Snake-Like Creature (and Ellen) gone from Universe of Energy

[omurice]

I finally went on this on my last trip this October. We had always passed it by before as it didn't seem to entice the majority of my party, or myself. This time however, we thought 'What the heck' and did it anyway. It was pleasantly surprising, and I could only imagine to see what it was like in top condition or updated.

THIS could pretty much describe every single ride in EPCOT, and a lot in other parks... (kidding)

 

[pumpkin7]

So, still no Ellen or monster? They've been MIA for a while if not.

 

[KronosKeeper]

I asked not too long ago, I was told there was a strong chance that they would not be making a return.

Just like the curtains which "require parts that can no longer be acquired." Because Disney totally doesn't have a giant parts shop to make things.

 

[1023]

[/Sarcasm]
Well, maybe they are getting ready to turn this attraction into another festival center venue or a choose your own themed dining room. Eating with dinosaurs in a rain forest cafe environment might be a money maker. How about rotating pews for your box lunch with overly loud movies playing. The exit area could be the gift shop to commemorate your eating experience at the site of another abandoned Pavilion in Future World.

Next up they can convert the Magic Eye Theater in the Imagination pavilion to the "retro item" gift shop. You can buy replica kodak film canisters to store your Magic Band jewelry. There are cassette tapes and CDs of Cindi Lauper's True Colors available along with glowing rainbow sleeveless t-shirts. Don't forget to pick up your VHS tape of "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" and your stuffed animal versions of Hooter and Fuzzball. The old queuing area can be a meet and greet Michael Jackson impersonator or wax figure.

Journey Into Imagination and Image Works will make a great themed restaurant and gift shop. You can put the working animatronic of Dreamfinder in the middle and set up tables around it. Think of how great your meal would be with added smells and ride music. The expanded gift shop could contain pieces of the ride track and show pieces from the attraction for collectors and replicas for those trying to take a piece of the magic home with them. [/Sarcasm]

I could go on but I am afraid that TDO might actually do all these things to save money and enhance revenue. Worse yet, someone might think this would make their vacation better. I'm even more concerned that FutureWorld may become the same "Mall" atmosphere as so many areas in the parks have become.

*1023*

 

[FettFan]

Yes. Back in the day when park capacity mattered.

Horizons was seasonal and Test Track was being installed (though not behind schedule yet). Ellen's film production was behind schedule so the new version couldn't open for the summer crowds, so the old films and audio were put back into the pavilion (minus a lot of effects) and the original UOE reopened for summer 1996. Since the Ellen AA was already installed it was just hidden behind a temporary rock and the Elasmosarus attacked the prop instead.

I covered this in more detail in my edit a few years back

Bill Nye really is a terrible actor. If you close your eyes, you can easily imagine him squinting to read every cue card.

 

[pumpkin7]

I asked not too long ago, I was told there was a strong chance that they would not be making a return.

Just like the curtains which "require parts that can no longer be acquired." Because Disney totally doesn't have a giant parts shop to make things.

That's a shame. Just a weird random area now which makes no sense.
Still, I suppose that Ellen animatronic was a bit of an eyesore. IS Bill Nye still saying his parts in that area? I can't imagine he makes much sense talking to himself. Oh my, Disney is starting to make no sense. So sad.

 

[Rob562]

That's a shame. Just a weird random area now which makes no sense.
Still, I suppose that Ellen animatronic was a bit of an eyesore. IS Bill Nye still saying his parts in that area? I can't imagine he makes much sense talking to himself. Oh my, Disney is starting to make no sense. So sad.

Bill doesn't say anything in that stretch, unless you're talking about his lines in the strobe tunnel.

-Rob

 

[eddy21]

I asked not too long ago, I was told there was a strong chance that they would not be making a return.

Just like the curtains which "require parts that can no longer be acquired." Because Disney totally doesn't have a giant parts shop to make things.

I've heard it's the design of the curtain mechanism that's bad.

 

[SMRT-1Michael]

Can someone provide an update to this?

 

[muteki]

Can someone provide an update to this?

Bit old, but no Ellen or dinosaur as of 10/31.

 

[TB4244]

Still missing on Saturday, no Ellen or creature sadly. The curtains seem to be out of sync too. I sat at the back of one of the 'cars' and I could see all of the theatre area we just left lit up.

 

[FoozieBear]

I love this attraction becuase it's hilarious from Ellen and Bill, but man is it outdated. Whenever I enter the ride I feel like I've just time-travelled to Epcot in the 80's. I'm surprised it stuck around this long, just like the rest of Future World, it's just feels old. Time to get a major refurbishment or replace it with something bigger and better, and something that doesn't take 50 mins to ride.

 

[Rob562]

Still missing on Saturday, no Ellen or creature sadly. The curtains seem to be out of sync too. I sat at the back of one of the 'cars' and I could see all of the theatre area we just left lit up.

That's because the doors between Theater 1 and the diorama are broken. Normally they rise up after the cars finish moving as a group into the diorama room.

I believe the lights in Theatre 1 come up briefly so that the CM at the console can scan the room for dropped items and confirm the turntable move before the lights go back out again for the other set of cars to come in from Theater 2. The curtain usually lowers during that time but you don't see it because the thick door has already closed.

-Rob

 

[TB4244]

That would explain it, thanks!

 

[Mike S]

As of today they're both gone still.

 

[DisneyGentleman]

As of today they're both gone still.
View attachment 75267

Universe of EmptySets

 

[Marc Gil]

As of today they're both gone still.
View attachment 75267

So how long has it been since these two went AWOL?

 

[Mike S]

So how long has it been since these two went AWOL?

September 2nd is when I saw the Elasmosaurus was gone. Ellen was still there.

 

[Belowthesurface]

Energy will be getting a refurbishment, but only during 3rd shift hours. I do not know when it will start.

 

[Marc Gil]

September 2nd is when I saw the Elasmosaurus was gone. Ellen was still there.
View attachment 75298

Wow... That's awkward