Play Pavilion Plans Paused at EPCOT
Walt Disney World has announced the ‘Play Pavilion’ will replace Wonders of Life at EPCOT. This post shares basic info, concept art, construction progress (or lack thereof), and commentary about this news related to the overhaul of the former Future World. (Updated March 11, 2024.)
This new pavilion will replace the defunct Wonders of Life, and will offer first-of-their-kind experiences devoted to playful fun. For the last several years, Wonders of Life has served as the Food & Wine ‘Festival Center’ and most recently has been the subject of rumors about a year ago, ranging from a Marvel addition to Inside Out). Now we have an answer to what’s happening with it.
The space will be transformed into an innovative, interactive city with games, hands-on activities, and Disney character meet & greets in an energetic metropolis. This ‘Play Pavilion’ (which is what we’re calling it and is not the pavilion’s final name) will debut during Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary.
March 11, 2024 Update: Another year, another (mostly) non-update on the Play Pavilion. The big non-development of the last year is that Walt Disney World is treating the front of the park as finished with the opening of CommuniCore Hall and Plaza in Summer 2024. That follows the debut of the World Celebration Gardens late last year and debut of Luminous, which essentially marked the end of the EPCOT transformation. Not that it’s a new development, but all of the press releases discussing the historic transformation have been silent as to the Play Pavilion.
The big material development of 2024 is the Walt Disney Company’s investment in Epic Games and planned partnership for Fortnite Universe for Disney IP. Notably, the concept art (see below) for this Epic Games x Disney partnership looks more than a little like the original concept art for the Play Pavilion at EPCOT, which was to be vaguely inspired by Ralph Breaks the Internet and have its own portals, of sorts, into the various worlds of Disney.
Reviving the Play Pavilion plans with a Fortnite-style skin could certainly make sense–and give that addition instant appeal with younger gamers. It could be a full circle integrations with the park that would be much more popular than whatever was planned for the Play Pavilion. It could also be funded with sponsorship money, with Epic Games footing a portion of the bill and assisting with assets to keep the pavilion fresh.
The bottom line is that there’s a lot of untapped potential for crossover between the virtual worlds of video games and the largely physical worlds of theme parks. This is already evident in Super Nintendo World at Universal (and other past experiments done by Nintendo), and Walt Disney World could take advantage of this in its own ways.
In any case, the Play Pavilion as it was announced back in 2019 is almost certainly dead. It’s now been 5 years since then, which is a very long time for a tech-heavy exhibit that would’ve incorporated pop culture and trendy characters and IP.
Last year, Walt Disney World finally provided an update that it was “re-evaluating the original concept that was planned” for the Play Pavilion at EPCOT. This was unsurprising. The Play Pavilion has been paused since the parks closed, and Disney has not shared a substantive update since then.
The Play Pavilion has been scrubbed from the ‘coming soon’ section of park maps and most references to it on Disney’s official websites have been removed, including all but 2 press releases. Given all of this, there’s no reason to believe the original concept for the Play Pavilion will ever come to fruition.
There’s also the reality that this was to be an interactive experience that leaned heavily into technology and flavor of the month intellectual property, with the whole pavilion loosely inspired by Ralph Breaks the Internet, the 2018 movie that had much more of a contemporary quality than most of Disney’s other animated films.
Much of the Play Pavilion was actually developed around that time, and significant work was done on the exhibits prior to the closure. It actually wasn’t that far from being done and could have opened in 2020 had things not gone sideways. When the parks did reopen, there was understandable trepidation about all things “interactive” (it took another full year before playgrounds started reopening).
At this point, it’s unclear what will happen with the Play Pavilion. A lot of the work that has occurred was to the physical infrastructure of the building itself, repairing the roof and updating the interior. Then there’s the R&D for the interactive elements, some of which presumably could be recycled with different IP or in different places (it’s entirely possible some of what’s in the Disney Wish kids clubs is similar to elements of what was planned for the Play Pavilion).
With Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind reinvigorating this area of EPCOT, it’s unlikely plans for the Play Pavilion will remain paused forever. The real estate is too valuable and high-traffic, and significant money has already been spent to modernize the facility itself. It’s more likely that Imagineering will revisit the specific plans, and turn the pavilion into something centered around a specific IP or brand. The aforementioned Fortnite partnership is one possibility; more Marvel is another.
