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CORRECTION! September 13, 2004. But I'm too lazy to go back and change that.
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THAT’S RIGHT MY FRIENDS, STEP RIGHT UP, GET YOUR LATEST ON THE SPOT IN THIS GIGANTA-MUNDO STATE OF THE UNION EPCOT ADDRESS AND RESOURCE PAGE – EXCLUSIVE TO YOU, THE WALT DISNEY WORLD MAGIC MEMBER (OR NON-MEMBER PROWLER)!
I’ll be touring you around the latest, the most up-to-date, the most ambitious update ever known to Grizzkind. (And I’m only doing this to make up for my last trip report, which you may know wasn’t that good). Ahem, anyway.
Let’s start out in
FUTURE WORLD CENTRAL
SPACESHIP EARTH___________________
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In the past, we’ve heard gigantic new rumors about the future of this pavilion. In a nutshell, we first found out about a Spaceship Earth rehab a year ago February from a WESH News Page, reporting that the pavilion would be replaced with a “theater-style” ride. Over the summer, there was more and more speculation over what would replace Spaceship Earth. We later found out that Disney was thinking about using brand new screen technology (although we are not quite sure how. Cave technology? Spider-Man-esque?) in designing a new Spaceship Earth. (Time Racers was the designed post show) The plans called for the ride vehicles to exit the sphere at one point.
Needless to say, this idea was put off and later cancelled in August of 2003. But this summer, plans came back to change Epcot’s icon once Future World’s “Project Gemini” project was declared dead. (Thank goodness! :lookaroun) Since then, I have heard some reports calling for a ride similar to the original 2003 ideas (described above), but credible evidence now indicates that. . .
(DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!)
The rehab may be more than likely similar to the 1994/5 rehab, which could entail only changing the final portion of the ride. If this is the case, this is WONDERFUL news, with the potential assurance that the classic attraction (the most popular attraction at Walt Disney World) may continue to contain the Disney style and message.
This is worthy news of celebration, but we are not out of the woods yet! Although this plan looks for a Fall 2006 closure of Spaceship Earth (in order to open it for Epcot’s 25th Anniversary), there is still time for Disney to change its mind. This is why you need to stay tuned to the D-Army. . . and there will be more information on that shortly.
INNOVENTIONS___________________
Sadly, I have no more information on the Future World Gardens rehab plans, which I brought to the Internet last April. If you have ANY information regarding the potential demolition of Innoventions to bring in a new atmosphere, please PM me or post it here. (In order to see the information on Future World Gardens, see the RESOURCES link at the very end of this post).
The plastics exhibit is amazing - - be sure to spend some time in there next time you’re in Future World Central. Don’t miss the “ELECIC UMBRELLA!” (See: August update in Resources section).
FUTURE WORLD EAST
UNIVERSE of ENERGY___________________
Although the ExxonMobil signs are STILL UP around the pavilion, Universe of Energy remains sponsorless. (Hess has recently taken ExxonMobil’s spot as the gas station of Walt Disney World, although it has sadly decided against sponsoring the Universe of Energy and Ellen’s Energy Adventure).
WONDERS OF LIFE___________________
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Oh boy. Where can I start?
As we all know, Wonders of Life was last open to the public in May (during Epcot’s test of opening attractions after dark for resort guests). Since then, the pavilion has remained CLOSED to the public, HOWEVER. . .
THE PAVILION IS STILL RUNNING – at least most of it. That’s right. AREA MUSIC, LIGHTS, SIGHTS, and SOUNDS are running inside the Wonders of Life (although major attractions are not) – and there is photographical evidence in my first August Epcot update (see: Resources). But why??
Let’s break it down for the record:
- THE PLANTS in Wonders of Life need sunlight.
- CAST MEMBERS have conventions in the pavilion, including meeting areas, skits, and social activities. (Couldn’t this be done in the Odyssey, World Showplace, or Upstairs Image Works, all originally opened to the public anyway?!)
- CONVENTIONS
OBVIOUSLY Disney has the guests in mind. But what’s this you asked? Wonders of Life never was a guest hit? I beg to differ. Cranium Command is an all-time favorite of most Epcot fans, and take a look at numerous online boards to see the outrage of the Wonders of Life’s closure. (To think, it’s open to everyone BUT the guests!) In fact, Cranium Command had roughly 20% of Epcot’s visitors (according to statistics I recently found), and the Wonders of Life itself had on average 11,000 visitors per day. (Compare this to the average 8,000 over at Imagination and 15,000 at Test Track and Mission Space). A lot, isn’t it?
