As we all know, Wonders of Life was last open to the public in May (during Epcot’s test of opening attractions after dark for resort guests). Since then, the pavilion has remained CLOSED to the public, HOWEVER. . .
THE PAVILION IS STILL RUNNING – at least most of it. That’s right. AREA MUSIC, LIGHTS, SIGHTS, and SOUNDS are running inside the Wonders of Life (although major attractions are not) – and there is photographical evidence in my first August Epcot update.
Let’s break it down for the record:
-- THE PLANTS in Wonders of Life need sunlight.
-- CAST MEMBERS have conventions in the pavilion, including meeting areas, skits, and social activities. (Couldn’t this be done in the Odyssey, World Showplace, or Upstairs Image Works, all originally opened to the public anyway?!)
-- CONVENTIONS
Yet, Disney is keeping Wonders of Life closed to guests in order to keep it n “Seasonal Status,” which in turn pays a few (3-6) million dollars to Disney.
What does this mean?
THERE IS A CHANCE Wonders of Life may open in CHRISTMAS BREAK to fill its seasonal quota, then close for good – with no sign for refurbishment. This is absolutely horrible and a slap in the face to fans and Epcot guests. (Thanksgiving opening seems like a no-go).
Also, expect The Making of Me to (PERHAPS) run on only select days (if at all) during these potential openings. There is also a chance Wonders of Life may be open while the Land is closed for rehab.
A story I brought you that showed up on MousePlanet: If you enjoy the Wonders of Life and you'd like one last chance to see it, you may want to make reservations for. . . Christmas holiday time. We are hearing that the pavilion may open for those peak seasons to meet its quota to qualify for seasonal status, then close for good after the beginning of the year (after Disney gets its $3-6 million tax writeoff for running the attraction seasonally this year).
Apparently, Disney closed the pavilion in May during the test of evening Extra Magic Hours. It had been planned to be open from 9 p.m. - 12 a.m. and had tremendous attendance at 9:00 (the fourth highest pavilion attendance-wise that evening).
[High ups called in and said]: "Close the pavliion, attendance is bad," so they had to close up an hour early. The pavilion hasn't reopened [to the public] since. There is a rumor that Disney wanted to close either Spaceship Earth or Wonders of Life that evening, and a higher-up was protective over Spaceship Earth and decided on Wonders of Life. It's starting to look like (as Mr. Potato Head says in Toy Story) "Humpty Dumpty was pushed."
===
Also of note: When Body Wars Surprise Fastpass was reported to raise attendance 33%, Disney did away with the FastPass system.
This is obvious sabotage for an attraction of about 11,000/day.
For my WoL tribute video, there is a link in the resources page of this update:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=44572
