Imagination ride rumors.

Originally Posted By idleBrain

This attraction desperately needs a major redesign!

I took the SO on the ride today; he hadn't ridden in almost five years, since the first rehab. We were the only people in our vehicles! Only a handful of riders were in the previous vehicle, when we approached the loading platform. And two people walked up just as our vehicle was pulling out. ImageWorks was virtually dead; fewer than a dozen people were scattered about, including the gift shop. Crowds were light in the park overall, but Living Seas and The Land both had healthy numbers.

Imagination has decidedly become a joke. Kodak should either be cut loose from their contractual obligation, or WDC should profusely apologize for this abomination and offer to rehab it on their own dime. What a freakin' waste of cast members to keep it up and running.

8^(

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

^^Be careful what you wish for ... before you know it, Kodak will get smart and pull out and Disney will just pull a WoL on the place!

 

Originally Posted By ctdsnark

If they haven't realized it yet,amazing as that seems,the top people at WDW will eventually see the low attendance and see they need a new attraction in there.They can't bring back JII---fine.Dreamflight,the first substitution for If You Had Wings didn't work,either---they scrapped it and created the Buzz Lightyear ride.The same must be done here.

 

Originally Posted By idleBrain

<<Be careful what you wish for ... before you know it, Kodak will get smart and pull out and Disney will just pull a WoL on the place!>>

If they're that shortsighted, let 'em walk!

The Imagination Pavilion as it currently stands isn't worth the $$$ it takes to keep it open. Blech! WDC needs to get off the pot and make a commitment to either fix the mess, or shutter it like WoL.

Even though it might be the cold meds talking (I love spending my vacation in bed, propped up reading the net 'cuz I'm too feverish and achy to park hop), I'm thoroughly fed up with the current state of most of Epcot. And double ditto for Imagination!

Living Seas is a step in the right direction, IMHO. But geez! It took 'em long enough. How much longer to see the rest of Future World get rejuvenated?

Picking up my Dreamfinder and Figment sculpts this morning was painful, and not just because I desperately wanted to stay in bed with my warm blankie, decongestants, and Ricola drops. Seeing this wonderful piece by Bruce Lau brought the previous day's visit to Epcot into clearer focus: Future World is LOST. And Imagination leads the way into the void.

At this point, Spirit, I simply do not care. If Disney cannot deliver compelling and entertaining rides and pavilions in Future World anymore, then they should just bulldoze the place and be done with it.

As I stated earlier, Living Seas is a good start. But how much longer do we have to wait for other pavilions to get makeovers? At the rate they're proceeding, Epcot will be celebrating their golden anniversary before FW is worth my time again.

Ugh. Time for another nap.

 

Originally Posted By idleBrain

<<If they haven't realized it yet,amazing as that seems,the top people at WDW will eventually see the low attendance and see they need a new attraction in there.>>

Personally, I don't believe they care anymore. Seriously. I visited WDW twice last year, but this trip has been noticably worse, in terms of "nickle-and-diming" me. Prices are worse, food is worse, maintenance is noticably worse, and even the guests seem crankier. Granted, it's hot and humid and rainy. But still... there's an attitude that prevails from parks to resorts that I didn't feel last year. And I do believe it's directly related to the higher prices and cost cutting efforts on the part of Team Rasulo.

The bottom-line hyperfocus is so in your face now. And it's merely greed in action. Sickening.

 

Originally Posted By kpwdwfan

>>At this point, Spirit, I simply do not care. If Disney cannot deliver compelling and entertaining rides and pavilions in Future World anymore, then they should just bulldoze the place and be done with it. >>

>>As I stated earlier, Living Seas is a good start. But how much longer do we have to wait for other pavilions to get makeovers? At the rate they're proceeding, Epcot will be celebrating their golden anniversary before FW is worth my time again.>>

This problem is occuring at EPCOT and MGM. Imangination is horrible, WOL is closed, Innoventions buildings, what can you say, the post show area at Spaceship Earth is empty.

