See ya in September for Part 2 of this video. Hopefully it's improved when Food & Wine makes it's way in to EPCOT.

@tedsmart5539

Ай бұрын

you going back in time? sign says 2023 7:46

@toddcribbs6844

Ай бұрын

What I call Bob Iger & Co doing Disney on the Cheap 😊

@johnjanssens8998

Ай бұрын

Sure, more stalls to sell stuf. That's Disney. I'm sure they brainstorming right now what else they can sell and theme the park to those products. Maybe Disney cruises?

@YHess4

Ай бұрын

Yes! I predict we will all be surprised! I think they want a totally blank slate and it's going to be themed like crazy for F&W. I imagine vinyl art on the walls themed for each celebration. Look at the Celebration Encanto stage. Now imagine it without the flags from the ceiling and around the stage. Without the wraps on the poles. It's all just plain and blank. 🤞

@toddcribbs6844

Ай бұрын

@johnjanssens8998 are you kidding me were you used to have places you can go into and actually cool off some sides you can't cool off now what you think about that well Bob Iron & Co of brainstorming about how much money they can save

Disney: tears down Innoventions Also Disney: immediately rebuilds Innoventions and renames it back to Communicore Absolutely genius way to waste money

@FabioZanfir

Ай бұрын

You guys can't seem to figure out this is all intentional. The Marxists don't want money they want your institutions.

@jakegaubatz

Ай бұрын

Disney in a nutshell. Redundant, stupid business decisions. They got too big for their own good.

Communicore Hall looks like the food court at a mall that isn’t doing very well.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

It looks so empty and barren.

@ilovegodzilla

Ай бұрын

Without the food.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

​@@ilovegodzilla they have a little food window/kiosk that I'm assuming will serve food from the different festivals

@Vantastic789

Ай бұрын

All of modern Epcot just looks like an Apple Store

@ryanrobinson5638

Ай бұрын

So.......the food court at a mall?

“It’s fun to do the impossible” - Walt Disney. “It’s profitable to underwhelm” - Bobby Iger.

@sacrosby

Ай бұрын

This is exactly right

I swear, I’ve been in Holiday Inns that have better theming than CommuniCore.

@Blatsen

Ай бұрын

I've seen multiple old school Holiday Inn Holidomes that had/have way more theming and character than Communicore Hall. In fact, there is an extant Holidome by Six Flags St. Louis that is significantly more themed than Communicore Hall.

The argument that you need to see Epcot at night (or during a festival ) to fully appreciate the renovation is a cop out. It should look stunning both day and night, just on its own. This is Disney, and they charge ultra premium prices for their product.

The way it just kind of looks like a refurbished conference hall you could find at any university, definitely had slightly higher hopes lol

I've said this before but I love how you always analyze what could be improved rather than just ranting blindly; the fact that you can be both positive and critical really makes each of your opinions feel genuine! not to mention that listening to constructive criticism is just more entertaining than people ranting lol

@barbarafett

Ай бұрын

I came here to post this. Your even-handedness is truly a breath of fresh air.

A mix between a college student union building and an Apple Store is the best description I’ve seen of Communicore Hall so far. It’s very lackluster so I’m waiting to see how it looks during Food and Wine to make a full judgment. I will say that it’s promising the furniture isn’t nailed down and there’s theatre lighting on the ceiling. But we’ll see!

@CobraKai63

Ай бұрын

It does looks similar to the original Communicore. They should’ve gone all out and made the meet and greet areas look like old Communicore exhibits. Maybe add SMRT-1 somewhere.

@DisMindy5767

Ай бұрын

Yes!! I keep saying it looks like the old Mackey room at the University of Maryland in the early 80s. It was a place to sit and eat the food that we got out of the Mackey machines which is kinda like an automat. Same exact chairs from the 70s too!

As someone who loved Epcot as a kid in the late 80s-90's this is an abomination. These new spaces are soulless. 😭

@toms6538

Ай бұрын

I completely agree with you… however, what you’re describing…. Stayed in the 90s…. They stayed stale and have been essentially gone for the last 20+ years

@annien.1727

Ай бұрын

@@toms6538 😡💢What ASININE hogwash! Epcot has NOT stayed stale at all! Nor has it been essentially gone for the last 20+ years! Epcot is still fresh, and it'll be even more fresh once positive changes have been made there. I'm NOT joking.

@toms6538

Ай бұрын

@@annien.1727 What are you talking about? Look at EPCOT specifically Future World- you know from context of this video- the area where ALL of this is happening..... from the end of the 90s to right before this undertaking aka mid-2010s. From communicore to innoventions east and west buildings were empty shells. We can even expand out to the empty wonders of life pavilion and odyssey shells if you'd like. What made Future World special in the 80s and 90s is looooooooooooooooong gone. You either too young to know any better or have a poor memory.

