Walt Disney World Cast Members sign a steel beam that will be part of the new World Celebration at EPCOT

Sir_Cliff51 minutes ago

I also think I preferred the original version due to the fountain and the water. I'm glad we're at least comparing like with like finally and I will say that showing the original version at least provides some reasonable context for the current version. The slow decline of perhaps Disney's most ambitious park has meant that its legend has grown over the years, but that doesn't mean the original EPCOT Center got everything just right. This included people treating the original central spine as far more of a place of unusual awe and beauty than it really was. I think it's very possible to imagine a hub that could have surpassed the original version and, even if I'm not sure this one does, I don't think it's crazy for people to prefer this version to all the previous versions.

plutofan1523 hours ago

Agreed. Although I will reserve my final judgement until I see it complete (something rare on these forums), from what I have seen I tend to like this office park over the original. The fountain was very good and all but I could take it or leave it.

UNCgolf23 hours ago

That's exactly how people could describe (and actually have described) the new version too, though. I personally think the original version was better (if only because of the fountain), but it's not like the new version is doing something fundamentally different. It's arguably the same concept just via current design trends.

plutofan151 day ago

In my opinion, this looks awful, Especially the second aerial photo. With the exception of Spaceship Earth, it looks like a vast suburban office park/corporate center or an outlet mall. Just my opinion though.

UNCgolf1 day ago

Yeah -- I think if Covid had hit before demolition started, they'd have axed essentially the whole project. They'd likely have gone forward with Cosmic Rewind, but I think everything else would have gone untouched until they circled back a few years later. In retrospect, that probably would have been for the best. They could have created a more cohesive plan and done something more impressive than the piecemeal concept we ended up with.

Sir_Cliff1 day ago

Entirely agree. It's very hard to see the marketing logic of this approach unless it was almost a case of cutting their losses once the pandemic struck and they found themselves with the centre of the park already demolished. Initially, it seemed like they were aiming at a big re-launch of the park when all of this was finished. However, they then started opening everything in such a slow, piecemeal fashion that any sense of a 'new Epcot' faded away as bit by bit things opened with large sections of the park still behind walls right up until today. You would think that opening Guardians, Journey of Water, and the hub together would have made a far bigger splash.

UNCgolf1 day ago

Yeah, Journey of Water is nice enough, and Guardians is obviously a hit attraction. The hub and new QS etc. are nicer than what existed prior to the start of construction. Overall, though, it feels like they spent years and some unknown amount of money (I'd imagine close to a billion, if not over, considering how much they apparently spent on Cosmic Rewind alone) to end up with a relatively minimal update instead of the major overhaul that was originally intended. I guess you could throw the Ratatouille expansion in there too even though it was a bit earlier, but even that was kind of a misfire. The ride itself is fine as an addition, but the restaurant was a failure.

Sir_Cliff1 day ago

Honestly, I think the energy and the hype disappeared pretty quickly from this project. They released the revised plans with very little fanfare once the two storey building was axed, and Zac was put out to pasture which also put an end to all the social media posts. My personal view is that they have missed another opportunity to truly re-think Epcot, but at this point they seem to be (slowly) limping to the finish line with little enthusiasm.

Epcot82Guy1 day ago

I understand your sentiment. And I think you may have nailed it right here. The big issue is the amount of time, energy and hype that has gone into the park. To create something that seems fine or nice enough. I agree there is a lot of rehashing. The challenge is, for people who really enjoyed what WDI used to create, it's tougher to get excited for a lot of these. So, you slip into negativity. IMHO the company is really struggling with its size, an overinflated management team getting in the way of creative, and a corporate attempt to be safe and inoffensive - while also potentially over relying on data. They are trying to run parks like you run a shopping experience and/or theatrical experience. Physical spaces require a different form of vision and creation. And, I think some of us see that in many of the projects. Again, I can completely understand your point. And, I think complaining should always involve suggestions for improvement. You can never please everyone, and it's clear Disney doesn't care about message boards beyond being a free advertising source. But, for people who love what the company used to do, it's the only space that exists for that hope. I think that may underly a lot of what you are seeing.

ToTBellHop1 day ago

I don’t honestly have the patience to wade through all of these absolutely remarkable posts, so can someone tell me if they have fixed the color changing lights around the central planter?

Moth1 day ago

I think it's perfectly adequate and there are bigger sores in EPCOT as of now. I think it serves an alright job even if I think the Walt statue is a smidge tacky. I think the extra greenery makes the park feel more 'alive' at least.

retr0gate1 day ago

Right, that's been my attitude towards the whole thing. It's not the most groundbreaking thing in the world but it doesn't really need to be? There are far worse things in current EPCOT to be upset about

Moth1 day ago

I think I miss the pin-trading purple canopies (is that what they were?) but like, other than that from what I can see? It's fine. It's okay.

retr0gate1 day ago

Not to beat a dead horse but what's frustrating for most members here (including myself) isn't that people have negative opinions of the new central plaza - that's their prerogative. It's that that we have to scroll through the same comments over and over that provide little to no value to the overall conversation. Instead of making the same unfunny joke for the 5th time in a row, maybe use that energy to provide valid criticism of why you don't like the new hub. I like it from the photos I've seen so far, and I'm looking forward to seeing it in person for the first time next week. I do agree that it leaves a bit to be desired, but we have a pretty solid foundation now if they ever choose to expand upon it (without needing to wall off the entire center of the park again). Whatever way you look at it, this area is in a much better position than it was 10 years ago.