Fans of Epcot's Future World Center, Prepare to Cry

[Captin "Hank" Murphy]

I have learnd from Animated Movies (http://animated-movies.squareworld.com/News.html) that Disney plans to do some changes to Epcot's Future World called "Project Gemini"

A quote that Animated Movies got from Jim Hill Media (http://www.jimhillmedia.com/main/index.htm).

Be among the first to find out what Walt Disney Imagineering really has in store for Epcot's Future World section at Jim Hill Media... "or should I say Epcot's new Discoveryland section?" Another great article which reveals among other things that as of October 1, 2006, the front half of Epcot--currently known as Future World--will be will be known as Discoveryland, "partly because the Walt Disney Company is tired of flushing millions of dollars down the drain in its attempts to keep Future World futuristic."

If you wanna learn more about "Project Gemini", Go Here. (http://www.jimhillmedia.com/articles/02192003.1.htm)

Your Thoughts?




Well I'm shocked and horrified that they would change something great that Walt Disney himself built just so they can save a few bucks and don't have to work so hard. I can't belive how this Jim guy is insulting such a great attraction, saying stuff like "partly because the Walt Disney Company is tired of flushing millions of dollars down the drain in its attempts to keep Future World futuristic.", and calling Spacship Earth "that herky-jerky omni-mover trip through the Ages of Man that AT&T used to sponsor".


Translation: teens and pre-teens who have already been to Epcot -- particularly the Future World section of that Park -- often try to talk their parents out of going back to Epcot during their family's return visits to the Walt Disney World Resort. Among the many reasons that these under-18-year-olds cite is "There's nothing for kids to do there" and "Epcot's boring."
What kind of kids was this guy talking too, snott-nosed boring brats? What makes Epcot and other Disney Theme Parks(except California Adventure) is so great is that they are for anybody of any age. This is a classic in Di$ney's ways of ingnoring %99 of the people who like the rides, and only listening to the 1% who hates them.


So what's the name of the exciting new attraction that will zooming around inside Spaceship Earth once October 2006 rolls around? "Time Racers," Epcot's latest and greatest thrill ride, sponsored by Microsoft.

And what's "Time Racers" supposed to be like? More importantly, what's this attraction supposed to be about? Well, you can say "good-bye" to that herky-jerky omni-mover trip through the Ages of Man that AT&T used to sponsor. The next attraction to make its home inside "The Ball" will literally send Epcot visitors racing across time. Using time lapse photography as well as cutting edge technology, the Imagineers hope to give WDW guests the impression that they're fast-forwarding through all of human history. Rocketing forward from the time when we were all still living in caves right up today's modern age ... and beyond.
By eyeballing "Time Racers" site plan, you'll note that the attraction's ride vehicle is actually supposed to exit the show building and -- just like at GM Test Track -- take a quick spin outside before it comes to rest in the post-show area. Which will now be housed in the "Global Neighborhood" area of the old "Spaceship Earth" complex.

Now some of you may be asking "Why change Spaceship Earth?" The short answer is: Because this ride -- which many folks consider to be the thesis attraction for the entire theme park -- hasn't really changed since EPCOT Center first opened up back in October of 1982. Oh, sure. Spaceship Earth's narration (and narrator) has been changed several times. And the ride's finale got radically revamped back in the mid-1990s. But beyond that, this omni-mover based attraction has pretty much stayed the same for the past 20+ years.

Which is why a lot of guests who are making return trips to Epcot just opt to breeze on by Spaceship Earth as they enter the Park. After all, what's the point of getting on this Future World attraction again? It's still going to be the same slow moving ride past sleeping monks and smoking ruins.

Get Rid of Spaceship Earth?!!! This guy is seriously asking to get rid of this timeless ride just because it's not new? That's like replacing Pirates of the Carrebian ride with a ride that resembles that Simpsons spoof show Night-Boat with modern day Pirates. This guy doesn't care about tradition or staying true to Walt Disney's desing, this jerk just wants to pull in thrill-seeking teens.


