Microsoft to take over Wonders of Life

Discussion in 'Walt Disney World News, Rumors and General Disc' started by See Post, Feb 15, 2010.

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    Originally Posted By Hista98

    So according to my friends at WDI they are now in talks for Microsoft to take over as the tenants of the Wonders of Life Pavilion. Currently they are looking at either rethemeing the building to a new take on Health or just redoing the pavlion all together and making it about computer technology advancemnt. The second idea sounds more likley as it is more like microsoft (they don't really have a whole lot to do with health) however there is a fear that it will look too much like innoventions with its tech exibits. Either way the dated 80's apperance is on its way out and new rides and shows may soon grace the building. If all goes well this may be ready to open in 2012 as the staple attraction for Epcot's 30th Anniversary.
     
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    Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA

    If true, that would be a great corporate sponsor --

    although with Disney's connection to Apple, I wonder...
     
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    Originally Posted By Hista98

    ya but microsoft has sponserd stuff before, look at the dream home at innoventions. My guess would be they would rebuild the building as it currently can't be used for too much given the skylights and interior arc of it.
     
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    Originally Posted By magic0214

    That would be wonderful! I miss Wonders of Life, I always liked the little area, so I would really enjoy a revamp. Maybe they could have it done in time for the 40th?!

    Any more info please post!
     
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    Originally Posted By Manfried

    At least they finally got a sponsor for the building.
     
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    Originally Posted By trekkeruss

    In talks doesn't mean it's final.
     
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    Originally Posted By oc_dean

    So what are talking about here: Just taking the immediate "dome" room and putting up a bunch of exhibits - ala Innoventions? Or are we talking major attractions that replace Body Wars, Cranium Command, etc?
     
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    Originally Posted By trekkeruss

    I could see Body Wars being redone as a Tron-esque attraction, being miniaturized and going through a microchip.. a modern interpretation of ATIS.
     
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    Originally Posted By brotherdave

    I was thinking the same thing, trekkeruss! They could easily use the Body Wars simulators for a Tron attraction. Here's hoping that SOMETHING more permanant goes into Wonders of Life!
     
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    Originally Posted By mousermerf

    The Body Wars and Cranium buildings are separate physically from the Dome - they could be lobbed off and/or replaced much like Soarin at the Land.

    At the same time, the Dome is a far from perfect structure. It has some notable structural issues that, which while not a death knell, do make the existence of the Body Wars and Cranium sort of essential.

    BW/Cranium meet various storm and evacuation codes that the Dome does not, so that in the event of an emergency the Dome occupants can evac into those parts of the pavilion. They have to exist in some form for the building to function.
     
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    Originally Posted By Hista98

    from what i've heared is that there are a number of options being looked at one would involve tearing down the dome to make way for a building that would have a new look and feel to it. another would fill the area with technolgoy and computer exibits
     
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    Originally Posted By FerretAfros

    I like the feeling of the dome, with its many exhibits under one roof. It's a different concept than most of the other FW pavillions (except maybe the Land), which makes it a little unique. It will be interesting to see if they work with it, instead of tearing it down, since apparently many of the issues with Test Track came from fitting it in the existing structure instead of rebuilding, which is why Mission:Space got its own building.

    If Microsoft sponsors, it would make a lot more sense for them to do something about technology/computers. However, it would make for a much better long-term attraction if they did something about health. If they focused on computers, the pavillion would be very out of date within 5 years, where a health theme would be relatively untouched by time. As technology advances, the pavillion would have more and more issues with becoming out of date. Part of what works for Innoventions is the many small-scale sponsors who are willing to reinvest in their exhibits every few years, instead of keeping them open for a decade, which keeps the technology side of things up to date. If they build a whole pavillion around computers, they will have a very tough time keeping it 'relevant', in the words of corporate-speak.
     
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    Originally Posted By leobloom

    Is this like that rumor that they were going to move It's a Small World? You know, the kind of rumor that has no basis in fact but is just something someone makes up to get attention? Is this that kind of rumor?
     
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    Originally Posted By Sport Goofy

    I'm really looking forward to the white-knuckle thrills of "Blue Screen of Death: The Ride!"
     
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    Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA

    <I like the feeling of the dome, with its many exhibits under one roof. It's a different concept than most of the other FW pavilions (except maybe the Land), which makes it a little unique.>

    Me too, FerretAfros -- well stated. :)
     
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    Originally Posted By Hista98

    no leo it is not, this is an actual idea that may happen, I'm not Al Lutz. Now the talks may fall through but as of right now by fall 2012 we may see Wonders of Life 2.0 powerd by Microsoft.
     
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    Originally Posted By mousermerf


    Fall 2012 would mean major work starting in the next few months.
     
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    Originally Posted By dshyates

    This was posted over on The Dis Boards on feb. 9th:

    " A friend of mine I went to school with now works for Microsoft, and he was telling me that Disney and Microsoft are in talks about re-opening the World of Life pavillion with a Microsoft sponsorship. I'm wondering if anybody's heard anything about that from the Disney side? He's a very reliable person, and he's not a Disny nut, so when he told me he was just like, "Hey, you still go visit Disney a lot? Well, in the next year or you may get to play some stuff I made down there."

    Apparently they're working on doing a big Natal physical fitness thing inside WoL, and possibly an E-Ticket ride in the back. He said roller coaster, but I'm assuming just E-Ticket. I asked him about Cranium Command, but he didn't know what I was talking about. He's not much of a Disney World person... I think he's been once.

    Anywho, anybody heard anything about this? Is this already out there?"
     
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    Originally Posted By leobloom

    I think I've seen something similar posted on WDWMagic. I'll believe when I see the press release. Sounds like another Fire Mountain rumor to me.
     
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    Originally Posted By Sport Goofy

    I wonder if there will be a Bill Gates walk-around character?
     

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