Epcot: Celebrating 35 Years

"This universality of Disney carries on after his death, and continues in projects that he had put on the drawing board before he died. Epcot Center is a case in point - bringing together representatives of international industry, international commerce, and the governments of other countries in a permanent world's fair. It perpetuates that theme of his that we are indeed one people."

-Walter Cronkite

On October 1st, 2017, EPCOT Center (now known simply as Epcot) will celebrate its 35th anniversary. The sixth most-visited theme park in the world has gone through numerous changes over the decades, yet still remains an integral part of the Disney experience. Here's a brief look back at what was, what is, and what will be for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.

Beginnings

In 1966, Walt Disney announced one of his most ambitious ideas, EPCOT, which was conceived as an actual community of tomorrow, a place that represented innovation and creativity. New technologies would be introduced there, and groundbreaking methods of urban planning would literally lay the foundation for this city of tomorrow. The community would have been circular in design (an idea that remained through the final stages), with schools and other community buildings being surrounded by a residential area. The Orlando, Florida area was chosen for this project due to the large amounts of land available The story of the land acquisition is interesting enough all on its own. Upon Walt Disney's death, the EPCOT project was placed on the back burner as the powers-that-be put their focus on the Magic Kingdom, which opened its doors in 1971. EPCOT remained in the planning stages, and eventually became the basis of the second theme park to be built in Florida's Disney World. A colossal achievement, EPCOT took three years to complete, and contained two parks in one, Future World and World Showcase. EPCOT opened on October 1st, 1982, to great media attention and instantly became a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the area. The park was a prime example of various groups of people from all walks of life using their God-given talents to construct a place that visitors would never forget, a place that would make a genuine impression on guests.

There are already a number of websites and blogs devoted to EPCOT in its original form, so I'll not go into great detail to describe each pavilion, but a quick rundown of the original attractions is in order:

Future World contained Spaceship Earth, The Land, Journey Into Imagination, World of Motion, Universe of Energy, and CommuniCore. Horizons would open in 1983, The Living Seas premiered in 1986, and Wonders of Life appeared in 1989.

World Showcase featured Mexico, China, Germany, Italy, The American Adventure, Japan, France, United Kingdom, and Canada. Morocco was added in 1984, while Norway made its debut in 1988.

EPCOT would thrive in the 80's, but how long could a park whose theme is the future stay relevant?

Identity Crisis

As the 90's swung around, EPCOT Center struggled to stay fresh and exciting, as many of its attractions began to show signs of their age. The appearance of the park changed from futuristic grays and blues to bright 90's colors. Corporate sponsorship of several of the pavilions changed or was dropped altogether. Horizons closed, reopened, then closed permanently. Journey Into Imagination was re-worked, which was poorly received. World of Motion closed to make way for Test Track. Communicore became Innoventions. Universe of Energy became Ellen's Energy Adventure. The "Center" was dropped from the park's name, which became "Epcot". Disney seemed desperate to ensure Epcot was a relevant part of the WDW experience, yet seemed to forget the grand scheme to it all, especially in Future World. Things started to look cheap, and the spirit of innovation and creativity gave way to consumerism. Many fans of Epcot fondly remember the era from the park's opening until sometime in the 90's. Many others have given up on Epcot, claiming to never visit again and simply remember what was. Was Epcot never to return to greatness? Had it now become the place to visit out of obligation or to avoid altogether while at Disney? The 2000's would bring more change which would continue to meet with a polarizing response.

2000 and Beyond...

The future was here, and Epcot didn't quite represent the vision it once did. The Living Seas would be re-themed to support the movie Finding Nemo, a decision that met with much criticism yet would unfortunately pave the way for more retheming. The Land would introduce Soarin' to it's pavilion with acclaim, for the most part. Journey Into Imagination would undergo its third iteration, adding "with Figment" to its name and slightly improving from the previous version. Innoventions would contain various exhibits that would come and go. Mission Space would open to the chagrin of many a Horizons fan. Wonders of Life would die a slow death before closing. Enough remnants of the original park would remain to attract die hard fans, and exciting rides such as Soarin', Test Track, and Mission Space would keep attendees coming, using their fast passes to get as close to the front of the line as possible. Annual festivals such as Flower and Garden, and Food and Wine brought a boost in attendance, as Epcot had become known as an ideal spot to eat and drink.

