[Piglet75]

Last night I couldn't sleep and I started thinking about the original EPCOT vs. EPCOT today. I will never forget my first visit to EPCOT in the 6th grade (I am 28 now)- Horizons, World of Motion, the Sea Cabs at the Living Seas and the original Journey into Imagination were such classic rides! My friends and I went on Horizons at least 3 times and I bought a stuffed FIGMENT.

EPCOT was always my favorite park when I was a cast member at the Disney Store in the mid 90's, but not so much anymore, I'm sure many of you will disagree, but I don't like EPCOT's recent changes- it feels like it is becoming a thrill park, when I liked it better when it was the relaxing, educational park.

Test Track is a great ride and I have yet to be on MISSION:SPACE, (but I can't wait to ride it),,,but I still miss the old classics, especially Horizons. I think adding new rides is great, but not at the cost of losing the classics!

The only thing I don't miss is Captain EO! =)

Missing them won't bring them back, but it feels good to reminisce. I hope EPCOT at least brings back the Sea Cabs!!!

[Jesserin]

Horizons is a very sore loss for me as well. In fact every time I smell an orange I think of that ride! I also miss the seacabs! They were so relaxing and such a wonderful way to take a break while still enjoying the park! World of Motion was just too fun. And though I don't clearly remember the original Journey w/ Figment - I'm not really impressed with the updated one. So, all in all - I agree with you - Epcot is more of a "fun" park than an educational one - which has its ups and downs. I do love Test Track - but now that they've moved the Wonders of Life Pavillion to seasonal openings (i only go in value season - so they might as well say it's closed for me) It feels like Future World is sorely lacking in things to do... I know... Mission Space. But you can't take out 4 things, put in 1 and call it even. I miss the old Epcot too. But hey, we can at least we can reminisce right?

[Mad_Hatter]

I miss the original Figment show as well (I listen to a audio recording of the song all the time) and was disgusted when Kodak (not disney) redid it in the 90's. I wrote both Disney and Kodak a VERY nasty letter as did countless others and they brought back a little of the magic with the rebuild of the current show. It's not great, but better than before. Sadly, Kodak dumps you off in mechandising H E double hockey sticks when you get off - you used to exit the ride on the second floor and not get swamped with the gift store till you went downstairs.

Alot that is wrong with EPCOT right now can be blamed on the corp. sponsors rather than Disney.

[Piglet75]

"Alot that is wrong with EPCOT right now can be blamed on the corp. sponsors rather than Disney."

I see, I didn't know that. I also heard that the structure for Horizons was unstable and that is one of the reasons it had to go, I'll just never forget my shock and sadness the first time I headed to ride it and realized it was closed!

Great responses so far- I love hearing others who can understand where I'm coming from. =)

[Shadow Jedi Rhy]

I dunno if the structure was so much the case as unless they did a lot of ground work they built M:S in about the same place. I have to agree with you all. I too have the Figment recording and still miss the little things and the DreamFinder. Who can forget when he said "Science" with that echo. Horizons was until it left my favorite dark like ride. When I was younger the idea of picking your own end to the ride was the best in the world, and whenever I drive through an orange grove I'm reminded of days gone by. Now World of Motion was never the hugest loss to me although a fun ride, I do miss it however I think all in all Test Track is a worthy addition. I thank my lucky stars that as was proposed earlier they aren't going to redo Spaceship Earth b/c to me that is Epcot. Without it it's simply not epcot anymore, it's slow moving, educational and relaxing. I do agree that the corporate sponsors have had a role in the change of the parks but sometimes in a good way: look at Test Track and Nestle going to put in Soarin. I guess as was said we can long for the good ole days, but I for one am still more excited than any other park when I see Spaceship Earth when coming into the parking lot.

[BDANtheman29]

For the most part, I have to disagree. I feel that the change in Epcot has really been for the better. I knew many people that would cringe at the thought of missing a day at the Magic Kingdom for Epcot. Horizons was a great ride, but it was literally becoming a hazard. The area it was built on was not reinforced and the building was sinking slowly. Because Mission: Space is built on the same piece of land, I would assume that WDI came up with a way to fix the land issue. Overall, I think M:S is a very unique attraction that you can't experience anywhere else in the world. The World of Motion was alright, but I think GM made a great decision upgrading to Test Track. It is an exciting ride that is at the same time somewhat educational. It does show you the torture cars have to take before they can be deemed street safe.

