Project Gemini

[Beany-Fantasmic]

Just been browsing the site and found this:

12 February 2003: Update

Further to the info below, there is very recent news to indicate that there remains a core of 3 projects for Epcot's rehab.

• Rehab of Spaceship Earth. This new attraction, as hard as it is to believe, is being talked about as being a "coaster". It's budget is in excess of that for Rock n Roller Coaster.
• A DCA Soarin' Clone
• An unspecified third attraction

The budgets are around the $100 million mark for each, with the Spaceship Earth project having the largest of the three.

Opening dates remain around late 2006.

The likelihood of the above opening, will depend to some extent on the success of Mission Space opening this year.

Obviously, Soarin' has gone ahead but what about the other two? SE a roller coaster??? :dazzle: I can't really imagine that! And what was the unspecified attraction going to be?

I'm asking now because it's getting around the time when plans should be in place, with construction underway, nearing completion with Soarin'.

:wave:

 

[PhotoDave219]

That information is two years old. Feb 2003.

The whole project never came about and according to most sources in previous threads, probably wont ever.

There's a bunch more threads on the topic, just do a search on 'Project Gemini' and you'll end up with much more than you were bargining for :lol:

 

[Captain Hank]

The SSE rollercoaster has pretty much shot down (thank goodness!). I believe it was determined that the structure couldn't handle it, since the current ride track is integral to the support of the sphere. Another plan was an extensive rehab of the attraction using "screen technology" which got our resident bear into rather a frenzy. As far as we know, it's now been whittled down to a refurb of the descent portion of the attraction, which is needed. There are a bunch of threads on this showing the evolution of the rumor, they make a very interesting read.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Project Gemini is pretty much dead. BEsides for Soarin we aren't going to see much of the projects.

 

[General Grizz]

They are *still* looking at converting Spaceship Earth into something. Last year, there was a large screen-tech show planned, then just an update of the finale, and then the rumor *gasp* that a more "thrill ride" plan was in *blue sky*.

Gemini is dead as a project, but it's almost as though it was bashed, resulting in the escape of a bunch of different projects. This includes The Land (currently under rehab), and in the near future, the Living Seas. Also, it's probably time to say goodbye to Ellen within the coming years according to what's brewing at WDI. . .

On hold/red flagged are the Canada and Innoventions Gardens projects.

 

[Captain Hank]

They're looking at changing UOE? I'm intrigued. Not necessarily surprised, but intrigued.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

They are *still* looking at converting Spaceship Earth into something. Last year, there was a large screen-tech show planned, then just an update of the finale, and then the rumor *gasp* that a more "thrill ride" plan was in *blue sky*.

Gemini is dead as a project, but it's almost as though it was bashed, resulting in the escape of a bunch of different projects. This includes The Land (currently under rehab), and in the near future, the Living Seas. Also, it's probably time to say goodbye to Ellen within the coming years according to what's brewing at WDI. . .

On hold/red flagged are the Canada and Innoventions Gardens projects.

At least they aren't killing things though. The Land project didn't cost us much (except for Food Rocks...which for me is a fair trade). The Seas needed all the help they could get. Although I don't really support the character infusion, I will accept it to bring some life to the place. I for one wouldn't be upset to see Ellen go away if they were to replace it with something of substance. I still look forward to the possible Canada attraction. It would be nice to have something new in World Showcase.

The only thing that scared me from Gemini was the Spaceship Earth thrill attraction. Then I thought about it, and relaized that it would be a pretty hard thing to do. I wouldn't think that Disney would take the most visited ride on property and turn it into something that only a certain group can enjoy. It just wouldn't make sense. I think that SE will get a rehab at somepoint, but I don't think it will be totally changed either. I think the biggest plans are going to come to the post show area.

 

[General Grizz]

They're looking at changing UOE? I'm intrigued. Not necessarily surprised, but intrigued.

I've posted some on my site about it, but basically, WDI has toured the pavilion and wants to TOTALLY rework the pavilion in the near future.

 

[Captain Hank]

Gosh, I need to get on d-troops more often...

 

[Dayma]

I just hope that these four things happen to SSE:

1. Re-paint
2. New Audio( speaker system )
3. New Cars
4. New ending

If this turns into a thrill ride I may loose all hope in the parks

 

[DarkMeasures]

The SSE rollercoaster has pretty much shot down (thank goodness!). I believe it was determined that the structure couldn't handle it, since the current ride track is integral to the support of the sphere. Another plan was an extensive rehab of the attraction using "screen technology" which got our resident bear into rather a frenzy. As far as we know, it's now been whittled down to a refurb of the descent portion of the attraction, which is needed. There are a bunch of threads on this showing the evolution of the rumor, they make a very interesting read.