But what about the magic? There is still something to be said about seeing Spaceship Earth when approaching the park. The architecture of the buildings still invokes a sense of wonder. There are moments in each of the pavilions that remind one of the Epcot that once was, some more than others. World Showcase hasn't changed as dramatically as Future World, and it still impresses on many levels. When all is said and done, however, the changes, as necessary as they are, just haven't come close to the original vision. Everything from the aforementioned color scheme, to the park area music, the landscaping, cast member uniforms, and the messages of the pavilions themselves is just a shadow of what once was. Don't get me wrong. I don't expect Epcot to stay like it was 35 years ago and still be successful. It must change in order to remain relevant. Where Disney has fallen short is that the outlook, the optimism, the community, the imagination seems to have fizzled. What drove the imagineers to develop Epcot in the late seventies and early eighties just doesn't seem to be present today.

Now with a massive, and I do mean massive reworking of Epcot on the (ahem) horizon, fans are more concerned than ever. Universe of Energy has closed and will house a new Guardians of the Galaxy ride. France will add a Ratatouille attraction. China's getting a new film, and a space-themed restaurant is being added next to Mission: Space. The biggest concerns may lie in the concept art released during D23. The Communicore/Innoventions buildings are gone. The Land looks very different, as does Journey into Imagination. This is concept art, but the very thought of major alterations to these amazing structures is disappointing, to say the least. This overhaul will take years to complete, but it looks like Epcot will be very different once it is finished. Time will tell if any return to past glories will transpire. There is still much to enjoy at Epcot, and there will surely be reasons for attending in years to come. Let's just hope people can once again leave the park feeling the sense of innovation, imagination, and community that the original EPCOT Center provided its guests.

Memory Lane

My first trip to EPCOT Center was in 1983, when my family took its first trip to Disney World. We would go to Disney World two more times after that, in the 80's. My memories of EPCOT Center are more than likely culled from all three visits.

I remember walking into EPCOT through the front entrance, being filled with excitement at the sight of Spaceship Earth. As the amazing entrance music played, I felt as though I were embarking on an adventure into the future. I was a tad frightened by the thought of going inside Spaceship Earth, and did not particularly care for the dark areas, but it was an overall unique experience, especially the planetarium at the peak of the ride. The Living Seas was not open upon my first visit to EPCOT, but on subsequent visits I was certain that the glass on the aquariums would break (thanks, Jaws 3) so my parents allowed my sister and I to hang out in CommuniCore while they visited the attraction. I regret not experiencing The Living Seas as it was, as I have since been to The Seas with Nemo and Friends, and while I quite like the attraction, it seems to pale in comparison to the photos and footage I've seen of the original. Visiting The Land was one of my favorite experiences at EPCOT. I loved the ride Living with the Land, as well as the song that accompanied it, and the wonderful eating area with the lighted umbrellas. Journey into Imagination was probably my favorite attraction. The ride was so much fun, full of whimsy and truly captured my imagination. Figment and the Dreamfinder were instantly iconic, and the song "One Little Spark" would stay with me. Image Works was truly a place I did not want to leave. I'm saddened by the changes to this attraction, as it is a shell of its former self, and only mildly enjoyable.

CommuniCore was another spot my parents had to drag me out of. There was so much to do there, and the (at the time) cutting edge technology fascinated me. My favorite activity was the touch-screen roller-coaster builder, which by today's standards seems very crude. A look at a YouTube video of Backstage Magic at CommuniCore will reveal just how advanced some of their technology could be. Another childhood favorite, World of Motion was all about transportation, including lots of cars. The ride was so much fun, and I especially loved the city of the future, or CenterCore, at the end. Another highlight of World of Motion was the display area after the ride that contained current cars as well as cars of the future. While Test Track is a great thrill ride, there isn't much educational value to be found. World of Motion was a fun history lesson about how people get around. The attraction that fans miss the most, and one that has been given much attention online, was Horizons. It was truly an unforgettable ride. The unique "sideways" track system, the great futuristic displays, the memorable music, and the "choose your ending" feature were highlights. Horizons embodied the spirit of EPCOT, with its optimism for the future and its challenge to be a part of a bright future. Horizons was housed in the coolest looking building I had ever seen. It's truly a shame it no longer exists. The Universe of Energy rounded out 80's Future World, and it impressed on many levels. The mosaic movie screen was a unique experience, as were the moving theater seats. The dinosaurs were a treat, if not a tad frightening at times. There was a particular snake that hissed loudly that I was not fond of. With it's closing this year, Universe of Energy becomes another attraction that will be missed.

