Is the Universe of Energy from the 90s the most accepted change in Future World?

[Jasonflz]

Okay, let me do a little pro and con list here for them both.

Universe Of Energy:
Pros-

• Unique, one of a kind system
• Well done pre-show
• Good Songs
• Creative ideas
• The Finale

Cons-

• Very slow paced and in some opinions, boring
• Not a very interesting narrator
• Easily outdated
• Very 70's/80's feel despite futuristic idea
• Maybe a tad too long

Ellen's Energy Adventure:
Pros-

• Funny characters
• All star cast
• Amazing Musical Score
• Faster paced story and better looking Dinosaurs
• Creative concepts in the film
• Fun humour and is easy to be enjoyed by everybody
• The Big Bang Sequence

Cons-

• Doesn't utilize some of the creative elements from the previous version
• The dinorama is missing effects that helped the original tell a stronger story
• A tad bit outdated, but not as much as the original
• Doesn't cover as much as it could
• No post-show

Either way, I still prefer the newer version but too give the old one credit, it was a groundbreaking concept and still is.

 

[MAGICFLOP]

Spinning blocks are certainly more entertaining than Ellen.

Ellen and Nigel(Hista/Imagination) are the least funny people in EPCOT. The cast members taking tickets have made laugh more.

 

[Krack]

The most accepted change in Future World has to be Soarin going into the Kitchen Kabaret spot or Captain EO going replacing Magic Journeys. The Universe of Energy is probably #3, but only because the other changes, to some, are so indefensible (Removals of the World of Motion and Horizons, shut down of the Wonders of Life, destruction of original Journey into Imagination, cartoonification of the Living Seas).

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Watching the original on Youtube, I can see why a change was needed. It was clearly a quality production, but the presentation was just too dry for a mainstream audience. The soundtrack was great, though. I've never noticed, but does the current version have any tributes at all to the original songs — even just as soft background music?

Also, could there have been a worse sponsor for this ride in the '90s than Exxon? It'd be like having BP talk about how much it's working to help the planet today.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

've never noticed, but does the current version have any tributes at all to the original songs — even just as soft background music?

Musically? None I can think of off the top of my head, but "Energy, you make the world go 'round!" is a spoken line of dialogue.

 

[Oddysey]

The only thing I miss is the kinetic mosaic in the pre-show, and all of the theater effects in the last scene. Other than that the newer version is more entertaining and the message is heard by many more people because the movies hold your attention longer than the original. The original was just to dry.

All being said, the newer version is more enjoyable, but if Disney brought the kinetic mosaic back and the theater effects it would be something I would do more often. I just hate it when really ambitious effects are originally inserted and then taken away. or entire rides, but that is another story.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Musically? None I can think of off the top of my head, but "Energy, you make the world go 'round!" is a spoken line of dialogue.

Too bad. The opening and closing tunes should have been preserved. They were a lot more catchy than the Jeopardy theme. :lol:

Aside from that, though, I really think this is one example where the "new" Epcot (granted the current show is a little long in the tooth) got the balance between learning and entertainment right. EEA isn't a "dumb" show. The humor might grate on some people, but the science is still there. Whether it's entertaining or not is just a matter of taste, I guess. I like it. I'll be a little sad when the inevitable happens.

 

[Krack]

The soundtrack was great, though. I've never noticed, but does the current version have any tributes at all to the original songs — even just as soft background music?

The soundtrack to all the originals were great. The songs were essential to tying the entire Future World together thematically (along with the pavilion architecture and the pavilion icons). The songs gave the park heart.

Tomorrow's Child

Listen to the Land

One Little Spark

It's Fun to be Free

New Horizons

Universe of Energy

Energy (You Make the World Go Round)

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

They should have a omnimover ride with a 3d omnisphere and realistic climate effects. I bet an energy post show would have some fun goodies to.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I always thought the original was great for a mid-afternoon nap!

Seriously, though, the original was far too dry and felt like one of those videos you watched in science class that made you sleepy.

I'm not saying the original is perfect, but it's definitely an upgrade.

 

[JohnLocke]

The Old version of UOE closed down when I was in about 4th grade, but I remember being incredibly bored by it as a child. I only went on it for the dinosaurs, and the rest put me to sleep. I'm not a big Ellen fan, but I enjoy the attempted humor and lighter feel of EEA.