Disney has continued to play around with the pavilion even after the concept was reportedly shelved. Walt Disney Imagineering filed a permit with Orange County for a “General Contractor package” (that’s the verbatim improvement description), which is likely an umbrella permit for the general contractor to resume work in transforming the former Wonders of Life into the Play Pavilion.
Balfour Beatty is listed as the general contractor, and they have extensive experience with major projects in the Orlando area. Just off the top of my head, they were responsible for the work within Pandora – World of Avatar, Gran Destino Tower, Reflections Lakeside Lodge, plus Cabana Bay & Loews Sapphire Falls Resorts at Universal Orlando and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Most notably, the permit lists an expiration date of December 31, 2024. Typically, this is not indicative of a completion or opening date for a project or attraction, but it does indicate the latest date when all construction is expected to be finished. Due to the closure, we’ve seen some permits need to be re-filed due to prematurely expiring, but that’s not the norm.
Typically, there’s a buffer between the expiration date of a permit and the intended opening date. Meaning that Walt Disney World might intend to open something in the space that was intended to be the Play Pavilion before late 2024. I wouldn’t bank on that, though. It’s also possible that work is being done to protect and preserve the building itself, so that it can be put to use in the future without having to redo the roof or other infrastructure again.
It’s also worth noting that after Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replacing Splash Mountain, there are not major projects on the horizon for Walt Disney World in the second half of 2024 through 2025. This means that smaller-scale offerings, like the Play Pavilion, will be necessary as marketable new additions. (We’ll continue calling it the Play Pavilion here, even though whatever happens in this space almost certainly will end up having a different name.)
The only other potential additions on the horizon are “potential expansion” opportunities and “early concept exploration” for Dinoland USA at Animal Kingdom. While Walt Disney World has confirmed that a Tropical Americas area will replace Dino-Rama, the specifics about what that will include have not been solidified. It’s our understanding that DINOSAUR won’t close until late this year or early 2025, in which case, its reopening as Indiana Jones Adventure (the most likely scenario) won’t occur until 2026. And that’s just the first phase of Tropical Americas!
This leaves a gap in 2024/2025 (depending upon the year that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure actually opens). Whatever ends up being built in the Play Pavilion’s place could almost certainly have a quicker turnaround time.
Our expectation at this point is that the Play Pavilion will not open until Spring 2025 at the absolute earliest. The opening will likely be dictated by the degree to which Imagineering goes back to the drawing board with the Play Pavilion. We literally have no clue whether Play Pavilion is 90% done or 10% done–the percentage likely depends upon what can be recycled for a new concept.
As for what Play Pavilion was/is going to offer, it’s expected that it’ll be the new home to an Animation Academy-like experience where guests will learn how to draw Disney characters. Nick and Judy Hopps from Zootopia will host an interactive game called Hotel Heist. In a recent book, the company also revealed that there will be a monorail game. Interactive, contact-less arcade style games are also likely to appear in the Play Pavilion.
The Play Pavilion is also expected to be the primary home to character meet & greets in Epcot. Those for Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope, Joy and Sadness, Baymax and other characters will all be permanently relocated from their current locations to the Play Pavilion. Other attractions that called the Wonders of Life home–like Body Wars and Cranium Command–will not return when the Play Pavilion opens.
None of these projects or the Central Spine are anything new, but it’s good to hear an update on them. With so much of the Epcot re-imagining in flux, there’s always the possibility of previously-announced projects getting cut. Anyway, on with the commentary from the original announcement of the Play Pavilion…
Our Commentary
The concept of the Play Pavilion is not a slam dunk, but I’m cautiously optimistic about this. For starters, it’s the less obvious concept but one that could have the larger overall impact for Epcot.
Wonders of Life becoming the Play Pavilion means that it won’t instead become anything related to Marvel, as previously rumored. As someone who doesn’t want to see Future World turned into ‘Super Hero Land (But Only the Handful of Properties We Can Use And Don’t You Dare Say the “M” Word)‘ this is great news to me.
It’s also good news from the perspective that there’s the potential for the Wonders of Life pavilion consolidating what is currently a decentralized IP presence around Future World into one building, which is currently unused. This hopefully will be the park’s main meet & greet location, with other pavilions remaining (or in some cases, becoming) character-free.
