Epcot News and Rumors

OK, as promised here's what I have heard regarding Epcot's future (much of this has been widely speculated on):

Ops hopes to have Nemo in soft-opening mode PRIOR to CM day on 10/12 or AP previews that begin the next day.

The new Canada Circlevision film will make its debut in January.

Shortly thereafter, El Rio de Tiempo will be given a Three Caballeros overlay. The budget is modest, so I wouldn't expect to be wowed.

WDI and Siemens are still finalizing plans to update SSE (both ride and postshow) and it should all be completed in time for the non-existant 25th anniversary.

Despite what you have heard, Imagination WILL be getting reworked yet again, with both the ride getting version 4.0 and a new movie replacing Honey, I've Bored the Audience for Years Now. The whole Imagination Institute, along with Eric Idle, will become history. This should be done by late 2007 depending on financing.

France may or may not be getting a new film as well depending upon who you talk to.

The new version of Illuminations will debut in time for the 25th anniversary, but no one can say (or seems to know) if it'll even acknowledge that.

There still is NO financing for the rumored parade for Epcot, which will be held during the day if it happens.

And, finally, there are absolutely no plans for WoL right now except to use it much like Millennium Village/World Showplace. There are plenty of concepts and ideas, but 'nothing is close to being decided' according to a source.

And not that this should surprise anyone, but while Jay Rasulo DID indeed know this was WDW's 35th anniversary but chose to completely ignore it in favor of the Year of a Million Free Pin Lanyards and Bottle of Powerade, it seems he was quite ignorant on other matters.

It was only recently that he supposedly caught on that Epcot turns 25 next October. And there are many in the company, even Al Weiss, who believe there should be some sort of celebration for it, even if it takes away from the globalized (but largely WDW) dreams-based marketing scheme/event.

How this all will play out remains to be seen ...

Also, here are two strictly rumors so take them for what they are worth ...

There is a strong belief at WDI that the American Adventure needs an updating, especially with the World Trade Center sitting prominently in the final scene. So much has happened in the world since the last update over a decade ago. But there are many who feel the past decade hasn't been all that great to our America (and, oh God, do I agree) and feel it would be very tough to add in the terrorist attacks, another war (or is it two?), another space shuttle diaster etc ... and still be uplifting.

Also, have heard that World Showcase may be getting another fine dining location.

This stuff is strictly rumor and should be treated as such.

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Originally Posted by WDW1974

The new Canada Circlevision film will make its debut in January.

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Thank God - it was pretty bad going there in May and seeing that old 1970's film. so much up here has changed it was about time. I hope it's a good one - one to make us proud.

The Mounties don't do the horse show anymore, it's a shame bucause it was always a wonderful show to watch in person.

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Despite what you have heard, Imagination WILL be getting reworked yet again, with both the ride getting version 4.0 and a new movie replacing Honey, I've Bored the Audience for Years Now. The whole Imagination Institute, along with Eric Idle, will become history. This should be done by late 2007 depending on financing.

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Well it's about time! Hopefully they will bring Dreamfinder back and people will actually want to go on it.

I can take most everything but the American Adventure thingy. This show needs to close for good. Too long, too boring and simply depressing. I much rather they took the entire show and building down and replace it with DCA's raft ride. That would be more in tune with audiences at Epcot now. (it's for you to decided if I meant this as a joke or was deadly serious)

Also... do not touch Impressions de France. Stunning film and soundtrack that I still enjoy today as much as I did the first time I saw in Sept 1982 during preview days.

You can expect a little something for Epcot's 25th... It's not much, but there is something in the works.

And as far as the American Adventure getting updated... don't hold your breath. Everything else is pretty much true... including the new dining location.

Impressions WILL be updated... the film is too dated, and it is next on the list to be updated for the countries. (After Canada and Norway)

And I'll add that the new Soarin' film was being filmed in Walt Disney Studios Paris last month. Expect a new Soarin' film in the near future.

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Originally Posted by captsmith84

You can expect a little something for Epcot's 25th... It's not much, but there is something in the works.

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Yes, and it will cost $12.95 at the Pin Station.

I am most excited about the new movie in Imagination and Three Caballeros! Honey I shrunk the Audience was old the second time I saw it, and Mexico needs something to make it more interesting. As much as I love its cheesiness, A modest budget in this case might make a nice balance between old and new.

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Despite what you have heard, Imagination WILL be getting reworked yet again, with both the ride getting version 4.0 and a new movie replacing Honey, I've Bored the Audience for Years Now. The whole Imagination Institute, along with Eric Idle, will become history. This should be done by late 2007 depending on financing.

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As much as I adore Eric Idle, I hated, hated, HATED Dr Nigel Channing and the whole Imagination Institute. Honey, I've Put the Audience into a Coma was stupid the first (and only) time I ever saw it. Even Captain EO was 10 times more entertaining (and I loved Fuzzbucket).

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Originally Posted by TDLFAN

Also... do not touch Impressions de France. Stunning film and soundtrack that I still enjoy today as much as I did the first time I saw in Sept 1982 during preview days.

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I totally agree. And I don't think the film looks outdated at all! What's could be outdate in that one? A truly remarkable film that totally succeeds in given an impression of France.

Let's see... the night skyline is totally different in Paris now, just the quality of the film shows its age, and the fact that the cars are more than twenty years old is a dead giveaway. The soundtrack is wonderful though.

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Originally Posted by WDW1974

There still is NO financing for the rumored parade for Epcot, which will be held during the day if it happens.

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I really hope they reconsider this. I know everyone is not a parade lover, but I really feel that Epcot lacks something because it doesn't have a parade. I would really like to see something work for this park, of course, I'm a parades person, so thats my line of thinking.

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Originally Posted by WDW1974

OK, as promised here's what I have heard regarding Epcot's future (much of this has been widely speculated on):

Ops hopes to have Nemo in soft-opening mode PRIOR to CM day on 10/12 or AP previews that begin the next day.

The new Canada Circlevision film will make its debut in January.
France may or may not be getting a new film as well depending upon who you talk to.

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I really like Circlevision. I hope this is true because this is the only place that Circlevision really lives for me - plus I really like it now that I'm tall enough to see it and that it is about other countries that I might not visit. It makes me want to see it and actually informs me. The fact that watching Circlevision in China can teach me enough to know where my Journalism TA is from when she mentions the city before the outsider's reference helps. Disney can entertain and educate still - you just have to be desperate for that knowledge.

With all the films getting updated, any chance they may spring for digital projection for some of these venues?

Considering how many times those movies are shown in a day it could be a significant savings versus having to replace worn out film on a regular basis.

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Originally Posted by Slartibardfast

With all the films getting updated, any chance they may spring for digital projection for some of these venues?

Considering how many times those movies are shown in a day it could be a significant savings versus having to replace worn out film on a regular basis.

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That takes money, but who knows? Miracles could happen.

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Originally Posted by TDLFAN

That takes money

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Not all that much...