Now, before we take a look at an all-new CommuniCore, I must point out that most of my inspiration for this came from an excellent idea found on the House Cup thread. So, for that, I must give a shout-out to the people responsible for this inspiration: @disneydf, @GrandCanyonConcourse, @Fox&Hound, @Brer Panther, @Adam Snider, @deere839, @Tony the Tigger, @Steel City Magic, @Mattyice16, @DarthMileZ and @spacemt354. Thanks a bunch, you guys!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just up north from Spaceship Earth, guests will arrive at EPCOT Center's first distinct area, Future World.
The first area in Future World guests encounter is Stargate Plaza. Stargate Plaza is centered by the Fountain of Nations, a beautiful, circular fountain, which displays a fountain show every ten minutes. The Pin Central kiosk, stage in front of the Fountain and the purple canopy will be removed. The removal of these things allows more greenery and cleaner views of the park’s natural and man-made elements. This also means that the original "green sections", ponds and canals that surrounded Future World Central in the early days will return. Also, the Innoventions buildings will revert back to their original paint scheme and dump that odd and ugly color scheme that's there today.
In addition, you'll also find new flowing streams and small rocky waterfalls adding motion beneath the swaying of the tall trees, which also provide much needed shade to the area. Vibrant flowers along the grassy banks of the water add color to the area, while the reflections of Spaceship Earth and the Innoventions buildings add even more life and visual interest to the plaza. New paths lead directly from Spaceship Earth both east and west, allowing easy navigation and traffic flow to the Universe of Energy and The Living Seas.
From here, the Stargate Plaza is divided into the two different quadrants of CommuniCore.
The original CommuniCore was described by the Disney company as "Future World's global Main Street of ideas and inventions." This references its similarities to the Magic Kingdom's Main Street USA, one similarity being that both areas served as funnels through which all guests must travel on their way into or out of the parks. Although this ceased to be the case at the park once the International Gateway entrance was added between the United Kingdom and France Pavilions, CommuniCore still paralleled Main Street in that it was a multi-purpose arcade with smaller attractions, exhibits, merchandise, and food outlets arranged in a symmetrical environment.
CommuniCore is where all the themes of Future World--energy, health, the future, transportation, imagination, agriculture, astronomy and marine biology--combine under one roof. The entire complex gives guests the chance to explore innovative ways of living and new ventures of technology. CommuniCore is the home of the latest advancements in scientific technology. A showcase to entertain, educate, and explore how we have evolved over time, from the distant past to a promising tomorrow.
EPCOT Center embodies a vision for an experimental prototype community of tomorrow. A vision that was never realized, however still the thematic core of the park to this day. Despite these notions, over the years, Future World in particular has devolved into a state of disarray. Of contrasting and disjointed irrelevancies that saturate the message of the themed land. A vision of a community of the future and the progress of tomorrow, while apparent in some instances, lacks a central hub of relevance; an issue that can be directly correlated to the sparse and scanty current edition of Innoventions. The "showcase" of new technologies to help our greater global community seems to be the core (the CommuniCore) of the issues surrounding Future World. If Innoventions was truly a visceral environment that connected guests with the technology of today and the experiments of tomorrow, it would give EPCOT a "hub" that connected all of its other Future World pavilions together to fit one cohesive narrative.
Ever since the early planning stages of EPCOT Center, Innoventions (or formally known as CommuniCore) was the largest "pavilion" in terms of space occupation. It was the center of attention and the area where all guests had to walk to in order to traverse into the other areas of Future World and beyond. My vision for the central hub of EPCOT Center seeks to capitalize on its prime location and plethora of acreage to create a living, breathing, hub of the theme park. A hub that truly embodies the original goals of the park, by having it be not only the proper hub of Future World, but of EPCOT (a community) as well.