As a child, World Showcase didn't hold the same level of interest that Future World did. I marveled at each country's architecture, but this area seemed more "adult" than any other areas at Disney World. I recall enjoying the Canada film (especially the song), along with the other films that revealed the beauty of Creation from far-off lands. Other highlights included the American Adventure, and the Mexico pavilion, especially the restaurant area (although we didn't eat there) and the boat ride. The double-decker buses were very cool, and I enjoyed the boat trip across the lagoon. I remember approaching the Japan area, which at the time seemed rather deserted (maybe the park was near closing?), and there were deafening drum sounds coming from one of the structures there. I was somehow creeped out by that and wanted to move on to the next pavilion. As much as World Showcase had to offer, I always wanted to return to Future World.

I did not make it back to Disney World for over 20 years. I missed the 90's and 2000's, yet I've held on to fond memories of visiting the park with my family. Now, as an adult with my own children, we have found our way back there and have visited on a bi-annual basis for the past several years. I was pretty exited about going back to Epcot, and couldn't wait to see my kid's reactions. While not the massive disappointment some make it out to be, Epcot wasn't the same. It had lost something. It was still fun, but the sense of innovation and optimism were gone. Being back after all the years, however, reignited something in me that I wasn't expecting. Of course there was a flood of memories from being there with my family, fun times with my sister and parents (both of my parents have passed on), but I also became fascinated with Epcot all over again. I began to absorb information by scouring the internet, reading articles and watching videos of the bygone era. I have become as big of an Epcot fan as I've ever been, reliving fond memories, making new ones, and hoping that Epcot will somehow one day return to its roots. Whatever the future brings, Epcot will be a place to revisit each and every time my family heads down to the Vacation Kingdom of the World.

"...contemplate the hand-painted sign. 'Otium Cum Dignitate', it reads, a motto appropriate to a British pub, but perhaps to all of Epcot Center as well: 'Leisure with Dignity'."

-Richard R. Beard

Acknowledgements:

Wikipedia, Walt Disney's EPCOT Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow by Richard Beard, retrowdw.com, epcotlegacy.com

Tron: The Franchise That Won't Go Away

On July 9, 1982, Disney released the film Tron, which made a little money and garnered decent reviews, but did not become the phenomenon in the vein of Star Wars that the studio was hoping for. Some merchandise was released, including a popular arcade game, and the film did well on home video. In the ensuing years after its release, however, Tron was relegated to a cult film and gained very little attention from the general public. Tron was kept alive through a computer game or two, comic books, and fan publications. When rumblings of a sequel came to the surface in the late 2000's, fans who thought they'd never see more Tron started to get excited. 2010 brought Tron Legacy, which grossed over $400 million yet received lukewarm critical notices, and briefly took the franchise back into the public eye. A short-lived Disney XD show, the animated Tron Uprising, ran for one season and garnered a strong reception from fans and critics alike. It seemed Tron was here to stay, yet the momentum fans hoped for was never reached. The last few years have seen a third Tron film put into production only to be shuttered by Disney. Rumors still fly that another Tron film is on the way, and a popular thrill ride based on the series is coming to Disney World after successfully debuting at Shanghai Disneyland. It appears that the franchise is not going anywhere anytime soon. What exactly is it that keeps Tron from fading into obscurity?

