Originally Posted By Disney and beyond I love EEA, it is something I always plan to do each trip. I honestly would be devistated to see it go, esspesically if it got replaced by some WALL-E Energy adventure (As much as I love the guy) I find it funny, and Bill Nye is just epic as always. Then again, I always seem to be the odd man out...
Originally Posted By ExpDave I've heard about those moving screens in the original UOE and would have loved to see them, plus I agree about theme songs. The rest of the attraction may be better now, but I doubt it as I've never liked Ellen, I just don't think she's funny.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA The original was very serious. It was like a Discovery channel documentary on a very large scale. What they both have in common is that once you see the dinosaurs, it's pretty much down hill. Plus, the way the ride system is configurated, you spend time in your 'moving theatre' waiting for other sections to catch up.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy I don't think I've been on UofE since 1983, the first and last time I ever rode it. For some reason, I just never had the urge to partake in that attraction. Even the Ellen redo wasn't enough to entice a visit. It would be nice for this attraction to get a total overhaul that considers some of the energy concerns that are now facing our globe. I'd throw the baby out with the bathwater on this one -- ditch the dinosaurs and completely revamp the whole thing. We've got dinosaurs at AK now, they are redundant in EPCOT.
Originally Posted By ExpDave I'd agree on a total overhaul, maybe something that ads thrill as well as being more interactive. Of course it would be really great to see Disney do something truly innovative and groundbreaking again here. Seems like it's been a while since Disney has done that.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I'd agree on a total overhaul, maybe something that ads thrill as well as being more interactive. >>> Having those vehicles go down a flume of some sort would be cool!
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct << I've heard about those moving screens in the original UOE and would have loved to see them >>> The moving blocks of moviescreens were one of the most memorable "wow" factors for me when I first visited EPCOT in 1989.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct << I've heard about those moving screens in the original UOE and would have loved to see them >>> The moving blocks of moviescreens were one of the most memorable "wow" factors for me when I first visited EPCOT in 1989.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I'd have to agree with SportGoofy on tossing the dinosaurs. Honestly, when I saw 'Universe of Energy' in 1986, the dinosaurs felt like a redux of The Grand Canyon Diorama / Primeval World tunnels in Disneyland. (which opened in 1959 or something)
Originally Posted By brotherdave ^^^Funny how you mention that Jim, because I believe that is almost exactly what they did. It almost feels more like a redo of the dinosaur scenes (which ended up at Disneyland as Primeval World along the DL Railroad) from Ford's Magic Skyway at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Personally, I'd hate to see the dino's leave EPCOT. It's one of the highpoints of the park. Sadly, the Energy show isn't as impressive as it should be. The original show's begining was vastly superior to what we have today. The kinetic screen pre-show was absolutely amazing. Then, the enormous animated segment on the creation of fossil fuels is some of the most realistic 2-D animation to ever come from the Disney studios. It set the tone perfectly for the animatronic dinosaur segment. Alas, the last 20 minutes of the attraction is what did it in. It was, in essence, one huge commercial for Exxon. At least the final segment with the Universe of Energy theme song made that long boring movie segment worthwhile. It's too bad that Disney wasn't able to streamline it better, but still keep the original focus of the the original attraction. Now, it's become a joke of itself. My opinion, dump Ellen, return the original pre-show and animated segments (plus the theme songs)but give it a more current message about meeting today's energy needs. Do it without it feeling 'preachy' or 'campy'. There's got to be a way to liven it up at the end, yet be informative about today's energy problems.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I remember the 1st time I rode UoE, although I knew the theatre turned into ride vehicles, it still took my breath away the 1st time I rode it. Amazing. And I love the Dinos. For me, I like long Disney attractions. This whole move to 2-5 min durations of attractions is quite depressing about the state of society. It could certainly use a redo (keeping the dinos), but imagine if it talked about alternative energies and showed cause and effect. Also it would be great to learn more about the refining process, and how unleaded, Diesel and NPG fuels differ. They really could synergize the pavilions together even more.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***<<< I'd agree on a total overhaul, maybe something that ads thrill as well as being more interactive. >>> Having those vehicles go down a flume of some sort would be cool!*** That was just for me, wasn't it.
