2. Cultural touchstones and historical context

There are certain moments that define a generation. The sum total of these moments works its way into the collective unconscious and becomes  the shared remembrance that ultimately creates our account of history. No breakthrough in understanding exists in a vacuum. Every human achievement was influenced by what had come before, as well as the cultural zeitgeist that existed in that time and place. What is yet to come will be in large part determined by the complex interplay of decisions that are occurring here and now.

Pretty heavy stuff for a theme park, yet Epcot’s original attractions conveyed this idea in a way that felt exciting and inspiring rather than heavy-handed or moralistic. Placing concepts for the future against the backdrop of what has already occurred provides context and meaning, as well as making the ideas feel more tangible.

3. Nostalgia and experience continuity

While I certainly don’t think Epcot should become a museum or a time capsule, the ever-changing nature of the future makes Future World the ideal place to establish continuity for repeat guests. It’s hard to capture history while you are living it day by day, but stepping back a bit puts everything in perspective. How cool would it be to watch the digital age unfold through your trips to Epcot? What if the original Image Works was still there, but now featured a combination of “1982-futuristic” activities, such as drawing with light pens, alongside whatever the Imagineers could invent for the future that now lies “just ahead”? Tracking the evolution of “the future” through the eyes of the Imagineers would add a whole new dimension to repeat trips that just can’t be matched by your umpteenth ride on Soarin’.

What do you think? Is there a place for the past inside Future World? How would you solve the problem of its current dated and mish-mashed experiences? We welcome your thoughts in the comments!