It is indeed brutal. There’s a reason folks joke about EPCOT standing for Every Person Comes Out Tired. It’s a huge park with lots of concrete, shiny surfaces, and little shade. From the looks of the concept art shown at D23 this weekend, they’re adding tons of new landscaping to add lots of shady trees along walkways, finally.
Absolutely – and I’m happy that the new gondolas they’re adding will drop guests off next to the back entrance to avoid that more-than-a-mile walk from the entrance.