MANEATINGWREATH
Well-Known Member
May I suggest using the best Disney medley of all time for your fireworks show for the Wishes to See the World segment?
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A Whole New World...Revisited
- Thread starter DisneyManOne
- Start date
Actually, I plan on using that medley for a show at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
I wouldn't put "Let it Go" in Wishes, Roxas. There's really no theme that ties it in with the other scenes in the show.
Liked it? I LOVED it! You have quite an imagination, my friend!
Now then, let's move on to the second park of Walt Disney World...
EPCOT Center
EPCOT Center, which opened on October 1st, 1982, 11 years after the Magic Kingdom opened, is basically a gigantic celebration of what it means to be a member of the human race, with one side of the park celebrating man's scientific and futuristic achievements, and the other celebrating our world's diverse culture. I plan to give EPCOT Center a gigantic renovation to restore the charm and value of the original message of the park during its first years.
I believe that, over time, EPCOT Center has become somewhat tarnished, mainly with the shoddy ending to Spaceship Earth, the Seas With Nemo and Friends, Norway receiving a ride based on the highly-overrated Frozen and the current Journey Into Imagination attraction. I plan to restore much of EPCOT Center's former glory, while also utilizing the best of what the park already has in store. Imagine a classic Future World, but with all of the exciting features of Mission: SPACE, Soarin' and Test Track and more additions along the way. So, let's get started!
Future World
Guests enter from the parking lot, arriving at the entrance of EPCOT Center beneath the Monorail Station, having arrived from the station at the Transportation and Ticket Center. The monorail has just arrived at the station, unloading the first large group of guests that day, ready to explore EPCOT Center, the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The guests arrive at the turnstiles of the park, beneath the white and purple overhangs that cover them.
Upon entering into the theme park, guests spot the large, geometrical sphere of Spaceship Earth, the staple attraction for all of EPCOT Center and the entire park's icon. It can be seen from miles away. The Spaceship Earth sphere is just short of two-hundred feet and is one of the most impressive feats of architecture throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. The series of Leave a Legacy stone epitaphs that have covered Epcot's entrance for over the last decade. In place of the former Leave a Legacy plaques, a new, welcoming entrance will be re-created. The entrance of the park now features the original symbol of EPCOT Center, embedded in silver tiling at the very entrance of the park. Much in the same style as the former Leave a Legacy stones, the silver tiling will consist of the small images of all those who had had their images features on the Leave a Legacy tiles. With this renovation, the guests that had left their "legacy" at the entrance of the park will still have it there, while opening up the entrance and removing the large stones, which obstructed the entrance to the theme park.
In the place of the Leave a Legacy stones, the entrance plaza will be adorned with beautiful trees and grass beds of flowers, very similar to the ones that used to grace the plaza during the park's first years, to create a truly beautiful entrance to the theme park. The tall Spaceship Earth globe rises high over the numerous trees.
Spaceship Earth, which is presented by Siemens, takes you through the historical and cultural progression of the world, showing how the world has evolved through both technology and communication. The attraction dates back to the earliest periods of the cavemen, proceeding through many different eras and civilizations before arriving in the current one in which we live today. A major point that I want to address with the renovation of Spaceship Earth is the actual theme of the attraction. Ever since the 2007 refurbishment, the theme of the attraction has been the evolution of technology and ways to communicate, from the hieroglyphics in Egypt, to the Phoenicians developing the alphabet to the dawn of computer systems. The theme of the attraction has always been about the potential of communication, to branch out and to communicate across the world. I believe with the previous renovation, that was an aspect of the theme that was lost. It is not just about ways TO communicate, but rather HOW FAR we can. I want that to be a part of the attraction that is re-touched on.
Guests arrive at the loading station of Spaceship Earth, where they board their omnimover vehicle and set off on a journey back through time, to retrace the steps of civilization. At this point, a video screen in the vehicle illuminates, asking the guest to select one of many different languages for the narrator to speak throughout the attraction. As a general point of reference, the entire attraction will undergo several audio and vehicle repairs, to make sure that the attraction not only sounds as best as it could be, but that there is a fluid movement to the attraction, so that it is not as bumpy as it currently is.
Also, the use of the video screen technology is going to be heavily toned-down. The entire descent down of Spaceship Earth will no longer utilize the video screen technology. Instead, the video screen will operate as a timeline as the vehicles travel through the attraction. As the vehicles reach each new era, it will display the approximate year and location on earth of where the events we see in the attraction actually happened in real-time. I know that the addition of video screens is one of the things that many people disliked about the recent refurbishment, so this may be a way to utilize the video screen technology in the attraction, without it being an entire centerpiece, as seen in the finale, which will be completely revised.
But probably most important to the renovation of this classic attraction is a new narration, which will be done by James Earl Jones. I honestly think there's something about his voice that makes it so calming, yet powerful, so I think he'd be perfect to narrate the new Spaceship Earth. Also, many tracks from the previous version of Spaceship Earth will be re-established in this attraction, combining both soundtracks from the current and previous editions of the attraction to create a splendid attraction. The most notable returning soundtrack piece would be the arrival at the peak of Spaceship Earth and the entire descent down back to the unloading area, from the previous incarnation of the attraction. It is one of the most fantastic compositions of music in a Disney resort, I think.
Honestly, there is so much I want to say about Spaceship Earth, that it will require its own separate post, complete with ride-through. So, with that, let's move on.
When guests exit the attraction, they arrive at Earth Station, the Guest Relations of EPCOT Center. It's here that guests can set up reservations for some of the high-class restaurants down at World Showcase and get information about the park by using either the WorldKey Information System, or by talking to one of the Cast Members at two desks on opposite sides of the station. This is also the place to reserve your FastPass+ for some of the park's most popular attractions. In certain locations throughout the park will be WorldKey/FastPass+ kiosks, so you can keep track of all your reservations, using your MagicBand to sign in. Above the station, giant screens provide a 30-minute glimpse of all the excitement that EPCOT Center has in store. It should look something like this:
Wrapping around the entire Spaceship Earth plaza are a series of shops. Just to the left of the entrance of Spaceship Earth is the Gateway Gifts store, which features a series of EPCOT Center and Spaceship Earth-based merchandise. Continuing to wrap in-front of Spaceship Earth and on the opposite side of the plaza is the Camera Center, which features specialty camera and picture products. Just continuing north up from the plaza, The Art of Disney store is located, featuring many Disney paintings, sketches, sculptures and collectibles.
Just up north, guests will arrive at the main hub of Future World, the 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 ponds and canals that surrounded Future World Central when Innoventions was CommuniCore will return.
I honestly want to make this new take on CommuniCore feel like E3, like a technology convention with real technology company presentations, from companies like Apple, Microsoft, Space X, Sharp, Cisco, and Google in addition to the current successful exhibits from Raytheon and IBM. I want the chance to learn about future technology and its applications in the world in a cool environment. I want CommuniCore to have the Apple Store effect. I think the main way to fix it is an update in sponsors and an overall maturity in the audience targets.
The entire 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.
Exhibits remaining here from Innoventions will include the Sum of All Thrills (presented by Raytheon), THINK (presented by IBM) and Project: Tomorrow (presented by Siemens), which has moved to CommuniCore due to Earth Station's return, as well as the private meet & greet for Disney Visa cardholders.
Three different exhibits from the original CommuniCore will return here. The first one is the EPCOT Outreach, an educational cul-de-sac found in CommuniCore West, where guests can 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 about Walt Disney World.
Also returning is SMRT-1, who could be considered the mascot of CommuniCore. Situated in one corner of CommuniCore East, 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.”
Finally, we have the Electronic Forum, presented by Time Magazine. Located in the southeastern quadrant of CommuniCore East, you’ll find an auditorium which plays host to the EPCOT Poll. Guests enter the theater and find seats with push-button panels on the armrests. A cast member at the front of the room 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 conservationists, and so on. You can also use kiosks to vote for “Person of the Year”, and even pick up the latest copy of Time.
At the farthest end of the northeastern quadrant of CommuniCore East is the Starlight Terrace, a re-named Electric Umbrella. At night, the whole place glimmers as if it were only lit by stars. The southeast quadrant of CommuniCore East plays host to 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.For dining at CommuniCore West, you can check out the Fountainview Espresso and Bakery, hosted by Starbucks. Here, you can dine on classic pastries, sandwiches and even try a bit of Starbucks coffee. You can also dine at Club Cool, where you can sample Cokes from all over the world. But a bit of advice—avoid the Beverly!
Also here in CommuniCore West is the CommuniCore Character Connection, a re-named Character Spot that will fit in more with the theme of the new CommuniCore. Here, you can meet up with various Disney friends throughout the day. A sign posted outside will list who’s inside.
Anyways, in the next post, I'll post my ride-through of the new version of Spaceship Earth. See ya then!
Twilight_Roxas
Well-Known Member
Sweet. If Wonders of Life is going to return would there be well a upgraded Cranium Command, but theme to Inside out?
You'll find out in time, Roxas. But for now, let's take a look at the updated version of...
MALE ANNOUNCER: On behalf of EPCOT Center and Siemens, welcome aboard Spaceship Earth. Journey with us now as we travel through time to explore the fascinating history of human communication.
The vehicle enters a dark tunnel and rises sharply upward. A starfield appears and we hear soundbites from famous people such as Susan B. Anthony's "We ask equality be guaranteed...", JFK's "Putting a man on the moon," and FDR's famous line, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Along the walls, light surges up colored "wires" towards the top of the tunnel. As we near the top, we see a projection of purplish clouds and an occasional lightning bolt as James Earl Jones begins his narration.
JAMES EARL JONES: Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed through the universe of time. And for a brief moment, we have been among its many passengers. But where did we come from and where were we going? In the dust from which we were formed, the walls of time have recorded the answers to these questions and so many others. And from the very beginning with our ancestors, we have always wanted to reach out to each other... to bridge the wide gaps between us... to communicate.
Once at the top of the tunnel, images of early human pioneers, men with spears or holding rocks, and mammoths are projected onto a large screen. Every few seconds the images ripple with a wave and then reappear. We then enter a cave and see a Shaman, or medicine man, with a fur cape and antlers on his head. Two men sit around the fire listening to the Shaman. His large shadow is reflected by the fire onto the cave wall. A woman is also listening while working with a fur. On the far right wall, a man and a woman are painting a message on the wall. The drawings are similar to those found in the Salon-Niaux cave in Ariège, France, circa 10,000 B.C. Sounds of animals growling echo through the caves.
Sweeping across a vast, lonely, hostile planet, our early ancestors had set out in every direction, for they were intent on their search for food and shelter. With the development of speech came a very significant answer to survival. Now we could share and learn from one another. On the walls of caves, we inscribed our utmost victories, an increasing proof of our deeds to share with others so they too may greet tomorrow's sun.
Moving into an Egyptian temple, representing 1567 - 1085 B.C., a man on the left is making paper out of papyrus. On the right, next to an elaborate entrance to a building whose archways are decorated with hieroglyphics, a man stands high upon scaffolding carving a ventilation hole near the top of a tower. Further ahead on the left, an Egyptian pharaoh is dictating a message as a scribe copies it onto the new paper. His wife is seated next to him while a servant fans them.
Within a few thousand years, the Egyptians created more walls, each of which covered in the first written form of communication: hieroglyphics, a multifaceted language of symbols and pictures. Now we could release our thoughts from carved walls and set them down on papyrus scrolls, the first form of paper. Pharaohs could now deliver declarations to subjects throughout the land.
In the Phoenician scene, 9th century B.C., two ships meet in the ocean to exchange goods. Another man on the larger ship, behind the smaller ship, holds a rope that is connected to the smaller ship so that both ships stay together. Fog surrounds the ships. Smoke rises from small fires in pots at both ends of the larger ship. To the right of us is a wall showing the ocean going to the horizon and stars above.
Then came the Phoenicians who not only helped institute the first means of trading goods to distant ports of call, but also created the first common alphabet and delivered it from one area of the Mediterranean to another.
Up next on the right is a Grecian school, circa 428 B.C. An elderly man teaches three young scholars.
In the land of ancient Greece, the written word solidified the advent of a new art. The Greeks refined the Phoenician alphabet by adding vowels. Now the written word could be enunciated. With this improvement came philosophy, logic, and mathematics.
Ahead on the left, a young Roman man holds the reins to a two horse-drawn chariot. The man, dressed as if he is in the Roman army, who arrived in the chariot is now exchanging information with another man dressed in a toga. The man holding the reins is standing on the ground with the horses, the army man is standing one step up, and the man in the toga is standing one step up from there on a marble platform. He is between four large columns, two on each side. Smoke rises from two small fires in metal pots/stands on both ends of the scene. In the back is a painted wall showing the streets of Rome. An animated horse-drawn cart with a man riding in it dashes out of one street and off into the distance.
The great Roman Empire intertwined three continents with roads, one of the fastest information highways the world had ever known. No matter what road you took, they all led to and from Rome.
We then see a building in ruins with smoke rising from it. The smell of the burning building fills the air.
Alas, these same roads spelled doom for Rome, thanks to invaders who left Rome and centuries of knowledge in the ashes of the Dark Ages. But all was not lost. Far from the smoldering embers, Jewish and Islamic teachers would not give up the quest for knowledge. As they traveled, they debated ideas and shared new breakthroughs to anyone who would listen.
In the Islamic Empire scene, on the right, four men sit around a table on pillows on the floor discussing topics. One man has two books right next to him and another has a wooden book holder that holds the book open to a specific page. On the left is a library with some books on the shelves. They aren’t stacked full. Two men, one standing, one seated on pillows on an elevated platform, are reading. Standing up high on the balcony on the right is an astronomer looking at the stars through a quadrant, which is an exact replica of the real thing. Further ahead on the left, two Benedictine Monks, 11th and 12th century, are seated at their desks copying text. The one on the right has fallen asleep at the job. His chest rises and falls as he breathes in and out.
In western abbeys, monks toiled endlessly in silent seclusion, copying old books of wisdom and revelations for future generations. At long last, from the depths of the Dark Ages, came the Renaissance and a wonderful new invention, the printing press. Now for all: the printed word.
On the left, two men are working with a large wooden printing press. Johann Gutenberg is studying a piece of paper that just came off the press (1456).
Scientists, scholars and explorers expanded their discoveries into books and essays. Poets, musicians and artists all fanned the flames of the Renaissance, swelling it into a time of priceless works of beauty and majesty.
In Renaissance Italy (1500s), on the right, one man is reading a book to two listeners on the steps. Also, two musicians are playing just beyond in front of a closed doorway. An Italian town can be seen through the columns and arches in the background. On the left, in an artist's studio, we see a man mixing paint, another painting some fruits with a bowl of fruit as a guide, and another chiseling marble to create a statue. Sketches of the female subject are on the wall behind him and to the left of him is a small statue that he also uses as a guide. Further ahead and up on the left, we see Michelangelo painting the Sistine ceiling while lying on his back high upon scaffolding. Below, the stained glass church windows are illuminated with black light. To the right is a conveyance system that allows buckets of paint to be hoisted up the scaffolding to Michelangelo.
On this wave of inspiration, we sail into a bold, new era: an age of amazing inventions and ever-increasing progress in communications, bringing people worldwide together as never before. As our appetite for knowledge and information continued to swell, the world began to shrink.
Now we move into the Age of Invention (19th and 20th centuries). First, we see a large steam-powered printing press by William Bullock in 1863. Just like Gutenberg inspected his printed paper, a man stands in front of the press and inspects a newspaper that was just printed. Nearby, on a street corner, a boy stands with a stack of New York Daily papers calling out to try to sell them.
NEWSPAPER BOY: Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The Civil War is over! Extra! Extra! (note that I have no idea what the paperboy currently shouts, but it'd remain the same.)
On the right, one man is dictating a message and the other is using a telegraph to send the message. Through the window and door behind them, we can see train tracks crossing the plains to the mountains in the distance. On the left is a switchboard that three women, two seated and the third standing, are operating. Behind that are several windows that represent homes and apartments throughout the town. Fiber optic telephone lines stretch from the switchboard across poles to the homes. We can hear conversations coming from the shadows of people in some of the windows. On the right, is a woman in a ticket booth. Above that and also spanning above us is a lighted "Cinema" sign. There are three screens to the left of the booth that show scenes from an old black and white movie about a guy on a runaway trolley ("Stop that trolley!" is one of the captions), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954). The screen showing the old movie is surrounded by red curtains and gold trim to look like the fancier theaters of its time. Back on the left is the WDP radio station. WDP is, of course, short for Walt Disney Productions. A man and a woman inside the sound booth are live on the air acting out a story. A man outside the booth is checking sound levels and directing. To the right of that is a radio tower with a red light blinking on top. On the wall behind it is a painting of another radio tower in the distance. Surrounding its red light are drawings of the radio waves spreading from the tower. Just beyond that is a family (mother, father, and daughter) sitting in their living room around the TV. The mother changes the channel using a large, by today's standards, remote control. Three other TVs hang on the wall up behind the family TV. The TVs are playing Ozzie and Harriet, the 1964 NFL Colts vs. Browns Championship Game, Walt Disney introducing an episode of Disney's Wonderful World of Color and Neil Armstrong landing on the moon.
JAMES EARL JONES: Now we have the ability to connect with everyone anywhere in the world, and then on July 20th, 1969, from somewhere else...
NEIL ARMSTRONG: That's one small step for man...and one giant leap for mankind.
JAMES EARL JONES: Yes, to send a man to the moon, we had to create a new language. A language not spoken by man...but by computer. Following this success, the power of the computer was put in everyone's hands.
Ahead on the left, we see a boy lying on the floor of his typical American room using his computer. He is checking e-mails on his computer that came from a Japanese girl and he is talking to her on his cell phone. Everything he says is translated into Japanese for her to understand and everything she says is translated into English, except once when she says, "Jason, you are one cool dude" in English. The video downloads include a written translation showing both languages. She plays a video clip of her baseball game for him to see. Fiber optics zip from his room up and across the ocean to her room in Japan, showing the transfer of the information. She is sitting on the floor of her home in Japan with a similar computer to the boy's, talking on a similar cell.
KAIKO: Jason, do you want to see my team’s winning run?
JASON: Cool. Launch it over.
KAIKO: Okay, wait...
JASON: Kaiko, it’s you! Excellent! I knew you were a star.
KAIKO: Oh, no...
Missing lines here...
JASON: Yeah, I can see. Hey, check this out!
KAIKO: Launch it over.
JASON: Hold on a second. There...
Missing lines here...
JASON: Wait, wait. Watch this. (hit) Yes!
KAIKO: Oh, Jason. You're master of [ ? ] too.
JASON: You were right. You won the match.
JAMES EARL JONES: The Internet, our new communications system is growing before our very eyes. Spaceship Earth glows with billions of interactions carrying news and information at the very speed of light.
Fiber optic lights then transfer the information to a large sphere representing Earth. We pass through a satellite transmitter that has rays of electric energy fly overhead, representing Internet informatoin jumping from city to city and sometimes across continents to computers. We then enter a tunnel that surrounds us with lights blinking and whirling past. The sounds of jumbled conversations and visuals of words (e-mails) join the music.The rays of energy converage and expand, covering the vehicles, almost as if it is being sucked into this expanse of energy. The video screens begin to illuminate with a series of digits and letters, as if it was being enveloped by a matrix. The vehicles travel down a glittering, illuminated matrix, before arriving at the peak of the attraction.
After 30,000 years of progress, here we are. Verged on the threshold of infinity, we see our world as it truly is: small, silent, fragile, alive, a drifting island in the midnight sky. We are a truly global community, poised to shape the future of this, our Spaceship Earth.
Outer space. Looking in from space, up at the Earth. The entire peak of the attraction features glittering, new fiber-optic stars, as well as projected stars filling the vast space sky. The vehicles then rotate backwards, as they begin their descent back down to earth.
MALE ANNOUNCER: Attention, travelers of time. Please remain seated at all times. Your time machine is rotating backwards for your return back to earth.
As I said earlier, the video screens will no longer be utilized during the finale and much of the current finale will be completely removed. As the vehicles descend down, they proceed through a vast expanse of matrix-y digits and numerals, enveloped in a wash of energy. An instrumental of "Tomorrow's Child" starts up.
JAMES EARL JONES: No longer can physical distance hamper communication. Today, the whole world is just a click or a call away. Our news is their news and vice-versa. We share our hopes and concerns with the whole planet. Today we truly live among people in a Global Neighborhood.
We pass below a large TV screen that displays news clips from around the world. Every 10 seconds or so, the image switches to a different anchor from a different part of the world.
Wondrous new tools will help us learn more about ourselves, each other and the planet we share. We'll find new ways to share our dreams and ideals and create a better for us, today, tomorrow and tomorrow's child.
The lyrics to "Tomorrow's Child" begin to be heard at this point and the song plays throughout the rest of the attraction, even during some upcoming dioramas.
No longer just words, but now images and videos are sent in a flash to every corner of our world. Cellular communications make it possible for us to be on-the-go and connect with others freely. Wireless computers and smart phones give us new information anywhere, any time we need. And as we enter a new century, yet another revolution in communication is upon us as profound as all the progress that has come before. By using our new communication tools to build better bridges between us, we will discover we all share the common bonds of hope and sorrow, dreams and joys.
On the right, we pass clouds, a star field, and an occasional lightning strike. The vehicles, still descending backwards, pass through a futuristic city. Lights below the track our vehicles are on seem to emulate cars speeding by. Giant buildings illuminated with fiber optic lights surround our field of vision. Inside these buildings, we can see various families from across the world all interacting with each other, via computer screen, communicating with it, sending video images from one place to another, establishing the fact that communication is right at our figner tips and therefore, the world as well. The segment displays the easy video transmition from a place like Japan and how it can reach to a family in Canada. The sets feature people from all over the world, communicating with other people across the room.
All these communications are sending information through the network to the vast, fiber optics filled, modern city on the waterfront beyond. Rays of fiber-optics spread away from the city up and over the vehicles, towards the descent of the attraction. As the vehicle continues to ascend down, the vehicle becomes wrapped in a descent of stars, as twinkling, colorful fiber-optics swirl overhead before seemingly dissolving into a series of glittering bulbs, as if fading, just as the vehicles turn around to reveal the unloading station.
Since the dawn of recorded time, communication has transformed our ways of life and changed our world. We now have the ability and the responsibility to build new bridges of acceptance and co-operation between us, to create a better world for our children and ourselves as we continue our astounding voyage on board Spaceship Earth.
MALE ANNOUNCER: Siemens thanks you for traveling with us on Spaceship Earth and look forward to serving you in the future. For a look at today's new technologies, we invite you to visit Project: Tomorrow in CommuniCore West, an exciting world of new ideas and innovations made possible by Siemens ingenuity. When the doors of your vehicle open, please gather your personal belongings, take small children by the hand and step out onto the moving platform up ahead. The platform and your vehicle are traveling at equal speed.