Over at what used to be Future World's somewhat tired looking "Living Seas" attraction, the Imagineers are hoping that the characters from "The Little Mermaid" will help liven up this particular corner of Discoveryland. Ariel, King Triton and Sebastian are slated to serve as the new hosts of the aptly named "Under the Sea" pavilion. The new pre-show (as well as the bulk of "The Living Seas"'s revamped exhibits) will now stress how we must all learn to live in harmony with the world's oceans. Not over-fish or pollute ... or we risk destroying this precious resource forever.

I'm told that Seabase Alpha will now be repositioned as the finale of the "Under the Sea" show. To show us all how idyllic the future could be if we really do learn to live in harmony with the ocean.
Well it's official the guy who came up with this is out his mind, because turn such a cool high-tech attraction into a boring, annoying, kiddie-show is going to drive away more custmers than "Living Sea" brought in on it's busyiest day ever.

Trashing Timeless Rides and attractions just so they can have cheap, one-time is enough, forgetable thrill rides is not a good idea. Fortunatly, it's not a ingraved-in-stone plan, lets hope this never gets approved.

[Drachentöter]

:eek:

THIS WORLD HAS BECOME A LIVING HELL!

No, seriously, corporate America has RUINED my favorite memories time and time again. I love Epcot and I love Spaceshp Earth. It's a SYMBOL of Epcot. This is the equivalent of smashing down Cinderlla's Castle and replacing it with "Britney Spears's Crib of Crazy." Disgusting. Utterly disgusting.

This is why Disney will never regain its status as number one media power. It's composed of a bunch of rash reactionaries who panic everytime Warner's stock crushes their own.

:(

[Mek]

(_&*%!!_*A_%(&A!)*(YA!!!!!!!!!

THEY CAN'T DO THIS!! :mad:

*sigh* God, I HATE Disney now...

[Floydian Slip]

if you've seen the actual plans for the park, then you wouldn't be complaining. the plan was to put in a few coasters and make epoct much much more fun, but the budget has been seriously cut.
i've known about this for a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng time.

[Captin "Hank" Murphy]

I have seen the plans for the park..........

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/images/articles/Discoveryland-large.gif

and I'm still complaining. I have no problem with the Hedge Maze, Jr. Autopis, "Soaring over Florida" ride, Rainforest Rollecoster, and the Inovation Rentavations, but the other stuff is pissing me off.


Unfortunately, Epcot's "Wonders of Life" pavilion may not be quite so fortunate. As the Discoveryland site plan that's included with this article clearly illustrates, the Imagineers are reportedly giving some very serious thought to shutting down this entire pavilion (which used to be sponsored by Metropolitan Life) and using this space for "Future Expansion." Whatever THAT means.
So my advice is -- if you're really a big fan of "Cranium Command" and/or "Body Wars" -- now might be a good time to schedule your next WDW vacation. Wrack up a few last rides on both of these attractions. For Epcot's "Wonders of Life" pavilion looks like it will soon be joining "Horizons" and "World of Motion" as a member of the "EEE" Club (I.E. Epcot's Extinct Exhibits).

No way, I loved Body Wars and that Goofy themed show. Besides kids would love that thing because it can make a good excuse to go to Epcot for a "educational" local-school field Trip(like most of Epcot). There not even gonna say what they are changing it, it's like they're gonna take it down just to screw with us.

[Pilmedium]

It seems like there are a few reasons for the change. Money, satisfying people who want new stuff, and changing just for the purpose of changing are among them. All of those reasons are lame and bother me.

[TnAdct1]

My comments about the planned renovation of EPCOT:

Changing the front half's name to Discoveryland: Bad idea, since it would kind of tarnish the EPCOT that many people went to when they were young.

New attractions (i.e. Rainforest Rollercoaster, Hedge Maze, Soaring): That part I'm definitely for, as that would definitely help in the fun factor while not upsetting the people who went to Epcot when they were young.

Time Racers: Mixed reactions. On one side, the ride idea and the technology it will use makes it sound interesting. On the other hand, the idea of putting that ride where Spaceship Earth is currently at would be very bad idea. It's best to "play it by ear" when it comes to this ride.

