Stanza II Program Guide - EPCOT Center 'The Early Years'

spacemt354

spacemt354

Chili's
Original Poster
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Being the only pavilion in World Showcase that did not have a sponsor or did not have any 'nation' input into the design, Canada allowed the Disney Imagineers to design it as they so chose, and the end result is a pavilion that dedicates various areas of the diverse nation together as one. The pavilion is set on two levels, the first being the main dining restaurant Le Cellier, while the upstairs 'main street' of the pavilion actually walks on the roof of the restaurant itself, past eclectic shops and other entertainment areas. The main draw of the pavilion is the 3rd CircleVision 360 show in World Showcase, O'Canada.

Theater Show

Credit: martinsvidsdotnet​
 
spacemt354

spacemt354

Chili's
Original Poster
Would EPCOT Center Work Today?
(Opinion Section)
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The short answer I would give is no, it wouldn't work. For a variety of reasons. Firstly, let's take a look at how it was constructed. A 36 month long construction project nowadays is roughly how long it takes for Disney to build one premiere attraction, ie Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. EPCOT Center consisting of multiple Future World Pavilions and 9 World Showcase Pavilions, in addition to the extension of the monorail line, took 36 months...but at what cost? It nearly bankrupted the company and purposefully ballooned way over budget to ensure it opened on schedule. While EPCOT Center was extremely popular with guests, reaching its peak attendance in 1987, it was at an enormous cost to the company.

Just imagine if during the construction of Shanghai Disneyland in 2014/2015, WDI was simultaneously building Walt Disney World's 5th gate, while cloning two E-ticket attractions and expanding their hotel options...that would sound nuts! Even with the saturation and expansion of The Walt Disney Company, imagine doubling the total Disney theme parks from 2 to 4 parks...at the same time!

Secondly, the sponsorship dilemma. Partnering with companies helped finance the opening of EPCOT Center, however the upside turned into a downside years after opening. What if a company was unhappy with the state of a fan favorite attraction? What if they didn't want to invest in updating it? Or what if they did update it to something else? What if sponsors changed and the new sponsor wanted to put their own stamp on the pavilion?

All of these came to fruition at one point or another, to the extent today that if you look around, how many sponsors do you see? Not as many as back in 1982. And other than General Motors, mostly all have changed hands or left at one point or another. And ironically, out of all of Future World, Test Track and General Motors, the one company to remain as a sponsor throughout, is one of the best experiences in the modern day Future World, still remaining true to the technological innovation messages of the park.

Thirdly, the talent and management. An essential part of what made EPCOT Center a success was the sheer talent that accumulated at WED Enterprises. Legendary imagineers such as Marty Sklar, Tony Baxter, Marc Davis, Rolly Crump, and more, all working on the same park. And not only was the all-star imagineer team formed, but management allowed them to push the envelope and go over the top with designs. Nowadays, the WDI wouldn't allow those endeavors for an entire theme park. They tried, pushing everything into EuroDisneyland in the early 1990s, but that again ran way over-budget and in the end, wasn't worth it for the company. Then you started to see budgeted theme parks like Disney's California Adventure Park, before a change in leadership and focus for the company once more from Eisner to Iger.

Furthermore, the early 80s had no theme park competition with Disney and WED. It wasn't until the late-80s when Disney got into a park race with Universal to open up Disney-MGM Studios before Universal Studios opened up north on I-4. But even then Disney was still the king of theme park design.

Nowadays, Universal Creative is one of Disney's top competitors, not only in the theme park industry, but also behind the scenes with talent. 'Imagineer' is not a term exclusive to Disney anymore, so it's not as if Disney can just keep all of the most talented architects, engineers, software designers, etc. Many of them work for other companies, or leave Disney and take their designs elsewhere (a famous example being the unbuilt Beastly Kindomme's Dragon Tower attraction being implemented in Universal's Islands of Adventure as Dueling Dragons)

So if it couldn't be built today, does that mean it wouldn't be popular today?

This is where opinion comes in. Some might argue that society today is more cynical, less optimistic, and wouldn't react well to a theme park based around a hopeful future. Others might say that the park would be perfect today, relying mostly on their own nostalgia for the experience of the park decades ago.

For myself, I believe wholeheartedly that the core message of hope and optimism could have been sustained if they wanted it to. In fact, I think that would resonate more with today's society than it even did back in the early 80s, because we need a bit of hope and optimism in today's world. A utopia of a theme park that showcased new technology and inspirations to all who visited. That's the Disney difference to me. I don't get any of that from anywhere other than Disney theme parks.

Epcot today is still an enjoyable park, but it doesn't compare to the thematic consistency and sheer scale of EPCOT Center in the slightest. Sure, World of Motion and Horizons most definitely needed 'updates' at one point or another. In fact, each pavilion was slated for an update every 10 years or so. Sponsors may have come and gone, but look for example at The Land.

