EPCOT

Captain E-O (July 2010 re-opening)

2010-08-31T16:45:00.000-07:00

After the death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, Captain EO regained popularity on the Internet. For several years, a small group of fans had petitioned Disney to bring back the attraction and Jackson's death had brought this campaign to a peak. Soon afterward, Disney officials were seen in Disneyland at the Magic Eye Theater and reportedly held a private screening of Captain EO to determine if it could be shown again. It was rumored that Disneyland would announce the return of the attraction at Disneyland in September.[citation needed] However, on September 10, Disney CEO Bob Iger said, "There aren’t plans to bring back Captain EO at this time ... We are looking at it. It’s the kind of thing that, if we did it, would get a fair amount of attention and we’d want to make sure we do it right."[5]

On December 18, 2009, it was announced that Captain EO would return to Tomorrowland at Disneyland beginning in February 2010. Social and Print Media Manager Heather Hust Rivera from Disneyland Resorts confirmed this on the DisneyParks Blog and stated that Honey, I Shrunk the Audience! would be closing. The attraction hosted its final public showing in the Magic Eye Theater at midnight on January 4, 2010 to make way for the Michael Jackson film's return.

The attraction, now entitled Captain EO Tribute, re-opened at Disneyland Park on February 23, 2010. The attraction returned to Discoveryland at Disneyland Park (Paris) on June 12, 2010, returned to Epcot at Walt Disney World on July 2[7] and to Tokyo Disneyland on July 1. The attraction in fact returned to Epcot for a "soft opening" (actual opening to the public prior to the official opening) on June 30, 2010, two days prior to its official re-opening.

As Summer Nightastic! begins in June 11 at Disneyland Resort, Captain EO Tribute will be longer in Summer 2010 to be part of Summer Nightastic

Innoventions -update 2010-

2010-02-15T19:40:00.000-08:00

Innoventions East
Don't Waste It!, sponsored by Waste Management, Inc.
Environmentality Corner
Test the Limits Lab, sponsored by Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
StormStruck
The Sum of All Thrills, sponsored by Raytheon

Innoventions West
Where's the Fire?, sponsored by Liberty Mutual
Play It Safe, sponsored by Liberty Mutual
Smarter Planet sponsored by IBM
Segway Central
SlapStick Studios, sponsored by the Velcro Companies
Club Cool (formerly Ice Station Cool), sponsored by Coca-Cola
The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, sponsored by T. Rowe Price

Microsoft

2010-02-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

STOP! PARK RUMORS!!

There is a rumor that Microsoft might take over the Wonders of Life pavilion (WOL) in Future World where that abandoned gold dome is...

Living With the Land gets a refurbishment.

TEST TRACK getting a refurbishment.

Illuminations 25 (B)

2009-11-22T17:17:00.000-08:00

Still celebrating the 25th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, but the classical music returns.

Illuminations 25 (A)

2009-11-22T17:16:00.004-08:00

Created for the 25th anniversary of Walt Disney World.

Holiday Illumintations

2009-11-22T17:16:00.003-08:00

Holiday IllumiNations played during the holiday season instead of the regular show. Starting in 2005, the "Let There Be Peace on Earth" segment of Holiday IllumiNations is played after IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth during the holiday season.

New Year's Eve 1993

2009-11-22T17:16:00.001-08:00

For the New Year's Eve finale in 1993, a version of "We've Just Begun To Dream" was played during the countdown, then a version of "Auld Lang Syne" followed by a short reprise of "We've Just Begun To Dream". Finally, a selection from Disney's animated feature The Rescuers Down Under, that normally would be played at the Fountain of Nations, was played.

Post Show

2009-11-22T17:15:00.000-08:00

Versions of "It's a Small World" and General Electric's theme were played.

Laserphonic Fantasy

2009-11-22T17:14:00.002-08:00

This show has the same soundtrack as A New World Fantasy. It featured lasers emitted from barges and from around the lagoon. The "Skater" segment featured the first use of non-continuous lines in a laser animation and was the first use of laser graphics on a water-droplet screen.

Most of the soundtrack can be found on Don Dorsey's album "Busted", but the "Great Parades and Pageants" segment was removed.
The complete soundtrack can be found on a promotional Don Dorsey album.

A New World Fantasy

2009-11-22T17:14:00.001-08:00

A New World Fantasy was the 2nd version of a fireworks show at Epcot and was set to classical music played on synthesizer. It opened in the summer of 1983 and used floating barges that had rear projection screens on them. The barges were the same as the first show at Epcot, Carnival de Lumiere. The show also added 'Pichel lights' that moved automatically.[1]

Most of the soundtrack can be found on Don Dorsey's album "Busted", but the "Great Parades and Pageants" segment was removed.
The complete soundtrack can be found on a promotional Don Dorsey album.

Carnival del Lumiere

2009-11-22T17:13:00.002-08:00

The first evening presentation, Carnival de Lumiere, premiered on October 23, 1982. It celebrated world festivals with fountains, film, music, and other effects. The show used rear projection screens on barges floating on the World Showcase Lagoon. Between the projection barges were fountain/fireworks barges controlled by Apple computers. The show could be viewed only from points between the Mexican and Canadian pavilions.

Canada 67

2009-11-22T17:13:00.001-08:00

-no description-

Portraits of Canada

2009-11-22T17:12:00.002-08:00

this film from Expo 86 in Canada was played temporarily instead of "O Canada"

JAMMitors

2009-11-22T17:12:00.001-08:00

trashcan percussion band that plays daily

Future World Brass

2009-11-22T17:11:00.000-08:00

a high energy brass and percussion ensemble that performed at Epcot from 1982-2000.

Innoventions Area Music

2009-11-22T17:10:00.000-08:00

The area music played at Epcot is about 20 minutes long and begins with a musical piece by David Arkenstone entitled "Papillon (On The Wings Of The Butterfly)" from his album In the Wake of the Wind. The rest of the music was created by Walt Disney Imagineering and is not commercially available.

Tom Morrow 2.0

2009-11-22T17:09:00.002-08:00

Epcot's Innoventions' mascot for 2000-2007 was a small Audio-Animatronic character named Tom Morrow 2.0, the former host of Disney Channel's "Imagineer That!" shorts. He was removed in the 2007-2008 renovation. He will return when he's restored in the new renovation

Innoventions West Attractions

2009-11-22T17:09:00.001-08:00

Innoventions West
Where's the Fire?, sponsored by Liberty Mutual
Play It Safe, sponsored by Liberty Mutual
Smarter Planet sponsored by IBM
Rockin' Robots, sponsored by KUKA Industrial Robots
Segway Central
SlapStick Studios, sponsored by the Velcro Companies
Club Cool (formerly Ice Station Cool), sponsored by Coca-Cola
The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, sponsored by T. Rowe Price

Innoventions East Attractions

2009-11-22T17:08:00.001-08:00

Innoventions East
Don't Waste It!, sponsored by Waste Management, Inc.
Environmentality Corner
House of Innoventions
Test the Limits Lab, sponsored by Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
StormStruck
The Sum of All Thrills, sponsered by Raytheon

Innoventions Update (November 22 2009)

2009-11-22T17:06:00.000-08:00

Innoventions is a pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World, Florida. It focuses on technological advancements and their practical applications in everyday life. Innoventions is a portmanteau of the words "innovation" and "invention".

Innoventions first opened in 1994 which prominently displayed Sega Genesis, Sega Game Gear, Sega CD, and Sega Pico games in an arcade style. There were some "virtual reality" displays (which was basically more advanced video games at the time). Innoventions in Epcot replaced the original tenant of its two semi-circular buildings, CommuniCore. Epcot's version is divided into two buildings known as Innoventions East and Innoventions West. In 1999, Innoventions had a major renovation for the park's Millennium Celebration, and added the subtitle "The Road to Tomorrow". In 2007-2008 Innoventions underwent another major renovation, dropped the subtitle "Road to Tomorrow," and changed its general aesthetic again while also launching the companion website http://innoventions.disney.com/site/

Spaceship Earth History

2009-07-04T14:01:00.001-07:00

Basic
Spaceship Earth (1982-present) was originally sponsored by Bell System, then AT&T, and currently Siemens, with a sponsorship absence between AT&T and Siemens. There have been four narrators: Vic Perrin (1982-1986), Walter Cronkite (1986-1994), Jeremy Irons (1994-2007), and Judi Dench (2007-present).
Exterior
Spaceship Earth, the center attraction of Epcot, is an 18-story "geosphere", that looks like a giant golf ball. Since it's opening in 1982, when it was sponsored by the Bell System, a few changes have happened including new sponsorships by AT&T and Siemens.
The Ball has had changes to the outside that included a sparkly 2000 sign held up by Mickey's hand and his sorcerer's wand with the Millennium Celebration that started in October 1999. In 2001, the 2000 sign changed to say "Epcot." Sparkly stars covered the top of the ball along with the sign. The "Epcot" sign and the hand/wand were completely removed from Spaceship Earth in summer 2007.
Also, the surrounding area of Spaceship Earth has changed. The area before the Ball used to be open with a tall fountain and sculpture in the middle with the Epcot symbol. Now it has the Leave a Legacy stones that make the area not as open.
Ride
The original narrator, Vic Perrin, changed to Walter Cronkite in 1986. Along with this change came the song "Tomorrow's Child". The narrator of the ride changed from Walter Cronkite to Jeremy Irons in 1994 along with a new musical score and 12 new scenes. Within the geosphere guests travel through time from the beginning of civilization to today. From Ancient Greek drama and Gutenberg's printing press through telegraphs, telephones, radios, motion pictures, television, and computers guests explore communication. The ride inclines through the geosphere, and at the end guests' vehicles decline backwards as if they were returning to Earth after their journey through time. The declining area is where the new scenes were added for the Jeremy Irons version, such as a child's bedroom with high tech video equipment.
In 2002 some view screens were added at the start of the ride that show people blasting through space, and a spiel about safety rules is given.
In late 2005, Spaceship Earth got a new sponsor: Siemens. The walls that surround the ride entrance were given a new light blue paint job with the Siemens logo in late 2005. The entrace was redone again during Spaceship Earth's 2007 renovation - this current entrance rendition now features a brand new Siemens/Spaceship Earth logo with a new darker blue paint job.
Spaceship Earth went down for renovation in 2007 and reopened in late 2007 with new touch-screens that light up near the end of the ride, along with changed ride scenes. Jeremy Irons was replaced with a new narrator, Judi Dench. A new soundtrack was also put into place.
Ride Versions Comparison
The following is a breakdown comparison between the Jeremy Irons version (1994-2007) and the current Siemens version (2007-present):
-At the beginning of the ride, the view screens showing the cars blasting off (added in 2002) is gone. Some swirling white cloud-like lights are now seen.
-The wooly mammoth display at the beginning is redone with CGI cavemen and mammoths.
-The cavemen scene now includes cave-paintings that come to life via video projection. The chief caveman's voice (along with many othere voices in the ride) is much quieter.
-The Greek play scene has been replaced with a Greek mathematics/teaching scene.
-The video-projected chariot no longer goes across the background of the Roman road scene.
-The scene with the man on the steps playing a lute, along the the woman with long blonde hair playing a violin, is gone.
-The Renaissance painting scene is different. The man is now painting some fruit, and the hidden Mickey made of paint rings on the table is gone.
-The statue being carved of a half-nude women is now censored with cement over the original nudity. However, the original statue can still be seen as a miniature next to the full-scale statue.
Ride Versions Comparison (cont.)
-The man at the printing-press room (late 1800s) now sports glasses and a mustache, and looks like he could even be a different animatronic than his predecessor.
-The "Extra! Extra!" paperboy is now turned around, facing the background instead of the ride vehicles.
-The cinema scene lacks the multiple screens it once had, which included clips from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Steamboat Willie," "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," a football game, and a clip with Walt Disney and two tigers.
-The radio station scene now features only one person in the recording booth, as opposed to two.
-The scene with the American boy communicating via video screens with a Japanese girl is gone. Note of interest: there was a Typhoon Lagoon surfboard in the boy's room. This scene has been replaced with a new 1970s/80s computer room scene and a scene with Steve Wozniak (Apple Computers) working in his garage.
-The large globe and the following communication tunnel with the various lights and noises has been replaced with a light room. The new room features thousands of light strings perfectly arranged in square rows and columns.
-The scene with the kids playing the aerodynamic simulator game is gone. During the scene, the kids would constantly be changing their ship and the environment it was traveling in. The ship would change from a bee to a dragonfly to a plane. The environment would change from plants to a lava planet, etc.
-The diorama scenes with the different people communicating from different places, such as in the jungle, is gone.
-The miniature futuristic city is gone. The miniature Spaceship Earth replica has been replaced by some triangular shapes.
-The lack of the above ending scenes is probably due to the new touch-screens that have been added to each car. At the beginning of the ride, you select your language and place of origin on the touch-screen, and get your picture taken. Near the end of the ride, the touch-screens light up again and ask you questions about your lifestyle. It then cuts out your head from the picture it took of you at the beginning, and sticks it on a stick-figure-like body that does stuff in the future. Most likely, they took out the ride ending scenes so guests would stay focused on the touch-screen.
Post Ride
The major changes to the pavilion has been done to the area after of the ride. When the ride initially opened this area was called Earth Station. Here guests could see innovative communications of tomorrow. Through World Key Information Service, by the Bell System, information and imagery about Epcot and the rest of Walt Disney World was at the fingertips of guests to explore.
After Bell System pulled out, Spaceship Earth's new sponsor became AT&T. Earth Station remained but was now under AT&T sponsorship. Sometime later AT&T changed Earth Station into Global Neighborhood. It offered a planetarium view of earth and it's neighbors. In the late 90's AT&T updated Global Neighborhood into the "New" Global Neighborhood. Here, there were hands-on guest activities, like a tour of Epcot through a mini-cam. The Cheshire Cat starred in a virtual theater in which he would respond to certain things guests would say to him. The New Global Neighborhood was a very neon colored area compared to it's previous colors. Once AT&T pulled out of sponsorship, the New Global Neighborhood shut down and got boarded up.
The post ride area would not reopen again until late 2007, after Spaceship Earth had gone down for renovation under its new sponsor: Siemens. The new post ride area is called Project: Tomorrow. It features a large globe where pictures of guests' heads (taken at the beginning of the ride) would appear and then zoom to their home on the globe. Project: Tomorrow also features many smaller games such as "Dr. Bones" and a driving game. Many of the games also utilize 3D glasses.

2009-05-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

Unlike the Kitchen Kaberet Show, Food rocks had villians. The had these junk boys trying to tell the audience not to worry about good nutrition.

2009-05-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

The Original food rocks sign had one character from the refrigerator cops, and two characters from the peach boys.

Ellen's Energy Adventure ( updated blog )

2009-05-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

Ellen's Energy Adventure is a multimedia attraction starring comedian Ellen DeGeneres at Epcot theme park. Join Ellen on a whimsical trip through time to examine the forces that fuel our lives and the universe—plus give us energy!

The adventure begins as Ellen slips into sleep in front of the television while watching Jeopardy! Her dream of being a contestant on the game show turns alarming when she realizes she's pitted against her college rival "Smart Judy" and the quiz categories are all about energy—a subject Ellen knows nothing about.

Lucky for her, Bill Nye the Science Guy is her neighbor and together they travel through time for some tutoring on the topic.

Join them on their journey through the creation of the universe. See and hear the explosive Big Bang. Travel around, between and under giant dinosaurs. Narrowly escape streams of molten lava. Discover how fossil fuels were formed. Float far above Earth with satellites and atoms, and finally, explore a future filled with fusion power.

