Ellen's Energy Adventure?

[morningstar]

I don't think Energy is going to the pavilion being replaced at Epcot based on what WDW1974 mentioned last year with the imagination Pavilion.

Disney had plans of closing imagination for changing the Imagination Pavilion before they changed their minds due to the budget mymagic plus is taking up according to WDW1974.

I went to Epcot last year in late August/Early September and I can tell you that Journey into Imagination with Figment had less people than Energy did. It seemed like Imagination didn't have anyone on the attraction before I went on 2 hours after Epcot opened since the cast member mentioned no one was on the ride yet and the cast member seemed to be bored out their mind. I admit the Energy doesn't the crowds as it used to, but it is better than Journey into Imagination with Figment in terms of crowds.

Personally I don't see Imagination going away. I think you're right the attendance is less, but Imagination has more of a deep fanbase and a beloved character. Not that Disney necessarily cares about the hardcore fans, but I think there is a lot they can do with the pavilion to restore it to its former glory. I don't mean make a reproduction of the exact original show, but make a new show starring Figment that has the heart, show quality, and, you know, imagination of the original. It's cheaply fixable because it's just your basic standard dark ride. They've done it several times already. They can keep the track and vehicles. They just need new sets and audio-animatronics. Also add an Image Works that was as immersive as the original and I think it would be a popular pavilion.

Whereas on Energy, the only change feasible to make is to take out Ellen and maybe put in some other celebrity host. Big Bang Theory would probably be fun, but maybe stale in another ten years.

 

[BobConnor]

Well, If I were an imagineer, and I'm sure I will get flamed for this but my idea for the dinosaurs would be:

1. Replace the Dinosaur attraction at Animal Kingdom with the better dinosaurs of Ellens (or Ozzies or Big Bangs or anyone's updated) Energy Adventure using a simplified ride system that doesn't take as long. Bring back the interactive exhibits too.
2. Now the energy pavilion becomes a Carosel of Progress Part II where the family starts around 1970 and goes forward into the future, possibly using the existing ride system, again not as long.
3. At the MK, Keep Carosel of Progress and make the last scene around 1965 with turquoise appliances. To find out more, you have to go to Epcot.

Now, people who had seen the place: Was Horizons like my #2?

 

[morningstar]

Well, If I were an imagineer, and I'm sure I will get flamed for this but my idea for the dinosaurs would be:

1. Replace the Dinosaur attraction at Animal Kingdom with the better dinosaurs of Ellens (or Ozzies or Big Bangs or anyone's updated) Energy Adventure using a simplified ride system that doesn't take as long. Bring back the interactive exhibits too.
2. Now the energy pavilion becomes a Carosel of Progress Part II where the family starts around 1970 and goes forward into the future, possibly using the existing ride system, again not as long.
3. At the MK, Keep Carosel of Progress and make the last scene around 1965 with turquoise appliances. To find out more, you have to go to Epcot.

Now, people who had seen the place: Was Horizons like my #2?

Definitely some parallels between Horizons and Carousel of Progress. I think in Horizons we only see the family in the future, though, never the past or present. You can kind of think of Horizons as the sequel to Carousel of Progress, actually.

 

[morningstar]

Also, I watched the first part of the 35 minutes worth of show that I found on Touring Plans, and the first three minutes had me bored senseless. If it's mostly that kind of thing, with a little splash of AA dinosaurs thrown in, we may not be overly upset if we miss it.

Yeah, the pre-show movie with Ellen and Trebek is pretty awful. I mean, what a lame concept even. Epcot is about facts n stuff, and Jeopardy is about facts, so how about let's show a Jeopardy show where there r some facts about energy. I'm a big Jeopardy fan, but a scripted version of the show is not fun. Well, when Will Farrell plays Trebek, it can be, but that kind of comedy is way too edgy for Disney World.

The post-show movie, which has a lot more Nye, is watchable if you like that sort of thing. By that sort of thing I mean where Bill Nye just stands up there and explains science to you, which he is pretty good at making sound engaging.

 

[cw1982]

Okay... now I really am driving myself crazy lol!

@ToyStorygirl I remember you saying that you spend half a day at the World Showcase... I just made the mistake of playing with the World Showcase in Touring Plans, and what I'm getting back is saying that I wouldn't get to everything in six hours, which I figure should count as a half a day... is that accurate? Should we realistically be trying to get to every. single. thing. at World Showcase? I had envisioned that as being more of a "casually strolling around the pavilions and taking in whatever we see fit" kinda thing lol... now I'm rethinking. DH is somewhat of a history buff, so he might get into the World Showcase more than I'm anticipating.

