tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post1866083840923496357..comments2023-11-05T00:52:41.562-07:00Comments on EPCOT Central: Eight for Oh-EightEpcot82http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763893513279437902noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-48444151221309060742008-07-11T14:08:00.000-07:002008-07-11T14:08:00.000-07:00I visited Epcot as a kid in the early 80's. I lov...I visited Epcot as a kid in the early 80's. I loved it as it was. Too much animation is just incredibly patronizing....even for the kids! It's not just animation, but the characters they chose are not classics.....I mean, Nemo is in fashion now, but a few years time when everone has stopped talking about the movie.... it's gonna look crap. <BR/>Also, that Universe of Energy pre-show, with all the moving blocks....that was just amazing. Never seen anything like the screen made of blocks, probably never will.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-19845004308797689492008-01-09T21:23:00.000-08:002008-01-09T21:23:00.000-08:00A friend of mine interviewed for a job at Pixar. T...A friend of mine interviewed for a job at Pixar. They told him they didn't want people who thought on their own anymore, they wanted people who would do exactly what Disney wanted.<BR/><BR/>Come on, Disney -- LISTEN to what's being said!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-6328246820381507002008-01-08T05:41:00.000-08:002008-01-08T05:41:00.000-08:00"Now, take what Pixar CAN DO, combine it with Imag...<I>"Now, take what Pixar CAN DO, combine it with Imagineering and layer in the deep pockets of Disney and you could wind up with something totally new and completely unexpected..."</I><BR/><BR/>Exactly. The Pixar guys are undeniably a talented, imaginative bunch, but what's being done with their properties is pretty crass, unimaginative stuff. Technologically, some of it is interesting, but anyone detailed-oriented enough to make films of that quality should understand how incongruous the theming and tone are at some of the Pixar attractions.Captain Schnemohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15112333068173312142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-24054000969858973212008-01-03T11:00:00.000-08:002008-01-03T11:00:00.000-08:00Innoventions is something I would love to see do b...Innoventions is something I would love to see do better.<BR/><BR/>It has incredible potential.Disneyana Worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05127237908008447457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-48858378593425890482008-01-03T09:07:00.000-08:002008-01-03T09:07:00.000-08:00I could not agree more. As a fan of EPCOT Center ...I could not agree more. As a fan of EPCOT Center (1982), I feel that it's time to get back to the basics. I want to especially see some work done on Universe of Energy. This is one of the most important issues facing our planet right now. The Imagineers could produce a very optimistic look at advances in technology, future energy generation, and the impact of plentiful and renewable energy on the world. The dinosaurs representing fossil fuels could become a "Small World" type ride-through of a future using clean, renewable energy.<BR/><BR/>There's so much potential for that pavillion. It breaks my heart to see the dated mess there now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-1009462245020270592007-12-31T00:51:00.000-08:002007-12-31T00:51:00.000-08:00Anonymous, if you read back through earlier articl...Anonymous, if you read back through earlier articles, you'll see that I've had PLENTY to say about El Rio del Tiempo and the singing ducks!<BR/><BR/>As for The Land, that's an area where I'd say "one thing at a time." At least the movie isn't still "Symbiosis." Generally, WDI did a very good job at expanding and updating The Land.<BR/><BR/>Back on the subject of kids, restaurants and Norway, here's one word that Disney seems to have overlooked or not taken into consideration, one word that could both capture some of Norway's spirit AND "pander" to the kids in a way that would allow authentic Norwegian food to be served once again:<BR/><BR/>Vikings.<BR/><BR/>Or, if you don't like that word, how about this one? Trolls.