Is Walt Disney World's "New" Epcot An Improvement?

A brand new Epcot. I couldn't wait to see what Disney Imagineering had accomplished over the last eight years. Eight years! It had to be something incredible, something breathtaking, something unique. Filled with attractions worth the wait, shops and eateries that went to the top of our must do list. What would we find this visit?

I have always loved EPCOT Center. Since my first visit in 1983, this was the park I thoroughly appreciated from the very first visit. Now, decades later, how would the current Walt Disney World leadership and Imagineer Zach Riddley's vision for my favorite Disney park compare?  There was plenty new for us to see: Remy's Ratatouille Adventure in World Showcase, the Journey of Water Inspired by Moana, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and the new Walt Disney statue in Future World (or World Nature, World Celebration or World whatever), and the nighttime show Luminous The Symphony of Us. Could anything ever top Illuminations?

Repeating what we learned from the day before in How to Beat Disney at Its Own Game,  we took an early morning Uber to the Beach Resort.  A nice stroll in the cool of the morning led us to the lakefront and past Stormalong Bay, the best Disney waterpark that is not a waterpark. At moments before 7:00am, we snagged a relatively early virtual queue confirmation and a ride with Star-Lord and Company. After a great breakfast straight from the market and nearby seating in the beautiful courtyard, we moved on to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. Time to go in. It was an easy walk to the France pavilion. 

Ratatouille happens to be my favorite Pixar film. So of course, Remy's adventure was the first must see of the day. The new attraction was only open to DVC members during our last visit. I wasn't happy, but I wasn't too bothered either. The Food & Wine Festival was waiting.

Shades of Paris.

Aside from the more cartoonish take on Paris, there's plenty of design detail and nods to the movie to be found in the side street and very pretty courtyard that leads to the main attraction. I was not quite as offended as some have been with this design choice. I'm not sure I want this to be the norm going forward. This isn't Fantasyland- or is it? - so I just let my ears be filled with the beautiful soundtrack music and enjoyed the new sights and sounds. 

It was not too long before we entered into the main building to begin the final few minutes of queueing. What did I think? It's all quite understated and charming. By the time we hit the evening (indoor) moonlight, I was just in the right frame of mind. There's no denying Disney Imagineering knows how to do nighttime right when it comes to dark rides. From Peter Pan's Flight to Pirates of the Caribbean's lovely Blue Bayou and Mexico's El Rio del Tiempo and later with Navi River Journey, they are experts in bringing the outdoors inside. 

Straight up, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is no E Ticket. It occupies the same space as many other projects from the more recent years of Imagineering for the Stateside parks: Frozen Ever After, Toy Story Mania, and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run among others. They all fall just shy of greatness. Remy's is fun, kid-friendly, and different enough to be a draw. It will leave a smile on your face, but you will not be talking about it for more of your day. Would I ride it again? Of course! The film's a favorite and I can't resist a dark ride about Paris. 

Since we'd had breakfast, we walked through the nations of World Showcase to reach Norway and Frozen Ever After. It was still fairly early, but with the new caste system in place, it took us almost an hour to encounter Elsa and the gang. An hour. Yes, it is a caste system- and Disney is making some bad, bad choices by perpetuating this. They've already priced out many average income Americans from enjoying an affordable Disney vacation. This is one more example of how Disney's talk of diversity, equity, inclusion is all just corporate BS aimed toward placating their employees. I solidly stand by that assessment.  

I may be like you- Frozen Ever After is growing on me. Maybe I'm just getting used to this new Imagineering where "good enough" is the mantra of the current organization. There's still a long way to go to reach the high quality of the Frozen attraction in Tokyo Disneysea's Fantasy Springs expansion, but this Maelstrom takeover does have its charms. Namely Olaf and Sven.  

Yum!

This isn't the Disney Food Blog (and I love what AJ and teams does), but I'm going to risk an argument with some of you long time readers: We found the food at the Flower & Garden Festival to be better than that found at Food and Wine. The flavors are lighter, brighter, and the dishes much more creative. The adult beverages blended summer fruit with just the right amount of alcohol. We made many, many stops at the various outdoor kitchens, sharing each dish and drink along the way. The Lobster tail was particularly good and a good bargain. The ribs and shrimp were just as good. My wife loved the offerings she found in Canada. 

