Walt Disney World Epcot Discussion Thread

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

Hey everybody!

This thread is simple! Rather than having a million little threads about everything that goes on at Walt Disney World's Epcot, this thread is designed to consolidate it all into one user-friendly thread. Feel free to use it to post updates, trip reports, questions, comments, and of course, general discussion. For pictures and videos of the park as well as past updates, see TPR's Park Index Page.

Official Park Website

Below are some links to past updates from the park, you may be interested in. Enjoy!

--Robb

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2005
March 5th, 2005 - Epcot closing early for Disneyland 50th press event (see below)
June 14th, 2005 - 4 year old passes out on Mission Space, dies afterwards

2006
April 12th, 2006 - 49 year old woman falls ill on Mission Space, dies afterwards
May 3rd, 2006 - Tamer option for Mission Space to be offered
June 2nd, 2006 - Lawsuit initiated over death of 4 year old on Mission Space
July 10th, 2006 - 35 year old woman collapses after riding Mission Space
September 9th, 2006 - Kim Possible adventure game coming to Epcot!

2007
January 31st, 2007 - Disney settles Mission Space lawsuit
February 11th, 2007 - El Rio del Tiempo to be re-themed to Three Caballeros
April 11th, 2007 - Spaceship Earth to be re-imagined with Siemens sponsorship!
June 25th, 2007 - Gary Sinese to host Candlelight Processional!

2009
August 11th, 2009 - La Cava del Tequila coming to the Mexico Pavilion!
October 14th, 2009 - "Sum of All Thrills" robocoaster to open in 2 days

2010
January 7th, 2010 - Test Track may lose GM sponsorship
January 18th 2010 - The Making of Me remembered
January 25th, 2010 - Authentic pizzeria coming to the Italy pavilion
March 28th, 2010 - First look at Italy Pavilion pizzeria revealed!
March 29th, 2010 - Cantina de San Angel coming to the Mexico Pavilion!
July 8th, 2010 - Via Napoli pizzeria at the Italy Pavilion opens next month!

2011
November 13th, 2011 - New RFID "Turnstile-less" Entry System in place at Epcot
December 5th, 2011 - Holidays around the World photo report posted!
December 13th, 2011 - Holiday Illuminations Video
December 23rd, 2011 - Katsura Grill & new Test Track car photos posted!

2012
January 6th, 2012 - Re-imagined Test Track confirmed for Fall 2012!
January 21st, 2012 - Photos of Tutto Italia undergoing major refurbishment
February 3rd, 2012 - New 'Habit Heroes' exhibit opens in Innoventions
February 9th, 2012 - Fastpass return times to now be strictly enforced
March 13th, 2012 - Agent P's World Showcase Adventure announced!
April 1st, 2012 - Epcot 30th anniversary merchandise revealed
April 2nd, 2012 - Test Track closes on April 16th for overhaul
April 3rd, 2012 - Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival photo report
April 5th, 2012 - Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar coming to the Italy pavilion
April 10th, 2012 - Test Track to close on April 15th for major overhaul
April 16th, 2012 - Test Track update concept art released!
April 25th, 2012 - Test Track closing night photo report
April 30th, 2012 - Tutto Italia & Tutto Gusto open on May 1st, 2012
May 1st, 2012 - Tutto Italia & Tutto Gusto are now officially open!
May 16th, 2012 - Agent P's World Showcase Adventure concept art posted
May 30th, 2012 - Brave - The Highland Games Tournament coming to Epcot for a brief run
May 30th, 2012 - Food & Wine Festival to run for record 46 days in 2012!
June 7th, 2012 - Agent P's World Showcase Adventure live chat transcript
June 7th, 2012 - D23's Epcot 30th Anniversary Celebration announced
August 15th, 2012 - France Pavilion to receive major dining updates!
August 21st, 2012 - General photo update shows updates through the park
August 27th, 2012 - New Test Track revamp details revealed in live chat
September 11th, 2012 - Food & Wine Festival booth preview photo update!
September 23rd, 2012 - Epcot 30th Anniversary October 1 offerings revealed!
October 9th, 2012 - "3D" Disney's Dessert Discovery event photo report!
October 24th, 2012 - Frozen Kirin Beer available at the Japan Pavilion!
October 29th, 2012 - Test Track's new entrance look revealed!
November 9th, 2012 - Great new Test Track interior concept art revealed!
November 10th, 2012 - Starbucks moves into the Fountain View in 2013
November 12th, 2012 - Even more Test Track details released!
November 12th, 2012 - Test Track Chevrolet Design Center pre-show details!
November 26th, 2012 - Agent P's World Showcase Adventure set to expand!
December 2nd, 2012 - New Test Track POV, photos & review now online!
December 9th, 2012 - Complete Test Track Re-Launch Party Report!
December 11th, 2012 - Monsieur Paul replaces Bisto de Paris & is now open!