Under the Sea and "Wonders of Life" Replacement: Bad, bad, bad. Besides, by getting rid of the Wonders of Life, Disney is getting rid of one of the few thrill rides that EPCOT already has, Body Wars (and I thought the whole purpose of the renovation was to attract more kids).

Joe Klemm

[Elven Moon]

Oh god, PLEASE tell me that they won't get rid of Space Mountain :moon: Why are they changing everything?! I thought it was fine the way it was!

*runs off to cry her little heart out*

[Dee]

I loved the older areas of the park for their tacky aged look. I really did.

I loved what they thought the future would look like back in the 1960's. It's my favorite stuff and Im bummed to see Disney is destroying the one thing I loved seeing.


....it's kinda lame for things to look like that at Disney but half their stuff is Edu-tainment and they've even been mocked by Universal Studios:

The Men In Black ride starts off as a 'fake edutainment ride' with "the Universe and You!" and then they have MIB hidden inside that.

I loved the idea and Im going to miss the real fake futuristic look of Disney.

at least we'll always have Back to the Future II

[Dee]

Originally posted by Captin "Hank" Murphy
I have seen the plans for the park..........

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/images/articles/Discoveryland-large.gif

and I'm still complaining. I have no problem with the Hedge Maze, Jr. Autopis, "Soaring over Florida" ride, Rainforest Rollecoster, and the Inovation Rentavations, but the other stuff is pissing me off.



No way, I loved Body Wars and that Goofy themed show. Besides kids would love that thing because it can make a good excuse to go to Epcot for a "educational" local-school field Trip(like most of Epcot). There not even gonna say what they are changing it, it's like they're gonna take it down just to screw with us.


I think that map is wrong.... they still list Test Track and I think that thing is long gone. lol

[Floydian Slip]

space mountain (at disneyland) was orrigonally supposed to be changed to fit the one in paris. the one in paris is a kick ass launched coaster. however disney decided to just refurbish the track (get entirely new track actually because the current SM track is breaking apart!) and redo all the themeing. it's going to be doown for a full year while they do it (expect it to go down in 2004) i know lots of things about roller coasters. any other questions?

[GrantM]

First it was sequels, now it's their own theme park, what's next for Disney to do?

In fact what if Disney ran the country!?!, I'm suprised no one has asked that

[J.E.Smith]

Originally posted by Delia97
I think that map is wrong.... they still list Test Track and I think that thing is long gone. lol

No, you're probably thinking about World of Motion, which was unfournately shut down to make way for Test Track.

[Floydian Slip]

Originally posted by GrantM13459
First it was sequels, now it's their own theme park, what's next for Disney to do?

In fact what if Disney ran the country!?!, I'm suprised no one has asked that
what are you crying about? which would you rather have? crappy rides that do nothing or intense, fast, fun roller coasters?

[GrantM]

Originally posted by Travis 3pB
what are you crying about? which would you rather have? crappy rides that do nothing or intense, fast, fun roller coasters?

I wasn't crying about it, I was just commenting

[Tommy Lawson]

First off, Captain "Hank" Murphy, why on Earth were you compelled to post this news both here and in the Entertainment forum? Do you really feel the need to post an obviously off-topic post here in the animation forum? I certainly don't see anything about animation in this discussion.

Anyway, as for Epcot Center being redesigned, I can understand why Disney's doing it. I've personally been there in 1992 and 1995. While Future World is a great experience for first-time visitors to Epcot, it's really not something worth spending thousands of dollars on for a 3rd visit to the park IMO, and certainly not without some changes. When I went on Spaceship Earth in the summer of 1995, the thing I most remember about it was the fact that ride would stop about 90 seconds or so, reminding me over and over again to remain seated IIRC. Imagine what 8 more years of wear & tear have done to the ride. I can understand why they want it removed.