Our first day at this park, we did not make a reservation at one of the many terrific places to eat in World Showcase. The new Future World is still not the place to go for a good meal. (Check out our Dine or Ditch reviews of more than a few places at both Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or even Universal Orlando Resort.) Surprisingly, we didn't miss it at all aside from some indoor air-conditioning and table service. 

Finally water and lots of it.

The new garden area surrounding Spaceship Earth and the Walt statue was nice, but that is all it is. There's a good portion of shade to be found but sadly, absolutely no water features. I suppose this was a plan to make the Moana gardens walk through experience more attractive. I'll repeat myself here as I said earlier first looking at the concept art- It's a very pretty place and the concept and execution are great, but it is in the wrong park. 

Community Hall, I mean Communicore Hall, was not open yet. From what I've seen, we did not miss much. It's pretty generic looking and the area as a whole reminds me of those bland corporate campuses I used to work at when we lived in Northern California back in the late 1980s. Certainly nothing special, and definitely nothing worthy of the great Epcot or Disney name. 

It was finally time to see what replaced Universe of Energy.

I hate being wrong. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the best coaster on the Disney property! I LOVE it! The big box is as ugly as Hell against the brilliantly designed original buildings, and I despise the fact that Marvel characters have invaded my park. But darn it- I just want to ride this again and again. And again. 

Naturally, my wanna be Imagineer side realizes once the Marvel thing dies out, it will be an easy transition to something else- even if it was too many hundreds of millions of dollars to build. My tourist side says this was a winning choice. I was shocked just how much I enjoyed it.  TRON over at the Magic Kingdom can't even come close. The ride is fast, smooth as silk, and swerving in the dark through the galaxies is so enjoyable, it makes me wish the ride were brought to California. If I could have purchased another ride, I would have. One day, I want to ride it on September 21. 

Since we were almost there, we walked over to Spaceship Earth for a ride. Then we explored the original entrance area. The journey inside the sphere is still satisfying even if it needs an elegant update. Elegant, not trendy please. (When will they learn trendy doesn't work?) It's a classic for a reason, and it reminds Epcot visitors of what once was and what many hoped the new Epcot would be. Give it some respect. 

The entrance area is just as it should be. Those OG Imagineers knew exactly what they were doing. Beautiful landscaping framing the icon just works. Too bad no one at Disney management seems to listen to them anymore. 

We could not get into Space 220 and didn't want an hour and a half wait for a seat at the bar. Fair enough. This meant that Luminous was the only feature of "New Epcot" that we hadn't seen. 

Test Track was down, and then the wait was so long, we decided to pass it up. (As of yesterday evening, it is closed for version 3.0) Heading back over to The Land side of things, all of a sudden, the park felt very old school. Living with the Land is still a family favorite we ride each trip. The educational aspect of the attraction blends with the entertainment value in a seamless way- and without a Disney or Pixar or Marvel character inserted. Yes, it can be done and done well when the suits want to. Sure Imagination remains a sad mess and Living Seas with Nemo hasn't aged well. Its new paint job was very nice and very needed. Soarin' was as enjoyable as always even if the wait was much too long for reasons stated above.

Japan is always a favorite place to spend an hour.

What was really left for us now was old Epcot- remnants of the days past- and we just loved it. Taking the time to walk and enjoy the surroundings was like breathing again. There was no rush for the next scheduled attraction time. Cruising on El Rio del Tiempo (I wish!) and exploring the shops of China. Additional stops at the outdoor kitchens and viewing the many special gardens. No scrambling to get across the park in fear of missing an afternoon lunch appointment. More time to stop and enjoy the live entertainment and explore each country around the World Showcase Lagoon. Such a relaxing day!

An inspiring attraction!

Our son was ready to indulge us with our desire for some old school theater attractions, so we began with an Epcot Center classic: The American Adventure. We had timed it poorly on our last two trips, thinking there was still one more showing. We would not make this mistake again. 

With a large cast of full functioning Audio-Animatronics, excellent filmed segments, and stirring narration and music, this remains a not to be missed attraction. Our history is filled with events and decisions both good and evil, yet the multi-media attraction focuses on the spirit of Americans. It may be in vogue to slam our country, but once you've traveled the world and gotten to know other countries citizens at more than a passing hello, you soon discover we have it better here than just about anyone. 