Upon exiting the vehicle, we then proceed down the ramp into Earth Station.
So, what do you guys think? In the next post, we'll continue our tour, exploring the eastern side of Future World.
Now then, let's move on...
Future World
continued
Passing underneath the archways located in-between the Starlight Terrace and Centorium, we find ourselves on the eastern side of Future World. After passing through the archway, guests can spot a small water play area just ahead. The side of future world features elevated plateaus of grass and trees, offering shade from the hot Florida weather. We can see the other Future World pavilions just ahead. We will head to the left and travel through the Future World pavilions in a counter-clockwise motion.
Continuing down to the left, guests will arrive at the Universe of Energy pavilion, presented by Hess.
Now, I was recently exploring the Creator Games thread, seeing what amazing concepts were being dreamed up there. And I came across this epic concept for a new Universe of Energy, as thought up by @TheOriginalTiki and @orlando678- (aka Team Key West). I loved the concept so much, I decided that it just had to be part of my plans, so all credit for this goes to them.
When first opened, the old Universe of Energy could compete with the Universal Studios Tram Tour as one of the straight up longest theme park attractions in the industry thanks to its multiple pre-shows and stops and starts. That's the area the twosome were most focused on, trimming the "fat" out of the attraction to have it play at a better pace and be far more engaging for modern day audiences, making it--how they said--"streamlined".
One of the things that's always been a bit off-putting about Universe of Energy is the amount of film you have to watch. The first pre-show before entering the theater is more impressive, featuring the technology of hundreds of different rotating screens making up a single image. The film before the ride begins when you get into the theater was a little more on the dry side. For that reason we've decided to combine these two pre-shows. The rotating screens will be moved to the initial "theater" of the attraction, while the lobby will feature dramatic murals of landscapes such as ships sailing in the wind, cavemen making fire, and a host of solar powered windmills, as well as the primeval time period that gave us "fossil fuels". These murals will serve as a more subtle and engaging way to ease into the attraction.
At around the two-minute mark, the Cast Member will do the obligatory safety spiel. When it's time for the show to begin, the "Crisis Overture" from Ellen's Energy Adventure will start up (the only thing remaining from the Ellen days), and the doors will open. Once you're inside the theater, a new film using the rotating screens technology will be shown. This is essentially an up to date version of the ideas present in the old Universe of Energy film, placing emphasis on breakthroughs in energy technology since the attractions opening and trimming out the dated 80s look that plagued the original.
Near the end, a re-enactment of the Big Bang will take place, perfectly utilizing the "kinetic mosaic" tactic. This Big Bang section serves as the start of energy formation, and the segue into the dinosaur scene. Your theater seats will then begin moving as normal.
Throughout the first part of the ride, not much has changed to preserve the history of the dinosaur AAs featured here. The lighting effects have been altered dramatically however, and now are a key part of telling the story. As you first come up on the brontosauruses, they're even more cast in shadow, at first appearing as mere shadowy forms before revealing themselves as you get closer.
The iconic fight between the T-Rex and Stegosaurus will remained largely untouched except once again through the lighting and cosmetics. The cliffs that the two are fighting on will be made to look more volcanic and aged, giving it the appearance the the actual rocks could collapse on themselves at any moment. In addition there will be thunder and lighting effects to set the mood properly. All volcano effects in the attraction will be updated to the latest projection mapping technology.
The creepy sharp fanged snake creature in the cave will be one of the few AAs to be completely replaced. He'll be getting a makeover as a brand new AA of the same design with realistic slithering movements. The entire cave sequence will feature much darker lighting to play up the suspense of this guy's appearance.
One of the things that's always made Universe of Energy a bit anti-climatic is the fact that after the exciting moving theater segment you are forced to watch another extended video (with even more dated 80s-isms!). The new Universe of Energy will trim that out and replace it with three brand new scenes. The first of which finds us in a desert environment boldly lit in bright shades of orange. Several oil derricks appear around us as we see the process of mining fossil fuels.
We then have a brief scene set in Silicon Valley where we pass a series of large scale white steel windmills. The final scene is a grand "future city" diorama in the true Epcot spirit. Solar paneling lines the buildings, windmills pop out in proper spots, all electric cars, and overall we can see that this city is powered exclusively by the resources of wind and sun. The finale comes with a bit of an "anti-fossil fuels" message and encourages all of us to look towards alternative energy as a source to build the foundation of our planet for future generations.
And with that the rotating screens close in on themselves and the attraction comes to a close with a montage of energy in motion, set to the pavilion's original theme: "Energy (You Make the World Go Round)".
Now, as you can see by the blueprint for the pavilion, the space for the exit area (#14) is quite large.
With that said, I would devote that space for Energy Exchange. This interactive exhibit used to be part of CommuniCore back during EPCOT Center's early days, but now, it has been brought back to be the post-show for the Universe of Energy.
Energy Exchange is a vast room full of computerized and three-dimensional displays revolving around the theme of...well, guess. Large metal pinwheels and other gear-heavy apparatuses hang from the ceiling. Down on the floor, guests can pedal bicycles and see the results of their labor measured in watts. Another exhibit allows guests the chance to spin a handle and, based on their speed and dexterity, generate the electricity required to light a bulb in front of them. A large model of an oil rig anchors another corner of the room. On display, you'll find a huge 30,000 pound chunk of oil shale. Containing 500 gallons of kerogen, the shale could provide enough oil to fuel a car for a year! There's also a touch-screen video game where guests controlled the flow of a car through digitized city streets in pursuit of optimum fuel economy. Hands-on? Undoubtedly. Fun? Of course. For more info on Energy Exchange, visit http://www.lostepcot.com/communicore.html
Continuing around Future World, the guests walk through several tucked away seating areas and shaded tree areas. They come across a ramp, which leads the way upwards to the next pavilion. The former location of the Wonders of Life pavilion has finally been reclaimed by another pavilion to make its home in Future World. The new pavilion is the Wonders of Weather pavilion, presented by GEICO.
Guests walk up along the ramp leading into the new pavilion. Upon entering the pavilion, guests enter into the large domed building. The pavilion is completely devoted to the weather, as a crystalline ceiling showcases warping clouds. The sides of the pavilion feature mural mosaic pictures of different weather conditions. The rim of the building features several attractions, while the middle of the pavilion features several interact exhibits about the weather, even including one specific exhibit where a guest can actually host their own, live weather forecast news special. The pavilion is themed around the Center for Weather Control (CWC for short), where the pavilion's main attraction, StormRider, takes place. The attraction, which will replace Body Wars, is an intense simulator ride, where it is the guests' duty to collect storm data and to destroy the vortex of the storm, as per request from a group of scientists needing the data. However, chaos ensues and the guests are in for a wild adventure.
Replacing Cranium Command is the Observation Station. In this attraction, guests stand in the middle of a hemispherical dome. A team of CWC scientists, led by Professor Sirius, use elemental powers to showcase the beauty and the danger of weather. The idea for this show comes to us from @TRF, the creative genius behind the Conceptual Theme Park Planning and Imagineerland blogs.
We enter a large preshow room with a wall of large scientific looking machines ahead and sections of water in the floor as if we are on a platform over a body of water. The preshow is a short movie explaining the mission of the CWC and the technology of the Observation Station. In order to fully understand what happens in weather events, the agency built this station off the coast where they can use their equipment to recreate weather events and then experience them from the safety of a observation theater. We will be doing just that today. Doors open to our left, leading us into the theater. The attraction is a 360 degree hemispherical dome movie, using dozens of projectors to create a seamless dome screen. We stand on a ring platform over more water, with a large hole in the middle. When we enter, the dome appears as if it is made up of large metal doors, which open one the demonstration starts. From here, weather events are simulated in the theater using the projection capabilities as well as real rain effects falling into the water, wind effects, lighting, and sound. It starts tamely, with us viewing a cloudy night sky, full moon above. The researchers then make it rain and show the control they have, making the rain move around and fall in patterns. The storm builds, adding heavier rain and wind. Eventually it grows out of control as we are subjected to a simulated hurricane above us. Things come back to order soon, and we leave the theater. We enter a lab area where we can experience interactive exhibits on the storm we just saw.
As a nod towards history, Buzzy and General Knowledge will make a few cameos.
Replacing the Sensory Fairgrounds are the WeatherWorks, which is as close as you'll ever get to actually riding a cloud! Located in the place of Sensory Fairgrounds, these interactive labs serve as the core educational resource for our EPCOT Center pavilion. Stimulating, mind-boggling, and a heck of a lot of fun all at the same time! The pavilion also features the Storm Struck exhibit, which has been moved here from Innoventions. The 3-D exhibit showcases two houses and how they can withstand the powers of an intense hurricane, if one had prepared more accordingly than the other. The attraction offers guests to distinguish the right choices on how to prepare for a hurricane. The pavilion also features the Winds of Change store, tucked away in the corner of the pavilion, and the Cloud 9 Cafe.
Continuing further down the outline of Future World, we will arrive at the Horizons pavilion, presented by Apple.
Just about everyone is fascinated with the future and what it might hold for us. Horizons, one of EPCOT Center's most beloved attractions, takes guests on a fascinating journey through the world of the 22nd century. First, take a look back at what past visionaries dreamed the future would be like from Jules Verne to sci-fi 1920s and 30s comic books to a futuristic 1950s. Then, two giant OmniSphere screens show what scientists and explorers are discovering now, which will be the basis for the future. Next, guests enter the 22nd century and view a typical city apartment, a desert farm complete with the scent of fresh oranges, an underwater city, and a space colony. In order to return home to 21st-century earth, guests chose the method of travel: on land, undersea, or through space. Upon arriving, guests are left with a final thought: "If we can dream it, we really can do it. And that's the most exciting part."
The return of Horizons is great as it bring back a lot of the old, inspirational themes from the original EPCOT Center, as well as bringing the return of an old dark ride into the park. The attraction will take guests into depictions of the future, sort of serving as a sequel to the Carousel of Progress over at the Magic Kingdom. The attraction also showcases the themes of communication, energy, transportation, land, sea and sky and anatomy, all which are depicted in the themes of Future World.
And by the way, don't worry about Mission: SPACE. It will be moved to the western side of Future World, in between The Land and The Seas...but there will be a few new surprises added to it...
To the right of Horizons, guests will come across the final pavilion of the eastern side of Future World, the Test Track pavilion, presented by Chevrolet.
Test Track is one of Walt Disney World's most popular thrill rides, so I think that, despite the park returning to its original EPCOT Center roots, it should definitely stay. But however, I would get rid of that ugly awning and giant "T" above the entrance. Apart from that, I wouldn't change a thing. On the ride, guests are able to design their own vehicle throughout the queue of the attraction. During the actual ride, with simulated screens and projections, guests appear to be driving the actual car that they had created. The guests are then able to take their vehicle through a series of test runs and procedures in three categories: Capability, Responsiveness and Efficiency, before taking it for a 65-mph streak for the Power test.
The experience exits out into the Chevrolet Showroom, which allows further exploration of guests’ designs through a variety of interactive activities, photo opportunities, and real Chevrolet cars to explore in a showroom. There is also the Green Light gift shop, selling little "SimCars" and other Test Track-related merchandise.
Nearby Test Track is the Odyssey Center, which offers First Aid and Baby Care, as well as serving as the new home for the Festival Center and a new restaurant. The new restaurant, aptly titled Odyssey, offers foods from around the world and providing epic views of World Showcase Lagoon. Leading off past the Oddysey, the path splinters off in two directions. The left leads off to World Showcase, while the right connects back to the rest of Future World and leads back to Centorium. We still have more of Future World to see. We take a brisk walk past nearby World Showcase and past Stargate Plaza and head off to explore the western side of Future World...
...which will be discussed in the next post. See ya then!
Future World
continued
Passing underneath the archways located in-between the Starlight Terrace and Centorium, we find ourselves on the eastern side of Future World. After passing through the archway, guests can spot a small water play area just ahead. The side of future world features elevated plateaus of grass and trees, offering shade from the hot Florida weather. We can see the other Future World pavilions just ahead. We will head to the left and travel through the Future World pavilions in a counter-clockwise motion.
Continuing down to the left, guests will arrive at the Universe of Energy pavilion, presented by Hess.
When first opened, the old Universe of Energy could compete with the Universal Studios Tram Tour as one of the straight up longest theme park attractions in the industry thanks to its multiple pre-shows and stops and starts. That's the area the twosome were most focused on, trimming the "fat" out of the attraction to have it play at a better pace and be far more engaging for modern day audiences, making it--how they said--"streamlined".
One of the things that's always been a bit off-putting about Universe of Energy is the amount of film you have to watch. The first pre-show before entering the theater is more impressive, featuring the technology of hundreds of different rotating screens making up a single image. The film before the ride begins when you get into the theater was a little more on the dry side. For that reason we've decided to combine these two pre-shows. The rotating screens will be moved to the initial "theater" of the attraction, while the lobby will feature dramatic murals of landscapes such as ships sailing in the wind, cavemen making fire, and a host of solar powered windmills, as well as the primeval time period that gave us "fossil fuels". These murals will serve as a more subtle and engaging way to ease into the attraction.
At around the two-minute mark, the Cast Member will do the obligatory safety spiel. When it's time for the show to begin, the "Crisis Overture" from Ellen's Energy Adventure will start up (the only thing remaining from the Ellen days), and the doors will open. Once you're inside the theater, a new film using the rotating screens technology will be shown. This is essentially an up to date version of the ideas present in the old Universe of Energy film, placing emphasis on breakthroughs in energy technology since the attractions opening and trimming out the dated 80s look that plagued the original.
Near the end, a re-enactment of the Big Bang will take place, perfectly utilizing the "kinetic mosaic" tactic. This Big Bang section serves as the start of energy formation, and the segue into the dinosaur scene. Your theater seats will then begin moving as normal.
Throughout the first part of the ride, not much has changed to preserve the history of the dinosaur AAs featured here. The lighting effects have been altered dramatically however, and now are a key part of telling the story. As you first come up on the brontosauruses, they're even more cast in shadow, at first appearing as mere shadowy forms before revealing themselves as you get closer.
We then have a brief scene set in Silicon Valley where we pass a series of large scale white steel windmills. The final scene is a grand "future city" diorama in the true Epcot spirit. Solar paneling lines the buildings, windmills pop out in proper spots, all electric cars, and overall we can see that this city is powered exclusively by the resources of wind and sun. The finale comes with a bit of an "anti-fossil fuels" message and encourages all of us to look towards alternative energy as a source to build the foundation of our planet for future generations.
And with that the rotating screens close in on themselves and the attraction comes to a close with a montage of energy in motion, set to the pavilion's original theme: "Energy (You Make the World Go Round)".
Now, as you can see by the blueprint for the pavilion, the space for the exit area (#14) is quite large.
Continuing around Future World, the guests walk through several tucked away seating areas and shaded tree areas. They come across a ramp, which leads the way upwards to the next pavilion. The former location of the Wonders of Life pavilion has finally been reclaimed by another pavilion to make its home in Future World. The new pavilion is the Wonders of Weather pavilion, presented by GEICO.
Replacing Cranium Command is the Observation Station. In this attraction, guests stand in the middle of a hemispherical dome. A team of CWC scientists, led by Professor Sirius, use elemental powers to showcase the beauty and the danger of weather. The idea for this show comes to us from @TRF, the creative genius behind the Conceptual Theme Park Planning and Imagineerland blogs.
We enter a large preshow room with a wall of large scientific looking machines ahead and sections of water in the floor as if we are on a platform over a body of water. The preshow is a short movie explaining the mission of the CWC and the technology of the Observation Station. In order to fully understand what happens in weather events, the agency built this station off the coast where they can use their equipment to recreate weather events and then experience them from the safety of a observation theater. We will be doing just that today. Doors open to our left, leading us into the theater. The attraction is a 360 degree hemispherical dome movie, using dozens of projectors to create a seamless dome screen. We stand on a ring platform over more water, with a large hole in the middle. When we enter, the dome appears as if it is made up of large metal doors, which open one the demonstration starts. From here, weather events are simulated in the theater using the projection capabilities as well as real rain effects falling into the water, wind effects, lighting, and sound. It starts tamely, with us viewing a cloudy night sky, full moon above. The researchers then make it rain and show the control they have, making the rain move around and fall in patterns. The storm builds, adding heavier rain and wind. Eventually it grows out of control as we are subjected to a simulated hurricane above us. Things come back to order soon, and we leave the theater. We enter a lab area where we can experience interactive exhibits on the storm we just saw.
As a nod towards history, Buzzy and General Knowledge will make a few cameos.
Replacing the Sensory Fairgrounds are the WeatherWorks, which is as close as you'll ever get to actually riding a cloud! Located in the place of Sensory Fairgrounds, these interactive labs serve as the core educational resource for our EPCOT Center pavilion. Stimulating, mind-boggling, and a heck of a lot of fun all at the same time! The pavilion also features the Storm Struck exhibit, which has been moved here from Innoventions. The 3-D exhibit showcases two houses and how they can withstand the powers of an intense hurricane, if one had prepared more accordingly than the other. The attraction offers guests to distinguish the right choices on how to prepare for a hurricane. The pavilion also features the Winds of Change store, tucked away in the corner of the pavilion, and the Cloud 9 Cafe.
Continuing further down the outline of Future World, we will arrive at the Horizons pavilion, presented by Apple.
Just about everyone is fascinated with the future and what it might hold for us. Horizons, one of EPCOT Center's most beloved attractions, takes guests on a fascinating journey through the world of the 22nd century. First, take a look back at what past visionaries dreamed the future would be like from Jules Verne to sci-fi 1920s and 30s comic books to a futuristic 1950s. Then, two giant OmniSphere screens show what scientists and explorers are discovering now, which will be the basis for the future. Next, guests enter the 22nd century and view a typical city apartment, a desert farm complete with the scent of fresh oranges, an underwater city, and a space colony. In order to return home to 21st-century earth, guests chose the method of travel: on land, undersea, or through space. Upon arriving, guests are left with a final thought: "If we can dream it, we really can do it. And that's the most exciting part."
The return of Horizons is great as it bring back a lot of the old, inspirational themes from the original EPCOT Center, as well as bringing the return of an old dark ride into the park. The attraction will take guests into depictions of the future, sort of serving as a sequel to the Carousel of Progress over at the Magic Kingdom. The attraction also showcases the themes of communication, energy, transportation, land, sea and sky and anatomy, all which are depicted in the themes of Future World.
And by the way, don't worry about Mission: SPACE. It will be moved to the western side of Future World, in between The Land and The Seas...but there will be a few new surprises added to it...
To the right of Horizons, guests will come across the final pavilion of the eastern side of Future World, the Test Track pavilion, presented by Chevrolet.
The experience exits out into the Chevrolet Showroom, which allows further exploration of guests’ designs through a variety of interactive activities, photo opportunities, and real Chevrolet cars to explore in a showroom. There is also the Green Light gift shop, selling little "SimCars" and other Test Track-related merchandise.
Nearby Test Track is the Odyssey Center, which offers First Aid and Baby Care, as well as serving as the new home for the Festival Center and a new restaurant. The new restaurant, aptly titled Odyssey, offers foods from around the world and providing epic views of World Showcase Lagoon. Leading off past the Oddysey, the path splinters off in two directions. The left leads off to World Showcase, while the right connects back to the rest of Future World and leads back to Centorium. We still have more of Future World to see. We take a brisk walk past nearby World Showcase and past Stargate Plaza and head off to explore the western side of Future World...
...which will be discussed in the next post. See ya then!
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Imagineerland
Well-Known Member
thanks for the compliment, but I should say that its not my idea either. I am just using the Spheron Theater system designed by Falcons Treehouse (http://www.falconstreehouse.com/spheron-theater.html). This is likely the best example of an attraction like this:
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I'm surprised that Disney hasn't licensed this yet, it has been around for 5+ years now and seems to be a pretty compelling yet simple attraction system.
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I'm surprised that Disney hasn't licensed this yet, it has been around for 5+ years now and seems to be a pretty compelling yet simple attraction system.
Oh. Well, nonetheless, it still sounds like a good idea.
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Now then, let's move on...
Future World
continued
continued
Continuing on past Test Track and the Oddysey, head off to the west side of Future World, where the final four pavilions are located. An alternate entrance into this side of Future World is another archway, located in-between the northwestern quadrant of CommuniCore and the Character Connection. There is a small indoor section of the archway, which features a timeline of the history of EPCOT Center, from its opening, up until this very year, featuring several new additions to the theme park.
The western side of mainly consists of several walkway bridges connecting from one pavilion to another. The bridges are suspended over beautiful, glistening reflecting pools, lined with stones. The walkways are offered covered by tall trees suspended from circular stone holders, which often make for good resting locations as well.
As guests enter the Imagination pavilion, they will first see that the building has been gutted, and the original lobby has been restored to its former glory, as in the days of the original Journey. The Walt Peregoy murals on both the ceiling and the walls have been lovingly recreated with updated color schemes and iridescent painting effects.
That's right--this iconic EPCOT Center attraction has returned to delight a new generation. On-board this adventure, guests meet Dreamfinder and his newest creation: a little purple dragon named Figment. After visiting the DreamPort, where the twosome store all their ideas, guests then proceed through several rooms representing different areas influenced by the imagination such as art, literature, the performing arts and science. The only change I'd make to the ride would be to utilize modern technology to improve the turntable's reliability, and to prevent the turntable from drilling itself into the floor.
Upon exiting the ride, you can go up inside one of the pyramids and explore the ImageWorks, where you can let your imagination run wild through several different exhibits, including the beloved Rainbow Corridor.
This is the view I am referring to. Isn't it gorgeous?
Located near the theater is the Sparks of Inspiration shop, selling Figment and Dreamfinder merchandise, as well as Nikon cameras. This will be in the same place as the original Kodak Camera & Film shop was years ago. Guests exit outside of the pavilion and find themselves in the pavilion's courtyard, known as the Magic Garden. They are greeted by an array of colorful, "jumping" fountains. The outside of the pavilion even features a recreation of the glass pyramids, as fountain jets shoot upwards towards it, almost creating a rising waterfall. A Figment topiary spins around and around. This garden is a nice place to meet up with Dreamfinder and Figment themselves.
Guests walk along the rampways leading throughout Future World. The pathway is lined with beautiful rose gardens, flower beds and grass fields. The pathways stretch over large vasts of reflective pools of glistening water beds. Continuing along the rim of the area, the guests will walk back along the flower mural, arriving at the next pavilion of Future World: The Land, presented by Chiquita.
