Imagineer and EPCOT transformation lead Zach Riddley promoted to new role of Global Creative Strategy Executive

DreamfinderGuyAug 25, 2023

Not really anything of substance, no. I didn't want to pick his brain because I felt like it was neither the time nor place where it would be appropriate to. We briefly spoke on our shared love for the park and what it stands for (a little ironic being inside Cosmic Rewind, but neither of us mentioned that). It was fun hearing him point out a lot of the callbacks in the queue. I spoke with him earlier that day when he was greeting people at park open and he was noticeably less "corporate" when it was just him getting a ride in. In the morning he used a lot of the same verbiage that he used in his Instagram posts, later on the interaction felt a lot more organic. Though if you're looking for any scrap of an inside perspective, I can tell you his favorite row on Guardians is the front. He insisted we wait for it, haha.

celluloidAug 24, 2023

Oh it moved the needle huge, when it first opened. The thing in discussion was it is not a net gain because we had to lose an attraction to get it and many things had closed before it. The other aspect was just a perspective on taste and having kids in the party under 40 inches or people who don't care for simulators.

FoodRockzAug 24, 2023

Soarin' does not move my needle much, but I understand that most people prefer a moving attraction vs a stationary one.

Disney AnalystAug 24, 2023

Did you glean any insight from him re: EPCOT? His thoughts, beliefs, passion, or vision?

DreamfinderGuyAug 24, 2023

He's very kind in person. I rode Cosmic Rewind with him on opening day, was super chill and talked EPCOT with me while we waited. Shockingly just got in line like anyone else would, even though I'm sure he very easily could have gotten immediate boarding if he wanted.

celluloidAug 24, 2023

Your card may be turned in at your nearest animatronic show of choice. ;-p For what it is worth, I would take either back over Soarin' in its current form there.

FoodRockzAug 24, 2023

*Clears throat*

Figments FriendAug 24, 2023

Oh Gawd, I certainly hope not. How the fluff is Fitz still around…. -

HorizonsfanAug 24, 2023

Does this move mean that Fitzgerald will regain creative lead for Epcot? Or is that still up in the air?

RhinocerousAug 24, 2023

“There’s enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine. And I imagine that will be as little as we think we can get away with. Replacement has better ROI than expansion.” —Walt Disney, probably

celluloidAug 23, 2023

Futureworld or whatever Neighborhood grouping you want to call it flat out sucks if you are under 40 inches tall and is not much better if you are under 42.

BocabearAug 23, 2023

Expansion? lol There was a time I used to think about the amazing expansions that would come one day...and 40 years later almost all of the expansion pads sit there. There is no plan to ever use them, and probably none coming up... Done is done at this point, and the spac change is now sadly permanent. They need to make a movie like Finding Mr Banks all about what happened during the biggest expansion and reworking of EPCOT and it's ultimate complete failure. "Defending Zach Riddley"...lol

aladdin2007Aug 23, 2023

I would hate to have seen that expansion pad gone to something as trivial and useless as that.

rd805Aug 23, 2023

I don't mind IP integration to Epcot, if it's done well. The Ratatouille area is pretty fantastic and wonderful ride addition. We can all argue about Frozen in Norway, but I'm sure 95% of riders appreciate the new vs Maelstrom. Universe of Energy to Guardians Coaster is also a pretty big win in my book too and is a top 3 favorite ride I've ever experienced ANYWHERE. The issue is stagnancy and hoping park-goers ignore empty buildings on top of rebuilding something that was already there. **I won't rehash Boca Bear's and other points - but the tear down and rebuild is such a waste of money and time. I can't for the life of me understand how a neat building like WoL sits empty. It housed basic attractions sure, but a NEW simulator (MAYBE WALLE) and a edu-tainment style show to replace our pal Buzzy goes such a long way. Heck, Cranium Command could have easily been modified to something Inside Out and been something to eat crowds. OR just make a great new experience with or without the existing building. It has such a huge footprint -- CMON! Imagination pavilion used to house games & fun too -- having all that extra space being underutilized is a crime. Mission Space is a horrible attraction. The wait times are always the lowest across any WDW park. It fits the theme of FW and has a gorgeous outdoor area/queue, but the experience is terrible. It can't possibly be reviewed well by park-goers. REPLACE THAT ISH! Grand Fiesta Tour should have been Coco-fied years ago. World Showcase needs a new pavilion, and one with a neat ride would obviously be a plus. I also don't mind the Mary Poppins spinner idea that was leaked. Cheap? Definitely! Crowd-sucker to help offset other wait times? More important!