This was our first viewing of Canada Far and Wide. The theater was fairly empty, but the low key film was excellent. Sitting in the darker, cooled waiting area was a treat on a hot day. Just walking past the still working waterfall to reach it reminded me that these smaller even hidden attractions and cozy hidden spaces are all part of the park's charm. It's not all about big, expensive rides. 

Our last theater show was Impressions de France. The film is feeling bit dated, but it is also timeless. The music is gorgeous! To say we love  this attraction would not do it justice. We've been blessed to be in France on five different trips, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

At about an hour and 15 minutes before show time, I grabbed us a spot on the bridge between the U.K. and France. As the sun was setting, my absolute favorite section of the park took on the beautiful colors of dusk. Oranges, pinks, and purples filled the sky. The lights of each country started to come on. Pure magic! This spot ended up being a terrific place to watch Luminous. 

We were all very big fans of Illuminations Reflections of Earth. In fact, it is the only nighttime Disney show in any park that we had to see each visit. The barges of Harmonius were hideous, and the show was mediocre at best. Thankfully, the suits responded wisely to fan outcry and gave it a quick death. Millions were wasted, but it was a good decision. So, what would we think of its replacement?

I'm absolutely sure it is actress Michelle Yeoh as the show's narrator. Her distinctive voice lends an air of sophistication to this outstanding event. And Luminous: The Symphony of Us is a park event not to be missed. While its predecessor had to hit guests over the head with its message, this newer production is very subtle, well designed and as beautiful to listen to as it is to watch. The Circle of Life story is touching, heart wrenching, and joyous. Visually, the opening sequence from the "hill" in the center of the lagoon brings the wow factor, proving again that those huge barge screens from Harmonious were not needed. When it all ended, I wished it were longer. That's how good this is! I hope it stays in the park for a decade or longer. Well done, Disney.

We left the park after the show and went through the International Gateway. It seemed everyone else did as well because the Skyliner queue was full. We were told the estimated wait was 1.5 hours. Yes, it was that long. Happily, we walked back to the Beach Club enjoying the cool of the evening. Our Uber ride home was brief and any line was happily avoided. This is the way to beat Disney at their game.

This day may have been the best one on our Disney portion of the trip. But we had two other parks to explore. Next up would be Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

What can I say about "New Epcot"? Is it an unmitigated success? No. The huge core of the park's main entrance area beyond Spaceship Earth feels corporate and unimaginative, more akin to a large city's convention center than a Disney theme park. The new buildings are bland, cold, clean, and sterile. Lacking personality, this area is fresher, but ultimately it leaves a sad uninspired aftertaste as you wander through the area. The landscaping is the star but even this is primarily one note: green. The park's three new attractions are a mixed bag, ranging from wildly successful to pretty good to clearly misplaced. There's little cohesion of all these new elements. The theme of this park has been watered down so many times, I bet it is really difficult to advertise. 

When Zach Riddley's team of Imagineers went back to what made the park great, it was a success. The entrance plaza has returned to its former self. The light show on Spaceship Earth really is stunning. I'm sure that budget allotments could have been adjusted to bring some well needed changes to the park's centerpiece and the beloved but now horrible Imagination pavilion. (Do first time park visitors of the last 20 years know this as anything but horrible? No.) The once inspiring ride is embarrassing at best. Tony Baxter must be angry about what they did to his incredible original show. A refreshing of Test Track is a great move, but that's on GM's dollar. Further more, World Showcase very much needed that Brazil pavilion.  I love touring the countries, but it is time for someplace new to explore. Decades worth of time.

The 2024 D23 announcements may focus on additions to Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom, but I hope they don't leave Epcot out of it all. There's so much potential!  Aesthetics are one aspect of what makes a great park. Content is the other. But for now, the strengths of this park lie in its much ignored roots. Maybe one day, someone with the love of Epcot - like Riddley but with the power of a  Robert Iger- will come along and give it the love and respect it deserves.

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Tapestry of Nations at Epcot

Epcot's Tapestry of Nations Parade- what a winner! Our family could not imagine a better way in order to celebrate the new millennium than taking a visit to Walt Disney World and its most futurist theme park. 