Continuing along the rim of the overhead balcony surrounding the pavilion, guests will comes across the Garden Grill, a rotating, circular restaurant, which also offers a look into the Living With the Land attraction. The restaurant consists of a menu that has many healthy, natural food products that are grown right there at the pavilion, as well as character dining with Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale. Right beyond the Garden Grill is an escalator, staircase and elevator, leading down to the lower floor of The Land Pavilion.
The escalator descends down into the sitting courtyard for the Sunshine Seasons quick-service restaurant. The quick-service restaurant features healthy dishes, such as steak and meat entrees, soups, salads and sandwiches, down-home BBQ, cheese platters, vegetable sides and Asian noodle dishes. The quick-service restaurant also features a large array of desserts (mostly pastries and ice cream) and uses most of the food products that they grow here at The Land. A giant fountain sits in the middle of this area.
The attraction takes guests through the many agricultural procedures done throughout many different climates, before taking guests into the heart of the attraction, the agricultural plant domes, where guests pass by real growing methods incorporated by The Land, spotting several fruits and vegetables along the way, while also spotting new and innovative ways to advance the growing process of these crops.
On the opposite side of Sunshine Seasons, guests will find the iconic attraction of The Land pavilion, Soarin'. This attraction takes ascends guests into a domed-projection screen, where the simulating experience of flight overwhelms them with light breezes and smells of orange groves and ocean mists. This attraction will now upgrade their projection system to high-definition system to enhance the experience. Soarin' will now be departing flights to all over the world, including a trip over the Golden Gate Bridge, the bustling city metropolises of Japan, the Eiffel Tower, the sacred pyramids of Egypt, the undersea cove of the Great Barrier Reef, the dense Amazon Rainforest, Swiss mountain alps, Big Ben in London, the quaint city of Quebec in Canada (under the light of the Aurora Borealis) and ending with a fantastic flight over the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The attraction is a highlight of all of EPCOT Center and a must-see for anyone visiting Walt Disney World. Just outside of Soarin' is Aviation Court, which sells Soarin' and earthy merchandise.
"Over the past 40 years, the Imagineers have designed lots of great space-themed attractions for EPCOT. The problem was that — just as Disney began actively looking for a sponsor for this Future World attraction — the U.S. Congress cut NASA’s budget. Consequently, a lot of the aerospace companies who had relied on the money that poured in from man’s efforts to reach the moon then had to start doing lay-offs and severely cut back on their overall operating expenses. Consequently there was no money available to fund fun things like a space-themed attraction at a Disney theme park. Which is why it took until 2000 for the Imagineers to finally line up Compaq to serve as the sponsor for Mission: SPACE. But then when Hewlett-Packard acquired Compaq for $24.1 billion in 2002, they weren’t quite as enthusiastic about the whole sponsoring-a-new-Future-World-pavilion ideas as Compaq had been. So in order to keep HP on as the sponsor of “Mission: SPACE,” Disney had to sweeten the deal. Which is why — when Mission: SPACE officially opened in October of 2003 — HP & Disney announced that they were launching a “10-year strategic alliance devoted to elevating consumer entertainment experiences through the collaborative development of new technologies and enhanced entertainment experiences.” Translation: Keeping “Mission: SPACE” cutting-edge & exciting took a backseat to Disney promoting HP’s printers & scanners."
So, with all this knowledge, I plan to gut Mission: SPACE from this new space pavilion, and make it more like the original idea for a space-themed pavilion at EPCOT Center. How so? Let's take a look.
The pavilion's exterior is essentially the same as the epic grandeur of Mission: SPACE's exterior, pictured above, but once you enter through the giant Mars ball, that's where things start to change a bit.
Once inside, we wander through a forest (somewhat similar to Universal's ET ride). Then we come to a clearing where an amphitheater surrounds a campfire. Overhead is a planetarium-like sky. This becomes a sound and light show designed to evoke our wonder about space, connecting us to early man's earliest yearnings. This pre-show also introduces us to the pavilion's main theme, "Destiny".
From there, we proceed to a space transit station where we board space pods. During a brief show similar to the Living Seas cybrolators, we are shot into space to enter the future and dock with a large space station in earth orbit.
And then there is the Spacewalk. At the preshow we learn how to operate our EVA units. Each unit is suspended from an overhead track on a continuously moving belt. It has a seat and a four-point safety harness. Our feet dangle free. A joystick allows us to control yaw and roll. We can turn completely around or roll completely upside-down. If we want, we can ride backwards facing a friend to share the experience. A moving walk allows us to board and secure ourselves while the units keep moving. The ride circles us around the exterior of the space station. We have views into space (occasionally obstructed by appendages on the exterior of the space station) and into the interior of the space station. We can see some of the public spaces filled with our fellow visitors, and we see other "off limits" spaces we wouldn't otherwise see. These give us a better picture of life on the station.
All the attractions return us to the hub. We can stay as long as we want. There's also a restaurant called Constellations, located on a terrace overlooking the inky blackness of space, as well as the X-2 Rocket store, which features space-themed and Future World merchandise.
When we are ready to leave, a second set of space pods returns us to Future World. With The Mysterious Galaxy, I plan to give guests a look at space exploration in a way the whole family can enjoy.
Finally, we have The Living Seas pavilion, presented by National Geographic.
The Living Seas pavilion has been completely restored to its original state. While the Nemo overlay has been removed, there are plans to utilize the Finding Nemo franchise elsewhere in the resort, it just will not make its' home at EPCOT Center. Upon entering the building, we enter a small holding area, before entering a small theater, where guests view a short movie about the formation of the oceans entitled The Sea, followed by an elevator ride to the ocean floor aboard a "Hydrolator" (in reality, the floor merely shook and effects in the walls simulated downward motion). Guests then board a "Seacab" and travel through a tunnel and into the aquarium tank. Through large windows on both sides and smaller windows above, we can see the creatures living in the tank. Then the vehicles enter a large circular shaped room and move around three quarters of it.
Now that we've disembarked the seacabs, there are several exhibits to view here in Sea Base Alpha - a prototype underwater research facility.
For an additional fee, The Living Seas also features DiveQuest, an amazing experience where guests suit up in scuba gear and take a closer look at the deep, underwater sea life. A separate experience also allows guests to be able to swim with dolphins. Guests exit the Living Seas through another set of Hydrolator. Wrapping around the side of the building, guests will find the pleasant Coral Reef restaurant, where guests can dine amongst the beautiful scenery of an underwater setting. It is like dinner under the sea.
Future World
1) Spaceship Earth
- Spaceship Earth
- Earth Station
3) Universe of Energy
4) Wonders of Weather
- StormRider
- Observation Station
- StormStruck
- WeatherWorks
7) Test Track
8) Journey Into Imagination
- Journey Into Imagination
- ImageWorks
- Magic Journeys
- Living with the Land
- Kitchen Kabaret
- Soarin'
11) The Living Seas
- Caribbean Coral Reef
- Sea Base Alpha
- Turtle Talk
A) Gateway Gifts
B) Camera Center
C) The Art of Disney
D) Centorium
E) Winds of Change
F) Sparks of Inspiration
G) Aviation Court
Dining
A) Starlight Terrace
B) FountainView Espresso & Bakery
C) Club Cool
D) Cloud 9 Cafe
E) Food for Thought
F) Garden Grill
G) Sunshine Seasons
H) Constellations
I) Coral Reef
Plus, I should've said this sooner, but each pavilion will once again have their own distinct logo. I'm sure that you know a good majority of these logos...
Middle Row (L-R): CommuniCore, Horizons, Journey Into Imagination
Bottom Row (L-R): Universe of Energy, Wonders of Life, The Living Seas
Of all these, only Wonders of Life's logo won't be used, due to it being replaced by Wonders of Weather. Speaking of which, Wonders of Weather and The Mysterious Galaxy will each receive their own pavilion logos, each in the style of the other logos. This is what they will look like.
Wonders of Weather
Now then, in the next post, we'll move on to the next area of EPCOT Center: World Showcase. See ya then!
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Now then, let's move on to the next area of EPCOT Center...
World Showcase
Continuing on from the central point of Future World, from Stargate Plaza, guests continue forward until they arrive at World Showcase. World Showcase is centered by the World Showcase Lagoon, which is surrounded by sixteen different countries, representing the world. Not only that--but each country will serve as an "ambassador" for a different region of the world, so that way, every single country in the world will be represented here at EPCOT Center. Shout-out to Peter Schaab for the idea!
World Showcase can take guests from country to country in just a quick walk, where they can experience the sights, the food, the cultures, the experience of being able to explore the world, assisted by Cast Members who actually come from their country of origin.
Just continuing north from Future World and arriving at World Showcase Lagoon, directly ahead is the Friendship Cruise landing. The Friendship Cruise boats are a quicker way to travel from country to country, while enjoying a leisurely boat cruise across the World Showcase Lagoon. The boat cruise takes you from the entrance of World Showcase, to Germany and to the United Kingdom. Another form of transportation are the World Showcase Buses, a series of double-decker buses that take guests around the World Showcase. Ever wonder why the walkways in World Showcase are so wide? Well, that's because the buses used to travel along the walkways.
On both sides of the landing docks are two cubical, indoor gift shops aptly titled Port of Entry, which hosts several country-related items, as well as EPCOT Center merchandise. Continuing on to the left of World Showcase, exploring the countries in a clockwise motion, we proceed past a gazebo, surrounded by a rose garden, where Duffy the Disney Bear, appears routinely to host meet & greet appearances. From here, we continue on to the first country in World Showcase, Mexico.
Mexico
Rising around the bend, curbing the corner of World Showcase lagoon, guests can see a rising Aztec, multi-tiered temple, surrounded by dense forests. The temple rises high into the sky, dominating over the rest of the Mexico pavilion, the ambassador for Central America.
Just across from the temple, the Cantina de San Angel Inn restaurant is located, serving excellent Mexican cuisine. The location features both an indoor sit-down restaurant, as well as a quick-service location. The restaurants feature a complete tequila bar and are located right alongside the waters of World Showcase, making it an excellent viewing location for the nighttime fireworks. Attached to the side of the restaurant is the El Ranchito del Norte, which specializes in Mexican knick-knacks and what not.
The colored stone steps leading up to the temple reveal a small seating area, camouflaged in lush foliage. Entrances lead into the temple on both the left and right side of the temple, re-connecting back into the center of the temple, where posters and artifacts align the walls, showcasing the many different facts and activities of Mexico. Inside the center temple room, a cast member can be seen designing colorful ceramic animals. Right nearby, you'll find the Central American exhibits. The exhibit features Mexico, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The overall theme is of a Central American folk artists workshop. Colorfully painted woodcarvings fill the exhibit space.
Continuing into the next room, guests find themselves entering into a grand plaza, overlooking a nighttime courtyard of a Mexican fiesta. From the stone balcony overlooking the pavilion, guests see a streaming fountain just below, surrounded by bustling merchandise carts and stores, which is then preceded by a courtyard of tables adorned with flickering candles. Strings of lanterns are draped over the courtyard, as the sky is awash in blue lights. The farthest end of the courtyard reveals a small temple.
From the balcony, descending ramps to the left and the right lead down into the center, courtyard, Plaza de Los Amigos. The Plaza is filled with all sorts of merchandise, from over-sized sombreros, Mexican wines and liquors, ceramic and glass sculptures, blankets and decorations. To the right of the courtyard, another tequila bar is located, tucked away in one of the Mexican building facades. The La Familia Fashions store also features clothes specifically crafted from Mexico.
Just past the bustling carts and stores, guests will find the San Angel Inn, a restaurant which serves fantastic Mexican food by candle-light. The restaurant is located right on the waters outside of a Mexican temple, surrounded by lush foliage. The entire restaurant is quite romantic and simulates being outside, in a nighttime courtyard. To the left, of the restaurant is El Rio del Tiempo (The River of Time), a slow boat ride down the rivers of Mexico, where the guests are taken through the city rivers of Mexico, to experience the life and cultures of its' citizens. Along the journey, guests will experience the occupations, recreation and family life of Mexico, before the boat ride comes to an end in Mexico City, as fireworks shoot off around the guests.
Continuing back outside the stone steps of the Mexican temple, outside of the pavilion, guests will comes across a stone wall with inscribed details. This is often where Donald, Jose and Panchito, otherwise known as The Three Caballeros, host meet & greets. A mariachi band also frequently performs in the area. Stretching beyond the wall, into the dense foliage of a Mexican jungle, guests come across the Aztec Botanical Gardens. The new addition is a beautiful garden, which has seemingly grown around the ruins of a dilapidated Aztec temple. The garden is filled with flowers and plants and is utilized as a relaxing, off-the-beaten path area.
The temple is actually utilized as an attraction facade for the Raging Spirits coaster, an intense coaster formerly located from Tokyo DisneySea, where it will also make its' home at the Mexico pavilion in EPCOT Center. The attraction takes guests through a high-speed adventure through the ruins of an ancient temple, where ancient ceremonial practices had become commonplace. The attraction is quietly tucked away in the corner of the Mexico pavilion, built in tangent with the rest of the pre-existing building, making it quite a surprise to find.
Continuing north of Mexico, we continue to walk along the banks of the World Showcase Lagoon until we reach Norway.
Norway
Norway, ambassador of Scandinavia, was the second pavilion to be added to World Showcase after EPCOT Center had opened in 1982 and this country remains to keep its' original sentiment. Guests walk along the quaint village of a Norweigan town, taking in the quaint cottage-like buildings and architecture. At the entrance of Norway is the great Stave Church Gallery, a small, hidden room, offering quiet solitude to take in a museum of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden.
Just outside of the Stave Church Gallery, on the opposite side of the tall building, Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, a small bakery, which serves baked specialties from Norway, including fruit pastries, desserts and even ham and apple sandwiches. Just outside of the bakery, in-between the building and the Stave Church Gallery, an area of tables is located, under one of the roofed buildings. The roof above the sitting area is topped with grass running up along the sides of the roof, with planted flowers aligning the roof, creating quite a quaint, almost fairytale appearance.
Just across from the Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe is the Akershus Banquet Hall, a complete sit-down dining experience, where guests are welcomed into a beautiful Norweigan hall, where the delicious food and customs of Norway are shared with the guests. The character dining aspect has been removed.
Continuing through the beautiful village of Norway, just across from Akershus Banquet Hall is the Puffin's Roost, a complete gift shop for everything Norway-related. The gift shop features Norweigan clothes, custom-made in Norway, including heavy winter clothes, to the Maelstrom attraction's merchandise, to fine wines, perfumes and colognes, leading to a room of princess dolls and merchandise. The inside of the shop almost looks like a quaint skiing lodge. Outside of the shop, at the furthest end of the pavilion is a mountain, with a small waterfall cascading down the side of it. A cavern is seen from the mountain and it almost seems as though a boat is about to fall through the cavernous passage, before proceeding to move forwards.
The waterfall spills into a small lake, surrounded by beautiful planted flowers and trees. A bridge cross over the lake and in front of the waterfall, leading to what will assumably be the Frozen attraction. As much as Disney geeks like I am are cautiously optimistic about it, let's just what till it opens till we decide what to do about it.
Along the banks of World Showcase, the sounds of Norweigian waterfalls dissipate into the background, as the guests come across the next pavilion in World Showcase.
China
Guests arrive at the many beautifully-adorned and decorated temples of China, ambassador of Central Asia. The Chinese architecture depicts the beautiful scenery of a Chinese city. The entrance to the China pavilion is highlighted by a tall Chinese red arch, leading the way into a small Chinese water garden, filled with waterfalls and lily pads. Mulan, Shang and Mushu often meet guests in this garden. Straight ahead of the entrance arch of China, leading down a narrow path over the water garden, steps lead up to a grand palace of China.
Inside of the grand temple, guests will come across Reflections of China. In this experience, guests are welcomed inside of the grand temple. The lobby of the temple is adorned with Chinese artifacts, beautiful sculpting, banners and images depicting the origins of China. Guests are then brought into a round, Circle-Vision theater, where guests are then enveloped in the history, the art, the cultures and the life of what the country of China is. The grand Circle-Vision experience offers a wonderful portrayal of the country of China, teaching the guests more about the country through the colorful portrayal. Attached to the temple, just inside of the lobby, to the left, guests will comes across the House of Whispering Willows. The small room is tucked away in the corner of the Chinese temple and serves as the exhibit for Central Asia, representing China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The room is filled with Chinese Willow trees.
Just outside of the temple, an alleyway leads to the back end of the pavilion, running in tangent Yong Feng Shangdian store. The store is an extensive shopping plaza, running through the facades of several different China buildings. The Reflections of China attraction also exits through the shop's plaza. The shop features everything from expensive Chinese jewelry and sculptures, to Chinese garments, lanterns and incenses and stuffed animals.
Continuing back up north to the entrance of the China pavilion, on the right, is the Lotus Blossom Cafe, a small cafe area, serving delicious Chinese cuisine. Located further down the ramp, just after the entrance archway is the Nine Dragons restaurant, which offers an extensive selection of Chinese dishes in a beautiful, relaxing setting.
Continuing along the shores of the World Showcase Lagoon, we arrive at the newest pavilion to find its' home at World Showcase.
Indonesia
Now, we come to the first new pavilion for World Showcase--Indonesia, ambassador to Southern Asia. By the way, I was heavily inspired by @TRF for the new pavilions here (except for Russia and Egypt), so all credit for the new pavilions goes to him! This takes up half of the space once held by Outpost. It backs up directly to the dock area including the propane storage for Illuminations as I have heard, so it needs to be indoors and as far from the dock and as compact as possible.
Therefore, the restaurant for the area is placed on the edge of the World Showcase Lagoon, along with an outdoor seating garden. The restaurant serves traditional Southeast Asian foods including sate. The exterior is done in the Rumah Gadang style, seen here:
Across from it is deep jungle with the spires of Prambanan reaching up to the sky.
The structure is roughly half scale but is still plenty tall to act as a landmark, drawing you into the jungle. The path leads us past some small ruins to a temple entrance with the first spire right above us. The dark entrance is covered in vines and vegetation, showing the age of the area. Once inside however, we find ourselves in an indoor market. Wooden posts hold up a network of fabric panels, acting as the indoor “roof” of the area. There are market stalls all around, along with seating areas. The exhibit area blends right into the market, with various countries having market stalls as their presentation. At the end of the market is a stage for performances through the day. On the right side of the market is the entrance to the attraction for the pavilion, the Shadow Puppet Theater.
This is a shadow puppet show, done in the Wayang style, seen in the video above, that basically tells the story of the history of Indonesia. It exits back to the market.
Russia
The Russia pavilion is the second pavilion to arrive at World Showcase, taking up the other half of the former location of the Outpost area. This makes for a perfect location to fit a new country into the skyline of World Showcase and I thought that Russia would be a perfect fit, the architecture, the food, the weather, the culture, I'm surprised that it never made it into the final cut of the actual World Showcase.
Guests will find themselves in a beautiful city of Russia, adorned with several buildings, which create a pleasant entrance into the new pavilion. At the entrance of the Russia pavilion, guests will find the St. Petersburg Gifts location on the left and the Pirozhki Bakery on the right. While the St. Petersburg gift store showcases Russian-based merchandise, the Pirozhki Bakery offers pies, turnovers, as well as many other pastries, as well as some hot entrees as well, such as soups and meat dishes. The quaint village entrance of Russia is lined with streetlamps and ivy-crawled buildings.
However, the quaint entrance of Russia goes unnoticed by the grand, dominant Saint Basil's Cathedral, a structure unlike any other. The cathedral is made up almost to look like a castle, adorned in pink and green highlights, utilizing a staggered, layered design. The cathedral's towers lead to numerous colored, orbed turrets, depicting the grandeur and style of Russia. The cathedral spouts nine domed turrets and two spires. The cathedral is awash with vivid modern colors. The entire castle is quite different than anything in all of Walt Disney World and could very well steal the show from the other pavilions in World Showcase. Saint Basil's Cathedral utilizes forced perspective to make the cathedral appear to be taller than it actually is. However, the cathedral is still quite tall, looming over World Showcase lagoon at approximately one hundred and twenty feet.
Inside of the cathedral is a completely different experience. The Bells of Change attraction is located within the cathedral, offering a beautiful, artistic and historical depiction of the country of Russia. The tour of the castle takes guests from room to room of the castle, each room having completely ornate, beautiful designs, as each room inspires more knowledge and history of Russia. Many room actual depict and are recreated from the actual Cathedral is Russia. The cathedral also features a wonderful restaurant, called Trinity, receiving its' name from the Cathedral's original name as "The Trinity Church". The restaurant consists of three large rooms in the upper portions of the cathedral, offering guests a birds eye view of the Russian pavilion below, as they enjoy their three course meal. The rooms are as beautifully decorated as ever.
Continuing around the corner of World Showcase the guests will then arrive at Germany,
Germany
The pavilion of Germany consists mainly of many different shops, with some restaurants tucked in here and there. In between Germany and Russia are the exhibits for the region they both serve as ambassadors for: Eastern Europe, consisting of Germany, Russia, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. Just on the outskirts of the pavilion is a beautiful wishing well, where Snow White often meets guests. Upon entering the pavilion, to the right is the Das Kaufhaus store, which specifically sells crystal and glass figures, artwork and other types of merchandise. Surrounding the front of the pavilion is a nice relaxing area of trees and benches, which also make a great location to view the nighttime fireworks.
Guests find themselves in a quaint village of Germany, just at the base of a clocktower. Every hour, on the hour, the clock comes to life, as a series of gizmos and figures appear from within the clock's frame, creating in the midst of the town. The clock comes to life in a wonderfully animated scene, including several different moving gadgets and figures. The German village surrounds a beautiful fountain. On the left corner of the town is Karamell-Küche, a wonderful bakery, offering all sorts of treats. The bakery specializes in caramel sweets, from everything to caramel and vanilla cupcakes, chocolate cookies with caramel frosting, brownies, cupcakes and wonderful other snacks.
Passing through the sweet shop, guests will come across Die Weihnachts Ecke, a store completely devoted to Christmas items, featuring many different ornaments and Christmas merchandise. Through this store, guests will then be able to come across Weinkeller, a location that features a variety of different German wines and alcohols, where guests can purchase and even partake in their own wine tasting. Through the wine room, guests will then be able to reach the Kunstarbeit in Kristall store, which features more art work pieces and figures made completely out of glass.
All of these stores appear on the left hand side of the Germany pavilion. On the right side of the pavilion, the Volkskunst store can be located, offering many different Germany-based merchandise, from clothes, to yodeling attire, to sports equipment and working clocks. The store is also attached to the Der Teddybar store, which sells Disney Princess and teddy bear merchandise. On the farthest back end of the Germany pavilion, guests will find the sit-down Biergarten restaurant in the clocktower structure. Sommerfest has great German dishes, where guests can dine while being entertained by a quartet of yodelers. The location also features a quick-service location, consisting of mainly hot dogs and pretzels.