For those of you who say it's all about the money, guess what, it is. And it's not only Disney's money. The city of Orlando is a tourism-based city, just like Las Vegas is. It's not surprising that the Florida Mall was the number one destination for me outside of the theme parks. That's also why our Fashion Show Mall on the Las Vegas Strip is undergoing a massive expansion. More than just the parks benefit when tourists come to town. Millions of dollars depend on tourism in the cities of Las Vegas and Orlando. In fact, Las Vegas suffered quite a large economic hit after the 9/11 attacks. Park attendance at Disney parks are down as well due to the attacks. This is being done to help bring back tourists again. Change is a fact of life in cities that depend on tourism. I don't see anyone around here complaining about the loss of the Dunes, the Sands, or the Hacienda hotel and casinos, which were replaced with the Bellagio, Venetian, and Mandalay Bay megaresorts respectively. I've seen the skyline of Las Vegas change drastically throughout my life, with old hotels being imploded to make way for new megaresorts so it's absolutely no surprise to see Disney making changes to Epcot to bring in tourists. While I have great memories of Future World at Epcot Center, I can practically guarantee that in 20 years, the kids of the next generation will have great memories of this new Epcot Center as well. And if you tell them about the old Future World, they may very well say that old Epcot Center was so boring and uninteresting and not very much fun. That's just the way life is IMO.

[Captin "Hank" Murphy]

Originally posted by Travis 3pB
what are you crying about? which would you rather have? crappy rides that do nothing or intense, fast, fun roller coasters?

Don't you mean intresting, imaginative rides that educate as well as entertain and give you cool memories when you said "crappy rides that do nothing or intense", and cheesy, pointless, cheap-thrill rides that will loose charm sooner than the ride ends, to only be consider "old junk" and "boring" by those snotty, never happy, thrill-seeking, teens within the year when you said "intense, fast, fun roller coasters"?


First off, Captain "Hank" Murphy, why on Earth were you compelled to post this news both here and in the Entertainment forum? Do you really feel the need to post an obviously off-topic post here in the animation forum? I certainly don't see anything about animation in this discussion.
Well disney "was" the leader in animation(one those things where somebody ask "What is the first word that comes to your mind when I say animation?" and everybody usually answers "Disney") and if it wasn't for those animation shorts Walt and others made of Micky Mouse, that theme park wouldn't have existed(besides it was barly getting knowtice down there in "Entertainment and nobody really gives a crap that I posted the same topic twice in one board.)

[Floydian Slip]

way more people would rather ride a roller coaster then sit on a little train and go around 2 mph learning about the past.
thrill rides don't lose their charm faster then they are over. The general population would rather ride a roller coaster once then all of the other boaring rides at epcot. i seriously doubt you've been on any kind of roller coaster because of what you said. they are supposed to be getting a B&M Invert, and if you've ever ridden one of them they are some of the most intense rides in the world.

[CartoonAdict77]

Check the Entertainment for my fist post about this. I'd like to say that that was a first reaction. Now that I've read through again and looked at everything again, I'll say that it's not as bad as I originally thought.

A few comments now that I'm for the most part cool headed.
If you look at a map for epcot they do have expansion space set aside, why not just put in new rides over there and still keep Wonders of Life?

I actually like the revamping of the living seas. I was always truly bored there and It needs a facelift. I also like that fact that they are bringing the Soarin' ride over to this coast and the Jr. Test Track Idea.

I don't like the hedge maze idea. It doesn't fit in at all with the total design of Epcot and if anywhere should be put in the World thing (which is the side of epcot that really needs to be changed.)

Don't take my first post too seriously. I believe what I said, but the way I said it was just blowing steam.

P.S. Are you saying that Space Mountain will be compleatly remodeled or just getting new track and a more recent waiting space.

[Nin-Nin69]

LIFE IS WORTHLESS NOW!!! TAKE MY LIFE AWAY!!! :eek:

No really. This is a load of bull. Once the people get word of this, they will revolt with pitchforks and burning Mickey dolls on a stick. :mad:

[Captin "Hank" Murphy]

Originally posted by Travis 3pB
way more people would rather ride a roller coaster then sit on a little train and go around 2 mph learning about the past.
thrill rides don't lose their charm faster then they are over. The general population would rather ride a roller coaster once then all of the other boaring rides at epcot. i seriously doubt you've been on any kind of roller coaster because of what you said. they are supposed to be getting a B&M Invert, and if you've ever ridden one of them they are some of the most intense rides in the world.

