Walt Disney World Epcot Discussion Thread

Hey everybody!

 

This thread is simple! Rather than having a million little threads about everything that goes on at Walt Disney World's Epcot, this thread is designed to consolidate it all into one user-friendly thread. Feel free to use it to post updates, trip reports, questions, comments, and of course, general discussion. For pictures and videos of the park as well as past updates, see TPR's Park Index Page.

 

Official Park Website

 

Below are some links to past updates from the park, you may be interested in. Enjoy!

 

--Robb

 

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2005

March 5th, 2005 - Epcot closing early for Disneyland 50th press event (see below)

June 14th, 2005 - 4 year old passes out on Mission Space, dies afterwards

 

2006

April 12th, 2006 - 49 year old woman falls ill on Mission Space, dies afterwards

May 3rd, 2006 - Tamer option for Mission Space to be offered

June 2nd, 2006 - Lawsuit initiated over death of 4 year old on Mission Space

July 10th, 2006 - 35 year old woman collapses after riding Mission Space

September 9th, 2006 - Kim Possible adventure game coming to Epcot!

 

2007

January 31st, 2007 - Disney settles Mission Space lawsuit

February 11th, 2007 - El Rio del Tiempo to be re-themed to Three Caballeros

April 11th, 2007 - Spaceship Earth to be re-imagined with Siemens sponsorship!

June 25th, 2007 - Gary Sinese to host Candlelight Processional!

 

2009

August 11th, 2009 - La Cava del Tequila coming to the Mexico Pavilion!

October 14th, 2009 - "Sum of All Thrills" robocoaster to open in 2 days

 

2010

January 7th, 2010 - Test Track may lose GM sponsorship

January 18th 2010 - The Making of Me remembered

January 25th, 2010 - Authentic pizzeria coming to the Italy pavilion

March 28th, 2010 - First look at Italy Pavilion pizzeria revealed!

March 29th, 2010 - Cantina de San Angel coming to the Mexico Pavilion!

July 8th, 2010 - Via Napoli pizzeria at the Italy Pavilion opens next month!

 

2011

November 13th, 2011 - New RFID "Turnstile-less" Entry System in place at Epcot

December 5th, 2011 - Holidays around the World photo report posted!

December 13th, 2011 - Holiday Illuminations Video

December 23rd, 2011 - Katsura Grill & new Test Track car photos posted!

 

2012

January 6th, 2012 - Re-imagined Test Track confirmed for Fall 2012!

January 21st, 2012 - Photos of Tutto Italia undergoing major refurbishment

February 3rd, 2012 - New 'Habit Heroes' exhibit opens in Innoventions

February 9th, 2012 - Fastpass return times to now be strictly enforced

March 13th, 2012 - Agent P's World Showcase Adventure announced!

April 1st, 2012 - Epcot 30th anniversary merchandise revealed

April 2nd, 2012 - Test Track closes on April 16th for overhaul

April 3rd, 2012 - Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival photo report

April 5th, 2012 - Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar coming to the Italy pavilion

April 10th, 2012 - Test Track to close on April 15th for major overhaul

April 16th, 2012 - Test Track update concept art released!

April 25th, 2012 - Test Track closing night photo report

April 30th, 2012 - Tutto Italia & Tutto Gusto open on May 1st, 2012

May 1st, 2012 - Tutto Italia & Tutto Gusto are now officially open!

May 16th, 2012 - Agent P's World Showcase Adventure concept art posted

May 30th, 2012 - Brave - The Highland Games Tournament coming to Epcot for a brief run

May 30th, 2012 - Food & Wine Festival to run for record 46 days in 2012!

June 7th, 2012 - Agent P's World Showcase Adventure live chat transcript

June 7th, 2012 - D23's Epcot 30th Anniversary Celebration announced

August 15th, 2012 - France Pavilion to receive major dining updates!

August 21st, 2012 - General photo update shows updates through the park

August 27th, 2012 - New Test Track revamp details revealed in live chat

September 11th, 2012 - Food & Wine Festival booth preview photo update!

September 23rd, 2012 - Epcot 30th Anniversary October 1 offerings revealed!

October 9th, 2012 - "3D" Disney's Dessert Discovery event photo report!

October 24th, 2012 - Frozen Kirin Beer available at the Japan Pavilion!

October 29th, 2012 - Test Track's new entrance look revealed!