Find out what a little brain power—and a lot of laughs—can accomplish on Ellen's Energy Adventure at the Universe of Energy Pavilion in the Future World area of Epcot theme park.

Guest Policies

Guests must transfer from their motorized scooter or ECV to an available wheelchair to experience the attraction.
Flash photography not allowed.
Handheld Captioning is available at this attraction. Please visit Guest Relations to obtain a device.
Assistive Listening Receivers, which amplify the audio, may be used at this location. Please visit Guest Relations to obtain a receiver.
Guests may rent attraction translation device units at Guest Relations locations in the Theme Parks with a refundable deposit.
Guests with young children may take turns experiencing attractions. See a Cast Member for additional information.

Kodak " What-if labs " ( open! )

2009-05-26T13:35:00.002-07:00

ImageWorks – The Kodak "What If" Labs is an interactive play area where kids of all ages are invited to unlock the power of their own creativity in the Future World area at Epcot theme park.

Check out this vast array of hands-on, sensory-themed activities and exhibits where you can exercise your imagination and explore your creative side in exciting exhibits that allow you to do things like:

Wave your arms and move your body to create magical music
Transform yourself into an animal and e-mail the photo to friends
Videotape your image and play it back in super slow motion
You can even photograph yourself with the world's biggest digital camera and e-mail the photo to family and friends! It's all the fun you can possibly imagine—and more!

Guest Policies

Guests may remain in their wheelchair, motorized scooter or ECV to experience the attraction.

Norway Pavilion

2009-05-26T13:35:00.001-07:00

Norway Pavilion is a cultural area within Epcot theme park where Guests of all ages can experience the character and atmosphere of Norway.

Welcome to the Age of the Vikings! Enjoy the simple picturesque landscape of this mini Scandinavian village square with its stone and wood elements and authentic Norwegian architectural style. Discover ancient Norse art. Dance to live music. Dine on authentic Norwegian dishes and visit shops filled with wonderful Norwegian wares. But watch out for the trolls!

Attractions: Ride the Maelstrom adventure cruise, where the spirit of adventure reigns!
Dining: Dine inside a castle at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, including Princess Storybook Dining, and delight in fresh baked goods and coffee at the Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe.
Entertainment: Visit the Stave Church to check out a Vikings exhibit with authentic Norse weapons and artifacts.
Shopping: Discover Norwegian books, fragrances, candy, hand-knit woolens, trolls, glass, porcelain, pewter, toys and more!

Caravan of the Giants ( never built )

2009-05-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

Caravan of the Giants was a working name for the Tapestry of Nations parade. It was never used beyond the 3 years it took to develop the parade.[

Shopping at epcot

2009-05-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

Shopping at Epcot
Epcot has a handful of shops in Future World. If you want to purchase Epcot themed products, this is the best place to do so. Mousegear, formerly the Centorium, for example, is a multi-floored store that sells products with the Epcot logo as well as Character products. Also in Future world, The Art of Disney provides a place to purchase Disney collectibles and Ice Station Cool is the venue for buying Coca- Cola- themed items (and getting free samples of Coke products that are available around the world. )

The inventory at the bazaar at the International Gateway is much like that of Mousegear, since It's considered to be your "last stop" for Epcot-themed items if you leave the park via the gateway.

Some of the Future World pavilions have small shops, too. A boutique inside The Living Seas, for example, sells jewelry and gift items with a nautical theme. A shop on the food court level of The Land, the Green Thumb Emporium, sells gardening books, seeds, tools, and kitchen tools and trinkets. A large supply of refrigerator magnets is among my favorites here. Incidentally, the walking tour of the Land's greenhouses start this location, too.

However, Epcot's best shopping venues, in my opinion, are located back in the various international pavilions surrounding World Showcase Lagoon. Each and every one of the nations have goods, originating from that country, for sale. They are (working clockwise):

The marketplace inside the Mexican pavilion sells many items hand-crafted in Mexico.

The shop in Norway sells Lego blocks (odd, since Lego's are made in Denmark), Norwegian food items, and sweaters and other warm-weather clothing.

The left hand side of the China pavilion, behind the restaurants, is the shopping district for this pavilion. Believe it or not, this is a store that, until our 1996 trip, Barb and I had never been into. What a blunder! This store has many wonderful items from China. Besides the usual trinkets, some lovely furniture, silk gown and shirts, and many other treasures are for sale here.

The shops in Germany sell wonderful German chocolates. They also have a great collection of dolls, and steins.

Italy's shops offer crystal and glass ware and other beautiful examples of Italian workmanship and artistry. Also, I found that the Mocha chocolate bar I once bought in Germany -- but which is no longer available at the German pavilion, can be replaced by a cappuccino bar in Italy...and it's not a bad trade off.

The shop in the American Adventure is one of the most disappointing, in my experience. It sells trinkets based on US history, for the most part.

Japan's store features kimonos, pearl jewelry (and oysters that you can open to find your own pearl), bonsai trees and supplies, origami (paper folding) kits, and other items. Just a warning here -- my wife the bonsai expert says that you shouldn't ever buy a bonsai from this store. The trees are not cared for, and are probably already dead in the store. Even though they look green, since they are evergreens after all, they will look ok for awhile but will clearly be brown soon after your return home.

Morocco's shop sells hand-crafted items from Morocco. Woven baskets, leather craft, and many wonderful rugs are among the most common items that are available.

The French pavilion sells perfumes, art reproductions, and French trinkets.

Great Britain's shops sell Royal Daulton china, shortbread and teas, Coats of Arms (for those of us with British, Irish, or Scottish heritage), Lavender and Rose perfumes and appointments, and English-made toys as well as other items produced in the United Kingdom.

Canada's shops emphasize the hand-crafted items of the Native Americans of the northwest territories as well very fancy items from the eastern provinces.

A couple of shops are located just below Canada and Mexico in the area that connects World Showcase with Future World. These shops sell Epcot themed items and trinkets from around the world. The inventory changes seasonally, so when it's close to Christmas time, look for ornaments, lights, wreaths, and other such decorations.

Unless you feel strongly about Epcot-themed items, I'd recommend you skip the Mousegear and International Gateway shops. There are many more unique and interesting items in the international shops around the lagoon.

Resort Delivery
Don't forget, if you're staying at a Disney resort, you can have packages delivered to the front desk of your hotel. Take advantage of the service. It's definitely worth while.

Package Pick-Up at the Park
You can also have your package delivered to the front of the park, where you can pick it up later in the day (on the way back to your resort, perhaps). In Epcot, packages are delivered to "Lost and Found" next to the gift shop located just OUTSIDE the gates and immediately to the left of the turnstiles as you're exiting the park.

EPCOT STOP NEWS MARCH - MAY 2009

2009-05-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

Park News - (5/6/09) Just a quick update for any Universe of Energy fans, but the long rehab is over and the attraction, Ellen and all, is back up and running once again.
(3/30/09) A huge new update of 240 new pictures from the park, covering the entire Flower & Garden event quite well, have been posted to MouseSteps this week.
(3/24/09) New pictures from Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival have been posted to Orlando United.
(3/21/09) Coming as no surprise at all, it seems that GM’s 10 year sponsorship contract for Test Track is coming to an end later this year. Even before the recession hit the automakers in the wallet, I was hearing for the past couple of years that GM was very unlikely to resign their deal with Disney. With the giant automaker relying on government aid to keep it’s doors open for the time being, renewing the deal is going to be a tough sell. Of course the most interesting item in the article comes at the bottom, where they say that there has been some internal talk at Toyota over possibly jumping in to sign a deal with Disney for the attraction, though they would likely want to make a few changes.
(3/18/09) Epcot will open The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, a new financial education attraction in Innoventions, on May 19th. The new attraction is sponsored by T. Rowe Price.
(3/15/09) Remy, the rat star of Ratatouille, has now come to life in the form of a min scale-sized animatronic character making the rounds at Epcot in France’s Chefs de France restaurant (Mon-Sat) during the lunch and dinner hours. You can see awesome photos and videos of him in action at MouseSteps. Apparently he’s set to be there for at least the next six months.

Epcot Easter Brunch ( 2008 )

2009-05-13T10:52:00.001-07:00

gourmet treats at an Easter Brunch event. Easter Brunch will be served at only a few restaurants on Disney property, but all restaurants will be open with regular menus throughout Easter weekend. Brunch is a great reason to sleep in on Easter Sunday and enjoy a hot, gourmet meal before your day of celebration! If you're heading to Disney World for Easter this year, here's where to go for Easter Brunch:

Easter Brunch at Boma - Animal Kingdom Lodge
African-inspired cuisine are served up buffet-style at this popular venue that's preparing for Easter with a few special menu items. Enjoy a fresh cup of Kenyan coffee with your French Toast, scrambled eggs, breakfast ham, and roasted lamb this Easter. The Easter Brunch starts bright and early at 7:30 a.m, and runs until noon.

Easter Brunch at Epcot
The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is running full force through Easter Weekend, so head to the World ShowPlace Pavilion for an elaborate affair like no other. The 2008 theme is 'Disney bunnies,' so you'll find many flowers, gardens, and topiaries designed as unique Disney characters throughout the area. The brunch menu is full of gourmet American-Italian cuisine to include omelets, French toast, pancakes, carved ham, and other specialties. Seating times for Easter Brunch are 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Easter Brunch at 1900 Park Fare
Head to this magical place in the Grand Floridian for the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast with Mary Poppins at the helm. You may even get a seat with the Mad Hatter at this fun and entertaining breakfast event that will feature a few extra special items for Easter. Chilled strawberry soup, cheese blintzes, Mickey-shaped waffles, and bread pudding are just a few soon-to-be favorites to sample. You will need to get up early for this one; the buffet begins at 8 a.m., and runs only until 11:10 a.m.

( YAHOO! answers ) " ' Is Wonders of Life Closing? ' "

2009-05-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

It's closed most of the time because they don't have anyone sponsoring it. I went there in March, and they were using it during the Flower and Garden Festival for festival things, but I don't think any of the attractions in the building were open.
11 months ago
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0 Rating: by Katy Scarlett Member since:
July 10, 2007
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It is closed and it is no longer on the park maps, so it seems like it is closed for good. In the last 4 trips that I have taken it has not been open once.
11 months ago
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0 Rating: Good Answer 0 Rating: by Henry T Member since:
June 26, 2008

Block User

The pavilion is closed most of the year but the building itself is used as a festival headquarters. It closed because they didn't have a sponsor.
11 months ago
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Kim Possible Worl Showcase Adventure

2009-05-13T10:40:00.001-07:00

A new interactive experience has opened at Epcot. Disney's "Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure" will have guests partnering with "Team Possible" in saving the world from villains and their mad inventions.

Guests will be given a "Kimmunicator" found at kiosks in Epcot. These interactive devices will use state-of-the-art technology which will aid them in finding the Kim Possible characters who will give them the clues needed to find the villians and stop their quest for world domination.

There will be top secret devices hidden in the World Showcase pavilions at Mexico, Norway, China, Japan, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. At each country, there will be a villain from the Kim Possible TV show and a unque event for the guest "agents" to take part in.

Jim MacPhee, Epcot Vice President stated "Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure is an example of a next generation attraction that offers fun and excitement for the entire family. We are constantly exploring new ways to provide immersive experiences to Epcot guests, and this new offering will add to our dynamic portfolio."

Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering commented “Today’s emerging generation expects more immersive, personal and interactive experiences in every facet of their lives, including their entertainment choices. As leaders in family entertainment, Disney theme parks push the envelope by combining state-of-the-art technology with creative storytelling to enhance the overall Disney vacation experience.”

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Epcot Story Tellers and Tree Lighting

2009-05-13T10:37:00.001-07:00

Description: Nightly tree lighting ceremony.
Storytellers Around World Showcase

candle light processional

2009-05-13T10:32:00.001-07:00

A Disney tradition of over 30 yeras, the Candlelight Processional is a moving presentation of the Christmas story in readings by a celebrity narrator and music by a Mass choir and 50-piece orchestra. Included in your Epcot Admission. Event is free for stand-by seating or purchase a dinner package that includes general reserved seating.

Kitchen Kaberet ( extinct was replaced by food rocks )

2009-05-13T05:55:00.000-07:00

Introduction
"Meal Time Blues" by Bonnie Appetite
Bonnie sings this at the start of the show. She looks a bit tired. She has cookbooks and her hair wrapped in a bun. The lights turn off, and the next performance comes.

[edit] Act 1
"Chase Those (Meal Time) Blues Away" by Bonnie Appetite and the Kitchen Krackpots
The Kitchen Krackpots band (containers of Ketchup, Mayonnaise, and a spinning jar of Mustard, etc.) play a boisterous ragtime intro, as Bonnie reappears, now in a showgirl or cocktail waitress costume, to "Thank you all for coming to (her) kitchen." The Kitchen Krackpots come out of the floor and reappear in the ending of the show. These animatronics were the first food products to come. The only animatronic that did not blink eyes, move mouth or other stuff was the Mustard jar.

[edit] Act 2
"The Stars of the Milky Way" by Dairy Goods and his Stars of the Milky Way
Mr. Dairy Good is a singing milk carton who emerges from a refrigerator holding an old fashioned radio-style floor microphone close to his mouth, crooning introductions to three dairy products -- Miss Cheese, Miss Yogurt, and Miss Ice Cream -- in the style of 1930s costume extravaganzas. Each of the dairy products performs a brief cameo in a stylized manner (e.g., Miss Cheese sings like Mae West). Every time they come out, ice cold fog pours out of the freezer. The Cheese, Yogurt and Ice Cream all look like children from "it's a small world".

[edit] Act 3
"Boogie Woogie Bakery Boy" by The Cereal Sisters
The Cereal Sisters -- Oats, Rice, and Corn -- sing a parody of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy in the style of the Andrews Sisters, accompanied by a bugle-blowing bread slice. The bread slice wears glasses and comes from the window and into the stage. They come back in the Kabaret Finale.

[edit] Act 4
"Meat Ditties" by Hamm & Eggz
Hamm & Eggz is a vaudeville-style comic rendition of The Meat Group Can Help You Keep Strong, in which Mr. Hamm and Mr. Eggz tell jokes and sing a few short ditties. At the end, Mr. Hamm gets angry because Mr. Eggz is telling corny jokes, and decides to split from the group to join another protein group.

Mr. Hamm: "There's plenty of good protein acts for me to work with!"
Mr. Eggz: "Oh yeah? Like who?"
Mr. Hamm: "Cheese, cheese is a great source of protein!"
Mr. Eggz: "Oh, I cheddar to think about it."
Mr. Hamm: "Beans, now there's good..."
Mr. Eggz: "Beans! Oh nuts to you, hammy!"
Mr. Hamm: "That's right, nuts to me! Another excellent source of protein".
There are also running gags in this part of the show. Mr. Eggz's bow moves if he's laughing, and at the end of their parts, smoke bellows around them protecting these two from being seen moving into the ground. Mr. Eggz looks like an M&M.

[edit] Act 5
"Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit" by Colander Combo and the Fiesta Fruit
Night sounds, Latin percussion, and low lighting set the mood for this number, as the produce (broccoli, tomatoes, bananas, etc.) begin to chant "Veggie-Veggie-Fruit-Fruit! Veggie-Fruit-Fruit!" Bonnie Appetite, now in a Carmen Miranda-style carnival outfit, and perched upon a crescent moon that descends from the ceiling, sings "I simply have to tell you that my friends who are singing are...delectable!" Here, another running gag is present. A broccoli piece says " cha cha cha!" at times while his glasses flip off , but the glasses resume.