MGM is the same way in my opinion, Superstar Television has been closed for years, Hunchback set is empty, the Backstage Tour has a lot to be desired, Sounds Dangerous has way out lived it's usefullness and WWTBAMM is gone. I realize that WWTBAMM is being replaced but closing yet another attraction lives a big void in that area and the park in general. I'm not sure which park needs more help right now but the subpar attractions and empty spaces are becoming more and more prevailant.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

>...I love spending my vacation in bed, propped up reading the net 'cuz I'm too feverish and achy to park hop...<

Man, do I feel for you! I've been there myself on more than one occasion. I remember a trip where I saved for months and finally could afford a tower room at the Contemp. On the flight to Orlando I started feeling the scratchy throat. By the next day I was down hard. So there I was, on the 9th floor of the Contemp. overlooking the MK and the boats and the monorails and all the people having fun, & I was too sick to even go out and eat (Contemp. room service is pretty great, tho!). It was a most memorable vacation, and not in a good way.

Feel better, buddy!

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

I think Future World is better than ever. On one side you have Mission Space and Test Track where the prior attractions drew nothing but yawns and walk-ons.

On the other side you have The Land gaining an extraordinarily popular attraction with Soarin' and The Living Seas actually generating a little interest for the first time in 15 years.

Yes, Wonders of Life is closed. But what was good there anyway other than Cranium Command?

As far as the Imagination Pavilion, I will agree that it is pretty hopeless. HISTA should have been retired years ago. The present JIYI doesn't draw many people, but neither did JIY in its final years. As far as I'm concerned both the original and its replacements have been rather mediocre attractions.

So you have three great attractions that have been added in the last 10 years; two of them within the last five. You have another pavilion that is attracting some interest for the first time I can remember. And yes, you have two tired pavilions (one closed) that no one has much cared about for the past 10 years. Be patient… they will be improved too.

In the meantime, I enjoy Future World because it is probably the best it has ever been since its opening years. We now spend more time at Epcot than any other WDW park, and I certainly don’t see that changing any time soon.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74


<<The Imagination Pavilion as it currently stands isn't worth the $$$ it takes to keep it open. Blech! WDC needs to get off the pot and make a commitment to either fix the mess, or shutter it like WoL.>>

I can't disagree with that ... but if Disney ever closed Imagination, upon which concept created the amazing Disney Legacy, I think I would give up on the company. Or do whatever I could to see that Bob Iger joined Michael Eisner in exile!

<<Even though it might be the cold meds talking (I love spending my vacation in bed, propped up reading the net 'cuz I'm too feverish and achy to park hop), I'm thoroughly fed up with the current state of most of Epcot. And double ditto for Imagination! >>

FEEL BETTER!!! It does suck when you're sick on vacation. And, as a Floridian, I can tell you this time of year is when a lot of us get sick because you have extreme heat and humidity, followed by lots of rain (which drops the temp 15-20 degrees) and then you go into the AC. Makes for a bad combo.

<<Living Seas is a step in the right direction, IMHO. But geez! It took 'em long enough. How much longer to see the rest of Future World get rejuvenated?>>

I don't know ... and sadly, I don't think WDI does either.

<<Picking up my Dreamfinder and Figment sculpts this morning was painful, and not just because I desperately wanted to stay in bed with my warm blankie, decongestants, and Ricola drops. Seeing this wonderful piece by Bruce Lau brought the previous day's visit to Epcot into clearer focus: Future World is LOST. And Imagination leads the way into the void.

At this point, Spirit, I simply do not care. If Disney cannot deliver compelling and entertaining rides and pavilions in Future World anymore, then they should just bulldoze the place and be done with it.>>

You really sound like you've given up, which is sad. Remember as 'W' would say the evildoers win if you give in to their (Walt Disney) World view!

I won't give up on a place I love and have had countless wonderful times at just because the executive crop running the place belongs at WalMart.

Just like I wouldn't give up on a sick friend.

<<As I stated earlier, Living Seas is a good start. But how much longer do we have to wait for other pavilions to get makeovers? At the rate they're proceeding, Epcot will be celebrating their golden anniversary before FW is worth my time again.>>

I dunno. I really don't. But I think making Journey your first stop wasn't the best route to take. I do see improvement. Adding Soarin, especially if they put in a new film or two in the next year or two, was a great addition.

I also enjoy Mission Space a lot, but also think it was bigtime wasted money.

Test Track sucks, but not to the NASCAR crowd that makes up a large chunk of WDW's visitors. And GOOD THINGS are coming for the Seas, SSE (thanks to Siemens' money), Innoventions, Canada and Mexico. Not to mention a new version of Illuminations and likely a new parade too.