Yet, Disney is keeping Wonders of Life closed to guests in order to keep it on “Seasonal Status,” which in turn pays a few million dollars to Disney.
What does this mean?
THERE IS A CHANCE Wonders of Life may open in THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS BREAK to fill its seasonal quota, then close for good – with no sign for refurbishment. This is absolutely horrible and a slap in the face to fans and Epcot guests.
Also, expect The Making of Me to (PERHAPS) run on only select days (if at all) during these potential openings. There is also a chance Wonders of Life may be open while the Land is closed for rehab.
There are NUMEROUS resources for Wonders of Life, including a CALL TO ARMS and a great TRIBUTE VIDEO. . . these are linked in the RESOURCES page.
FUTURE WORLD WEST
IMAGINATION!___________________
A new Figment Meet and Greet is potentially in the works at the currently closed Kodak Camera Center. There will apparently be a Figment costume character, although Disney guests and Cast Members here have shown their desire that the DREAMFINDER be brought back (to offer an experience to guests, versus a way for Disney to make money off a quick shot with a big ole Figment).
The ride remains full of echoes and skunk smellitzer . . .
THE LAND___________________
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OOOOOOH Boy. First let’s get to the basics: The Land is closing on JANUARY 2, 2005 (a day before the first full year of Food Rocks’s closure – and a day before the 11th year that Kitchen Kabaret closed).
During the rehab, which will extend through Spring Break,
- POTENTIAL RAMPS, A NEW ELEVATOR, STAIRCASES, and ESCALATORS will be installed to ease guest flow to the bottom level
- THE SUNSHINE SEASON FOOD FAIR will be demolished and replaced by a brand new, smaller restaurant, which will more than likely have seating in the center of the pavilion.
- LIVING WITH THE LAND will have its queue changed with potential ride changes. (No, the greenhouses aren’t going anywhere)
- THE BALLONS AND FOUNTAIN are going away.
- CALIFORNIA TIME. . . gift shops, fastpass, you know it. The Costume is pretty much similar to that of DCA’s Soarin, by the way.
- ENTIRE RETHEMING of the pavilion. I have no clue what this will entail just let. Holler if you know anything.
That’s basically the jest, just, joist, and jist of the Land. Any D-Army action will rely on what the new theming will be.
But, if the new theming seems to be BAD. . . well, it looks like people have already started expressing themselves!
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PROJECT WATCH: Special attention needs to be taken care on the right side of the Land Pavilion. Now that THE CANADA RAFT RIDE HAS BEEN RED-FlAGGED, there is now the potential for a roller coaster to spring up again. This idea was cancelled way back when the “funds” went to Canada, and I have NO indication that a coaster is being planned again, but this area is a prime chunk of Land that Disney is eyeing. We’ll keep you posted.
There’s not much else I can tell you about The Living Seas (I’ve posted that information way to many times here, use SEARCH “Living Seas”) and World Showcase, Mission Space, and Test Track are. . . World Showcase, Mission Space, and Test Track.
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I hope you enjoyed the updates. Feel free to discuss.
Now here are them links!
RESOURCES!
PREVIOUS UPDATES: AUGUST, APRIL
>>>> THRILLS! CHILLS! MAJOR August update. Marks (temporarily) at Disney.
>>>> AUGUST UPDATE #2 "NOT AS GOOD": "ELECIC" UMBRELLA, PLASTICS, AND MORE UPDATES
>>>> APRIL UPDATE: Spaceship Earth, Food Rocks, Future World Gardens, Canada Raft Ride (Yes! I beat Jim Hill!
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CALLS TO ARMS!
>>>> SAVE THE EARTH!! Why Soarin's System is flawed. Major call to arms.
>>>> THE GRIZZ WILL ROAR: Summary of his angry, angry state. . .
>>>> WONDERS OF LIFE CALL TO ARMS! Read all about it.
Tribute Video!
DOWNLOAD the Wonders of Life TRIBUTE VIDEO! Link in this thread.
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