[downsouthtigger]

Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone had any info on whats going on at Epcot. UoE had its sponsorship dropped, since Exxon left. And we've all seen what happens when a pavillion loses it's sponsorship. R.I.P Horizons..... we all miss you!
I heard from another thread that the AT&T global neighborhood is being taken out or redone or something. Wonders of life pavillion is now seasonal! Plus we've been trying to get spain as a new pavillion in world showcase for I don't know how long. They really do go all out during food and wine festival, it always feels like they just add their own little pavillion!
Being on the inside I get nothing but positive news, go figure huh? So I was just wondering if anyone out there knew anything. Epcot's one of my fave parks, but I don't know where it's going anymore!

[MissDisney]

Probably just another effect of a tough financial world finanacial situation and a tense global political atmosphere... but recovey is on the way! Hang in there, and everything will bounce back! (Spoken like a true cheerleader with a crystal ball, I know, but I believe it!)

[Disnatic]

I think when I was there in December of 02 they had a temporary Spain Pavilion but when I had come back the following April it was gone.

[MerlinMatt]

I'm being a little facecious when I suggest that Comcast might end up being an Epcot sponsor, but stranger things have happened.

As mentioned in other posting, such is the life of corporate America. The ability of companies to sponsor concepts like this will come and go.

Here's my prediction: When the Disney leadership thing gets settled, I'd expect that Disney will do a huge corporate sponsor campaign which will help define the future for the "Communicore/Innoventions" area, Wonders of Life, Ellen's adventure as well as the World Pavillion.

Corporate sponsors expect this type of sponsorship to generate interest in the company and potentially fuel additional sales/revenue. GM stays there for obvious reasons as does Nestle and Kodak. For others, it's a bit of a reach.

But, I'm confident that within the next 2 years, most if not all of these issues will be answered for at least a period of a few years.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see some additional sponsorship over in MK, which really does need some spit and polish.

It's all good. :)

[DisneyHog6]

Originally posted by Matt McDonnell
I'm being a little facecious when I suggest that Comcast might end up being an Epcot sponsor, but stranger things have happened.

As mentioned in other posting, such is the life of corporate America. The ability of companies to sponsor concepts like this will come and go.

Here's my prediction: When the Disney leadership thing gets settled, I'd expect that Disney will do a huge corporate sponsor campaign which will help define the future for the "Communicore/Innoventions" area, Wonders of Life, Ellen's adventure as well as the World Pavillion.

Corporate sponsors expect this type of sponsorship to generate interest in the company and potentially fuel additional sales/revenue. GM stays there for obvious reasons as does Kraft and Kodak. For others, it's a bit of a reach.

But, I'm confident that within the next 2 years, most if not all of these issues will be answered for at least a period of a few years.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see some additional sponsorship over in MK, which really does need some spit and polish.

It's all good. :)

Very well stated Matt. You obviously have some insight into this subject. I agree with you. I would compare it to NASCAR sponserships. For anyone here who is a NASCAR fan, then you know that sponserships come and go in NASCAR, and it's usually not a direct reflection of the team, or in Epcot's case, attraction. Just because a company pulls it's sponsorship, that doesn't mean the team/attraction is performing poorly. Usually, it's just the company's choice to spend that money is some different way that they feel they would reap better rewards. So I wouldn't take the loss of a sponsership as a neccessarily bad thing, although I do agree that the life expectancy of an attraction is longer with a sponser.

With that said, I find it odd that Exxon pulled their sponsership. They have been the sponser for UoE for as long as I can remember. Who knows, mabye Disney can get another fuel company to take over.

[mickaholic4077]

When did Exxon/Mobil pull its sponshorship of Ellen's Energy Adventure?

[Screever]

Our bus made a stop at Epcot before it took us to MGM last week....I saw an enormous crane in what I think was the Living Seas/The Land area! What's happening there? Anybody know??

A Spain pavilion would be so cool, I've always wanted to go to the real country :) . Hopefully they won't take out Mexico in order to make room! :cry: I know nobody goes on that ride but thats the beauty of it all!!

[MerlinMatt]

With the merger of ExxonMobil, the marketing teams needed to merge, regroup and set a new agenda. Mobil has not traditionally been as market-friendly as Exxon. Mobil guys tend to be technology purists.. "if you build it they will come" and don't usually rely on what the engineers would consider tangental marketing.. ie, sponsorship of a Disney ride. Mobil likes to focus on things like "SpeedPass" which makes it easier to purchase their fuel and use their MobilMart.