[edit] Finale
"Kabaret Finale" by Bonnie Appetite and cast

Bonnie Appetite and the cast sing a medley of each of their songs. All of the cast come back out, and Bonnie says good bye, before the curtains with the Kraft logo cover the stage.

Spaceship Earth ( old version ) ( this version extinct )

2009-05-13T05:53:00.002-07:00

Spaceship Earth, the ride that is located inside the geosphere that is Epcot's icon, is an audio-animatronic journey through the history of communications. Included in the scenery and narration are cave paintings, the development of written language, the Phoenician merchants, the Roman highway system, the great libraries in the Muslim lands that maintained so much knowledge during Europe's dark ages, Guttenberg's printing press...and on and on to today's digital communications networks spanning the globe. In 1994 or so, Jeremy Irons was recruited to produce a new narration that replaced the original one done by Walter Cronkrite. I guess that's the Disney "continuous improvement" at work. Also, the end of the ride (which used to be quite anti-climatic) has been re-worked a bit. The scenery is much improved, but the music is foreboding, and dreary. Whoever chose the music must have had lead ears. Other than that small criticism, this is a wonderful attraction. It's educational and fun at the same time.

Sometimes you can catch this ride first thing in the morning with virtually no line. Likewise, you can often catch it on the way out without a wait. Bottom line...if there's a queue, plan to come back later -- the crowds will likely dissipate. By the way, once you're inside the building there isn't much longer to go. There just wasn't room inside for a large queue area, so it's all outside the entrance

Maelstrom ( in norway pavilion )

2009-05-13T05:53:00.001-07:00

On this ride, you board a Norse longboat for a journey through an ancient Viking village, through a mythical troll-infested landscape, through a North Sea storm (skirting an oil rig), and finally to a quiet, quaint fishing village. The film that follows is typical Disney - very pretty. The ride itself doesn't live up to the billing of most of it's fans, though, at least in my opinion.

Wonders of China: Land of Beauty, Land of Time

2009-05-13T05:52:00.000-07:00

Another Circle-Vision production, this one is similarly beautiful. Some of the Chinese landscape is so unusual, and the natural beauty so stunning that this film is a must.

The American Adventure ( in united kingdom pavilion )

2009-05-13T05:51:00.000-07:00

One of the most stirring audio-animatronic presentations, for a United States citizen, anyway, at WDW. Hosts Ben Franklin and Samuel Clemens trace the history of American accomplishment from the Revolutionary War, the founding of the nation , on through the strife of the Civil War and the years of industrialization, expansion, and ingenuity. The film and still montage is particularly moving, and the music is marvelous. Don't miss it!

Tangirine Cafe ( in morocco pavilion )

2009-05-13T05:50:00.000-07:00

Shawarma Sandwiches- served with hummus, Tabouleh, and a Tangierine CousCous Salad with a Fresh Moroccan bread
Chicken & Lamb Combo $13.95
Chicken $11.95
Lamb $11.95

Specialty Wraps - served with Tangierine CousCous salad and Lentil salad
Lamb $9.95
Chicken $9.95
Falafel Sandwich $7.95

Mediterranean Specialties
Meatball platter served with yellow rice $10.95
Vegetable Platter $8.95

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Side Dishes
$1.95 each

Tabouleh
Lentil Salad
Marinated Olives
Tangierine Couscous Salad

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Kid's Meal
All kid's meals are served with choice of 1% milk, bottled water or juice.
Kid's meals are served with Carrot sticks and apple slices.

Hamburger $6.95
Chicken Tenders $6.95

Potato Chips and Soda available upon request

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Beverages
Coca Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Orange, Nestea Iced Tea - $2.09/$2.39
Bottled Water - $2.00
Lemonade - $2.39
Domestic Beer - $4.25
Imported Casa Beer - $5.95
Moroccan Wine - By the Glass $4.95
Frozen Fruit Drink - $3.50
Sangria - $5.25

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Coffee Bar
Cafe Au Lait - $3.95
Cappuccino- $3.95
Moorish espresso with cinnamon & nutmeg - $3.25
Cafe Espresso - $3.25
Nescafe Coffee regular or decaf - $2.25
Moroccan Mint Tea - $2.00
Lemonade - $2.50
Tangierine Coffee with Orange Liqueur - $5.95
Kasbah Coffee with Hazelnut Liqueur - $5.95
Casablanca Coffee with Vanilla Liqueur - $5.95
Mimosa Champagne with Orange Juice - $5.25
Moroccan Wine by the glass- $5.25
Moroccan Beer Casa - $5.50
Domestic Beer - $3.75
Bottled Water - $2.00
Tangierine Cocktail - $6.25

Strawberry Daiquiri $6.95
Pina Colada $6.95
Tangierine Daiquiri $6.95
Non-alcoholic Frozen Fruit Drink $3.95

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Desserts

Freshly baked pastries and specialty coffees

With the purchase of each sandwich or platter, add any baklava dessert for only $2.50.

Morocco

2009-05-13T05:48:00.000-07:00

The Morocco pavilion does not have a ride or show. However, it does have some great shopping opportunities as well as a great full-service restaurant (Marrakesh) and a mediocre counter-service restaurant (Tangierine Cafe).

Impressions De France

2009-05-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

This is among my favorites of all films at WDW. The score is based on French Classical music by Debussy, Saint Saens, and others. The scenery is gorgeous. During this film you'll see Paris, the small towns of the countryside, the wine country of Burgundy, St. Mont Michel, Notre Dame, and many other familiar landmarks. I particularly enjoy the view of the pastries in the patisserie window. It makes me hungry every time! I'm fiercely proud of my mostly British heritage, but this film makes me realize that the French have reason to be proud, too.

United Kingdom

2009-05-13T05:46:00.000-07:00

The United Kingdom pavilion does not have a ride or show, like some of the other World Showcase pavilions. Instead, it has lovely gardens, shops, and a great restaurant and pub.

O canada ( in canada pavilion )

2009-05-13T05:45:00.000-07:00

This is a Circle-Vision film showing the beauty of our northern neighbor. During the course of your tour, you'll see everything from seaside scenery in the maritime provinces to the Rocky Mountains and the shores of the Pacific Northwest. One of my favorite scenes, the opening, as I recall, shows a large group of Canadian Mounted Police on their steeds. It's quite a lovely film, and the music is pretty too. Well worth the time to see it.

Caribbean Coral Reaf Ride ( extinct ) now the sea with nemo and friends

2009-05-13T05:44:00.002-07:00

My opinion of this attraction, prior to 1995, was that it was disappointing and boring...boy, was I wrong! If you take the time to look things over in Sea Base Alpha, I'm sure you'll find that this is a lot of fun, and very interesting. I'd just never took the time before. There's the aquarium, some manatees, a lot of ecological information, and a small shop. One of my favorite displays is the aquatic life with natural camouflage...just trying to find some of these creatures is a challenge.

Food Rocks ( extinct ) now it is soarin'

2009-05-13T05:44:00.001-07:00

Food Rocks is an audio-animatronic look at the four basic food groups. Chubby Cheddar, Elvis Parsley, and others host this show that describes the benefits of a balanced diet. If you like classic rock, you'll like it. It's tongue-in-cheek, but fun.

Honey, I shrunk the Audience (extinct)

2009-05-13T05:43:00.000-07:00

This attraction begins as the formal presentation of the Scientist of the Year award to the guy that "shrunk the kids" and "blew up the kid". After demonstrating some of this other work, his shrinking machine gets turned on the audience. The effects are excellent. Be aware that there are some frightening snake and lion 3-D effects that you might want to warn your children about in advance. Also, since this is a full-sensory attraction, you'll experience more than just 3-D visuals.

The attraction closed, July 2010 and was replaced by a re-opening of Captain E-O

Journey into YOUR imagination ( extinct )

2009-05-13T05:34:00.000-07:00

Journey is fresh off a 1999 rehabilitation. The hallmark music that we've enjoyed in this attraction has been dropped (perhaps it will return in some future incarnation). Dreamfinder is also passé, as the new attraction is based on the Imagination Institute (the organization that presents the "Scientist of the Year Award" in "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience." Oddly enough, Figment still appears, even if Dreamfinder and the Sherman Brother's music didn't make the cut.

The gist of story is that the "Imaginator," the newest project of the Imagination Institute, is ready for routine testing. Special effects and optical illusions combine to make the eight minute "test" an interesting one.

The negative reviews that this attraction has been given are directly on target. There is very little positive to say about "Journey into Your Imagination" other than that the line was short. On the other hand, that might be a telling fact, too.

What if Labs ( inside Imagination Pavilion )

2009-05-13T05:33:00.000-07:00

What If Labs

The Kodak What If! Labs have fun experiments. You can conduct an orchestra, step on stones that create sounds and play with a special mirror that distorts your body. I noticed lots children enjoying this interactive section. You can also send email postcards home from here, some with other-worldly special effects! For a price, you can have some "green screen" fun and put yourself into a special Disney photo, like the Castle.

Fountain View Bakery

2009-05-13T05:31:00.000-07:00

Fountain View Espresso and Bakery

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08-03-2006, 06:47 PM #1 (permalink)
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Fountain View Espresso and Bakery - Future World - Innoventions Plaza - counter
B S $-$$ DDP

Fresh From Our Bakery

Savory Breakfast Pocket
Chocolate Croissant
Cinnamon Pecan Croissant
Croissant
Bagel with Cream Cheese
Fruit Pastry
Cheese Pastry
Muffin

Above Items Available until 10:30am

Menu

Chocolate Chip Cookie
Chocolate Truffle Cake
Soarin; Orange Creme Brulee
Chocolate Mousse
Fresh Fruit Croissant
Turkey & Cheese Croissant
Fresh Fruit Cup
Coconut Flan
Fruit Tulip
Boston Cream
Fountainview Cheesecake
Nestle Butterfinger Cheesecake
No Sugar Added Cheesecake
No Sugar Added Brownie

Beverages

Nescafe Fresh Ground Coffees
Cappuccino
Cafe Latte
Espresso
Cafe Mocha
Coffee
Decaffeinated Coffee
Nestle Hot Cocoa
Hot Tea
1% Low-fat Mile
Nesquik Chocolate Milk
Orange or Apple Juice
Dasani
Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Lemonade

Add a Flavored Syrup to any Beverage

TD Tip : Just the place for a light breakfast and snacks for later

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Rick
"Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our childen"
Walt Disney

Mousegear

2009-05-13T05:30:00.000-07:00

MouseGear - Huge store with a vast assortment of Disney merchandise. Located near Fountain of Nations

Image Works

2009-05-13T05:29:00.002-07:00

Image Works - Merchandise featuring Figment the dragon. Located at the exit of Journey into Imagination.

Seas with Nemo and Friends

2009-05-13T05:29:00.001-07:00

Seas with Nemo and Friends - Finding Nemo merchandise including plush toys and apparel. Located inside The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

Dining

Club Cool

2009-05-13T05:28:00.002-07:00

Club Cool - Coca-Cola merchandise and free samples of exotic Coca-Cola flavors from around the world. Near the Fountain of Nations.

The Art of Disney

2009-05-13T05:28:00.001-07:00

The Art of Disney - Beautiful works of Disney art and Disneyana are available to buy, or just drool over. Located near Spaceship Earth.

Gateway Gifts

2009-05-13T05:27:00.001-07:00

Gateway Gifts - Epcot souvenirs and Disney apparel. Located underneath Spaceship Earth

Nine Dragons Resteraunt

2009-05-13T05:20:00.001-07:00

Nine Dragons Restaurant can be found at the China Pavilion at the World Showcase in Epcot Center. The restaurant serves Chinese cuisine, wine and beer, in a traditional Asian setting. Here is a review of Nine Dragons Restaurant at Disney's Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida.

Even on a Tuesday night in late September, it is nearly impossible to walk into a restaurant at Epcot's World Showcase and get a table. If you don't have reservations, you are either not eating, or you are eating fast food, which can be found at the American Pavilion (appropriate, wouldn't you say?). The one exception is often Nine Dragons Restaurant at the China Pavilion. Oh, Nine Dragons is plenty busy; in fact, it's bustling with patrons every night. But the service is fast (maybe too fast), and the restaurant is the largest Chinese eatery many have ever set foot in.

The setting is dazzling on the eyes, but the servers are far from friendly. They're all business, as they need to turn over tables in a hurry to empty the crowded lounge. If you're a walk-in, you're grateful just to be eating at Epcot. You may start with a Chinese beer or a glass of wine, and an appetizer like Drunken Chicken. Swallow 'em down quick, because your entree is already on its way. The Chinese beer is delicious - go with the Pure Draft - and it might just be the best thing on the menu at Nine Dragons Restaurant.

The General Tso's Chicken passes as a decent dish. It's spicy and served with a side of white rice. The portions are large and filling. But the food at Nine Dragons Restaurant is not unlike any Chinese food you'd find at your local take-out. Yet, it's priced at approximately three times as much. Why pay $20 for a dish of General Tso's when you can get the same thing for $6.95 and have leftovers at home? The setting? Well, it just isn't worth it because you don't get to spend all that much time at the restaurant. The check is on the table before you've swallowed your last bite.

What Would You Do?....

2009-05-13T04:57:00.000-07:00

Here we have a game. post a comment on what YOU would do with these pavilions! :)

Test Track: I would either keep it the same, or turn into a pixar roller coast from the hit movie, CARS.

Universe of Energy: I would make re-novations... Or a ride from the disney movie, DINOSAURS. (i know they have one in animal kingdom, but think about nemo, they got him everywhere!

Wonders of Life Pavillion: i miss the old pavilion! - cry - :( I would keep the theme the same. Maybe i would start making monthly different sierees of cranium command. No doupt about it, Body wars just needed re-novation. Making of me just needed to be... what it wasn't. Fitness fairgrounds ( demolished ), i would think, nobody really paid attenchan to. But it did kill some time. Goofy about health. not sure what i would do with that. maybe make a line and automatic doors, not rope lines like used for making of me tho. I would keep the store and cafe the same. I have no idea what i would use for that frontier area. maybe demolish that and body wars for a new ride.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends: it's done! they did what i wanted. Finding Nemo themed! :) I would change turtle talk with crush to a new 3-D attraction.

Mission: Space: I just really, HATE this ride. I bet you horizons was better! ( i haven't been on it but i saw it on youtube. ) But i heard Horizons flooded inside when they were demoloshing it. I would Demolish this ride. or maybe make it into an incredibles ride.

Spaceship Earth: there is no way i would re-theme this into a disney cartoon version or something. I would never change the theme. I would at least update it about every 2 years or so...

The Land: Personnaly, i know food rocks is gone, but they could put it in wonders of life. anyways, I dont really care much for soarin. It would be better if they would keep the screen, and the ride vehicles the same on the way im saying it. I would keep everything the same except the movie. I would make the whole thing in 3-D! And you would still be riding in the vehicle so it REALLY looks like your flying! on the other hand, i dont think i CAN change living with the land. that is where all the food and crops go. Just update the little areas like the barn with the movies in it, the desert, the house where the dog is. you know, stuff like that would be updated every year or so... circle of life, BORING!!! O.O it is sooo boring to people who come to see it. make it a simulator ride or something!

innoventions: i would just update the games, and maybe like a live show of ratatuillie where the tree is, and the stage, and it's near where you make paper. :)

those are my ideas! plz keep me updated with wonders of life! thanks!