Right nearby Biergarten, you'll find the entrance to the Rhine River Cruise attraction. According to the Walt Disney Company's 1976 annual report, the Rhine River Cruise was to be “... a cruise down Germany's most famous rivers– the Rhine, the Tauber, the Ruhr and the Isar. Detailed miniatures of famous landmarks will also be seen, including one of the Cologne Cathedral.” While a majority of the show building was never actually constructed, the load and unload area of the ride would have been located next to the entrance to the Biergarten restaurant. Today, this area is hidden behind a giant mural depicting the German countryside.
My version of the ride would be along the lines of what was originally planned and similar in style to the boat ride in Mexico. The ride features a dramatic score comprised of music from some of Germany’s greatest composers including Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, and Wagner. Guests sail past scenes of some of Germany’s most enduring landmarks such as the Neuschwanstein castle, the Brandenburg Gate, the Cathedral of Cologne, and the Schwarzwald (Black Forest).
We continue to walk north out of Germany. We walk past a diorama of a small town, as a series of two trains weave their way through the town, passing in-between the village houses and tunnels. We have almost reached the halfway point of the World Showcase Lagoon, but we have one more pavilion to proceed through before we reach the halfway point.
Italy
Guests arrive in the quaint city square of a city reminiscent of Venice in Italy, serving as ambassador to the Mediterranean. It looks quite majestic and beautiful. In the forefront of the pavilion, there are two landings jutting out onto the Lagoon, the two, connected by a pair of twin bridges. The landings display a set of fountains. In-between the bridge landings and tunnelways, several canal boats can be seen on a nearby dock, making it seem as though the landings really are floating over the canals of Venice.
Back up north, guests will arrive in the Italian courtyard. To the left, guests will come across Enoteca Castallo, an Italian shop, which specializes in clothes, perfurmes and ceramic art pieces. Just across the courtyard, guests will come across Il Bel Cristallo and La Bottega Italiana, one being a wine location, offering a variety of wines to the guests and the other a chocolte store, offering some of the finest chocolate sweets and candies from Italy. Outside of the two stores, a small seating area is located, which also happens to be a perfect location for guests to have a wine tasting.
The courtyard often becomes host to a series of performances from three different sources: Sergio the mime, a troupe of flag-wavers known as Sbandieratori di Sansepolcro, as well as the World Showcase Players. That's right--they're back! This troupe of players go around World Showcase to tell their butchered versions of classic tales from the country. In the UK, they perform King Arthur & the Holy Grail as well as A Christmas Carol during the holidays, they perform Cyrano de Bergerac in France, and here in Italy, they perform Romeo and... well, just watch and see.
Tucked away in the corner behind one of the shops is a stairway leading up to one of the upper levels of the buildings. This location is often served as a meet & greet location for Pinocchio and Gepetto.
The back end of the Italian pavilion is reserved exclusively for some of the best restaurants in EPCOT Center. Guests come across a beautiful fountain area. Just past the fountain, to the left, is the Tutto Italia restaurant, which offers some of the best pasta, salad and italian dishes. At the farthest back end of the Italy pavilion, guests will come across the Via Napoli pavilion. This newest restaurant to the Italy pavilion is a great pizzeria, utilizing three different oven burnersm to create some of the finest dishes, transporting the flavors of Italy to their guests. The restaurant features a large sitting area, as well as a quaint outdoor seating location, offering wonderful views of the fireworks at nighttime.
Now then, in my plans, Norway isn't the other pavilion to get an expansion. Italy will be getting one of its own, too! Since Italy here is based on Venice, there's one thing this Italy needs--water. So I have created a new area between the current Italy and the American Adventure to fill that need for water. Stairs from the main square of the pavilion lead down to a walk way that is sunk about 5 feet, a Venetian canal beside it. Directly across the water is the Masquerade Celebration Carrousel, a double level carousel sitting right at the edge of the water. The queue begins in the building next to the carousel and takes you through a Masquerade mask workshop. The short queue then ends at the carousel. The carousel animals are all normal carousel animals, but wearing masks. It exits to the plaza by the canal. To the left, the water turns underneath two pedestrian bridges while tall buildings around it house shops and the Mediterranean exhibit space, representing Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Turkey, and Vatican City. It is themed as an Italian art gallery. You'll also find the Gelataria, a bakery that offers a wide assortment of gelato as well as numerous pastries, such as biscotti, cannoli, and zeppole.. The store by the World Showcase concourse is also expanded. The canal has a small backstage dock, but I can’t image much active movement on such a small body of water. A possible use would be a gondola based singer that floats out to perform.
Continuing on from Italy, we arrive at the heart of World Showcase, exactly symmetrical to where we first entered World Showcase. From across the vast World Showcase Lagoon, one could just make out the border-line buildings of Future World and the Spaceship Earth globe. This location is the home of...
The American Adventure
When entering into The American Adventure, guests feel as though they are entering into the colonial era of American history. The buildings are adorned in brick layering, with white finishings. Oak trees planted about create a serene vista for the American pavilion. The pavilion is similar to the Liberty Square land over at the Magic Kingdom, as they share the same theme.
Just to the left of the entrance of the pavilion, guests will find an alcove planted with trees, where characters most notably Song of the South, Lilo & Stitch, Pocahontas and The Princess and the Frog (all of which are set in America) often host meet & greet appearances. Just across from the main plaza of the pavilion, guests will find the America Gardens Theater, an amphitheater-style theater, which is host to several events such as the Eat to the Beat concert series during the Food and Wine Festival and the Candlelight Processional during the Holiday season. Most of the time, the theater is specifically used solely for special event purposes.
On the side of the America Gardens Theater, guests will be able to find what appears to be a landing dock, reminscient of the earlier settlements of the pilgrims' arrival to America. The dock makes way to the new addition of the Mayflower ship, the ship upon the pilgrims had sailed, upon reaching America. The ship, while immobile, offers guests a great view of World Showcase, while including several interactive elements, on which guests can discover.
Across from the theater is the main plaza of the pavilion. At certain points throughout the day, a Colonial-era fife and drum corps perform. The entrance of the plaza features two small buildings, making up the Fife & Drum Tavern, featuring food items, such as turkey legs, funnel cakes and fried ice cream. The area also features a few small carts featuring merchandise. The plaza then proceeds to open up before a beautiful fountain, centering the pavilion, showcasing the main building, which overlooks all of World Showcase. Occasionally, a colonial marching troop makes their way through the pavilion. The left section of the building features the Liberty Inn, a quick-service colonial restaurant. I would completely reinvent this restaurant into more of a food court-style eatery with divided into different sections each highlighting a different part of the country. There would be a New England section offering various seafood dishes, a Louisiana section featuring jambalaya and gumbo, a Southern Barbecue section with ribs, grilled chicken, a pulled pork, and a Hawaiian section offering dishes with a tropical flare. To the right side of the main building features the Heritage House Gifts store, which features American-based merchandise, such as t-shirts from many different city, hats and colonial props and some of America's favorite candy treats.
The main center of the building showcases The American Adventure, the world's largest audio-animatronic show. Guests proceed into a beautiful, colonial domed lobby, where the Voices of Liberty, America's own singing group, often sings a number of old American classics. Paintings around the room showcase the many different eras of American civilization. In a small side passage to the right, guests will find the National Treasures Exhibit, which features actual artifacts from previous historical figures, such as Martin Luther King, Will Rodgers and Mark Twain.
When the American Adventure show is ready to commence, guests then proceed up a grand staircase through the Hall of Flags, featuring flags from all of the states of America. They then proceed through the upper level of the lobby, where they can glance down into the previous lobby section. Guests are then brought into the main theater, where they witness one of the most moving and influential attractions of the Resort. The attraction utilizes complete sets and an entire audio-animatronic cast. The show is hosted and narrated by Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain, bringing guests back through the trials and hardships of settling pilgrims, to the age of the revolutionary war, the dawn of progress and technology, leading up to the grand conclusion of modern society, with Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain atop the Statue of Liberty, all set to "Golden Dream", one of the several musical themes that is heard throughout EPCOT Center.
And that's where we'll stop for now. Stay tuned as we continue making our way around World Showcase with even more changes and additions.
World Showcase
Continuing on from the central point of Future World, from Stargate Plaza, guests continue forward until they arrive at World Showcase. World Showcase is centered by the World Showcase Lagoon, which is surrounded by sixteen different countries, representing the world. Not only that--but each country will serve as an "ambassador" for a different region of the world, so that way, every single country in the world will be represented here at EPCOT Center. Shout-out to Peter Schaab for the idea!
World Showcase can take guests from country to country in just a quick walk, where they can experience the sights, the food, the cultures, the experience of being able to explore the world, assisted by Cast Members who actually come from their country of origin.
Just continuing north from Future World and arriving at World Showcase Lagoon, directly ahead is the Friendship Cruise landing. The Friendship Cruise boats are a quicker way to travel from country to country, while enjoying a leisurely boat cruise across the World Showcase Lagoon. The boat cruise takes you from the entrance of World Showcase, to Germany and to the United Kingdom. Another form of transportation are the World Showcase Buses, a series of double-decker buses that take guests around the World Showcase. Ever wonder why the walkways in World Showcase are so wide? Well, that's because the buses used to travel along the walkways.
Mexico
Rising around the bend, curbing the corner of World Showcase lagoon, guests can see a rising Aztec, multi-tiered temple, surrounded by dense forests. The temple rises high into the sky, dominating over the rest of the Mexico pavilion, the ambassador for Central America.
The colored stone steps leading up to the temple reveal a small seating area, camouflaged in lush foliage. Entrances lead into the temple on both the left and right side of the temple, re-connecting back into the center of the temple, where posters and artifacts align the walls, showcasing the many different facts and activities of Mexico. Inside the center temple room, a cast member can be seen designing colorful ceramic animals. Right nearby, you'll find the Central American exhibits. The exhibit features Mexico, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The overall theme is of a Central American folk artists workshop. Colorfully painted woodcarvings fill the exhibit space.
Continuing into the next room, guests find themselves entering into a grand plaza, overlooking a nighttime courtyard of a Mexican fiesta. From the stone balcony overlooking the pavilion, guests see a streaming fountain just below, surrounded by bustling merchandise carts and stores, which is then preceded by a courtyard of tables adorned with flickering candles. Strings of lanterns are draped over the courtyard, as the sky is awash in blue lights. The farthest end of the courtyard reveals a small temple.
From the balcony, descending ramps to the left and the right lead down into the center, courtyard, Plaza de Los Amigos. The Plaza is filled with all sorts of merchandise, from over-sized sombreros, Mexican wines and liquors, ceramic and glass sculptures, blankets and decorations. To the right of the courtyard, another tequila bar is located, tucked away in one of the Mexican building facades. The La Familia Fashions store also features clothes specifically crafted from Mexico.
Just past the bustling carts and stores, guests will find the San Angel Inn, a restaurant which serves fantastic Mexican food by candle-light. The restaurant is located right on the waters outside of a Mexican temple, surrounded by lush foliage. The entire restaurant is quite romantic and simulates being outside, in a nighttime courtyard. To the left, of the restaurant is El Rio del Tiempo (The River of Time), a slow boat ride down the rivers of Mexico, where the guests are taken through the city rivers of Mexico, to experience the life and cultures of its' citizens. Along the journey, guests will experience the occupations, recreation and family life of Mexico, before the boat ride comes to an end in Mexico City, as fireworks shoot off around the guests.
Continuing back outside the stone steps of the Mexican temple, outside of the pavilion, guests will comes across a stone wall with inscribed details. This is often where Donald, Jose and Panchito, otherwise known as The Three Caballeros, host meet & greets. A mariachi band also frequently performs in the area. Stretching beyond the wall, into the dense foliage of a Mexican jungle, guests come across the Aztec Botanical Gardens. The new addition is a beautiful garden, which has seemingly grown around the ruins of a dilapidated Aztec temple. The garden is filled with flowers and plants and is utilized as a relaxing, off-the-beaten path area.
The temple is actually utilized as an attraction facade for the Raging Spirits coaster, an intense coaster formerly located from Tokyo DisneySea, where it will also make its' home at the Mexico pavilion in EPCOT Center. The attraction takes guests through a high-speed adventure through the ruins of an ancient temple, where ancient ceremonial practices had become commonplace. The attraction is quietly tucked away in the corner of the Mexico pavilion, built in tangent with the rest of the pre-existing building, making it quite a surprise to find.
Continuing north of Mexico, we continue to walk along the banks of the World Showcase Lagoon until we reach Norway.
Norway
Norway, ambassador of Scandinavia, was the second pavilion to be added to World Showcase after EPCOT Center had opened in 1982 and this country remains to keep its' original sentiment. Guests walk along the quaint village of a Norweigan town, taking in the quaint cottage-like buildings and architecture. At the entrance of Norway is the great Stave Church Gallery, a small, hidden room, offering quiet solitude to take in a museum of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden.
Just across from the Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe is the Akershus Banquet Hall, a complete sit-down dining experience, where guests are welcomed into a beautiful Norweigan hall, where the delicious food and customs of Norway are shared with the guests. The character dining aspect has been removed.
Continuing through the beautiful village of Norway, just across from Akershus Banquet Hall is the Puffin's Roost, a complete gift shop for everything Norway-related. The gift shop features Norweigan clothes, custom-made in Norway, including heavy winter clothes, to the Maelstrom attraction's merchandise, to fine wines, perfumes and colognes, leading to a room of princess dolls and merchandise. The inside of the shop almost looks like a quaint skiing lodge. Outside of the shop, at the furthest end of the pavilion is a mountain, with a small waterfall cascading down the side of it. A cavern is seen from the mountain and it almost seems as though a boat is about to fall through the cavernous passage, before proceeding to move forwards.
Along the banks of World Showcase, the sounds of Norweigian waterfalls dissipate into the background, as the guests come across the next pavilion in World Showcase.
China
Guests arrive at the many beautifully-adorned and decorated temples of China, ambassador of Central Asia. The Chinese architecture depicts the beautiful scenery of a Chinese city. The entrance to the China pavilion is highlighted by a tall Chinese red arch, leading the way into a small Chinese water garden, filled with waterfalls and lily pads. Mulan, Shang and Mushu often meet guests in this garden. Straight ahead of the entrance arch of China, leading down a narrow path over the water garden, steps lead up to a grand palace of China.
Just outside of the temple, an alleyway leads to the back end of the pavilion, running in tangent Yong Feng Shangdian store. The store is an extensive shopping plaza, running through the facades of several different China buildings. The Reflections of China attraction also exits through the shop's plaza. The shop features everything from expensive Chinese jewelry and sculptures, to Chinese garments, lanterns and incenses and stuffed animals.
Continuing back up north to the entrance of the China pavilion, on the right, is the Lotus Blossom Cafe, a small cafe area, serving delicious Chinese cuisine. Located further down the ramp, just after the entrance archway is the Nine Dragons restaurant, which offers an extensive selection of Chinese dishes in a beautiful, relaxing setting.
Continuing along the shores of the World Showcase Lagoon, we arrive at the newest pavilion to find its' home at World Showcase.
Indonesia
Now, we come to the first new pavilion for World Showcase--Indonesia, ambassador to Southern Asia. By the way, I was heavily inspired by @TRF for the new pavilions here (except for Russia and Egypt), so all credit for the new pavilions goes to him! This takes up half of the space once held by Outpost. It backs up directly to the dock area including the propane storage for Illuminations as I have heard, so it needs to be indoors and as far from the dock and as compact as possible.
Therefore, the restaurant for the area is placed on the edge of the World Showcase Lagoon, along with an outdoor seating garden. The restaurant serves traditional Southeast Asian foods including sate. The exterior is done in the Rumah Gadang style, seen here:
This is a shadow puppet show, done in the Wayang style, seen in the video above, that basically tells the story of the history of Indonesia. It exits back to the market.
Russia
The Russia pavilion is the second pavilion to arrive at World Showcase, taking up the other half of the former location of the Outpost area. This makes for a perfect location to fit a new country into the skyline of World Showcase and I thought that Russia would be a perfect fit, the architecture, the food, the weather, the culture, I'm surprised that it never made it into the final cut of the actual World Showcase.
Guests will find themselves in a beautiful city of Russia, adorned with several buildings, which create a pleasant entrance into the new pavilion. At the entrance of the Russia pavilion, guests will find the St. Petersburg Gifts location on the left and the Pirozhki Bakery on the right. While the St. Petersburg gift store showcases Russian-based merchandise, the Pirozhki Bakery offers pies, turnovers, as well as many other pastries, as well as some hot entrees as well, such as soups and meat dishes. The quaint village entrance of Russia is lined with streetlamps and ivy-crawled buildings.
However, the quaint entrance of Russia goes unnoticed by the grand, dominant Saint Basil's Cathedral, a structure unlike any other. The cathedral is made up almost to look like a castle, adorned in pink and green highlights, utilizing a staggered, layered design. The cathedral's towers lead to numerous colored, orbed turrets, depicting the grandeur and style of Russia. The cathedral spouts nine domed turrets and two spires. The cathedral is awash with vivid modern colors. The entire castle is quite different than anything in all of Walt Disney World and could very well steal the show from the other pavilions in World Showcase. Saint Basil's Cathedral utilizes forced perspective to make the cathedral appear to be taller than it actually is. However, the cathedral is still quite tall, looming over World Showcase lagoon at approximately one hundred and twenty feet.
Continuing around the corner of World Showcase the guests will then arrive at Germany,
Germany
The pavilion of Germany consists mainly of many different shops, with some restaurants tucked in here and there. In between Germany and Russia are the exhibits for the region they both serve as ambassadors for: Eastern Europe, consisting of Germany, Russia, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. Just on the outskirts of the pavilion is a beautiful wishing well, where Snow White often meets guests. Upon entering the pavilion, to the right is the Das Kaufhaus store, which specifically sells crystal and glass figures, artwork and other types of merchandise. Surrounding the front of the pavilion is a nice relaxing area of trees and benches, which also make a great location to view the nighttime fireworks.
Guests find themselves in a quaint village of Germany, just at the base of a clocktower. Every hour, on the hour, the clock comes to life, as a series of gizmos and figures appear from within the clock's frame, creating in the midst of the town. The clock comes to life in a wonderfully animated scene, including several different moving gadgets and figures. The German village surrounds a beautiful fountain. On the left corner of the town is Karamell-Küche, a wonderful bakery, offering all sorts of treats. The bakery specializes in caramel sweets, from everything to caramel and vanilla cupcakes, chocolate cookies with caramel frosting, brownies, cupcakes and wonderful other snacks.
All of these stores appear on the left hand side of the Germany pavilion. On the right side of the pavilion, the Volkskunst store can be located, offering many different Germany-based merchandise, from clothes, to yodeling attire, to sports equipment and working clocks. The store is also attached to the Der Teddybar store, which sells Disney Princess and teddy bear merchandise. On the farthest back end of the Germany pavilion, guests will find the sit-down Biergarten restaurant in the clocktower structure. Sommerfest has great German dishes, where guests can dine while being entertained by a quartet of yodelers. The location also features a quick-service location, consisting of mainly hot dogs and pretzels.
Right nearby Biergarten, you'll find the entrance to the Rhine River Cruise attraction. According to the Walt Disney Company's 1976 annual report, the Rhine River Cruise was to be “... a cruise down Germany's most famous rivers– the Rhine, the Tauber, the Ruhr and the Isar. Detailed miniatures of famous landmarks will also be seen, including one of the Cologne Cathedral.” While a majority of the show building was never actually constructed, the load and unload area of the ride would have been located next to the entrance to the Biergarten restaurant. Today, this area is hidden behind a giant mural depicting the German countryside.
We continue to walk north out of Germany. We walk past a diorama of a small town, as a series of two trains weave their way through the town, passing in-between the village houses and tunnels. We have almost reached the halfway point of the World Showcase Lagoon, but we have one more pavilion to proceed through before we reach the halfway point.
Italy
Guests arrive in the quaint city square of a city reminiscent of Venice in Italy, serving as ambassador to the Mediterranean. It looks quite majestic and beautiful. In the forefront of the pavilion, there are two landings jutting out onto the Lagoon, the two, connected by a pair of twin bridges. The landings display a set of fountains. In-between the bridge landings and tunnelways, several canal boats can be seen on a nearby dock, making it seem as though the landings really are floating over the canals of Venice.
The courtyard often becomes host to a series of performances from three different sources: Sergio the mime, a troupe of flag-wavers known as Sbandieratori di Sansepolcro, as well as the World Showcase Players. That's right--they're back! This troupe of players go around World Showcase to tell their butchered versions of classic tales from the country. In the UK, they perform King Arthur & the Holy Grail as well as A Christmas Carol during the holidays, they perform Cyrano de Bergerac in France, and here in Italy, they perform Romeo and... well, just watch and see.
Tucked away in the corner behind one of the shops is a stairway leading up to one of the upper levels of the buildings. This location is often served as a meet & greet location for Pinocchio and Gepetto.
The back end of the Italian pavilion is reserved exclusively for some of the best restaurants in EPCOT Center. Guests come across a beautiful fountain area. Just past the fountain, to the left, is the Tutto Italia restaurant, which offers some of the best pasta, salad and italian dishes. At the farthest back end of the Italy pavilion, guests will come across the Via Napoli pavilion. This newest restaurant to the Italy pavilion is a great pizzeria, utilizing three different oven burnersm to create some of the finest dishes, transporting the flavors of Italy to their guests. The restaurant features a large sitting area, as well as a quaint outdoor seating location, offering wonderful views of the fireworks at nighttime.
Now then, in my plans, Norway isn't the other pavilion to get an expansion. Italy will be getting one of its own, too! Since Italy here is based on Venice, there's one thing this Italy needs--water. So I have created a new area between the current Italy and the American Adventure to fill that need for water. Stairs from the main square of the pavilion lead down to a walk way that is sunk about 5 feet, a Venetian canal beside it. Directly across the water is the Masquerade Celebration Carrousel, a double level carousel sitting right at the edge of the water. The queue begins in the building next to the carousel and takes you through a Masquerade mask workshop. The short queue then ends at the carousel. The carousel animals are all normal carousel animals, but wearing masks. It exits to the plaza by the canal. To the left, the water turns underneath two pedestrian bridges while tall buildings around it house shops and the Mediterranean exhibit space, representing Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Turkey, and Vatican City. It is themed as an Italian art gallery. You'll also find the Gelataria, a bakery that offers a wide assortment of gelato as well as numerous pastries, such as biscotti, cannoli, and zeppole.. The store by the World Showcase concourse is also expanded. The canal has a small backstage dock, but I can’t image much active movement on such a small body of water. A possible use would be a gondola based singer that floats out to perform.
