Techie/nerdy stuff to do?

sherryann

New Member
Original Poster
Last year, I took the WDW behind-the-scenes tour. Loved it! I'm going back next year. What else can I do there that's more educational or techie? I know they have some kind of botany tour in EPCOT but that one does not interest me.
 

networkpro

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
There is very little high-tech in Disney these days. They use to be innovators and inventors, but now they just consume off-the-shelf technology.
 

Wilbret

Well-Known Member
Last year, I took the WDW behind-the-scenes tour. Loved it! I'm going back next year. What else can I do there that's more educational or techie? I know they have some kind of botany tour in EPCOT but that one does not interest me.
Orlando Science Center. Bonus, if you are a member of a museum where you live, you might already have free admission as part of the Passport program. ;-)
 

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
As stated above, Dis isn’t going in that direction. If it interests you and you want to go off property, spending time and money for travel, Kennedy Space Center has an interesting tour. We’ve found it worthwhile doing.
Disneys tours will give you info that is interesting but if you are a Dis fan that knows a lot already, you may not get a lot of new info.
 

MickeyLuv'r

Well-Known Member
Last year, I took the WDW behind-the-scenes tour. Loved it! I'm going back next year. What else can I do there that's more educational or techie? I know they have some kind of botany tour in EPCOT but that one does not interest me.
I don't know if you can qualify, but Disney offers classes for students who are homeschooled. It used to be called the Disney Youth Program. It is now called, "Disney Imagination Campus."

In the past, the program was primarily for groups of homeschooled students, but they would periodically open some classes to 'individual students." In both cases they allowed adult chaperones. I have not attended any of the programs, I have only viewed the webpage, so that is about all I know. It might be an option for your family.

The other place you want to visit is called SCAD.

The Savannah College of Art and Design, more or less, offers all kinds of creative art/STEM hybrid majors. If nothing else, consider a visit to their campus. It is a really neat place to visit. Be sure to visit something called the SCADStory. It is a walk-through commercial for SCAD, but it also showcases exactly what Immersive Media Design is, and it is really neat to see. There's quite a bit to see all over the city, including an art museum and a student design space called the SCAD beach (not sure, the last one might only be temporary).

There are now many college courses offered outside of WDW on the topic of theme park physics, theme park design, animation, stagecraft, etc. I have seen some offered as noncredit, online classes via community colleges. The University of Maryland offers an Immersive Media Design major. CA also has a number of college programs. CalArts is highly ranked for animation and digital art, but that is just one of many CA colleges with courses related to them park design.

I only know of the IAAPA online, but members are able to attend the IAAPA Expo, which will be held at the Orlando Convention Center on November 13-17, 2023. The IAAPA also offers a host of online information and classes, though I am only gleaning that from the website. I am not sure what someone needs to do to join, but it appears they offer student memberships.

Maybe not what you are asking, but there are now all kinds of online ways to learn about digital animation. I don't know your age, but student pricing and inexpensive options are available for the software and online classes. I didn't sign up for any, but during the pandemic I spent a whole day looking at assorted options. It was pretty amazing to see what is out there!

Another group is called the TEA: themed Entertainment Design. If you happen to be a student learning about theme park design. TEA offers student memberships, and a number of college campus have clubs that are members of TEA. If so, well it sounds like a really neat option. I found out about while reading the TEA AECOM annual report. It usually generates some buzz on this forum, but if have never read it, it an annual report, and available online for free. The website says any college can apply to join.
 
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Figgy1

Well-Known Member
As stated above, Dis isn’t going in that direction. If it interests you and you want to go off property, spending time and money for travel, Kennedy Space Center has an interesting tour. We’ve found it worthwhile doing.
Disneys tours will give you info that is interesting but if you are a Dis fan that knows a lot already, you may not get a lot of new info.
Another vote for a side trip to Kennedy. We've gone quite often as they're always adding new things. They have some interesting behind the scenes tours/talks with an astronaut in addition to the regular tour
 

MickeyLuv'r

Well-Known Member
Last year, I took the WDW behind-the-scenes tour. Loved it! I'm going back next year. What else can I do there that's more educational or techie? I know they have some kind of botany tour in EPCOT but that one does not interest me.
Incidentally, I tried the Behind the Seeds Tour, though it was ages ago. (At the time, I chose it because it was the least expensive tour offered.)

I would not characterize it as a botany tour. If botany is,"the scientific study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, classification, and economic importance."

The tour covered some about gardening, some about hydroponics, some about the fish farm (+at the time alligators), some facts about how much they are able to grow, and what they do with the food they grow. A solid section of the tour was also about integrated pest management. I'd say it was more about entomology, and almost nothing at all about plant classification, except people on the tour asked some questions about the giant lemons. The CM also quickly stated what type of tomato they were growing - simply to say it is an ordinary variety.

A solid 1/3 of the time was the CM answering questions from the participants, so whatever we wanted to ask. There was also information/tips on ways to be environmentally friendly: suggesting we try composting and rainwater collection, etc.

If you aren't interested in gardening, then it probably isn't a great way to spend your time or money. I thought it might be helpful to provide a little clarification though, because I didn't really know what to expect myself.
 

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