS on the weekends and during festivals.

this made me lol. First of all it's not happening as the majority of people with that AP are retired, older people that just enjoy the park in the evening, second Disney makes tons of money off of food and drink, they're not gonna limit the people coming in to drink.

 

[Missingmypooh]

this made me lol. First of all it's not happening as the majority of people with that AP are retired, older people that just enjoy the park in the evening, second Disney makes tons of money off of food and drink, they're not gonna limit the people coming in to drink.

I’d have to disagree.

Disney is adding more headliners and beefing up the festivals to draw the vacation crowd, so they need to balance crowd levels.

If they have 10k after 4 passes at 200 ( I can’t remember exact price so go with me here)
At face value that’s 2 mil a year.

but if they cut that pass, and 2k of them sign up for theme park select at 450 that’s 900k
And 2k sign up for gold at 650 that’s 1.3 mil

so epcot only is 2 mil
Vs
4K holdovers that’s upgraded at 2.2 mil

(because we’d have to make assumptions about how much they spend per visit, these hard numbers would be very appealing on a report about how to generate more income while reducing AP sales)

Disney would be making more revenue from AP sales with less people in the parks overall (again, not including food and drink)

food and drink could easily be offset by increasing prices, especially those seasonal ones around the parks and festivals.

AND it would push those 4 thousand hold overs from the epcot after 4, to other parks, so that ticket holders can enjoy the new rides

 

[hertamaniac]

This is very true, not only UCF students, there are several other colleges within 45/60 minutes that is a easy drive to head into the park...
You can't stop selling the Florida Resident after 4 AP, just due to the amount of people here locally that have that pass... and just go for dinner, and to the festivals, alot of retired people have this...

There has to be some remedy to stop serving someone when they reach that point, How is the big question, being able to cut someone off is the best and quickest route, with all the booths, restaurants, and QS how do you get the word out on cutting this person off

The demographic near WDW has one of, if not the largest, single retirement community in The Villages that definitely has a loyal following of AP holders. So I think limiting AP offerings isn't going to happen for the after 4 PM user(s).

Personally, if I was a business owner and wanted to keep a more family friendly environment, I would test out a watered down alcohol menu (unbeknownst to the patrons). It would have more H2O and when shelling out $$ per drink, the patron's budget would take a massive hit. And, I would get more profit per drink since I diluted it a little bit each time. And if there was a PR backlash, then mission accomplished.

 

[hertamaniac]

Plus the more people that stop in the countries to experience the new attractions the more likely they will be to explore the shops and buy stuff versus just walking through them to get to another ride.

That's it exactly. Even though there is no "direct" revenue contribution to an attraction in that country, the ancillary purchases would get a boost. And it seems a little disjointed that some countries have rides/attractions while others do not.

 

[BrianL]

That's it exactly. Even though there is no "direct" revenue contribution to an attraction in that country, the ancillary purchases would get a boost. And it seems a little disjointed that some countries have rides/attractions while others do not.

I've always felt that every country pavilion should have at least a theater attraction if not a ride. There needs to be a draw for each one.

 

[hertamaniac]

I've always felt that every country pavilion should have at least a theater attraction if not a ride. There needs to be a draw for each one.

True. It's the disparity that is glaring to me.

 

[BrianL]

True. It's the disparity that is glaring to me.

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.

 

[Dutch Inn '76]

Funny and sad. The reason for WDW's existence was for Walt to build EPCOT; his "Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow." He decided to build the MK first so that he could finance EPCOT. It would have been fascinating to see an EPCOT grow and change over the years. Would it have worked? Who knows? Probably not, since it would have been flocked to by Disney nuts, and thus would have been tainted in a way. ...but fascinating anyway...

But then Walt died, and the pencil pushers decided to gut the EPCOT idea and turn it into EPCOT Center. It was cool and all, but doomed from day one since it was one big "Edutaining" Tomorrowland. It has been discussed ad nauseam how difficult and expensive it is to stay on top of what is "tomorrow." I don't know how to do that - do you? So, this change was inevitable. I'm to the point with Epcot that I just want them to get on with it! Do something! It's no fun at all as it stands right now.

 

[BrianL]

Funny and sad. The reason for WDW's existence was for Walt to build EPCOT; his "Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow." He decided to build the MK first so that he could finance EPCOT. It would have been fascinating to see an EPCOT grow and change over the years. Would it have worked? Who knows? Probably not, since it would have been flocked to by Disney nuts, and thus would have been tainted in a way. ...but fascinating anyway...

But then Walt died, and the pencil pushers decided to gut the EPCOT idea and turn it into EPCOT Center. It was cool and all, but doomed from day one since it was one big "Edutaining" Tomorrowland. It has been discussed ad nauseam how difficult and expensive it is to stay on top of what is "tomorrow." I don't know how to do that - do you? So, this change was inevitable. I'm to the point with Epcot that I just want them to get on with it! Do something! It's no fun at all as it stands right now.

Well, they are. We may not be getting all of it now thanks to the pandemic impact, but Ratatouille should be opening soon, GOTG is not too far behind, HarmonioUS, the reimagined entrance and central hub (that part may look different now) - they have a plan for sure.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Well, beyond that just the architecture is a big thing, and then the music of the area (pieped in or live) and the art in the exhibits ... Plus having the CMs from the countries adds a ton - some of my favorite parts of each trip are talking to the international CMs.

So I think a lot is there if you look for it (and obviously doesn't replace visiting the country but hopefully it peaks your interest and would motivate you to visit a country that you found interesting)

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!

 

[Moliphino]

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

 

[BrianL]

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!

China does at least have a Circle-Vision movie too - better than what a lot of them have. There should be at least one thing to draw you into a country - a little more than a basic museum exhibit too, and some don't even have that!