You are half right. The actual Spaceship Earth building can be gutted. All that is need is the 3 support legs and the table. The inner shell keeps the rest of the building intact. (got this from the John Hench imagineering book).

As for a rollercoaster. Even though, I believe there was never plans for one, the reason why it can't be done is because Rollercoaster = high G-forces. Because of the high G-forces, there is always force trying to bend the track. Supports however stop this and it is also why supports usually go up to a hundred feet underground. Now, that would mean if a rollercoaster was built, there would have to be all these coaster support columns coming out of the bottom of the structure making:
1. Very Ugly
2. No longer serve the architectual purpose.
3. Lead to a jungle of steel poles in the area below.

An EMV attraction could be done though because they only really have speed parts on a very small fraction of the track.

A theatre could also fit well. It would not be glamourous but a huge massive theatre could fit inside. (If the inside is gutted).

An updated omnimover though is the best idea because:
1. High capacity
2. Track already there
3. Cost less
4. keeps crowds moving
5. 15 minute ride is kept

 

[Poncho1973]

softer cabs would be appreciated...

 

[CastleRock]

Yeah, slightly reclining seats, cushioned head rests and maybe a shiatsu massage thingy too...ahhhh.

 

[Captain Hank]

Cushioned head rests are a must. It always seems that the ride stops at some point during the descent from the top, and the headrest only comes up to a small part of my neck. It's quite uncomfortable.

 

[TheDisneyMagic]

General Grizz: I've posted some on my site about it, but basically, WDI has toured the pavilion and wants to TOTALLY rework the pavilion in the near future.

From the boards I have understood that many people would love for Ellen's Energy Adventure to be completely redesigned, but I love this attraction, now it must be one if not the IMO favourite attraction in EPCOT. I just love the whole experience and find it amazing, all the little hairs stand up on my arms when ever I think about this ride.
I think the music is fantastic and I have it playing in me room all the time in the background. I just hope that WDI does not decide to replace this fantastic attraction. If they did decided though that its time for a change I wonder whether Bill Nye the science guy would stay, I have never seen his TV show because I live in the UK and I don't think we get that show but I think he is great.

:wave:

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

If they did decided though that its time for a change I wonder whether Bill Nye the science guy would stay, I have never seen his TV show because I live in the UK and I don't think we get that show but I think he is great.

:wave:

Unfortunatly, Bill Nye the Science Guy called it quits by the mid to late ninties. I don't expect to see him anymore, anytime soon, unless he has another show.

Did you know that Bill Nye actually had another attraction in the early Innoventions around 1995?

 

[I.M.Fearless]

Well, I don't think that Spaceship Earth will EVER be changed to a thrillride, for several reasons already mentioned. However, more comfortable seats would be very nice, and I kinda wish they'd bring back the old "Tomorrow's Child" segment. I also think that the current additions to The Land and The Living Seas are very good, although for Seas they need to update the briefing show, and maybe bring back the ride there. I'm still trying to figure out why Food Rocks was placed in The Land and not Wonders of Life. Speaking of WoL, maybe a big attraction could go there (better than it being closed all of the time). Universe of Energy could use a serious update; that thing is unbelievably old now. Maybe they could update the Jeopardy show to feature Ken Jennings :lol: . Or, they could try a rollercoaster, and discuss the use of potential and kinetic energy. I dunno. There also seems to be a decent amount of empty space in the Imagination building (does the ride really use all of the pyramid space?); just imagine what kind of rollercoaster could go there. Or maybe the Odyssey building could hold something other than restrooms. So maybe these are the places where an new project could go? But wait... didn't Horizons just get a big makeover that could be this third attraction? I'm surprised that nobody else noticed that.

P.S. Bill Nye did have one-or-two (now nonexistant) gigs in Innoventions along with his Universe of Energy job. He also still shows up in DisneyQuest, on the Cyberspace Mountain design consoles.

 

[DarkMeasures]

Unfortunatly, Bill Nye the Science Guy called it quits by the mid to late ninties. I don't expect to see him anymore, anytime soon, unless he has another show.

Did you know that Bill Nye actually had another attraction in the early Innoventions around 1995?

Bill Nye also is featured in Disney Quest at Cyber space Mountain. But, after his show ended, he was a cast member of Battle Bots until that show got canceled a few years ago. But I am sure he still has good relations with Disney. I mean when I was at Disney during Mission Space testing he was getting a VIP tour of the attraction. (before heading to Ellen's Energy Adventure).

 

[M:SpilotISTC12]

I wish all of it was going to happen.

 

[Captain Hank]

Gosh, I remember the Bill Nye show in Innoventions! It was pretty funny, if I remember correctly. Wasn't it kind of an overview of what Innoventions was?