November 9th, 2012 - Great new Test Track interior concept art revealed!

November 10th, 2012 - Starbucks moves into the Fountain View in 2013

November 12th, 2012 - Even more Test Track details released!

November 12th, 2012 - Test Track Chevrolet Design Center pre-show details!

November 26th, 2012 - Agent P's World Showcase Adventure set to expand!

December 2nd, 2012 - New Test Track POV, photos & review now online!

December 9th, 2012 - Complete Test Track Re-Launch Party Report!

December 11th, 2012 - Monsieur Paul replaces Bisto de Paris & is now open!

 

2013

January 20th, 2013 - Expanded France pavilion opens with expanded menu!

January 20th, 2013 - Le Cellier moves to all day menu

January 20th, 2013 - Reworked Habit Heroes reopens in Innoventions

September 28th, 2013 - Food & Wine Opening Day Report

November 12th, 2013 - Photos from the closing day of Food & Wine

 

2014

February 20th, 2014 - Food & Wine Festival extended! Flower & Garden Festival gets more food!

March 6th, 2014 - Opening Day Report from Flower & Garden

September 4th, 2014 - Opening Day Report from Flower & Garden

September 12th, 2014 - Frozen attraction officially replacing Maelstrom!

October 5th, 2014 - Report from Maelstrom's Final day!

November 14th, 2014 - New experiences coming to Holidays Around the World in 2014!

 

2015

March 5th, 2015 - Soarin' adding third theater, new projectors and screens

March 5th, 2015 - Flower & Garden 2015 Report! Photos & Video!

March 21st, 2015 - Innoventions West exhibit closures confirmed

April 23rd, 2015 - Tomorrowland film preview now open!

May 2nd, 2015 - Inside Out preview & A Cappela group coming to EpcotJune 23rd, 2015 - Gourmet Grilled Cheese booth debuts near Test Track

July 18th, 2015 - Food & Wine Festival booth menus officially released

 

2016

May 27th, 2016 - Via Napoli serves ONE MILLION pizzas!

June 20th, 2016 - Soarin' Around The World & Royal Sommerhus now open!

June 22nd, 2016 - Frozen Ever After now open! Photos online!

 

2017

December 3rd, 2017 - Epcot Festival of the Holidays! New Christmas Event!

 

2018

February 12th, 2018 - Guardians of the Galaxy attraction to be among the world's longest indoor coasters!

December 22nd, 2018 - Garden Rocks 2019 concert series lineup released!

 

2020

October 21st, 2020 - New info on Festival of the Arts 2021!

November 4th, 2020 - New info on the Festival of the Holidays 2021 event!

November 5th, 2020 - New Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind train photo!

December 22nd, 2020 - New entrance fountain unveiled!

 

2021

March 9th, 2021 - Ratatouille Opening Oct. 1 - Confirmed!

July 27th, 2021 - Preview of Harmonious nighttime spectacular!

August 13th, 2021 - Space 220 opening soon! Harmonious music sneak peek!

September 21st, 2021 - Space 220 Restaurant Grand Opening report posted!

 

2022

April 4th, 2022 - Guardians Cosmic Rewind opening May 27th!

 

2023

September 9th, 2023 - Destination D23 announcements!

 

2024

April 15th, 2024 - Test Track closure announced, new concept art released!

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Original Post:

 

Just heard that Epcot will be closing at 3pm on May 5th for a Disneyland 50th Press Event...

 

I don't totally get it...I do believe it makes even less sense than closing down Disneyland for a whole day!

 

Elissa "anyone have details on what they're doing?" Alvey

"anyone have details on what they're doing?"

 

I don't know anything about Epcot on the 5th, but I do know that they are having a similar event the day before, May 4th, at MGM for a press preview of the new stunt show. My friend and her husband are annual passholders and they got an email inviting them to submit an essay for a contest where 50 passholders and their guests will get trips to WDW and passes for the media event on 5/4. Sounds like they are doing something similar at EPCOT.

 

Shari "I am writing my friend's essay for her-and if she wins, I am the guest" Shoufler

Yep, media event. I'll try and get a Cast Member to confirm this.

 

Edit: Confirmed. Soarin' press and an announcement of a new attraction

I'll try to confirm the information my next day at work. I'm pretty positive its for Soarin' but I'll check to be sure. I'm sure I can get information next time I see a manager at the Seas.