In any case, I actually wouldn't be surprised if ExxonMobil got back into the mix. With Sunoco taking the NASCAR sponsorship, I would expect that Shell and ExxonMobil will try to make some marketing noise.

So, here are my predictions:
- Living Seas will close within the next 5 years. I don't think UT is getting anything out of it. It's really a sad old exhibit that hasn't really been updated for quite a while. There really aren't any logical sponsors out there, so it's a good candidate for getting axed. (I also think the restaurant is one of the most over-rated throughout WDW)

- Microsoft will enter the picture. How or when, I'm not sure.

- A communications giant will get involved. I think Comcast might actually try to partner with Disney instead of taking them over.

- The next country: Australia. I have no basis for saying this. It's just that Spain has been rumored for so long... Australia frankly would have more to offer.

- New sponsors: Pharmeceutical or Biotech industry, or a combination of the two.

Welcome to my crystal ball. :)

[MerlinMatt]

Originally posted by mickaholic4077
When did Exxon/Mobil pull its sponshorship of Ellen's Energy Adventure?

About 2 weeks ago. The contract expired and ExxonMobil chose not to renew.

[MickeyMamma]

Originally posted by Screever
Our bus made a stop at Epcot before it took us to MGM last week....I saw an enormous crane in what I think was the Living Seas/The Land area! What's happening there? Anybody know??

A Spain pavilion would be so cool, I've always wanted to go to the real country :) . Hopefully they won't take out Mexico in order to make room! :cry: I know nobody goes on that ride but thats the beauty of it all!!

I heard 2 things with regards to this.

At the Living Seas, I heard that they have been revamping the ride to be more Nemo themed. They have already added the theming to the exhibit and exterior of the ride.

As for adding Spain, they have been talking about that since EPCOT opened. The original plan was to add more countries every few years.

And just for the record, I LIKE the Mexico boat ride. I think it is adorable.

In terms of the sponsorships, I am not too worried. Do you remember when we had the GE Carousel of Progress and it was the RCA Space Mountain?

I just hope that in their desire to add more thrill rides that they do not forget about the calmer more peaceful rides that alot of us go there for.

[Screever]

- Living Seas will close within the next 5 years. I don't think UT is getting anything out of it. It's really a sad old exhibit that hasn't really been updated for quite a while. There really aren't any logical sponsors out there, so it's a good candidate for getting axed. (I also think the restaurant is one of the most over-rated throughout WDW)

Nooooo not the Living Seas!!!!!! Say it ain't so! *falls to knees, sobbing* MickeyMamma, I hope you're right! :cry:

- Microsoft will enter the picture. How or when, I'm not sure.

Bill Gates and Michael Eisner joining forces? :dazed

- A communications giant will get involved. I think Comcast might actually try to partner with Disney instead of taking them over.

If Commicast does ANYTHING with the Walt Disney Co., everything will go to pot. :hmmm

I LOVE the Mexico boat ride! It was my favorite at Epcot when I was a kid. Mainly because the fireworks weren't "loud" like real ones. :)

[SnazzyCMB]

quote:
Originally posted by mickaholic4077
When did Exxon/Mobil pull its sponshorship of Ellen's Energy Adventure?


About 2 weeks ago. The contract expired and ExxonMobil chose not to renew.

so, does that mean the ride is closed down now? Or that it will be closing? Ellen's Energy Adventure is one of our favorite EPCOT attractions!:cry:

[joseph3947]

"Our bus made a stop at Epcot before it took us to MGM last week....I saw an enormous crane in what I think was the Living Seas/The Land area! What's happening there? Anybody know?? "

That is where "Soarin' over California" is being built. The entrance is thru the old "Food Rocks". :D :) Joe

[BuzzLightBeer]

Originally posted by Screever
Our bus made a stop at Epcot before it took us to MGM last week....I saw an enormous crane in what I think was the Living Seas/The Land area! What's happening there? Anybody know??

A Spain pavilion would be so cool, I've always wanted to go to the real country :) . Hopefully they won't take out Mexico in order to make room! :cry: I know nobody goes on that ride but thats the beauty of it all!!

Disney is in the process of installing a Soarin' attraction at The Land - in other words, WOOHOO!!!

[MerlinMatt]

Originally posted by SnazzyCMB
so, does that mean the ride is closed down now? Or that it will be closing? Ellen's Energy Adventure is one of our favorite EPCOT attractions!:cry:

NO!!! :) Fear not!

Losing the sponsorship doesn't really mean anything immediately, although it certainly suggests that nothing new will be done to enhance it anytime soon.

It remains open just no advertising (which might actually be a GOOD thing. ;) )