Epcot Sunshine Season Food Fair ( in the Land )

2009-05-13T04:56:00.001-07:00

A food court, offering healthier food choices from different regions

Menu Date: August 2006

ASIAN

Two Entree Items and Two Sides $9.69
One Entree Item and two sides $7.69
Chicken Chile and Garlic Noodle Bowl $6.09

Children's Selection: Sweet and Sour Chicken and Beverage $3.99

SOUP AND SALADS

Roasted Beets and Goat Cheese Salad with Cilantro and Lime dressing $7.09

Seared Tuna on Mixed Greens with Sesame Rice Wine dressing $8.39

Caesar Salad with Oak-fired Chicken $7.59

Bowl of Freshly Made Soup $3.99

Children's Selection Macaroni and Cheese with Beverage $3.99

SANDWICHES

Grilled Vegetable Cuban Sandwich $7.59

Black Forest Ham and Salami Grinder $7.59

Turkey and Muenster Cheese on Foccacia with Chipotle Mayonnaise $6.99

Children's Selection: Mini Sub and Beverage $3.99

THE GRILL

Rotisserie Chicken Flatbread with Wild Greens and Tabbouleh $9.09

Grilled Salmon with Mashed Potatoes with Kalamata Olive Pesto $9.09

Rotisserie Beef Flatbread with Wild Greens and Tabbouleh $10.09

Children's Selection: Chicken Leg with Mashed Potatoes and Beverage $3.99

BEVERAGES

Coca Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Mello Yello, Nestea, Minute Maid Light Lemonade- Regular $2.19/Large $2.49

Hot Tea $1.89
Hot Cocoa $1.89
Nescafe Coffee $1.89

DESSERTS

Hand Dipped Edy's Ice Cream (Single or Double) $2.99/4.25

Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies $1.49 each

Espresso, Cappuccino $2.69/3.19

Also freshly made pies and cakes, and many grab'n'go items, like sushi and mini quiches.

-- Last edited by big bell

[Update this description | Read previous versions]

Photos from Sunshine Season Food Fair

Readers' Opinions
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
12 votes, so far

great restaurant with brilliant sushi and grilled foods - Max LaZebnik

Probably the best counter service restaurant in Disney World. There is a lot of options including my favorite, Salmon. Theres also a large selection of desserts and drinks as well as Asian and other American food. This place can also get quite hectic at peak meal times and seating gets competitive inside the Land pavilion so be prepared to fight the crowds. - Manny Barron

The Garden Grill ( inside the Land Pavilion )

2009-05-13T04:53:00.000-07:00

Garden Grill Restaurant - Chip and Dale's Harvest Feast MENU
NOTE: All menu items/prices are subject to change

NOTE: * Indicates buffet item and cost represents total cost of buffet.
Menu is subject to change.

Dinner (Updated: 03/09)
Entree/Main Course

Adult Gardener's Dinner Menu (ages 10 & up) - Chip & Dale Harvest Feast featuring Buttermilk biscuits and yeast rolls with Honey-Orange Blossom Butter, Flank Steak with Mushroom Cabernet au Jus, Rotisserie Turkey with Cranberry Relish, Fried Catfish, Home-style Potato casserole, Selection of Fresh Vegetables, and Very Berry Puff Pastry. Non-alcoholic beverage included. - $28.99 *

Drinks

Alcoholic Frozen Beverages - Raspberry Daiquiri: refreshing blend of raspberries and rum. All drinks available with an illuminating glow cube for an additional charge. - $7.25
Beringer Founders Estate Merlot, California - Ripe cherry fruit is complemented with black pepper and cinnamon notes, touched with cedar on the finish. Glass $7.50 or Bottle $34.00
Bonterra Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast - Grapes are certified as "organically grown." Forward black cherry and plum aromas with hints of chocolate, spices, and blackberry. Glass $9.00 or Bottle $39.00
Bottled Beer Selection - Miller Lite $4.25, Corona, Heineken, Yuengling, or Michelob Ultra $5.25, and Stella Artois $6.25.
Buena Vista Chardonnay, Happiest Celebration on Earth, Carneros - This wine has ripe flavors of green apple, pear, lemon, and lime. It is well balanced with moderate acidity and a creamy finish. Glass $7.75 or Bottle $36.00
Draft Beer Selection - Budweiser or Bud Light 12-oz $3.75 or 16-oz $5.00 and Killian's Red 12-oz $4.25 or 16-oz $5.50
Echelon Pinot Noir, Central Coast - Cherries, cloves, and rose petal aromas with ripe, dark cherry fruit flavors and medium tannin. Glass $8.00 or Bottle $37.00
Kenwood White Zinfandel, California - A dry but soft wine with fruity aromas of summer, strawberry, and plum. Glass $6.50 or Bottle $27.00
Lolonis Fume Blanc, Redwood Valley - Grapes are certified as "organically grown." Apples and herbal notes on the nose with flavors of pears and citrus, dry crisp finish. Glass $8.50 or Bottle $38.00
Lolonis Vineyards Ladybug Red Redwood Valley, Cuvee V - Grapes are certified as "organically grown." Ripe flavors, fleshy, and lightly toasty tasting of berry jam, toast, cedar and pepper. Glass $9.00 or Bottle $39.00
Pinot Grigio, Sartori, delle Venezie - Fresh fruit aromas of apples and citrus, well balanced dry finish. Glass $7.00 or Bottle $29.00
Riesling QBA, Dr. Loosen, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer - Fresh aromas of peach and pear, refreshing with crispy acidity. Glass $8.00 or Bottle $37.00
Rosemount Estate Shiraz, Austalia - Aroma is bright and lovely with plum fruit characteristics with an underlay of toasty American oak. Glass $8.00 or Bottle $37.00

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Garden Grill Restaurant - Chip and Dale's Harvest Feast
Child's Menu

Dinner (Updated: 03/09)
Entree/Main Course

Young Gardener's Dinner Menu (Ages 3 to 9) - Chip & Dale Harvest Feast Kid's Picks featuring Chicken Strips, Macaroni & Cheese, Fresh Vegetables, and a Special Dessert. All meals served with a choice of juice, 1% milk, or bottled water. French fries and soft drinks available upon request. For guests with food allergies or other health related restricitons, we will attempt to accomodate your special dietary requests. - $13.99 *

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Electric Umbrella 2009

2009-05-13T04:48:00.000-07:00

The Electric Umbrella Restaurant has reopened after a recent refurbishment bringing a fresh menu of eating choices. No major changes are noticeable in guest areas of the restaurant, since most of the refurbishment took place in the kitchen.

Items on the menu include the following items:
Bacon Double Cheeseburger with fries or grapes
Toasted Turkey Sub with fries or grapes
Caesar Salas
Greek Salad
Chicken Breast Nuggets
Cheeseburger with fries
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce
No Sugar Added Brownie
Fruit Bowl
Kids Chicken Nuggets
Kids Chilled Chicken Wrap
Kids Cheeseburger
Some of the menu updates are similar to many of the menu changes across the Walt Disney World property, which is making an effort to offer guests more healthy dining options. Some of the new items added include grapes and carrots, instead of fries or chips with guest’s meals.

For drink choices you can select from a variety of Coca-Cola beverages, including Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Nestea Iced Tea, Minute Maid Light Lemonade. Water and coffee, both regular and decaf, are also available.

The Electric Umbrella is located in the Epcot Theme Park’s Future World just past Spaceship Earth.

Other dining options located in Epcot’s Future World include The Garden Grill Restaurant, Coral Reef Restaurant, Fountain View Ice Cream and Sunshine Season Food Fair.

Reflections of China ( inside China Pavilion )

2009-05-13T04:46:00.000-07:00

HISTORY:
Enjoy the 360 circle vision film presentation "Reflections of China". A brief look into the past and present of the Chinese people.

LOCATION:
In China at the World Showcase in Epcot. From the entrance continue past Spaceship Earth and straight through to the World Showcase, turn left and continue along the path, pass Mexico and then Norway. Next will be China. Turn off at the first left and continue towards the main building and entrance.

ATTRACTION EXPERIENCE:
A large circle theatre with screens along the walls show visitors scenes from across China. Visitors stand between railings and during busy times it can be a bit cramped and where your space begins and someone else's ends is hard to hold on to. Good views no matter where you are as the screens are positioned very high on the walls. During less busy times visitors can sit on the floor and smaller push chairs/prams will be allowed inside. Some visitors may find the fly over scenes a little nauseating.

China Pavilion

2009-05-12T20:12:00.000-07:00

TOURING TIPS

If you go to the temple in China and stand in the very middle of the round room, it is acoustically perfect. So say something! Because it is acoustically perfect, you will hear yourself talk, which is something we rarely do. Usually we hear ourselves talk through our own head, and that's not how others hear us. Does this make sense? Everyone who did this said something and then went "oooo! how weird!" (Seth & Sonya)

The Reflections of China is shown on the half hour. Use the time before the next showing to view the Land of Many Faces gallery.

If the 360 degree movie screen makes you a little dizzy, stand near the back of the room, you'll be able to see most of the film. Remember, this is a standing attraction.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival - Highlights include a bamboo garden, exotic water garden, Feng Shui area and a wonderful panda topiary! The water garden has many water lillies just for the Flower and Garden show! Be sure to also check out the stacks of begonia columns that border the walkway to the main pavilion.

Holidays from Around the World features storytellers in each country. In China, the Monkey King tells of celebrations.

Assistive Listening Device from Guest Services Can Be Used Here.

Reflective Captioning Available - see Cast Member upon arrival.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Each of the World Showcase countries has a special "KIDCOT" area that provides an opportunity for your child to interact with a native of the country you are visiting.

Epcot PassPorts are great fun for kids as they have them stamped at each pavilion around World Showcase.

Epcot Characters At A Glance
Character Meet and Greet FAQ!

SHOPPING

Yong Feng Shangdian Department Store - Furniture, Kitchenware, rugs, clothing, slippers, silk, paper fans, pictures, cloisonne (jewelry with enamel inlay).

(Exerpt from Shopping Around the World) The Shoppers headed to China, but before we reached the Yong Feng Shangdian Department Store, the several kiosks located outside of the pavilion proved a distraction. Quite quickly, JoDeen found the brightly colored Parasols (with your name written in Chinese) for $10-$14.

In the department store at last, the Shoppers found a wide range of items including furniture, kitchenware, rugs, clothing, slippers, silk, and paper fans. Michelle was partial to the silk slippers ($10). The Chinese Lanterns at $12 were very colorful and the perfect item to help celebrate the Chinese Lantern Festival, part of the Chinese New Year celebration. The "Take Out or Carry Out Purse" ($17), a Chinese takeout food container adorned in decorative silk, proved a favorite among several of the female shoppers, as well.

Other items that caught the Shoppers' eagle eyes included a Straw Hat (called a Cao Mao, $4), carved Jade Elephants ($12), and Silk Purses for $12 and under.

INTERESTING FACTS

The three-tiered, circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest is a one-half scale reproduction of its counterpart inside the Temple of Heaven complex near Beijing. Many of its architectural details, both inside and out, have important significance to the Chinese people. Inside the hall, there are 12 outer columns supporting the roof. They represent the 12 months of the year and the 12-year cycle of the Chinese calendar. Closer to the center of the room are 4 columns representing the four seasons. These columns support a beam, representing Earth, which is topped by a round beam, signifying Heaven.

Filming the Wonders of China proved to be quite challenging for the crew. For one sequence on Huangshan Mountain, the crew and 40 laborers had to carry the three-hundred pound camera and other equipment to the top, over a mile in height.

To reflect the gardening style of China, the pavilion features a very loosely structured landscape. There is no strong feeling of being either inside or outside of the garden. The lack of structure of the China garden is deceiving because, as in the Japan garden, the symbolism is strong. Chinese gardens are designed to be quiet, still and passive, as in the meditation pool. The zoysia grass is left alone to grow as it would look in China. Plants are used sparingly with the accent on those with unusual color. Several fruit trees, orange, plum and pomegranate are also part of the landscape.

The weeping mulberry, while resembling a tree you might find in China, is actually over 100 years old and was found in New Jersey.

In order to depict the intricate tile work patterns of the original Temple of Heaven, the Imagineers artisans screen printed hundreds of exact replications of its detailed patterns onto each and every tile at Epcot.

March 25, 2002 the original Wonders of China 360 movie closed until May 23, 2003! The new movie is called Reflections of China! Nine cameras were used to photograph the cultural and scenic images in the new movie. During a 2 month period in 2002, 7 Chinese cities were filmed. New shots of many of the landmarks in the current movie such as the Great Wall, Tian'anmen Square will be in the new version. Other images that have been updated include Beijing, Harbin, and Urumqi. Every bit of footage of Shanghai has been replaced

Grand Fiesta Tour Starring The 3 Cabelleroes ( in Mexico Pavilion )

2009-05-12T20:09:00.001-07:00

Synopsis
The attraction begins with posters indicating that the Three Caballeros are to perform a concert tonight.

After boarding the boats, guests float around a Mayan pyramid as soft music and animal sounds are heard in the distance. Soon, guests enter a tunnel on the side of the pyramid, where Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca of The Three Caballeros introduce themselves, only to find out that Donald Duck, the third member of the group, has run off, prompting Panchito and Jose to set off on a frantic search for their missing friend. The next few scenes show Donald touring Mexico and José and Panchito on a magic sarape (a sort of Mexican flying poncho) looking for him.

The next scene has characters similar to 'It's a Small World' with dancing animatronics and a Donald Duck piñata. Once past this area, guests enter a cave, which features different scenes of live-action footage with the Caballeros. After leaving the cave, there are three panels featuring a Mariachi band in the first, some Mexican girls and Donald in the second and Panchito and José pulling Donald away from the girls in the third. From here, guests float into Mexico City, where fireworks are going off overhead and the Three Caballeros are finally performing their concert.

It should be noted that Panchito, the leader of the trio, is the only Mexican character of the three, as Donald has always been portrayed as a citizen of the United States while José is a Brazilian.

In the movie, Panchito is often seen firing guns into the air and whooping, while José smokes cigars. The characters were toned down for the ride and don't smoke or shoot.

El Rio De Tempo ( in Mexico Pavilion ) - extinct -

2009-05-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

El Rio de Tiempo is the leisurely boat ride within the Mexican Pavillion at the Epcot World Showcase, and is not unlike It's a Small World, but without the twee music that will haunt you for the rest of your natural life.

El Rio de Tiempo is Mexican for the River of Time, and the ride takes you on a leisurely 9 minute tour through the people and history of Mexico.

There are quite often long queues for the ride, particularly from mid morning until early afternoon.

Mexico Pavilion

2009-05-12T20:07:00.000-07:00

INTRODUCTION

As you turn into World Showcase, the Pyramid sits high in the skyline. It is modeled after an Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the god of life) at Teotihuacan. Quetzalcoatl is represented by large serpent heads along the entrance stairs.

Upon entering the building, you see a gallery of artifacts from various periods of Mexican history. You walk into a formal portico and then a colonial plaza where you experience an evening at a festive marketplace.

ATTRACTIONS

"Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros!" opened April 6, 2007; replacing El Rio de Tiempo. Gentle boat ride remains the same but with a new storyline and film featuring Donald Duck, José Carioca (the parrot), and Panchito (the Mexican charro rooster) from the 1944 Disney film "The Three Caballeros."

Guest Feedback on the new ride!

Animales Fantasticos - The Spirits in Wood

" - In villages surrounding the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, artisans create fantastic wood carvings of animals, humans, and beasts. Their work is prized for the way they freely mix reality with magic. This modern folk art is also unique for the way it blends traditional with contemporary themes. In just a few short decades, Oaxacan woodcarving has become recognized as an important expression of how ancient cultures interact with a modern world."