To redesign the Innoventions area, we must first look at the issue, and that being there isn't much to do for such a wide open space. We need more interactivity in the area, and that means first and foremost, updated exhibits. These will include simulators and the latest technology of virtual reality rooms to provide guests with an experience of a lifetime, sponsored by a variety of venues. In addition, I'll also remove the Epcot Character Spot, as they don't fit with the futuristic theme. Furthermore, the light up tiles, which can be seen in the image above, will be enhanced and placed around the entire Innoventions area. That way at night, the ground lights up as you walk around, adding to the futuristic vibe. The Fountain of Nations will also get a new show with the transition, one that provides more impressive water displays and keeps people in the area and entertained.
In addition, the interiors will be remodeled to resemble a somewhat retro-futuristic vibe, with flashy neon colors and lights, while still remaining to be comfortable. Several lounge areas will make their home throughout CommuniCore, offering guests and parents a chance to relax while the rest of the family enjoys the exhibits. Oh, and open up the windows. Now that we have an amazing view, all that light and beauty will add so much.
On top of all that, this new take on CommuniCore will call for the building of an all-new second story built on top of the original. This means that there's room for even more exhibits, plus an all-new story will allow for all-new experiences for guests to discover. Plus, I'd add in multiple new entrances into the pavilion's ground floor, so that way, the exhibits can be reached from any angle. I'd also clean up the large windows and have them be see-through, so guests can get a good look at the exhibits that most just rush past. Even if someone is dashing to ride Soarin’, they’ll have exposure to great ideas as they pass by, and they may even be tempted to stop at a display or two.
Now, let's find out what's gonna be here.
1st FLOOR (COMMUNICORE EAST)
Entering into CommuniCore immediately to the east, the first exhibit you'll find is
immersive Innovation Hall, a full-functioning showcase of modern technology that might benefit our tomorrow. Such innovations on display include the House of the Future, the biggest and most expansive exhibit to be featured. In this futuristic homestead we are treated to what might actually compose the model home of tomorrow, from model kitchens with self-cleaning appliances to television screens that appear larger than life...or at least the average male adult. Sharing space with Innovation Hall is the Electric Umbrella, a premier quick-service eatery offering burgers, chicken, salads and the like.
Going northern, the next point of interest is the Centorium, the largest shop in EPCOT Center. It’s so large, it’s found on two levels. The first floor of the Centorium features a large assortment of EPCOT Center and Disney character merchandise. Items include books, slider puzzles featuring the Future World pavilion logos, stuffed animals, buttons, patches, jewelry, DVDs, CDs, posters, t-shirts, and hats. The second floor of the Centorium can be accessed by a glassed-in elevator. From here, you can look down at the first floor. Items include various electronic gadgets, such as watches, model vehicles, and iPod/iPhone/iPad accessories.
Sharing space with the Centorium is the Electronic Forum, where guests can voice their say in current issues regarding our world at large. Basically, how this works is guests walk up to a large touchscreen, press a button and the screen comes alive. Text on the screen and a computerized voice prompts the guests to use these buttons in order to first break the audience down into a group of demographically diverse individuals, and then to register their opinions on a variety of topics (none too controversial). The results are then be displayed on an overhead screen, and often broken down using the demographic statistics to point out disparities in the votes of males and females, children and adults, U.S. residents and international visitors, liberals and conservatives and so on.
1st FLOOR (COMMUNICORE WEST)
Entering CommuniCore from the western side, the first thing you'll see is The Art of Disney, which sells sculptures, paintings and drawings inspired by the Disney pantheon. Also here is an all-new exhibit: the EPCOT Museum, an all-new domed courtyard in the shadow of Spaceship Earth. There are two entrances into the museum--one from The Living Seas and one from Stargate Plaza. The Living Seas side takes guests through the history of EPCOT Center on their way in. The Art of Disney is expanded to an exhibit space on the history of EPCOT Center, showing artwork and models. The ribs in the ceiling above acts as a visual timeline of both humanity and EPCOT Center until you get to the dome. The dome is more than just a dome. It is actually an LED lined roof, like the roof of Fremont Street in Las Vegas. Through the day, mini shows representing each of the pavilions of the park are presented, using the screen above, LED lighting around the area, and music and narration. This is my place to give a little tribute to the original park by using the logos and music from the classic pavilions. The path then leads right into the middle of Stargate Plaza.