Thoughts anyone? I just didn't want to start another thread because I figured this is a somewhat similar topic already: time management at Epcot lol.

FYI, we have ADR's at Coral Reef for 8:15 Wednesday night. I guess we could, conceivably, get there an hour or two so early so get some of it in when we finish at HS earlier in the day... we will just want to go back to the hotel and freshen up for dinner first. Between the half day or so that I have planned Wednesday, maybe a little free time before dinner Thursday, and pretty much all evening Friday, is this enough time for Epcot? Or should I try to move something else around to make more time?

 

[Chef Mickey]

Okay... now I really am driving myself crazy lol!

@ToyStorygirl I remember you saying that you spend half a day at the World Showcase... I just made the mistake of playing with the World Showcase in Touring Plans, and what I'm getting back is saying that I wouldn't get to everything in six hours, which I figure should count as a half a day... is that accurate? Should we realistically be trying to get to every. single. thing. at World Showcase? I had envisioned that as being more of a "casually strolling around the pavilions and taking in whatever we see fit" kinda thing lol... now I'm rethinking. DH is somewhat of a history buff, so he might get into the World Showcase more than I'm anticipating.

Thoughts anyone? I just didn't want to start another thread because I figured this is a somewhat similar topic already: time management at Epcot lol.

FYI, we have ADR's at Coral Reef for 8:35 Wednesday night. I guess we could, conceivably, get there an hour or two so early so get some of it in when we finish at HS earlier in the day... we will just want to go back to the hotel and freshen up for dinner first. Between the half day or so that I have planned Wednesday, maybe a little free time before dinner Thursday, and pretty much all evening Friday, is this enough time for Epcot? Or should I try to move something else around to make more time?

I honestly think you're making this too hard and you're risking your overall enjoyment at Epcot and Disney. You can "waste" a lot of time just walking around aimlessly, far more than the 45 minutes it will take to do Ellen's Energy Adventure. Have a solid plan, but don't do it clipboard of fun style or you'll lose out on enjoying your time and you'll spend your whole trip checking things off the list.

As a rule of thumb (from a huge Disney buff with over 30,trips of experience): When time is limited, always opt for seeing the attractions and shows over walking around and looking at shops, flowers, scenery, spending a lot of time dining, etc. All of those things are worth your time when you have it, but you want to cover as many attractions as possible and save the leisurely strolls for your next trip. You can always allocate an hour or so of relaxation time to soak up your surroundings. I only say this because you can literally burn up 4-5 hours at Epcot just looking around....again, worth it, but only when you have the time.

I'd rather skip dessert at my dining reservation and looking at overpriced perfume in France to go ride Ellen and Living with the Land.

 

[cw1982]

I honestly think you're making this too hard and you're risking your overall enjoyment at Epcot and Disney. You can "waste" a lot of time just walking around aimlessly, far more than the 45 minutes it will take to do Ellen's Energy Adventure. Have a solid plan, but don't do it clipboard of fun style or you'll lose out on enjoying your time and you'll spend your whole trip checking things off the list.

Yep. This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you!

 

[cw1982]

I'd rather skip dessert at my dining reservation and looking at overpriced perfume in France to go ride Ellen and Living with the Land.

I think part of the issue, too, is that there is so much at Epcot in the World Showcase, and it's hard to tell just by looking at the pictures and the names what some of these things really are lol. So here I am with this big long list of "attractions" on Touring Plans, and it's a bit overwhelming. Time to take a step back lol.

 

[morningstar]

As a rule of thumb (from a huge Disney buff with over 30,trips of experience): When time is limited, always opt for seeing the attractions and shows over walking around and looking at shops, flowers, scenery, spending a lot of time dining, etc.

Well generally, yeah, but at World Showcase that's kind of the point. Granted it's not my cup of tea. My approach to World Showcase is often to hit Maelstrom and Three Caballeros and call it done. But for a lot of people, skipping Three Caballeros for more time shopping Mitsukoshi, exploring the Moroccan bazaar, tasting French pastries, watching the live entertainment, etc., might be more appealing.

Should we realistically be trying to get to every. single. thing. at World Showcase? I had envisioned that as being more of a "casually strolling around the pavilions and taking in whatever we see fit" kinda thing lol... now I'm rethinking. DH is somewhat of a history buff, so he might get into the World Showcase more than I'm anticipating.