I wish I had a better memory of the original UOE, because maybe I would like it as an adult! I'll look for some old ride videos

I have the same feeling. Vague memories of the original, but remember it being fairly boring. New one's a little better, but I think it is time for an upgrade.

 

[SleepingMonk]

The soundtrack to all the originals were great. The songs were essential to tying the entire Future World together thematically (along with the pavilion architecture and the pavilion icons). The songs gave the park heart.

Tomorrow's Child

Listen to the Land

One Little Spark

It's Fun to be Free

New Horizons

Universe of Energy

Energy (You Make the World Go Round)

Ahhh, those are classics!

I think it must be dusty in here...getting a little teary eyed.

 

[loveofamouse]

maybe I'm too young but I really dont remember the original. I only remember Bill Nye and Ellen. Frankly, I like Ellen. Is she the best comedian? No but I think too much comedy would have taken away from the education aspect. She's just the tiny touch of funny to go with Bill Nye. And Bill Nye was THE science guy. lol. I love bill nye. Im still trying to track down his DVDs for my son.

 

[loveofamouse]

I guess Im with the minority here. I just watched the original figment on youtube(BTW I DO remember that!) and I will say it was changed for the better. I remember the bike contraption but, judging from the video, the entire attraction stayed there. I live the fact that the new one goes through several "rooms" to explore the senses of the imagination, esp the sense of smell. I like that one

 

[wbc]

For the record, I also miss the Living Seas. The hydrolaters were a bit cheesy, but overall "Seabase Alpha" had a really neat atmosphere.

The Old version of UOE closed down when I was in about 4th grade, but I remember being incredibly bored by it as a child. I only went on it for the dinosaurs, and the rest put me to sleep. I'm not a big Ellen fan, but I enjoy the attempted humor and lighter feel of EEA.

I wish I had a better memory of the original UOE, because maybe I would like it as an adult! I'll look for some old ride videos

I shaer the same feelings.

I loved EPCOT when I was a kid, even if I was learning. But universe of energy was something I never looked forward to.

I LOVED SeaBase Alpha more than the ride. I really thought I was in some kind of deep space sea base and spent waay more time in Living Seas than in ComminiCore/Innoventions or any other place with exhibits.

Actually, looking back. I think Epcot was really my favourite park as a kid. I may have thought Magic Kingdom was, but my fondest memories all take place inside of Epcot. Especially since MK is pretty much the same, and Epcot has lost many of the attractions I loved. Maybe that's why I think back to Epoct so much.

MK is still there, I can still experience it yearly the same as I used to, but I can't experience Horizons, Living Seas, Journey into Imagination, World of Motion, etc. anymore.

Jeez, it's kind of depressing. Nearly all of Future World is gone now.

 

[Krack]

I guess Im with the minority here. I just watched the original figment on youtube(BTW I DO remember that!) and I will say it was changed for the better. I remember the bike contraption but, judging from the video, the entire attraction stayed there. I live the fact that the new one goes through several "rooms" to explore the senses of the imagination, esp the sense of smell. I like that one

I think you need a new video - the original ride went through several huge rooms and was longer than the MK version of Pirates. It was an omnimover built on a grand scale.

The Martin Smith videos are always a great resource.

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

I always thought the original was great for a mid-afternoon nap!

Seriously, though, the original was far too dry and felt like one of those videos you watched in science class that made you sleepy.

I'm not saying the original is perfect, but it's definitely an upgrade.

I never went for the nap but always wanted to relax on a ride that was mesmerizing. I remember gazing into Spaceship earth and watching the fiber optics fly over me. It used to be very calming and wish they still had a ride like that. At least the fountain is still there.

 

[Dwarful]

UoE is a once in a great while attraction for us...with at least one in our group falling asleep when we do make it. 45 minutes is a long time for this attraction.

 

[dvm258]

Also, could there have been a worse sponsor for this ride in the '90s than Exxon? It'd be like having BP talk about how much it's working to help the planet today.

Dear God. BP is going to be the next sponsor of the Universe of Energy, and Toyota will sponsor Test Track. Now we just need some shamed company to sponsor Mission: SPACE when HP is done, and that area of the park will be a trifecta of rides sponsored by companies rehabbing their image.