tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post8207038533073267660..comments2023-11-05T00:52:41.562-07:00Comments on EPCOT Central: Our Future, Epcot's FutureEpcot82http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763893513279437902noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-2097168907348886602009-08-01T13:49:52.950-07:002009-08-01T13:49:52.950-07:00I was just in EPCOT yesterday after nine years of ...I was just in EPCOT yesterday after nine years of being away and these are my immediate ideas to radically remake the park into the original verison; <br /><br />1) You must be 18 yrs or older to enter; no exceptions; no baby carriages, no 4-yr old girls in Jasmine princess dresses and tiaras and no screaming 8 yr old "bored" boys. <br />2) Immediately remove every cartoon character from every ride, sign and gift shop. <br />3) Every item in every country in World Showcase must be made in that country; that means no Goofy stuffed animals in red plaid shirts and cowboy hats made in China in the Canada gift shop. <br />4) Every country in World Showcase must meet a minimum level of cutltural significance to today's world or its political or economic reality; therefore Norway, Morocco and England paviliions would be immediately destroyed and replaced by Russia, Isreal (or a combo Israel--Palestine pavillion) and India. <br />5) Test Track would be immediately demolished and replaced by a pavillion totally devoted to hybrid and electric car technology and weaning Western civilization (particularly America) off fossil fuels. <br />6) Guests could be tested at various points throught Future World (a la Trivial Pursuit) with real questions about the technology they're learning; if they answer correctly, they would be rewarded with free lunches, beer or wine or gifts or tickets to Magic Kingdom or other aprks. <br />7) All food served in The Land would be organic; also a ride would be added there titled "The consequeces of the standard American diet" and would include lectures on obestity, the benefits of vegetarianism and raw food diets and the global cost of the meat industry; also a lecture on the coming world food epidemic.<br />8) All guests eating at the restauarnt in the Seas pavillion have to catch their own fish out of the aquarium, prepare it and cook it. <br /><br />If I think of more I'll post them.skyscratchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062600896874856628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-5917563600870406052009-04-13T19:10:00.000-07:002009-04-13T19:10:00.000-07:00ummm, because we're in a recession and can't?ummm, because we're in a recession and can't?Ed Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16084506013195012009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-90211046045412335452009-03-12T06:56:00.000-07:002009-03-12T06:56:00.000-07:00I understand the need to appeal to people who don'...I understand the need to appeal to people who don't "get" epcot. My neices are some of those people. They were raised to have uninquisitive, uncurious minds. There are millions more like them out there, thanks to bad parenting and poor education funding. Since Disney is in capitalist hands, these people are a core audience. Their needs must be met.<BR/><BR/>Walt knew how to make a movie / ride that appealed to adults and children, intelligent and dumb. The old imagineers did too. The new Disney doesn't even understand the question, let alone how to solve it. They are all just uninspired businessmen, incapable of inspiring.Flerghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04101463542972261369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-8481141494180546942009-03-09T11:09:00.000-07:002009-03-09T11:09:00.000-07:00Either Kevin Yee or Al Lutz at MiceAge was talking...Either Kevin Yee or Al Lutz at MiceAge was talking about Disney stock, and suggesting that it was a mistake to position Disney as a "growth" company instead of a solid earnings company as far as stock goes. By positioning it as a "growth" company, they put themselves in a position where they have to increase profits and stock price. This also goes to the way execs get their bonuses (stock options). In order to wring every penny out of the parks and the company in general, they aren't "true" to what made Disney "DISNEY". <BR/><BR/>Oh, and the connection between those 3 movies is that they're all based on P.K. Dick stories.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12409785011989904117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-63461489468900603872009-03-09T10:48:00.000-07:002009-03-09T10:48:00.000-07:00William Taft = Spaceship earthWilliam Harrison = R...William Taft = Spaceship earth<BR/><BR/>William Harrison = Rocket RodsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-35248389929938882442009-03-06T21:50:00.000-08:002009-03-06T21:50:00.000-08:00I can draw every Classic Future World Pavilion log...I can draw every Classic Future World Pavilion logo with ease, yet I can't draw a decent EPCOT Center logo. If anyone can draw the park's former logo, can you help me?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-78383156983959273202009-03-06T16:35:00.000-08:002009-03-06T16:35:00.000-08:00Is it safe to say that if you didn't like EPCOT Ce...Is it safe to say that if you didn't like EPCOT Center because your parents did, you were a rebellious kid, but if you liked EPCOT Center then you were an overly obedient goody goody? Because I'm not rebellious, and I always liked the same things as my parents, EPCOT being one of those things. Or is it possible that it held something so unique and inspiring, that your parents appreciation for the park would't have made a difference in your fondness for it or lack there of? I'd like to think the latter is the case.