On the other hand, I couldn't agree more about the change at Imagination. Yes, some of the special effects used in the new ride are nice, but I mean seriously. Disney and Kodak burned more than a few bridges with that supposed upgrade. Figment was completely out of the new ride until there was such negative feedback about it. Then they added him back into the pre-show, but that's about it. The problem is that couldn't have been cheap to produce, so I wouldn't count on seeing the old version of the ride for a long time. Also, you guys are exactly right about the post-show. Before, people would be on the second floor as long as they would be on the ride because it was that great. Now, I try to get through it as fast as I can. As always, it's totally opinion.

Brendan

[mikelan6]

Hi piglet ... it's nice to see another South Floridian here.

I also miss the old EPCOT. It was all so amazing at the time, but it did become dated. I liked most of it, except for maybe the Wonders of Life pavilion.

I do miss "Captain EO" as well as "Magic Journeys". I wish they were out on DVD.

[netenyahoo]

I wish I knew the old Epcot. I didn't go to Epcot until January 2003. I feel a little cheated. I have heard so much about Horizons and the old Figment and I'm sad I never got to experience them. My daughter loves the current Figment, but it is a pretty lame ride overall. I love Mission: Space though. Epcot has become a family favorite park through our two trips.

[BDANtheman29]

When I first went, I really hated it. The attractions they had just weren't that interesting to me. Although, Test Track and Mission: Space are very unique rides that have kept me coming back to Epcot since they've opened. In fact, it could be my favorite park now after Soarin' opens.

Brendan

[JennD]

I really love the new epcot - test track is one of my favorite rides!!! But I will be the first to admit that I really miss Horizons and World of Motion - those rides were classics and I miss them!! I wish they could have built test track and mission space without having to shut down the old rides!

[LetsGetDngerous]

Bring back Captain EO!!

[minnie*mickey]

I definetly miss the World of Motion and Horizons. And i did miss the original figment for ahwile, when the ride was first done over. When they first did it over i thought it was horrible, no figment, no song, i was so dissappointed. But when they did it over for a second time, i was so pleased, both figment and the song were brought backinto the ride. Ofcourse the dreamfinder isnt there anymore which is a major bummer, but i think ill live as long as figment is there.

I think the deal with Epcot now is that they need to draw in the younger crowds, and in order to do this, they introduced intense rides . Such as rides like Mission Space and Test track, which i love by the way but I wish that they could of just added these two rides instead of subtracting 2 others, but i know thats unrealistic....

[BDANtheman29]

The problem is space. The way Epcot is designed, it hard to add major attractions without it being an eyesore. They were able to find a way around for Soarin', but that's probably about all they can do without it seeming overly crowded.

Brendan

[WDWChrissy]

My 5 year old does not like the new Journey through Imagination ride. She flat out refuses to go on it.
I only remember a feew things from Epcot before. I only got to visit WDW a few times when I was a teenager. I do remember Horizons, and I definatly miss the Seacabs! Certain areas of the park seem to have been totally forgotten, while others are getting better. I really enjoy Mission:Space, as does the above mentioned 5 year old. If I remember correctly Test Track is a much more interesting ride than what was there before. I'd love to see some of the older atractions get a good redo.
BTW, I too am 28 and from South Florida! How wierd is that? We should start a club or something!

[fig fan]

Obviously I'm partial to Figment. My first trip to Epcot was opening weekend. We walked through the gates & had to get a wheelchair for my grandmother there at a cart I saw him...little, purple with orange wings & that cute yellow shirt with th orange trim. I had no idea who he was but I knew I had to have him (I was 9yrs old). I begged my parents to get him but they told me to wait & make sure that was what I wanted. Being 1 of 5 kids we only got one souvenier a trip per kid. We went through thatwhole park & I couldn't get him off my mind. After the laser phonic fantasies we found a gift shop still open near the exit and needless to say that little purple dragon still sits on my bed. He has a wobbely neck & a little faded but has been through every big event of my life and the small ones too.

I miss the original Epcot too.