<BR/><BR/>Norway has SO MUCH to appeal to kids, I just don't see how inserting Cinderella and Belle (France!) or the other princesses is the answer. Except that people are willing to open their wallets. Sigh.Epcot82https://www.blogger.com/profile/14763893513279437902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-39881582968540812552007-12-30T21:12:00.000-08:002007-12-30T21:12:00.000-08:00A lot of us loved EPCOT when it was supposedly bor...A lot of us loved EPCOT when it was supposedly boring and when we were the "princess and pirates" age that kids are now. Disney's parks once new how to give everyone what they didn't know they wanted, rather then just milk the latest film to death. But like I've said before, Disney nowadays likes to pander to kids and teens and ignore the principles that made them great to begin with. I for one don't believe it's impossible to eject the money grubbers from the political structure there, but I think we need to keep shining the spotlight on things, as blogs like theses do, until someone finds a way to do so.Digital Jedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02374739586203788564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-19626405047421812252007-12-30T14:53:00.000-08:002007-12-30T14:53:00.000-08:00I'm a little surprized that you take exception to ...I'm a little surprized that you take exception to the O Canada film with Martin Short but didn't mention El Rio del Tiempo. I cannot belive the Mexican people want their very proud heritage portrayed by 3 cartoon characters. Or the dated (read neeeds to be replaced) movie at The Land. I love kids, have one of my own (now grown up) but don't think every inch of Disney needs to be experienced on a six-year old level. My daughter, then 9, loved EPCOT in 1985 when it was supposedly only interesting to grown-ups. I hope Disney rethinks EPCOT's future and returns to it's original concept as a showcase for tomorrow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-21891337193241645032007-12-30T00:10:00.000-08:002007-12-30T00:10:00.000-08:00I think Pixar is an extraordinary creative organiz...I think Pixar is an extraordinary creative organization that is capable of doing remarkable, game-changing things. To simply take their existing characters and shoehorn them into existing attractions at EPCOT is a bit insulting to the creative geniuses at Pixar and to the EPCOT concept.<BR/><BR/>Now, take what Pixar CAN DO, combine it with Imagineering and layer in the deep pockets of Disney and you could wind up with something totally new and completely unexpected ... and a lot better than projecting talking cartoon fish onto screens and getting kids to pay attention to animated sea turtles while they turn their backs on the real ones nearby.<BR/><BR/>But I digress. Pixar could be an extraordinary addition to Disney, but it seems lately that Disney management is just using it as another cog on the ol' "synergy wheel." It's an "asset" to be "leveraged," as Tom Staggs would probably say. That's what Disney's $7 billion reduced it to ...Epcot82https://www.blogger.com/profile/14763893513279437902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-66223476758203385202007-12-29T20:56:00.000-08:002007-12-29T20:56:00.000-08:00All great points...I think it's interesting the wa...All great points...<BR/><BR/>I think it's interesting the way you've framed certain things with references to Pixar, i.e. "Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar and Imagineering."<BR/><BR/>EPCOT is definitely in need of overhaul, and I think Pixar-type infusions are a great a great match for EPCOT's mission.<BR/><BR/>It definitely opens great possibilities.<BR/><BR/>Also, EPCOT's 25th anniversary was/is definitely not celebrated as it should have been.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-33109482454080276972007-12-29T10:10:00.000-08:002007-12-29T10:10:00.000-08:00I would like to say that I actually like the new m...I would like to say that I actually like the new martin short o' canada film. Now I still believe it's out of place and in 20 years he will be forgotten, but I really like Martin Short.Socrateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09069545332897841076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-29190265705514189582007-12-28T23:48:00.000-08:002007-12-28T23:48:00.000-08:00Sadly, I also understand the Norwegian government ...Sadly, I also understand the Norwegian government decided not to renew its contract, which is a shame. That means no one has supervisory authority over the pavilion except Disney, so it can have its way with Norway. It's really too bad, as this is one of the best, most entertaining pavilions in all of World Showcase ... or, at least, it was. Now, it represents Disney more than it showcases Norway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-1514945190704228272007-12-28T23:19:00.000-08:002007-12-28T23:19:00.000-08:00I don't know if you read my comment thoroughly. I...I don't know if you read my comment thoroughly. I agree with you that Disney pour good money after bad.<BR/><BR/>However, based on fairly qualified knowledge, I can fairly authoritatively state that Norway was certainly one of the less popular (read "making less money") restaurants in World Showcase.<BR/><BR/>That's not to say that it wasn't profitable. Much like DisneyQuest in Chicago, the Company simply decided it didn't have interest in providing a unique experience even when it was making money, albeit not mounds and mounds.