Can you even imagine a fountain like the Fountain of Nations in the center of World Celebration that dances and syncs with the lights and Spaceship Earth? That would be amazing.

@OffhandDisney

Ай бұрын

AND AT NIGHT?! Ugh it'd look so good.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

​@@OffhandDisney I miss the fountain of nations so much! It would look perfect in the gardens!

@ChasingBama

Ай бұрын

Ahh yes, I can. We had one, they just decided to tear it down for a female planter.

At least in 15-20 years we can get a huge Epcot overhaul.

@OffhandDisney

Ай бұрын

Hopefully lengthening the duration of Living with the Land by 20 minutes.

@SmallSpoonBrigade

Ай бұрын

That's optimistic. Do you think Disney is going to be done wasting money on stupid movie and TV that nobody wants?

@h.miller1892

Ай бұрын

@@OffhandDisney Agreed!

@CobbleBompster

Ай бұрын

I wouldn’t count on that.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

​@@OffhandDisney OMG YES!! I love living with the land!

I think it says a lot about Communicore Hall when I have asked myself multiple times, “Wait, what’s that for again?”

@JoelsCollection

Ай бұрын

For the phone addicts. Need to get that fix in the cold A/C.

Can you imagine if they had used the space as a History of EPCOT exhibit? They could still use it for festivals and tie in the history of the festivals to the standard displays.

@KforFreedom

Ай бұрын

GREAT Idea for an improvement to the bland space. Just a little bit of a exhibit. How about a few plants or something. So if you are taking a break in here, it doesn't feel so cold & empty.

I appreciate this guy's constructive & optimistic take on the new Hall of Tables & Chairs attraction. But unfortunately, guests spend a small fortune on a trip to the mouse. So there should be ZERO excuses for a subpar experience. The "better luck next time" or "would've should've could've" response just doesn't cut it. Between this empty disaster & Tianna's Chia Pet Mountain, the mouse has clearly been dropping the ball.

Disney took about 5 years to build a mediocre convention looking center, while in the same amount of time universal built 65% of a whole new park. I dont know what is going on but thats just pathetic.

@jaredfamily123

Ай бұрын

Boring comment

@xCaLLMeGHeTTo

Ай бұрын

You can say that but at the same it's taking 4 years for Universal to build a rollercoaster in Hollywood.

@skaetur1

Ай бұрын

Galactic Starcruiser.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

​@@skaetur1I'm so happy that failed. Even as a fan of star wars I knew it wasn't gonna work.

@MattMcIrvin

Ай бұрын

I think a lot of it is that Disney bought 20th Century Fox and put themselves into tremendous debt to do it, and they haven't really gotten much out of it. Bob Iger had one big idea, which was to acquire a lot of entertainment companies with already-well-known IP and build some kind of synergy out of that, and for years, he actually was amazingly successful at it. But Fox was just too big a bite and the company has been struggling to accomplish anything ever since.

I just feel like in my heart that you can do any kind of ride that you want to or attraction but really what a lot of this Epcot current day is missing is the component of education. Even as a kid, I enjoyed so much that I got to learn stuff and have a good time in these dark rides.

@hazeldavis3176

Ай бұрын

I completely agree. With the popularity of children's museums and educational entertainment I'm shocked Disney isn't dipping into that pool more. It's highly profitable and if a small museum in a 'fly over' city can afford upkeep on interactive educational exhibits, then surely Disney can manage it.

We really needed an inventions replacement, more games and stuff. Communicate hall is just a shopping mall.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

Agreed! As a 90s Epcot kid, innoventions was awesome!! This is just a waste.

@t.c.bramblett617

Ай бұрын

It is even worse than that. The dining hall at my last corporate job looked nicer than this does now

It's Diet Epcot regardless. Also, we can't keep giving Disney a break because Covid happened. It happened an eternity ago in terms of theme park timelines.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

I mostly blame both Cheapek and Covid.

@EverScrolls

Ай бұрын

@@kdusel1991 If future projects end up being stupid or underwhelming, what will people blame next? When do we sit down and blame Disney Leadership

@ivyknightproductions5997

Ай бұрын

During Covid Universal built veocicoaster and during the aftermath they fixed up Poseidon's Fury. Covid never was an excuse especially after 2022, *and now seeing as this opened in early-mid 2024.*

It's just crazy how all the Disney vloggers r like 'tHiS is GrEaT' and then proceed to show an airport ass building

@chronomatt6990

Ай бұрын

They need their preview events decorated cupcakes and access for clicks.

@redpandaclips

Ай бұрын

Disney pays them

@FTChomp9980

Ай бұрын

Disney lost there creativity!

