This is a momentous day in Disney History. On this very day 28 years ago, EPCOT Center was opened to the public. Walt Disney World was then changed forever. While it wasn't anywhere close to the magnitude of Walt's original dream, it was a gamechanger years ahead of its time. This isn't a story with a happy ending, unfortunately. But, that doesn't mean that the fat lady has sung on this dream. It's not too late to return to the old Epcot. In two years, this grand vision will be turning 30. What better time to go back to the future?
The problem with a "grand vision", such as this and many others, is it takes a bold leader to see it thru and then keep it together. As you pointed out, the vision that Walt had for Epcot is nowhere near what was built, but it is in some sense a tribute to what he had dreamed. This is largely due to Walt not being around to lead the vision he had, which might be considered a good thing if you think about it. If he had been around, I have to wonder if what we now have would have be here if he had fulfilled his dreams.
ReplyDeleteWhile the old Epcot was magical and unique, it's still "old", and in my opinion should remain a part of history. Plans and visions change with new leaders, hence the parks will change. I believe this was part of Walt's intention, at least that's what he said about Disneyland, which would lead me to assume the same for the rest of his projects.
So, Epcot has matured. Maybe not how anyone would've envisioned so many years ago, but again, some of that is for the better. It will never be what it was, but then neither will I, and in some ways, that's a good thing. Like me, Epcot still has some of the qualities we had when we were younger, but now that we've matured, we have also taken on others, some good, some not so good, but hopefully it could be said that we are in many ways better and we'll continue to mature and get better.
I like what Grumpyfan is saying - I think he's saying that there is room for improvement but it doesn't necessarily have to be by returning to Epcot '82. Everyone loved Horizons, for example, but I never went on it so I don't know what I'm missing (perhaps) but I don't miss it as such. I first visited Epcot in the mid 2000's, and it immediately became my favorite park. Still is.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see them go forward to the future, imagineer some attractions that look to the near (next 100 years) future rather than look to the present and past. Nothing much there is about the future anymore, except perhaps SSE (nominally). I'd prefer the park to mature and get better by moving forward instead of backward. (Probably won't do either...not in the immediate future...)
EPCOT certainly was a dangerous undertaking. I'm not saying it used to be perfect, but I think the park could be better. World Showcase is begging for an update and there is too much wasted space in Future World. We'll see what the future holds for this special park.
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