Continuing on from Italy, we arrive at the heart of World Showcase, exactly symmetrical to where we first entered World Showcase. From across the vast World Showcase Lagoon, one could just make out the border-line buildings of Future World and the Spaceship Earth globe. This location is the home of...
The American Adventure
When entering into The American Adventure, guests feel as though they are entering into the colonial era of American history. The buildings are adorned in brick layering, with white finishings. Oak trees planted about create a serene vista for the American pavilion. The pavilion is similar to the Liberty Square land over at the Magic Kingdom, as they share the same theme.
On the side of the America Gardens Theater, guests will be able to find what appears to be a landing dock, reminscient of the earlier settlements of the pilgrims' arrival to America. The dock makes way to the new addition of the Mayflower ship, the ship upon the pilgrims had sailed, upon reaching America. The ship, while immobile, offers guests a great view of World Showcase, while including several interactive elements, on which guests can discover.
Across from the theater is the main plaza of the pavilion. At certain points throughout the day, a Colonial-era fife and drum corps perform. The entrance of the plaza features two small buildings, making up the Fife & Drum Tavern, featuring food items, such as turkey legs, funnel cakes and fried ice cream. The area also features a few small carts featuring merchandise. The plaza then proceeds to open up before a beautiful fountain, centering the pavilion, showcasing the main building, which overlooks all of World Showcase. Occasionally, a colonial marching troop makes their way through the pavilion. The left section of the building features the Liberty Inn, a quick-service colonial restaurant. I would completely reinvent this restaurant into more of a food court-style eatery with divided into different sections each highlighting a different part of the country. There would be a New England section offering various seafood dishes, a Louisiana section featuring jambalaya and gumbo, a Southern Barbecue section with ribs, grilled chicken, a pulled pork, and a Hawaiian section offering dishes with a tropical flare. To the right side of the main building features the Heritage House Gifts store, which features American-based merchandise, such as t-shirts from many different city, hats and colonial props and some of America's favorite candy treats.
The main center of the building showcases The American Adventure, the world's largest audio-animatronic show. Guests proceed into a beautiful, colonial domed lobby, where the Voices of Liberty, America's own singing group, often sings a number of old American classics. Paintings around the room showcase the many different eras of American civilization. In a small side passage to the right, guests will find the National Treasures Exhibit, which features actual artifacts from previous historical figures, such as Martin Luther King, Will Rodgers and Mark Twain.
When the American Adventure show is ready to commence, guests then proceed up a grand staircase through the Hall of Flags, featuring flags from all of the states of America. They then proceed through the upper level of the lobby, where they can glance down into the previous lobby section. Guests are then brought into the main theater, where they witness one of the most moving and influential attractions of the Resort. The attraction utilizes complete sets and an entire audio-animatronic cast. The show is hosted and narrated by Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain, bringing guests back through the trials and hardships of settling pilgrims, to the age of the revolutionary war, the dawn of progress and technology, leading up to the grand conclusion of modern society, with Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain atop the Statue of Liberty, all set to "Golden Dream", one of the several musical themes that is heard throughout EPCOT Center.
And that's where we'll stop for now. Stay tuned as we continue making our way around World Showcase with even more changes and additions.
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Continuing down along the lagoon of World Showcase, guests will then come across the next pavilion.
Japan
Across from the this half of the Japan pavilion, across the main courtyard, guests will come across the Mitsukoshibuilding, a complete Japanese store, one of the biggest in EPCOT Center. These store features everything from kimonos, Japanese t-shirts, headdresses, jeweley, selections of bowls, bonsai plants, paper fans, lanterns and a great deal of Japanese wines, candies and other sweets. One could probably spend hours in this store, as there is so much to see. The store wraps around the complete right side of the pavilion, leading to the back and heading towards the front of the pavilion.
At the exit of the gift shop, still in the main Mitsukoshi building, guests will then be able to find the Bijutsu-Kan Gallery, serving as the exhibit for the Pacific Islands region, representing Japan, Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Taiwan.
Back in the main center of the pavilion, a staircase leads up to the second story of the Mitsukoshi building, which leads its' way up to the Teppan-Edo, a fantastic sit-down restaurant, where guests sit around a stove top, as a chef prepares Japanese dishes right before them. It is both an entertaining and delicious experience. The experience also offers great vistas of all of EPCOT Center and proves to be one of the best restaurants in the entire park. I was just there a couple of months back and it is definitely a great experience and is well worth it.
Standing at the far back of the pavilion is the hulking structure of Mount Fuji. One can argue that Disney already has enough mountain-themed rollercoasters, but each one has its own unique theming, details, and identity. I am envisioning this coaster to be along the lines of the Matterhorn at Disneyland or Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom in terms of both the ride experience and thrill level. Guests would travel both inside and outside the mountain from its base to the snowy summit, passing through caves, past waterfalls, and even narrowly escaping an avalanche.
We then proceed out of Japan and towards the next country in the World Showcase.
Brazil
Of all the continents (except Australia and Antarctica), South America has yet to be represented here at World Showcase. So in that sense, South America is finally represented here in World Showcase with a new pavilion centered around Brazil. The pavilion is modeled after the city of Ouro Preto.
There is also a lot of vegetation blocking our view further into the area. Once through the jungle, we find ourselves in the beginning of the street. To the left is the second entrance to the exhibit area and to the right are stores. At the end of the street, there is a courtyard with a large church like building at the head of the square, which is the entrance to the Brazilian Steakhouse. The entrance is into the church like building although most of the dining room is in a separate building. In the main dining room, there is an open kitchen area with the large grills. To the left is the entrance to the main attraction, a roller-coaster known as the Little King Mine Trek.
The queue begins in the mining museum of the city, and passes through areas of equipment storage and museum, making this are seem very much in use. As with most other coaster at Disney parks, we will eventually board a mine vehicle, similar to the ones that are actually used in mines there, although quite a bit more substantial. The coaster seats 2 per row with 15 rows.
There is also a public second floor area above the queue area. The square would be a good place for a traditional Brazilian music group to perform.
Morocco
A fountain is located in the center courtyard of the pavilion. The fountain leads to the Medina, which stands for "Old City". Here, guests will find the Marketplace in the Medina, where guests can come across hand woven baskets, wallets, bags, hats and carpets. After passing through a small chamber, featuring a fountain, guests will find the Brass Bazaar attached to the Marketplace. The Brass Bazaar features decorative plates, pots, serving sets, wooden collectibles and even lamps. Pointed archway buildings and swirling patterns adorn the passageways from building to building, featuring wooden, plaster and tiled accents.
The passageway leads towards the back of the Moroccan city, where guests will find an entryway into one of the buildings. Inside the building, a magic lamp, the same one seen in Aladdin, rests on a mantle. The room is filled with large, luxurious pillows. This is a common location for Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie to host Meet & Greet appearances. The passageway then connects back to the Tangier Traders merchandise store, which is a complete clothing store, offering garments, woven belts, shoes and other styles of Morrocan clothing. The store is also attached to the Tangerine Cafe, which operates as a quick-service restaurant in Morocco, while also featuring a very nice dessert display, as well.
The North Africa exhibits are located where the Gallery of Art and History is today. It represents Morocco, Algeria, Libya, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tunisia. It is themed as a textile workshop and market.
At the farthest back corner of the pavilion, guests will find Marrakesh, a nice sit-down restaurant, where guests feel as though they are completely surrounded by the feelings of Morocco through the flavor of their food, their customs and their fantastic hospitality service. Also at the far back of the pavilion is a brand-new attraction.
I thought it would be best, as a way of balancing the attractions in World Showcase, to have something that would appeal more to children and therefore looked at Moroccan folktales for inspiration. One of the most popular pieces of literature in the Arab world is One Thousand and One Nights (more commonly known as Arabian Nights). This is a collection of various stories and tales that, while they did not originate in Morocco, are reflective of the country’s culture and history.
It would be extremely tempting to put an Aladdin attraction in Morocco since it is one of the stories found in Arabian Nights, but I do not feel that World Showcase is the proper venue. Another popular tale from Arabian Nights is the Seven Voyages of Sindbad and this has actually been made into an attraction at Tokyo Disney Sea called Sindbad's Seven Voyages.
Sindbad's Seven Voyages lies somewhere in between these two, taking the fanciful, make-believe feel of Small World and the swashbuckling adventure of Pirates and coming up with an entirely new attraction that is as memorable as its famous predecessors.
Along your journey you will visit busy Far East towns, discover vast stores of treasure, encounter mermaids, caravans, some decidedly unfriendly ape men, and a gigantic genie that is definitely not to be confused with the one from Aladdin. Wonderful Arabian-themed music enhances the atmosphere throughout your voyage. While the boat itself moves slowly, the pacing of this attraction is perfect, and you will be enthralled with the fantasy world that surrounds you as you drift from one adventure to the next.
This attraction features a cast of hundreds of animatronic characters that tell the tale of Sinbad. Walt Disney envisioned Audio-Animatronics as a way to bring cartoon characters to three-dimensional life, and that vision has never been more fully realized than in Sinbad's Seven Voyages. The characters are beautifully conceived, and appear as though they were taken right from the pages of a storybook. What really sets them apart though is their remarkably fluid animation. It is eerie how lifelike their movements are, and they really have to be seen to be believed.
We continue around the bend of the World Showcase until we come across the next pavilion.
South Africa
This was a difficult pavilion. Africa is so heavily represented in Animal Kingdom, so I needed to do something different. World Showcase is also very urban based, and I didn’t want to break that with this pavilion. After looking at the architecture and history of South Africa, I decided to divide the pavilion into two areas: a Dutch inspired area, representing the colonization of South Africa, and a traditional African area, representing the rest of the continent.
From the World Showcase concourse, the first icon of the pavilion is the tower of the Castle of Good Hope, a Cape Town landmark. The buildings at the front of the pavilion are themed to be inside the colonial fortress and contain shops, the restaurant, serves a variety of traditional African foods, the small counter service location, and the exhibit space, representing the many countries of South Africa: South Africa, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The exhibit is themed to a map making workshop.
Further on, the architecture dramatically changes, resembling the high stone walls of the native city of Great Zimbabwe, seen here:
The show here at the Village Theater is a hyper-realistic take on African fables, told with puppetry--specifically, puppetry like the Handspring Puppet Company, creator of the puppets used in War Horse.
I envision this show to be different every time. I have seen quite a few episodes of a show called Tinga Tinga Tales on Disney Junior, where they tell fables of animals. In that sense, I envision the show to change fables with each performance. Here now are some of the fables from the show:
France
The buildings here recollect the era of a beautiful French city-scape. A canal-like passage through France is much like France's Seine. Upon entering into the country, guests will come across a small alcove of trees, where guests can often meet Belle and the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. Just past the alcove, a few carts sell delicious home-made French crepes, as well as some other delicious treats at Monsieur Paul. The stone walls that barricade the World Showcase lagoon showcase canvasses of French artistry and artwork. In this area, artists are located to draw portraits and sillhouettes of guests.
France features several kiosks, that often puntuate the streets of Paris. Marie, Toulouse and Berlioz from The Aristocats host meet & greets within the area. The smell of a nearby bakery seems to run through the area. You can see that the French building expand towards the back of the pavilion, towards a large, somewhat grander building, before taking an offset to the left, continuing up a small alleyway. From behind the larger building at the back end of the courtyard, guests can see the grand Eiffel Tower, stretching high into the sky. The Eiffel Tower utilizes the technique of forced perspective to make it appear larger than it actually is.
Continuing up through the plaza towards the top of the pavilion, guests walk along a beauitful fountain, before arriving at the Arcade, a mall of different shops, including the Plume Et Palette, La Signature and L'esprit de Provence. All of these shops offer wonderful French items that could only be found from within the country. At Plume Et Palette and La Signature, guests can be able to sample and purchase a display of numerous perfumes and colognes from the country. L'esprit offers displays of dinnerware and kitchen accessories. On the opposite side of the string of shops is a small rose garden, where Princess Aurora and Cinderella often meet guests.
Back in the main courtyard of the pavilion, to the left, a small alleyway leads to the farthest back point of the pavilion. However, directly ahead, guests will find Impressions de France, which is showcased in the Palais du Cinema, a theater in which the guests can witness a break-taking eighteen minute film sequence about the beauty, landscape, foods and cultures of France. The film features beautiful estates, vineyards in harvest time, beautiful harbors, the French Alps and a view of the Eiffel Tower. The entire experience is enhanced by a wonderfully composed score of French classical music, as well as a 200 degree screen that wipes across the entire front and sides of the theater.
France serves as the ambassador to Western Europe, and its exhibit space is carved out of the shops near the back of the pavilion, near the exit of Impressions de France. It represents France, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, and Switzerland. It is themed as a book store.
The attraction exits out into the Souvenirs de France store, which features everything from Eiffel Tower statues and shirts to CDs and gifts themed to the artwork of several French artists. Just outside of the shop, to the right, guests will find the Boulangerie Patisserie, a wonderful bakery in the pavilion, located amongst the other themed buildings in the Paris city. The bakery features delectable treats, some of them include turnovers, parfaits, sandwiches and pot pies, amongst other things. There is a quaint small sitting area just outside of the bakery. Just across from the bakery is Les Vins de France, a wonderful wine shop, where guests can hold their own wine tasting. The alleyway proceeds to lead further down, back into the main plaza of France.
International Gateway
Continuing on from the France pavilion, guests cross a bridge, leading over World Showcase Lagoon and proceeding out of the France pavilion. Here, guests enter the International Gateway. While the International Gateway is not an actual "land" in the park, it still does serve some vital purpose. To the right, there is a staircase descending down into a tiered landing, which offers fantastic views of the Illuminations fireworks. To the left, guests will come across the Gateway Gifts and World Traveler stores, which feature EPCOT Center and World Showcase merchandise. From here, there is an actual EXIT out of the park, which is connected to the Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin, and Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. The path also offers a quick brisk walk to the entrance of Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Further on along the pavilion, guests will arrive at the entrance to the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, ambassador to the British Isles, takes guests to the beautiful city-scape of a London square and then to the edge of a canal on a rural countryside, all within the realm of a contained bustling city street. The streets are framed by London buildings, which perfectly capture the elegance and charm of England. The buildings receive their architectural styles from English Tudor, Georgian and English Victorian style characteristics. While there is no major attraction in the pavilion, it does feature nearly half a dozen shops and a pub that serves a fantastic selection of beers.
As soon as you enter the pavilion, a thatched roof cottage will be just on the left, amidst the other English buildings in the area. In front of the cottage, Mary Poppins and Alice both host meet & greet appearances. Inside of the cottage which was inspired by William Shakespeare's wife, guests will find the Tea Caddy. The cottage features a fireplace, amongst the beams. The shop stocks a wide variety of English teas, teapots, china and biscuits. Just next to the Tea Caddy is The Queen's Table, which offers a wonderful display of perfumes, soaps and other fragrances. Behind these shops are the very small British Isles exhibits. They are small because they only consist of the UK and Ireland.
The pathway then empties out into the Rose and Crown Pub, which is a fantastic restaurant that serves wonderful England-inspired dishes. The restaurant also operates at a basic pub, which serves some great alcoholic drinks. To the side of the restaurant, the quick-service location Yorkshire Country Fish Shop serves a limited list of items from the Rose and Crown. Just before the restaurant, guests will find a pair of faux telephone booths, identical to those that could be found around the United Kingdom.
Outside of the shops, there is a lovely English courtyard, decorated with fanciful garden and flower motifs. In the courtyard, a band called the British Invasion plays daily, belting out the tunes of the Beatles. At the back end of the pavilion, guests will find one last store, the Toy Soldier, which features a nice selection of British toys, as rather as an extensive gift selection from Winnie the Pooh and the gang from the Hundred Acre Wood. In this store, a separate room features meet & greets with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, amongst other Winnie the Pooh characters.
At the far back of the courtyard is a theater made to look like the famed Globe Theater, where Shakespeare premiered many of his plays. This theater is home to a brand-new stage show: Isles of Wonder.
This brand-new stage show is inspired by the insanely epic opening ceremony to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London (read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Summer_Olympics_opening_ceremony), and tells the tale of Britain's amazing history and culture.
I'd have the show open with the Journey Along the Thames film (up to the point where we go through the Rotherhithe Tunnel), then go through the "Green and Pleasant Land" and "Pandemonium" scenes (representing the early days of Britain, and British culture up to the 60's), then go straight into "Frankie and June say...thanks Tim", which highlights British culture from the 60's up till now. And I honestly don't know if it would be cheesy or not to end with "Hey Jude", much like how the ceremony ended, but that would be awesome.
We then continue on to the final new pavilion of World Showcase.
Egypt
We arrive in the sand-swept ruins of the great deserts of Egypt, ambassador to the Middle East. This new pavilion will take the former place of the Millennium Village building that was only ever utilized during the Food and Wine Festival. This new pavilion will make up its' new home in Epcot and will be centered by a grand pyramid, which dominates over the rest of the pavilion. Sand floors are sketched into the pavement of the pavilion. A wooden bridge suspends over the land, as a part of the World Showcase Lagoon runs throughout the Egyptian sands, simulating a serene Nile River, as tall strings of grass appear from the waterbeds of the river.
In the center of the pavilion, guests will find the Egyptian Marketplace, which is a bustling metropolis of activity. The Marketplace features several stores and the Cairo Cafe quick-service restaurant, which offers a splendid selection of Egyptian-style foods. Egyptian cuisine is know for its kababs, meat and vegetables that are grilled on skewers. The concept for this restaurant would be that diners walk through an area designed to look like a market and select different types of meat, vegetables, spices, and sauces they want on their kababs. Diners then take their ingredients to a large open fire pit where a chef will place the ingredients they have chosen onto a skewer and they can watch as the kababs are prepared over the open fire. There's also a bakery featuring a large selection of breads, which form the backbone of Egyptian cuisine, as well as numerous Egyptian pastries. The bakery would offer a variety of different sandwiches and guests would have the opportunity to select which type of bread on which they would like to have their sandwich. Within the Marketplace, the Cairo Jewelers store is located, featuring a great supply of wonderfuly jewelery and fragrance items. Attached to Cairo Jewelers is the Ancient Artifacts store, which sells all different sorts of material and merchandise from Egypt, including clothing, wooden sculptures, ancient tablets and incenses.
The ride exits out into the Middle East exhibits, representing Egypt, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The space is themed as an archeological storage room.
The sand bottoms of the Egyptian landscape soon gives way to a rockier landscape.
Canada
This country celebrates the United States' neighbor to the north, as well as serving as ambassador to the Arctic--which mostly consists of just Canada. The country features a rocky landscape, leading past a set of totem poles. Arriving just beyond, at the top of a wooden staircase leading to the upper section of the pavilion, guests will be able to find Northwest Mercantile and La Boutique des Provinces. Northwest Mercantile features Candian apparel, as well as plush toys, lanterns, maple syrup and other Canadian-themed collectibles. La Boutique des Provinces is located inside of Hotel du Canada, a large recreation of the Canadian hotel, and features items crafted by Canadian artists.
Down the steps and leading to the right, guests will find a small pathway, wrapping down a lovely garden area, right beside a babbling brook and a cascading waterfall. Here, guests are then brought to Le Cellier Steakhouse, one of the finest Steakhouses in Florida. The restaurant features great entrees, a relaxing atmosphere and a great selection of desserts. However, because this restaurant is one of the most popular in all of the resort, landing a specific reservation here cane be somewhat tedious.
Just north of Le Cellier Steakhouse, guests will walk along the rushing waterfalls of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The mountainous range stretch a vast way, leading guests to the farthest point of the pavilion, where they are then brought to O Canada!, an eighteen minute motion picture presentation, hosted by Martin Short. The complete 360 degree Circle-Vision theater portrays the Canadian country's splendor, from prairies and plains, shorelines and rivers and untouched snowfields. The film takes guests along a journey through many of Canada's cities, such as Montreal and Quebec, before ending the presentation with a trip by Niagra Falls.
At the far back of the pavilion, you'll find a new attraction: Grizzly River Run.
From here, the pathway connects back to the center point of World Showcase and Future World.
World Showcase
1) Mexico (Central America)
- El Rio del Tiempo
- Raging Spirits
- Frozen Ever After
- Reflections of China
- Shadow Puppet Theater
- The Bells of Change
- Rhine River Cruise
- Masquerade Celebration Carrousel
9) Japan (Pacific Islands)
- Mt. Fuji
- Bullet Train Pass
- Little King Mine Trek
- Sindbad's Seven Voyages
- Village Theater
- Impressions de France
- Isles of Wonder
- The Great Pyramid of Anubis
- O Canada!
- Grizzly River Run
A) Port of Entry
B) El Ranchito del Norte
C) Plaza de Los Amigos
D) La Familia Fashions
E) The Puffin's Roost
F) Yong Feng Shangdian
G) Indonesian Market
H) St. Petersburg Gifts
I) Das Kaufhaus
J) Die Weihnachts Ecke
K) Weinkeller
L) Kunstarbeit in Kristall
M) Volkskunst
N) Der Teddybar
O) Enoteca Castallo
P) Il Bel Cristallo
Q) La Bottega Italiana
R) Heritage House Gifts
S) Mitsukoshi
T) Brazilian Shop
U) Souk Al Magreb
V) Marketplace in Medina
W) Brass Bazaar
X) Tangier Traders
Y) South African Shop
Z) Plume Et Palette
AA) La Signature
BB) L'esprit de Provence
CC) Souvenirs de France
DD) Les Vins de France
EE) Gateway Gifts
FF) World Traveler
GG) Tea Caddy
HH) The Queen's Table
II) Crown and Crest
JJ) Sportsman Shoppe
KK) Toy Soldier
LL) Cairo Jewelers
MM) Ancient Artifacts
NN) Northwest Mercantile
OO) La Boutique des Provinces
Dining
A) El Cantina del San Angel
B) San Angel Inn
C) Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe
D) Akershus Banquet Hall
E) Lotus Blossom Cafe
F) Nine Dragons
G) Indonesian Restaurant
H) Pirozhki Bakery
I) Trinity
J) Sommerfest
K) Biergarten
L) Karamell-Kuche
M) Tutto Italia
N) Via Napoli
O) Gelateria
P) Liberty Inn
Q) Fife and Drum Tavern
R) Teppan Edo
S) Yokitori House
T) Brazilian Steakhouse
U) Spice Road Table
V) Tangerine Cafe
W) Marrakesh
X) South African Restaurant
Y) South African Counter-Service
Z) Monsieur Paul
AA) Boulangerie Patisserie
BB) Les Chefs de France
CC) Rose and Crown Pub
DD) Yorkshire Country Fish Shop
EE) Cairo Cafe
FF) Egyptian Bakery
GG) King Tut's
HH) Le Cellier
In the final post about EPCOT Center, I'll go over the entertainment found every day. See ya then!