@SmolAliens

Ай бұрын

It’s because they won’t be invited back to future events if they’re honest.

@FTChomp9980

Ай бұрын

@@redpandaclips Thats called being a Disney Shill.

I think my wife has the right idea. They just opened it at the wrong time. They should have waited until a festival so we can see it as it is intended.

I grew up going to WDW, it has always been my favorite place to vacation. My family of 4 had a 10 day trip booked for March, and just last week we decided to cancel. Just couldn't get excited for it , which has never happened to me before. Planning our first ever trip to Universal for Christmas 2025 instead.

Thanks for the glass half full vid. *sigh* is anyone else starting to wonder if it is worth the price of admission to enter an area that is increasingly becoming a fair ground or indoor-outdoor convention hall? In Epcot the 'entertainment' is increasingly to spend more and more money to buy food and drinks...it looks like these 'improvements' are designed to expose guests to more opportunities to spend additional money on food and drinks - with a few side shows and a couple meet and greets. OK - then reduce the park ticket price...or...split the front and back halves of the park into 2 separate parks like universals 2 parks, they are right next to each other and you can pay for 1 or the other or both.

I'm a customer. I have ZERO obligations to pay a 160 billion dollar company pats on the back for doing anything right. They don't want negative comments? Stop creating cheap cookie cutter crap. Start acting like the lead dog in theme park experiences. Here's the thing. They aren't the top any more and they know it. As a consumer it's my right to complain. Disney deserves no leeway. If they do something positive they won't get complaints doesn't mean they are deserving of compliments. This is business 101. Customers are more likely to describe negative experiences rather than comment on positive ones which SHOULD BE THE DEFAULT unless your experience goes far above and beyond default which in that case compliments from guests flow like wine. Just good is not good enough.

The open "doctor's Office" hall is obviously set up so Disney can sell group and convention facilities, just like the open hall they had in that same space, the one that stunk for some reason. They can use this space every single night for groups who have fireworks show space reserved; for wedding receptions ; for annual passholder events; and anything else they can dream up. The tunnel with kitchen access is directly below, and it has easy access to world showcase's numerous group reservation spaces.

Admittedly seeing Communicore hall this way does help make more sense of it. I'm just not sure I see the logic in having what's essentially a convention center in the middle of busy theme park that's *un-themed* most of the year, but still accessible to parkgoers when there isn't some event going on. For most visitors, Communicore hall and the rest of the old Innoventions wing is just going to be this weird outdoor mall in the middle of EPCOT with a character meet-and-greet and nowhere near enough shade or air conditioning. Pretty from the outside, sure, but barren and sterile on the inside. If they don't want it to feel like a civic center operating a food court on the main floor, they're going to need some kind of permanent exhibit that they can shuffle in and out of there whenever they have these other events, preferably something appropriately themed to Communication, or something that calls back to Innoventions. Keep it simple but lively, like the shows on the stage outside. Something to make it not feel like they wasted five years moving dirt around, as Poseidon Entertainment would put it.

@KforFreedom

Ай бұрын

I think with as big as Epcot is & as hot as Florida is, this indoor air conditioned lounge open to everyone is a nice addition. I do agree it needs a little something to add some interest (for when there is no festival)

I had hopes for this EPCOT overhaul. But I think they got it so fundementally wrong from so many parts. But I do like some changes still. Spaceship Earth Lights, Pylon Fountain even Connections was a great change imo. I do think they were good ideas but they just couldn't get it done with the everchanging budget. Hoping the Imagination Pavilion gets better treatment (assuming it is given a chance to change anytime soon) :(

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

I'm hoping imagination gets a change soon. The gardens are really nice too! But I wish they kept the fountain of nations and built the gardens around that.

I do think that they’d have less of a violently negative reaction if they’d opened this event space with a, y’know, event? To fill it? But either way despite Epcot really being a festival space above all else nowadays, acting like this building (with SUCH A DOWNGRADE FEOM THE CONCEPT ART) was going to be something super exciting for people the way a new ride or interactive space is was a bold move from Disney. But in general it just looks like a high quality convention space and that’s true for a lot of the new stuff Disney is dropping. I wish they weren’t afraid to get weird again

We were just in Epcot this past week and I couldn’t remember what communicore hall was for. When I finally made it there, I literally thought I went to the wrong building. I was so confused at what it even was.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

We were there this past week too! I was just as confused as you lol. It looks so empty and barren.

Don’t forget they tore down that great fountain too

The Catholics have a phrase, "Ordinary Time", referring to the part of the year that isn't some special liturgical period like Lent, Advent etc. "Diet Epcot" makes me think of that.

