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Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Sure, there were/are some of Epcot’s original design elements that were/are lovely. But the overall look and feel of Future World was Brutalist—at least as I understand the term.

I’m with you on the proliferation of IP. Many folks don’t believe me when I tell them that all of the characters were banished from Epcot when it first opened. Aside from Figment and Dreamfinder (developed specifically for the park) there wasn’t any IP to be found.

Solarpunk?” Hadn’t heard that one before. Nice!

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Sep 21, 2023Liked by Arthur Levine

"Brutalist" methinks you are being too harsh. Spaceship Earth is a thing of beauty with the Alucabond finish being not just new, but very pretty. And the Imagination Pavilion's glass triangles felt like the future. Energy Pavilion with solar panels when that was still fairly novel?

But point taken about it aging and being kinda antiseptic, especially Communicore, and lord, lacking shade. :)

I've resigned myself to Epcot being taken over fully by IP, that said, greenery, shade, water and interactivity all sound like a wonderful change. A lot of what you describe in interactive water features reminds me of all the second story interactivity in the Imagination Pavilion, with hopefully a longer lifespan and more durability.

"Future World" taking on a more solarpunk aesthetic, with more nature, more greenery, but still the inspirational aspects would be a great turn to invigorate that part of the park. If we have to get characters in there for it to happen so be it. But there's still opportunities for the spirit of the park to be preserved while appeasing the suits with IP (A Big Hero 6 "Innovations Pavilion" perhaps?)

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