"Oaxacan parents tell stories to their children about fantasy animals that live in the nearby forests. Most of these magical creatures are mis-chief makers and the children are warned to stay clear of them. Today, these fantasy animals have emerged from the woods. They have been set free by the artisans who captured them in the branches of the trees. These brightly colored animals have traveled far from their home in Southwest Mexico, but bring with them their legendary playfulness." (Quotes from the display, October 2001)

Casa Mexicana offers an opportunity to "Discover Modern Mexico". Located just before the entrance to El Rio de Tiempo, you'll find the home of the Pakatilchi family. As you walk into the first level, there is a large area for Mexico's Kidcot station that was filled with children making masks! Off to the left is an alcove where you can select one of four "adventures" and send home a video postcard. I was torn between the cliff diving and the puppet show video, and ended up selecting the puppet show. You have a few seconds to act out (there is no audio with the video) your "adventure" and then email it to yourself and someone back home.

As you reach the second level of the Casa, you'll find a dining room table all set for the family meal. The design and colors of the home are what you would expect to find in Mexico today, according to the Cast Member I spoke with. There is even a musical section with a number of guitars on display. There are two "windows into Mexico" in the Casa which are located above a map of the country. You push one of the buttons on the map representing one of X regions in Mexico and your window shows a short video representative of that area. You can select the Yucatan Peninsula, South and Gulf of Mexico, Central Mexico, Baja, Northern Mexico or the Pacific Coast. Casa Mexicana opened in March 2004.

Epcot Attractions At A Glance

DINING

San Angel Inn - dine in the shadows of an ancient volcano, San Angel Inn is overflowing with atmosphere.

Cantina de San Angel - located outside the Pyramid. This is counter service Mexican food that also will cater to vegetarians. In addition to Mexican fast food, you can also visit the Frozen Margarita Bar.

Epcot Restaurant Ratings and Reviews
Epcot Restaurants At A Glance
Menus From Around the World
Vegetarian and Other Special Diets

ENTERTAINMENT

Mariachi Cobre - a 12-piece band entertaining with exhilarating rhythms and classic Mexican melodies. Members play violins, guitars, trumpets and more. The group entertains outside unless the weather is bad and then you can find them inside.

For more information on Epcot Live Entertainment, visit Steve Soares WDW Entertainment Website.

TOURING TIPS

To the right of the Mexico pavilion is a semi-circular path that is the home to beautiful orchids and other tropical plants.

Inside the Festival Marketplace, wheelchair touring becomes difficult even with 36 inches between carts. It is difficult to navigate.

There is very dim lighting in the festival marketplace and San Angel Inn restaurant.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Highlights - Tropical is the theme for Mexico with beautiful orchid brightly colored bougainvillea displays. The bougainvillea is brought in special for the Flower Festival! Be sure to check out the resident botanist's camp.

Holidays from Around the World features storytellers in each country. In Mexico, Los Tres Reyes Magos make appearances throughout the afternoon.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Donald Duck, José Carioca (the parrot), and Panchito (the Mexican charro rooster) from the 1944 Disney film "The Three Caballeros" make regular appearances outside the pavilion.

Each of the World Showcase Countries has a special "KIDCOT" area that provides an opportunity for your child to interact with a native of the country you are visiting.

Epcot Passports are great fun for kids as they have them stamped at each pavilion around World Showcase.

The Festival Marketplace has very low lighting and also many items to distract your children. Keep a close eye on them here!

Epcot Characters At A Glance
Character Meet and Greet FAQ!

SHOPPING

Artesanias Mexicanas -Home decor is the theme for this shop which includes pottery, glassware, and decorative gifts.

El Ranchito Del Norte - A changing collection highlighting the various stores in the plaza.

La Familia Fashions - Looking for silver? check out this shop!

Plaza De Los Amigos - Clothing, blankets, crafts, toys, leather wallets and handbags, candy, tequila, and more.

(Exerpt from Shopping Around the World) "Our shopping adventure began in Mexico where the Plaza de los Amigos (a large, indoor shopping area) offered lots of items to choose from, not to mention sweet relief from the blazing sun. No sooner had we begun when there was a camera flash -- Deb2 snapped a photo of Lisa wearing an Extra Large Sombrero ($13) that she felt was the perfect symbol of our South of the Border neighbor. But let's face it -- it'd be hard to pack in your suitcase!

JoDeen found some very pretty Chili Pepper Glass Swizzle Sticks for $2.50; Gary, Karen and Jen were partial to the Oaxacan Wood Carvings ($15), as well as the heart-shaped hand-painted boxes for $8. Jen's children, Brianna and Caleb, enjoyed picking out the maracas, which were two for $6. Other items from Mexico that were selected: Marionette String Puppets ($7), Medium Size Pinata ($10), Kids' Straw Hats ($5.50), Paper Flowers ($3-6)"

INTERESTING FACTS

The dances seen on the film in the pre-Columbian section of the El Rio del Tiempo boat ride illustrate a time when Mexican Indians prevailed in areas of the sciences and arts. The dances represent Nature and Science, Mathematics and Astronomy, Quetzalcoatl and Texcatlipoca, Aztec Warriors, an Aztec Marketplace, and Moctezuma's Palace.

There are 2 major areas represented in the Mexico showcase. A portrayal of the arid desert regions of Mexico can be seen at the Cantina de San Angel, while the Mexican tropics are represented as a Mayan temple rising out of the Yucatan jungle. The Mayan pyramid is reflective of the pre-Columbian heritage of Mexico.

To create the tropical jungle, Disney horticulturists use a variety of plants including: Moreton bay fig, silver trumpet tree, Mexican fan palm, and a number of orchid trees. The arid desert at the Cantina is highlighted by a 250-year-old Yucca tree.

El Rio del Tiempo - The River of Time, Closed on January 2, 2007 and reopened as "Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros!" on April 6, 2007. The short but pleasant boat ride, was sometimes called the Mexican It's A Small World because of its upbeat, repetitive theme song and small Audio-Animatronic dolls.

Canada Pavilion

2009-05-12T20:06:00.000-07:00

INTRODUCTION

Experience the diverse culture and unspoiled wilderness of our neighbors to the north. Turning right as you exit Future World to begin your tour of World Showcase you will enter the Canada Pavilion which showcases the Rockies, Furriers and Trappers and Indians. The landmark you will see is Hotel du Canada, patterned after the French Gothic design of the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. Beautiful gardens, the Rocky Mountains, and a refreshing 30 foot waterfall are all part of the landscape of Canada!

The Canadian pavilion represents a variety of the cultures you would find when visiting, including Native Indian villages, a French-flavored chateau and the Scottish influence of the Maritimes.

There is a lot to enjoy at the Canada Pavilion including the beautiful Victoria Gardens, the Rocky Mountain Waterfalls and the Totem poles.

The landscaping also represents a variety of themes: evergreen and deciduous plants create a northern theme, elaborate floral displays are part of the Victoria Gardens and the plantings in the rock work form the backdrop for the area.

ATTRACTIONS

An updated "O Canada!" film in the Canada pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase debuted in September 2007. The 14-minute motion picture, presented in CircleVision 360, includes new scenes highlighting Canada's natural beauty, cities and diverse populace, and is hosted by Canadian actor Martin Short.

Walt Disney Imagineers collaborated with the Canadian Tourism Commission to update the film, which now includes new orchestration and images, and Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila singing the music of "O Canada!" The film will include the nation's capital, Ottawa, with its Parliament buildings and Rideau Canal; Toronto, with its nightlife and film festivals; and Quebec City, the cradle of French civilization in Canada. Also mentioned: the not-so-famous but artfully named small towns of Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat. The people of Canada are featured in outdoor activities including skiing, whitewater rafting and hockey.

The movie opens in 360 degrees of swirling snow, with a voice over announcer stating "fact" about Canada, such as it snows 24/7, most Canadians live in Igloos, and things of that nature. Then through the swirling snow appears Martin Short, who sets the announcer straight about Canada. The film then moves to a daytime scene of Niagara Falls (the Canadian side, obviously). From there it moves westward, with stops at various cities, including Toronto, Vancouver, the Canadian Rockies, the Enchanted Forest, back towards Quebec, Montreal, and interspersed with scenes from the old O Canada movie. The new movie then segues into the theme song Canada (You're a Lifetime Journey), which is sung by Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, and it features a montage of scenes from around Canada. After the theme song, the screen goes back to Short, who does a brief outro. The film seems much crisper than the previous edition, and was a pleasant way to learn about Canada. There are some very nice shots of the various locations, and the circlevision is very well done.

Epcot Attractions At A Glance

DINING

Le Cellier offers sit-down dining featuring steaks and seafood paired with the wines and beers of Canada. The restaurant does not sell mixed drinks, only beer and wine. Le Cellier is one of the best Epcot restaurants where both seafood and beef lovers will be happy.

Epcot Restaurants At A Glance
Menus From Around the World
Vegetarian and Other Special Diets

ENTERTAINMENT

Off Kilter - a not to be missed live band playing New Age Celtic Music! These guys rock the place whenever they play! For smaller crowds, catch them earlier in the day. Band members will be glad to sign autographs and pose for photos after the performance is over.

For more information on Epcot Live Entertainment, visit Steve Soares WDW Entertainment Website.

TOURING TIPS

Be sure to walk to through the Victoria gardens to the Rockies and watch the waterfalls. It's near the back of the pavilion on the right side. It is cool and a quiet place to relax, especially in the heat of the summer.

Don't miss the fun photo op out front!

Want another quiet place to "Take 5"? Walk up the steps, go between the 2 shops to the back of the pavilion -- you'll find a couple benches and very few people.

There is no seating in the movie theatre. You stand against lean rails as you watch the 360 degree movie. If 360 movies tend to make you dizzy; stand in the back.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival - The Victoria Gardens, dazzling bedding plants and cascading color on the mountain highlights the flowers at Canada!

Holidays from Around the World features storytellers in each country. In Canada, Santa Claus makes appearances throughout the afternoon, sharing his story of Christmas in Canada.

Assistive Listening Devices from Guest Services Available

Reflective Captioning Available

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Each of the World Showcase countries has a special "KIDCOT" area that provides an opportunity for your child to interact with a native of the country you are visiting.

Epcot PassPorts are great fun for kids as they have them stamped at each pavilion around World Showcase.

Epcot Characters At A Glance
Character Meet and Greet FAQ!

SHOPPING

La Boutique Des Provinces - Jewelry, art prints, ceramics, assorted gift items with the French Canadian influence.

Trading Post and Northwest Mercantile - Gifts representing Canada's frontier days including maple syrup items and lumberjack shirts.

(Exerpt from Shopping Around the World) SouvenEARs were found in the Trading Post and Northwest Mercantile, where Maple Maple Maple was the theme. The team decided on very decorative Canadian Maple Syrup bottles for $16 (or $8 for 1.69 ounces), as well as Maple Moose Candy for $2.50. Upstairs, in La Boutique des Provinces, Lisa spotted Christmas ornaments that were 24K gold over a real maple leaf for $17.

INTERESTING FACTS

A crew of eight people spent more than two years researching, photographing, and editing the film, O Canada! The filming encompassed all the Canadian provinces during all four seasons of the year.

The Victoria gardens were inspired by the famous Butchart Gardens near Victoria, British Columbia. A stand of maple trees has been planted adjacent to the gardens in honor of the country's national symbol.

Many young people from Canada work in the pavilion and help to explain their country to the world. Those included are students participating in the World Fellowship Program who study management and the hospitality industry under the direction of Disney professionals. These and others brought to Walt Disney World Resort through a unique cultural program are replaced by a new group of "ambassadors" each year.

The filming device used to create that "you are there" feeling in the O Canada movie includes a special five foot tall, 400 pound camera rig, comprising 9 different 35mm cameras, arranged around a tubular shaft containing the motor that drives the mechanisms for all the cameras. It is also used in the Magic Kingdom's Time Keeper attraction.

The Rocky Mountains section was created using Forced Perspective. The plants at the bottom are much bigger than the ones at the top, in fact, the higher you go, the smaller the plants. This makes the Rockies look larger and taller than they really are.

How do you show a Canadian winter in Florida? Disney horticulturists plant all white flowers during winter months to give the appearance of snow on the ground. As spring approaches, white flowers remain in shaded areas (to look like lingering snow) and are replaced in the central areas with colors.

Originally a cafeteria style restaurant, Le Cellier became a Steakhouse in July of 1997.

"O Canada" was the 17-minute CircleVision 360 film that provides you with breathtaking views of the countryside. There are more than 50 scenes of people, places and events in the movie including: Gulf Island British Columbia, Calgary Stampede, a toboggan run in Quebec City, Changing of the Guard at Parliament, Fife and Drums in Ontario, the Vancouver harbor and much much more. While the film is outdated in places, it still makes for a wonderful show!

Image Works ( inside Imagination Pavilion )

2009-05-12T20:02:00.000-07:00

Image Works closed in 1998 and reopened in 1999 as the Kodak What If Labs. The whole upstairs area that housed the original Image Works is now closed.

The newer Image Works - The Kodak What If Labs is located at the ride exit. The What If Labs have less hands-on features (such as the pin-screens) and more camera kiosks. A version of Stepping Tones returned in the newer version with pictures of various instruments, animals, and fireworks on each pad. In 2007 or early 2008, the newer Stepping Tones were redone to feature much brighter lights with only instruments on the pads. Pictures of babies playing each instrument are now displayed on the wall. In 2002, a new version of Electronic Philarmagic was introduced with Figment playing the different instruments.

Imagination Pavilion Shops

2009-05-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

The original Imagination shop was the Kodak Cameras & Film shop located near the theater. It sold a vast assortment of Figment merchandise, and of course cameras and film. The camera shop forever closed around 1999. The new shop opened in 1999 as an extension of the Kodak What If Labs.

Imagination Pavilion Meet n' Greets

2009-05-12T19:59:00.001-07:00

From Epcot's early days to 1998, a Dreamfinder ventriloquist would walk around the area, entertaining guests with his Figment puppet. When Journey into Imagination with Figment opened in 2002, a full-costumed Figment character was introduced for meet 'n' greets. Unfortunately, he has been discontinued.

Journey Into Imagination With Figment ( inside imagination pavilion )

2009-05-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

On June 1, 2002 Journey into Imagination with Figment opened, which was a much needed make over to Journey into Your Imagination. This version brought Figment back but still left the Dreamfinder out. Guests are still part of the Imagination Institute's open house, but are now invited to explore the five senses. Some of the areas are still similar to Journey into Your Imagination. There are more references to older Disney movies, such as "Flubber" or "The Absent Minded Professor", "Merlin Jones", and "The Computer Who Wore Tennis Shoes". Medfield College, and names like Merlin Jones, Dean Higgins, and Dexter Riley can be seen or heard in the queue or the ride. Also there is one reference to the Dreamfinder on a door near the beginning of the ride. It has the name plate 'Dean Finder'. Also the tune "One Little Spark" returned with new lyrics.

Journey Into Your Imagination ( extinct )

2009-05-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

Journey into Your Imagination opened in October 1999 and closed in October 2001. This ride version did not star Figment nor the Dreamfinder and was hosted by Dr. Nigel Channing from the Imagination Institute. Guests went through different departments: color, dimension, gravity, illusion, and sound. Instead of using Omnimover ride technology this ride used cars that had to be stopped to load and unload.