Sharing space with The Art of Disney are the "If You Can Dream It" Labs. This is an interactive design laboratory which enables guests to create new technology that will be useful into the 21st century and beyond. Acting as a continuation to the Spaceship Earth finale, these laboratories will set guests up at specific design stations for a variety of technology of the 21st century. If you're interested in designing technology for outer space, you venture to the space port and with assist from design guides, follow the "story" on each design studio to help build technology for the future.
For instance, the space port story - a group of explorers are on the Moon and their communications are lost. You are given 3 options to see how you can restore the communication and you work together with friends and family to try and solve the mystery and get the communication back by creating new solutions to the problems. It's an interactive exhibit that actually requires critical thinking skills and deductive reasoning, making it a unique location in EPCOT Center and something that embodies the edutainment values of the original theme park.
Adjacent to the If You Can Dream It Labs is the technological wonder of Digital Design. You are guided into a room by a cast member who will introduce you to the digital world. You sit in a black lit theater as a screen illuminates in front of you and you watch a 15 minute film on the age of technology (specifically computers) and how they have impacted the digital world and the progress of tomorrow. A post-show allows you to check out the latest technology, including virtual reality, as well as Honda's humanoid android ASIMO.
In addition, Digital Design also features CommuniCore favorite, SMRT-1, who could be considered the mascot of the pavilion. SMRT-1 is a purple and chrome robot set on a rotating pedestal surrounded by telephones, and he invites guests to play along in trivia and guessing games. When your turn comes up, SMRT-1 asks you (in its synthesized voice) to speak your answer loud and clear through the phone. It also spends some time ad-libbing and singing between games: “If I keep this up I might graduate from Solid State."
Just north of these two exhibits is the Fountainview Espresso and Bakery, hosted by Starbucks. Here, you can dine on classic pastries, sandwiches and even try a bit of Starbucks coffee. Sharing quadrant-space with the bakery is Club 82. Club 82 is essentially a re-imagined Club Cool, featuring soft drinks from all over the world. We're talking flavors from Brazil, Spain, Iceland, New Zealand, and more. Club 82 will even reinstate the German flavor that was removed a few years ago (the orange/coke flavor). And the best part--no more Beverly!
But that's not all--the northern quadrant of CommuniCore West's first floor also plays host to the EPCOT Outreach. This is an educational cul-de-sac where guests could investigate at length any of EPCOT Center's major themes, or other Disney-related information. Graphic displays lined the walls leading up to a counter where a staff of researchers (plus one librarian) attempt to answer queries ranging from "What music is played at the start of the film at the France pavilion?" to "Did the bobcat in the flash-flood scene at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad come from Disneyland's Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland ride?" (Saint-Saens' "Aquarium" and yes) They usually have the answer ready, but gladly mail information later on if it wasn't immediately available. There's also a Teacher's Lounge hidden away here.
Now, let's move on to the second floor. There are elevators and escalators strewn all over the place, so guests can get from one floor to the next in a snap. In addition, new "sky-bridges", made of clear material so guests can get excellent views of Stargate Plaza and World Showcase Lagoon, bridge the eastern and western quadrants of the 2nd floor.
2nd FLOOR (COMMUNICORE EAST)
The first thing you'll find here, built over Innovation Hall and Electric Umbrella, is Alpha Centauri. Perched right on the edge of the 2nd floor, providing dramatic views of Future World East, Alpha Centauri is a table service restaurant will regale guests with an elegant dining experience in the center of Epcot. Serving lunch and dinner daily, this restaurant specializes in a style reminiscent of the now extinct Odyssey Restaurant across the way. Using the Odyssey as a special event stand now, this new restaurant will give Future World its second table service restaurant and bring about a stylized flair to it as well that blends in with the surrounding area.
Across from Alpha Centauri, built over Centorium and the Electronic Forum, is an exhibit called Green Eyes, a look into a greener tomorrow for the earth and our inhabitants. By cutting down on our cost of fossil fuels, and driving towards a more energy friendly future, we see the impact it can have on our society of the future. An impact that is seen in this quaint setting, displaying some of the ways that we are building towards a greener tomorrow.