 

Jeremy "Loves working of the mouse" Davis

I find it funny that at WDW they are opening a new attraction and are rumored to be announcing yet another new attraction the same day.

 

Why can't Disneyland be like that?

 

Here's my thought though. All other parks except for DCA are getting something for Disneylands Birthday. Anybody else see something odd about that?

Are they actually celebrating it much in WDW though, as it's 50 years of Disneyland, not WDW?

They are celebrating it MORE in WDW it seems.

 

Each park is getting a new attraction:

 

Epcot - Soarin'

MGM - Motors Action (or whatever it's called)

Magic Kingdom - Cinderellebration

Animal Kingdom - Everest (Technically for the 50th even though it won't be open until next year)

 

Of course, WDW seems to open up one attraction per year anyway, so this isn't much different for them.

My guess on the "Press Announcement" is one of the following:

 

A) Space Mountain will get the "Mission Two" rebuild seen at DLP and probably soon, DLC

 

B)Stormrider will be taking over WOL's acreage in a new "weather" themed pavillion at Epcot

 

C)Indy stunt show bulldoze, building new Indy "coaster" at Studios

 

D)Star Tours will get a fresh remodel, new ride system and new film

Are they actually celebrating it much in WDW though, as it's 50 years of Disneyland, not WDW?

 

I think they are pretty much celebrating Disneyland's 50th like they did the 100th birthday of Walt Disney back in '01. They have special events, new attractions, etc at all their parks around the world!

 

On a similar subject, I read today that the new Hong Kong Disneyland resort has already received 10,000 hotel reservations!

 

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=509&ncid=509&e=28&u=/ap/20050309/ap_on_bi_ge/hong_kong_disneyland

 

Shari "all these parks and I'm not going to any of them " Shoufler

My guess on the "Press Announcement" is one of the following:

 

A) Space Mountain will get the "Mission Two" rebuild seen at DLP and probably soon, DLC

 

B)Stormrider will be taking over WOL's acreage in a new "weather" themed pavillion at Epcot

 

C)Indy stunt show bulldoze, building new Indy "coaster" at Studios

 

D)Star Tours will get a fresh remodel, new ride system and new film

According to the Cast Member, it will most likely be announcing the Hundred Acre Woods area (Winnie The Pooh) that replaced 20,000 leagues under the sea.

 

-Bryan "Sorry to burst your bubble" Stoll

I hope they do something good with the 20k site. That was my favourite ride

Visited Epcot today and rode " Soarin" The entrance is in the old Land Pavilion downstairs . The line said 1 hour 45 min. wait and the fast pass machines were not yet working. The ride op said to go on the stand by line which we did and there was only a few minute wait which was mostly taken up by the tunnel like long, long entrance pathway. The ride officially opens on Thursday but we were told but it is already very popular and said to be the new favorite at EPCOT. They were doing something while we were riding and there seemed to be some kind of fuzzy thing or dirt on the projected image on the IMAX like screen. Hopefully they were fixing it. I'm sure that this ride is very tame for most coaster types but It is very smooth and a great family attraction. There was some kind of height limit for the ride but then they said that smaller guests should put the seatbelt through the plastic strap between your legs- like a baby carseat- I guess small kids or the mentally challenged could fall out if not supervised. No adrenaline rush but people are going to like this ride and even Elissa's mum can ride it...............

Edited December 5, 2011 by jedimaster1227

I am so mad at you guys for going to Disney without me!!!!

 

Elissa "glad you had fun!" Alvey

^It was only one trip. I bet you go to Disney like 3 times a year!

No adrenaline rush but people are going to like this ride and even Elissa's mum can ride it...............

 

Well, I rode it in a preview, too. I found it a bit boring honestly. The "bouncing theater" attractions have never really impressed me -- although soarin' is probably one of the better ones. Still, it seems like a cheap-o attraction for Disney -- especially since the film itself is all from Disneyland California.

 

I was disappointed with it. This is the best Epcot can do? A recycled Disneyland attraction? One that doesn't even really fit in with the Land pavilion at all.... The theme of Soarin' would have worked so much better in the defunct World of Motion pavilion!

 

Heck, the new renovations on The Land are such a hodge-podge -- it now looks tacky. At least the old look of the pavilion (while dated) actually matched its surroundings... I can't believe they kept the hot air balloons mixed with the weird retro theme. Just a strange mix.