I'm surprised they don't have a sad looking cast member handing out 3 jelly beans to people as they enter or exit

@greenbrown7776

Ай бұрын

Legit LOL.

If anything, CommuniCore Hall needs a number of huge wall monitors to help liven up the cavernous space. The space is so stagnant, that it’s not very inviting, except when it’s 110 degrees outdoors. Each monitor would ‘communicate’ the different Epcot/DisneyWorld offerings, and events, within the park(s)/resort(s). And/or some sort of kinetic/interactive art. Add individual audio connection capability, per monitor, per viewer to avoid a cacophony of noise, and allow those who just want a quiet space, to have that quiet time. Sort of like Vegas sports-book areas.

There is a Swiss artist named Jean Tinguely who made amazing Rube Goldberg like sculptural machines. These can be seen in a fantastic museum and an outdoor fountain in Basel, Switzerland (and can be seen here on KZread). The gardens at Epcot should have been filled with these types of kinetic machines and fountains (with a more colorful family-friendly look than Tinguely), with creative references to Epcot's past. It would delight guests and feel very appropriate to Epcot. That center fountain you want returned could be an "effect" event that is triggered every few minutes when a certain large chrome ball reaches that part of the gardens, making crowds cheer. In fact, the aesthetics could be inspired by Rolly Crump's Tower of the Four Winds that was at It's a Small World at the New York Wold's Fair. This would be appropriate as the New York World's Fair was where Disney was testing out Disney style entertainment on the East Coast pre-WDW and Epcot.

Hey should have Epcot museum items in between the festivals. They should have a mural or a statue or a fountain in there or something. Or they could do little displays for older Epcot attractions high up on the walls like the Disney stores.

I'm just so done with Disney at this point. The leadership is so clueless and they keep churning out disappointment after disappointment after disappointment and its gotten so old.

@Maverick19977

Ай бұрын

Meanwhile Universal is giving us A+ quality with all these amazing Epic Universe announcements

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

​@NativeCelticKZreadrI hope things get better. Disney should really step it up once Epic Universe opens up. All these teases are killing me.

@alynroze1947

Ай бұрын

They didn't need to demolish Com-Core West. They just needed to gut the inside Iike they did with Com-Core East. Disney/Epoct had all the water holding areas on the West side that could have been incorporated into an extensive Moana Show Area. Imagine having water jumping over your head going to the Living Seas .

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

​@NativeCelticKZreadr I'm still cautiously optimistic.

@stanfordite1

Ай бұрын

Well after I take over, I will usher in the Make Disney Great Again era where everything will be done by asking "What would Walt do?" again like it was after his passing. Epcot under me will be frozen in the 1980s.

It looks sad, I can't wait for your Epic Universe video

@OffhandDisney

Ай бұрын

Neither can I, I am SO EXCITED for Epic Universe.

What they basically did was to rebuild that seating area that was behind the old Starbucks and the meet and greet. The building facing the land. And as a single mom I really appreciated that old space bc it was quiet and a great ac spot and an area for kids to relax a bit. Epcot sorely needed that lounge and I’m glad it’s back.

Times are tough, Communicore Hall probably went to the lowest bidder for truck-stop bathrooms.

It's a picture frame without the picture.

I have mostly bleh feelings about Communicore Hall, but the gardens… I have so many feelings about gardens. I think they could do something really cool with World Celebration Gardens by creating some sort of cohesion with World Showcase. Possibly theming different pieces of the garden to each nation represented in the showcase. Adding in an educational aspect- each plant could have a placard giving a description, where they’re found, why they’re culturally important to said nation, how they’re used, etc.. I would personally love that. I know that might feel more like a “Land” thing but I think it could add more meaning to the garden area.

I think Communicore Hall needs, most of all, *something* to justify it's existence outside of festival season. have some entertainment or educational kiosks, Food carts, little Shops, *anything*. As is it just looks like a College cafeteria.

Good coverage (and opinions). I think the "hall" should always have some sort of focal exhibit (history of Epcot, animation, robotics, science fiction films in general) even when there are no active festivals to "theme" around. In fact the contrast would be welcome when surrounded by food or wine or flowers. And for Walt's sake, bring back a central fountain, possibly even surrounded by smaller water features. They cool the place off and kinetics do matter. I think descending waterfalls in front of the Walt statue would be unique to Epcot, enliven the area no end and provide even better photo ops. Yes, all this costs money. What I spent on a recent visit should cover it.

C'mon bro. YOU KNOW DEEP IN YOUR HEART THAT YOU, I and Justin Scarred need to be hired as lead Head Designer Imagineers.

You know what they could use it for when there is not a festival going on? Foot massages. EPCOT almost did me in the last time I was there.

