The recently unveiled Epcot refurbishments, under construction for many years, are neither good nor bad. But for how long it inconvenienced guests, and for the cost, it was likely not even remotely worth the effort.
The latest walls have come down around Epcot, particularly in the middle of the park. It’s been a very long time in the making. Gone are some of the Innoventions structures, and now we have a Moana splash pad. But the latest walls to be removed reveal a park that is partly inspired — but also partly a work of significant cutbacks that feel like filler. Ultimately, one might have to say that Epcot today is less than what it was a decade before. That’s questionable, but for (at least) hundreds of millions of dollars, it shouldn’t be a question worth having.
It is.
We believe that Disney spent over a billion dollars on the Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind coaster. That’s plenty already. But the middle-of-the-park overhaul likely had a price tag around $400 million. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find a way to justify this. Where there was a kinetic fountain to draw your attention, now there is none. In its place is a static series of planters that have the odd effect of evoking female anatomy from onlookers. Where there was vast indoor space with air conditioning to get guests out of the weather, now it is urban park setting. And unless there is serious effort made to stock this area with street performers, it looks to me like this will be one of the most sterile, static areas in a Disney Park ever. It is a sad state of affairs for an area that was under construction for many years and once had a grandiose plan for revitalization.
What we wanted.
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What we got. #epcot pic.twitter.com/QBqw2J3ER5— OLD DISNEY/NEW DISNEY (@TRVLtruth) December 4, 2023
Yet a return to the area at night is a totally different experience. And, I think, this is where the spark can be found. No, this is not a wonderful reimagining of a Disney Park area. It’s more like a whimpering finish line transversal at the end of a marathon which never should have been run. And still, when the lights go out in the sky, this area of the park comes to life. Are all the hours of daylight and dull boring sprawl worth a few hours of nice night illumination? No, but it’s still worth noting that the new World Celebration area north of Spaceship Earth is lovely after sunset. It’s only a shame that it can’t be said for the rest of the day.
Illuminous is another story. The new fireworks show, which replaces Harmonious, which replaces Reflections of Earth, is still not as good as Illuminations. In fact, it’s not even close. But it’s serviceable and the fireworks themselves (not the music nor the pacing) are some of the best we’ve ever seen. Is it revolutionary? No. Is it passable? Yes. And I dare even say it’s enjoyable. Were it a new fireworks display in a new park, it would be well-received. Because it will always be compared to Illuminations, however, it’s just fine. I’d give it a 7/10 overall with room to improve. I hope they do. But it’s great to have a good fireworks show now at Epcot again.
We both loved the new fireworks show Luminous: The Symphony of Us at EPCOT. I especially loved how many actual fireworks there were .. and the cool things they did with them. Here’s the finale! pic.twitter.com/IBpavna2Xz
— Marcus Leshock (@marcusleshock) December 6, 2023
There is plenty to wish had happened well at Epcot. Instead, a vast amount of money was spent that we likely won’t see used to change the park for another two or three decades. It is a huge missed opportunity. Many reading this article won’t be around if they ever take another shot at major changes to the park. It’s not that the new design is bad… it’s just largely bland. And for the amount of money that was spent, it’s a sure shame. Epcot today is arguably worse, arguably slightly better, or somewhere around the same as when all this project began way back in 2017. And for me, I’m not sure that’s worthwhile for the money and time that was spent on it. But I’m at least happy that it isn’t offensive or bad as we’ve seen with other Disney Parks efforts recently.
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