Now, let's walk across that "sky-bridge" and enter...
2nd FLOOR (COMMUNICORE WEST)
The first exhibit we'll find here, built over Club 82, Fountainview Espresso and EPCOT Outreach, is City Builders. This exhibit allows its guests to sit at design stations and essentially build a city from the ground up. Starting in the current year and working your way up 100 years, you'll be able to create your own city using futuristic designs and your own customized layouts. Sharing quadrant-space with this exhibit is Road to the Future, showcasing new and upcoming forms of transporation.
And finally, built over the If You Can Dream It Labs and Digital Design is Project: Tomorrow. Moved over here to make way for Earth Station, Project: Tomorrow is a showcase introducing the latest in high-tech medicine, transportation, energy efficiency and more. Step inside the interactive area intended for one and all—from kids short and small to adults big and tall—where you’re invited to build, create, compete and play with a series of exhibits that bring innovative ideas and brand new technologies to life. There are several exciting ways you can play, with games and activities that include:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that I've shown you around CommuniCore, starting in the next post, I'll take you around the eight pavilions that surround Stargate Plaza, starting in Future World East with the Universe of Energy. See ya then!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just up north from Spaceship Earth, guests will arrive at EPCOT Center's first distinct area, Future World.
From here, the Stargate Plaza is divided into the two different quadrants of CommuniCore.
The original CommuniCore was described by the Disney company as "Future World's global Main Street of ideas and inventions." This references its similarities to the Magic Kingdom's Main Street USA, one similarity being that both areas served as funnels through which all guests must travel on their way into or out of the parks. Although this ceased to be the case at the park once the International Gateway entrance was added between the United Kingdom and France Pavilions, CommuniCore still paralleled Main Street in that it was a multi-purpose arcade with smaller attractions, exhibits, merchandise, and food outlets arranged in a symmetrical environment.
CommuniCore is where all the themes of Future World--energy, health, the future, transportation, imagination, agriculture, astronomy and marine biology--combine under one roof. The entire complex gives guests the chance to explore innovative ways of living and new ventures of technology. CommuniCore is the home of the latest advancements in scientific technology. A showcase to entertain, educate, and explore how we have evolved over time, from the distant past to a promising tomorrow.
EPCOT Center embodies a vision for an experimental prototype community of tomorrow. A vision that was never realized, however still the thematic core of the park to this day. Despite these notions, over the years, Future World in particular has devolved into a state of disarray. Of contrasting and disjointed irrelevancies that saturate the message of the themed land. A vision of a community of the future and the progress of tomorrow, while apparent in some instances, lacks a central hub of relevance; an issue that can be directly correlated to the sparse and scanty current edition of Innoventions. The "showcase" of new technologies to help our greater global community seems to be the core (the CommuniCore) of the issues surrounding Future World. If Innoventions was truly a visceral environment that connected guests with the technology of today and the experiments of tomorrow, it would give EPCOT a "hub" that connected all of its other Future World pavilions together to fit one cohesive narrative.
Ever since the early planning stages of EPCOT Center, Innoventions (or formally known as CommuniCore) was the largest "pavilion" in terms of space occupation. It was the center of attention and the area where all guests had to walk to in order to traverse into the other areas of Future World and beyond. My vision for the central hub of EPCOT Center seeks to capitalize on its prime location and plethora of acreage to create a living, breathing, hub of the theme park. A hub that truly embodies the original goals of the park, by having it be not only the proper hub of Future World, but of EPCOT (a community) as well.
To redesign the Innoventions area, we must first look at the issue, and that being there isn't much to do for such a wide open space. We need more interactivity in the area, and that means first and foremost, updated exhibits. These will include simulators and the latest technology of virtual reality rooms to provide guests with an experience of a lifetime, sponsored by a variety of venues. In addition, I'll also remove the Epcot Character Spot, as they don't fit with the futuristic theme. Furthermore, the light up tiles, which can be seen in the image above, will be enhanced and placed around the entire Innoventions area. That way at night, the ground lights up as you walk around, adding to the futuristic vibe. The Fountain of Nations will also get a new show with the transition, one that provides more impressive water displays and keeps people in the area and entertained.
