Originally Posted By mstaft What do you think is needed to improve my favorite Florida park? Check out my blog for my thoughts and ideas : www.insightsandsounds.blogspot.com
Originally Posted By dshyates Your plan is good. I think the actual actors (Bill Nye, Hans and Franz, etc.) age an attraction very quickly. I don't think the cartoon characters do. But I think they homogenize the experience. I feel both EPCOT and DHS probably deserve more criticism than DCA because they were both at one time cohesive parks. And there was no reason for them to loose focus except forced synergy and commercialization. Is it my imagination or was the last attraction added to WS Maelstrom in 1988? 20 years? Come on guys. Seriously, you really can do better than that. That's embarrassing. The last time I was there in '06, FW did seem more lively since MS, Soarin', and TT had opened. There were actually people in that section of the park. As FW sits today a boarded up WL pavilion seems to be the biggest concern. And since character inclusion is all the rage, what would you guys think of an all new Imagination pavilion focusing on the creative inspirations for the Imagineers?
Originally Posted By dshyates with the TT above I was refering to Turtle Talk not Test Track. But Test Track does bring a kenetic energy to that side of FW.
Originally Posted By mstaft ^^^ I agree about the kenetic energy. The splashing water at Seas brings a little to that side- but not enough. The monorail used to add a bit as well, but it doesn't pass by often enough. Hmmm, is it time for the proposed peoplemover that one time was in the plans before the park opened? (It went through Communicore.) The double decker bus brought that energy to World Showcase as well.
Originally Posted By MPierce I think a parade similar to Tapestry of Nations would go a long way to help WS. I also think that the double decker bus would also help. Street entertainment would help a lot in FW as well as maximum use of the Fountain of Nations.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Does Epcot Need Saving?>> Seeing as how it is the best Disney park in the United States, I don't think so.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I agree. But there is a difference between 'improving' something and 'saving' something. Saving implies that it will fail if improvements are not made soon. I don't think anyone can claim that is the case with Epcot.
Originally Posted By MPierce Yes the title can seem to be misleading. I think that was to get interest in the thread, since mstaft freely stated it was his favorite park. I just think he was interested in peoples opinion of how to infuse more life into the park. Outside of new attractions, and new pavilions I think Epcot could use a little tweaking even though it is my favorite park just like it is.
Originally Posted By mstaft ^^ Well, last summer (which was my last vsiit to Florida) Epcot was extremely empty. (I'll post my empty Epcot photos in a few days.) It gave the park quite a lag, which is what got me to thinking something needed to be done. Besides the fact that FW didn't seem to have much future in it! So, in some ways, yes, I think Epcot needs saving- as in massive improvements to bring the spark back. But it is still my favorite FL park- and one I never miss. In fact last visit, I skipped MK and MGM altogether.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<^^ Well, last summer (which was my last vsiit to Florida) Epcot was extremely empty.>> Any park has its occasional slow days. Epcot attendance for the last two years has been up considerably from the years following the Year 2000 peak. Admittedly, that still does not approach the attendance that it had during its "glory years". On the other hand, it didn't have to compete with MGM or Animal Kingdom during those years.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Epcot needs improvement ... additions ... plussing ... most of all just normal TLC. Now, our country ... there's something that needs saving!
Originally Posted By MPierce I think I am much more optimistic for the future of out country than you Spirit. I'm also very optimistic for the future of Epcot.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 At least Spirit thinks our country is worth saving. That's a good start. Now how do we do that?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I really have no clue. Changing the 'tudes of the people would be step one. So many people think little or nothing is wrong to begin with really need to wake up ... or travel outside the country. I am just so saddened by what has happened over the past eight years (although to be fair, it began when Ronald Reagan reached out to the wackos on the far right). If people think nothing's wrong ... or that things like abortion, gay marriage or wearing flag pins are what we need to focus on, I don't see how we move forward. I personally have more optimism over EPCOT because it has better leadership than our country has!
Originally Posted By mstaft I'm not happy with Bush- but the new choices don't do it for me either. I did like Reagan- a lot. He had the optism the country needed at the time. (Didn't like his wife at all, however!)
Originally Posted By mousermerf Why so optimistic Spirit? I guess i'm a "what have you done for me LATELY" type. There's an empty pavilion with rotting rides/show, an unfinished iconic attraction with obvious chicken wire hanging out in places, and a generally unexciting world showcase which seemingly has no intention of growth. Oh yeah, and HISTA and Figment suck bad. They're a black mark on everything Epcot. So what is the current Epcot management doing to change this?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<generally unexciting world showcase which seemingly has no intention of growth.>> And I hope it stays that way. People (most of them younger I assume) keep wanting to put rides back there. I say keep the danged rides in the front of the park. WDW needs SOMEPLACE that is geared to a more sedate adult experience and the World Showcase is it. It is a wonderful place to enjoy the atmosphere on a gorgeous Orlando night. Meander through some countries and soak up the architecture and feel of the place. Browse the gorgeous sweaters at Norway. You know you'll never buy one because they are $200, but look at them anyway. Go over to Germany and wander through the shops. I don't know what there is about it, but Germany has really great atmosphere after dark. Plus a good wine store. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a nice German Riesling. Bet you can't drink just one. We never can. Continue around the Showcase knowing that your final destination is Paris. If you get there by about 8:00 PM you can usually get one of the little tables right at the rail around the lagoon. With a French wine booth steps away and the beauty of Belle Époque Paris at your back you soak it all in, chat with the folks you are with and realize that you have truly found heaven on earth. And you want to CHANGE that?? No way. I'd be fine with another country being represented. But NO RIDES. Rides in the Showcase are a greater travesty than Toons everywhere else!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I would love a little change to WS e.g. some more country pavillions. I would be ok with more attractions in the form of cultural shows or folklore based dark rides.
Originally Posted By dshyates What if they had put in a Brazillian Pavilion and included the Soarin' ride system instead of in the Land. Shoot a beautiful film flying over the rainforest. Flying up Angel Falls. Fly over tha Amazon. A spectacular flight around Rio. You really think that would be worse than stitch in IASW?