Magic Journeys ( extinct )

2009-05-12T19:45:00.000-07:00

Magic Journeys was the first 3D movie held in Mage Eye Theater. Magic Journeys follows a child exploring his imagination. This closed and was moved to Magic Kingdom in 1986, but has since closed from Magic Kingdom and now is completely gone. Preceding Magic Journeys was a preshow featuring the song "Makin' Memories" (a song about taking pictures and sharing memories).

Captain E-O at Imagination Pavilion ( extinct )

2009-05-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

Although built for Captain EO, Disneyland’s Magic Eye Theater opened in May 1986 with the delightful Magic Journeys, the original 3-D movie from Epcot’s Imagination pavilion. (Actually, Magic Journeys was no stranger to Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, having enjoyed a previous run at the outdoor Space Stage.) In September of the same year, Captain EO moved into the Magic Eye Theater.

After a run of over ten years, Captain EO closed quietly in April 1997.

“Honey, I Replaced Captain EO” In May 1998, the former Magic Eye Theater became the West Coast home of Epcot’s popular 3-D movie, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience.

At one time, Captain EO was showing at Disney parks in California, Florida, Japan, and France. By summer 1998, the only place at which you could see Captain EO was at CinéMagique, presented by Kodak, in Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris. In late summer 1998, the Captain departed from Paris as well. By the way, at Tokyo Disneyland, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience is called MicroAdventure.

Flower and Garden Festival 2009

2009-05-12T19:41:00.000-07:00

The 16th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is back beginning March 18 – May 31, 2009.

During this seasonal celebration, families and garden enthusiasts blooms with Disney magic! Meet well known horticulturists and enjoy an enchanting evening "under the stars" at the Flower Power Concert Series featuring music from the 60's and 70's at the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase.

This unique festival will take place in the park's Future World and World Showcase where gardening aficionados and speakers will demonstrate hands on seminars and unique planting techniques. More than a millions blooms, floral beds, artfully crafted bonsai trees, lush rose gardens and Disney character topiaries will grace the park's 300 acres.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival

2009-05-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Epcot kitchens turn up the heat for a global tasting experience worthy of every palate Sept. 25-Nov. 8 at the 14th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. During the six-week, entertainment-packed event, park guests can taste fine cuisine and wines from the top “foodie” cities of the world.

Whether sampling bites of Camarões com Palmito (shrimp with palms) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, or sipping the trendiest wine from Buenos Aires, Argentina, festival guests can enjoy the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces dotting the World Showcase promenade. The festival will spotlight tastes from cities on six continents, including Bologna, Italy; Bangkok, Thailand; Wellington, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; and, from the United States – New Orleans.

Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $2-to-$7 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. Puglia, Italy, returns as a sponsor this year, presenting culinary demonstrations with regional chefs and showcasing “Adventures of Pasta and Olive Oils.” Live regional entertainment is scheduled throughout each day along the promenade.

Daily wine and beer tastings serve up sips from around the world, and culinary demonstrations dish up featured taste treats. A series of special culinary programs features a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Live music kicks the festival up several notches each evening during the Eat to the Beat! concert series featuring acts from many musical genres including classic rock, jazz, R&B, funk and soul. Concerts are performed three times each evening at America Gardens Theatre along the World Showcase lagoon. Scheduled to appear for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are: Richard Marx, Better than Ezra, Vanessa Carlton, John Waite and Billy Ocean. Returning acts scheduled are Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Starship, En Vogue, Sister Hazel, Kool & The Gang, Spyro Gyra, Jon Secada, Sister Sledge, Taylor Dayne, Boyz II Men, Night Ranger and Los Lobos.

Each fall, the festival attracts a diverse audience of more than one million guests ranging from wine connoisseurs and epicures to neophytes wishing to boost their wine IQs. Beer aficionados can raise their steins at several tasting locations, including Germany’s Biergarten, which specialize in brews from light to dark.
Festival highlights include:

· The Festival Welcome Center, with a Champagne and Wine Bar, educational wine seminars, celebrity chef book signings, and festival keepsakes including exclusive festival pins and an official festival cookbook.

· Some 250 chefs including Disney chefs and guest chefs from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting elegant dinners and tasting events. Guest chefs who appeared last year included Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace, Rock Harper of “Hell’s Kitchen,” Robert Irvine from Food Network’s “Dinner Impossible,” plus Jeff Henderson, Todd English, Warren Brown, Mary Meyers, Jamie Deen, Iron Chef Cat Cora and many other culinary stars. This year’s lineup currently is being booked.

· New culinary programs to feature Celebration Dinners, Culinary Adventure Signature Dining and Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen. Popular returning events include French Regional Lunches at Bistro de Paris in the France pavilion, Epcot Wine Schools, Food and Wine Pairings and Sweet Sundays.

· The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event with tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.

Festival guests can enjoy free admission on their birthdays as well as fresh Epcot experiences including the re-launched Spaceship Earth attraction in Future World and the high-tech, ultra-interactive Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. Also in World Showcase, several new and updated restaurants welcome guests: at the Italy pavilion, Tutto Italia, with cuisine from different regions of Italy; at the Japan pavilion, Tokyo Dining and Teppan Edo restaurants; and at the China showcase, the redesigned Nine Dragons with a new menu.

Included with Epcot Admission:
Samuel Adams beer seminars, Authentic Taste seminars and Authors without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, culinary and cultural adventures, and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:
The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, Food and Wine Pairings at select Epcot restaurants, Signature Dining, Epcot Wine Schools, Sweet Sundays, and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission.

Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details will be available by late July at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine, and guests can book special events and programs beginning Aug. 11.

Fine Cuisine and wines from some of the best "foodie"cities in the world will take a bow at the 13th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Embark on an epicurean adventure as the 13th Annual Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival showcases the flavors of the world. Explore marketplaces featuring regional foods, wines and beers, learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe. Plus, be sure to savor the sizzling sounds of the "Eat to the Beat" concert series that boasts a stellar line-up of popular musical acts!

The Land's Behind the Seeds Tour

2009-05-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

One of Walt Disney Worlds hidden little treasures is in The Land. EPCOT stands for "Experimental Community of Tomorrow" and the $6 walking tour at The Land, an expedition into experimental gardening called the Behind the Seeds Tour, is a delight for curious gardeners.
Walt Disney World's experimental horticultural program is an effort in conjunction with a number of U.S. Federal agencies to research and develop major food crops with the intention of increasing plant yield, efficiency and nutritional value. They are also experimenting with cloning plants for faster maturation and are developing new species of food crops. Beneficial insects are also in use in these research facilities.

Well and Goods ( wonders of life 1983 - 2007 )

2009-05-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

Well and Goods is the T-shirt and gift shop.

Pure and Simple ( wonders of life 1983 - 2007 )

2009-05-12T19:29:00.001-07:00

Pure and Simple. The Wonders of Life's one food counter serves (what else?) healthy foods: Bran waffles, salads, frozen yogurt, etc..

Body Wars ( wonders of life 1983 - 2007 )

2009-05-12T19:28:00.001-07:00

Body Wars. This simulator ride, very similar to Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios, takes us inside the human body -- in this case, on a routine mission just under the skin to pick up a scientist studying a splinter wound. But, you guessed it, something goes terribly wrong and we wind up chasing the scientist through half the body and through the heart before we can make our escape. While Star Tours, in its simulation of spaceflight, is relatively smooth, this simulator has to buck with the pumping of the blood and can get pretty rough. Between the subject matter and the rocking, some of the more squeamish and prone to motion sickness may not enjoy this ride very much, so heed the warnings about good physical condition posted at the entrance. For the healthy, on the other hand, it's a fun ride -- although I have to give the edge to Star Tours.

(Trivia buffs: check out the ride film's credits, mounted on the wall just inside the show entrance. Not only will you recognize many of the actors names, but you can surprise the folks back home by pointing out that it was directed by Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy.)

Cranium Command ( wonders of life 1983 - 2007 )

2009-05-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

Cranium Command. All right, listen up, recruits! Your mission is to head directly to the rear of the pavilion and seek out this hidden gem of an attraction. Be sure to get there in time to see the animated preshow film, as it sets up the entire premise of the show and is pretty funny to boot. In a hilarious war movie parody, General Knowledge instructs his new troops of Cranium Commandos -- the elite pilots of the brain itself. The top pilots get to handle the most complicated assignment of all -- the human brain. The washouts, like our bumbling hero, Buzzy, have to watch their step or they'll be piloting a chicken.

In the main show theater we go along with Buzzy on his most difficult assignment, piloting the brain of an adolescent boy (the most unstable craft in the fleet). We're inside the boy's head as an audio-animatronic Buzzy must deal with one crisis after another, or, in other words, a typical day at school. Can our boy beat the bully and win the girl? Not unless Buzzy can get all parts of the body to work together -- not an easy task, considering what he has to deal with: Charles Grodin and Jon Lovitz as the right and left brain, George Wendt as the stomach, and the wonderfully cast Bobcat Goldthwait as the adrenal gland, among others. Epcot isn't known for fast and funny attractions, but this is both.

The Making of me ( in wonders of life pavilion extinct )

2009-05-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

The Making of Me. In this wonderful short film, an unusually restrained Martin Short finds out where babies come from. Specifically, he follows the steps of his own conception, from his parents first awkward meeting right up to his own birth. The material is handled marvelously well, managing to be warm, funny, and touching -- while facing the fact that some might find the subject embarrassing in an understanding way. They walk a fine line here without a single misstep, and the result is a film well worth seeing. The only problem here is that it is such a fine show in so small a theater. (Parents uneasy about talking to their children about sex may wish to see the film first, say, while the kids are riding Body Wars, and decide if they wish them to see it. If you think it's about time you had that talk, on the other hand, this would make a great introduction for them.)

Goofy About Health ( in wonders of life 19?? - 2006 )

2009-05-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

Goofy About Health. An open theater with a short multi-screen presentation on exercise featuring clips from vintage Goofy shorts. Ya gotta love 'em.

Great Piggy Bank Adventure

2009-05-12T19:22:00.001-07:00

The one exhibit at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Center that’s closest to the original spirit of the 1955 version Tomorrowland is Innoventions. In 1954 Walt Disney didn’t even start construction on Tomorrowland until 6 months were left until opening. So he had to make do with a lot of exhibits sponsored by corporations with an eye on tomorrow. Today Innoventions is the place where industry leaders can showcase their latest technological advancements that will bring us together into the future.

Disney just announced the next exhibit scheduled to open at Innoventions and it’s “The Great Piggy Bank Adventure” (now if that’s not a perfect Tie-in for the Muppets, I don’t know what is, but alas, no Muppets involved as far as I can tell). The topic at hand will be basic savings and investing concepts for families and the the importance of saving money responsibly.

Being responsible with our money is certainly a theme we can all stand to hear a little more of these days, but does it rise to the level of an Innovention? Perhaps the Bank of Main Street at Disneyland would have been a more appropriate place for this, but alas that’s being converted into a store. What do you think?

The full press release is below the cut:

T. Rowe Price, the global investment management organization, today announced that it has signed a sponsorship agreement to create an innovative financial education and entertainment experience at Epcot. Designed in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering, The Great Piggy Bank Adventure is scheduled to open this spring at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. This interactive exhibit will bring basic saving and investing concepts to life in a fun and captivating way. The experience will entertain and empower families, while encouraging them to engage in regular dialogue about the importance of saving and how to manage money responsibly.

The first-of-its-kind exhibit, in conjunction with a companion online game and associated web site, broadens T. Rowe Price’s longstanding investor education initiatives. The Great Piggy Bank Adventure will offer lessons on four key financial themes: setting goals, saving and spending smartly, staying ahead of inflation, and diversifying your investments. Discussions began over three years ago with Epcot Business Development and Walt Disney Imagineering to bring this experience to guests visiting INNOVENTIONS.

“Empowering parents to initiate discussion of the topics of saving and investing with their children is more important than ever before,” said Edward C. Bernard, vice chairman of T. Rowe Price Group. “Financial awareness and decision-making is heavily influenced by one’s early experiences, making vibrant family discussion a powerful and lifelong educational influence that can help children develop sound financial values and habits. In watching families during play-testing of the exhibit, it has been rewarding to see how The Great Piggy Bank Adventure engages families in a unique way and really does get the conversation started.

“T. Rowe Price has a long history of educating investors and helping people reach their financial goals,” Mr. Bernard added. “We can’t think of a better way to expand those efforts than by collaborating with an organization that is a true innovator in turning the ordinary into the extraordinary and whose name is synonymous with world-class family education, entertainment, and service excellence.”

Dan Cockerell, Vice President of Epcot, shared his excitement about working with T. Rowe Price to create this unique experience. “At INNOVENTIONS, our focus is on encouraging guests to imagine, invent, inquire and inspire while exploring amazing innovations that make our lives better. The Great Piggy Bank Adventure will give our visitors a better insight into what it means to save and invest in an innovative and engaging manner.”

Founded in 1937, Baltimore-based T. Rowe Priceis a global investment management organization with $276.3 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2008. The organization provides a broad array of mutual funds, subadvisory services, and separate account management for individual and institutional investors, retirement plans, and financial intermediaries. The company also offers a variety of sophisticated investment planning and guidance tools. T. Rowe Price’s disciplined, risk-aware investment approach focuses on diversification, style consistency, and fundamental research. More information is available at www.troweprice.com.

INNOVENTIONS is located in the heart of Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Creativity and imagination abound as guests celebrate inspiration and the innovations that improve their lives and expand their horizons. Hands-on, interactive exhibits allow children and adults to be immersed into ideas that inform, entertain and inspire — conquer the most dangerous house in America, find solutions to “sticky” problems, experience the most cutting edge products at the “House of the Future,” protect the environment from the daily waste we create and push the limits of everyday products as we make the world a safer place. For more information on INNOVENTIONS, visit www.innoventions.disney.comis

Where's the Fire? ( located in innoventions )

2009-05-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

Everyday, visitors to INNOVENTIONS at Epcot are being "edu-tained" about fire safety and learning how to prevent fires in their own homes. These guests are visiting "Where's the Fire?", which is the largest fire safety exhibit in the United States. Walt Disney Imagineering designed this 4,000-square-foot, interactive, fire safety experience in cooperation with Liberty Mutual's fire safety specialists and the U.S. Fire Administration. The exhibit opened in October of 2004 and is designed to educate the daily visitors on the fire safety hazards that may appear in their own homes.

The exhibit is housed in the INNOVENTIONS pavilion at Epcot which is a unique attraction filled with hands-on, interactive exhibits. Visitors from around the globe discover how science and technology can simplify and enhance their lives today and tomorrow. This 100,000-square-foot interactive playground provides guests with the opportunity to explore and discover innovative products and technologies from some of the world's finest companies and associations.

The exhibit at "Where's the Fire?" includes an interactive game house, a miniature house that showcases escape routes, touch-screen kiosks and a real live fire truck. Greeting guests as they enter the exhibit is an interactive 30-foot pumper designed and built by W.S. Darley & Co. of Melrose Park, Ill. The truck demonstrates how a pumper operates and shows equipment worn and used by firefighters. One side of the truck has a "Badges of Honor" display, Liberty Mutual's tribute to the important role of paid and volunteer firefighters in this country. This display and the adjacent kiosk allows guests to see information about their local fire department, including an image of their fire department's patch.

