EPCOT fans: Just took unDISCOVERed Future World tour!

DarthGrady

Active Member
Original Poster
I just got back from EPCOT Center today, and took the Undiscovered Future World tour. I wanted to thank everyone that shared their stories and info. in regards to this tour on one of my past threads. I am very glad we decided to book it. Here is a brief overview:

There was only four of us, so it was almost like a private tour. Our guide Robert was excellent and very helpful. We got to visit United Technologies former VIP lounge in the Living Seas. I even got to see the clear piano!

Robert was also kind enough to grant this JII fans ultimate wish; to visit the original Imageworks! He said its not on the tour anymore, but that he would take us up there since I wanted (so badly!) to see it. It was amazing to get to go up there again. The actual Imageworks area is only half accessable now due to construction. We were able to see the old Electronic Philharmonic, pin screens, and kaleidoscopes. Everything else has been blocked off due to construction. I was sad to hear from Robert that the Rainbow Corridor has also been mostly demolished. I still cant get over the fact that it is still up there and unused after 10 years. An area with the BEST view in the entire park has sooo many possibilities. But I guess all I can do is just hope everyday for a JII version 4 (a good one this time) and a new Imageworks upstairs where its supposed to be.

We then visited Mission Space and got to visit HP's VIP lounge, very nice! We also went backstage at Test Track and saw where they work on the ride cars. It was freaky to get a look at the exterior track supports when the cars go over. They are mounted on ball bearings and the whole thing flexes about a foot in both directions.

We visited the cast building and saw the wardrobe/costume department. Afterwards we saw the area where the wigs are kept, as well as the makeup room. All very interesting! Robert then walked us down to the marina and we saw the inferno barge and the LED planet barge. The tour then ended at the China pavillion.

I just want to say how incredibly happy I was with this tour. We got to see so many interesting things, and the visit to the Imageworks was the icing on the cake! I will try and get some of my pictures uploaded and posted on here soon if anyone is interested in seeing them.

Some side notes from our day at EPCOT:

The Fountain of Nations and Universe of Energy are getting remodeled apparently? Does anyone know what thats all about?

The EPCOT history room in Innoventions West has been closed and the signage removed. I was sad to see this, as I really liked visiting it. Robert said it is now used for Segway training.
 

rdour@techminds

New Member
Hello,

If it was the same Robert I had when I took the tour, he's great. I enjoyed my tour as well. We spent quite a bit of time at the Seas, and of course, saw the place where they clean all of those 3D glasses. My highlight was seeing the area where they maintain the ride vehicles for JII. I had to fuble around with the mechanics of the cars as techs were happy to show me how the cars function.
 

mcjaco

Well-Known Member
My parents will be most upset when they hear this. They took the tour last Friday, and were not very pleased with it. They said the first two hours were a bore. They must not have had Robert.
 

DarthGrady

Active Member
Original Poster
Unless its been a recent demo, I can tell you the Rainbow Corridor is still very much in tact.

It may be, I had the same thoughts since so many on here say that its still there, albeit in a ruined state.

That entire side was walled off though, so even if its there we couldn't have gotten to it. I could see the Dreamfinder's School of Drama sign still up, and the old Magic Paintbrush picture. I tried to wander a little closer to see around the temporary wall, but Robert was quick with a "don't go back there!", he knew what I was up to! :D

I do wish they would do something, anything, with that area. Even if its just blocking off the old Imageworks and letting folks go up there and look out. That would be better than letting it just go to waste. The view alone is worth a million bucks!

Oh well, I just feel priviledged to have had a chance to see it one last time. I got to relive a little bit of childhood, brief and bittersweet (good word to describe it, Grannyjill2) though it may have been.
 

klineski96

Active Member
I will try and get some of my pictures uploaded and posted on here soon if anyone is interested in seeing them.

Anxiously awaiting your pictures! Thanks for the review by the way... it sparked a conversation between my wife and I that we just may have to take the tour!!
 

DarthGrady

Active Member
Original Poster
My parents will be most upset when they hear this. They took the tour last Friday, and were not very pleased with it. They said the first two hours were a bore. They must not have had Robert.

Well, there was about an hour or so of W.D. and Epcot history prior to going backstage. I could have done without it since I knew most of it already, but I guess they have to tailor it to the folks that have never even heard of Walt Disney before. Robert presented it very well though, and had props! He showed us old pictures, a piece of "skin" from an AA, and a piece of SSEs exterior shell.

Anxiously awaiting your pictures! Thanks for the review by the way... it sparked a conversation between my wife and I that we just may have to take the tour!!

I have to go back to Orlando (on business this time :() tonight and tomorrow. I should be able to get them up by tomorrow night though.
 

Figment1986

Well-Known Member
Nice report, makes me want to book the tour now!

hmmm... since it appears if they are indeed doing work up there I wonder are they clearing it out more for private party space... I wish they used upstairs more often for general guests.
 

DarthGrady

Active Member
Original Poster
OK, here we go:

VIP room at Living Seas:

Its much bigger than it looks, we were only on one side. The other, much larger area was being used for a school group.

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DarthGrady

Active Member
Original Poster
The old Imageworks area:

It looks like its being used for private parties. Wouldn't it be sweet to rent it out? Robert wouldn't let me take any pics in the Imageworks ruins, but heres what I was able to get:

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DarthGrady

Active Member
Original Poster
Mission: Space VIP area:

A small, but very cool area! It has a "postcards from space" terminal in a little glass room for the kids, plus a soda fountain and bean bag chairs. The windows overlook the line area, where the space station spins. The Lunar Rover would be right outside the windows.

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DarthGrady

Active Member
Original Poster
It is a fantastic tour, I am glad you enjoyed it.... but.

:eek::eek::eek:

Did you not get the ol' no backstage photos spiel from your tour guide?

Yep, we were told. We visited several areas that I could not photo. Like the wardrobe areas, backstage at Test Track, backstage at the marina, backstage in a part of the old Communicore, and a few others.

Robert said the VIP lounges and the old Imageworks were fair game, I guess since they are not really secret.
 

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