And those are just projects that have already been approved or are in final stages.

Disney has to do something with (at the very least) Imagination because it simply can NOT have two huge pavillions in mothballs ... but if you don't like Imagination, you should let Brad Rex know and Erin Wallace ... and Meg Crofton.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

>> I'm too feverish and achy to park hop <<
>> Future World is LOST <<
>> At this point, Spirit, I simply do not care <<

Post #24 makes some accurate observations. But it's also a sample of why detailed summaries shouldn't be written while sick and in a real bad mood.

It makes FutureWorld sound like there's nothing there at all. Cripes. Simply not true.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

I agree there have en signs of life- and even though I don't like Mission Space - it was an additon in an area where it was badly needed.

I do get sad when going past WoL though because IMHO nothing shouldsit that long - do somethin with it.

And regarding Journey -- they have attempted to make Figmen the 'mascot' if you will forever for EPCOT -- and the whole idea of Figment & Dreamfinder to me represented WDI -- if they can't get that right it sends a bad message.

I really hope they get Journey right, and soon...as I do not want to see that concept go away, I thought it was brilliant long ago, nd the concept still is... they can do better and hopefully will shortly.

I had given up on the Living Seas fo a period also ad didn't evengo into the building a few trips in a row....and een for all the what ifs they could hae done, I really like the improvements there now

 

Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror

>>>but if you don't like Imagination, you should let Brad Rex know and Erin Wallace ... and Meg Crofton.<<<

Well, the other day, a Cast Member did exactly that...

Crofton was going around to groups of Cast Members, asking what they would do if they were in her shoes.

My friend, who principally works at DAK, asked her point blank "Do you really want to know?"

And she said "yes, please."

So my friend responded, "more than any wage increases or silly pacify-the-troops incentives, re-invest in Epcot and restore the place to its mid-80's glory. Do some research into how terrific the place was, and how the marketing team dropped the ball back then. Give it back its sense of identity, and consider losing so much of the influx of Disney characters that weren't there when it first opened, and that have since diluted and dumbed-down its personality."

He was blunt, but I was pretty proud of him. Crofton actually set him up with some telephone numbers of point people to discuss these things with... I think perhaps she might have been a bit dumbstruck by his bluntness. Whereas most of the other CMs she spoke to were talking about things that deal directly with their benefits and wages and comfort-zone, this guy was talking about reinvesting in Epcot so that people who worked there could be PROUD of the place and of WDW in general.

Just thought you'd be interested to hear.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

Is he now looking for work somewhere else?

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<I agree there have en signs of life- and even though I don't like Mission Space - it was an additon in an area where it was badly needed.>>

I agree, but only to a point.

What was needed was a true Space Pavillion, with multiple attractions (and even dining) as was proposed in numerous versions from the late 70s right thru the 90s.

Not a fancy simulator that makes more people sick than any other attraction Disney has ever made. It would have been find if that was part of the experience, but not the whole one.

<<I do get sad when going past WoL though because IMHO nothing shouldsit that long - do somethin with it.>>

No. It shouldn't.

And it (like all the FW pavillions) has a timeless theme, so it isn't like it's just dated and let's bulldoze it for a soundstage building that we can put a 90 second rolley coaster in.

But you do realize Disney gets a tax writeoff by keeping it shuttered?

So many areas of every WDW park (except DAK) have huge areas that sit empty and dilipatated and that should never have been allowed. Listening, Team Disney?

<<And regarding Journey -- they have attempted to make Figmen the 'mascot' if you will forever for EPCOT -- and the whole idea of Figment & Dreamfinder to me represented WDI -- if they can't get that right it sends a bad message.

I really hope they get Journey right, and soon...as I do not want to see that concept go away, I thought it was brilliant long ago, nd the concept still is... they can do better and hopefully will shortly.>>

I don't know if WDI can do better. I think they still can. Even now, there's still talent there. No, not like a decade ago, bit enough.

And if Disney can't create an amazing Imagination pavillion, well, maybe they should get out of the theme park business and just sell timeshares!

<<I had given up on the Living Seas fo a period also ad didn't evengo into the building a few trips in a row....and een for all the what ifs they could hae done, I really like the improvements there now>>

So far, so good.