As you can tell from the video above by super fan Martin Smith, Tapestry of Nations had it all: a compelling score, creatively designed aesthetics and an enthusiastic crowd making it all a very lively event. Our family particularly loved the "clock drums". 

Traveling through World Showcase each evening, the parade made its way down the promenade. It was the perfect beginning of a perfect end to the day, a nighttime showing of the classic Illuminations show. 

(Photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company; Video copyright Martin Smith.)

Top Ten Things I Miss From Epcot

Whenever I'm asked about the Disney parks in Florida, it is pretty clear from the start that I just love Epcot. There's a grandeur and elegance about the place that is unmatched by the other three theme parks on the property. Granted, its much more character filled, and therefore a less refined cultural experience than it was in its early years, but the place still packs a punch even seasoned guests do not expect. It is always our only guaranteed two-day park. 

Epcot's just so different than anything that's been done before or after- and it will probably never be built again in any form. Not even Westcot, once planned for California or another version of the park proposed in the early stages for EuroDisneyland. (I've got that piece of concept art somewhere on the blog, but I just can't find it!)

So, in contemporary manner, as I did with Disneyland Paris a few years ago, here are the Top Ten Things I Miss From Epcot. I'll start with Number Ten and work my way to Number One.

Always a wow!

Number Ten-   We always try to enter the park by taking the monorail instead of driving to the parking lot. Taking the monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the park entrance, a ride on this really shows how incredibly large Walt Disney World is- and the journey is even more spectacular because the monorail offers a sneak preview of the park. Especially enticing is seeing World Showcase and the glistening lagoon. Proving once again that a terrific and much loved theme park doesn't have to have a castle- or be stuffed with characters.

A Mickey Bar puts a smile on our face- and so would a re-Imagined Journey Into Imagination!

Number Nine-  Mickey Bars! It's a tradition to take a break and feast on the Disney World equivalent of a Dove Ice Cream Bar. We stroll the park and take in the sights while we take a break. It is worth the extra minutes to not rush around from one attraction to the next and just enjoy what we see. (True, there are fewer fresh or compelling attractions for the whole family than there used to be.) This is something we have learned over the years. Even though we do not go to Walt Disney World often anymore- due to the lack of continual investment in the new and terrific for the last decade or so- interestingly, this quiet approach to touring has never led us to not experience any attraction on our must-do list. And our Florida vacation is much more enjoyable.

Lines are never this short in the morning for Spaceship Earth.

Number Eight-  Dusk to night. Obviously, this is when World Showcase really displays its charms. The pace slows, the crowds stop for dinner, and the entire park takes on a very romantic feel. But Future World even has its charms in the evening... specifically shorter waits in line and a chance to see the park as it used to be in its heyday. It's much easier to mentally block out the character overlays in the dark when the stirring original music is not blocked out by the noise of the crowd.

A man and his cars. An originally American love affair.

Number Seven- Discovering the unexpected delights you forgot were at the park. Whether its checking out the cars after riding Test Track, the shopping in China, learning about food production in the Land, or the museum quality presentations found all through World Showcase, there's always something fun to rediscover. Proving once again, you can have a great Disney park experience in an adult environment without the day being full of character meals and other such diversions from animated films.

"Just make believe... ". Sing it with me. You now you want to!

Number Six-   Listening to the Land. One of our earliest and favorite Epcot experiences and memories was in 1983 eating at the wonderful Good Turn Restaurant. Of course, like the restaurant itself, The Land has changed many times, for better and for worse. Perhaps it is the last place in the park that still has a bit of that old school feel and focus of the optimism built into the park at opening. Slightly out of place, but Soarin' is a new favorite. I was not the biggest fan of Kitchen Kabaret, but the rest of the attraction filled greenhouse was a delight. Back then, it seemed every Future World pavilion was worth at least a two hour visit, sometimes more. 

One day I will see the Great Wall!

Number Five-   Something about the wonders of China that draws me in. I love the food, the gardens, the entertainment, the shopping, and the people I've met who staff the pavilion. The film is still wonderful, and the museum has hosted some incredible pieces. Serene and exciting at the same time. And no sign of Mulan... yet. Thankfully.

The world in a day.