@lighthouse_23_

Ай бұрын

They used to have sit down machines at Universal Studios by Jurassic Park where the footstand would vibrate and your feet would feel fantastic!

i think the issue is that people had a lot of anticipation for what was coming, only for it to be some pretty generic style buildings. I think you nailed it when you mentioned when they try to go for a modern or futuristic look. There definitely need to be more trees in teh parks or covered areas for shade. i love how you almost always mention living with the land. that ride inspired me so much as to what i want to do if i have a homestead

We need to talk about the empty space on Tiana's Bayou Adventure next 😂

@OffhandDisney

Ай бұрын

Video on that ALSO coming in September.

@FabioZanfir

Ай бұрын

On this topic I heard a live streamer remark " the long dark passages are what makes it a truly instant classic as this is what dark rides are all about: the immersion. The long dark parts of the ride are the best part because you get to anticipate what comes next out of the darkness."

@OffhandDisney

Ай бұрын

@@FabioZanfir Only place I agree with this is Disneyland's Pirates before you go down the first drop. Ohhh man for some reason I love that long dark hall. Haven't seen it really work in any other ride.

@FabioZanfir

Ай бұрын

@OffhandDisney I agree. I hoped the statements were sarcasm but they stuck with it. Even the lit parts of this ride ain't lit.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

​@@OffhandDisneyI got to ride Tiana's as part of a dvc member event last Wednesday. I enjoyed it. I think it's a very cute ride. The animatronics look amazing and the music is incredible. My one complaint is that I wish the shadow man and friends on the other side were a part of it. That was a huge missed opportunity.

Gosh…have to disagree about Connections and Creation. They are cold, lifeless, sterile spaces. I agree Electric Umbrella was tired but it had LIFE. I really dislike those spaces. I could close my eyes, be placed in them, open my eyes and think I was in a suburban mall food court. I know it’s subjective but that’s my opinion. CommuniCore Hall is an abomination. No more to say about that.

A mural depicting all the festivals would be real cool I think. Less “abandoned convention center”

I’ve been looking forward to you covering this! Happy Sunday D!

I actually agree that Connections is a pretty good space and should be the overall vibe for World Celebration. It’s “modern” in architecture but brought back the natural light of the old Communicore windows. It’s filled with cultural artifacts and that beautiful mural. A lot of World Celebration gardens does this well too, but some stuff, especially Communicore Hall, just looks “too mall.” You’re one of the only people I’ve seen on KZread to bring up the Gensler connection, which I think was a big influence here. Oh well. Hopefully some more trees are put in the middle of EPCOT, with a fountain, and some of the weird planters and grating is removed. That would make it marginally better. And maybe one day we’ll get an actually cool Festival Center… but I’m not holding my breath 😫

BABE WAKE UP NEW OFFHAND DISNEY VIDEO DROPPED

Disney, please stop with the statues already! It’s giving a cluttered, museum feel, which is what Walt did not want. And he was right, perhaps needless to say.

@stanfordite1

Ай бұрын

"Disneyland will sometimes be a fair, an exhibition, a playground, a community center, a MUSEUM of living facts, and a showplace of beauty and magic." Yes he did want it.

Coming from a former southwest kid: As much as you adore water and landscaping features, it might be of interest to explore how Disney manages its water. While I've little doubt that Disney has more innovation, autonomy, and even legal leeway when it comes to their water management and resources, they're still in states that struggle with water management overall-Florida, less so, but the issue of CLEAN water, particularly in storm seasons is probably still a thing. And, as much as I like the 2019 festival hall concept, my brain is preoccupied with the logistical obstacle course of getting sod and sufficient irrigation (for such a large area) to the roof. That said, I'm sad they didn't take the extrapolation of the idea to a more obvious conclusion: a skywell over a smaller interior green space with a geodesic dome marking it (and/or accommodating an impressive tree canopy) on top and mirroring Spaceship Earth. Because, all in all, the biggest issue with the current exterior is whether it's capable of reflecting any appeal of a festival inside; the interior can be dazzling, but it can't drive organic traffic.

On a positive note I love connections tbh. (Not as good as the ufo thing) but there’s so much room and I love sitting by those huge windows and people watching in the AC I do wish communicore at least had a mural like connections has.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

I like guardians! It's one of the best things to come out of Cheapek's tenure as CEO.

I was there the week that Epcot opened. If memory serves there were a lot of tech displays there to use interactively. So the cost cutting has really influenced it over the years.

The one show I really miss is Off Kilter. Those guys were so good.

I am not a fan of the new design and architecture they've been using that is so generic and not at all magical. But I feel like the Communicore Hall looks like a convention hall because it really is made to be a flex space. So I am excited to see how they use it during festivals.

The inside needs to have more OG Epcot vibes

@OffhandDisney

Ай бұрын

Just make it look like the home from Horizons and I'm sold.

