Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the June 3 article: Greg Maletic at <a href="News-ID160070.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID160070.asp</a>.
Originally Posted By SFH Thanks for the column. If I recall correctly from a recent book, Walt wanted "temporary" residents in EPCOT, which indeed could have been cast members of the Resort and other Disney employees, as well as students, people on extended vacations and sabbaticals. That way, it wouldn't be so much of a problem to rip everything out of a residence and replace it all with the latest test models. SFH
Originally Posted By LuvBuildin What a great look at the true EPCOT, envisioned by Walt. I had always known part of what EPCOT was designed as, but had never looked at it as a showcase for transportation, nor examined the faults, which partiallt caused the scratching of the design.
Originally Posted By irishfan Very interesting article, thanks for writing it. Epcot really is a fascinating subject.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Yeah, a very good read. You definitely done your homework and have some VERY good insight. To be honest, I think it WAS a good idea that they didn't attempt anything like that on that scale. You look at what a VISION EPCOT was back then and just think if it was built to the level Walt Disney wanted it to only to sucumb to years of neglect and lack of creativity by the company decades later. I mean, think about it, people are always complaining about OUR EPCOT now and it's lack of anything creative or awe-inspiring, and it's only HALF the vision of what Walt Disney wanted. It's one thing to constantly update future products and technologies in an exhibit which Future World pretty much is, but it's another to do it in a LIVING, BREATHING environment where people are actually living and working. Hell, they can't seem to get their "Tomorrowland's" right half the time, I don't want to imagine what kind of state would a Walt-designed Epcot would be in today .
Originally Posted By phowell13 There is a book out: Designing Disney's Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance by Karal Ann Marling (Editor) An exhibit based upon this book was in the DC area soon after the book was published. I happened to view this exhibit and what struck me the most was that Walt's vision of a planned community was found throughout his designs, including the original plans for Disneyland. The original plans included residences, a church and a cemetary with the theme park being a small part of the community as a whole. This was also never built. So my point is basically that I think Walt was fascinated with community planning from the beginning. So rather than being something new to focus on, I think it was the opportunity to turn his attentions to an idea he had from the beginning.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I live in a Community that was built by the developer ARVIDA. Arvida was once owned by the Walt Disney Company and you can see the influences of Disney throughout our community. Landscaping, road design, water control, etc all play a big factor in what brings people to this town (Weston, Florida). If you think about it, WDW did turn out to be a community but not in the way the EPCOT plan spelled out. There are jobs, shopping, recreation (golf, boating, fishing, Wide World of Sports), industry (all sustaining WDW of course) etc. Transportation has been addressed in road design, busses and the monorail to a certain extent. Cast members do live in the area, though not "on property" and are bussed to work (College Program and International Students). Meeting the expectations of guests is something Walt knew how do to. Meeting the expectations of residents is something all together different. Just look at the criticisms of Celebration to see what I mean. I am not too sure the WDW Company was eager to go down that road after Walt's death. I really enjoyed reading Greg's article.
Originally Posted By Richard Excellent article Greg. I found this particularly interesting as I am a professional town planner in the UK. I can relate to your interest in EPCOT as a child, in fact my early interest in Disney's theme parks and their relevance to the real world probably had something to do with my choice of career. Like you I now realise that the issues of the real world a good deal more complex than those of the hermetically sealed environment of a Disney theme park.
Originally Posted By jbponzi Excellant article about a most fascinating topic. My feelings on EPCOT are such that it really has been built and continues to grow. The present day Walt Disney World Resort comprises much of what Walt may have wanted for his EPCOT. It contains great commercial entities in the parks and the partner businesses also on property. A large temporary population is moved about with good efficiency. All while top notch services are provided for this public. There is lots to debate just from that last paragraph. It is all true though. And it works quite well as a 'controlled' environment. Even though EPCOT the city wa never officially built, its presence is definitely felt in other communities in the USA. I must point to the EPCOT Building Code. Those codes that Walt Disney Company and its partners must abide by for all construction within the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Some of these codes have been implemented in Florida State Code. In a more widespread implementation the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), who are the authors of safe building practices like the NEC (National Electrical Code) are using the EPCOT code as the model for the future. This future was being drafted for release in 2002. With the hope of national adoption by all 50 states; I beleive California may be using it at least in part at this time. I believe that is clear sign of the success of what EPCOT would become.
Originally Posted By Kevin Thank you Greg for a great article. I had never seen the publicity film and have always been very fascinated with the original ideas of EPCOT. In its current design, it is one of my favorite parks. I agree with all your points but believe you really hit the nail on the head with the topics around ceding control to a central authority. In watching the video and reading some of the materials, any permanent resident would have been living in a very socialist environment. For example, the project details talk about the community providing affordable housing for all and jobs for all. All of this seems to contrast with the overall goal of showcasing American Industry – something that developed and thrived because of a totally capitalist society. Especially interesting in a country where home ownership is one of the most overriding ideals of our society, the project says "There will be no landowners". I agree with you that the Epcot (and resort) that was built is a great environment to showcase American Industry to the World and provide an environment to find ways to solve problems of transportation and urban design – without trying to tackle building a utopian city.
