Magic Kingdom's 35 Anniversary

I think what's nice about Epcot is that they're turning it into a park that not only emphasizes the "edutainment" concept that Walt was really keen on, but is also throwing in high-concept rides like Test Track that, even if they are a bit intense for some people, are definitely helping draw people through the gates.

However, Peabody is spot-on with his assessment: Soarin' is a HUGE asset to Epcot. I just recently came back from an 8-day stay, and Soarin' and Test Track consistently had the longest lines of any ride in the part -- even Mission: Space was a walk-on with Test Track just next door and Soarin' across the park each carrying 45-90 minute lines.

Of course, I think Mission: Space is suffering from the fact that every three seconds, they're reminding riders that the ride is going to get you unbelievably sick and that if you have the slightest trepidation at all you shouldn't ride. While my mom and I each rode it and neither of us had any motion sickness -- we were both, however, REALLY messed up in the head for a little while -- that's not exactly the way to get people enthusiastically coming back to ride. But I suppose that's how it's gotta be.

As I see it, Epcot is not, and never was, a "theme park". In my mind I see it more as a humongous (sp?) outdoor museuem. Epcot's a really cool place for nerds and adults (I resemble both remarks) but I bet kids are less inclined to like it. That being said, I dont want to see coasters and such there. I like the way that it is...as an interactive museum.

Like Dave said, Soarin was great and a wonderful addition. Midday during our Saturday visit, while the line for test trast was estimatied @ 40minutes, the line for Soarin clocked in at over 200(!) minutes and by then, all the fastpasses were gone (luckily, I was smart enough to snag fastpasses as *soon* as we entered the park =]).

The next "E-ticket" that I'd like to see at Epcot is perhaps something along the lines of Storm Rider from DisneySea. I think they could make that fit in somewhere. The Living Seas area seems to be the best fit, but they have Nemo new over there so who knows.

lata, jeremy

Here is the list:

epcot.....sorin over california

mgm......car stunt show

m/k.......cinderellabration

animal....expidition everest

Crazyhorse: That's for this year...we're talking about the 35th, which will be next year.

2hostyl: I couldn't agree more....I love your thoughts one the park, and the idea of Storm Runner (perhaps also in the land?) is good as well. I think many of the DisneySea attractions would have good homes somewhere at WDW. (Journey to the Center of the Earth :) )

I will be sorry to see Wonders of life go. I really enjoyed Cranium Command the one time I saw it.

The "outdoor museum" comment makes sense. And, in a way, I can see Epcot drifting away from that.

It seems that the original Epcot pavilions had a number of attractions within them- some major, some not-so-major. With restaurants, exhibits, movies and whatnot, they often seemed like their own little self-contained theme parks. The newer "pavilions" aren't really pavilions at all- they are merely E-ticket attractions without any of the "fluff" that made the original pavilions time-consuming attractions.

That said, I think that Mission: Space and Test Track are two of the best thrill rides that Disney has ever come up with and the fact that they are completely unique to Epcot is the icing on the cake. Are they desperate attempts to get kids interested in Epcot? Absolutely. But as long as things like Soarin' and the proposed Finding Nemo darkride are added to existing pavilions to keep them fresh, I don't see the thrilling E-tickets as a problem.