The interior and message of The Land has stayed true to its original goals. While the attractions might have changed out, now including Soarin' Over the World and such, it is still emblematic of the core purpose of an edutainment journey through ecology and the earth's environment.

Spaceship Earth, despite going through 4 narrations, still holds true to its core message of communication. And throughout all the changes, adds a new flare to each interpretation that makes it unique from its counterpart. Sure, you might have a favorite narrator from the past, but one can't deny how the edutainment factor itself is mostly the same as it was back in 1982, just updated for a new generation.

Test Track, as mentioned earlier, is probably one of, if not the best experience in Future World. It added a much needed thrill factor to the park, as well as kept true to the transportation motif of the pavilion. It even utilized several easter eggs to World of Motion itself, including the symbol on the entrance canopy, and the future city you pass after the brake test.

The rest of Future World though? An incredible disappointment. Universe of Energy, while a bit dry, was one of the most unique ride systems of its time and still was to the day it closed. Wonders of Life is a literal shell of its former self. Mission: SPACE was an attempt to provide a 'thrill' reboot to Horizons that now has 10 minutes waits. Journey into Imagination went through a catastrophic overlay taking away Figment and Dreamfinder, and now just has Figment in a less than impressive dark ride experience. The Living Seas (now the Seas with Nemo and Friends) still maintains a sense of edutainment in the aquarium, but overall, the toonification of the pavilion doesn't mesh with the adjacent areas. And probably the most disappointing of all is CommuniCore and Innoventions. There's nothing there. You mean to tell me that Disney can't partner with its bought companies like Pixar, or partner with Apple or Google, to have state of the art tech on display for guest interaction? The concrete jungle of Innoventions now is an empty shell of itself, as is the Odyssey Restaurant which hasn't been open as a restaurant in decades.

World Showcase still holds true to its original values, for the most part, sans the inclusion of Frozen in Norway. Despite what you might think about Maelstrom or how much the Frozen attraction might be a better upgrade, the cultural significance of the pavilion is decreased when a film not from the host country is added in as a major overhaul to the pavilion which is essentially all Frozen themed now.

Yet...that is the direction Epcot is heading. EPCOT Center, transitioned into Epcot (which was a pseudo-new experience that I got to experience, part classic, part revamped, part left to rot), and now we sail head on into the 3rd rendition of the park. EPCOT Center is not returning with this 3rd rendition, but all I hope for is that these attractions, IP or not, instill a sense of hope, optimism, and fun-filled family experiences that made the original incarnation so special to generations of guests.

Works Cited
(Main Info Sources and Thanks Section)
martinsvidsdotnet
disneytouristblog
lostepcot
retrowdw
The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia by R.A. Pedersen
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spacemt354

spacemt354

Chili's
Original Poster
spacemt354 said:
THE LAND
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At first glance, approaching the west side of Future World, the center pavilion may resemble a volcanic shaped greenhouse. This design is intentional for another original concept for EPCOT Center since the idea first arouse, a pavilion based on the earth itself. Since 1978, an Ecology and Mineral Pavilion was in the works for Future World, however as plans continued to evolve, the more niche topic was broadened to the earth and environment as a whole, and how we are in harmony with the earth. Crystal structures made up the original design of the pavilion, with a rainforest ecosystem in the pavilion, and a 'Blueprint of Nature' balloon ride through the treetops, as well as a journey to the earth's core via a drilling machine. While those plans never exited the Blue Sky phase, the design of the pavilion influenced the design of The Land's neighbor, the glass pyramids of the Journey into Imagination Pavilion.

Kraft signed a 10 year contract worth $35 million to sponsor the pavilion, which would be the largest pavilion in Future World, at 6 acres, with a capacity to hold 3,600 guests inside the pavilion. Kraft's influence over the pavilion was that it wanted the pavilion to reflect agriculture and food production, leading to the signature attractions of the pavilion. Listen to the Land would be a slow moving boat ride through the earth's ecosystem and into a 'living laboratory' where guests would see how ecological scientists at EPCOT Center are developing new growing techniques for the future of crop production. Secondly, there would be an audio-animatronic show called Kitchen Kabaret, which would focus on nutrition and healthy eating, in a humorous and off-the-wall fashion, with punned character names and gags. Lastly, Symbiosis would be an educational film in the attached 'Harvest Theater' which would show our relationship with the earth and how we can use it for the betterment of mankind.