I was disappointed with it. This is the best Epcot can do? A recycled Disneyland attraction? One that doesn't even really fit in with the Land pavilion at all.... The theme of Soarin' would have worked so much better in the defunct World of Motion pavilion!

 

Didn't you see the commercial? Mickey and Goofy and Donald were wishing for attractions from other parks...

 

I really don't like that they presented it that way in a national advertising campaign. How many people would honestly know that the new rides were just copies from other parks?

I wonder on how people will respond to riding Soar'n, and seeing beautiful California? Makes me kind of nervous. California is packed with people already. That's it, I'm calling Arnold. CLOSE THE BOARDERS!!!!!!!!!

 

Where's Davis when you need him?

I happen to love Soarin'. I think its a GREAT attraction. The line is quite awesome too. Fastpasses are up and running now, no worries. People seem to love that ride. I ask people in Turtle Talk how they liked it, and Soarin' is a popular answer as of lately.

 

Yesterday we had a big celebration for it. It was SO much fun. There were celebrities and booze. Not for me of course. I stood outside of Living Seas for the most part and got to see people. I only saw Ashanti and the Soarin' Pre-show guy. I saw Carlton from Fresh Prince today at the Grand Floridian. Sweet.

I was disappointed with it. This is the best Epcot can do? A recycled Disneyland attraction? One that doesn't even really fit in with the Land pavilion at all.... The theme of Soarin' would have worked so much better in the defunct World of Motion pavilion!

 

Didn't you see the commercial? Mickey and Goofy and Donald were wishing for attractions from other parks...

 

I really don't like that they presented it that way in a national advertising campaign. How many people would honestly know that the new rides were just copies from other parks?

 

I haven't seen those commercials being aired here, actually.

http://www.magicalmountain.net/WDWNewsDetail.asp?page=1&NewsID=861

 

(All Headline News) A 4-year-old boy on a family vacation died Monday afternoon after he passed out on a ride at Disney's Epcot Theme Park.

Disney officials reported that the incident happened around 3:30 p.m. on the Mission: SPACE ride. The ride simulates a launch into space by exerting g-forces on occupants.

 

According to reports, the child passed out on the ride and paramedics responded. Witnesses reported seeing the boy's mother carry him outside to a nearby bench, where paramedics were able to briefly revive him - the boy died on the way to the hospital.

 

The ride was closed for the rest of the day. Officials have not made a statment on when the ride will reopen or how long they plan to keep it closed. The ride, Mission: SPACE, opened in October 2003.

 

The ride has a minimum height requirement of 44 inches. The local sheriff's department said the boy met the height restriction.

 

The boy was on vacation from Pennsylvania with his family.

 

Disney released a statement saying, "We are providing support to the family and doing everything we can help them at this time."

 

There is still speculation on what directly caused the child's death.

4 years old .. wow .. that's quite young to be on a ride that intense. I mean I can understand 7 or 8 .. my sister is almost 8 and got on it and she said it was a little too much for her. In fact when she was 4 didn't think she was even tall enough for something like that .. but I don't remember.

That is truly tragic. 4 years old... my heart goes out to the family.

 

-Bill (*the price we pay*)

That is very tragic, so say the least. I can't even imagine the pain that family is going through right now.

 

I'm sure this will open the door to theme parks doing more extensive research on theme park rides and the effect they have on people, especially on youth.

 

I personally think that there should be an age as well as height requirement for some rides. Although they may be tall enough, eveyone's body is different at certain ages.

 

I'm sure Disney is doing all they can.

Who the F*** lets a 4 year old on Mission: Space?????????????

 

Who does? Really? This really pisses me off.

 

If youre a parent. And you have a 4 year old, 4 YEAR OLD, dont let them near anything like that! The videos warn you about 6 times that its an intense ride. BUT THE KID WAS 4!

 

What kind of reckless parents are these? I dont think Disney is to blame these are just parents who really need to pay some attention!!

What were his parents thinking? They should be the ones responsible whether the ride is too intense or not. Even if the little boy asked about it, they should say he should save the ride until he's older. I even found Mission: Space very intense and it seems like four year olds can't handle it. Take him on Test Track right next door, it's not as heart-pounding as Mission:Space to say the least.

 

I do also find this story very tragic. And my prayers go out to that family. Still, it is the parents responsiblity about what he should ride or not ride.