Twilight_Roxas
Well-Known Member
So would that mean Sinbad's would have Alan Meken's Compass of Your Heart, and wish there was something well Doctor Who related in the United Kingdom Pavilion.
Flippin'Flounder
Well-Known Member
I like the ambassador idea
orlando678-
Well-Known Member
I wished the italian carousel would have been a boat carousel with gondolas being the vehicles. Overall you did a very good job!
Actually, "Compass of Your Heart" appeared in the revised version, Sindbad's Storybook Voyage. The version I plan to bring to EPCOT Center is the original version.
Thank you very much!
Gondolas as carousel vehicles? I don't see how that would work.
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Now then, here's the last part of EPCOT Center...
Entertainment
The major change in entertainment will be to bring back what is considered to be Disney's greatest parade: Tapestry of Nations!
The procession will be pretty much unchanged. The parade will make two runs throughout the day: one in the afternoon, and one in the evening, just before IllumiNations.
Plus, serving as a pre-show to IllumiNations will be a new projection show called Voices of Tomorrow.
This show is basically a musical illustration of the vision and purpose of EPCOT Center. The arrangement contains all the history of the concept from the City of Walt’s time to the Center of not-too-long ago and Park of today concluding with an orchestral finale symbolizing nothing less than the dreams of its future. Most of the show takes place on Spaceship Earth, as various clips are projected onto the grand sphere—Walt’s description of EPCOT, the park opening, and various other things. In fact, here’s a video featuring the song, which I think will give you some inspiration for the show:
And finally, of course, we have the insanely epic IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. I really do enjoy IllumiNations and I feel as though it fits Epcot perfectly. The show is going to remain the same as it is, with minor technical work being done on things such as the fountains, barges and fireworks. I think that IllumiNations perfectly reflects the themes of Epcot, featuring great segments and a moving score which has almost become a staple soundtrack to the park.
Future World
1) Spaceship Earth
- Spaceship Earth
- Earth Station
3) Universe of Energy
- Universe of Energy
- Energy Exchange
- StormRider FP+
- Observation Station FP+
- StormStruck
- WeatherWorks
6) Test Track FP+
7) Journey Into Imagination
- Journey Into Imagination FP+
- ImageWorks
- Magic Journeys
- Living with the Land
- Kitchen Kabaret
- Soarin' FP+
10) The Living Seas
- Caribbean Coral Reef
- Sea Base Alpha
- Turtle Talk FP+
A) Gateway Gifts
B) Camera Center
C) The Art of Disney
D) Centorium
E) Winds of Change
F) Green Light
G) Sparks of Inspiration
H) Aviation Court
Dining
A) Starlight Terrace
B) FountainView Espresso & Bakery
C) Club Cool
D) Cloud 9 Cafe
E) Food for Thought
F) Garden Grill
G) Sunshine Seasons
H) Constellations
I) Coral Reef
World Showcase
11) Mexico (Central America)
- El Rio del Tiempo
- Raging Spirits FP+
- Frozen Ever After FP+
- Reflections of China
- Shadow Puppet Theater
- The Bells of Change
- Rhine River Cruise
- Masquerade Celebration Carrousel
19) Japan (Pacific Islands)
- Mt. Fuji FP+
- Bullet Train Pass
- Little King Mine Trek FP+
- Sindbad's Seven Voyages FP+
- Village Theater
- Impressions de France
- Isles of Wonder
- The Great Pyramid of Anubis FP+
- O Canada!
- Grizzly River Run FP+
A) Port of Entry
B) El Ranchito del Norte
C) Plaza de Los Amigos
D) La Familia Fashions
E) The Puffin's Roost
F) Yong Feng Shangdian
G) Indonesian Market
H) St. Petersburg Gifts
I) Das Kaufhaus
J) Die Weihnachts Ecke
K) Weinkeller
L) Kunstarbeit in Kristall
M) Volkskunst
N) Der Teddybar
O) Enoteca Castallo
P) Il Bel Cristallo
Q) La Bottega Italiana
R) Heritage House Gifts
S) Mitsukoshi
T) Brazilian Shop
U) Souk Al Magreb
V) Marketplace in Medina
W) Brass Bazaar
X) Tangier Traders
Y) South African Shop
Z) Plume Et Palette
AA) La Signature
BB) L'esprit de Provence
CC) Souvenirs de France
DD) Les Vins de France
EE) Gateway Gifts
FF) World Traveler
GG) Tea Caddy
HH) The Queen's Table
II) Crown and Crest
JJ) Sportsman Shoppe
KK) Toy Soldier
LL) Cairo Jewelers
MM) Ancient Artifacts
NN) Northwest Mercantile
OO) La Boutique des Provinces
Dining
A) El Cantina del San Angel
B) San Angel Inn
C) Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe
D) Akershus Banquet Hall
E) Lotus Blossom Cafe
F) Nine Dragons
G) Indonesian Restaurant
H) Pirozhki Bakery
I) Trinity
J) Sommerfest
K) Biergarten
L) Karamell-Kuche
M) Tutto Italia
N) Via Napoli
O) Gelateria
P) Liberty Inn
Q) Fife and Drum Tavern
R) Teppan Edo
S) Yokitori House
T) Brazilian Steakhouse
U) Spice Road Table
V) Tangerine Cafe
W) Marrakesh
X) South African Restaurant
Y) South African Counter-Service
Z) Monsieur Paul
AA) Boulangerie Patisserie
BB) Les Chefs de France
CC) Rose and Crown Pub
DD) Yorkshire Country Fish Shop
EE) Cairo Cafe
FF) Egyptian Bakery
GG) King Tut's
HH) Le Cellier
Entertainment
- Future Corps Band
- JAMMitors
- Mariachi Cobre
- Jeweled Dragon Acrobats
- Indonesian Performances
- Biergarten Band
- Sergio the Mime
- Sbandieratori di Sansepolcro
- World Showcase Players
- Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps
- Matsuriza
- Brazilian Music Group
- Marrakesh Entertainment
- Serveur Amusant
- British Revolution
- The Paul McKenna Band
- The Hat Lady at the Rose & Crown Pub
- Tapestry of Nations
- Voices of Tomorrow
- IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth FP+
If you thought this was a lot, the Studios will be almost unrecognizable...
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orlando678-
Well-Known Member
I meant something like this but bigger and themed to Venetian Gondolas.
Twilight_Roxas
Well-Known Member
What will be seeing in the studios most likely Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel.
Well, let's find out, shall we?
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And now, we come to the third park of Walt Disney World. Long-time visitors to the resort may notice this park has been given a new name. And that name is...
Disney's Hollywoodland
Disney's Hollywoodland, which opened as Disney-MGM Studios on May 1st, 1989, is a reverent celebration of Hollywood – not as a place on a map, but as a state of mind, or rather, as the original tagline put it, "The Hollywood that never was, and always will be". The notion of Hollywood is alive with sights, sounds, glamour, fame, adventure, and mystery. For that reason, Disney's Hollywoodland is not a movie studio. You won’t see or hear the term “movie magic,” and you’d be hard-pressed to find studio-rig lighting.
Over the years, the working studio component faded away and the Disney-MGM Studios became more of a traditional theme park. However, the attractions and shows found in the park have not changed substantially enough to keep up with this change in the park’s main function. As a result, the rebranded Disney’s Hollywood Studios is still considered by many to be a half-day park lacking a sufficient number of attractions to warrant spending a whole day there.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios today is probably the park that needs the most work of any at Disney World. Although no longer a working studios, it has yet to fully make the jump to being a full-fledged theme park and it sometimes feels as though it is still looking for its true identity. I plan to give it a lengthy park-wide renovation that will finally give it a much-need identity. I plan to take guests into the worlds of some of their favorite films. Hollywood is a place of enduring hope where stories come to life and viewers escape into impossible worlds of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy. That describes Disney's Hollywoodland pretty well, too.
Hollywood Boulevard
Passing under the soaring, teal Pan-Pacific Gates (modeled after the iconic entrance to Los Angeles’ loved-and-lost Pan-Pacific Auditorium), guests enter not into a film set or a studio backlot, but into Hollywood in the 1930s. This is Hollywood Boulevard. Hollywood Boulevard operates as the Main Street U.S.A. central point of the theme park and is loaded with tons of interesting shops and sights, filled with the nostalgic era of a 1930s Los Angeles avenue, an era of entertainment and art. The boulevard is brimming with excitment, welcoming guests into the world where the movies come to life.
As soon as we pass under the gates, we find ourselves standing in front of the Crossroads of the World, a clone of the California icon, with Mickey Mouse atop a spinning globe. The location operates as an information station for the rest of the park. Just within the entrance to the park, guests will also find the Movieland Memorabilia shop, which sells generic Disney's Hollywoodland and Los Angeles merchandise.
The buildings and architectural styles of Hollywood Boulevard reflect on the golden age of Hollywood and capture the essence to the avenue in Los Angeles, down to the last detail. The buildings mix architectural styles, just as Los Angeles does. Old-fashioned billboards and neon store lights establish themselves along the buildings. A string of palm trees line the paved sidewalk paths on both sides of the center street. Just to the left of the Crossroads of the World, guests will find Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind Shop, which offer signed autographed pictures and posters from celebrities from a huge variety of different movies.
Oscar's Classic Cars Souvenirs is located just along the way, themed to an art-deco gas station, paying homage to a particular Mobil gas stationed that opened in Los Angeles in the 1930s. Leading down the strip of Hollywood Boulevard, on the right corner of the street, guests will find the Darkroom, a shop which features camera and video items. The outside of the shop takes an artistic style from "California Crazy" architecture, which is big, bold and well, crazy. The exterior of the shop is a large camera.
The Darkroom than leads to the next store on Hollywood Boulevard, L.A. Cinema Storage, a shop for PhotoPass participants, where guests can see and buy their photos taken throughout the park that day. The shop is then connected to Celebrity 5 & 10, which features a wide variety of Disney's Hollywoodland merchandise, as well as general Walt Disney World merchandise. The shop also features item embroidery. Just across the street from the store, on the left side of Hollywood Boulevard, guests will find Mickey's of Hollywood, which is a large gift shop, filled with different types of merchandise found from all of the different franchises throughout the park. The store also features large Mickey Mouse statues, including him as Sorcerer Mickey, Steamboat Willie and the Band Leader.
From here, guests will come across a small off-set to the left, which leads guests to the Echo Lake section of the park. Just past the path, guests will then find the Keystone Clothiers store, which offers a wide variety of clothes and accessories. The interior of the shop is designed to look like an art-deco lounge in Los Angeles, California. Just across the street, guests will find the Cover Story shop on the right hand side of the street. The store feature primarily plush toys and child clothes. From here, the road then splits off to an intersection to the right, where the road then leads down the Sunset Boulevard strip. This is a common location for guests to find the Red Car Trolleys, tram trolleys transporting guests from Hollywood Boulevard to the far end of Sunset Boulevard."Extree! Extree! Read all about it! Walt Disney to premiere world's first full-length animated film!" Did you hear that? That's the typical sound of the Red Car News Boys delivering newspapers...while also putting on one heck of a show!
On the right corner of Hollywood Boulevard, surrounding a fountain, is Guest Relations, as well as a tip board, which features all of the attractions in the park, as well as their wait times. This is also a great location to go to receive any information that you might need. From here Hollywood Boulevard then proceeds to split off into the Grauman's Chinese Theater Courtyard, a much needed expanded courtyard, surrounded with lush, green foliage and planted with lining palm trees. The surrounding area is lined with liften plains of grass, planted with bountiful trees, illuminated with twinkling LED lights.
Back in the courtyard, guests are then led up to the Grauman's Chinese Theater, which has hosted dozens of award shows and numerous movie premieres. It is truly the icon of all of the glitz and glamour that Hollywood could imply. The theater has hosted dozens of award shows and numerous movie premieres, including two Disney films--"Mary Poppins" in 1964 and "The Jungle Book" in 1967, souvenirs from which you can find in window displays. It is truly the icon of all of the glitz and glamour that Hollywood could imply.
Outside of the theater, instrumental musical pieces from well-known movies play. The actual Chinese Theater in Los Angeles had been studied to be re-created and detailed in exact appearance here at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Not only was the exterior of the Theater created, but even the forecourt was created, having actual celebrity handprints and spurting fountains along the rim of the Theater. And, as part of the park-wide expansion and the re-branding from Disney's Hollywood Studios to Disney's Hollywoodland, “handprint ceremonies” will once again take place in the theatre courtyard, bringing attention to the new attraction and helping guests understand just how important an “opening act” Hollywood Boulevard is to the park. In the near future, as guests walk through the courtyard, they might notice the handprints of Robert Downey Jr., Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, Channing Tatum and the like.
Inside the theater, you'll find The Great Movie Ride, presented by Turner Classic Movies, a 25-minute guided dark ride through the history of cinema that serves as the park’s mission statement, cataloguing and bringing to life some of the greatest stories ever told. Longtime visitors to the park may be surprised to learn that, despite the TCM takeover, the ride has been given another refurbishment, replacing some of the lesser-known movies (Let's be honest--who remembers The Public Enemy or Tarzan the Ape Man?) and highlight some more modern-day classics. Don't believe me? Let's take a look!
Walking into the theatre, at first, guests may not realize that some things have changed. The area still appears to be nothing more than a movie theatre with a couple of glass cases scattered about holding old movie props. But, as guests get closer to the props, they’ll soon realize that not all is as it seems; the props seem to be “alive”, allowing guests to see that this is no ordinary theatre…here, the movies come to life. On the walls, posters change from one movie to the next. As guests move through the queue, the first prop they’ll find is the carousel horse from “Mary Poppins”. Enclosed within a glass case, the horse is still magically moving up and down and back and forth, just as it did in the movie. Continuing past the horse, guests then come across the “Mighty Thor’s” costume, and right next to it is his magic hammer, from “Thor” and “The Avengers”. While Thor’s costume is being held within a glass case, it appears the theatre staff has had a bit more difficulty with his hammer…it’s so heavy that it’s fallen through the bottom of the case! The glass has been removed, and all guests can see is the very bottom of the hammer handle poking out of a hole within the base of the case. Posted on the outside of the case is a hand-written not reading, “Too heavy—can’t lift up. Please help!” Persistent guests who attempt to pull the hammer out might find they have about as much strength as the mighty “God of Thunder”. Further in the queue, guests will find the treasure chest that holds Davy Jones’ heart, from “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. If they listen closely and touch the case, they’ll be able to hear and/or feel his broken heart pulsating beneath the glass. The final prop found in the queue, just before guests step into the theatre, is the great Sorcerer Yensid’s hat, made famous by the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” scene in “Fantasia”. Every now and again, if guests are paying attention, they’ll notice the hat twinkling with magic.
Entering the theatre room, guests will note that nothing about this room has changed, save for the new pre-ride film with TCM host Robert Osborne. Moving back and forth through the switchbacks, anticipation builds as guests begin to wonder which scenes the Imagineers could have chosen from the new films being represented in the ride. Heading onto the load dock, guests will still step onto a typical Hollywood soundstage, dressed up to appear as though guests are looking out to the original “Hollywoodland” sign and neighborhood. Shortly after boarding our tram cars, a tour guide boards up front, just as they did in the original attraction. (Honestly, I don't really care for having Robert Osborne hosting the ride itself, so in my plans, I'd have just the guide narrate the ride, but still have Robert Osborne host the pre-show and introduce the finale montage.)
"Ready when you are, C.B.!" "...ACTION!"
As we start to move, a chorus starts singing "Hooray for Hollywood". We pass under a shining marquee advertising "THE ULTIMATE CELEBRATION OF CLASSIC MOVIES" and enter a completely black and white set with older piano music playing in the background. Standing in front of some trees on a stylized dirt road is an AA figure of Charlie Chaplin in his most famous role, the Little Tramp. Leaning on his cane a bit and tweaking his mustache, he looks at the guests and smiles. Behind him the screen featuring the trees and background starts to change, and we are treated to a brief montage of some of Chaplin's most famous roles, from "The Gold Rush" to "The Great Dictator". As the tram moves forward, the AA figure of Chaplin waves goodbye at guests as they make their way to the next scene.
In our next scene, we enter the world of movie musicals. And what better way to introduce the movie musical than with Gene Kelly, performing the iconic title song of "Singin' in the Rain", swinging from a light pole, umbrella in hand, amidst a rainy Hollywood evening. From there, we find ourselves on the rooftops of London, as cutouts of chimney sweeps sway back and forth, and Mary Poppins and Bert sing "Chim-Chim-Cheree".
From here the guests then proceed into an open city street, surrounded by old, run-down abandoned warehouse buildings. The vehicles are stopped by a red stop light just before entering the next scene. All of a sudden, a gangster by the name of Mugsy appears and questions are tour guide on what they are doing in this part of the city. Before anything else can ensue, a car pulls out of a tunnel to the right of the vehicle, as gangsters from within, start firing towards Mugsy and the vehicle. Mugsy's assistants, who happen to be audio-animatronics, continue to fire at the gangster. Loud gunshots ring throughout the room. As the shots land, sparks fly from light poles and the buildings. Our tour guide quickly makes it out of there, as Mugsy and the gangster continue to shoot. As soon as Mugsy has had enough, he actually enters the vehicle. He shoots out the red stop light and from there, hijacks the tour, telling the guests not to do anything funny or someone may get hurt.
From here, we enter into a southern western theme, on the desert outskirts of a ghost town. On the right, in a scene out of "A Fistful of Dollars", Clint Eastwood stands outside of an old saloon. Just across the way, on the left, surrounded by a vast desert, John Wayne, atop a horse, greeting the audience from a scene from "The Searchers". We proceed through the town, which is seemingly peaceful, up until a shoot-out then begins between the bandit hiding behind the sacks of wheat and the copper on the balcony. The vehicles then proceed into the next scene.
We are inside the Nostromo, the spaceship that serves as the setting of the classic sci-fi thriller "Alien". To the left, down one of the ship passages, guests will spot actress Sigourney Weaver, as Warrant Officer Ripley, with gun in hand, looking quite frightened. Ship mechanics and fluids are seen oozing behind her, as a rattle is heard just ahead of the vehicle. From above the vehicle, plumes of smoke start to emit from the ceiling, as a huge alien monster descends down from the ceiling, starting to claw at the guest, as intense lighting illuminated the monster. In another plume of smoke, the alien will then disappear from above.
Soon, we find ourselves in the ancient temple from "Raiders of the Lost Ark". The temple is filled with ancient hieroglyphics, and flame-flickering torches. To the right, Indiana Jones is seen lifting up the ark of the covenant. The entire temple room is filled with moving snakes, slithering and kissing at the guests. The vehicle then proceeds into the next temple chamber, where the gangster spots a priceless jewel atop a stone temple altar. The sides of the temple are adorned with hieroglyphics, destroyed artifacts and mummified corpses. The gangster tells the guests to remain where they are, as they don't think a few extra bodies in the temple would seem amiss. As the hijacker makes their way up the stone steps of the alter, a narrator informs that the jewel is cursed and those who attempt to defy the curse will surely pay their lives. As the gangster reaches for the ruby jewel, a "statue" God to the right of the jewel comes to life, warning the hijacker. They disregard the God's warning and reach for the jewel. Upon doing so, plumes of orange smoke arise around the hijacker, completely engulfing them. A loud shriek is heard. When the smoke dissipates, the skeletal corpse of the gangster is seen, reaching for the jewel. The temple God then disposes of their garments, revealing to be our original tour guide, who then comes back to the vehicle and resumes the tour from there, saying that anything can happen in the movies.
Guests will then proceed into a newly renovated horror scene. To the left, a scene will be recreated from one of the first original horror films, "Nosferatu", a film based on Dracula. The scene features the sillhouette of the vampire, Nosferatu, climbing up a staircase to await their victims, in one of the more iconic scenes from the movie. The horror film then segues into a scene from "The Shining", as the vehicles stretch into an abandoned hotel room, dishevled, as the lights flicker. From a busted hole made through the door, an audio-animatronic Jack Nicholson appears from within the hole in the door, axe in hand, to scream out his famous line, "Here's Johnny!"
Fortunately, our next section is much lighter and softer: a tribute to Disney animation. Replacing 2/4 of the Tarzan scene, to our left, we see a scene from the world's first full-length animated feature, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". We are inside the forest of the film. In a glade, we see Snow White singing "With a Smile and a Song" to the forest animals, in one of the most quintessential scenes in the movie. Then, replacing the other 2/4 of the Tarzan scene, the vehicle then travels past some trees and into Andy's room, seen through the perspective of a toy. This is the world of "Toy Story", the world's first fully-CGI film. To our right, we see our toy friends re-enact the "staff meeting" scene. Woody, at a Tinker-Toy podium, assures his fellow toys, that Andy will always have a special place for them in his heart. As we leave, we hear Hamm frantically call "They're here! Birthday guests at three o'clock!"
(For this animation sequence, I deliberately chose "Snow White" and "Toy Story" because they represent major milestones in animation as we know it--the world's first full-length animated film and the world's first fully-CGI film, respectively.)
The vehicle travels underneath Andy's bed and into the classic airport scene in "Casablanca". Much like the current scene the room is decked out in drab, older colors but it has also been expanded. The entire room has been redone, with the wall opposite of Ilsa and Rick painted to look like guests are in the middle of an airport runway, with fog and lights surrounding them. To the right are still AAs of Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund standing next to the plane, as Blaine quotes the famous lines from the film. Replacing the "Fantasia" scene is a scene from "Titanic". Replacing the projection of Sorcerer Mickey, an AA Rose Dewitt-Bukater lies on a wooden frame, as Jack Dawson holds on from the water below, re-enacting their last moments together and one of the most iconic moments of the movie. Behind them, the great ship begins to sink, after colliding with a giant iceberg.
Exiting this scene, guests find themselves caught inside a sepia-colored tornado funnel. We quickly leave the funnel and find ourselves in Munchkinland, from "The Wizard of Oz". The scene is beautiful, with small houses in bright colors, rolling hills and beautiful flowers. Dorothy's Kansas house has just landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, as her feel stick out from under the house, wearing ruby red shoes. The munchkins soon rise to sing "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead", before the Wicked Witch appears herself, in a plume of smoke, taunting the guests, asking them who killed her sister. She threatens the guests with her famous lines from the segment, before disappearing in another burst of smoke.
From here, the guide asks where to go. The Munchkins soon lend a helping hand by offering the guests to follow the yellow brick road, singing "Follow the Yellow Brick Road". The guide then steers guest out of Munchkinland and into a forest, where we see Dorothy and Toto, the Scarecrow, Tinman and the Cowardly Lion looking over a distant Emerald City scene, winding down the yellow brick road, leading through a poppyfield.
