You are not the first to pass this way... but soon, you could be the last...
On this week's Tip Tuesday, I'm opening Pandora's Box. Yep, I'm going to talk about the changes coming to Epcot. There have been a lot of strong opinions about the recently announced Frozen attraction that will replace Malestrom in Epcot along with the new slate of live entertainment coming to World Showcase (replacing very popular attractions like Off Kilter).
So here's the deal: Walt Disney World is always changing. That shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, just look at all the changes that came to the Magic Kingdom with the expansion of Fantasyland (with great fanfare, I might add). So why is there so much backlash about changes to Epcot and is that ire justified?
Before you get your hackles up, hear me out. Let me start by asking myself a few questions.
Me: Are you in favor of the changes to the live entertainment acts in World Showcase?
Me: I'm not sure yet. I want to see what Disney brings in before I decide.
Me: Are you in favor of the changes to Malestrom?
Me: I'm not sure yet. I want to see what Disney does before I decide.
Me: Well do you think Magic Bands are a good idea?
Me: I'm not sure yet. I want to have more time to try them out before I decide.
Do you sense a theme here? The point is that before we go and bash some of the new ideas proposed by Disney, I think we need to give things a chance. To put it simply, I trust Disney to do what is best to make the parks as successful as they can be. Remember, Disney is in the business to make money along with making guests happy. Sometimes those two goals work hand in hand and sometimes they work against each other.
So while I may have some reservations about some of the proposed changes coming to Epcot, and I'll share them in a second, I also trust Disney to make sure that changes have the same level of quality and guest appeal as that which is being replaced.
So what are my reservations about these changes?
Well, I'm fine with changing Malestrom to a Frozen attraction. The Snow Queen story (Frozen is based on the Hans Christian Anderson story of the Snow Queen) has it's origins in Scandinavian culture, so it makes sense that the Norway pavilion would be home to a Frozen attraction. I'm not as fine with the entire Norway pavilion being changed to become the city of Arendelle. The Norway pavilion should, in my opinion, still tell the story of Norway. I trust that Disney will keep the "spirit of Norway" alive in the pavilion. As I said above, I want to see what Disney does before I decide if this is a good change or not.
As for the entertainment changes coming to World Showcase, I am cautiously optimistic that the new acts will be at least as good as the ones departing, especially Off Kilter. I think the reason so many hardcore fans are upset about this change is that these acts have been in World Showcase for so long that people have developed a deep loyalty for these acts. I can understand that there are plenty of reasons for acts to leave and new ones to come in. To be honest, there is a time where it's time for fresh content. How many of you are starting to say it's time for Wishes to end and a new fireworks show to come to the Magic Kingdom? Same thing applies here. New isn't always bad. Yes, I had the same reaction many of you did when I read that Off Kilter is being replaced by some sort of "lumberjack" show. Many of you immediately thought of the "I'm a Lumberjack and that's OK" song from Monty Python. It's ok to admit it - I did. I trust that Disney will ensure that the new shows will be just as high quality.
So when the next announcement comes from Disney, and I expect some whoppers at the D23 Expo in August, let's all take a deep breath and give these new ideas a chance before we rush to judgement.
Alright, I've had my say -- I'm sure some of you are dying to throw in your comments so now's the time -- go for it! Post your comments below!