While we don’t yet know what this re-imagined pavilion will entail, we do know that it’ll open in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, which is a very quick turnaround time for something just announced. Given that and the likelihood that Innoventions is going away, I’d expect it to be something along the lines of exhibits featured there. If the concept art is to be believed, this pavilion will be more ambitious and imbued with a ‘Progress City’ sensibility, which is definitely befitting of EPCOT Center.
Speculation beyond that seems premature. Given rumors from last summer about testing in Cranium Command, I wonder if that theater attraction will be revived in some form (albeit, apparently, without the Buzzy Audio Animatronics figure). It’s far less likely that the Body Wars simulators could return, but that space could be repurposed and house an attraction. These aren’t even predictions, more just thinking aloud about the possibilities for this ‘Play Pavilion.’
For selfish reasons, I’m totally fine with Walt Disney World going character heavy in this pavilion, and I really hope that concept art is accurate, and this features Inside Out characters. Heck, give Wreck-It Ralph a presence in there, too. My basis for this is it could satiate management’s desire for intellectual property in Future World, and pave the way for a subsequent Journey into Imagination redo that does not involve IPs. Of course, this is just wishful thinking on my part.
It appears that Walt Disney World wants to toe the line between placating longtime fans and appealing to the expectations of first-time visitors expecting a Disney experience. That wouldn’t be my personal first choice for the direction of Epcot’s future, but if that is the approach, it’s better than I expected. I’ve expressed a lot of enthusiasm in this commentary section, but that shouldn’t be confused for unbridled excitement for Epcot’s future, generally.
I have no delusions that the ‘old’ EPCOT Center is ever returning. It’s been gone for two-plus decades, and there was never any chance of that park returning. However, it appears that there will be a lot in this ‘new’ park to appease fans like me, even with a lot of compromises being made. This news makes me feel even more confident in that hope/belief, and I’m excited for the Epcot of tomorrow.
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of these Epcot announcements? Cautiously optimistic about the Play Pavilion? Do you agree or disagree with my commentary? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
When they first placed the Leave A Legacy stones I remember my aunt telling us that they were doing so specifically to try to control the wind that would blow through the breezeway through that open space (I actually do remember it being really windy there before the stones). I have no clue if this information was correct, but it made sense to me as a reasoning for them.
I’m sure I’m in the minority but I like the way the leave a legacy stones look at nite. I love photographing that area at nite with the stones and spaceship earth.
I never had the chance to put my families photos on the stones.Tom do you think they would open that up again to where they are being relocated?
Me and my wife have our picture on the Leave a Legacy stones. I had just hoped that my legacy would have lasted a little longer than 20 years. Just last week showed it to our 14 and 9 year old while we were there. Great experience.
I hope the play pavilion is done well. Epcot needs more attractions for small children. Many families with young children skip visiting the park. I would never skip Epcot because I love it (and I don’t plan my vacation entirely around my four year old), but I’m sure Disney planned this knowing they need to attract families with small children. Hopefully it will be wonderful.
I’m one of the few Disney fans who doesn’t like Epcot. (*gasp*) I know I’ve already made a ton of enemies by admitting that. 😉 BUT, I am for all these changes as maybe they will come up with something besides Soarin’, the fountain, the green tea cheesecake that my daughter loves and the garden topiaries to make the walking until your feet feel like beaten down stubs (flashback to Kathy Bates) worth it.
I am fine with them giving a place for kids to play and meet & greet, that is good for families to have another draw. It will be good if it prevents further watering down of World Showcase with character items. I very much enjoy the cultural immersive/educational aspects, and hope they update those more often. Overall EPCOT remod though, I do hold out hope that they will keep an eye on “tomorrow”, and not bland it down like they are doing with their resort theming. An immersive, inspiring environment is KEY to a good Walt Disney World experience, vs just another park feature that could be anywhere.
I am fine with them giving a place for kids to play and meet & greet, that is good for families to have another draw. It will be good if it prevents further watering down of World Showcase with character items. I very much enjoy the cultural immersive/educational aspects, and hope they update those more often. Overall EPCOT remod though, I do hold out hope that they will keep an eye on “tomorrow”, and not bland it down like they are doing with their resort theming. An immersive, inspiring environment is KEY to a good Disney experience, vs just another park feature that could be anywhere.