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-73279057249534462592009-03-06T11:28:00.000-08:002009-03-06T11:28:00.000-08:00At least a Ferrero Rocher is a classier comparison...At least a Ferrero Rocher is a classier comparison that the trite comparison of a golf ball.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-45082663683097759062009-03-05T18:00:00.000-08:002009-03-05T18:00:00.000-08:00From a certain angle, Spaceship Earth looks like a...From a certain angle, Spaceship Earth looks like a Ferrero(sp?) Rocher Candy piece.<BR/><BR/>I'm suddenly hungry now.<BR/><BR/><BR/>*Runs away from even angrier EPCOT Center fans wielding torches and pitchforks*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-6666922761737391472009-03-05T15:03:00.000-08:002009-03-05T15:03:00.000-08:00Blade Runner = EPCOT CenterTotal Recall = Epcot Ce...Blade Runner = EPCOT Center<BR/>Total Recall = Epcot Center<BR/>Minority Report = Epcot<BR/><BR/>Bonus points to whomever can figure out the connection between the three films without getting help from the Internet...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-81862042526725419962009-03-04T14:18:00.000-08:002009-03-04T14:18:00.000-08:00Ben Franklin, Mark Twain = EPCOT CenterI would kee...Ben Franklin, Mark Twain = EPCOT Center<BR/><BR/>I would keep elected officials out of the conversation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-9605821351541492462009-03-03T19:32:00.000-08:002009-03-03T19:32:00.000-08:00@Anonymous: As for one of the parks closing perman...@Anonymous: As for one of the parks closing permanently, I'd just be afraid it'd turn into a ghost town, a la the Legendary Years or River Country.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-82837948184606723512009-03-03T08:29:00.000-08:002009-03-03T08:29:00.000-08:00Too bad Obama's vision of the future is one of Soc...Too bad Obama's vision of the future is one of Socialism, and a "do-it-for-me" type of America instead of the self-sufficient America that Walt Disney knew.<BR/><BR/>Enough of the Obama comparisons alreay. Him and EPCOT are nothing alike.<BR/><BR/>George Washington = EPCOT Center<BR/>Obama = EpcotAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-68626525964338606682009-03-03T01:05:00.000-08:002009-03-03T01:05:00.000-08:00Anon 2...I hear what you're saying about the value...Anon 2...<BR/><BR/>I hear what you're saying about the value being lost on Disney shares and that it being a publicly owned company for many years - including when Walt was alive.<BR/><BR/>However, the pressure on management today, is far greater than in the past. Disney was an 'emotional' investment in the the early days, buying into Walt, his ideas and a significant slice of American sentiment.<BR/><BR/>Sadly, as the the company became more successful the investors changed and became more aggressive and 'institutional', expecting to see good ROI. This has placed the pressure on the theme park system that we are witnessing today.<BR/><BR/>As I mentioned before, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom would benefit from closing for 12 - 18 months to update the facilities and rebuild certain areas. However, there is no way that shareholders or the board would allow this. Therefore, the management have to refine what they have and make it as profitable as possible!<BR/><BR/>I don't like it, but is the reality of the situation.<BR/><BR/>The underlying problem is that when these parks were built, no one had a plan for them 25 - 35 years down the line. Right where we are now. I imagine that if Walt was still alive the parks would have changed and been updated. To this end, you're right, he would have got things done. Certainly with more success that todays management.<BR/><BR/>However, focussing on Epcot, I like the park today. I remember going there first in 1988, as an excited 11 year old boy and I was bored!<BR/><BR/>I felt that trekking around there was like being in school, the very thing I'd been taken on holiday to get away from. In contrast my parents seemed to love it?!? My judgement may be a little foggy but other kids seemed to be experiencing the same thing - being dragged around by over enthusiastic Mothers and Fathers!<BR/><BR/>Now, I'm in my 33rd year and have continued to make the trip from the UK to Florida and Disney 3 - 4 times a year, spending at least 2 days each trip at Epcot. Whilst, I don't have any children (yet) I've been in the park with my friends who have and it appears that now, more than ever, Epcot appeals to everyone! <BR/><BR/>I'm reminded of a conversation last year, where the children wanted to do Nemo and the Seas, whilst the parents wanted to do Test Track...<BR/><BR/>Personally, I can't ever remember begging my family to take me to the Living Seas, as it was back then!