In the game house, two teams of up to 15 park visitors, each search six rooms (kitchen, family room, child bedroom, bathroom, home office and garage) of a house to find and eliminate fire hazards using a specially designed hand-held "safety light." Team members, divided into groups of up to three per room, aim their safety lights onto a wall-sized projected image in each room to find and extinguish hazards. Deciding if the hazard could cause a fire requires discussion: all members of the group must collectively aim their lights at the hazard to fix it. Correct decisions earn points, incorrect or slow decisions mean a point deduction.

To cater to younger guests the "Play it Safe" house was designed. In the United States, children five and under are twice as likely to die in a fire than the rest of our population. Children who visit the four-room miniature house learn several important messages - "Stay low and go", "Stop, drop, cover your face and roll" and most importantly - "Never hide during a fire." Special lighting will simulate the direction fire travels and show children the best way to exit a home. The house also teaches parents that they should develop and practice an escape plan with their family when they return home.

At the exit of the "Play it Safe House" and the "Where's the Fire?" game house are three touch-screen kiosks that present the "Burning Questions". These kiosks have a timed fire safety test - quizzing guests on their knowledge of fire facts and fire safety.

"Where's the Fire?" is open to the public daily from 9 AM until 7 PM in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort. The experience is initially slated to run through 2007.

Innoventions

2009-05-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

Current exhibits

[edit] Innoventions East
Don't Waste It!, sponsored by Waste Management, Inc.
Environmentality Corner
House of Innoventions
Test the Limits Lab, sponsored by Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
StormStruck

[edit] Innoventions West
Where's the Fire?, sponsored by Liberty Mutual
Play It Safe, sponsored by Liberty Mutual
ThinkPlace, sponsored by IBM
Rockin' Robots, sponsored by KUKA Industrial Robots
Segway Central
SlapStick Studios, sponsored by the Velcro Companies
Club Cool (formerly Ice Station Cool), sponsored by Coca-Cola
The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, sponsored by T. Rowe Price

[edit] Former exhibits and sponsors

[edit] Innoventions East

Previous logo of Innoventions used from 1994-2007.Apple Computer (September 21, 1994 - January 31, 1998)
Bill Nye - The Science Guy (April 15, 1998 - June 1, 1999)
Communications Dream Forum, sponsored by Motorola (October 1995 - May 1, 2003)
Discover the Stories Behind the Magic (September 24, 2001 - Late 2002)
Disney Interactive (Spring 1996 - September 3, 1997)
Disney's Internet Zone, sponsored by Disney.com (Closed July 2007)
EPCOT Discovery Center (Fall 1996 - October 3, 1998)
Family PC (Fall 1995 - June 1, 1999)
Fantastic Plastics Works, sponsored by Society of the Plastics Industry (August 2004 - March 2008)
Forests For Our Future, sponsored by TAPPI
General Electric (July 1, 1994 - June 1, 1999)
General Motors (July 1, 1994 - June 1, 1999)
Hammacher Schlemmer ((July 1, 1994 - September 1997)
Honeywell (July 1, 1994 - Fall 1996)
Look Into the Future (October 1, 1999 - February 19, 2001)
Magic House Show (July 1, 1994 - Winter 1994)
Masco's Magic House Tour (July 1, 1994 - Spring 1995)
Mission: SPACE Launch Center, sponsored by Compaq/HP (May 2001 - 2003?)
Mr. MIDI (June 1995 - September 1995)
Oracle Corporation's Information Highway (October 1995 - September 3, 1997)
Web Site Construction Zone, sponsored by GO.com (October 1, 1999 - February 19, 2001)
Opportunity City, sponsored by Disney Online and the Kauffman Foundation (2004 - November 1, 2006)

[edit] Innoventions West
Alec Tronic
Beautiful Science, sponsored by Monsanto
Bill Nye - The Science Guy
The Broadband Connection, sponsored by AT&T
Discover Magazine
Eclectronics
Enel/Infobyte VR Presentation
Inspired by Vision
Knowledge Vortex, sponsored by Xerox
LEGO Dacta
Medicine's New Vision, sponsored by The Radiological Community
Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Sega 32X, Sega Pico, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, sponsored by Sega
Silicon Graphics
Time Warner
Videonics
Video Games of Tomorrow, sponsored by Disney Interactive
Walt Disney Imagineering Labs
The Ultimate Home Theater Experience, sponsored by Lutron
Tom Morrow 2.0's Playground
Epcot 25th Anniversary Gallery

Soarin

2009-05-12T19:16:00.001-07:00

Description
The attraction takes 87 guests at a time on a simulated hang glider tour of the Golden State, flying over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Redwood Creek in Humboldt County, Napa Valley, Monterey, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park (including Yosemite Falls and Half Dome), the PGA West golf course in La Quinta, Camarillo, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego, Malibu, Los Angeles, and Disneyland itself. The last few scenes transition from daytime to dusk and then to night, culminating in Disneyland's fireworks surrounding the riders in the nighttime sky. Lasting about four minutes and forty seconds, the attraction predominantly focuses on the various landscapes of the state, although various human activities can also be seen - snow skiing, river rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are all featured prominently in the film. An original score written by the late film composer Jerry Goldsmith is heard throughout, and appropriate smells are pumped into the air while the ride vehicles themselves move gently to simulate the sensations of flight.

[edit] Ride design
Soarin' Over California was first conceptualized in 1996 as "Ultra Flight," a name which can still be seen on the tower consoles of the California Adventure attraction. It was to feature an OMNIMAX screen with an inverted track allowing guests to fly over California's landmarks. The attraction would have three load levels and the system would operate on a horizontal cable, much like a dry cleaner's rack. This plan was abandoned, however, when it was determined that the construction and labor costs for that design would be prohibitive. It seemed that Soarin' wouldn't become a reality until Imagineer Mark Sumner developed a different idea for the ride vehicles, using an Erector Set and string to create a working model. This design would allow Disney to efficiently load guests on one level instead of three, thus cutting construction and labor costs greatly.

Both existing versions of the attraction each feature two identical theaters. Each ride vehicle within consists of three rows of seats under a wing-like canopy. After guests have been safely restrained in the vehicle using standard lap belts, the canopy descends slightly and a cantilever system lifts the chairs forward and into the air with the guests' feet dangling freely. The vehicle is lifted forward so that guests look into a large, concave movie screen onto which aerial views of California are projected. The scenes were shot with an IMAX HD frame rate - 48 frames per second, twice the conventional output for regular films. Since the vehicle is moved forward toward the center of the dome, guests can only see the images projected on the screen and experience the sensation of flight. The ride structure contains about one million pounds of steel, and 37 tons are lifted during each ride cycle.

To enhance the illusion of flight, subtle vertical movements of the seats are synchronized to the film. According to cast members who operate this attraction, the carriages do not move horizontally. Sensations of horizontal motion are created using a combination of vertical carriage movement and then turning image on the screen. In addition, scents complementing the various scenes are injected into the air streams blowing on riders. In the Ventura orange field scene, for example, guests are treated to the scent of orange blossoms. The mountain scenes are accompanied by the aroma of evergreens. The Monterey and Malibu scenes have the scent of a sea breeze while the La Quinta and Anza-Borrego scene features the fragrance of sagebrush.

[edit] Versions

[edit] Disney's California Adventure

Soarin' over California at Disney's California AdventureSoarin' Over California is one of the most popular attractions in the Disneyland Resort and usually has wait times ranging from 30 to 150 minutes. However, the attraction is tied into the park's FASTPASS system, allowing guests the option of bypassing a long wait.

While waiting in line, guests pass the Wings of Fame, an homage to significant aircraft in the history of aviation in California. Some of these include the P-51 Mustang, SR-71 Blackbird, and the Bell X-1. There is also a section dedicated to individuals such as Amelia Earhart, Jack Northrop, The Wright Brothers, and Chuck Yeager.

Before entering the theater area, guests are placed in one of three preshow areas, called "Alpha Gate", "Bravo Gate", or "Charlie Gate." Just before boarding, guests watch a pre-boarding video hosted by their chief flight attendant, Patrick, portrayed by actor Patrick Warburton.

[Epcot

Queue decor inside Epcot's Soarin'Soarin' officially opened inside The Land pavilion on May 5, 2005. Its cast members wear costumes that resemble flight attendant costumes, whereas the California Adventure version uses airfield crew costumes. The idea is that guests are taking flights to California, rather than already being there.

The Epcot standby queue originally featured pictures of natural wonders from around the world, not just California. There was (and still is) very little reference to the fact that the ride only features California. The queue currently utilizes a new infrared technology that allows guests to participate in interactive games.

[edit] Soundtrack
Both versions of the ride use the same orchestral score by film composer Jerry Goldsmith, who is said to have come down from his first ride in tears. In addition to finding the ride visually beautiful and magical, he said that his father was a pilot who loved all things Californian. "I'd do anything to be part of this project," Goldsmith said. "I'd even score the film for free."[citation needed] The soundtrack he wrote plays throughout the entire attraction, starting with a crescendo in the low strings while the screen is still dark. Numerous variations of a serene theme for horn and strings can be heard, as well as several statements of a fanfare that accompanies the film's grandest vistas. The entire ride score can be found on Music from Disney's California Adventure and recent Walt Disney World official albums, and is also played as part of a loop in the Disneyland Resort's and Epcot's entrance plazas.

Inspirational music from a variety of films, many of them war- or flight-themed, is played outside the ride building at the California Adventure version and in the queue hallways in both versions. Some film scores featured include Patton, MacArthur, Air Force One, The Blue Max (all by Jerry Goldsmith), Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (by Randy Edelman), The Last Starfighter (by Craig Safan), Apollo 13 and The Rocketeer (both by James Horner), Always (by John Williams) and the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers (by Michael Kamen). The Air Force Song and Jupiter from Gustav Holst's orchestral suite The Planets are also included, based on their use in The Right Stuff. In the California Adventure version of the attraction, the "History of Aviation in California" hallway of the queue uses the scores to many different films.

Living with the land ( in " The Land " )

2009-05-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

The Ride
Living with the Land is a slow-moving boat ride.

The dark-ride portion of the attraction opens with a scene of a deciduous forest in the middle of a thunderstorm, illustrating how the forces that shape the land can appear destructive to us. The boat then sails through artificial biomes representing a tropical rainforest, a desert and the American prairie. Some of the audio-animatronic figures in this section were originally created for the never-built Magic Kingdom attraction, Western River Expedition. The biomes feature sound and lighting effects, in addition to heat, wind and mist, to simulate real conditions. The boats float through a small theater that illustrates the relationship between humans and the environment, and the ways that we have been modifying the land to better serve our purposes.

The second part of the attraction takes place in The Land's "Living Laboratory," which showcases ideas about the future of agriculture. All of the plants in this section are grown through various methods of hydroponics. Plants are grown in sand, perlite, coconut coir and rockwool.

There are five distinct areas of the "living laboratory," which are:

Tropics Greenhouse - This greenhouse features crops from the tropical areas of the world, including both familiar and exotic foods. Plants on display include banana, cacao, jackfruit, peach palm, dragonfruit, vanilla, cleome, pineapple, java apple and papaya.
Aquacell - This section focuses on aquaculture, or "fish farming." It includes several high-density tanks and a few low-density display tanks and tubes. Animals on display include Tilapia, Sturgeon, Bass, American Alligator, and shrimp. Some of the fish harvested from the Aquacell are served in the Coral Reef Restaurant in The Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion.
Temperate Greenhouse (formerly the Desert Greenhouse) - A greenhouse featuring crops from temperate climates. Currently, the Temperate house showcases large-sized crops, such as Prizewinner and Atlantic Giant pumpkins, winter melon, pomelo, and "Nine-pound Lemon." Other crops include sunflower, beets, turnip, cotton, millet and cassabanana.

A Mickey Mouse shaped pumpkinString Greenhouse (formerly the Production Greenhouse) - This greenhouse focuses on innovative high-density techniques, such as Nutrient Film Technique. It also shows off "vertical growing techniques," in which plants are grown on specialized trellises which cause the herbaceous plants to approximate the shape and structure of trees. One of the most famous examples of these trees is The Land's "tomato tree," which produced over 32,000 tomatoes in a 16-month period. It was recognized by Guiness World Records as both the largest and most productive tomato plant in the world. Other crops include eggplant, peppers, winged bean, lettuce and snake gourd. Furthermore, cucumbers and pumpkins are grown in the shape of Mickey Mouse through the use of special molds. Much of the produce grown in the String Greenhouse is used in The Garden Grill and Sunshine Seasons, both restaurants in The Land pavilion. In total, over 30 tons of produce are harvested from The Land each year.
Creative Greenhouse - The final greenhouse in the attraction shows some unusual ideas about the future of agriculture. Most of the plants in Creative House are grown via Aeroponics, in which a fine mist of water and nutrients is sprayed directly onto the roots of the plants. The roots dangle freely in the air, and are not hindered by any growing medium. Some of the plants' roots in Creative House are enclosed within rotating columns and A-frame structures, while others are completely exposed to the open air, at least temporarily, so the entire plant may be viewed by the Guests on the boat ride. Creative House also features a small exhibit of NASA hydroponic growing units, which were developed for use on extended-length space journeys. Crops on display include tomato, squash, lettuce, basil, rosemary, cabbage, super-dwarf wheat, swiss chard, marigold and snapdragon.
Additionally, the Living Laboratory contains:

Biotechnology Lab - Attached to the Creative Greenhouse, the Biotechnology Lab is a sterile research environment. Several USDA scientists are on-site at The Land, performing research on crop improvement. The Land also produces a product called "Mickey's Mini Gardens" in the Biotechnology Lab, which are available for purchase in several locations in Epcot.
Integrated Pest Management Lab - An Entomology laboratory that raises beneficial insects for use in The Land and all over Walt Disney World property. It is not visible on the Living with the Land boat ride, but is visited during the Behind the Seeds backstage tour. Insects raised here include tiny, stingless parasitoid wasps and ladybugs.

The ride concludes with a lighted collage of people and produce from all over the world, along with a projection of Earth as seen from space.

[edit] Listen to the Land
Living with the Land is an updated version of a previous attraction, Listen to the Land. Very little was changed between the two versions of the attraction. The opening scene, the "Symphony of the Seed," which provided a stylized look at the growth of a plant, was replaced by the opening storm scene. Also, the Biotechnology lab was relocated from the exit tunnel to the Creative Greenhouse. The Integrated Pest Management Lab is now housed in the space formerly occupied by the Biotechnology Lab.

Also, the theme song "Listen to the Land" is no longer used in the attraction, though instrumental version can still be heard in The Land's exterior background music loop as well the music loop played inside the Garden Grill.

[edit] Timeline
October 1, 1982 - Listen to the Land opens
September 27, 1993 - Listen to the Land closes, original opening scene, song, and ending are removed
December 10, 1993 - Living with the Land re-opens with new "thunderstorm" opening scene, musical score, & ending.
2004 - FASTPASS option addition
August 20, 2006 - Living with the Land closes to remove cast members from driving and narrating in the boats
September 9, 2006 - Living with the Land re-opens with automated boat narration
August 20, 2006 - Cast Members no longer narrate the second portion of the ride. Instead an automatic audio spiel plays at each greenhouse scene, activated by RFID tags attached to the flume wall. The spiel is updated periodically as the greenhouses are replanted

The Circle Of Life ( in " The Land " )

2009-05-12T19:09:00.000-07:00

Three animated stars of the motion picture "The Lion King" have set off on a whole new adventure to entertain Walt Disney World audiences with humorously presented but powerful messages about protecting the world's environment for all living things.

Simba, the lion; Timon, the meerkat; and Pumbaa, the warthog, are stars of "Circle of Life," a film presentation at The Land, presented at Epcot by Nestlé USA. Using the emotional "Circle of Life" theme song from "The Lion King" as a title and overall musical background provides an inspirational theme for a positive environmental message.

