What about the cultural exchange? 

Image: Brittany DiCologero

If you ask me, the cultural exchange, which was the other major part of Epcot's design, is alive and well... and quite possibly expanding and serving its purpose better than its Future World counterpart. When Walt Disney presented his community version of Epcot to the public in 1966, an area similar to World Showcase would have existed near the city's center.  Walt was fascinated with the idea that we would all be able to learn from other cultures, and a permanent world's fair was always part of the original plan. 

Today, guests are able to walk around World Showcase Lagoon, and experience different cultures through dining, activities, shopping, and entertainment. On hand, are cast members who are from each country, and are happy to speak with guests and teach them about where they come from.  

Since Epcot was initially designed, a number of improvements have been made to World Showcase that help pursue the park's message to guests. The exhibits located inside each country's pavilion have improved over the years, and the Flower and Garden and Food and Wine Festivals have given guests ways of experiencing countries that are not permanently a part of World Showcase while also bringing in more food and garden designs from the existing countries.  

How do characters fit in? 

Image: Disney

As you might know, from watching film footage of Walt Disney with his original plans for Epcot, or simply from visiting the park in years past, characters did not always have as much of a presence in World Showcase as they do today. The involvement of characters within World Showcase is often a divisive issue among Disney fans, however in general I do not think they detract from the theme of World Showcase.  

Meeting Disney characters might not be something you'd expect at a world's fair of sorts, however Disney is an entertainment company that caters to families, and as a result I see no issue with them being involved in World Showcase. I can understand why some are bothered by certain specifics, like placing Aladdin in Jasmine in Morocco, where they are actually from Agrabah, which is completely fictional and therefore obviously not located in Morocco. Regardless, as long as the characters are not dominating the pavilion, and the major takeaway for guests is that they were able to experience the country by interactive and accurate experiences, the occasional inclusion of characters in an attraction or a meet and greet do not detract from the pavilions. 

However, the idea of characters in the World Showcase has of course taken on increased significance as the film Frozen, which is set in the fictional land of Arrendale, now has not only a ride but a meet and greet as well in the Norway pavilion. Since Norway is only one part of World Showcase, and I cannot think of any major faults with the rest of area, I do not think that the park has moved too far away from its original intention. Young children, who sometimes do not get as much out of Epcot as their adult counterparts do, welcome the additions of characters, and while I dislike the Frozen takeover of an entire pavilion, it is not difficult to understand why these changes are coming. I can still interact with Cast Members from Norway, and visit the shops. The bakery is still one of my favorite places to visit, as I can snack on authentic Norwegian items, and although also a character experience, Akershus is a fun way to experience some Norwegian cuisine as well. 

Inspiring guests to make connections 

While I would not disagree with anyone who says that Epcot could use a little updating, in fact I'm hoping it's next in line after Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, I would not worry that the park has moved away from the intentions Card Walker spoke of in 1982. We as a society have become so attached to technology as it has become easier to acquire, which simply means that we expect more in terms of futuristic ideas to "wow" us than we did when the park opened.  

Guests need to be entertained while being educated if the original Epcot concept would work in any sense, and so far this plan has been a success. We might need to put a little bit more effort into actually getting ourselves to walk through the different exhibits in World Showcase, or taking part in some of the post-shows at Spaceship Earth or Journey into Imagination, but it will be worth it.   

Walt Disney once said, "Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future." Changing for the future might mean leaving some of our nostalgic theme park memories at the expense of new and different experiences. These kinds of changes can be unfamiliar to us, but as long as we do not remain too attached to the nostalgia, at least in our present impressions of the parks, we should be primarily seeing an Epcot that succeeds in serving as inspiring us in future endeavors.  

Many Epcot attractions, even in World Showcase like the American Adventure for instance, remind us how important understanding the past is for a successful future. Next time you visit Epcot, take a minute on your way into the park, and stop to read the dedication plaque on more time. Without dwelling on things like the Dreamfinder-less version of Journey into Imagination, see for yourself if the beliefs outlined in Card Walker's speech still ring true as a guest visiting the theme park in the present day.