Really enjoyed your thoughts on this, as usual. ’80s Epcot Center is my jam, but that’s no more coming back than the roadside attractions of Route 66, so I am cautiously optimistic about these announcements.
I like these announcements also. The new entrance looks refreshing. I am happy with the relocation of Leave a Legacy photos. I also like something is being done with the underutilized and decaying Communicore, Wonders of Life, and Odyssey buildings. Your idea about shoving the IPs into one pavilion rather than shoehorn any of the IPs into Journey into Imagination (or other Future World pavilions) is a good idea. As usual, I breathe a sigh of relief Figment and Three Caballeros are safe for now from rumored take overs from Inside Out and Coco respectively. Plus I am thrilled no additional announcements for Marvel/Super Hero Land additions to Future World.
They need to get rid of 360 movies and move to 180 like France. After walking 20 million miles at Epcot and standing while waiting decades in lines, can’t we have attractions where you sit for a while? I haven’t seen Canada or China movies in decades because of this. It’s insane.
I agree. No one wants to stand for a movie after walking miles in the Orlando heat!
I think there should be two Epcots. One for healthy people and one for unhealthy whiners.
Great commentary, Tom! And where did you find that pic of Hall and Oates on top of Spaceship Earth?!? 😉
Hah! To answer your very serious question, that’s a photo of a photo that was shown during a D23 presentation. The 70s (or early 80s) were a wild time!
Realizing that it magic kingdoms 50th and Hollywood studios will catch some crowds with star wars its the perfect time to dig up 50% of epcot and start new rental agreements for fireworks and rides .looking forward to future of tomorrow in epcot . But I don’t think the senior foodies will let it get out of hand.
I didn’t view the Leave a Legacy markers as tombstones (but then I don’t look at the Epcot ball as a giant golf ball, either.) For over 20 years, it’s been a tradition to see my daughter’s picture every time we enter the park. We have many photos with family and friends at her place on the marker; posing in the same position was a fun way to see how everyone changed over the years, and tied past experiences with present. Like all things, there are those who “love it” and those who “hate it” from a stylistic point of view. We thought the message behind it – of providing a legacy of past to future – was a fit for Epcot, and I suspect that the many others who added their pictures felt the same. Glad to here they are keeping the commitment to the message by moving them and not removing them.
EPCOT has always been a favorite park of mine…it’s emphasis on culture, food, festivals, exhibits, etc. makes it sort of a respite from the other parks…a place to be more relaxed and contemplate that there is more in the world than boisterous crowds, long lines for rides, etc. Glad there is an update to this park coming…
Regarding the comments about two-wide strollers and fat Americans – well, if you don’t like it, don’t come – no one is forcing you to be there…don’t forget, WDW, Disneyland, etc. is specifically designed to appeal to kids and the young at heart…looking forward to more updates on EPCOT!
As Disney is designed for families, you’re right it’s not really fair to levy criticism against strollers. Maybe the way people employ them, but not the mere presence.
However, it (Disney) being a family destination shouldn’t prevent anyone from complaining about fat Americans as how fat Americans are has nothing to do with it (Disney) being a family destination.
my guess is the plans are less for WDW’s 50th anniversary than they are set up for EPCOT’s 40th anniversary in 2022. love that the pillars are gone, i’ve been saying for AGES they needed to move them out of the entrance logjam. i’ve also read a number of places that people hope that the security situation out front will be addressed too.
can they also extend fans an olive branch in the form of reverting to the original Imagination with Dreamfinder and Figment???
OMG, my husband and I were just there in January and found ourselves in front of Journey Into the Imagination. I remember Dreamfinder and Figment outside by the fountains and riding through with our then four year old son–who adored the fountain (which is still there). We decided to go in. The attraction has been reduced to a 6th graders school project on imagination. It was TERRIBLE. We both came out thinking, that was 15 minutes we’ll never get back. Disney is so much better than that.
