When EPCOT Center opened in 1982 there was a much more obvious focus on futurism than we have today. Of the four biggest attractions that were added to FutureWorld lately only one can be said to have a true vision of the future – Mission to Mars. (The others being Finding Nemo, Soarin’, and Test Track.)
What happened to that vision? Did Disney change or did the public change? Or is the future predicting business just damn near impossible?
Popular Mechanics has some interesting perspective on that debate. They’re looking at five attractions (four of which are from EPCOT – I don’t know why they stuck Carousel of Progress in there – pretty ironic for an article called ‘Fact Checking’, eh?) and seeing how they stack up today against their vision of what tomorrow would bring.
I think I’ve heard Disney is trying to get away from the predicting the future business because of how dated attractions can become. They want to have stuff that sticks around for a long time.
I very clearly remember visiting EPCOT, particularly Innoventions and seeing all the future exhibits. Especially the cars, it’s funny how those sleek vehicles really have come to fruition. I never would have imagined it. I miss that. I can understand the attractions would be dated, but surely there there is some innovative way to deal with that?
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