Number Four- Always loved the "permanent World's Fair" aspect of Epcot. To be able to "travel" from one end of the globe to another is something that gives this park its unique appeal. Unlike Animal Kingdom and its focus on the wildlife, World Showcase emphasizes the human element, the culture's art, heritage, and accomplishments. One of the greatest misunderstandings of the drawing power of this park is reflected in the Disney Company Suits continual neglect of adding additional countries in World Showcase. They really do not understand that unlike those on their board with relatively unlimited resources, international travel is still not all that available to many guests. Just the headcount for the Food and Wine Festival ought to give them a clue.

Where do I board El Rio del Tiempo?

Number Three-   Nighttime in Mexico at noon. This used to be my favorite country in all of Epcot. Before the character invasion. Eating waterside. Hearing the sounds of the mariachi band, right before cruising off into the unknown and the mysterious land of Ancient Mexico. The whole place just hit the right notes, treating the host country with respect and cultural reverence. Why oh why, must the countries of World Showcase become a character showcase and lose its initial charm and elegance? Catering to the kids and the parents who cannot say "No" to them? Oh well. That was then, this is now.

Ooh, la la indeed!

Number Two-   Impressions of France. The whole pavilion actually. Having been blessed to travel to various regions of the country over the years, it is always a pleasure to come to this area whenever I am continentally challenged to going there. The film, while it does badly need an update, still stirs me with its lovely soundtrack and stunning sights... almost all of which we have seen in the flesh. Absolutely my favorite pavilion in all of Epcot day, night, and anytime in between.

From the alleys of Morocco to the gardens of Japan...

Number One-  It's not an attraction. Not a shop or restaurant. It's not a show and not a fireworks spectacular. One of our favorite things to do takes place after Illuminations, long after the crowds are gone. We wander the back alleyways and hidden nooks of World Showcase, taking in the quiet of the evening. Hand in hand, we laugh, we kiss, and often we thank the Lord for our life, our marriage, and the very satisfying day we just had at our favorite theme park.

(Photos copyright Mark Taft.)

Epcot at 30: How to Bring Epcot Back

A couple of years ago, long before the raging success of the newly imagined Disney California Adventure 2.0, I wrote on The Walt Disney Company's struggles at the Disneyland Resort. My emphasis: what had to be done to bring the second park there to worthiness in carrying the Disney name. It's now in vogue to bash Walt Disney World and its upkeep, lack of cutting edge plans and additional investment of cash in order to compete with Universal Orlando and Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey... and everything to come. Truth is, the criticism of the Florida sprawl is entirely justified. Especially at Epcot.

What can Disney Imagineering do to revitalize Epcot? Plenty, as we shall see. All it takes is a dose of cash, vision, and some imagination!

 #1- Develop a Vision for the Park or Go Back to the Old One

Dear Accounting Budgeteers: If you're going to keep throwing character additions and move tie ins to the park, just do it, and get it over with instead of pretending. Stop keeping us fans hoping for more. But there's a better plan, a doable plan that will increase your revenues. Focus on what Epcot has always does best, that is educate guests in a charming and awe-inspiring way. 

There's certainly enough companies out there that could offer a perspective to pull this off while also feeding cash into the company's accounts. Let's start with an easy and most discussed company, Apple.  Want to revitalize the Imagination pavilion? Here's your perfect fit.  Even folks that are not fans of the products must admit Apple pours on the pizazz. What stories could be told? What new characters could be imagined? Want to bring back the Image Works in a big way and please your sponsors? No brainer. The tie-ins are endless. Can't go there? If you want to continue in the kid friendly zone, tap into Crayola or Fisher-Price. 

Beyond Imagination, perhaps the U.S. Government could use a boost in its reputation by sponsorship. Work with them on Energy. Let them show off how they spend their billions in tax revenue on building a green future for America. Perhaps a medicine and science exhibition that features attractions where we could be inspired to think about the future of health and wellness. 

The point is, inspire us to think and to dream again. The Imagineers could do this if given a fair chance. You know I'm right, don't you? It's ok to admit you have an ego problem...

