Stay right here– because we have to talk about EPCOT.
You would think Disney World fans would be beyond excited about all of the transformations happening in EPCOT, and they are, but the feelings are more mixed than that. We totally get it and that’s why we asked our readers to share their thoughts on what they miss from the old EPCOT.
As we said, there are a lot of thoughts when it comes to EPCOT. It really became clear when we headed to our Facebook page to ask…
What’s something you miss from the OLD EPCOT that you wish was around in this new era?
…and you all delivered! Let’s have a look at some of your responses. Here we go!
The Attractions
There were so many responses where you talked about how much you miss some of the old attractions and how they provided unique experiences that combined entertainment and education, which has left you with lasting memories. Let’s look at some of the ones you mentioned:
Test Track: The original Test Track attraction was more than just a ride. You were invited to take a ride on a car being put through its paces on various tests.
After walking through a testing facility, you boarded a test car and basically served as a real-life dummy going through different tests of the performance of the vehicle in a variety of adverse conditions.
World of Motion: It didn’t get much more retro than World of Motion! Guests boarded this attraction at the loading area, then were taken up a ramp around a mirrored pole where they got to see a great view of Spaceship Earth before entering the ride’s show building.
And just as Spaceship Earth tells the story of man’s ability to communicate with one another, World of Motion told the story of how we learned to get around. It seems appropriate somehow that World of Motion is now home to Test Track, where you can build prototype cars and take them for a test drive! But we sure miss seeing those cavemen blow on their feet from overuse!
Maelstrom: Long before Anna and Elsa took up residency at the Norway pavilion, the space now occupied by Frozen Ever After used to be called Maelstrom.
There’s a lot of the old ride that you can find in the new one like the Viking longship ride vehicles, and the same track. Except, Elsa’s snow monster Marshmallow isn’t quite as scary-looking as the three-headed mythological troll that terrified us before the ride took a Frozen turn!
Horizons: Horizons was more than a ride. It was the truest essence of what EPCOT stood for. The ride transported you to different visions of the future, allowing you to explore possibilities ranging from undersea colonies to space exploration.
Do you remember how you got to choose your pathway back to the FuturePort? Which one did you and your family always choose?
Universe of Energy: Universe of Energy was another one that was hard to see go. You’re right that the ride was incredibly long and took a large chunk of time out of your day, but it was definitely a commitment we were willing to make!
And while the pre-Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Bill Nye version of the attraction closed in 1996, Ellen’s Energy Adventure, which ran from 1996–2017 was, at its core, similar enough for us to get by with its enormous roving theater seats and giant audio-animatronic dinosaurs.
The Entertainment
Next up, you talked about how much you miss some of the old entertainment options. Let’s look at some of the ones you mentioned:
Tapestry of Nations Parade: The Tapestry of Nations Parade ran from 1999 to 2001, and it later underwent a transformation into Tapestry of Dreams. The core theme of the parade revolved around unity and global harmony. This procession featured an array of large puppets and rotating drum units.
These captivating puppets were crafted by Michael Curry, (known for his designs in The Lion King on Broadway and various Disney theme park shows). Guiding the parade was the Sage of Time who sported an intricate attire adorned with alchemical symbols, a white robe accented with gold trim, an ornate staff, and a headpiece resembling a sun with a visage.
Off Kilter Band: The Off Kilter band brought a lively and energetic atmosphere to the Canada pavilion from 1997 to 2014.
They were a high-energy Celtic rock band that blended traditional Celtic music with rock and roll influences, creating a unique and lively musical experience. Imagine bagpipes, pounding drums, bass, funky keyboards, and lead guitars and you’ll know what we’re talking about.
British Revolution: The British Revolution transported guests back in time with the sounds of iconic British rock bands.
They performed at Epcot’s United Kingdom pavilion and were known for their energetic performances where they combined rock and roll music with a British flair, playing hits from iconic British bands. Their final performance took place on March 15, 2020.
Interactive Elements
Next, you talked about some of the interactive elements you wished were still around. Let’s look at some of the ones you mentioned:
“Sum of all Thrills”: The “Sum of all Thrills” ran from 2009-2016 and it went beyond traditional “passive” entertainment.
It was presented by Raytheon and it aimed to provide an innovative and interactive experience for guests. It allowed visitors to design their own customized roller coaster, bobsled, or jet plane ride and then experience their creation.
After completing the design, guests proceeded to the boarding area on the second floor. Two seats were attached to a robotic arm, and guests were secured with a headrest apparatus. An animated video on a monitor recreated the ride experience they had designed, complete with wind effects for realism.
Imageworks in Journey into Imagination: It’s an interactive play area within the Journey into Imagination building for children and adults alike.
The hands-on exhibits encourage exploration, experimentation, and creative thinking, and invite you to touch, play, and learn in a multisensory environment. While this one is still around, you definitely missed the feel of the original layout.
The Price
While there were other things you mentioned, the price point is the one we’ll leave you with here.
Back when EPCOT in 1982, the cost of a one-day ticket was $15 for an adult, $14 for a junior, and $12 for a child. However, members of the Magic Kingdom Club or Walt Disney World Resort guests could knock a dollar off the price of each ticket. We wish it was still this pricing today!
For the latest Disney news and more, be sure to stay tuned to AllEars!
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What’s something you miss from the OLD EPCOT that you wish was around in this new era? Let us know in the comments!
I wish Disney execs would ask the guests their opinion. Instead of thinking, “We need to chance this attraction.” They listen to the complaints about leaving out Figment on the Journey ride. My thinking is Disney will change an attraction if it doesn’t generate money. After all, they have to put a gift shop at the end of the rides. Is “It’s a Small World” next?
This is very specific, but I really miss Anna’s and Elsa’s Frozen 1 outfits & braided hairstyles at the Royal Sommerhus location where you can meet and greet those characters. I really don’t like the F2 looks. The Frozen 1 looks are so much better and way more iconic. I’m glad we can still see them in their Frozen 1 looks at the Festival of Fantasy Parade and Friendship Faire at Magic Kingdom as well as the Frozen sing-along at Hollywood Studios. I hope we see them bring back the Frozen 1 looks to the Royal Sommerhus at Epcot soon
I miss Kitchen Kabaret. Song still occasionally gets stuck in my head…”veggie, vegie, fruit, fruit”