It has long been said that the only constant is change. I am looking forward to the GOtG ride, even though like you I’m not a fan of the building size, and not sure Epcot was the right place for it. I’m on the fence about the Remy ride, so like everything else, I’m just going to wait and see. Nobody at Disney asked my opinion before planning all this – I will be happy to see Legacy ‘tombstones’ go since I never thought that added much, but we enjoyed many different Innoventions experiences over the years, and I think it’s a shame they couldn’t get those to work. I also enjoy the relatively IP-less aspect of Epcot, as it makes a lovely change from the Studios and MK. However, families tend to like the familiar characters, so I get why Disney is leaning more towards the IP stuff. I will be very sad to see Illuminations go (one of my most favorite photos was taken near African Outpost when they were bringing out the globe barge late one afternoon, and I got a great shot of it and Spaceship Earth), but I have seen it a zillion times so I’m cautiously optimistic about what will eventually take its place. I guess I feel that way about most of the changes – I’d rather not start grousing about it now. I’ll wait until I see it to complain. Except for Starbucks. Get those crappy things out of the parks.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll see a hybrid show with both fireworks, and a World-Of-Color style water show.
They will most definitely keep the fireworks, considering that most of their marketing material on the Disney Riveria resort emphasizes having views of the night shows at EPCOT.
My prediction is the play pavilion will lean heavily on mobile phone integration. Hopefully it’s well done. Can’t imagine this and the play Disney app aren’t connected.
Reading that the Leave a Legacy will be replaced with the vision I had when entering the park for the first time as an impressionable tween (1988 :O) made me happier than anything I’ve read recently about Disney. 1998 EPCOT is one of my mind’s happy places, and if I could go back in time…anyway…we’ll never get THAT EPCOT back, but this is a good move. I think we’ll have to brace ourselves that there will be other changes that may not adhere to what we think EPCOT’s identity should be. It’s very premise, Future World’s premise, is an ever evolving idea. While I think it should always promote an actual vision of a bright and utopian-like world, promoting peace and responsible progress, that isn’t necessarily what’s gonna draw the crowds, right? When they revamp Spaceship Earth, which will inevitably one day happen, I’ll reminisce on it as I do Horizons…and the original Imagination…and the Maelstrom…but right now, I’m happy.
Correction, 1988!
The entrance area will certainly be enhanced by this, and that is welcome but everything beyond? Like most WDW developments of recent times, I don’t share your enthusiasm. First, Communicore/Innoventions is most definitely leaving. Well, three-quarters of it is. Naturally, Mousegear will remain, although changed in appearance and, likely, name. But everything else will be bulldozed. That includes such beloved Epcot greats like Starbucks and the Electric Umbrella. New food and beverage and a relocated Starbucks will return. … But Disney has no desire to actually fill those massive buildings with attractions or exhibits, so away they go. In their place, more walkways for all those double-wide strollers pushed by triple-wide Americans, more trees (not a bad thing, but considering the absolute destruction of trees, wetlands and green space property-wide, it’s of very small solace) AND permanent booths for the now almost year-round food and booze fest (it’s all the same, they just change the seasonal name, so bloggers like yourself will rush out and review every ridiculous item they are selling … it’s doing God’s work, I suppose). This has been described to me as Epcot’s version of Shanghai’s Gardens of Imagination, a nice space to be in with almost no substance.
This ‘play pavilion’ seems like it will be largely Ralph Wrecks the Internet meets Character Spot meets whatever. The short build time assures no major attractions in a facility that once houses multiples. And it in no way will mean all EPCOT meet-greet-and-gropes will remain in one centralised location.
Hey, you know what a great idea would be: if Disney moved It’s A Small World to EPCOT, then they could build a kewl Villains Land there and link it to the Tron area with a new walkway and …
I hate those double-wide strollers! It’s like hey, you disgusting Americans, having more than one kid, get out of my park! The nerve of anyone bringing more than one kid into a park makes me want to puke!
Also can’t those lazy freeloading kids walk themselves around the park. Now we are losing communicore/innoventions? The last refuge for adults at the park!
#keepkidsoutofDisney
If for no reason other than having more than one child and taking them to your park . It will keep your park from dying with you and adding new memories for them.
In my lifetime, the Communicore/Innoventions buildings haven’t housed much of anything worthwhile and certainly don’t have any redeeming value at the moment. Moreover, I can’t say they have any architectural value that really makes them worth saving. At worst, their contents are being relocated to Wonders of Life, another under/unused venue.