At the montage's end, the vehicle then proceeds back into the loading and unloading station, as the tour guide thanks them for joining them on their trip through the movies, the stuff dreams are made of!
Outside the ride, you'll find a special photo-op, where guests can pretend that their handprints are being placed in front of the Chinese Theater.
Hollywood Boulevard
continued
Just off to the side of the Chinese Theatre, you'll find the former home of the American Idol Experience. The theater's exterior has been changed to look like the Hollywood Pantages Theater, and inside, you'll find CineMagic, a breathtaking show from Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Resort Paris. This amazing show chronicles the evolution of film from black-and-white silent features of Georges Méliès to today’s most well-loved. This innovative presentation literally surrounds guests in the sights and sounds of film with unique 360-degree screens and effects where you least expect. The show is one of the most popular at the Paris park, and would make a welcome addition here.continued
Also here is the American Film Institute Showcase, which recently closed alongside the Backlot Tour. Well, now it's re-opened to serve as a perfect post-show for CineMagic.
Just off of the Chinese Theatre, to the right, leading behind the Hollywood Pantages Theater, guests will come across a vastly small alleyway, that leads down towards the Streets of America. This alleyway is lined with palm trees, leading their way down the strip. This alleyway was formerly known as Commissary Lane, but has since been re-themed to become part of Hollywood Boulevard. Located to the guests' right is the ABC Bistro.
The new restaurant has also dumped its counter-service days, and now functions as a table-service restaurant, offering such foods as pizza, soups, salads, roast chicken, sandwiches, ribs, roasted salmon, sandwiches and luscious desserts, like the famed chocolate mousse and strawberry parfait.
Now, let us move away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood Boulevard for a bit, and take a quiet stroll in the Eastern Gardens. This is a tranquil and gorgeous garden nestled alongside the left side of the Chinese Theatre and into the Hollywoodland Hills, which serve as the street’s backdrop. Under the hill’s uneven letters reading HOLLYWOODLAND are the garden’s walking paths, bridges, streams, pagodas, and waterfalls that serve as a break from the hustle and bustle of Tinseltown.
On the other side of the lake, to the left, you'll find Hollywood & Vine, a buffet style restaurant that is literally located on the corners of Hollywood & Vine. The interior of the restaurant is a quintessential Hollywood-scape, featuring neon lights and California depictions of the city-scape. The buffet is open regularly for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with Disney characters popping in for breakfast and lunch. Right next door is the the 50's Prime Time Cafe, where guests are transported back to their parents' homes, in the dawn of the television age, where every room in this cafe features the new technology. The televisions feature early black and white television show promos and advertisements from the early days of television. The waitresses and waiters act as idealized images of "Mom" and "Dad", telling guests to eat their vegetables and to keep their elbows off of the table. These characters are a huge part of the show and help tell the story of the restaurant. In between these two restaurants is the Tune-In Lounge, which serves alcoholic beverages.
Hollywood Boulevard
1) Red Car Trolleys
2) The Great Movie Ride
3) CineMagic
4) American Institute Film Showcase
5) Eastern Gardens
6) Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Shopping
A) Crossroads of the World
B) Movieland Memorabilia
C) Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind Shop
D) Oscar's Classic Cars Souvenirs
E) The Dark Room
F) L.A. Cinema Storage
G) Mickey's of Hollywood
H) Keystone Clothiers
I) Cover Story
Dining
A) Hollywood Brown Derby
B) ABC Bistro
C) Hollywood & Vine
D) 50's Prime Time Cafe
E) Tune-In Lounge
Well, there we have it--Hollywood Boulevard! Until the next post, if you have any thoughts, comments or concerns, leave 'em here!
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Lucasland
This section of Disney's Hollywoodland is inspired by one of Hollywood's greatest producers and directors, George Lucas and two of his most prominent franchises: Indiana Jones and Star Wars. Yet, the park today only features three attractions based around these franchises: Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Star Tours and Jedi Training Academy. Universal has seen tremendous gains since it opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including a 29% jump in attendance at Island of Adventure in 2011. Star Wars and Indiana Jones have the same type of following as Harry Potter (if not more so) and an increased emphasis on these properties could really help put Disney's Hollywoodland on the map.
Moving on from Hollywood Boulevard, you'll find the former stunt show entrance area has been covered in dense foliage to separate Echo Lake from the first area of Lucasland--Indiana Jones. This land is set in 1937, just after Raiders of the Lost Ark. The land and attraction is rich in backstory. The area does a great job at immersing the guests in the realm of Indiana Jones for the first half of the section, completely immersing the guests in a dense, forested environment, ablaze with flickering torches and calligraphy inscribed into the temple walls.
Coming in the land, guests enter an area that maybe resembles Adventureland in the density and style of the vegetation. Standing tall in the former location of the stunt show, guests will find Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye. This popular Disneyland adventure has been given a second home over here in Florida and utilizes the space to occupy this great Indiana Jones experience, and possibly, one of the best rides that Disney and George Lucas have ever created.
To the left of the attraction, continuing to the former location of the Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost, which was a gift shop, guests will find the Temple of Doom, a new interactive maze, themed to Indiana Jones, in a very similar style themed to the Pirates Lair over at Disneyland. The maze and interactive temple features take an inspiration from the second film in the franchise. Located on the opposite end of the Indiana Jones Adventure, guests will find the Indiana Jones Truck, in its' current location, which features Indiana Jones merchandise. Indiana Jones and Marion often meet guests nearby the truck.
The second and final section of Lucasland is devoted to Star Wars. Resembling Yavin, Kashyyyk, or Endor, this forested port proves an unusual and somehow inviting shift from Indiana Jones' jungles. If entering the Outpost from Hollywood Boulevard, just past the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, you’d instead pass an interstellar lighthouse and a towering (relocated) AT-AT that set the forested stage for the land. With treehouses above and a galactic village below, this land is foreign, yet familiar.
Entering from the Indiana Jones area, you'll find that the Backlot Express restaurant has been transformed into that "wretched hive of scum and villainy" itself--the Mos Eisley Cantina. I never knew how much space that the Backlot Express restaurant occupied. That place is HUGE, even for a quick-service restaurant. If it is necessary, space from the restaurant will be donated to either the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction or an upcoming new Star Wars attraction. Also, with the confusion of the name, as it is nowhere near the Backlot, it makes for an obvious decision to transform this restaurant into the iconic Star Wars bar. The restaurant's fare will remain counter service, but will also include a bar serving strange intergalactic beverages, such as blue milk. As guests enjoy their meal, they encounter various alien creatures walking around the restaurant. The main attraction, however, are performances by the Cantina Band. These Audio Animatronic figures would be akin to Sunny Eclipse at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café at the Magic Kingdom.
With 54 possible combinations of flight plans, every ride on Star Tours is different. You may visit Hoth, Coruscant, Naboo, the Death Star, the Wookie Planet and more, get a transmission from Princess Leia, Master Yoda or Admiral Ackbar and encounter with Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Boba-Fett and (unfortunately) Jar Jar Binks. The attraction has been arranged to mix and match the several different scenarios, so that you may never know which one you will get, always switchin up the attraction, adding to the re-ride-ability factor. The guests then exit out of the Tatooine Traders shop, which is a complete shop devoted to Star Wars, which even includes a Build Your Own Lightsaber section. I'd only make one change to this ride: I'd completely remove the elements that make it look like a studio set.
Across the forested plaza, taking the place of the former ABC Sound Studio, is the Jedi Temple, home to the Jedi Training Academy, where young Padawans can take hold of a lightsaber and test their skills alongside Jedi Masters in an interactive show.
Just past the Star Tours entrance, a low bridge forms the entrance to a spaceport. To have enough room for expansion, the land had to continue south next to Star Tours and then turn and head out to the cast parking lot, which forces this to be a very urban land as opposed to the previous Indy area or the entrance area by Star Tours themed to Endor. The spaceport is based on Coruscant but it is subtlety themed so that all ships and peoples of the Star Wars Universe can be found here.
Going over the bridge, you can see the Millennium Falcon ahead, which is fully explorable and accurate to the movie. A cast member is stationed inside the ship at the entrance to the cockpit to help regulate crowds in this popular area. To the left of the Millennium Falcon is a large hangar door leading to the rest of the land. This area is a vehicle hangar for the spaceport.
The double story hangar space holds multiple vehicles that double as meet and greet areas while the other attractions are found on the edges of the hangar. On either side of the hangar, there are large recreations of recognizable Star Wars vehicles that serve as picture spots throughout the day. There's a Tie Fighter in one bay, a snowspeeder and AT-ST in another, a Slave 1 in the third, and an X-Wing in the fourth.
Throughout this area, you'll find meet & greet opportunities with characters from the Star Wars universe, including Ahsoka Tano, Aurra Sing, Anakin Skywalker, Boba Fett, C-3PO, Chewbacca, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Greedo, Han Solo, Jango Fett, Kit Fisto, Luke Skywalker, Mace Windu, Princess Leia, Queen Amidala, R2-D2, Shaak Ti, Wicket, Zam Wessell and many, many others. However, the Star Wars versions of the Fab 5 will not be found here except for the Star Wars weekend events. This will be all authentic and serious in tone. With this new Star Wars area, every day would be like a Star Wars Weekend and there would be much more streetmosphere with Clone Troopers, Imperial Officers, Stormtroopers, Jawas, and other creatures walking around and interacting with Guests.
At the far back of this hangar, you'll find the entrance to an all-new E-ticket: Star Wars: Flight of the Force!
This is it. This is what Disney can use to finally give Harry Potter/Universal a run for their money. This is an all-new Kuka-arm system experience, taking guests back to the epic climax from the original Star Wars (aka A New Hope), where the Rebel Alliance performs its awe-inspiring attack on the Death Star. The ride could be called similar to Harry Potter, but it is much larger and less intense. I see that it feels a bit like a copy, but a proven ride system is a proven ride system and should not be avoided just because Universal used it first.
Once again, the concept for this attraction comes from @TRF. Let's see what he had to say...
The queues begin at the end of the hangar where we enter the headquarters of the rebel alliance. The two lines make their way through various heavily themed rooms of the rebel base. Near the end of the queue, the lines make their way into a smaller hangar bay with an X Wing inside. Various droids are around performing maintenance on the vehicle, causing the wings to open and close and various other movements. The two lines then pass through the next room where there is a large window to the right looking into the briefing given to the pilots before the mission as a realistic projection. The queues then start to go up a ramp and eventually reach the loading area on the second floor.
The vehicle leaves the load platform and turns left, still with the X Wing body. On a platform around the corner, C3PO is standing, basically giving us the safety spiel while telling us and R2D2 to be careful out there. A this point we begin flying, so the kuka arm pulls our vehicle out of the X Wing body and we turn hard right into a dark tunnel. Before us we see the forcefield of the hangar created with a laser effect and space past it. We shoot out of the base and over the city just as the Star Wars fanfare begins, moving into the first rotating projection dome. I can't decide how cheesy it would be to actually have the "A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away..." text and the flying title projected on this screen as the music blares, but I'm considering it. We climb high into the clouds and meet up with the rest of the rebel X Wings, and we hear the leader giving us instructions. We fly away into the dense clouds and exit the rotating dome into a cloud of smoke, turning right to face another projection surface, where we hear that we are going the wrong way and end up narrowly missing other flying ships. The vehicle continues to move to its right to another screen where we decide to accelerate to what we think is space, continuing to fly into cloud cover. The vehicle seamlessly spins into a cloud of fog as we enter the next scene. We discover that we have flown right back down into Coruscant with neon covered buildings to our sides and other ships floating around us, unmoving but seemingly flying because of our sharp movements. We quickly move through the city, dodging objects and hearing our leader on the radio asking where we are, and telling us to get back to them on the double. We turn to another screen to show us flying up and out of the city, into the clouds, and then to hyperspace. We turn and fly past projections of the planet below us into the next rotating dome. We are back with the group now.
After some comments, we jump to hyperdrive together but as soon as we stop, we find ourselves in the middle of the battle. We begin evasive maneuvers and separate from the group. We hear though that we are being chased so we are told to try to lose them in the large ice meteor flying by. Yes this is exactly like the scene from the original Star Tours; I think this would be pretty awesome to experience in three dimensions. While still in the projection dome, we fly into the meteor and into the darkness while we turn out into the next scene. We enter into the dark and tight passage of ice crystals and fly through them, dodging both protruding crystals and laser shots from the chasing vehicle. We make it out and turn to a screen to show us making it back to space but then turning and seeing the Death Star below. We get a message as we move to the next screen that we are needed in the trench as a distraction so we dive in towards the surface. We then turn into the highlight scene of the attraction. There are two identical trench scenes that are right next to each other for scene pacing reasons. Our vehicle turns back into one of the two trenches and begins the iconic trench run. We move relatively slowly but the projected side walls make it seem like we are racing by. In addition, there are 3 Tie Fighters on each trench that we interact with. They are also on Kuka arms on tracks to the side. We are able to fly through the trench and dodge the Tie Fighters and laser beam created shots that seem to just miss us. At the end of the trench we fly to the right and turn to a screen showing us flying out and away. We then enter the next rotating dome room, where the main elements of the fight happens between the X Wings and the Tie Fighters.
We exit the room into darkness with just stars around us, moving quickly. We then turn to find ourselves face to face with a real full size Tie Fighter that is also on a motion base so that It looks like it is in flight right next to us. Inside we see a realistic projection of Darth Vader, threatening us. We quickly fly away and into the final set of scenes, which are mostly set in darkness with the star field around us. As we wildly spin around the corners we hear our leader saying that Luke is the last hope to destroy the death star. We turn to the last screen and see the death star in the distance, just as it blows up. We turn into the last rotating projection dome, where we meet with the X Wings and congratulate Luke, and then jump to hyperdrive together. We arrive back at the base and fly into a hangar bay, and come in for a landing on a moving platform. From there we seamlessly turn out into the set of the hangar, rejoin with an X Wing body on the conveyor, and turn to the unload station. We exit to the second level of the large gift shop where there are stairs and elevators to the ground floor.
This gift shop he mentioned is what I like to call the Cosmic Encounters store, selling mostly Star Wars items, including specialty custom Stormtrooper figures.
Lucasland
--Indiana Jones--
1) Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye
2) Temple of Doom
--Star Wars--
3) Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
4) Jedi Training Academy
5) Millenium Falcon
6) Star Wars: Flight of the Force
Shopping
1) Indiana Jones Truck
2) Tatooine Traders
3) Cosmic Encounters
Dining
1) Mos Eisley Cantina
Stay tuned for the next part, because things are about to get a little bit wacky...
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Twilight_Roxas
Well-Known Member
So what's Star Tours going to include with Star Wars: The Force Awakens coming soon?
I don't think I'd update it just yet; depending on how well the next three films go, I'd wait a while.
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Muppet Studios
It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights! Anything can happen at Muppet Studios (the only studio-themed area left in the park) where Jim Henson’s cavalcade of creatures runs the show.
When entering into the Muppet Studios, guests will come across an open entrance gate, reading "The Muppet Studios", very similar to the studios seen in The Muppet film and Jim Henson's Studios out in Hollywood. In the film, the entire Muppet Studios appeared dormant and disheveled, having been unused for many years. However, that is not the case for this studios, which is beautifully kept in perfect order. The ground of the Muppet Studios is layered in brick, as are many of the surrounding buildings, creating a New York-inspired courtyard.
The entire land will receive significant exterior refurbishments. The backside of the facades from the adjacent Streets of America have always been one-sided, leaving open rafters and metal beams to be seen fron the other side. New exteriors will be placed to cover the backsides of the facades, to make the theming of the Muppet Studios to seem all the more realistic. The brick courtyard leads to a Muppet fountain right in the middle. The fountain features several Muppets, including Kermit, Fozzy, Gonzo, Animal, Rizzo and Miss Piggy, dressed as the Statue of Liberty.
Directly behind the fountain, guests will find the fun, outstanding Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3-D in a brick soundstage building, topped with a hot-air balloon, featuring the face of Kermit the Frog. The exterior of the attraction features the silhouette of Gonzo hanging from a clock, as well as a romantic painting of Kermit and Miss Piggy in a classic, romantic pose. Muppet-Vision has become a staple to Disney's Hollywood Studios and has become a favorite to many. The 3-D experience takes guests along with Kermit through a tour of a few of the Muppet workshops, including a trip to Dr. Bunsen Honeydew's Laboratory, a performance by Miss Piggy and an explosive finale. The attraction utilizes real Muppets, special 4-D effects, fiber optics and smoke effects.
Right across from Muppet*Vision 3-D, Pizza Planet has been removed. Thematically, it does not make sense, even more-so with the addition of Pixar Place. I had originally intended on just making the restaurant into a new quick-service location themed to the Swedish Chef and Rizzo the Rat and his rat friends, something possibly inspired off of The Muppets Take Manhattan, but I realized that, really, the last thing that is really needed is another restaurant. I'm NOT actually getting rid of Pizza Planet, it is moving elsewhere and with the ABC Bistro, the Mos Eisley Cantina and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater all located towards the end of the Streets of America, there are so many different quick-service locations within two blocks of each other, that a restaurant replacement for Pizza Planet is not necessary.
Instead, the space will now be occupied by the Muppet Labs. According to legend, Kermit once opened the previously-private labs so that world-renowned scientists could do research there. Unfortunately, none of them showed up. So, Kermit decided to open the labs up to anyone who came to visit the Muppet Studios. The Muppet Labs is an interactive exhibit that’s half Epcot’s ImageWorks and half Innoventions with a hint of madness and music thrown in. Fans will appreciate the Rainbow Connection Corridor, a recreation of a famous Epcot landmark.
Descending down a ramp, proceeding further into Muppet Studios, guests will come across the Stage One Company Store, a complete gift store themed to the Muppets. The store features three themed sections, one themed to Muppet Babies, the other themed to a generic Muppets set, featuring lighting rigs, camera equipment and real props used in the Muppet movies and the last is themed to the Happiness Hotel. Just down the path to the left of the Stage One Company Store, guests will come across It Feels Like Christmas, a Christmas-themed gift shop, tucked away in the corner of the Studios, themed to The Muppet Christmas Carol. A snowman is located right outside of the shop.
To the left of the store, guests will find that Mama Melrose's has been turned into Gonzo's Pizzeria Parlour Pandemonium, a great Italian restaurant, specializing in pizza dishes. The aroma just flows throughout the area. While it is a great eatery, it also makes for a great entertaining experience. Guests sit within the restaurant and from within the kitchen, a photo realistic screen, guests can see the Swedish Chef, as well as Rizzo and his rat friends preparing their food. Throughout the experience, chaos breaks loose. Fire erupts from the kitchen, a pair of rats scurry across the shelves in the restaurant, a "living character" Camilla, Gonzo's chicken lover, is brought out as dinner, as Gonzo attempts to save her by climbing through the rafters above the restaurant. Platters of "food" come to life and start to talk with the audience. Pictures of the Muppets on the wall come to life and strike up conversations with nearby diners. Quite an experience.
Directly ahead, guests will find a descending ramp, the exit of the Muppet*Vision 3-D attraction. To the left, in the former location of the Phineas and Ferb and Cars Meet & Greets, guests will find the Rainbow Connection Gardens, a small garden area, inspired by Central Park in New York City. Expect to see beautiful flowerbeds, trees, a small stream and even a giant rainbow made out of flowers. These gardens are actually a common place for guests to meet up with the Muppets themselves--Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Dr. Teeth, Rowlf, Scooter, Sam the Eagle, Sweetums, the Swedish Chef, Animal, Dr. Honeydew, Beaker and Walter.
Directly ahead, guests will find a descending ramp, the exit of the Muppet*Vision 3-D attraction. To the left, in the former location of the Phineas and Ferb and Cars Meet & Greets, guests will find the Rainbow Connection Gardens, a small garden area, inspired by Central Park in New York City. Expect to see beautiful flowerbeds, trees, a small stream and even a giant rainbow made out of flowers. These gardens are actually a common place for guests to meet up with the Muppets themselves--Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Dr. Teeth, Rowlf, Scooter, Sam the Eagle, Sweetums, the Swedish Chef, Animal, Dr. Honeydew, Beaker and Walter.
Due to recent rumors about a new theater being built on Sunset Boulevard, you'll notice that the former Premiere Theater/San Francisco diorama has been demolished. In its place is the marvelous Muppet Theater with its flashing incandescent marquee and sparking electrical wires. This is the home of The Great Muppet Movie Ride, the Muppets' take on the history of movies.
As we make our way into the theater, we pass through several corridors littered with famous Muppet props, such as the banana sharpener, boomerang fish, Chuckie (Fozzie's dummy that has a mind of his own), crates full of singing vegetables that are heard chatting with each other, Miss Piggy's giant purple suitcases, Animal's broken drum set (two eyes peering from inside), Crazy Harry's TNT, some bags of chicken feed, Kermit's banjo resting against his bike, the baseball diamond from The Great Muppet Caper, and last but not least Fozzie's dressing room door, in which guests can knock on and hear horrible jokes from the lovable bear.
After passing by the corridors, we enter the loading area which closely resembles that of an extravagant movie theater lobby. Grand orchestral versions of songs like “Rainbow Connection”, “When Love is Gone”, “Man or Muppet”, “Bein' Green”, “Something So Right”, “Life's a Happy Song”, and of course, “Hey, a Movie!” On the walls are posters for all seven Muppet movies (The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island, Muppets from Space, The Muppets and Muppets Most Wanted). Little statues of the Muppet characters adorn the place. At the far edge, much like the Great Movie Ride's loading area, is the theatre marquee, promoting THE MOST ACCURATE (not) TOUR OF THE MOVIES EVER!, which the vehicles pass under. The whole feel of the area is very uppity, not giving a single clue as to what's in store.
Our vehicles then pull into the loading area ready for adventure as a cast member helps us get into our seats. Our vehicles will be the same as the Great Movie Ride, but much smaller. They will seat 5 per row with 4 rows. And these will be painted yellow with “Muppet Studios” printed on the back. Kermit is then heard giving us a quick safety spiel: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, before we begin our trip through the movies, just a few simple reminders: there is no flash pictures or smoking allowed during the tour, remain seated at all times, with your hands, arms, feet and legs inside the tram, please watch your children and might I say, good luck!” Our trams begin moving forward as we pass underneath the marquee which appears to have teeth as well as eyes. Inside, we pass through a tunnel of flashing yellow and green lights as a grand musical orchestration of the Muppet Show theme plays, a la Muppet*Vision 3D.
