Epcot

[lizblizz]

I don't know why, but I've always had a strange fascination with Epcot. As a child, I loved Epcot because it was a Gifted kid's dream park. Nerdy historical/educational rides, hands-on activities that required the use of imagination, and the coolest technologically strange things I'd ever seen

Comments

[teribeth]

Epcot shows the light side of Walt. He also had his dark side. He was one of the first people to say that marketing toward children is a good idea because then you can get them to be brand loyal from day one. If you have time (and interest) this summer I'd recommend picking up a biography on Walt Disney.

This reminds me of something slightly related - you may also want to read "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser. It touches on Walt (which is what reminded me) but it focuses more on how the friendly McD's of days past became the heartless empire it is today. It's like the behind the scenes aspect that "Supersize Me" only touched on breifly. I started reading "Fast Food Nation" last summer but I got distracted by something or other. I need to pick it up again. *ties a string on her finger*

[lizblizz]

Yeah, I don't think Walt's dark side could compare even a smidgen to corporate monsters of today. While yes, he obviously wanted to be a commercial success, I don't think he ever would have gone to the lengths that current Disney has.

I read "Fast Food Nation" in high school. Did you know they're making a movie of it?

[killerbcrazy]

They took Figment out? :(

[lizblizz]

The first time, yes. Then the public went all: "WTF?" and so they put him back in.

I've been on both new versions, and while yes, I'm glad to have Figment back, the current version is freakin' annoying. Figment is obnoxious, and the ride is too. I used to LOOOOVE Journey to Imagination, but not so much anymore.

[dizknee_phreek]

Agreed. The original will always be a classic. Why they felt the need to destroy it, I'll never know.

[lizblizz]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Hopefully they learned their lesson and won't go anywhere near Spaceship Earth. If/when they drastically change that ride, I'm boycotting.

[dizknee_phreek]

I really have nothing to add, cause you already said everything I think when Epcot comes to mind. I've always loved Epcot as well, and it makes me sad to see what it's become today. Like you said, Future World is a shadow of what it was when we were kids. And it bothers me when fellow Disney enthusiasts say that Future World needs to be updated with thrill rides or completely overhauled into something completely different. I agree that something needs to be done, but thrill rides are not the answer. Epcot needs to be brought back to what it used to be - as you said, a Gifted kid's dream park. I don't have the slightest clue how or what they would do to make it up-to-date AND educational, but that's what the Imagineers are for. But what happened to that 1980's/90's "edcuation can be fun" thing? Where are the Bill Nyes of today? Kids need that kind of thing again.

[lizblizz]

I agree completely. Mission Space and Test Track weren't the answers, obviously. I remember being in awe of strange solar-powered lawnmowers and other weird inventions at Epcot. Epcot used to be where my imagination was challenged... the impossible became possible at Epcot.

Thrill rides should be reserved for the other parks. Save that for MGM. *sigh* I wish there was an easy way to fix it.

You said it perfectly though. Where are the Bill Nyes of today? Epcot was very much "Bill Nye" to me. Fun and educational, without seeming educational in the process.

Yarr.

[dizknee_phreek]

Granted, I enjoy Test Track and Soarin very much...but I agree, more could've been done with those areas. And look at poor Wonders of Life...just sitting there with apparently no plans for it in its near future. It used to be so fun with the interactiveness and the brain teasers. Yeah, it got a little dated after a while, but the solution isn't to just block it off to the public. Do something new and innovative with it! Breathe new life into the concept! *sigh* There's so much potential there, and it's just being wasted.

Yes, Epcot was very "Bill Nye" to me as well. It's still hard for me to think of Future World, especially Innoventions (or how it used to be, anyway), without thinking of Bill. They just go hand-in-hand so easily.
And you said it exactly - the impossible became possible at Epcot. That was the beauty of it. Yeah, the other parks have that, too, but Epcot, as you said, challenged people. And somewhere along the way, it's lost that.

[lizblizz]

Wonders of Life is depressing. Blocked off with plants and just completely left to rot. So sad.

I think I'll leave it at that though. We can talk on AIM instead of just shooting back replies... lol. Messaging you now =)

[katalibria]

i've never been to Epcot....but i've always wanted to...

[lizblizz]

It's awesome, you should.