I'm gonna try Universe Of Energy for the 1st time in 15 years, will I be disapointed?

[ssidiouss@mac.c]

The last time I went on this ride was like in 1989 when I was a teenager. All I can remember is that I thought it was cool that the movie theater somehow seperated into sections and turned into some type of moving vehicles? Then I remember a few cool looking dinosaurs. Thats all I can remember.. nothing else of the plot or attraction.

I've been to disney world once a year the past two years and I am about to go again this december. All of the rides that I remember having fond memories of back in 1989 I still liked recently.. except for FIGMENT. Oh my god.. what a horror the new figment was. I told my wife that it was a great ride with a cute character and that afterwards there was a cool fururistic area to walk around in. All of those memories of figment were destroyed when I went on it again in 2003. The ride changed obviously and I had no idea. It was a horrible experience.. and a big let down to my wife after hyping it up so much before hand.

I dont want to make the same mistake twice as we are taking our two mothers to disney world for their first time this december. I was going to try the Universe Of Energy this year for the first time since 1989. Has it changed? Do you think it stands the test of time?

 

[Pongo]

Well, the films and premise have changed since your last ride, but the dinosaurs are still there with an Ellen Degeneres added into the mix. I've only been on it once and that's probably the most I will go on it until they change it. Con't get me wrong, it's a great ride, but when I went on it, my friend forgot to mention that it was 45 minutes long. which is a little too long for me.

I agree with you about Figment. I only remember two things from the old Figment (the last time I rode it was when I was four): Having the ride stop because of technical difficulties under the "Avalanche" portion of the ride, and the awesome song. Which both aren't there anymore. So when I rode the new version for the first time (ironically, I didn't know it changed), I was pretty disappointed. But, it's still a bit interesting if not compared to the old version.

Yeah. I'm done.

 

[imagineersrock]

ssidiouss@mac.c---

I thoroughly enjoy the ride, but thats because i'm a huge Ellen fan...

if you enjoy Ellen and her sense of humor, you will enjoy this attraction, If you don't, it's a toss-up... you may not. I think it's worth a try at least once.

have fun!

 

[speck76]

I am not a huge Ellen fan (she is alright, but I am not really a fan) but I love the attraction. Try to sit in the front of the middle section of cars.......

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

http://www.energy.planet7.org/

This site has details on the old and new version, what has changed, etc.

Ellen was brought in to update the attraction. The quality of some of the older effects was lost to devote attention towards Ellen. I like Ellen, I like how she brings humor to a previously "educational" attraction, but there's a difference between the old and the new version. I believe its based on your own personal preference.

 

[mousermerf]

Essentially, the same exact ride system still exists, they just changed the movies.

Theater 1 got a better movie the dinosaurs are the same with Ellen added (and it no longer rains because that effect was destroying the show) and theater 2 most people agree is an improvement over the overly serious heavey-handed version.

The only area people tend to find a little lacking is the finale. It's more funny and whimsical than grand and inspiring like the old version. More of an "oh, that was nice" than "wow, that was amazing." But, it's often seen overall as an improvement because of the out-datedness of the old films.

The old films were also 45mins long (that's just how long it takes the vehicles to make a full loop of the building plus stop to watch 3mins of video in theater 1) so there's no real way to shorten it.

I think it's a good ride still, and many people agree. It keeps the general idea of the older version while just making it more modern. Lots of folks consider the old version a major snoozefest, and the new version gets that a lot less often.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I really enjoy this ride.....the worst part is having to sit in the huge "open room" before getting on the ride. Ugh...that takes forever. After you get on the ride it is enjoyable.

 

[Horizons1]

The UOE is basically the same in ride experience *travelling theatre,ect* as it was when you rode it. The theme of course, is still the same *obviously lol* but the way it is presented now is very different. Instead of a harsh, serious tone about energy, the show is now a light-hearted look at energy. Bill Nye the Science guy really helps to make the attraction fun and likeable. Using him in the revamp of the UOE, IMO, was a very good call. The attraction also features new music. No longer are there lyrical songs (which were very good).
There is now an orchestral theme (which is also very good). Also, the sign out in front of the pavilion was changed from the old prototype font and plauqe like apperance to more of a futuristic, high-tech apperance. This occured back in 2001, most likely to complement the futuristic look of M:S. Unfortunately, the pavilion's symbol was lost when this happened.

Overall, when the UOE got it's revamp, it came out as a likeable, funny attraction. It did not turn into horrible disasters like JIYI AND JIIWF did, so you have no need to worry there. Although we have lost the songs and the little details, the UOE is still a neat ride to do.

 

[Christina]

I think you'll enjoy it because while it has been revamped, it's also a ride that nearly everyone likes their first time around. It's not exactly the best ride to do for repeats though... it's quite long.