@oakforestboys

Ай бұрын

@@OffhandDisney This 💯

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

​@@OffhandDisneyagreed! It looks like a conference room inside Coronado Springs.

@JeffreyPiatt

Ай бұрын

It's missing the OG carpet orange with the pavilion logo as the pattern.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

​@@JeffreyPiatt agreed. They could do it like how they decorate the odyssey pavilion for the different festivals!

I'm kinda glad the walls were still up when I was there last month. That definitely doesn't look interesting as it is. Hopefully future events will help rectify it. I do love new EPCOT overall. Had dinner at Teppan Edo and got to do Test Track 2.0 one last time before it closed down. Can't wait to see what 3.0 entails! Definitely agree it needs a fountain, though.

@OffhandDisney

Ай бұрын

More fountains! Everywhere!

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

​@@OffhandDisneyI like New Epcot overall too. Happy that test track is changing.

So early I’m helping set up the chairs

Calling Runaway Railway an E-Ticket is being far too generous. It's B at best. Yes, adding a ride rather than removing something is always a win no matter how you slice it, but I do remember some articles claiming Disney could have changed a bunch of the ride since 90% of it is video screens and they just... didn't. I can't help but feel that's kind of lame because I think we need more unique experiences for each park and not so much parity between them all.

I’m with you. I think we need to wait to see how it looks when a festival is going on. I’m hopeful (maybe delusional lol) that it will be a lot better with Food & Wine and the proceeding festivals. That said, if they’re intending to keep it open year-round instead of seasonally when a festival calls for it, there needs to be something there. It’s a huge space with air conditioning. I’m sure guests would LOVE to go in if there was an actual reason for them to. As of now, it kind of exists just for people to cool off, which is fine, but not when you spent so much time and money creating this thing. Right now, it seems like it’s kind of pointless, until it has a point. And it really won’t take much to bring people in. Seriously, in Florida heat, people want every excuse to be inside.

Look at concept art versus what happened. Supposed to have statues of figment and more colors and lights. Instead they opted for airport terminal or college cafeteria vibes. Like huh.

Where's the kiddy pool ballpit? 😂😂😂

I’ll just put this out here: Revamped Wonders of Life Pavilion. Big Hero 6 taking over Body Wars and Inside Out taking over Cranium Command. With Buzzy cameo obviously. Improves capacity and keeps them away from the Imagination Pavilion.

The front half of Epcot has been broken ever since the 1990s. They had a decent bid to fix it, but they ran out of money halfway through for a variety of compounding reasons, and this is how it ended up. I guess Jenny Nicholson's now-famous Star Wars Hotel video made a case that you can even see the compromises in what they ended up doing to Hollywood Studios, though that was a far more complete overhaul than Epcot got. This isn't even the first time this happened. There was an elaborate plan to re-do the front half of Epcot in the 90s and it shrank down to very little, I think because of the Euro Disney debacle. Mission: Space and Test Track are the remaining bits of that in the same way that Guardians is a remaining bit of this overhaul. Maybe they'll get it at some point. It probably needs Disney to be in a very different situation at the corporate level though. To be clear, the problem is about money. Look at the Tokyo resort--I was just there--that's what Disney Imagineering can still do if someone is willing to spend the money. They have the vision, they just can't get it funded because contrary to popular opinion, Disney's pockets are not infinitely deep and right now they're stretched too thin financially.

I don't mind Communicore Hall and the Future World retheme. In fact, I like what Communicore Hall is (a nice A/C space for people to chill for a half hour or so). But compared to the concept art and the construction timeline, I'll agree it's a bit of a disappointment. Still, I think there are numerous more pressing issues at WDW than this, such as the multiple abandoned stores in World Showcase, Animation Courtyard at MGM, the desperate need for increased capacity at the Magic Kingdom, and the general lack of clear vision for three out of their four theme parks in Florida.

I just don't excuse the budget cuts after COVID. Universal doubled down and has held strong on a lot of their projects. Disney jumped ship ditched the audience and took the sellout. Epcot just deserves something with 100% effort.

It's giving... 'And for another $500, you too can get 15 extra minutes in the DashCon ballpit!!' vibes.

I agree, that center planter should have been a fountain, even keeping the same design, where parts are water, parts are still plants, and the tall light poles should have been constant water squirting to the center top fountain part.

Communicore hall is wonderful. It is great to have a nice cool space to relax for a few minutes in the hot Florida afternoons. Disney is very generous to provide it. It is absolutely NOT a waste of space.

It’s an odd place to meet Mickey. Maybe they could say - hey we don’t use this space much except to sell festival tickets and merch - but Mickey is there and he should only be in immersive locations. I’m flummoxed.