 #2- Make It Beautiful Again

 The park used to be stunning to look at, and I'm not just talking about World Showcase.  Once upon a time, Future World was also lovely to see. Water flowed in different areas, giving this part of the park a pleasant feeling. Lush landscaping existed beyond that found in the Land's signature greenhouses. There seems to to be an ongoing case of "lowest maintenance is the best landscaping". Very sad. The future should feel welcoming, but the revealed masses of late 70s and early 80s architecture makes the place feel tired. Plus, it needs a good resurfacing and some paint. This includes the monorail tracks. Disney's aborted Project Genesis had many good elements to it. It's time to revamp the area. Hide the stroller parking, throw in some cafe tables on the exterior sides of Innoventions, make it a people pleasing space. And get rid of the tombstones at the entrance to the park.

World Showcase is not without its troubles in this department. I'm happy to see new restaurants and small shops, (not so happy about Disney Vacation Club buildings), but they come at a price. And its usually the green spaces and gardens or open vistas that disappear. Mexico feels less exotic now. Just one example.


 #3- Honor the Culture
Treat the sponsor countries of World Showcase with some dignity. There's lots to eat and buy, but the attractions are lacking both in upkeep, number, and in the representation of their citizens and culture. 

I'll harp on this now and each time it comes up: Mexico is not best represented by three Disney cartoon characters. Bring back El Rio del Tiempo. If you really want the Three Caballeros, use them in a smaller, secondary attraction, a theater show for the kids. The room is there for more build out. Treat your guest countries, whether they are still official sponsors or not, with respect. Perhaps you will win some of them back. Would you put a cartoon Paul Bunyan in the American Adventure? No, it is not a suggestion. This goes for non-cartoon characters as well. Please say goodbye to Martin Short in Canada as well.

#4 - Time for Something New

Not to be dramatic, but what has it been, twenty years since Morocco and Norway debuted? Twenty years?!? Open land exists all throughout the entire section of the park. Part of the reason the Food and Wine Festival is successful is due to the fact folks like to experience the foreign and the unique. For some, it's even better than having to actually travel there. Infrastructure is already in place for attractions in Germany, Japan and others. Use it. Go ahead, give us hotel rooms above the attractions if you can't help yourself, but give us something new. This is one area where the possibilities are truly almost endless.

Adding new countries and attractions will also give you an excuse for more retail. Let's be honest. People like to shop in World Showcase as well as eat there.  It's a win-win situation as long as you don't stuff it with character merchandise found elsewhere in the park. 

Time for new entertainment as well. As much as I adore Illuminations, it's had its run. Bring back the buskers and performers that were all over World Showcase. Add musicians to Future World. Why do you think the area has to be without them? The future is not without live musicians. There's more that can be done beyond the standard meet and greets. Epcot, of all the Disney parks, should be the most unique in the entertainment department. 




#5 - Dazzle, Don't Pacify, Don't Pander

It's pretty evident that Disney parks are facing some very successful competition by the little wizard that could down the road. As beautiful as the Magic Kingdom's new Fantasyland will be on the outside, the attractions themselves are pretty uninspired on the inside. (The Little Mermaid is more than a "C" ticket as some would claim, however.) The point is, stretch yourselves when you develop a plan for Walt's most ambitious project turned into a theme park. Just the concept of Epcot deserves more than something designed to enhance capacity. If the brilliant Disney Imagineers cannot build on the theme and deliver an experience that wows, the park will continue to be a shadow of what it was.

These suggestions should be just the beginning for a park as splendidly conceived and originally executed as Epcot.  Your guests deserve more, and it is time to deliver.

(Photos copyright Mark Taft.)

Epcot's Tapestry of Nations

What were you doing to celebrate the Turn of the Century from the 1900s to the 2000s? Our family decided it was time to go to Epcot- and we were not disappointed!

Of course, being Disney and being an opportunity for a once in a lifetime Millennium party, the brilliant Imagineers did what they could before the accountants took control: they created some wonderful entertainment to mark the occasion. The best part of the mesmerising Tapestry of Nations, one part parade and one part performance art.

There's not too many pieces of concept art out there for The Tapestry of Nations. In fact, this is a fairly poor scan of a very small piece I have tried to enlarge and improve. But if you can imagine larger than life puppets and drummers all moving around World Showcase to an incredibly original sounding theme sound, you'll get the idea. Or just go to these videos to see if for yourself.

Along with the somewhat charming but overblown Millennium Village (now a convention space!), and an incredible new version of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, this spectacle represented much of what was good about Epcot and its original vision. Edutainment at its best.

