Questions for Epcot/Imagineering Experts!

[Lord Alfred]

I've got two questions about Epcot attractions that I've been wanting to ask. Here goes:

1. The "Food Rocks" show at The Land uses parodies of famous music artists throughout the program. Are these imitators, or the real artists. If it's a combination, which ones did their own voices and which are imitations?

2. The Walt Disney "Imagineering" coffee table book has a picture of a huge tesla coil throwing lighting at some imagineers at their labs. The caption states this effect is for Maelstrom at the Norway pavilion. Is this effect somewhere in the Maelstrom ride? I've never noticed it. If not, where was it supposed to be used?

Enlighten me!!

 

[RobFL]

1. The actual artists.

2. I think it was supposed to be and then replaced by the "spell cast" twinkle.. from what I know it was tested but never implimented.

-Rob

 

[Lord Alfred]

Wow! Thanks Rob!

I always thought that the Food Rocks performances sounded pretty accurate. As far as the tesla coil goes, I thought that maybe they hoped to use it above guests heads in that high-ceilinged North Sea room with the oil rig, since it was supposed to be stormy and all. I remember when Norway first opened I saw a TV special with Willard Scott where he rode the ride in a raincoat because you were supposed to get wet in that scene. I wonder if they've toned the rain effects down?