@OffhandDisney, I love all your videos. You are awesome! I am a major Disney fan myself! I love watching all your videos. Keep up the great work! You rock!

As someone who has been visiting the parks way before you were even born I can say the soul of Epcot is dead. The decisions made to this park have killed it. Opening up spaces where there are connect 4 games and cornhole is not Epcot and will never be Epcot.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

I like some of the changes to Epcot. I like connections and guardians and I really like the gardens. But I hate that they got rid of the fountain of nations. And Communicore Hall is a waste.

Commune-eye-soar Hall, :) Really interesting to see that the architecture firm actually has some really cool buildings out there. That throws a whole different dynamic into this then just blaming that company. I think with a little bit of money and a whole lot of creativity Disney can make this into something special. Disney needs to start running like Universal is chasing them....because they are. I'm hoping the realization that Disney actually has competition now will motivate some beautiful things to be made in the Disney Parks in the near future. Less new Star Wars shows, more amazing park stuff.

Festival space and meet and greets are needed. It looks similar to 80’s Communicore, just add more references or some actual classic Communicore exhibits to the space. SMRT-1 meet and greet!

Inoventions music slaps. Its one of my go to Disney parks music to listen when doing homework or chores.

For Communicore hall I think that they could have some nice murals on the walls that could be utilized for festivals with projectors projecting projections themed to what will be showcased in the festival. I think that that would be cool. Also there could be some quick service/ food carts near or in communicore hall when there’s no festival happening, it could even have semi experimental foods or something.

@KforFreedom

Ай бұрын

I love the idea of using projections to add some color/Life to the space. Plus this could be easily changed

They really made a mistake opening it without a festival going on. They should have just taken down the walls so you could see the outside but build up anticipation for the first festival. I really hope there's more festival stuff centrally located. Theres lots of room to sit and eat in Epcot central now so you dont have to eat on top of the trash cans. I do wish they would have kept the fountain. The fountain was central to Epcot when it opened with waters from all over the world being added. They really missed an opportunity to update it and have a grand re-opening with waters from everywhere being added again.

@KforFreedom

Ай бұрын

Agree, can't wait to see how it functions with a festival. I hope more festival is brought forward into this space where there are actually tables to eat, drink & relax at

As someone who is trapped in California, both by work and budget, I've only been able to vicariously experience Communicore Hall, and it is embarrassingly under-themed. Not quite what you'd want from a Disney product, but they kept both floors open of our Innoventions when they had NOTHING in most of that space upstairs, so it's exactly what I'd expect from them. That being said, I saw a post on Twitter of someone playing solitaire at one of the tables, and an artist had responded to that essentially saying "I'm going to plan a trip to Epcot JUST to paint in here all day!" So it's kind of interesting to watch some folks get angry at a COMMUNAL space in the park called "Experimental Prototype COMMUNITY Of Tomorrow." There's also the fact that, while Epcot is the chillest park on the planet, it's a space where folks can get away from the chaos (and the heat) outside if they get overstimulated.

@KforFreedom

Ай бұрын

Agree, it's a bit too bland to be starting off with, but let's see how it evolves. It seems like a useful place for guests to take a little rest & looking forward to it's use in festivals

@ct6852

Ай бұрын

EPCOT was always kind of known for being un-Disney. As a kid I didn't even know it was the same company.

So to correct you, the old Innoventions West was completely demolished. Nothing was kept. They actually tore down the whole Southern part before the Northern section. I'm not sure if the basement stayed or not tho.

You are legitimately hilarious. Even your ad spot is funny. Well done!

EPCOT is a prime example of Bob Iger overpromising and underdelivering, a business model Disney has been employing at least since Galaxy’s Edge.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

Iger may have had something to do with it but to me I blame Cheapek and the pandemic.

Communicore looks like a great spot to wait out a rain storm. That’s about it

It looks like a crappy knock off IKEA warehouse 😂

The Cope is so strong with this one. You know Journey Into Your Imagination, Mission Space, Food Rocks/ Soarin', N' Test Track(don't get your hopes up 4 that one) have always been trash. Took my girlfriend 2 Epcot talkin it up as best park in the world. She got sick on Mission Space n' Flashbang at the end of what we call "Lack of Imaginition" zoned her out. She said' "I don't get why you love this place so much". I had to take her home and show her 1996-97 Epcot rides, n' she was like, "Ohhhhh, I get it now, why did they get rid of this stuff and replace it with that?" Her words have haunted me ever since.

@mutecryptid

Ай бұрын

I saw a video explaining showing how corporate meddled with things in order to force these changes. Like changing the path layout so a ride suddenly isn’t bringing people in like it used to. They also have the data that people don’t like the replacements but they do not care. As an artist it’s insanely haunting

communicore hall has air conditioning, plenty of room to sit., no additional cost. When it’s 95 degrees outside it’s the best building in Epcot.

