Guest Relations
Page 1 of 1

Community of Tomorrow

As any Disney enthusiast knows, Epcot is far from the "Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow" envisioned by Walt Disney.

For one thing, nobody actually lives there … save for the little elves in the Maelstrom ride in the Norway portion of the World Showcase.

The original vision of a utopian community would have cost more than the national debt or Bill Gates' tax bill, leaving the reasonable downgrade we see today.

I'm not sure whether it's because it differs from Disney's original vision or the fact that it is the least "child-friendly" of the Disney parks, but Epcot always seems to get a bum rap.

The Millennium Celebration and the addition last year of Test Track are efforts to help get rid of the criticism Epcot seems to get. Count me as one of the people who doesn't understand why Epcot got a bad reputation in the first place.

Granted, Epcot is the Magic Kingdom grown-up. While an adult will stand fascinated by the feathered stilt-walkers of Mexico, the kids will still be crying for Donald Duck.

I could understand parents having trouble with their toddler dosing off. At the same time, that may be the fault of parents who hype up Epcot for its rides to their kids, when Epcot is a show-heavy park.

What they may be stealing away is the education that Epcot can bring to their children ... Not only in learning about the world around them, but learning about the world they will face in the future. Kids should be told to expect It's a Small World on a large scale, not just a chance to ride a car really fast on Test Track.

Still, I come from the perspective of going to Epcot as an adult with an adult. For us, Epcot proved to be the best of the Walt Disney World parks. I was thrilled with being able to go Jules Verne a couple of days better and travel the world in one day.

Having spent a lot of time in Great Britain myself, I was impressed with the detail just in the England Pavilion. Save for the high humidity and lack of clouds in the sky, I could have sworn I was walking down the streets near my grandmum's home in Newbridge, Wales. I figured if this was authentic, the rest must be.

The World Showcase alone made Epcot a highlight for me. Future World was a nice extra touch.

Besides, if you want to take a ride with Peter Pan, Fantasyland is just a monorail ride away.

Mouseke-mail: There's been a lot of talk lately about head honcho Michael Eisner's e-mails to all the cast members within the vast Disney conglomerate.

Many felt it was a nice touch to have Eisner's doors wide open, even if the e-mails were nothing more than Eisner touting his field trips to Disney attractions.

I hate to be the one to break the fantasy some may have, especially Disney fantasy, but I have it on good authority that it isn't Eisner writing the e-mails. His speechwriter is.

My source adds, however, that the real Eisner is actually a "nice guy."

Thus, if you feel any animosity towards Eisner - as most people feel towards big corporate bosses - just remember that his speechwriter is really the meannie.

More Mouse Tales: The source also told me that television's Mouseworks will soon have a big makeover, including a new name.

I felt a little cause for concern, considering that Mouseworks has been a great throwback to the Disney animated shorts of old. Mickey Mouse seems hip again.

"Not to worry," the source told me. The spirit of the animated shorts themselves will be maintained. The overhaul will be to the filler between the shorts.

In place of those computerized mechanical wheels will be introductions to the shorts by the characters themselves.

Disney feels that this will be a little more kid-friendly. I feel it will be a great addition to the show and make the show a little less, well, mechanical. The mouse works without the mouseworks, I always say.

Something Disney Fans Would Like to See: Julie Andrews reprise her Mary Poppins role for an episode of the Wonderful World of Disney.

Something Disney Fans Would Not Like to See: Jett Jackson Meets Sabrina, the Teenage Witch on Wonderful World of Disney.

Harriss Rules: As seen with the re-hab of Pirates of the Caribbean and the increased upkeep and theming around the park in general, the first year for Disneyland under Cynthia Harriss has been a return from the dark ages of Paul Presser.

Everything about Harriss can be said by the picture she posed for in an article for the Orange County Register.

Twirling around in a tea cup? Do you really think Paul Presser would ever be caught dead in a tea cup … even without a camera.

Disneyland is finally being run again by somebody who likes Disneyland.

What if It Was Not a Disney Movie: The Insider would be made by another studio and detail a day in the life of Michael Eisner's speechwriter.

Controversy would ensue when the speechwriter sends out an e-mail supposedly from Eisner saying, "You know, I've come to the realization that Light Magic was lame after all."

Until next time … There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.