I ridden plenty of roller coasters becuase i usually get a season pass to the six flags near me and the six flags in Houston and San Antonio, and yes they were very fun but I got bored with them going the same places real fast, so I'm not getting a pass this year.
As much people there are that prefer roller coasters, many people(like I) also like rides that are a little more indepth than just going real fast(like the spider-man ride at Universal IoA, or the Haunted Mansion). Besides, Epcot wasn't ment for those thrill-seeking teens who are looking for the next big thing to scream on, more of a place for those who are more interested in science, aquadic life, the possible futures, and other stuff like that(with some fun thrown into the mix(if that's your definition what of fun is)).

[Obi]

Originally posted by Travis 3pB
what are you crying about? which would you rather have? crappy rides that do nothing or intense, fast, fun roller coasters?

I don't like "intense, fast, fun roller coasters" and I loved Spaceship Earth.

Now guess which I'd choose.

[Floydian Slip]

Originally posted by Obi
I don't like "intense, fast, fun roller coasters" and I loved Spaceship Earth.

Now guess which I'd choose.
i'll admit space ship earth was an awesome ride
hank: the six flags parks that you go to are two of the worst parks (astrowold is the worst six flags park. it hasn't gotten an orrigonal ride for over 12 years!) try going to a better one like six flags great america or six flags magic mountain

[Killtacular]

Christ.

People, stop being blinded by nostalgia. Spaceship Earth was an interesting exploration of the evolution of technology, but it becomes pointless after you've already ridden it. They've wasted so much money on it that their money would be better spent on something that would actually interest people.

Plus, Spaceship Earth turned into a farce. It started as a fun little peek in the future, but when I went back in 1998, the fun was gone. The animatronics were lifeless and undetailed. The ride kept stopping from technical faults. And worse yet, the finale of the ride was the dumbest thing I've ever seen.

You get off of the ride.. and end up in a VERIZON GIFT SHOP!?

A whole bunch of Verizon cel phones and technology was on display, and then a place to purchase said technology.

This is what you people want?! BLEH!! That's all I have to say. BLEH!!

It's true, the front of Epcot DOES need retooling. And putting in a lot of trees is a good place to start. But they also have to update Innovations. It started off as an area where people could play Sega Genesis and 32X games. Yawn. Then it turned into an area where people could play a beta of Disney's Toon Town Online. Yawn.

Whenever I go to Epcot, I usually just walk right past the front half of the theme park and head for the cultural back half. Well, I'd probably go on Test Track, but other than that, the only appealing part of Epcot are all the cultural restaurants and rides. I think the best part was, most people didn't realize there WERE rides in the cultural section, so the lines were always short. And yeah, they were kinda cheesy animatronic rides, but any ride with no line is good for me.

Hell, have you seen how Speed Pass has ruined these parks? Originally the speed pass was a good thing because you could get to the front of the line first, but now the speed pass line is just as crowded as the regular line. I bet they'll create a Speed Speed Pass in the future.. ugh.

[Hatter]

I've never been to Walt Disney World, or Florida for that matter.
A trip like that was always more than my parents could afford.

[Nin-Nin69]

Hell, have you seen how Speed Pass has ruined these parks? Originally the speed pass was a good thing because you could get to the front of the line first, but now the speed pass line is just as crowded as the regular line. I bet they'll create a Speed Speed Pass in the future.. ugh.

There is such thing. The catch is you have to be disabled. :p

[Mad Monkey 7]

It's not Speed past, it's Fast Pass.

[Captin "Hank" Murphy]

Well for me old rides like Spaceship Earth, Pirates of the Carribiane, and the Haunted Mansion are like a good book or good movie where you want to read it or watch it again and again and again. If they do make these changes, just hope that Time Racers has a story as good as Spaceship did(but nothing is gonna make a Little Mermaid themed Living Sea work).