2013
January 20th, 2013 - Expanded France pavilion opens with expanded menu!
January 20th, 2013 - Le Cellier moves to all day menu
January 20th, 2013 - Reworked Habit Heroes reopens in Innoventions

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Original Post:

Just heard that Epcot will be closing at 3pm on May 5th for a Disneyland 50th Press Event...

I don't totally get it...I do believe it makes even less sense than closing down Disneyland for a whole day!

Elissa "anyone have details on what they're doing?" Alvey

[disneygurlz2sDesperate Housewife Who Wants to Live in THIS Castle!]

"anyone have details on what they're doing?"

I don't know anything about Epcot on the 5th, but I do know that they are having a similar event the day before, May 4th, at MGM for a press preview of the new stunt show. My friend and her husband are annual passholders and they got an email inviting them to submit an essay for a contest where 50 passholders and their guests will get trips to WDW and passes for the media event on 5/4. Sounds like they are doing something similar at EPCOT.

Shari "I am writing my friend's essay for her-and if she wins, I am the guest" Shoufler

[Not For SaleBork! Bork! Bork!]

Yep, media event. I'll try and get a Cast Member to confirm this.

Edit: Confirmed. Soarin' press and an announcement of a new attraction

[RCTfanWDW's Newest Tigger]

I'll try to confirm the information my next day at work. I'm pretty positive its for Soarin' but I'll check to be sure. I'm sure I can get information next time I see a manager at the Seas.

Jeremy "Loves working of the mouse" Davis

[Sir ClinksalotBitch Please!]

I find it funny that at WDW they are opening a new attraction and are rumored to be announcing yet another new attraction the same day.

Why can't Disneyland be like that?

Here's my thought though. All other parks except for DCA are getting something for Disneylands Birthday. Anybody else see something odd about that?

[nemesis20Can I park my donkey here?]

Are they actually celebrating it much in WDW though, as it's 50 years of Disneyland, not WDW?

[Sir ClinksalotBitch Please!]

They are celebrating it MORE in WDW it seems.

Each park is getting a new attraction:

Epcot - Soarin'
MGM - Motors Action (or whatever it's called)
Magic Kingdom - Cinderellebration
Animal Kingdom - Everest (Technically for the 50th even though it won't be open until next year)

Of course, WDW seems to open up one attraction per year anyway, so this isn't much different for them.

[ChrisZer0They Broke The Mold When They Made Me, Thank God!]

My guess on the "Press Announcement" is one of the following:

A) Space Mountain will get the "Mission Two" rebuild seen at DLP and probably soon, DLC

B)Stormrider will be taking over WOL's acreage in a new "weather" themed pavillion at Epcot

C)Indy stunt show bulldoze, building new Indy "coaster" at Studios

D)Star Tours will get a fresh remodel, new ride system and new film

[disneygurlz2sDesperate Housewife Who Wants to Live in THIS Castle!]

Are they actually celebrating it much in WDW though, as it's 50 years of Disneyland, not WDW?

I think they are pretty much celebrating Disneyland's 50th like they did the 100th birthday of Walt Disney back in '01. They have special events, new attractions, etc at all their parks around the world!

On a similar subject, I read today that the new Hong Kong Disneyland resort has already received 10,000 hotel reservations!

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... disneyland

Shari "all these parks and I'm not going to any of them " Shoufler

[Not For SaleBork! Bork! Bork!]

My guess on the "Press Announcement" is one of the following:

A) Space Mountain will get the "Mission Two" rebuild seen at DLP and probably soon, DLC

B)Stormrider will be taking over WOL's acreage in a new "weather" themed pavillion at Epcot

C)Indy stunt show bulldoze, building new Indy "coaster" at Studios

D)Star Tours will get a fresh remodel, new ride system and new film

According to the Cast Member, it will most likely be announcing the Hundred Acre Woods area (Winnie The Pooh) that replaced 20,000 leagues under the sea.

-Bryan "Sorry to burst your bubble" Stoll