Back in 2016, Disney heralded a “major transformation” for EPCOT. A lot has changed at Walt Disney World’s second park during the past seven years, and the central spine in World Celebration is still being completed. There have been hits like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and missteps like Harmonius. I don’t expect Disney to make big changes in the near future, but it’s fun to think about what’s next at EPCOT.
In the early days of the Tomorrow Society, I wrote a series of posts with “Seven Wishes” for each Walt Disney World park. It’s time to update that list seven years later! Some of my wishes are unlikely, but I have tried to stay grounded in a little reality with these thoughts. A few are pretty simple and wouldn’t require much work from Disney, while other wishes would take a significant investment.
I’ve enjoyed Disney’s updates to the entrance and lighting packages for Spaceship Earth, and Journey of Water looks like a cool walk-through attraction. EPCOT looks better than it has in years, particularly in the area once known as Future World. One reason is the lack of construction walls that have dominated that area. Now that we’re nearly finished with those updates, let’s make some more changes! I’d love to hear what you think of my choices in the comments below this article.
1. Add Physical Sets and Enhance the Spaceship Earth Descent
Spaceship Earth is part of a small group of attractions at EPCOT that maintain the atmosphere of the park’s early days. It has received multiple upgrades yet still is a slow-moving Omnimover. The one aspect that doesn’t click is the descent. It’s fun to see our faces dropped into the animated look at the future, but it’s limited. The rest of the attraction is grand and miraculous, and the ending doesn’t match it.
I wrote about ways to enhance Spaceship Earth in October 2016 and focused on the descent. Seven years later, it’s still the same ending. I’ve heard sets from the Jeremy Irons version remain, and there may be a way to use those for something better. That update happened in 1994, and technology has improved in 29 years. Spaceship Earth remains one of EPCOT’s greatest attractions, and the final act should maintain that high quality. This is one of my most important wishes.
2. Update the Imagination Pavilion without Using an IP
Back in 2016, there was already a lot of chatter about Journey Into Imagination needing an update. It still remains the same, and while it’s cool to have Figment there, the result is mixed. The Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival also is still playing, and that felt like a temporary addition from the start. The stage is set for a major upgrade to the entire pavilion, and Figment’s popularity should make it an easy sell.
Dreamfinder and Figment are still well known, so it isn’t just nostalgia for me to want them in a new version. I’d prefer a ride (and show) that pays tribute to the original but isn’t just a rehash. Disney should make use of the full pavilion for an expanded dark ride with the latest effects and Imagineering tricks. There’s so much potential for this space, and it always seems like it’s on the horizon as the next change.
Given all the investment as part of the transformation, it doesn’t feel like we’re about to see a major update to the Imagination pavilion. Even so, it remains the space that deserves a top-notch attraction more than anywhere else at EPCOT. The potential remains for a gem that works for both old-school fans and younger generations.
3. Develop a Plan for the Wonders of Life Pavilion
It’s no secret that EPCOT thrives largely because of its festivals. Locals flock to them and are willing to fork over serious money for small plates of food and special drinks. If I was a local, I’d certainly visit often during these events. The downside is that they may distract Disney from creating more new attractions to draw guests. Even with the recent updates, EPCOT has underused space that would help balance the crowds. Adding capacity and more things to do would make for a better day at the park.
The Wonders of Life pavilion was used as a festival space for a long time, and Disney announced plans to make it the Play Pavilion. Those ideas were scrapped largely due to the pandemic, and I don’t believe they’re returning. I’m not expecting a major change soon, but I’d like to see Disney develop a plan and start to move this space towards becoming a permanent attraction once again. It’s a little vague compared to other wishes because there are so many different options.
4. Upgrade Mission: Space to Offer Customized Journeys
When Disney opens a ride with screens as a major component, it’s easy to dream about the different variations that are possible. They can swap it out every year! This rarely happens, though. Disney has found great success with the Star Tours revamp and has made small changes to Toy Story Mania. Even so, there is a lot more they could do in this realm. A prime example is Mission: Space, which hasn’t been the headliner Disney expected when it opened in 2003.
Disney did make changes to Mission: Space in 2017 with a new host in Gina Torres and a tamer Green version. While it lacks the thrills, the non-spinning version is a cool way to expand who can enjoy the attraction. I’d like to see Disney take the next step and offer different ride experiences on Mission: Space. The randomized sequences would lead to more repeat riders who want to see everything. You rarely get the same ride twice on Star Tours, and the same thing could happen with Mission: Space. It would be an awesome way to keep the attraction fresh over a long period of time.