Although I don't like taking out the hydrolaters and replacing them with doors. The illusion of going to a seabase was once very strong and could have been again. Should have been too.

But, yeah, overall thumbs up on the Seas changes.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>>>but if you don't like Imagination, you should let Brad Rex know and Erin Wallace ... and Meg Crofton.<<<

<<Well, the other day, a Cast Member did exactly that...

Crofton was going around to groups of Cast Members, asking what they would do if they were in her shoes.

My friend, who principally works at DAK, asked her point blank "Do you really want to know?"

And she said "yes, please."

So my friend responded, "more than any wage increases or silly pacify-the-troops incentives, re-invest in Epcot and restore the place to its mid-80's glory. Do some research into how terrific the place was, and how the marketing team dropped the ball back then. Give it back its sense of identity, and consider losing so much of the influx of Disney characters that weren't there when it first opened, and that have since diluted and dumbed-down its personality.">>

WOW!!!

This should be expected, but in today's political climate at Disney (and most companies), execs only want to hear what they want to hear.

It's nice to know there are still some CMs who both care enough about the place and have the testicular fortitude to let management know it isn't getting the job done.

Disney should give your friend a raise and promotion to a TRUE quality control/future planning task force and drop the million-dollar consultants that wouldn't know a clue if a gator delivered with a bite to their behinds.

<<He was blunt, but I was pretty proud of him.>>

I would be too. And I am.

<<Crofton actually set him up with some telephone numbers of point people to discuss these things with... I think perhaps she might have been a bit dumbstruck by his bluntness. Whereas most of the other CMs she spoke to were talking about things that deal directly with their benefits and wages and comfort-zone, this guy was talking about reinvesting in Epcot so that people who worked there could be PROUD of the place and of WDW in general.

Just thought you'd be interested to hear.>>

Very, very interested. Thanks for sharing. And please update us.

Epcot has always been my true Disney love because of the amazing scope and quality and optimism that were behind it.

No, it wasn't Walt's planned community. But I'm also pretty damn sure from talking to loads of people who knew and worked with him that he would have been so proud of the permanent world's fair type park that existed in its first decade.

It's still so wonderful because of its creators that a decade of watering down still hasn't ruined the place.

I just wish so much that all the plans for EPCOT Center's future growth had come true. Now, it's at a major crossroads and while I love Soarin, appreciate Mission Space and hate Test Track, I think it's safe to say that Disney's going to have to reinvest in the park without going for quick thrills.

FW needs pavillions like the Seas and the Land with multiple attractions under a universal theme that can chew up huge amounts of guests and keep them inside for a few hours. Not standing in line for 70 minutes for a two-minute ride in a convertible!

 

Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror

>>>Just thought you'd be interested to hear.>>

Very, very interested. Thanks for sharing. And please update us.<<<

Thanks, I will. And yes, as of today, he's still a Cast Member.

>>>It's still so wonderful because of its creators that a decade of watering down still hasn't ruined the place.<<<

Very insightful. Yes.

>>>FW needs pavillions like the Seas and the Land with multiple attractions under a universal theme that can chew up huge amounts of guests and keep them inside for a few hours<<<

Exactly. And actually, they "Could" still expand the Space Pavillion to include such an experience, using the Simulator conveyance (both colors) to carry you to a Mars Colony that could be built in a vast soundstage, with various experiences once you got there.

Here's hoping some rays of brilliance once again shine upon EPCOT Center...

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

"But you do realize Disney gets a tax writeoff by keeping it shuttered?"

No, I didn't realize that. What is the basis for this? I really don't understand why the government would give them money to leave buildings empty, when they could have attractions inside them, making more jobs. I'm sure there is some political reason for this, but I really don't get it.

 

Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror

>>>"But you do realize Disney gets a tax writeoff by keeping it shuttered?"

No, I didn't realize that. What is the basis for this?<<<

Depreciation.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

>> "But you do realize Disney gets a tax writeoff by keeping it shuttered?" <<

I'm not so sure I believe this one.

I admit I'm no wizard when it comes to all the hallways and hidden backrooms of our tax codes, but it seems there would be more of a writeoff for an attraction that is open and LOSING money than one that's flat out not open.

The one that's open is still depreciating, isn't it?

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

I need more information than just somebody's say-so that "it's a writeoff."