Originally Posted By Mr X What would really be cool and appropriate is if they got some sort of "green" energy company (NO, not clean coal...duh) to sponser it. And a Wall-E theme would be just fine for me too... I don't think you have to necessarily gut the dinos, but if you don't update them you might as well really. They're pretty lame compared to the DAK attraction and that's not a good thing (I for one have no problem with park to park repetition, but I do if one seems markedly worse than the other).
Originally Posted By danyoung >...although I knew the theatre turned into ride vehicles, it still took my breath away the 1st time I rode it. Amazing.< Somehow, I didn't pick up on the fact that the theater was made up of vehicles on my first visit. I was wowed when the whole seating area rotated. And when the individual cars started moving forward, I just freaked. Such a cool thing, something I'd never seen or even thought of before. Of course, now I look at the vehicles and can't believe I never picked up on their movability. But I really was shocked and totally delighted with this application of technology.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And this is a part of what used to make the Disney difference. Despite the moans, we have to admit Test Track, Mission Space and to a degree Soarin' still thankfully fit into this. But yep, Epcot when it opened (and even now to a slightly lesser degree) is one of the most amazing things created on Earth. The problem with Epcot's Future World is most of the attractions, after the 1st or 2nd time are not that repeatable. I did feel Horizons and World of Motion (as well as Spaceship Earth) are, but they have been ripped out. But overall, I still adore EPCOT.
Originally Posted By ExpDave For me one of the most enjoyable and repeatable attractions in FW is Living With the Land. It also seems to me like it's about the only one that showcases how the future can actually be better and what is being done to make the future better. To me that's what FW should ALL be about. What if the focus of FW shifted more to science and showcasing research being done in different areas to help improve life? Although hopefully with a green and Cradle to Cradle philosophy. I loved the Monsanto house of the Future at Disneyland, 50+ years ago, but things they are doing now I don't think will make the world better.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Despite the moans, we have to admit Test Track, Mission Space and to a degree Soarin' still thankfully fit into this.*** I have to agree...credit where credit is due, it might not be perfect but in these efforts (Soarin admittedly a retread though...and WEIRD they couldn't make a DIFFERENT movie for Epcot!!??), they are still attempting to innovate and push boundaries though I'm not exactly thrilled that everything MUST be "a thrill", particularly at Epcot. However, I saw this coming a dozen years ago when an ambassador made a speech talking about how they were going to use Epcot to appeal to the "Universal Studios, Teen demographic"... They sure did. BUT, as I said, kudos on doing it well!
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<<I remember the 1st time I rode UoE, although I knew the theatre turned into ride vehicles, it still took my breath away the 1st time I rode it. Amazing. And I love the Dinos. For me, I like long Disney attractions. This whole move to 2-5 min durations of attractions is quite depressing about the state of society. It could certainly use a redo (keeping the dinos), but imagine if it talked about alternative energies and showed cause and effect. Also it would be great to learn more about the refining process, and how unleaded, Diesel and NPG fuels differ. They really could synergize the pavilions together even more>>> I'm with you 100%.. Doesn't the F in FW stand for FUTURE? So Disney should be showing us possible futures. I really think Soarin over Florida would be rather boring after the first time. California offers such changes in landscape that it's a natural for Soarin. If you want them to change it to Soarin over Europe, Asia or some others, then that opens many good possibilities.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <For me, I like long Disney attractions. This whole move to 2-5 min durations of attractions is quite depressing about the state of society. < Bingo-- because they are catering to the remote control TV clicker group that can't keep their mind in one place for more than 2 minutes. It's really sad. Is that why WDW got the shortened version of Potc also - so that people could run on and off ther ride to say they've done it to move on to the next conquest ? Might miss some- another foam head walking by or whatever. How many people walk out of the country movies 2 minutes after they start - are they needed in surgery somewhere- or just bored ?
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<so that people could run on and off the ride to say they've done it to move on to the next conquest ?>>> Too many want quantity over quality. Sad.
