Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=76067" target="_blank"><b>Latest: OrSen: 'Toy Story 3' characters will front Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival</b></a> <p>New "Toy Story" and "Cars" topiaries will debut at the 2011 Epcot International Flower & Garden reports the <em>Orlando Sentinel</em>. They also reveal other information about the upcoming festival.</p>
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Yeah, because those characters embody the creative and cultural spirit of EPCOT exactly. Gag.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Fine as long as they don't get rid of an attraction to make room for the topiaries.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ Can they get rid of Nemo for the topiaries? ...I'm terrible. I know.
Originally Posted By Manfried Interesting idea. Wonder how its supposed to fit together? I would have thought "It's a Bugs Life" characters would have been a better fit.
Originally Posted By dshyates <a href="http://geektyrant.com/storage/post-images/Big-Baby-Toy-Story-3.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1270577714368" target="_blank">http://geektyrant.com/storage/...77714368</a>
Originally Posted By SeventyOne <sigh even the Flower show is now one big commercial for movies.> I guess the fairies fit the theme a little more, but after they and Princess Tiana were inserted last year, you kind of had to know this was coming. On the plus side, at least Juice Newton is getting work. As time forces them to move from 60s to 70s icons, do they rename the "Flower Power" festival?
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt OMG!! Barbie all done up in pink roses! How AWESOME!! Well...she is A Tour Guide!!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>sigh even the Flower show is now one big commercial for movies..<<<< SYNERGY!!!!! ...sigh.
Originally Posted By Manfried I'm all for synergy where it makes sense. But Toy Story characters in front of a flower and garden thing makes no sense. I wonder what brain-dead marketing genius came up with this one. Probably a group-think thing and they are all so busy congratulating themselves for coming up with an idea - good or bad - that they really didn't think this through.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I'm all for synergy where it makes sense.<<< Agreed. Movies in DHS, fairy tails in Fantasyland. Everything else can be a bit of a stretch.
Originally Posted By magic0214 I don't know how I feel about TS3 and Cars represented in roses and petunias, but I am really looking forward to the Winnie the Pooh topiaries! (I know what your thinking...he likes synergy...GET HIM!)
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer I have Doom and Gloomer operatives standing by to pounce, magic0214. ;-) LOL
Originally Posted By magic0214 ^^^You know what this means...RUN! But seriously, I really don't care about synergy. I enjoy, if its a good ride, when up to date characters and movies in the parks. For example, The Seas with Nemo and Friends is wonderful (Oh God, what will EE do to me now...), Toy Story Mania is wonderful, Gran Fiesta Tour is wonderful, but El Rio Del Tempo was much better, Sounds Dangerous...is not a quality attraction and a great example of Syenergy that is WAY TOO OLD!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer All wonderful rides, but... just used in the wrong place. I honestly don't mind the idea of synergy, I just dislike where they use it. EPCOT shouldn't be packed to the gills with the Disney image. It's a place for REAL WORLD ideas, done with Disney quality and showmanship. It doesn't need to have characters plastered all over it. TSMM is fine in it's placement (mostly....) and so is Grand Fiesta Tour as it still is a showcase of Mexican culture, with a few (annoying) Donald references thrown in. But Nemo? Has nothing to to with the exposition of the future or technology. And it's a far stretch to biology and science, too.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 My guess is WDW got sick of hearing that there was nothing for kids at EPCOT so they threw in all the character stuff. At 7-8 my son spent three hours in Communicore (I don't remember if it was East or West). He had a great time. Now he's 28 and it was kind of weird having dinner at the Castle. But he loved the King's Cut prime ribs of years gone by. So he always has to eat there. I have the recipe and that's what I make for Christmas dinner. Hey Spirit, will you be here, we'll be eating at 2?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>My guess is WDW got sick of hearing that there was nothing for kids at EPCOT so they threw in all the character stuff. At 7-8 my son spent three hours in Communicore (I don't remember if it was East or West). He had a great time. <<<< They did it in the late 80's when construction in EPCOT Center peaked (last thing to be built was in 1989 with WoL, and some argue that it wasn't up to par with the rest of the park.) and EPCOT wanted to open itself up and draw in new demographics. This, of course, would be seen in greater quantity when Epcot'94 came about offering a newer, more fast paced, even sketchy outlook. characters, of course, were a part of that. Not that it's a bad thing, I have very fond memories of Epcot'94. It was a exciting change. The thing is, they didn't keep it updated, only updated the central part of the park, and did so with VERY "modern" aesthetics for the time. Now, we are still stuck with them, and they don't have the same effect as back then. In fact, they look quite arid, and clutter up the place. Meanwhile, for the most part, the old EPCOT Center pavilions remained until THEY were changed in the early 2000's. Characters invaded the NorthWest corner of Innoventions, which is fine, and they work mostly well in WS. The only character invasion that doesn't work, of course is Nemo. And these seemingly temporary character topiaries round EPCOT for the F/G. Synergy... I get prolific on Christmas...who knew?