To my knowledge, the Central Spine project has had several competing concepts floated since the reveal at the D23 Expo, so I’d question whether it’s still modeled after the Gardens of Imagination. Assuming, arguendo, that it is, I’d take that in an instant over the hodgepodge we have now.
If you’re saying the net of these changes/additions is still less than what we had in 1991, I can certainly agree with that. I’d say it’s an improvement from 2001 (and even before then), though. Perhaps that’s a low bar, but it is what it is. As an EPCOT fan who has had almost nothing but disappointment in the last decade-plus, it’s nice to have news that (to me) is a step in the right direction.
We all have different opinions, Tom. But there are some people who will say EPCOT today is far better than it ever was and that the days of massive pavilions with massive attractions was a snooze fest and … well, we have both been around the fan community long enough. My opinion is that buildings with small scale attractions and exhibits (of varying quality to be sure) beats having them turned into walkways with more food and booze booths for Bloggers to photograph and review every item. … Like a good lawyer, you so effortlessly switched the narrative and discussion. You didn’t like them, so they didn’t have any value. Open space or F&B beats poor-to-you attractions/exhibits. Wonders of Life once housed three attractions of note (at least one considered E-Ticket), multiple minor attractions and health exhibits and a place to get a snack or light meal. You think a relocated meet and greet (and that is what is happening here) is better? Sorry, in 2001 EPCOT absolutely was better than what we have now and what we will have in 2021.
I don’t generally view you as an apologist, but of late all of your columns seem to have … well, a positive view on the future of the resort. And I am wondering what exactly are you seeing that points to that beyond them spending money and massive construction. GotG is an abomination against everything EPCOT should be. But you’ll wind up loving it with a likely ‘if Disney had to replace the dinos with something … at least it’s with a cool two minute ride’ … you actually like the Rat ride far less than I do … based upon history I truly wonder what you expect the new Circlevision films to be (do you think they’ll even be 10 minutes long?)
What do you see that makes you think Epcot 2021 will be worth a penny of anyone’s money?
And leave the new dining locales out and the $8 ‘samples’ on trash cans. We both know you can have great meals on or off Disney property in Orlando without paying Epcot’s insane cover charge.
Oh, and kinda weird timing on this ‘planned announcement’ … with Universal announcing a real attraction of substance today.
My view, at least in part, is “at least they’re finally spending money.” Another part of where I’m definitely more flexible than you is in terms of the parks comporting with guest expectations. Even then, I don’t think I’m as optimistic as you think I am. (I’m just not as pessimistic as you, which would be a tall order.)
I don’t think I’ve expressed any enthusiasm about the GotG coaster whatsoever. However, I’ve made my points about it in several posts, and am not going to keep rehashing those at length in every single article that mentions it. To reiterate: in addition to it not even fitting an expansive reading of the park’s theme and mission, the show building is obnoxiously large, and I worry that given the amount of money being spent on it (the rumors put it above Radiator Springs Racers!) it can never possibly live up to the hype, even when viewed in isolation.
As for Ratatouille Adventure, I’ve always thought that ride gets graded on a curve because it’s at Walt Disney Studios Park, where “we tried” is basically an ‘A’ grade (or at least was–WDSP’s upcoming expansion could actually be great). Again, I have thousands of words of critique in past posts on it. To reiterate: I think it ignored a decade-plus of innovation in screen-based attractions, did a lousy job of integrating physical sets with screens, and has too many segments that lack immersion due to feeling like you’re just looking at a giant movie screen. For the amount spent on it, the ride should’ve been better. I hope tweaks are made based on the lessons Imagineering learned with Shanghai Pirates (which I unequivocally love), but I fear it’ll just be a direct clone.
I am optimistic about both the Circle-Vision films, mostly because Canada’s can only improve and I think China will ensure that film does the country justice. I’m also optimistic about the general place-making, and new countries, one of which I thought was already greenlit (but I guess maybe not…?).
For the record, I’m a big fan of the use of “arguendo.” It really should be used more often outside of briefs and motions – you’ve given me a new mission.
Innovations like the lights in the cement outside has always had my imagination since it opened . Until the rented space to todays inventions instead of tomorrow. But i will remember those lights from 40+ yrs. Ago and the house of tomorrow. And so will my 9 kids.
