O noes! The theme is gone!

Here's a fairly ridiculous take on WDW being "de-themed." It's pretty hilarious to suggest that the Electric Umbrella had a theme. The general criticism about Epcot seems pretty silly to me. I think it looks fantastic, and not 80's sci-fi.

Reminds me of crazy McDonald’s going to sterile McDonalds.

The idea that Epcot switched from a real futuristic city to a theme park only because Walt died is an interesting take.

From the article: "Electric Umbrella had talking trash cans. Connections Café has ZERO talking trash cans."

This has to be satire, no?

Jeff:

The general criticism about Epcot seems pretty silly to me. I think it looks fantastic, and not 80's sci-fi.

I couldn't agree more. I have fond memories of Epcot growing up but the idea of "future world" makes zero sense when entire industries are being transformed in years, or even months. The concept of EPCOT has changed drastically since it opened but that doesn't mean it's a lesser experience. Far from it. Personally, I enjoy it more than any of the other Florida Disney parks.

I'm the first to admit I can be overly nostalgic about the way things were when I was growing up. I have many fond memories of aspects of WDW that are gone or have drastically changed. I get where this piece is coming from. It looks different now than it did when the author first saw it. That can be weird.

That said, I don't think I have ever given a thought about or become wistful about Electric Umbrella.

Hahaha right? I used to take my kid there for a "boys' night" since they had mac and cheese, one of his staples, but it's not something I would do now. I might not be typical though, because I'm not super nostalgic about many things at all. I don't listen to the music I did in high school, and no time in my life was better than now.

People also have memories colored by nostalgia or some other cognitive dissonance (see also: this year's election). Pre-makeover Epcot had two exhibit halls that had less and less over time as sponsorships waned. Things like video calls to dining reservation agents (remember that?) have long since been replaced by calls via cell phones, and then apps on phones. The Universe of Energy promoted a renewable future, now half of the resort is powered by solar. We don't really have a future-looking showcase to base half of a park on anymore because the future came.

Jeff:

some other cognitive dissonance (see also: this year's election)

I think the dissonance was less cognitive and more candidative.

Only if you believe that there was some kind of moral equivalence argument to be made. Having to choose between a criminal and a prosecutor doesn't seem like a real logical conundrum.

Bring back the Disney E tickets. I miss them from when I was 8.

Jeff:

Having to choose between a criminal and a prosecutor doesn't seem like a real logical conundrum.

One would think. Funny how both parties continually nominate candidates atrocious enough for it to become a logical conundrum to some of us.

I'm trying to wrap my head around how anyone can miss Electric Umbrella without being self-consciously ironic. Here's a line from I'd consider to be a reasonably representative review:

it looks like the early 1990s threw up inside Electric Umbrella, both in terms of style and the apparent age of the place.

A lot of Disney "fans" crap all over Connections, but I feel like it's a massive improvement over Electric Umbrella both in atmosphere and food quality.

Vater:

both parties continually nominate candidates atrocious enough

I'd love to know what the bar is that's below felon who tried to overthrow the government. Again, there's no moral equivalence here.

In your opinion. Not going to further a debate on this because it never goes anywhere except in circles, but obviously more than half the voting public felt similarly.

Damn, did the cult get Vater too?

Edit: Got told this was my 1000th post, that sort of depressing, I could have done better.

Vater's political opinions are not exactly news. (Then again, neither are Jeff's nor mine.)

Jeff:

I'd love to know what the bar is that's below felon who tried to overthrow the government.

Apparently, it's "Candidate who we don't feel can do the job as effectively (in whatever way) as the felon that tried to overthrow the government."

I mean, it happened. We know what the bar is. It may not be your bar, but we've established that. Repeatedly.

Again, there's no moral equivalence here.

Well, then I have to assume that the majority of voters didn't either:

1. Vote for a candidate's morality
2. Share your measure of morality
3. Some degree of both

That's all I got. (and, honestly, it's too much, and I'm seriously reconsidering hitting "Submit reply" as I sit here typing...)

TheMillenniumRider:

Damn, did the cult get Vater too?

Brian Noble:
Vater's political opinions are not exactly news.

They’re apparently news to anyone who thinks the “cult” “got me.”

I've long wished a cult would recruit me.

Best I've ben able to do so far is CoasterBuzz.

Honestly I don't even remember what the Electric Umbrella was.

Lord Gonchar:

I've long wished a cult would recruit me.