Our last night visit to Epcot, (a family tradition to spend our last night at our favorite park), was one we will never forget. Let's just hope the suits don't make us wait another hundred years for something so truly magical!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

One Little Spark of Inspiration...

To quote my favorite Dreamfinder: " ... is at the heart of all creation". Maybe our friends in Imagineering are getting it right this time?

The ugly duckling of Paradise Pier at California Adventure is looking quite beautiful these days! (How many of us thought we would never say that after the opening of the park in 2001?) Just when I think the suits are putting it all into autopilot, the Walt Disney Company surprises me. The sum of all these little changes add up to an impressive makeover.

As I've said before, it will never be Epcot and certainly never Tokyo DisneySea, but California Adventure may just transform into a great little second park in Anaheim. World of Color looks promising- a fine cousin to Illuminations, and the little changes to the trattoria show they are looking at the overall experience not just an attraction or two to wow us. That's the spirit!

Here's to the Imagineers keeping it going with all the next projects in line: The Little Mermaid, Carsland, and Buena Vista Street- and more! May the fruits of their labor and the willingness to spend some dough continue to bring in the guests!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Always Epcot

Whenever I am in the mood to go to a Disney park, it seems it's almost always Epcot.

What is it about this place that continues to draw me to Walt Disney World?

Certainly, it is not the new attractions in Future World. Nemo is nice, Soarin's much closer to me in California, and soon enough, I'll find a Test Track like experience at California Adventure with Radiator Springs Racers. Maybe, the old standbys of Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land still do the trick.

Can it be World Showcase? Hmm, that might be it. Admittedly, I deplore what the Imagineers have done to El Rio del Tiempo in my beloved Mexico pavilion. The gorgeous Impressions of France film badly needs to be upgraded and/or replaced- but not like the disaster that is the newly minted film found in Canada. The whole of China is still wonderful, and soon enough the lure of a new Italian pizzeria sounds nice. Yet, this doesn't explain the almost gravitational pull.

Every visit to the park leaves me delighted, even in awe at times. This is true in spite of that fact that some of my favorite attractions have left (Journey into Imagination, World of Motion, Horizons) and World Showcase has been left to stagnate. My wife and my family have always enjoyed ourselves none the less. My photos prove it.

Bingo- that's it! It's my memories of Epcot and how I see it through those rose colored glasses that draw me. So, some things must remain the same to bring out the feeling of discovery and exploration the Disney advertising team sells us.

The wide open spaces of Future World sometimes still do convey a sense of wide eyed optimism. There are times the music of old fills the air, and I hear the tunes calling me back to the day when Disney could create the future- and not just make a caricature of it. I can still hear my kids laughing at Figment as he discovers so much about his world. The sheer awe and magnitude of the Living Seas. The special family meals at The Good Turn restaurant as it revolved inside The Land.

Daytime in World Showcase has its charms as well. Yet at nighttime, ah, now we're talking! Illuminations still surprises me. Walking around "the world" in the cool evening as the lights of each country are turned on. Dining together, exploring exotic flavors, talking with the natives from each locale. Enjoying a sense of unity with the rest of my family as we play and laugh, forgetting our troubles.

Oh, the memories of EPCOT Center! I'm sure today's families find Florida's second Disney park just as magical, but our world is not as optimistic and hopeful as it once was. Innocence lost and "maturity" found. It's now Epcot Center, Figment's more annoying than charming, sometimes World Showcase mocks its host countries, and the future is bypassed because it looks dim.

Maybe one day, we can be inspired again- wowed by greatness- with new countries to explore versus exploit, and new pavilions in Future World to help us think beyond today. If there's any park in the Disney worldwide kingdom that can make this happen, it's Epcot. Always Epcot.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Majestic EPCOT Center

Just to commemorate the opening of the majestic EPCOT Center twenty six years ago today. The attractions still inspire and entertain, the lush gardens delight, and there are few better sights than World Showcase lit up by the glow cast from Illuminations.

For a special treat, follow our advice: View the show from the Mexico or Canada areas. Wait until the show is over, then walk around World Showcase through the pavillions and bask in the nighttime ambience of the hidden spots here. Standout locations include the Japanese gardens, the Moroccan streets, and the waterside of the Italy pavillion. Even better on nights with a full moon. Still our favorite Florida park!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)