Inside the pavilion, there were also various restaurants and a shop. The table service restaurant, the Good Turn restaurant, would be a rotating circular dining experience on the 2nd floor of the pavilion, while the Farmers Market on the ground floor would be a quick-service food court, both offering healthy choices to eat. Lastly, Broccoli & Co would be the gift shop located at the end of Kitchen Kabaret.
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Credit: Stuff from the Park​
The main atrium of The Land offered a unique flavor compared to the rest of the Future World Pavilions, in that - the attractions weren't the only or main draw. The experience of The Land, dining in the food court or table-service restaurant, seeing a few shows, or taking a boat ride, were all part of the overall experience.

This experience, aside from a few cosmetic modifications and attraction updates, remains the same today as it did in 1982. Guests walk up an inclined pathway past a mosaic mural which is meant to make guests believe they are walking into the earth's crust.
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Credit: enfilm
Guests would enter on the 2nd level of the pavilion, where they could veer off to the right hand side for the Harvest Theater and Symbiosis, or dine at the Good Turn, or take the escalator down to the first floor, where they could queue for Listen to the Land, Kitchen Kabaret, or dine/shop in the lobby atrium.


Listen to the Land
This 1,650 foot long boat ride begins with guests entering a scene dubbed the 'Symphony of the Seed' designed by Walt Peregoy. This is where the attraction's theme song 'Listen to the Land' written by Robert Moline, began to play, as guests would continue through a subsequent biome section of the attraction. This attraction also featured a 'skipper' similar to the Jungle Cruise, but in a more serious fashion, would be explaining to the guests the importance of the environment and the ecosystems. Traveling through 4 ecosystems of the rainforest, desert, prairie, and American farmland.

A fun fact is that some of the animal animatronics in these scenes were leftovers from the unbuilt Western River Expedition (similar to World of Motion).

The boats then enter two theaters and then into the greenhouse, where the boats travel through a greenhouse dome, a 3-part aquacell culture exhibit, and then a 13-bay sand culture building, before reuinting with the finale of the Symphony of the Seed and heading back for the dock.

Ride-Through Video

Credit: VideofromGeorge

Kitchen Kabaret​

Located in a 250 seat theater complex, this audio animatronic show was akin to that of the Magic Kingdom's Enchanted Tiki Room or the Country Bear Jamboree. This humorous and fun filled show was designed by Rolly Crump, Steve Kirk, and Jeff Burke, and was hosted by Bonnie Appetite who was a housewife singing 'Meal Time Blues' to open the musical show.
The show would travel through a variety of acts from condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayo, a singing cartoon milk carton featuring songs such as 'The Stars of the Milky Way', 'Boogie Woogie Bakery Boy' by the Cereal Sisters, and the famous 'Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit' which is what the show became known for. When the show would end, guests would be funneled into the gift shop Broccoli & Co where a variety of merchandise from the show and the pavilion was located.

Full Show

Credit: martinsvidsdotnet​


Symbiosis​
Presented in a continuous fashion, this film would showcase mankind's relationship with the earth (both the good and the bad) and how we can learn from it for the future. Directed by Paul Gerber and narrated by Phillip L. Clarke, this would symbolize EPCOT Center's educational message in a strong way with an informative show.

Full Show

Credit: martinsvidsdotnet

Summary
--The Land--
Theme: Environment and Nutrition
Sponsor: Kraft
Opening Date: October 1, 1982
Theme Songs: Listen to the Land, Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit
Ride-System: Boat
Number of Ride Vehicles: 16
Guests per Ride Vehicle: 36-38
Attraction Hourly Capacity: 2,445 guests
Track Length: 1,650 feet
Attraction Duration: 12 minutes
Kitchen Theater Capacity: 250 guests
Kitchen Theater Hourly Capacity: 1,014 guests
Theater Duration: 13 minutes
Harvest Theater Capacity: 428 guests
Harvest Theater Hourly Capacity: 1,062 guests
Theater Duration: 18 minutes​
Click to expand...

If anyone is interested in a great Sunday sit-down video - @marni1971 just yesterday released a new updated video on The Land Pavilion!


Your research and attention to detail with all your videos is unparalleled. I wouldn't have been able to make this project without you as most of the credits given are to your vids haha. And thank you for this new update as I was trying to find the hourly capacity for Kitchen Kabaret and Symbiosis forever:hilarious:
 
Suchomimus

Suchomimus

Well-Known Member
spacemt354 said:
If anyone is interested in a great Sunday sit-down video - @marni1971 just yesterday released a new updated video on The Land Pavilion!


Your research and attention to detail with all your videos is unparalleled. I wouldn't have been able to make this project without you as most of the credits given are to your vids haha. And thank you for this new update as I was trying to find the hourly capacity for Kitchen Kabaret and Symbiosis forever:hilarious:
Click to expand...

I’m really intrigued by the first concept of The Land pavilion with the Landkeeper and glass structure.
 

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