Worst WDW refurb/update or closure...

[MartianCrab]

I realize presenting a glimpse of the future is much harder in this day and age, but EPCOT seemingly no longer tries. Even a retro-future a la Tomorrow Land, or the old Contemporary, would be better than what they're feebly attempting these days.
Give us our park back!

Merchandising seems to be the only place where they are really trying.

[clj2]

Crown Jewel. Couldn't have said it better myself.

I realize presenting a glimpse of the future is much harder in this day and age, but EPCOT seemingly no longer tries. Even a retro-future a la Tomorrow Land, or the old Contemporary, would be better than what they're feebly attempting these days.

Give us our park back!

Yeah.....attractions like Imagination and Seas, though, had no business being changed. They weren't really dated. The stuff like Horizons and World of Motion were, but could have been updated. I don't mind SSE - at least it's kinda like what EPCOT is supposed to be about. They tried to make EPCOT more kid-friendly, and did a crummy job at it. I don't know what posessed Mission: Space....they could have, IMO, done a more mass-appeal space themed attraction. Maybe it would have been more popular.

[JNota0005DakMC]

Yeah.....attractions like Imagination and Seas, though, had no business being changed. They weren't really dated. The stuff like Horizons and World of Motion were, but could have been updated. I don't mind SSE - at least it's kinda like what EPCOT is supposed to be about. They tried to make EPCOT more kid-friendly, and did a crummy job at it. I don't know what posessed Mission: Space....they could have, IMO, done a more mass-appeal space themed attraction. Maybe it would have been more popular.

I guess they thought they knew what the future would be in the 80's... but then again everyone thought they knew what the future would be like back then... now... no one wants to even try anymore...


i dont think they want to put forth that much effort... just to be wrong...

[catywamp]

You're preachin' to the choir. Epcot is dumbed down and shabby now.

Dumbed down is the perfect way to put it.

[Mo Noyz]

It's one of the few instances, possibly the only, where Disney isn't really even trying anymore. And sadly, it shows.

I mean, even something as relatively minor and simple as The Odyssey sitting empty is just shameful. OK, the location wasn't great to begin with, but c'mon!

The Spaceship Earth refurb, well the ascension is incredible, but why mail in the descent?

And I agree with clj2, refurbs of The Living Seas and Journey Into Imagination just weren't necessary. Period.

And man, do I really miss World Of Motion...

[emBo139]

Yeah.....attractions like Imagination and Seas, though, had no business being changed. They weren't really dated. The stuff like Horizons and World of Motion were, but could have been updated. I don't mind SSE - at least it's kinda like what EPCOT is supposed to be about. They tried to make EPCOT more kid-friendly, and did a crummy job at it. I don't know what posessed Mission: Space....they could have, IMO, done a more mass-appeal space themed attraction. Maybe it would have been more popular.

I agree that they tried to make EPCOT more kid-friendly... particularly SSE with the touch screen interactive stuff. And I don't really mind THAT, in terms of SSE, but I desperately miss Jeremy Irons' narration... at least I have it on my iPod, is what I tell myself.

[penguinmickdis1]

I just hate it when they throw in characters just for the heck of it. Nemo and frineds if fun, but could they have at least kept the name? Living Seas was a much better name in my opinion.

[JNota0005DakMC]

I agree with you... But just keep in mind... If not for the character integration in Epcot... Who knows where that park would be today... The decision to add characters to that park was what initially drove up attendance...

[supernova]

Very true, Joe. While Epcot was originally an educational park, the average guest (read that how you will) goes to Disney and wants it to be non-stop Disney everywhere they go. If they don't walk ten feet without seeing a character somewhere, their little minds turn to mush. And while I didn't exactly need to see Nemo over at the (Living) Seas, I'm glad that Disney decided to grab the main characters, and stick them into one (indoor) location in Future World that can be passed up if one wishes. As for World Showcase, they tried their best to make the characters match the lands, so that doesn't bother me much, either. Some pavilions, like Mexico, have characters outside because there's enough of a draw to bring you into the building. Others, like Morocco, have you hunt down Aladdin. Because let's face it... there is ZERO reason to walk through Morocco. Even their main restaurant is right in front of the pavilion.

[miffy]

Oh no! I didn't know they'd changed the spiel on TTA. What were they thinking? I'm going to cry when I go on there in a few weeks.

I really miss Horizons. Epcot hasn't seemed the same since.

But what they did to SE is just sad. It used to be that when you got to the top and your car turned around and you saw the stars and universe unfold around you, it was an incredibly moving experience. Now, because of the change in narration (and music? I haven't been there for a while, but I think the music changed, too), it just doesn't have the same impact. And the ride after that is a complete and total bust. There's wall and ceiling space there--couldn't they have come up with something else to entertain you? Something beautiful and inspiring to look at? Something adorable? Something funny? Instead, you're stuck looking at the dumb stuff on the screen right in front of you (assuming it's working). I mean, you could be sitting in a phone booth and do that. No need for a ride or a geodesic dome or Disney.

Can you tell how disappointed I am by SE? That's where I cast my vote. I don't blame Dame Judi, and her voice is fine.

--miffy--

[Smack81]

If agree with you Miffy! I miss the old TTA schpiel too (Now Arriving, Final Destination, Rocket Tower Plaza Station), but I was even more disappointed by the SSE re-do. I loved the music in the old attraction very much, especially when you are going toward the exit, watching all the fiber optic lights. I know they're trying to make things more touch-able for kids, but WDW does not have cater to kids in all attractions, exhibits, etc... There are many adults (like me) who go without kids and love it. And more generally, in response to remarks others have posted about Disney characters - I like it when Imagineering creates something that has no Disney characters. I think it really lets them stretch their 'creative wings'. Besides, if everything in WDW was character-driven, where would the Tower, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Space Mountain, Expedition Everest be? These are all highlights of my trip, and I can't imagine WDW without 'em.

[supernova]

And more generally, in response to remarks others have posted about Disney characters - I like it when Imagineering creates something that has no Disney characters. I think it really lets them stretch their 'creative wings'. Besides, if everything in WDW was character-driven, where would the Tower, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Space Mountain, Expedition Everest be? These are all highlights of my trip, and I can't imagine WDW without 'em.

Maybe so. But don't forget... the original vision of the Epcot park was that it was to be character-free.

[JNota0005DakMC]

Maybe so. But don't forget... the original vision of the Epcot park was that it was to be character-free.

Mike... This is true... I Personally never saw it that way so I really cannot comment on it... And I know those space suit costumes the characters originally wore we're pretty hideous... That character integration ended up being necessary... I actually like the fact that they at one point (though I don't see it as much anymore) would put more obscure characters in World Showcase... Seeing Aladdin in Morocco on a regular basis was interesting...

[supernova]

I was alot of the space costumes growing up, mainly in Tomorrowland. I remember taking pictures with Goofy and Roger Rabbit, in particular. For me, characters in Epcot were part of the character bus, though they were characters dressed based on countries on the other side of the park in World Showcase, first driven over to the front of the lagoon, then making their way around to select stops along the way.

[Veritas]

It has to be closing down 20K. They managed to keep the other subsa running in Anaheim but couldn't keep a great attraction in orlando. Soemtimes it feels like WDW is getting very generic