When I think about theme parks that need upgrades, Epcot is always the first that comes to mind. The Studios is a mess, but Disney is adding several expansions to change that fact. On the surface, Epcot appears to be functioning well. Crowds pack the park for its annual festivals, and the headliners remain popular. Good restaurants, solid entertainment, and a vibrant atmosphere make World Showcase a fun destination. Why should Disney focus so much on upgrading Epcot? There are too many reasons to mention.

Disney’s target should be Future World, and they are installing a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction in place of the Universe of Energy. That move will attract guests but doesn’t connect to the park’s theme. Setting aside that decision, I’m focusing on small moves that Disney can make to improve our experiences at Epcot. Future World is too large of a project to tackle in one article, so I’m sticking with the western half for these five ideas. When you enter the park, it’s everything to the right of Spaceship Earth. Each of the three pavilions in Future World West could use some help. Let’s dive into some ways to make this area shine once again.

5. Make the Aquarium More Prominent in The Seas with Nemo & Friends Ride.

It’s easy to see why Disney chose to add a Nemo overlay to The Living Seas. The original film was very popular, and it seemed like a natural fit that would connect with guests. I don’t have an issue with that idea in theory, but the execution was not good. One of the strongest aspects of The Living Seas is the massive aquarium. While the Sea Cabs did not draw crowds in their later years, they did offer stunning views of sea life.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends is an okay dark ride, but its scenes block most of the tank. Disney has touted the breakthrough of projecting animated characters into the water, and that scene works. The issue comes with other areas, which eliminate some amazing views. Disney should look for ways to upgrade scenes to include more of what makes the pavilion shine.

The trick is that most of that potential space comes during the E.A.C. sequence, which is one of the attraction’s livelier moments. Even so, I’d love to see that effect combined somehow with the water and fish in the aquarium. There has to be a way to make this work without doing a massive overhaul. These moves could make a huge difference in the attraction’s creative success and generate more interest from guests.

4. Reinstall the Soarin’ Over California Film into One of the Soarin’ Theaters.

Replacing the original Soarin’ film at Epcot made sense; the park’s focus on world cultures fits better with the new version. It’s another matter at DCA, but I’ll save that for a future article. Disney had an opportunity to create a transcendent attraction that built on the initial experience. Instead, the updated version reminds us of how incredible Soarin’ was before the switch. What I loved about that attraction was its simplicity; no need for clever gimmicks or fancy tricks! It felt like a breath of fresh air even after multiple rides on the same vacation.

Soarin’ Around the World has some cool moments, especially the opening in the Swiss Alps. The revised score from Bruce Broughton is excellent, and it’s a fun experience. On the other hand, the reliance on CGI keeps us at a distance from the places on the screen. The images also don’t always look right if you’re sitting in one of the side areas. It’s a solid attraction on its own but a step backwards from the original.

The addition of a third Soarin’ theater in 2016 has alleviated the massive lines that plagued the Epcot version. It also gives Disney an opportunity to offer guests different experiences based on their preferences. At the FastPass meeting point, they could select their film and be directed to the appropriate spot by cast members. It adds a layer to the process operationally, but the benefits are worth the new step. I loved Soarin’ Over California, and it was a must-ride on every trip. That’s not the case anymore, and bringing it back this way would benefit fans of both versions. More variety is also a plus for repeat visitors and annual passholders.

3. Transform the Magic Eye Theater into a Showcase for a Multiple Films.

Like I mentioned above, I’d love to see Disney mix up experiences to bring more variety to frequent guests. A perfect spot for that approach is the Magic Eye Theater, which currently shows the Disney & Pixar Film Festival. This real estate is too valuable to just hold a few short films! It’s a nice break from the Florida sun, but that’s about it. Why not expand the presentation and rotate films throughout the day?

The benefit of this approach is making the Magic Eye Theater a place for guests of all ages to enjoy different experiences. The obvious moves are showing past occupants like Magic Journeys; Captain EO; and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience! on a rotating basis. It might sound like a retread on the surface, but stick with me here. Disney could also include 3D films that connect to the Future World theme. There are plenty out there that focus on space, engineering, and science. This is a good example.

Local science centers offer similar films in IMAX theaters, but those usually have a significant ticket price. Disney could offer an air-conditioned space that doesn’t just keep showing the same thing. They could also bring special events to the Magic Eye Theater and even show feature films there at night. The possibilities are endless, and the rotating films would keep guests interested. This could be a cool spot for locals that want something different each time. Disney could promote the schedule through social media, and fans would do the rest. It’s easy!

2. Fix or Replace Broken or Tired Exhibits in the ImageWorks.

I’d love to see Disney move the ImageWorks back upstairs and lose the DVC lounge, but I’m trying to be realistic here. I don’t see Disney making any choices that take something away from that lucrative group. What I’ve noticed in recent trips is that many of the current games don’t even work properly. For example, the keyboards are barely usable at some consoles where you create unique Figments. The e-mail system also doesn’t send anything to you. This is sad.

If Disney wants to keep the ImageWorks in its current place, they need to at least fix the machines. A better choice would be adding new games that offer more updated technology. This area wasn’t that impressive at the start, and it looks even rougher today. I understand that investing in this type of interactive area isn’t a priority for Disney. They’re building high-tech attractions in a time of rapid expansion. Even so, the small moves often make a big impact.

1. Insert a New Scene into the Journey Into Imagination with Figment.

My final idea connects to the choice to pare down (or possibly move) the ImageWorks. Like I mentioned above, the best choice would be expanding the attraction throughout the downstairs and shifting the games to their original location. That is the easier approach, but let’s set aside that possibility here. I will assume that Disney wants the DVC Lounge to remain, so we must work with the space we have.

The final scene of the current attraction where you see Eric Idle on the screens housed the Science and Technology section in the 1983 version. You then traveled past several additional show scenes before exiting in what’s now the ImageWorks. Looking at the blueprints for today’s version, there is additional space that could be used for another show scene following the song. It might seem odd to not finish the attraction with the current scene, but stick with me here.

While easily the best scene in Journey Into Imagination with Figment, the finale still goes by very quickly. Why not extend the song into multiple rooms? The celebratory mood about imagination would connect better to the pavilion’s theme and not stop so abruptly. An appearance from the Dreamfinder here would also be a cool nod to the earlier version. You could retain much of the ImageWorks and still shift the unload point into that section.

I realize that Disney would need to build additional track to make this change, but it wouldn’t be nearly as expensive as replacing the entire attraction. It would also extend the ride time from five minutes to six or seven and help eliminate the feeling that something is missing. Disney could make a few other tweaks to the attraction’s early stages to better connect to the end without starting from scratch. It’s also an effective way to extend the life of a weary attraction.

Plussing That Matters

Disney often reminds us of Walt’s idea of “plussing” the parks when they’re making unpopular changes. It’s an easy way to justify anything, even if it’s not an upgrade. I think of “plussing” as making small updates that improve the guest experience. If a show scene isn’t working, make it better! The goal is to enhance the parks, not just change them for branding. These five ideas reflect my hopes that Epcot can get better not just through blockbuster attractions. Disney should make big changes, but they also need to small moves to keep the parks fresh in the long-term future.

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