5. Expand World Showcase with a New Country Pavilion
World Showcase hasn’t changed much since 1982, and that’s a good thing. It still works as designed and offers glimpses of other cultures through food, shops, and attractions. Even so, there are opportunities for Disney to expand its scope, and I could write several wishes here. Norway and Morocco opened in the ‘80s, and we’ve heard rumors about other possibilities. It’s stunning that none have happened.
One challenge for adding a country would be cultural sensitivity; Disney probably doesn’t want the headaches. On the other hand, there are ways to present a country or even a larger region without falling into those traps. Disney could work alongside historians and experts to ensure that any new pavilion is respectful. It also would make sense from a business perspective. Guests are hungry (pun intended) for new experiences at World Showcase.
6. Keep Soarin’ Over California In Place on a Regular Basis
This is the easiest of my wishes to implement; Soarin’ Over California is currently playing at EPCOT temporarily. Disney hasn’t given a specific timeframe for the original, so why not just keep it? I know that Soarin’ Around the World has its fans, and it’s still a solid attraction. It just falls short of the original due to the use of CGI, bent Eiffel Tower, and less relaxing experience.
Jerry Goldsmith’s original score for Soarin’ Over California also just fits perfectly with the entire attraction. When you add in a few smells and a little wind, it’s just the right combination for a brilliant ride. The real-life locations also add depth and make the experience feel more genuine than its replacement.
I’m aware that Soarin’ Around the World might fit better within EPCOT, but I’ll sacrifice a little thematic integrity for a much better attraction. In this case, you can’t beat the original even if it’s just focused on California. Few of these wishes may come true, but this one seems more likely than the others.
7. Make Small Tweaks to Keep the Park Fresh and Vibrant
My final choice is the most important one. While other wishes focused on specific changes within EPCOT, this goal is key for the park’s future. Imagineers must be gatekeepers. EPCOT needs to make sense as an individual park and not just as a cog in the wheel. Management is always looking for a way to sell the brand in every inch of theme park space. That is a danger to creativity and harms the guest experience more than most visitors realize.
One selling point for EPCOT is simple – it isn’t The Magic Kingdom! Both can be amazing places without telling identical stories. There are ways for EPCOT to include characters without becoming just another park. The “Future World” name has changed, but the park still should be a place of incredible possibilities. Disney promotional clips and movie tie-ins fall well short. EPCOT also should be just a little strange. There’s a reason so many people in their 30s and 40s remain so committed to the parks. I loved how mysterious and odd they were; you never knew what was around the corner!
A classic example is the original Journey Into Imagination. Fans didn’t love it just because of Figment and Dreamfinder. That attraction was a perfect example of how creative the Imagineers could be without much corporate interference. There’s no clear story; it works because it subverts expectations. EPCOT needs to go beyond what we expect and offer something that surprises us. That astonishing feeling will make the park a true gem once again.
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Bringing back HORIZONS and WONDERS would go over big with many!
As for a new country, I’d love to see Brazil(1st WS country from South America), The incomplete ‘Equatorial Africa’ could be expanded into… Congo(perhaps), and I wonder, is would Australia be too similar to Canada or the UK?
I think Australia would be okay. It does seem like a great fit at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to go along with the other continents, but EPCOT would work too. It would be great to have a country from South America or an African pavilion, so those are both good ideas. I would definitely love to have Horizons back; it just feels too easy! Plus, I’m sad to say that it’s not very realistic.
I think Disney got extensive India and Africa pavilions through Animal Kingdom, I wouldn’t want to see them tread the same ground. South America would be a good choice since the continent is not represented. But if Disney insists on a sponsor, it’s not going to happen. Much like World’s Fairs and Olympics, it’s largely governments looking to improve terrible reputations that are willing to spend on something like this, and Disney is too smart to build an attraction that papers over some recent war crime or corruption.
For the rest of the park, both the departed Chapek and Iger 2.0 have stated that anything new will be tied to current IP, nothing homegrown for the parks will get a significant attraction. Sadly EPCOT Center is now Universal Studios Lake Buena Vista
I think that’s a challenge with a lot of EPCOT updates where Disney still is seeking a sponsor before making updates. That’s the reason that Test Track is getting changes before pavilions that need it more like Imagination and The Seas. A country from South America would be a great choice in World Showcase. It did sound like Brazil was close, but it became controversial and that may have made Disney step away to avoid that situation. It is too bad that IP is such a focus with changes; I understand the logic but wish there was more flexibility.