The Future World movie combines spectacular 70mm live-action footage with animation footage created for the filming. Presented as a fable, "Circle of Life" begins with Simba, now king of the Pridelands, beside a water hole where he is startled by the shout of "Timber!"

Simba soon discovers Timon and Pumbaa are clearing the savanna for the Hakuna Matata Lakeside Village development. Simba cautions them about mistreating the land and tells his father's story about a creature who sometimes forgets that everything is connected in the great Circle of Life. "That creature," he says, "is man."

The fable leads to valuable lessons illustrated with dramatic motion picture views of man's treatment of the land in urban and rural settings around the world. It presents a serious subject with a lighter, more optimistic view than the typical environmental film.

The production was directed by Bruce Morris of Walt Disney Feature Animation with Paul Justman, a well-known music video producer, responsible for live-action sequences.

"We wanted to show environmental problems in modern society but move people emotionally to realize that, 'Yeah, we can do something about this,' " the directors explained.

Tom Fitzgerald, senior vice president of Disney Theme Park Productions, said producers wanted to avoid being preachy. "Primarily, we want to entertain. And if guests get the message to be more environmentally responsible, we've accomplished our mission."

With mischievous Timon and Pumbaa, it would be impossible to make this a preachy film, Justman said. "They're just fun characters!" Their voices are provided by Ernie Sabella and Nathan Lane, who created the waddling warthog and the crafty meerkat for the animated film.

Type - film

When to go - Visit anytime, but try to avoid mealtimes

Duration - 20 mins

Restrictions
Guests may remain in wheelchairs or ECVs to experience the attraction.

Hidden Mickeys
Look out for the baseball cap of the man driving a harvester.
Watch out for the small stones in front of the Native-American man on a horse.

Horizons 1983 - 1996

2009-05-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

The attraction
Horizons began with a section entitled "Looking Back at Tomorrow," showcasing visions of the future as perceived from the era of Jules Verne through the 1950s. The ride then moved past two immense OMNIMAX screens (groundbreaking technology at the time the ride was built), showing modern technologies and ideas that could be used to build the world of tomorrow. Afterward came the main part of the ride: visions of futuristic life in cities, deserts, undersea, and even in space.

The only Disney attraction with multiple endings, Horizons then allowed riders to select which path they wanted to take back to the FuturePort: from the space station Brava Centauri (depicting space colonization), from the desert farm of Mesa Verde (depicting arid-zone agriculture), or from the Sea Castle research base (depicting ocean colonization). As the final part of the ride, guests in their 'omnimover' would push a button to select amongst the three choices and would be presented with a 31-second video sequence. A film would then be displayed to riders in each individual car. The videos showed a simulated flyover of an outdoor scene. To create the effect, scale models were built and a camera swept across the futuristic terrain. The models were some of the largest ever created at the time. The model for the desert sequence, for example, was 32 feet (9.8 m) by 75 feet (23 m) long. The visual effects were filmed in a hangar at the Burbank airport. Produced in 1983 by 30 model makers, it took over a year to build and shoot the three segments.[1]

The exit corridor of the ride originally featured the mural The Prologue and the Promise by renowned space artist Robert T. McCall.

[edit] History
Horizons, in its concept phase, was named Century 3 (or Century III), to recognize the third century of American existence (1776-2076). The name was changed to Futureprobe to help appeal the attraction toward international guests who wouldn't understand or appreciate Century 3. In the end, the Futureprobe name was scrapped due to the medical connotation of the word "probe". After much debate, GE and Disney officials settled on the name Horizons.

Prior to the start of construction, the project's budget was slashed by $10 million (USD). The building size was reduced and the length of the ride was shrunk by 35%, shortening the ride length by 600 feet (180 m).

Horizons opened exactly one year after Epcot opened and was located between World of Motion and Universe of Energy. Wonders of Life became Horizons' new neighbor in 1989, and World of Motion closed in 1996. Horizons remained operational until World of Motion's successor, Test Track, was ready to open to the public in early 1999. [2]

It was proposed that Horizons would be the sequel to the Carousel of Progress (located in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom), Disney's ride from the General Electric Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair. As the Carousel of Progress followed the changes in lifestyle that faced a family as they lived through the 20th century, Horizons continued their story, showing how they might live in the 21st century. The Carousel's theme song "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" was part of the Looking Back at Tomorrow portion of Horizons. The version of "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" that could be heard in Horizons coming from a television in the Art Deco scene is the exact version that can still be heard on a radio during the first act of the Carousel of Progress today.

The original ride concept came from Reginald Jones (then CEO of GE) and Jack Welch (future CEO of GE). The concept was to focus on Thomas Edison and his body of work along with the origin of General Electric; it was changed to focus on the future of America, a theme that changed yet again to respect that Epcot was to appeal to a global audience. The building which housed Horizons was designed to resemble a spaceship, while accentuating the third dimension and giving the impression of an infinite horizon.

During the early 90s, after GE had dropped sponsorship, some ideas were tossed around about the pavilion being turned into a space-themed pavilion. The building would have been upgraded and rethemed. The ride system would be changed drastically, in which, the guest would be in an individual space harness while viewing space stations and space in general and would control the pitch and yaw of the vehicle.

Horizons Building circa 1994.On January 9, 1999, Horizons was closed. No reason was publicly given, but the lack of corporate sponsorship probably played a large part in the decision. It is also claimed that one of the reasons for the attraction closing was major structural problems (that being a large sink-hole underneath the structure which emerged in 1998), along with problems with the roof. The building was claimed to have been close to collapsing under its own weight. [3] The building stood unoccupied for well over a year as Disney decided between either relaunching the attraction (which would have required a new storyline and major building renovation and upgrades) or demolishing the building and creating a new attraction in its place. It was decided to build a new cutting-edge attraction themed on outer space, so the Horizons building was slowly torn down in July 2000. The demolition of the building marked the first time in Disney history that an entire ride building had to be demolished in preparation for a new attraction. Construction on Mission: SPACE began in late 2000 and the new attraction opened in 2003.

Horizons is currently referenced in Mission: SPACE. The center of the gravity wheel in the queue line has the attraction logo, and a stylized version also appears on the front of the checkout counter in the Cargo Bay gift shop at the exit to the attraction. The 2003 episode of The Simpsons, "Special Edna" features the Horizons building.

Various props from Horizons have been displayed around Walt Disney World and even in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Resort Paris. A display that features the butler robot animatronic was set up in EPCOT: Creating the World of Tomorrow for Epcot's 25th anniversary. [4] At Disney's Hollywood Studios, a few of the props from the underwater city scene are displayed in one of the studio warehouses. [5]

[edit] Timeline
1979, Early concepts were presented by the show designer George McGinnis
August 5, 1981, Site work begins
January 1982, Pavilion construction begins
October 1, 1983, Horizons opens as part of Epcot's 1st Anniversary celebration.
September 30, 1993, General Electric's sponsorship ends after expiration of 10-year contract.
1994, Horizons closes indefinitely. Disney officials give no timetable for reopening.
December 1995, Horizons re-opens while Universe of Energy and World of Motion are being refurbished, (both these attractions remained open until 21st and 2nd of January 1996 respectively).
December 31, 1998, Disney internal staff newsletter (Eyes and Ears) announces that Horizons will close for good.
January 9, 1999, Horizons closes permanently.
September 23, 1999, All Horizons signs are removed.
September 30, 1999, Horizons briefly reopens, but only for press groups.
July 7, 2000, Horizons pavilion building is in the process of demolition.
September 10, 2000, Construction begins for Mission: SPACE on the former site of Horizons.
August 15, 2003, Mission: SPACE opens to the public.
September 19, 2003, Walt Disney World issues a Horizons pin commemorating the attraction. Shown on the pin is Mickey Mouse, the ride's building, and the years 1983 and 1999 to signify the years between which the ride operated.
September 9, 2005, Walt Disney World issues a license plate pin, part of their lanyard series, commemorating Horizons.
August 17, 2007, Walt Disney World releases another commemorative pin as part of its White Glove Remember When series.
July 1, 2008, Walt Disney World releases yet another commemorative pin as part of its White Glove Retro Epcot series.

Wonders of Life 1983 - 2007

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The idea of a pavilion devoted to health and fitness dates back to the original concept of the EPCOT Center theme park, but no corporate sponsor could be found to cover the costs. It was not until MetLife signed on that the attraction was finally constructed. On January 4, 2004, Disney made the decision to make the pavilion seasonal operation only. It reopened when the park was projected to hit near capacity during the high spring months and Christmas season. The pavilion's most recent operational phase was 11/26/06 through 1/1/07. While the pavilion is not operational to the public it is commonly used for private and corporate events. On August 5, 2007 the Wonders of Life sign and the 72 foot tall The Tower of Life Double helix DNA structure were removed.

As of 2008, the state of the attractions inside is unknown. Temporary walls were placed around the existing attractions when Epcot hosted the Food and Wine festival in the Wonders of Life building. It is unknown if any of the attractions will ever reopen again, although it is possible that the pavilion will be re-opened with the same theme, or even a new one, if sponsorship is signed.

For the 2007 International Food & Wine Festival, the pavilion was open from September 28 - November 11 as the hub of the festival. [1]

For the 2008 Flower & Garden Festival, many festival activities took place inside Wonders of Life from March 19, 2008 - June 1, 2008. [2]

The pavilion has once again opened in April 2009, for an exhibit on varying gardens, part of the annual Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2009

[edit] Attractions

Inside the pavilion as of October 2007Cranium Command - A theater show with audio-animatronic actors and a movie. The show explained the functions of the human brain and its interaction with the human body.
Frontiers - Listen to stories about medicine and the brain on small televisions.
Body Wars - Epcot's first thrill ride, a motion simulator ride taking guests on a Fantastic Voyage-like trip through the blood stream. 40 passengers could be accommodated in one of four, 26-ton simulators. The film shown was directed by Leonard Nimoy, and starred actors Tim Matheson, Elisabeth Shue and Dakin Matthews. Often compared to Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park as its rougher counterpart.
Coach's Corner - Guests can swing a bat while a professional player gives tips.
Goofy About Health - A multimedia show about healthy living hosted by Goofy, using clips from his cartoons.
Fitness Fairgrounds - Tested guests' athletic abilities (this is due to be demolished starting by January 16th 2009)
Sensory Funhouse - Interactive playground
The Making of Me - Short movie about birth and life starring Martin Short.
Wonder Cycles - Stationary bicycles with a television attached. The faster riders pedaled, the faster the video played. The bicycles would take the rider on a short tour, with a selection of:
100th Anniversary Rose Parade Pasadena, California
Disneyland in California - The rider could see that day's park patrons watching the camera pass and moving out of the way for the operator.
Take a Little Ride: Microworld Bigtown, U.S.A.

[edit] Live entertainment
Anacomical Players Retired in 2000

[edit] Shops
Well and Goods Limited (Closed)

[edit] Food services
Pure & Simple - Various snack type foods (Closed)

[edit] References
"Wonders of Life". Retrieved on June 5 2006.
"INTERCOT". INTERCOT.com. http://www.Intercot.com. Retrieved on December 3 2006.
^ 2007 International Food & Wine Festival
^ 2008 Flower & Garden Festival

Mission: Space

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"Mission: SPACE" This attraction offers guests a one-of-a-kind experience. Mission Space launches visitors into a simulated space adventure with a pulse-pounding lift-off followed by the sensation of weightlessness in outer space.

TIP:There are plenty of intensity warnings before you get on the ride. When you experience this attraction, you need to keep your head back and keep your eyes focused on the video screen in front of you at all times. If you turn your head away from the screen or close your eyes, you can become disoriented and may develop motion sickness.

NEW: You now have the option of choosing a less intense experience. You can choose to bypass the centrifuge (spinning action) of Mission SPACE. Just let the Cast Member know which version you prefer and you'll be directed to the appropriate queue.

Upon entering the attraction you are brought into a queue area representing a futuristic International Space Training Center. Suspended on one of the walls is a huge Gravity Wheel along with a number of flags hanging from the ceiling, which gives the training center an a international flair.

Queue Area

Queue Area

Briefing Area #1

Entering Vehicle

The ride begins with the launch countdown, and they throw in some psychological effects that help build the tension you might experience before a launch. As the countdown approaches, the seats tilt back into the launch position of facing the sky on your back. At lift off you feel the engines roar and blast off. The ride creates large G Forces, and a tremendous feeling of increasing speed as the craft escapes the Earth's gravitational pull.

As the flight continues there is a simulated feeling of weightlessness. Each member of the four people in the vehicle has a mission to accomplish during the simulated flight to Mars. Each mission's outcome depends on how well the team performs during the flight.

After the ride ends, you enter the attraction post ride area that features games that everyone can play. There is also be an interactive play area for kids and adults.

Expedition Mars

Mission: SPACE Race

Mission: SPACE Race

Click on Pictures to Enlarge

Mission Space was created in collaboration with former NASA advisors, astronauts and scientists, along with the Walt Disney Imagineering team. The attraction uses new technology, which makes it the first ride system to take attraction visitors straight up in a simulated flight experience.

The vehicles have four seats in a row with dividers running between each seat, which face four video monitors and control switches. Each seat is equipped with a locking "over-the-shoulder" harness restraint, and its own sound system.

The vehicles interior are very detailed, having a large number of controls and displays in front of each seat, along with a joystick that each person uses. The vehicles front portion folds downwards and is used for loading and unloading the compartment.

The ride system was manufactured by Entertainment Technology Corporation. ETC builds human centrifuges that create 2.5 G's [1 to 1.5 G's in one second!], large-scale intelligent VR training simulators, to creating the next generation of motion-based simulation attractions which allow sustained G's and continuous 360º motion in up to four axes on the ride.

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Exterior Details

As you approach the pavilion you will notice in the plaza outside the building, three planetary objects.The first is of the Planet Earth, which has the "Mission Space" Logo with a Space vehicle appearing to be taking off in front of it.

To the far left you will pass by a scale model of our moon, which has different colored markers that indicate the 30 landing sites of missions to the moon between 1959 and 1976.

The third planet is multi-colored and is to the right. .The large red planetary object is where you first enter this attraction's queue.

The entrance contains a series of railed off areas that separate the Fast Pass return line visitors, from the Stand-By line and the Single Riders Line.Digital displays located overhead, let you know the wait time for each line category.

Along the outer walls of the Planetary plaza area, you will see plaques that have quotes from famous people pertaining to space flight through the ages.

Mission Space Hazardous to your health?

After more than anticipated "protein spills", Mission Space now has Motion Sickness bags handy for riders. Even if you usually don't have a problem with this, you may find that this attraction makes you queasy.

Riders of Mission Space in the age 55 plus bracket take note. Enough guests in this age group have been taken to the hospital after experiencing Mission Space that it’s become a concern.

The guests requiring medical attention had all complained of chest pain and nausea. The majority of them had pre-existing conditions, which are specifically mentioned in the posted warning notices.

With age being the common denominator of those taken to the hospital, adding warnings specifically for older riders may become necessary.

While there are no less than 13 warning signs addressing pregnancy, height minimums, motion sickness, high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, and a recommendation that you be in good health, none of the cautions specifically address riders who are over 55 years of age.

Starting in 2001, Florida theme parks began sharing information regarding the safety of their attractions. With six guests requiring a trip to the hospital over the past eight months, “Mission Space” has eclipsed Universal’s “Ripsaw Falls” which reported three injuries in 2002.