In addition, the interiors will be remodeled to resemble a somewhat retro-futuristic vibe, with flashy neon colors and lights, while still remaining to be comfortable. Several lounge areas will make their home throughout CommuniCore, offering guests and parents a chance to relax while the rest of the family enjoys the exhibits. Oh, and open up the windows. Now that we have an amazing view, all that light and beauty will add so much.
On top of all that, this new take on CommuniCore will call for the building of an all-new second story built on top of the original. This means that there's room for even more exhibits, plus an all-new story will allow for all-new experiences for guests to discover. Plus, I'd add in multiple new entrances into the pavilion's ground floor, so that way, the exhibits can be reached from any angle. I'd also clean up the large windows and have them be see-through, so guests can get a good look at the exhibits that most just rush past. Even if someone is dashing to ride Soarin’, they’ll have exposure to great ideas as they pass by, and they may even be tempted to stop at a display or two.
Now, let's find out what's gonna be here.
1st FLOOR (COMMUNICORE EAST)
Entering into CommuniCore immediately to the east, the first exhibit you'll find is
immersive Innovation Hall, a full-functioning showcase of modern technology that might benefit our tomorrow. Such innovations on display include the House of the Future, the biggest and most expansive exhibit to be featured. In this futuristic homestead we are treated to what might actually compose the model home of tomorrow, from model kitchens with self-cleaning appliances to television screens that appear larger than life...or at least the average male adult. Sharing space with Innovation Hall is the Electric Umbrella, a premier quick-service eatery offering burgers, chicken, salads and the like.
1st FLOOR (COMMUNICORE WEST)
Entering CommuniCore from the western side, the first thing you'll see is The Art of Disney, which sells sculptures, paintings and drawings inspired by the Disney pantheon. Also here is an all-new exhibit: the EPCOT Museum, an all-new domed courtyard in the shadow of Spaceship Earth. There are two entrances into the museum--one from The Living Seas and one from Stargate Plaza. The Living Seas side takes guests through the history of EPCOT Center on their way in. The Art of Disney is expanded to an exhibit space on the history of EPCOT Center, showing artwork and models. The ribs in the ceiling above acts as a visual timeline of both humanity and EPCOT Center until you get to the dome. The dome is more than just a dome. It is actually an LED lined roof, like the roof of Fremont Street in Las Vegas. Through the day, mini shows representing each of the pavilions of the park are presented, using the screen above, LED lighting around the area, and music and narration. This is my place to give a little tribute to the original park by using the logos and music from the classic pavilions. The path then leads right into the middle of Stargate Plaza.
Sharing space with The Art of Disney are the "If You Can Dream It" Labs. This is an interactive design laboratory which enables guests to create new technology that will be useful into the 21st century and beyond. Acting as a continuation to the Spaceship Earth finale, these laboratories will set guests up at specific design stations for a variety of technology of the 21st century. If you're interested in designing technology for outer space, you venture to the space port and with assist from design guides, follow the "story" on each design studio to help build technology for the future.
For instance, the space port story - a group of explorers are on the Moon and their communications are lost. You are given 3 options to see how you can restore the communication and you work together with friends and family to try and solve the mystery and get the communication back by creating new solutions to the problems. It's an interactive exhibit that actually requires critical thinking skills and deductive reasoning, making it a unique location in EPCOT Center and something that embodies the edutainment values of the original theme park.
Adjacent to the If You Can Dream It Labs is the technological wonder of Digital Design. You are guided into a room by a cast member who will introduce you to the digital world. You sit in a black lit theater as a screen illuminates in front of you and you watch a 15 minute film on the age of technology (specifically computers) and how they have impacted the digital world and the progress of tomorrow. A post-show allows you to check out the latest technology, including virtual reality, as well as Honda's humanoid android ASIMO.