@purplefern6010

Ай бұрын

I mean...it could have done that without being boring and ugly though.

I missed the old hallway where I drank my club cool slushy, glad we got it back

The internet is not forgiving. Disney made huge mistakes with Epcot for sure. Is it the end of the world for Epcot like all the comments would have you believe? No. People forget and move on. Does it make Epcot more appealing? No. I don't want any spaces to look like boring office spaces or school cafeterias. Disney does have the ability to wow...I think Star Wars and Toy Story land at Hollywood Studios are very impressive (albeit, IP-reliant). But it feels like there is too much internal conflict happening within the company that we get these fairly nice looking concepts in the form of art boards or models...only to be turned into an empty space. Even if it's just for festivals, Disney NEEDS to add some color to the walls/ceilings, add some artwork, add some murals...make the space more intimate. I don't think a few food stalls set up there during F&W festival is gonna change that.

My uninformed and pure speculation: The area of World Celebration is functionally temporary. By temporary I mean that in a decade, replacing most of what was rolled out this summer to a grander plan. This isn't a plan befitting of a 20+ year lifespan, but great for a ~10 year plan. I do like the look of the park! If this was a municipal park, it would be amazing and perhaps award winning. The pushback I feel is that it doesn't feel uniquely Disney/EPCOT to folks. Ironic for a city of the future, I know. I'm also with you that Comuunicore Hall can't be judged until a festival is in there. At least the space is open during off-season for guests. Perhaps after the next festival, someone will have come up with an idea and plan to have something small but special in the space for off-season.

Yes to making the planter (that resembles female anatomy to me) into a fountain! Also, convert Polynesian planter to a fountain too! More fountains!

@lighthouse_23_

Ай бұрын

The Polynesian planter WAS a massive fountain. It was so so cool.

It’s always refreshing to see your thoughtful comments and utilization of other Disney projects as examples for what could be better! PS: This is a message for Magic Candle Company. Please keep supporting Offhand because it’s working!!! I’m a universal pass holder and every time I see a MCC candle around universal it is always Offhand’s voice in my head reminding me how great y’all’s candles are 😂

it feels that CommuniCORE is suppose to be a blank canvas during the off seasons so it will be easier to chage for the festivals, and instead of it becoming another Wonders of Life, they just decided to keep it open year round. Should it have muarls? aye. but then it'd look too busy when the festival stuff comes in. The building is propbably housing a bunch of merch storage+culinary space in anticipation of the festivals.

@KforFreedom

Ай бұрын

Another commentor suggested having some projections in there. That would be a way to add some changeable interest. Also, maybe some light old Epcot music, would be pleasing. Nothing makes me happier than the Illuminations music

Something that I think the current Communicore Hall might be good for is kind of a low-sensory, “decompression” area. Disney Parks are amazing but they also throw a lot of colors and sounds at you all at once and for a good amount of people that can be overwhelming. I think having these quieter, less colorful areas to just kind of chill and calm down before heading back out can be really useful! However, I also need to acknowledge that this idea is absolutely not what the space is intended for, and when looking at it as a festival space as intended, it very obviously falls flat.

@purplefern6010

Ай бұрын

I think you're right and that could have been a good angle for the space. It's becoming increasingly common for museums and theme parks and such to include some sensory rooms that have fidgets or mats and things, and I can't see that it would have been too expensive to give it at least a little whimsy. Along those lines, would it have really have broken the bank to throw in some sensory experiences or something? You know, like you see at Children's museums all the time, the giant pin boards, some interactive buttons, bubble columns or something.

I don’t hate the doctor office but I understand why people don’t like it. Though at the same time it’s a nice place if a family or anyone has the heat gets to um a bit or just generally wanna rest. I understand holding the company accountable but some people are a little crazy with the, this is the end of Disney and all that. Still though good video and always glad you try to keep a positive outbeat and not just outright scream at a camera lol

So sad the fountain of Nations is gone😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😮😢😢😮😢 Also comunicore hall before was better before. I always used as a breezeway with air-conditioning.

I think disney had more in mind but ever since Covid hit, the project was kinda ruined.

@OffhandDisney

Ай бұрын

Yeah, it's super sad that the plans got cut.

@EspressoAmòr

Ай бұрын

@@OffhandDisney totally.

@kdusel1991

Ай бұрын

​@@EspressoAmòrI blame covid and Cheapek

It reminds me of a college lunchroom space

I bet they’re holding back the theming and dramatic lighting for the festivals / exhibits. It really does match the concept art, it’s just empty with all the lights on…