A New Frontier

In the early 1980's, computers and video games were a new phenomenon. Arcades were appearing in every town, and in 1982 they brought in over $4 billion in revenue, which is equivalent to over $10 billion in today's dollars. This amount doesn't include the almost $4 billion that home video games generated. It didn't take long for film-makers to realize that computers and video games were a viable resource to tell a story on film. Enter Steven Lisberger, a young animator who saw the possibility of creating visuals by way of the computer. While he and his associates produced the occasional commercial or TV special, Lisberger came up with the concept of a computer warrior fighting in video game battles. He pitched this idea to several film studios but all of them turned him down. Disney, who desperately needed a live-action hit, took a risk with Lisberger and began the development of Tron. The film, with its extensive use of computer graphics, had a difficult yet brilliant production process. Nothing like it had ever been done before. Once the film was completed and released to theaters, the film-makers and Disney waited with bated breath for the response. When Tron released it went up against competition along the lines of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Rocky III, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and Poltergeist, and got somewhat lost in the shuffle. Many casual film-goers and critics alike didn't "get it". They simply dismissed the films as one of many disposable sci-fi outings of the era. While the movie's plot was solid science-fiction fare, something wasn't quite right with the characters. Maybe they didn't click with some audiences. Perhaps there was a bit of confusion as to why the title character wasn't the main character. Regardless, Tron didn't get the recognition Disney had hoped for. There was, however, a small group of movie watchers who soaked up every minute of Tron. The imaginations of many children were captured in spades. The luminous effects, the computer wizardry, the cool action sequences, and Flynn's arcade. What kid wouldn't have wanted to be Jeff Bridges, living in the back of an arcade in 1982?

The group of friends I associated with would use our imaginations to turn frisbees into identity discs, see-saws into light cycles. We argued over who was going to be Tron and who was stuck being RAM (*spoiler: RAM dies in the film). As the years passed we moved on to other playground activities, yet Tron remained my favorite film. I recall only a few years after the movie released, I would answer the question, "what is your favorite movie?". My response for years was, "Tron". Many would ask, "What's a Tron?". I would usually respond with, "It's a movie about a guy who gets sucked into a computer.". That would be the end of the conversation.

Tron's popularity was indeed short-lived, yet a growing group of fans and a persistent director would keep the idea going.

The Triumphant Return (Sort Of)

Tron  barely lived on during the 90's with no officially released media. Steven Lisberger pushed on for a sequel, but it seemed the film would only reside in the memories of die-hard fans. In the early 2000's, however, a spark ignited with the release of a computer game and a comic book series. By the middle of the decade it seemed like another film might be possible. In 2008 a teaser trailer released, complete with light cycles and Jeff Bridges. Fans went nuts. Tron 2 was happening! As what was once thought of as impossible became reality, footage from the now-titled Tron Legacy looked spectacular. Releasing in December of 2010, Tron Legacy looked amazing and performed well. Critics praised the effects, overall look of the film, and the soundtrack, but didn't connect with the story. Not quite a direct sequel and not an official reboot, it was difficult to connect the two movies other than the basic premise of the computer world.

Tron Legacy was successful in bringing renewed interest to the franchise. People were talking about it. The spectacular soundtrack was everywhere. Tron Uprising debuted on Disney XD. A third film was in development. As time would have it, however, Disney seemed to lose interest in Tron. With the acquisitions of money-generating machines such as Star Wars and Marvel, why did Disney need Tron? Filming was set to begin on the third installment, but production was abruptly halted indefinitely. Fans petitioned, to no avail. Or was it? There are now rumors of a Tron reboot, and with the announcement of the Tron ride in the Magic Kingdom, it would make sense to prepare another film.

Standing the Test of Time

        

Whatever the reason, Tron won't go away. Maybe it's the fact that Tron paved the way for computer animation in film. Perhaps it's the person-in-a-computer gimmick. The light cycles and throwing discs, the day-glo outfits, or the groundbreaking soundtracks. No one knew that 35 years later, Tron would still be around. There are still more stories of the computer world to be told, and it looks like, if fans are patient, they will see more Tron in the coming years.

End of line.

*Another landmark cultural phenomenon occurred in 1982. It was the grand opening of Epcot Center in Walt Disney World. In some ways, Tron and Epcot have a lot in common. Look for the next post toward the end of the month for a look at Epcot as it celebrates 35 years.