Rumor has it Epcot will be going through a lot of changes over the next five years.
A permit has been filed for what is speculated to be a Ratatouille attraction in the France pavilion. There is also going to be a possible change to the imagination pavilion including an Inside Out attraction featuring Figment. More countries may be on their way to the World Showcase; Spain and Brazil are likely candidates.
The beloved Illuminations Reflections of Earth firework show could be coming to an end to make room for a new nighttime spectacular. The D23 expo will likely shed some more light on exactly what will be happening in Epcot over the next 5 years or so.
If these rumors and more are true Epcot will definitely be an even more exciting place to be as it slowly loses its 80s feel. The future sure looks bright.
The two fundamental problems with Disney World:
1) The animatronics are dated and passive. Not a lot of excitement. The trackless technology of Ratatouille can solve this problem. (What would Pirates be like with 3-D trackless tech?!)
2) EPCOT’s mission has been lost. It was a permanent World’s Fair, using the sponsorship model for both the attractions and World Showcase. However, that theme hasn’t aged well, and there’s very little futurism presented in the parks now.
(Innoventions would be so easy to fix… have Disney Labs open a visitor’s center, and show off new technologies. Heck… add an Imagineering museum, showcasing park tech from the past 50 years!)
Instead, EPCOT is becoming another theme park, even though it was the “adult” park when it opened. Licensed attractions are being added (Nemo, Frozen, Ratatouille, Guardians, Inside Out), and the edutainment aspects are being replaced.
I would agree with this, but unfortunately the “average Joe” just wants RIDES, RIDES, RIDES. I’m hoping that there’s at least some effort to keep Guardians in line with the theme of Future World, but I’m not expecting it.
Personally, if Disney had to tie an IP to Epcot, I think Big Hero 6 would’ve opened up all kinds of “edutainment” possibilities.
We’ll just have to wait and see what they come up with. I expect a great ride… but one that might be better suited to Hollywood Studios.