In addition, Digital Design also features CommuniCore favorite, SMRT-1, who could be considered the mascot of the pavilion. SMRT-1 is a purple and chrome robot set on a rotating pedestal surrounded by telephones, and he invites guests to play along in trivia and guessing games. When your turn comes up, SMRT-1 asks you (in its synthesized voice) to speak your answer loud and clear through the phone. It also spends some time ad-libbing and singing between games: “If I keep this up I might graduate from Solid State."
But that's not all--the northern quadrant of CommuniCore West's first floor also plays host to the EPCOT Outreach. This is an educational cul-de-sac where guests could investigate at length any of EPCOT Center's major themes, or other Disney-related information. Graphic displays lined the walls leading up to a counter where a staff of researchers (plus one librarian) attempt to answer queries ranging from "What music is played at the start of the film at the France pavilion?" to "Did the bobcat in the flash-flood scene at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad come from Disneyland's Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland ride?" (Saint-Saens' "Aquarium" and yes) They usually have the answer ready, but gladly mail information later on if it wasn't immediately available. There's also a Teacher's Lounge hidden away here.
Now, let's move on to the second floor. There are elevators and escalators strewn all over the place, so guests can get from one floor to the next in a snap. In addition, new "sky-bridges", made of clear material so guests can get excellent views of Stargate Plaza and World Showcase Lagoon, bridge the eastern and western quadrants of the 2nd floor.
2nd FLOOR (COMMUNICORE EAST)
The first thing you'll find here, built over Innovation Hall and Electric Umbrella, is Alpha Centauri. Perched right on the edge of the 2nd floor, providing dramatic views of Future World East, Alpha Centauri is a table service restaurant will regale guests with an elegant dining experience in the center of Epcot. Serving lunch and dinner daily, this restaurant specializes in a style reminiscent of the now extinct Odyssey Restaurant across the way. Using the Odyssey as a special event stand now, this new restaurant will give Future World its second table service restaurant and bring about a stylized flair to it as well that blends in with the surrounding area.
Across from Alpha Centauri, built over Centorium and the Electronic Forum, is an exhibit called Green Eyes, a look into a greener tomorrow for the earth and our inhabitants. By cutting down on our cost of fossil fuels, and driving towards a more energy friendly future, we see the impact it can have on our society of the future. An impact that is seen in this quaint setting, displaying some of the ways that we are building towards a greener tomorrow.
Now, let's walk across that "sky-bridge" and enter...
2nd FLOOR (COMMUNICORE WEST)
The first exhibit we'll find here, built over Club 82, Fountainview Espresso and EPCOT Outreach, is City Builders. This exhibit allows its guests to sit at design stations and essentially build a city from the ground up. Starting in the current year and working your way up 100 years, you'll be able to create your own city using futuristic designs and your own customized layouts. Sharing quadrant-space with this exhibit is Road to the Future, showcasing new and upcoming forms of transporation.
And finally, built over the If You Can Dream It Labs and Digital Design is Project: Tomorrow. Moved over here to make way for Earth Station, Project: Tomorrow is a showcase introducing the latest in high-tech medicine, transportation, energy efficiency and more. Step inside the interactive area intended for one and all—from kids short and small to adults big and tall—where you’re invited to build, create, compete and play with a series of exhibits that bring innovative ideas and brand new technologies to life. There are several exciting ways you can play, with games and activities that include:
- Body Builder – Assemble a digital human body during this 3-D interactive game that simulates the Siemens technology developed to perform remote surgeries.
- Super Driver – Hit the road with a driving simulation video game that shows off the motor vehicle accident avoidance systems being developed by Siemens.
- Innervision – Experience the future and take a peek at groundbreaking medical diagnostics in the home.
- Power City – Discover how to responsibly go about managing power and energy within a growing city.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that I've shown you around CommuniCore, starting in the next post, I'll take you around the eight pavilions that surround Stargate Plaza, starting in Future World East with the Universe of Energy. See ya then!