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-13820851138520054462009-03-02T23:09:00.000-08:002009-03-02T23:09:00.000-08:00If the people in charge of the decisions made at E...If the people in charge of the decisions made at Epcot or any of the theme parks cared 1/10 the amount that you and other fans do, the parks would be amazing! I still feel that Disney has the best theme parks in the business. However, they used to be and could be so much better.blueskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13481663761338257429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-31945079111084769242009-03-02T09:38:00.000-08:002009-03-02T09:38:00.000-08:00If they follow this same formula, where do you see...If they follow this same formula, where do you see them 10 years from now?<BR/><BR/>I don't know if this is a crazy thought...but is closing one of the parks at WDW a far fetched idea?<BR/><BR/>They can start the list with Animal Kingdom first and release all of the animals into the wild and this will prove that they care about the enviroment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-77367049299078392762009-03-02T09:06:00.000-08:002009-03-02T09:06:00.000-08:00Disney has lost nearly $30 BILLION in value "for" ...Disney has lost nearly $30 BILLION in value "for" its shareholders lately. Obviously, part of its problem is outside of its control. The economy isn't just in a "correction," it's in an outright recession, if not depression -- economists can argue this for years.<BR/><BR/>But remember, Disney began offering shares to the public as early as April 1940. Disney has been beholden to shareholders of some sort for more than half a century, and Walt Disney was very much alive when the company had its first outside investors.<BR/><BR/>The difference is, Walt Disney had a vision. He wouldn't settle for doing things the way that investors or the board told him, he had his own plans. When ABC bought 1/3 of Disneyland, Walt and Roy bought it back just six years later. Walt Disney wanted to control what his company did.<BR/><BR/>Today's Disney has no vision. It is run by managers who look only at the bottom line and apply wrong-headed business theory to the company's moves. That idea has gotten it nowhere. DIS, like many other American companies, needs to take risks and have ambition, not just follow a business plan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-29841321656137180402009-03-02T04:32:00.000-08:002009-03-02T04:32:00.000-08:00Over the past 10 years,Disney has done for shareho...Over the past 10 years,Disney has done for shareholders what they have done for guests: Nothing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-4440654465701407512009-03-02T00:51:00.000-08:002009-03-02T00:51:00.000-08:00The biggest problem Disney has is shareholders!It'...The biggest problem Disney has is shareholders!<BR/><BR/>It's not a privately owned business, nor is it funded by a few specific organizations, as it mostly was when the Florida parks were being designed and built.<BR/><BR/>Therefore, $ is king and Disney management have to keep the shareholders happy as a priority. Sadly, these management guys also have to fight to keep their jobs and stave off any sort of takeover, which could happen if the $ take falls. <BR/><BR/>Back in the 70's, 80's and to an extent, in the first half of the 90's Disney was in a much stronger position, with long standing directors making decisions with a degree of the original Disney ideal in mind - not withstanding the Eisner influence!<BR/><BR/>The lesser problem Disney, (in Florida) has to battle is competition from newer, cleaner and more modern theme parks. Universal, whilst much smaller in total size now stands direct comparison with every one of the Disney gates.<BR/><BR/>There is no denying that 'time' has caught up with Epcot and the Magic Kingdom in particular, so what do the management do... close the parks, rip them apart and start again. Or maximize their profitability, at the 'expense' of guests? However, keep in mind that many first-time guests don't remember the past glory days and still think the Disney experience is fantastic!<BR/><BR/>Clearly, we do remember those halcyon days gone by!!!<BR/><BR/>So, the challenge facing Disney is how do you fight time (aging parks), how do you fight the economy (unique circumstances) and how do you keep shareholders happy (they are king)?<BR/><BR/>The answer is, 'by doing things the way they have been, for the last few years'. Plus, I'm certain they have a plan for the future that will become clear when the economic climate changes... <BR/><BR/>Keep in mind the alternative, is ownership in part or completely by another organization and this reality is far worse than the state of the parks today - at least traces of original Disney DNA exist still!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23143199.post-39121016175754186122009-03-02T00:01:00.000-08:002009-03-02T00:01:00.000-08:00There's no need to apologize for any delay. I'm su...There's no need to apologize for any delay. I'm sure you have a life outside the blogosphere.<BR/><BR/>Immediate gratification is precisely the problem with modern day Disney. Making money fast, frequently and then putting it a pile in someone's closet is the goal. A lot of people see the immediate returns as a mark of Disney's success and bright ideas. But just as piling junk food and sweets into your system will feel great for a time, over time, you'll begin to see the deleterious effects. <BR/><BR/>Disney's dealings will similarly hurt the patient eventually, even if it feels good and lucrative right now. I just hope something can be done, before it's too late to turn back. Disney needs its own Obama.Digital Jedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02374739586203788564noreply@blogger.com