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All Those New Disney Plans… How About EPCOT?

Monday, September 14th, 2009

EPCOT is the third most visited theme park in the country but it’s evidently not getting any extra attention in the just announced expansion and upgrades that will appear over the next three years at the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, Hollywood Studios and even California Adventure. The latter under-performing park is getting the most attention. Perhaps rightly so.

There is promise in some of the new things coming to Florida. The updated Star Tours with 3D sounds enticing. The promise of offering a ride like none other (right now)  there is some fear that the prequel era storyline might be a bit tired. It seems that the technology itself could lend itself to a more varied slate of experiences. Why couldn’t the simulator have a few different story lines? Even one Starspeeder could be left as-is with the original story as it is presented right now. After all, kids yet old enough to ride (or even not yet born) could enjoy the experience as much as the millions who have already memorized all of the Captain Rex dialogue. (“Mine too.”)

But I’d like to suggest some attention to some of the ignored areas at EPCOT. First, the former Wonders of Life pavilion. Perhaps they can use the same new Imagineering and technologies from Stare Tours II and economically reincarnate the simulators in Body Wars. Or how about Cranium Command in 3D… or 6D with something for all the senses? It’s an opportunity for experiences that could breathe new life into it and bring back the wonder that’s missing right now.

Tags: Changes at EPCOT, EPCOT Refurbishment, New EPCOT Attractions
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Living With The Land Is Closed

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

The boat ride at The Land pavilion that had the name Listen To The Land (with it’s catchy theme song) when EPCOT opened in 1982 and  Living With The Land since  1993 is closed for refurbishment. It seems that the closure on August 2nd surprised many. Some cast members working at Soarin’ were not even aware of it. Nothing official has come from Disney, but an anticipated opening on November 1 has surfaced.

A popular attraction for many, the relaxing and informative boat ride had it’s last minor update when they added the pre-recorded narration that eliminated the ride along cast member. That was obviously a cost-cutting measure and did little to make the attraction better. The recording had become stale since it was never revised, though the inside of the greenhouse changed. The live narration was always interesting, because you never knew how good, or notably bad the spiel was going to be.

I’m trying to get an official report from Disney, but there are rumors about about new larger boats. (Some posts say that they were delivered and couldn’t make the turns in the flume.) I don’t see bigger boats as a real need. I’d guess that boats with video screens would be more likely a reason for replacements. That or the others were simply wearing out.

The films are said to be finally getting an update. They have been dated for a long time. (As is The Circle of Life that runs upstairs.) How cutting edge is is to use salt water in arid countries, recycle leaves, use bugs to eat other bugs, or to raise crops in space?

The lab was always intriguing, though often empty. Even so, we still check out the vials of “cloned” plants for sale in the gift shop. We’ve purchased many of them over the years. Some are still thriving in our outer (backyard) space.

Tags: Changes at EPCOT, EPCOT Refurbishment, New EPCOT Attractions, The Land
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American Adventure Treasures

Monday, April 20th, 2009

If you haven’t visited The American Adventure in a while, or stayed outside enjoying a turkey leg and beer so you didn’t have to wait, you’re missing the opportunity to see some real historic treasures. From Lincoln artifacts to a moon rock that’s part of a tribute to Gus Grissom, it’s worth the time to browse the collection. Then go in and get filled with a good dose of patriotic pride with the recently updated Golden Dreams presentation.

I challenge you to not feel a lump in your throat during the final montage. I think it would be good for the country if every American saw this.

By the way, yes it IS a large theater. It has 1024 seats.

Outside the opposite is achieved to keep the acrhitectural accuracy of colonial times. Colonial buildings were never more than two stories tall. You may have always thought that the American Adventure building was as well, but the Imagineers used forced perspective to mask what is actualy a five story building.

Tags: EPCOT Trivia, New EPCOT Attractions, Things to look for at EPCOT
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See The Wonders of EPCOT Flower Festival Life

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

The former Wonders of Life pavilion is open weekends during the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. It features presentations by a variety of horticulture experts. Oddly enough they set up seating areas for those while closing of the stage areas built into the pavilion with potted plants. There are also specialty items, art and books for sale that seem to be duplicated elsewhere in the park.

The best thing is a very complete video in the former “Making of Me” theater where they are showing “The Making of The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival”.  It details what it takes to do such a massive undertaking like this festival. Things you never get to see like the many greenhouses Disney operates, how they make the topiaries, and the military precision of installing the entrance area landscape in a single night. It’s a long presentation that is narrated by the cast members who actually do the work. The only negative was that the music toward the end repeats way too often. On the other hand the bulk of the music track uses familiar themes found around the park that set a nice pace for the editing. A lot of the footage is from this year, but some archive scenes are evident as well. Including a few of the dreaded Mickey Wand on Spaceship Earth.

It’s well worth walking over to the “Wonders” area. Then when you’re inside wonder if all of the Body Wars and Cranum Command stuff is still behind the temporary walls.

Tags: Flower & Garden Festival, How they do it at EPCOT, New EPCOT Attractions
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