Arguendo?!?! I love it. Legal snark. It almost reminds me of our old days together. It was just a decade ago that you and I first did battle. When you hadn’t even been to Disneyland, let alone all the international resorts or on DCL etc etc. We’ve both come a long way. And, hey, clearly that law degree paid off if you can use a term on one of your two travel blogs, amirite?
As far as spending the money, it’s all about the how that matters. Disney and WDI waste money in a fashion that the US government would be proud of. There are smart ways of spending and dumb ways. Sorta like people who blow 10 or 15 grand in a week at WDW and think that’s a quality vacation. (BTW, while I enjoy the banter, if you think I am being negative here, then don’t go to your Copper Creek Review and read my comments because I did let loose!)
I think your optimism is pretty spectacular considering the craphole that EPCOT has been turned into and how they currently have half-ass (can you say that here?) plans to look like they are addressing it when all they are doing is making more of a mess. Look, I get that EPCOT Center is dead and spent over 20 years getting there. But something a lot better than these plans could have replaced it.
GotG will be the priciest attraction ever built when all is said and done and they are currently trying to cut portions of it out (if there’s one tunnel instead of two, you will know what this comment means in 2021). But the fact you have ripped this or been harsh on the Rat ride (I do agree with much of your sentiments) doesn’t change the fact that you still push a VISIT EPCOT AND SPEND MONEY THERE!!! agenda, which, naturally, helps your own business interests. I don’t think fans can be bloggers in this day and age. The big deal now is Instagram and putting food and beverage and merchandise and character photos up either there or on Twitter or blogs (if they have them), so that’s what everyone does. I am fully expecting you will be ‘covering’ the west coast version (how many food and wine fests do they have at DCA now?)
I don’t know what else to say about this relocation of a meet-greet-and-grope. It was, to my understanding, a very last minute decision versus two other pricier proposals. But I don’t believe Disney should get credit for things like this by respected voices in the fan community. It basically says that ‘anything you do is OK because you’ve done so little’ … that’s not the Disney I knew. It certainly isn’t the OLC Disney product that we have become familiar with. It’s Walmarted crap and Disney, like our nation, keeps dumbing the product down lower.
Oh as to the new nation in WS, all has gotten so quiet on that front. But expect D23 to go big on EPCOT. In another words, they are announcing more details of the EPCOT spine project — basically the totally destroy the original FW look for open space that they don’t have to put pricey, or even cheap, attractions in. If it isn’t announced then, then something major happened and those plans are dead.
And, hey, Captain Marvel is opening soon. So time to get excited. And let’s not forget all those ‘new’ food booths at the second food and wine fest of 2019 you’ll get to review: I hear Italy is improving and only mildly sucks (not legal language here).
WDW – there is a reason I’ve blocked you on the other forum. Too bad that’s not an option here.. Your a smart guy and have a lot of insightful things to say, but you can’t seem to say them without dropping in personal attacks (whether it be towards bloggers, guests, or Disney management).
At the end of the day, we’re talking about a theme park – it’s hardly a life or death matter. Can’t we just be civil?
Nice update, thanks. Maybe I missed it but what is the picture midway through the article? It’s the one of the model, and it appears to be a ride or walkthrough experience spilling out of a mirrored sphere?
Yeah, I actually kind of liked the leave a legacy thing. My first trip to Epcot was in 2006 so it was already there. But I will admit it’s better in my head. When I look at pictures of it I tend to think, “Oh, oh, yeah that doesn’t really look as cool as I remember.”
That’s a photo of a Spaceship Earth model from the Journey into Imagineering “Open House” from the D23 Expo several years ago. It’s mostly unrelated to the post, but it’s what I got when I searched my photos for ‘Imagineering’ (trying to find a Blue Sky Cellar photo, to no avail) and I thought it was neat.
It is neat. I guess I am still confused though. I am no expert, but I don’t really recognize the layout. Is this an early concept of spaceship earth, or is this the current/future layout?
Until just now, I was naive and thought spaceship earth was contained completely in the sphere. A quick google maps satellite view made me realize how wrong I was.
Thanks again.
Comfort – you are correct, the Spaship Earth ride is largely contained within the sphere (everything but the load/unload areas). What you are seeing on Google Maps is the “post-show” area.
The concept art looks great. Will be nice to have more green in that area. Love the fountain design.