You don't have to do every single thing at World Showcase. I don't even really know what that would entail. There are two rides and three movies. Those are the "attractions". I've heard some of the movies are pretty good. I don't remember. I usually give them a miss. Besides that, there are numerous little exhibits of cultural artifacts. None of these are must-dos, but yeah, it's nice to just stop and look at whatever catches your eye. And of course pretty much every country has something to buy and something to eat. Obviously you're not gonna avail yourself of all of that lest you reverse your weight-loss surgery. It's a matter of browsing it all and "tasting" what looks good (food and otherwise).

Between the half day or so that I have planned Wednesday, maybe a little free time before dinner Thursday, and pretty much all evening Friday, is this enough time for Epcot? Or should I try to move something else around to make more time?

It sounds like enough. It's pretty much a one-day park. It sounds like you have almost a full day cobbled together there.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I think part of the issue, too, is that there is so much at Epcot in the World Showcase, and it's hard to tell just by looking at the pictures and the names what some of these things really are lol. So here I am with this big long list of "attractions" on Touring Plans, and it's a bit overwhelming. Time to take a step back lol.

I'll give you the list of must dos in World Showcase - fellow Disney enthusiasts, I know I'm leaving out a few things, but I feel like this covers it.

1) American Adventure - America. This is absolutely cannot miss. Voices of Liberty preshow is a bonus, but missable if you don't have time.

2) Maelstrom - Norway. Do this ride and skip the movie afterward. Just run through the shops...all overpriced Norwegian sweaters and junk food...

3) River of Time - Mexico...this should be walk on and walk out. Spend a few minutes looking around at the store inside.

4) China...breeze through the shops just to get a feel...movie is totally missable. A friend of mine is from Beijing and told me it's about as outdated and idealistic as it gets.

5) Japan - I'd eat at the hibachi because I really like it...if not, get a flavored ice and look through the shops quickly.

The rest of the countries are have shops, restaurants and various movies. Again, worth looking at with the time, but I'd just breeze through to get a feel. I happen to enjoy Impressions de France movie, so maybe if you have time.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Well generally, yeah, but at World Showcase that's kind of the point. Granted it's not my cup of tea. My approach to World Showcase is often to hit Maelstrom and Three Caballeros and call it done. But for a lot of people, skipping Three Caballeros for more time shopping Mitsukoshi, exploring the Moroccan bazaar, tasting French pastries, watching the live entertainment, etc., might be more appealing.

I absolutely agree, different strokes for different folks. I suggested the attractions approach because she seems to be panicking a little due to her time constraints and unfamiliarity. As long as she does the attractions, I feel like she will get her money and time's worth.

Looks like her trip will be during a relatively warm time as well...so I steered her away from live entertainment. It's nice, but it gets warm.

I will emphasize that half the fun of Disney is enjoying you surroundings and taking it easy versus just jumping from ride to ride. I can cover every major show and attraction in all 4 parks in 3 days, but I stay 10 days so I can enjoy the time more. However, when I have limited time, I always want to see the attractions and shows first.

 

[cw1982]

Well generally, yeah, but at World Showcase that's kind of the point. Granted it's not my cup of tea. My approach to World Showcase is often to hit Maelstrom and Three Caballeros and call it done. But for a lot of people, skipping Three Caballeros for more time shopping Mitsukoshi, exploring the Moroccan bazaar, tasting French pastries, watching the live entertainment, etc., might be more appealing.



You don't have to do every single thing at World Showcase. I don't even really know what that would entail. There are two rides and three movies. Those are the "attractions". I've heard some of the movies are pretty good. I don't remember. I usually give them a miss. Besides that, there are numerous little exhibits of cultural artifacts. None of these are must-dos, but yeah, it's nice to just stop and look at whatever catches your eye. And of course pretty much every country has something to buy and something to eat. Obviously you're not gonna avail yourself of all of that lest you reverse your weight-loss surgery. It's a matter of browsing it all and "tasting" what looks good (food and otherwise).

Lol... the thing that makes me giggle about this is that we have local friends joining us that evening, and I actually met them because the wife of that couple had weight loss surgery at the same hospital as me on the same day! We've talked about it, and we figure we'd do better doing World Showcase that night, rather than anything where the focus would be jumping from ride to ride, because it would be more relaxed and we would be able to drink/snack where ever we see fit as we spend the evening taking everything in... not much in the way of official food plans that night!

I figured it is a one-day park, and we do have that between the two half days... so you're right, it should be relaxing and workable, and here I am making it out to be more than it is! Hah!

