Epcot Entertainment Being Refreshed, Long Time Acts Being Replaced

Thanks, Cindy! Can't get more official than that!

Have no idea what the new shows in Italy and Canada are all about and they do not sound interesting to me, but might interest kids. I think the new entertainment in Morocco is more authentic to Moroccan culture than Mo Rockin was (was not a fan of that show) and will stop to watch that. I will wait to reserve judgement about the Celtic folk music group.

I agree, Carol. Just said the same thing about the lumberjack thing to someone else.

I am impressed with the quick announcement by Disney. Amazing how one person with an inside source broke this on Twitter last night and it blew up.

Carol;2430904 wrote: Oh yeah. A lumberjack show. I can hardly wait.

Ditto. This is sad news. I am surprised about Off Kilter, to be honest. Every time I'm at Canada during their shows it's standing room only. This is too bad.

And, in the official announcement we get an "and more" only but no specific information on what, if anything, will replace Fife and Drum Corps.
Sigh.

Awww. I'm kind of sad too. Those are good acts. But, we have seen them several times, and the idea of something new is pretty exciting. I'm looking forward to some new things to see on the next trip! :mickey:

Wow! I am totally bummed about Fife and Drum Corps. That group added so much to the old American feel of the pavilion. So sorry that I missed them on our last trip.

Also sad about Off Kilter. My hubby, father in law, and 4 of my brother in laws had a blast watching them last year. Always a nice crowd there.

Carol;2430904 wrote: Oh yeah. A lumberjack show. I can hardly wait.

Pretty embarrassing from a Canadian point of view. Yeah, that's all we do up here in Canada, that and live in tents. What's next igloo building and ice fishing? :rolleyes:

buzznwoodysmom;2430928 wrote: Wow! I am totally bummed about Fife and Drum Corps. That group added so much to the old American feel of the pavilion. So sorry that I missed them on our last.

Yeah, with the replacement of the colonial era CM costumes a few years back, not a lot of the old-timey feel left.

Melanie;2430931 wrote: Yeah, with the replacement of the colonial era CM costumes a few years back, not a lot of the old-timey feel left.

I agree! I loved that "stepping back in time" feel the pavilion did so well.

Maybe they can get Monty Python, since their show is finished, to perform "The Lumberjack Song" as accompaniment.

I may be the only one to say this - but it's time. Love the acts - but ALL of EPCOT needs a facelift and a complete rethinking of what it's trying to be as a theme park.

From it's more than decade old nighttime show, aging entertainment and attractions, to the shell that remains of future world, to the singular focus of "events" rather than long term planning... things are in a sad state right now. It's a decade of resting on your laurels and penny pinching on refurbishments - along with closing whole pavilions.

Think about it - Imagination, Wonders of Life, Energy and Seas (along with I argue Innoventions) all need a refurb/rethink/redo. And quite frankly, despite it being my favorite ride after Horizons closed, the whole end of Spaceship Earth is atrocious and needs to be redone. And Mission Space - while the concept is nice is really a flop, but I'll give a pass on that. Oh , and the front of the park - HORRIBLE. All the leave a legacy stuff needs to go.

There is SO MUCH that needs work in this park. To quote Melanie when we chatted moments ago - Epcot really needs a DCA complete do over. It's really gotten that bad.

I sincerely hope this is just the start but I won't hold my breath.

To those upset at the changes in entertainment, they all had a pretty good run.

I agree with John on this one. Disney has a bad habit of keeping some things (particularly entertainment offerings and fireworks shows) WAY too long. It would be nice to have new stuff to look forward to more often. I know these musical acts have a strong, almost cult, following, but personally, I am tired of seeing/hearing the same old same old at Epcot. Maybe they will refresh Illuminations next, as it is past due for an update as well.

I see this as them actually doing something to address the staleness at Epcot. Any forward progress is good.

And, for the record, I think a lumberjack show in Canada might actually draw my family into the pavilion. That is something we've never seen and holds infinitely more appeal than Off Killter, to me anyway, and to my kids.

I'm not going to complain just to complain about change. John's points are quite valid. I think for a lot of us we develop favorite memories at WDW and don't like those memories to change. But, it's just time to make some new memories. :mickey:

Yes, I will miss the Showcase Players and Off Kilter, as well as the Fife and Drum Corps, but let's give Disney some credit here....were all of you excited back when those shows *started* their runs? Of course not. You probably thought, "A rock band with an electric bagpipe? That's just stupid!" But then we listened and loved it.

Give the new entertainment a chance. I'm sure that they put some thought into it. We might be bemoaning these new guys ten years from now when they're due to be replaced.

I am really bummed. I mean what was better than enjoying a drink and Off-Kilter?

I get that Epcot needs a major overhaul. Future world looks right out the 80's. There are just those things that make your Epcot day a good one, and that you enjoy!

Julie:mickey: