Disney World Guests Cheated After EPCOT Opening

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Figment as a statue at Disney World

Credit: Inside the Magic

Walt Disney always believed in the maxim of “keep moving forward,” but some Disney World guests feel like Disney’s designers and Imagineers have forgotten what that means.

A young boy with a big smile is standing between two large, costumed characters—Mickey Mouse on the left and Pluto on the right. The background is a geometric pink pattern. They all appear happy and excited.
Credit: Disney

The Walt Disney World Resort is undergoing many changes between now and next year, but one of the most recent additions has left many guests feeling disillusioned. EPCOT was intended to be a vision of the future, and Disney’s artists and design teams have been working tirelessly for years to bring that vision to life, but did they deliver?

Related: EPCOT Update: ‘Zootopia’ Announced for World Showcase, Effective Immediately

Recent footage from Park Life showed what the new Communicore Hall was like in the original concept art previously shown, but the white walls and bare fixtures don’t exactly represent the EPCOT we know. That begs the question, did Disney lie to its audience?

Disillusioned by Disney World

Nighttime view of CommuniCore Hall, an illuminated building featuring a geometric facade with glowing green and blue triangular patterns. Large, bold white letters spell out "COMMUNiCORE HALL" above the entrance. Palm trees are visible on the right.
Credit: Disney

EPCOT’s Communicore Hall was initially designed as an exhibition hall where guests could meet characters and interact with other featured exhibits. Earlier this summer, Disney made the following announcement prior to the D23 Expo:

“And on June 10, EPCOT at Walt Disney World will welcome guests to CommuniCore Hall and Plaza. The Hall and Plaza are flexible multi-use event spaces that bring exhibitions, entertainment and even more culinary delights to the center of EPCOT.”

Related: Construction Plans Filed For Apparent Site of “EPCOT’s Future World Hotel”

From that description, many Disney fans expected something more like how the park was originally designed. It was meant to be a tribute to science, technology, and the promise of a better future. The concept art alone was mind-boggling.

A vibrant exhibit reminiscent of EPCOT Opening at Disney World, filled with colorful artwork and installations. Families and children interact with various displays, including a whimsical, multicolored dragon statue and hanging origami birds. The room buzzes with excitement and creativity.
Credit: Disney

As the old song goes, “The world is a carousel of color, wonderful, wonderful color.” The original designs for Communicore Hall looked like something out of a magical art gallery curated by some of Disney’s brightest minds. Unfortunately, according to the footage below, that was not what fans received.

An EPCOT Embarrassment

@parklifetv

What we were promised vs. what we got 😢#epcot #communicorehall #disney #vacation #orlando

♬ original sound – Park Life

The video from @parklifetv truly puts things in perspective. What we were promised is absolutely nothing like the venue we were eventually given, and it has greatly upset many diehard fans in the comments.

Related: New ‘Bluey’ Experience Coming to Disney Springs

While many viewers shared their open disapproval of this bleak reimagining of the EPCOT location, Park Life says it best when they call the new location,

“A budget-cut corporate nightmare, it’s good to have a but A LOT more could have been done with that space…”

The current state of Communicore Hall isn’t just disappointing; it’s insulting. Disney dangled a carrot above our collective noses before failing to deliver.

Things change, and sometimes designers need to take a new direction to cope with budget, time, and space. However, if The Walt Disney Company is willing to take us to other planets or realms of fantasy, they can at least put together a decent exhibition piece that honors the legacy of Disney’s imagination.

Were you disappointed by this EPCOT let down? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!

 

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