I'll give you the list of must dos in World Showcase - fellow Disney enthusiasts, I know I'm leaving out a few things, but I feel like this covers it.

1) American Adventure - America. This is absolutely cannot miss. Voices of Liberty preshow is a bonus, but missable if you don't have time.

2) Maelstrom - Norway. Do this ride and skip the movie afterward. Just run through the shops...all overpriced Norwegian sweaters and junk food...

3) River of Time - Mexico...this should be walk on and walk out. Spend a few minutes looking around at the store inside.

4) China...breeze through the shops just to get a feel...movie is totally missable. A friend of mine is from Beijing and told me it's about as outdated and idealistic as it gets.

5) Japan - I'd eat at the hibachi because I really like it...if not, get a flavored ice and look through the shops quickly.

The rest of the countries are have shops, restaurants and various movies. Again, worth looking at with the time, but I'd just breeze through to get a feel. I happen to enjoy Impressions de France movie, so maybe if you have time.

That helps a bunch. Thanks again!

 

[cw1982]

I absolutely agree, different strokes for different folks. I suggested the attractions approach because she seems to be panicking a little due to her time constraints and unfamiliarity. As long as she does the attractions, I feel like she will get her money and time's worth.

Looks like her trip will be during a relatively warm time as well...so I steered her away from live entertainment. It's nice, but it gets warm.

I will emphasize that half the fun of Disney is enjoying you surroundings and taking it easy versus just jumping from ride to ride. I can cover every major show and attraction in all 4 parks in 3 days, but I stay 10 days so I can enjoy the time more. However, when I have limited time, I always want to see the attractions and shows first.

Yep. Sounds perfect.

We're not really "show" kinda people... if we happen to be walking past something that catches our eye, then fine, but I'm not going to plan for any of those specifically because, like I said, it's not really our style. I was honestly more worried about working in some of the walk-through exhibit type of things at World Showcase (that strikes me as something DH would like)... but your post above gives me a good starting point as far as some good focal areas. I'll just let the rest fall where it may.

 

[englanddg]

I like to sneak in a burger from Electric Umbrella and pretend I'm dining at T-Rex.

 

[cw1982]

I like to sneak in a burger from Electric Umbrella and pretend I'm dining at T-Rex.

Hah! Good to know. I'm sure DH will appreciate that tip... he loves a decent burger

 

[englanddg]

Hah! Good to know. I'm sure DH will appreciate that tip... he loves a decent burger

I never said it was a decent burger.

Obviously you haven't eaten at Electric Umbrella. Tip...save your dining credits / money for another venue.

 

[cw1982]

I never said it was a decent burger.

Obviously you haven't eaten at Electric Umbrella. Tip...save your dining credits / money for another venue.

Yeah... it's late. My sarcasm meter must be off

I didn't think that place looked all that promising, but I wasn't gonna argue haha

 

[cw1982]

I like to sneak in a burger from Electric Umbrella and pretend I'm dining at T-Rex.

I never said it was a decent burger.

Obviously you haven't eaten at Electric Umbrella. Tip...save your dining credits / money for another venue.

Actually, I have a hunch that DH will be stopping at Fife and Drum for a turkey leg at some point while we are in Epcot. Sigh...

 

[pumpkin7]

I love Ellen's Energy Adventure. I know it's a bit dated and could do with a revamp but it's somewhere to rest your weary feet for 45 undisturbed minutes in the air con. Plus I just love the music. I guess I qualify as a young adult being 25.
However, I voted no because last trip we had some teens on our row with us and for the entire 45 minutes they stared at their phones. It was really annoying and offputting having the glare of a phone in the corner of your eye. They missed the entire thing. Such a shame. So I think that unless it's a favourite then newer visitors and teens just don't get it.

 

[pumpkin7]

When we rode it in 2010, as I said before, the baby slept. My then 5-year-old was initially afraid of the dinos. So I told her, "Honey they're not real. See how they only move an inch or two". That was enough to put her at ease. The dinos are kind of neat, but there is very little motion. The movie is kind of funny. Ellen's old sit-com level of funny. The movie is filled with bad info to the point where you are probably better informed if you don't watch it. But it's air conditioned. And it will kill some time if you run out of things to do.

Off topic but I love your avatar!

I also wanted to add that the other thing that narks me about last time we rode was they were still letting people into the pre show area once the pre show had already started. I mean, when we went in it was about half way through. I know it's out of date but I love the preshow! And it sort of sets the precedent for the entire attraction. For a first timer, it wouldn't have made any sense.