<BR/><BR/>It's a matter of trying to apply consistency across multiple locations. For better or for worse (and I personally think it's for the worse), Disney is trying to create generic experiences and delete the former identities of nearly all of its properties. Just look at the cockamamie "Disney Parks" branding that's going on.<BR/><BR/>What I'm trying to get at is this -- Disney is slowly trying to become very, very boring. They want "proven" brands and aren't very often willing to take a risk.<BR/><BR/>I guarantee, that unless in the next few years, things take a major step in another direction, we'll literally be dealing with just a few differentiated lines -- Disney Princesses, Disney Pirates, Disney Parks, ABC, ESPN, and whatever the "flavor of the month" is, be it Ratatouille, Stitch, or Enchanted. Once in a great while something may be added to that blase roster of six/seven above, but those are really the only things that Disney itself seems to believe in right now.<BR/><BR/>And it's pretty pathetic.<BR/><BR/>So, it's not a matter of whether or not the Norway restaurant was "full" or "successful," it was the easiest choice to remove because it was the most different from all of the other restaurants, and therefore much more expendable.<BR/><BR/>And that's just plain wrong.Joelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03376887640598647174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-17127157541980715662007-12-28T22:42:00.000-08:002007-12-28T22:42:00.000-08:00Hey Joel -- Thanks for your note. I have to say I ...Hey Joel -- Thanks for your note. I have to say I disagree. For 16 years, Akershus served its unique cuisine and everytime I went there it was full. "The economically viable" angle is one that's particularly dubious for The Walt Disney Company, which routinely spends money on TV shows and movies that don't turn a profit, pours good money after bad at its lackluster theme parks (Hong Kong, Disneyland Paris, California Adventure -- basically any park built since 1998), and pays its "senior management" salaries that should make anyone blush. This boils down to simple pandering; Disney's MBA-schooled managers want to turn its parks into something that looks attractive on paper, whether or not it's actually of interest to the public. "But," you say, "the Princess meals have been extremely popular." Yeah. I know. And "Norbit" did great business at the box office. That doesn't make it <I>good</I>, and wasn't quality once the prime motivator for Disney?<BR/><BR/>Once.Epcot82https://www.blogger.com/profile/14763893513279437902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-7691592267896709012007-12-28T20:13:00.000-08:002007-12-28T20:13:00.000-08:00Great insights. I do wish Disney would look past ...Great insights. I do wish Disney would look past sponsorships and do the right thing. Not only on Wonders of Life, but in other areas. For instance, could we get a bit of the magic back into the Imagination pavilion?Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10451951530394384699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-66751174721196336862007-12-28T14:38:00.000-08:002007-12-28T14:38:00.000-08:00PS -- sorry for the typo's. Should be "its" and "...PS -- sorry for the typo's. Should be "its" and "not" in 2 areas.Joelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03376887640598647174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-51378270024599092122007-12-28T14:37:00.000-08:002007-12-28T14:37:00.000-08:00I agree with you 100%, but the fact of the matter ...I agree with you 100%, but the fact of the matter (sadly) is that the decisions that would change this simply would not be "economically viable" in this new "marketing driven" Disney.<BR/><BR/>In regards to #5, in particular -- this just isn't going to happen. While I agree that unique cuisine better fits EPCOT's original vision, the fact of the matter is it was the most sparsely visited restaurant before it's conversion. Germany would be a close second there. Eastern European/Scandinavian food is just "too weird" for your average guest.<BR/><BR/>All in all, again I totally agree with you. I just want to provide the perspective of what's causing the choices to be made -- it's essentially "Walmartization" that's causing this. If you can make it cheaply and the average person (which really is 90% of guests) keep buying, it's not going to hurt the bottom line to make crap and no adhere to any sort of "old school" principles.<BR/><BR/>I fear the only place at WDW that really is "old" WDW is now Ft. Wilderness, especially the campfire area.<BR/><BR/>It's just darned depressing...Joelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03376887640598647174noreply@blogger.com