 

[mikeymouse]

I enjoyed it in '04. It was pretty funny and definately a lot better than it used to be. TRY IT!

 

[marni1971]

Try it and see. Each to their own, but I was dissappointed by it. It seemed dumbed down far too much (admitedly the original could be a bit heavy for todays audience) and makes no use of the pavilions original design for the finale - the wrap around illusion. Kind of an anti climax. Not to mention the ammount of effects that have been left to break down over the years, and the general state of the pavilion (it does still rain inside - when it rains outside), running 5 packs continuously for a while (5 vehicles instead of 6 - putting a strain on the turntables) and running the show for weeks whilst one of the show doors was jammed open.

You may like it of course, I hope you do, but I think some of it depends on your view of the original EPCOT Center.

 

[KevinPage]

As far as I remember Ellen doesn't "dance" so you shouldn't feel the need to :hurl: on this ride.

The original pavillon was a total borefest, this version at least has alot more dinosaur AA's than the previous version and a somewhat entertaining, if not overly long story. (plan to allot about 45 minutes of time even if there is no wait).

I enjoy it every now and then, but they probably will change it in a few years so ride it now before it's gone.

 

[BRER STITCH]

I really enjoy this ride.....the worst part is having to sit in the huge "open room" before getting on the ride. Ugh...that takes forever. After you get on the ride it is enjoyable.

I agree!

It gets my vote for worse preshow ever!

It doesn't help that I'm not an Ellen fan, but the attraction - once you are actually movng! - is really enjoyable.

It's cool and relaxing and dark so you could even take a nap if you wanted to!

Go in with an open mind and you might like it too!!

 

[Since1976]

To me, the ride is a disappointment, just as the original was. I always remembered it as "the Dinosaur ride," but the relationship of the dinos to the theme of the attraction was never presented in more than superficial terms.

The old version was educational but boring. The new version is more funny and dumbed down, but also boring. Try as they have to unify the attraction into a cohesive storyline, they have been unsuccessful in making the dinosaur part feel like anything more than a diversion:

ACT I: Energy is important.
ACT II: Oooh, look, dinosaurs!!
ACT III: Energy is important.

 

[AEfx]

UoE is an example of an Epcot rehab gone right.

The ride is virtually unchanged, but now instead of seeing those evil industrial "films" (I.E. commercials for Exxon) you see a very entertaining plot revolving around Ellen, Alex Trebek, Jeopardy, Jamie Lee Curits, and Bill Nye.

It actually tells a story now, which, as Since1976 summed up, is pretty much "Energy is Important", but nonetheless is much more cohesive an experience than it used to be. Bill Nye takes Ellen back to the age of the dinosaurs to show her the beginings of the energy we harvest today. Is it a bit contrived? Sure, but what at Disney isn't really?

The only complaint I have about the ride at this point is the Ellen AA - I just don't think it was terribly well done. It helps tie Ellen into that portion of the ride, but just isn't the best AA Disney has ever done.

Along with SSE, it's the only relaxing, long-duration ride still at Epcot. I don't think you will be disapointed at all, unless you like poor video quality Industrial films from the 1970's. If you do, you are out of luck - otherwise I'm sure you will enjoy this updated version as well.

AEfx

 

[dxwwf3]

I am not a huge Ellen fan (she is alright, but I am not really a fan) but I love the attraction. Try to sit in the front of the middle section of cars.......

I agree. Actually this and Finding Nemo are the only times that I've thought of Ellen as being remotely entertaining. And even thought I prefer the original show to Ellen's show, I still think that Disney did a great job with this rehab many moons ago.

But now it seems that a new show might be coming within the next few years, so I'll have to make sure and see UoE a couple of times on this trip. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll get to see WoL as well, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

[1disneydood]

Best part of the film is "Stupid Judy". :slurp:

 

[Since1976]

Just to clarify...while I think the attraction overall is still boring, the ride system always amazes me, and I do experience UoE every time I go to Epcot. It's a good attraction to do when you're tired and need to sit for a while...

 

[gniko21]

gniko21

I agree with AEfx. I've always been fond of this ride. The movies were interesting, to me, and I was fascinated by the theater transportation system. The ride through portion is great...the dinos, the smells, the sounds. I hadn't noticed the missing rain, it's been a while. I enjoy the changes they made, a bit more light hearted. I like Ellen so I enjoyed the humor she brought to the show. The biggest disappointment was the Ellen AA, pretty cheesy looking. Kind of like the Ripley in the GMR.

Not at all boring for me. A nice break on a hot day, enjoy the AC and the ride.

 

[CaptainMichael]

I'll have to make sure and see UoE a couple of times on this trip.

A couple of times :hammer: :snore: May the Force be with you!