Coming out of the flashy tunnel, the lightning crashes as the cheery Muppet Show theme song changes into a dark and sinister violin track. We have entered a dark and dreary castle full of eerie eyes, spider-infested cobwebs, and possesed portraits with moving eyes, a.k.a. a portrait of Pepe the King Prawn in a powdered wig and black robe. Our trams continue on as we enter the filming of our first film, Beakerstein, where we find the first of many gags to come. To our left we see a normal soundstage where Gonzo sits in a director's chair yelling stage directions into a megaphone, Scooter holding a boom mic, Rizzo behind the camera, Animal eating a table full of snacks, and Fozzie holding two cords and looking at them strangely. Across the way we return to the haunted castle where we see Kermit and Ms. Piggy standing in an open doorway with looks of horror, watching the presumably evil Dr. Bunsen Honeydew bring his ten foot tall monster (Beaker with bolts in his neck) to life. Electrodes buzz and test tubes full of multicolored potions bubble as Gonzo yells stage directions.
Gonzo: OK, this is the big dramatic finale, when Honeydew finally brings his creation to life! But Kermit and Piggy are too late, mankind has no hope now that Beakerstein has been brought into exsistence! And action!
Honeydew: Bwa ha ha! There is nothing you can do to stop me now!
Kermit: (Horrible acting) Oh dear, it seems that we are too late!
Piggy: Oh Kermie, whatever shall we do?
Gonzo: And cut! Great job everyone, turn on the electrodes!
Fozzie curiously plugs the two cords he was holding together only for his tie to get caught in between them, surging a powerful electric current through him and Beaker. Fozzie's fur rises into the air, smoke streams out of his ears, and his eyes light up as he yells “Wacka wacka wacka!” Beaker suffers a similar fate, as his scruff of hair rises into the air while his eyes light up. He screams in pain until there is a huge explosion, flashing lights and walls with the word “BOOM” painted all over them. Our trams manage to survive the explosion, but the ride is not over yet. As we exit, we pass by Statler and Waldorf in a golf cart. They give a little bit of their signature heckling (it’ll be different each time you ride) before they go off into the distance.
Our trams enter another soundstage except this time the movie is Peter Frog and we are now in a set made to resemble London. Gonzo again yells directions with his trusty script girl Camilla by his side, while rat technicians work high above us. Peter Pan (Kermit), Wendy (Janice), John (Fozzie), and Michael (Walter (from the 2011 Muppets film)) fly out of an open window, held in the air by gigantic ropes and rings.
Gonzo: And action! (The Muppets fly out)
Janice: Like wow Peter, I have like never been this high, fer sure.
Kermit: Don't worry Wendy, all you need is pixie dust! Ahem, I said all you need is pixie dust!
Piggy (Offstage): Alright hold your horses bub!
Suddenly all the rats scream in pain as Miss Piggy wearing a pair of plastic fairy wings, a tiny green dress, a magic wand at hand, and a blonde wig, breaks through a painted wall screaming as the rats swing her through the air on her rope.
Piggy: Get me down from here! Ahhhhhhhhh! Help, help moi!
Gonzo: Cut, cut!
Our trams pull out of London and passes through a Western town, where the time is high noon and a showdown is a-brewin’. This is The Good, the Bad and the Cowardly. Fozzie stars as the Bear with No Name, facing off against Dragon Eyes, played by Uncle Deadly, with his partner Taco, played by Rizzo, cowering behind him. Their horses, tethered to a nearby pole, converse with each other (in high-class British accents) about what’s going on. Various Muppets peek out of the windows, one of them director Gonzo, who shouts directions from his megaphone down to the actors. The doors to a nearby saloon open, and we head inside.
Those saloon doors actually served as a transition to the next scene, where we through a dark room, eerie Muppet eyes peering from the darkness. We’re in the filming of Men in Plaid. Vaudeville music is heard playing as tomatoes appear flying through the air. Suddenly we enter a damaged street of the city, wrecked by a battle between hundreds of tiny Fozzie bears and the infamous Men in Plaid, Statler and Waldorf, armed with “tomato guns.” All the mini-Fozzies appear to be linked to a giant derby hat spaceship sitting in the heart of the scene. The annoying pests all scream “Wacka wacka wacka” and “Hey folks you have been a great audience” and “Why did the chicken cross the road?” Statler and Waldorf fight with each other as we pass slowly through the scene without stopping.
Statler: Hey Waldorf?
Waldorf: Yeah?
Statler: Doesn't this remind you of that Shakespeare play Hamlet?
Waldorf: Ya you know it does.
Statler: Well you should know, you dated his sister!
Both: Do-ho-ho-ho-ho!
Waldorf: Boy was she ugly.
As we exit the fight scene we enter a Caribbean town, very similar to the one in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, but with the Muppet touch. This is the set of Pirates of the Amphibian: Curse of the Black Prawn. A giant pirate ship (aka a replica of the Hispaniola from Muppet Treasure Island) stands near the dock, as a whole slew of pirates from Muppet Treasure Island—Polly Lobster, Clueless Morgan, Sweetums, Mad Monty, Angel Marie, Old Tom, Really Old Tom and Dead Tom—raid the town. Some of them are on the shores, stealing pies from a pie vendor, played by Dr. Honeydew, others dunk the town’s mayor, played by Sam the Eagle, in the well. All of the pirates sing “When You’re a Professional Pirate” from the movie. However, none of them notice Captain Jack Tadpole, aka Kermit, poke his head out of a barrel, watching the fiasco. Rowlf stands behind the camera in a small boat floating in the water, filming the scene as Gonzo continues to yell directions, like “Can I get a little bit more pillaging, please?” and “Okay, Kermit, poke your head up now!” and “Good job, everyone! You’re starting to make me want pie.” Statler and Waldorf’s golf cart appears atop a bridge we pass under, and they heckle again.
We exit under the bridge enter a dark jungle, the sounds of tropical birds and roaring tigers in the distance. The first gag appears to our right, a steamy swamp full of croaking frogs, and Pepe who sunbathes on a lilly pad, a crocodile lurking nearby. To our left we see the filming of Jurassic Pork in progress, our trams stopping for a closer look. Once again, we find Gonzo sitting in the director's chair with his trusty megaphone, Rizzo behind the camera, and Scooter holding the boom mic. Across the way we see several pigs dressed as cannibalistic natives, holding jungle explorers Kermit the Frog and Walter hostage over a boiling stew pot, while Ms. Piggy appears tied to two wooden spears at the very top of a sacrificial altar.
Gonzo: And action!
Piggy: Oh help, help, somebody help!
Pigs: Ani-mal! Ani-mal! Ani-mal! (The pigs continue to chant)
Kermit: Don't worry Piggy we will save you!
Walter: Kermit, did you not realize that we are tied up here?
Kermit: Oh sorry, Walter.
Walter: Sure thing. Say did you catch the Mighty Ducks' game last night?
Piggy: Ahem.
Kermit: No I didn't but I heard it was great!
Piggy: Ahem.
Gonzo: Oh you should have seen it, it was amazing!
Piggy: AHEM!!!!!!!
Kermit: Oh sorry.
Pigs: Animal! Animal! Animal!
The bushes behind Piggy pull apart, revealing a giant Animal panting and breathing heavily. Suddenly his eyes enlarge as he sees Piggy.
Animal: WOMAN! WOMAN! WOMAN!
Animal grabs Piggy, who fights back.
Piggy: Get your hands off me, you filthy swine!
Animal: Woman hurt Animal, Animal go back to cage.
Animal disappears back into the jungle as Gonzo screams.
Gonzo: Cut, cut, cut! What was that? Honestly, Animal you were supposed to take the woman, not leave! Let's do this again.
Rizzo: Take 963!
We leave the scene as the cast gets back in their original positions. The dense jungle quickly turns into the vastness of space. We go up a ramp and aboard the U.S.S. Swinetrek. We are caught in the middle of the epic battle scene from Pigs in Space: The Movie! The Swinetrek crew—Link Hogthrob, Dr. Julius Strangepork and Miss Piggy—attempt to use their ship’s weapons to take down their foe—the dreaded Space Pi-rats (a bunch of rats with laser pistols, bandannas and cutlasses), led by the nefarious Captain Rizzo. The rats swing above our heads on ropes. As we exit the Swinetrek through an escape pod, we see Statler and Waldorf in their golf cart again. A laser beam slices the cart in half.
Finally, we enter a room very similar to the final room in The Great Movie Ride, as Kermit tells us, “And now, we’d like to end your ride on The Great Muppet Movie Ride with a little tribute to the greatest movies of all time—our movies.” And with that, clips from the Muppet movies play as “Hey, a Movie!” from The Great Muppet Caper plays. But as the montage ends, all chaos breaks loose. Muppets dance in dressed as famous movie characters, fireworks go off, props fall from the ceiling, and finally the screen falls off the wall and lands with a CRASH! in front of us.
Kermit appears in the hole that the screen left behind, and says “Well, everyone, I…I guess that concludes The Great Muppet Movie Ride. Now, we don’t want to hurt yourselves, like some people I know, so when your car comes to a full and complete stop and the doors open, gather up all your belongings and take your little ones by the hand and exit out to your right. Thanks for joining us, everyone, and enjoy the rest of your day here at Disney's Hollywoodland, and uh…I hope I don’t see you in court.” He leaves, and, after a few seconds, that giant Animal from the Jurassic Pork section pokes his head out of the hole and roars before walking away. We pass by Statler and Waldorf in their golf cart again, they give us some parting words, and we pull into the unload area and depart our car.
Statler: Well, did you think that was any better than Muppet*Vision 3D?
Waldorf: I think it was worse. At least in Muppet*Vision, you could get out of your seat and LEAVE!
Both: Doh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!
To close out the Muppet Studios, right across the street from the Muppet Theater, guests will find Dr. Bunsen Honeydew's Muppet WaterWorks, an outdoor water playground, which strethes through the unused, large outdoor queue of Muppet*Vision 3-D. The area is a great place to relax, while also offering a water feature into the Studios, which is the only park that lacks some sort of water interactivity. This is also a common location for the Muppet Mobile Lab to appear, another interactive experience, where "living character" Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker take members from their audience to help enlist in the creation and performance of their new inventions.
As we make our way into the theater, we pass through several corridors littered with famous Muppet props, such as the banana sharpener, boomerang fish, Chuckie (Fozzie's dummy that has a mind of his own), crates full of singing vegetables that are heard chatting with each other, Miss Piggy's giant purple suitcases, Animal's broken drum set (two eyes peering from inside), Crazy Harry's TNT, some bags of chicken feed, Kermit's banjo resting against his bike, the baseball diamond from The Great Muppet Caper, and last but not least Fozzie's dressing room door, in which guests can knock on and hear horrible jokes from the lovable bear.
After passing by the corridors, we enter the loading area which closely resembles that of an extravagant movie theater lobby. Grand orchestral versions of songs like “Rainbow Connection”, “When Love is Gone”, “Man or Muppet”, “Bein' Green”, “Something So Right”, “Life's a Happy Song”, and of course, “Hey, a Movie!” On the walls are posters for all seven Muppet movies (The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island, Muppets from Space, The Muppets and Muppets Most Wanted). Little statues of the Muppet characters adorn the place. At the far edge, much like the Great Movie Ride's loading area, is the theatre marquee, promoting THE MOST ACCURATE (not) TOUR OF THE MOVIES EVER!, which the vehicles pass under. The whole feel of the area is very uppity, not giving a single clue as to what's in store.
Our vehicles then pull into the loading area ready for adventure as a cast member helps us get into our seats. Our vehicles will be the same as the Great Movie Ride, but much smaller. They will seat 5 per row with 4 rows. And these will be painted yellow with “Muppet Studios” printed on the back. Kermit is then heard giving us a quick safety spiel: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, before we begin our trip through the movies, just a few simple reminders: there is no flash pictures or smoking allowed during the tour, remain seated at all times, with your hands, arms, feet and legs inside the tram, please watch your children and might I say, good luck!” Our trams begin moving forward as we pass underneath the marquee which appears to have teeth as well as eyes. Inside, we pass through a tunnel of flashing yellow and green lights as a grand musical orchestration of the Muppet Show theme plays, a la Muppet*Vision 3D.
Coming out of the flashy tunnel, the lightning crashes as the cheery Muppet Show theme song changes into a dark and sinister violin track. We have entered a dark and dreary castle full of eerie eyes, spider-infested cobwebs, and possesed portraits with moving eyes, a.k.a. a portrait of Pepe the King Prawn in a powdered wig and black robe. Our trams continue on as we enter the filming of our first film, Beakerstein, where we find the first of many gags to come. To our left we see a normal soundstage where Gonzo sits in a director's chair yelling stage directions into a megaphone, Scooter holding a boom mic, Rizzo behind the camera, Animal eating a table full of snacks, and Fozzie holding two cords and looking at them strangely. Across the way we return to the haunted castle where we see Kermit and Ms. Piggy standing in an open doorway with looks of horror, watching the presumably evil Dr. Bunsen Honeydew bring his ten foot tall monster (Beaker with bolts in his neck) to life. Electrodes buzz and test tubes full of multicolored potions bubble as Gonzo yells stage directions.
Gonzo: OK, this is the big dramatic finale, when Honeydew finally brings his creation to life! But Kermit and Piggy are too late, mankind has no hope now that Beakerstein has been brought into exsistence! And action!
Honeydew: Bwa ha ha! There is nothing you can do to stop me now!
Kermit: (Horrible acting) Oh dear, it seems that we are too late!
Piggy: Oh Kermie, whatever shall we do?
Gonzo: And cut! Great job everyone, turn on the electrodes!
Fozzie curiously plugs the two cords he was holding together only for his tie to get caught in between them, surging a powerful electric current through him and Beaker. Fozzie's fur rises into the air, smoke streams out of his ears, and his eyes light up as he yells “Wacka wacka wacka!” Beaker suffers a similar fate, as his scruff of hair rises into the air while his eyes light up. He screams in pain until there is a huge explosion, flashing lights and walls with the word “BOOM” painted all over them. Our trams manage to survive the explosion, but the ride is not over yet. As we exit, we pass by Statler and Waldorf in a golf cart. They give a little bit of their signature heckling (it’ll be different each time you ride) before they go off into the distance.
Our trams enter another soundstage except this time the movie is Peter Frog and we are now in a set made to resemble London. Gonzo again yells directions with his trusty script girl Camilla by his side, while rat technicians work high above us. Peter Pan (Kermit), Wendy (Janice), John (Fozzie), and Michael (Walter (from the 2011 Muppets film)) fly out of an open window, held in the air by gigantic ropes and rings.
Gonzo: And action! (The Muppets fly out)
Janice: Like wow Peter, I have like never been this high, fer sure.
Kermit: Don't worry Wendy, all you need is pixie dust! Ahem, I said all you need is pixie dust!
Piggy (Offstage): Alright hold your horses bub!
Suddenly all the rats scream in pain as Miss Piggy wearing a pair of plastic fairy wings, a tiny green dress, a magic wand at hand, and a blonde wig, breaks through a painted wall screaming as the rats swing her through the air on her rope.
Piggy: Get me down from here! Ahhhhhhhhh! Help, help moi!
Gonzo: Cut, cut!
Our trams pull out of London and passes through a Western town, where the time is high noon and a showdown is a-brewin’. This is The Good, the Bad and the Cowardly. Fozzie stars as the Bear with No Name, facing off against Dragon Eyes, played by Uncle Deadly, with his partner Taco, played by Rizzo, cowering behind him. Their horses, tethered to a nearby pole, converse with each other (in high-class British accents) about what’s going on. Various Muppets peek out of the windows, one of them director Gonzo, who shouts directions from his megaphone down to the actors. The doors to a nearby saloon open, and we head inside.
Those saloon doors actually served as a transition to the next scene, where we through a dark room, eerie Muppet eyes peering from the darkness. We’re in the filming of Men in Plaid. Vaudeville music is heard playing as tomatoes appear flying through the air. Suddenly we enter a damaged street of the city, wrecked by a battle between hundreds of tiny Fozzie bears and the infamous Men in Plaid, Statler and Waldorf, armed with “tomato guns.” All the mini-Fozzies appear to be linked to a giant derby hat spaceship sitting in the heart of the scene. The annoying pests all scream “Wacka wacka wacka” and “Hey folks you have been a great audience” and “Why did the chicken cross the road?” Statler and Waldorf fight with each other as we pass slowly through the scene without stopping.
Statler: Hey Waldorf?
Waldorf: Yeah?
Statler: Doesn't this remind you of that Shakespeare play Hamlet?
Waldorf: Ya you know it does.
Statler: Well you should know, you dated his sister!
Both: Do-ho-ho-ho-ho!
Waldorf: Boy was she ugly.
As we exit the fight scene we enter a Caribbean town, very similar to the one in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, but with the Muppet touch. This is the set of Pirates of the Amphibian: Curse of the Black Prawn. A giant pirate ship (aka a replica of the Hispaniola from Muppet Treasure Island) stands near the dock, as a whole slew of pirates from Muppet Treasure Island—Polly Lobster, Clueless Morgan, Sweetums, Mad Monty, Angel Marie, Old Tom, Really Old Tom and Dead Tom—raid the town. Some of them are on the shores, stealing pies from a pie vendor, played by Dr. Honeydew, others dunk the town’s mayor, played by Sam the Eagle, in the well. All of the pirates sing “When You’re a Professional Pirate” from the movie. However, none of them notice Captain Jack Tadpole, aka Kermit, poke his head out of a barrel, watching the fiasco. Rowlf stands behind the camera in a small boat floating in the water, filming the scene as Gonzo continues to yell directions, like “Can I get a little bit more pillaging, please?” and “Okay, Kermit, poke your head up now!” and “Good job, everyone! You’re starting to make me want pie.” Statler and Waldorf’s golf cart appears atop a bridge we pass under, and they heckle again.
We exit under the bridge enter a dark jungle, the sounds of tropical birds and roaring tigers in the distance. The first gag appears to our right, a steamy swamp full of croaking frogs, and Pepe who sunbathes on a lilly pad, a crocodile lurking nearby. To our left we see the filming of Jurassic Pork in progress, our trams stopping for a closer look. Once again, we find Gonzo sitting in the director's chair with his trusty megaphone, Rizzo behind the camera, and Scooter holding the boom mic. Across the way we see several pigs dressed as cannibalistic natives, holding jungle explorers Kermit the Frog and Walter hostage over a boiling stew pot, while Ms. Piggy appears tied to two wooden spears at the very top of a sacrificial altar.
Gonzo: And action!
Piggy: Oh help, help, somebody help!
Pigs: Ani-mal! Ani-mal! Ani-mal! (The pigs continue to chant)
Kermit: Don't worry Piggy we will save you!
Walter: Kermit, did you not realize that we are tied up here?
Kermit: Oh sorry, Walter.
Walter: Sure thing. Say did you catch the Mighty Ducks' game last night?
Piggy: Ahem.
Kermit: No I didn't but I heard it was great!
Piggy: Ahem.
Gonzo: Oh you should have seen it, it was amazing!
Piggy: AHEM!!!!!!!
Kermit: Oh sorry.
Pigs: Animal! Animal! Animal!
The bushes behind Piggy pull apart, revealing a giant Animal panting and breathing heavily. Suddenly his eyes enlarge as he sees Piggy.
Animal: WOMAN! WOMAN! WOMAN!
Animal grabs Piggy, who fights back.
Piggy: Get your hands off me, you filthy swine!
Animal: Woman hurt Animal, Animal go back to cage.
Animal disappears back into the jungle as Gonzo screams.
Gonzo: Cut, cut, cut! What was that? Honestly, Animal you were supposed to take the woman, not leave! Let's do this again.
Rizzo: Take 963!
We leave the scene as the cast gets back in their original positions. The dense jungle quickly turns into the vastness of space. We go up a ramp and aboard the U.S.S. Swinetrek. We are caught in the middle of the epic battle scene from Pigs in Space: The Movie! The Swinetrek crew—Link Hogthrob, Dr. Julius Strangepork and Miss Piggy—attempt to use their ship’s weapons to take down their foe—the dreaded Space Pi-rats (a bunch of rats with laser pistols, bandannas and cutlasses), led by the nefarious Captain Rizzo. The rats swing above our heads on ropes. As we exit the Swinetrek through an escape pod, we see Statler and Waldorf in their golf cart again. A laser beam slices the cart in half.
Finally, we enter a room very similar to the final room in The Great Movie Ride, as Kermit tells us, “And now, we’d like to end your ride on The Great Muppet Movie Ride with a little tribute to the greatest movies of all time—our movies.” And with that, clips from the Muppet movies play as “Hey, a Movie!” from The Great Muppet Caper plays. But as the montage ends, all chaos breaks loose. Muppets dance in dressed as famous movie characters, fireworks go off, props fall from the ceiling, and finally the screen falls off the wall and lands with a CRASH! in front of us.
Kermit appears in the hole that the screen left behind, and says “Well, everyone, I…I guess that concludes The Great Muppet Movie Ride. Now, we don’t want to hurt yourselves, like some people I know, so when your car comes to a full and complete stop and the doors open, gather up all your belongings and take your little ones by the hand and exit out to your right. Thanks for joining us, everyone, and enjoy the rest of your day here at Disney's Hollywoodland, and uh…I hope I don’t see you in court.” He leaves, and, after a few seconds, that giant Animal from the Jurassic Pork section pokes his head out of the hole and roars before walking away. We pass by Statler and Waldorf in their golf cart again, they give us some parting words, and we pull into the unload area and depart our car.
Statler: Well, did you think that was any better than Muppet*Vision 3D?
Waldorf: I think it was worse. At least in Muppet*Vision, you could get out of your seat and LEAVE!
Both: Doh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!
To close out the Muppet Studios, right across the street from the Muppet Theater, guests will find Dr. Bunsen Honeydew's Muppet WaterWorks, an outdoor water playground, which strethes through the unused, large outdoor queue of Muppet*Vision 3-D. The area is a great place to relax, while also offering a water feature into the Studios, which is the only park that lacks some sort of water interactivity. This is also a common location for the Muppet Mobile Lab to appear, another interactive experience, where "living character" Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker take members from their audience to help enlist in the creation and performance of their new inventions.
Muppet Studios
1) Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D
2) Muppet Labs
3) Rainbow Connection Gardens
4) The Great Muppet Movie Ride
5) Dr. Bunsen Honeydew's Muppet WaterWorks
Shopping
A) Stage One Company Store
B) It Feels Like Christmas
Dining
A) Gonzo's Pizzeria Parlour Pandemonium
1) Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D
2) Muppet Labs
3) Rainbow Connection Gardens
4) The Great Muppet Movie Ride
5) Dr. Bunsen Honeydew's Muppet WaterWorks
Shopping
A) Stage One Company Store
B) It Feels Like Christmas
Dining
A) Gonzo's Pizzeria Parlour Pandemonium
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