Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Don't expect to see Wonders of Life open this holiday season again. Just got solid confirmation that the pavillion will be 'gutted' in the next week. Basically, the only things to be left are both Body Wars and Cranium Command, but don't get excited. They're both being walled off and will sit and decay. The Body Wars mural will be pained over and the signage will be removed. For what you ask ... a new attraction, perhaps? No. Just more space for private parties, conventions and the like. Apparently, the Millennium Village facility (built for that) and the Odyssey complex (turned over for that purpose) aren't enough. While some folks say that an Epcot 25th anniversary retrospective will be thrown together and placed in here, I have my doubts. Serious doubts. And even if that is the case, one historical exhibit doesn't equate to a pavillion with three major attractions, two minors, one shop and one quick serve eatery. Epcot's new VP really has his work cut out for him.
Originally Posted By DAR I wasn't the biggest fan of Body Wars. But Cranium Command was one of the most underated and downright charming things at Epcot.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost It's not unexpected but is a disappointment. Body Wars was the first "simulator" ride I was ever on and I loved it. I went on it every time I visited Epcot. Cranium Command, and the Making of Me are great educational tools for kids. Guess they don't matter anymore. Sad!
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<Just more space for private parties, conventions and the like. Apparently, the Millennium Village facility (built for that) and the Odyssey complex (turned over for that purpose) aren't enough.>> Maybe they'll eventually put another Pooh Playground in there <<shudder>>!
Originally Posted By nbodyhome I am very disappointed that Cranium Command and the Making of Me won't be open again. But at least I saw them this past year a few times.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Body Wars was such campy, 'Fantastic Voyage' fun. My favorite line came from Elizabeth Shue: 'We're going to have to pass through the blood brain barrier' I always thought we should shout back at the screen: 'Not the blood brain barrier!'
Originally Posted By ChiMike For 90% of WDW guests this pavilion has been DOA for a long time. I'm all for moving forward with a new offering ASAP. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like that will be happening either. Personally, it was always my least favorite pavilion edging out The Land. They really need to add something in this area that will help balance out M:S and TT. Something more akin to classic EPCOT Center. A family attraction that is longer than 5 mins.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA When 'Wonders of Life' first opened, I loved the 'open-air-everything-under-one-roof' feeling. It was like a great section of really fun museum. Unfortunately, with the hot pink, aqua and electric blue color scheme, the reliance of pop stars like Ernest, Hans and Franz, and Bobcat Goldthwait in 'Cranium Command', it just didn't age well. I do enjoy 'The Land' and appreciate having all those various exhibits under one roof -- it provides a great sense of adventure.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome When it was open in December, I heard a number of positive comments from guests (who had no idea it was there otherwise). It could have just been updated, there was a lot to save there. Sort of like Journey into Imagination - good ride, needed updating. Instead, they totally screwed it up. Spaceship Earth - better example of a slow update in areas of the attraction.
Originally Posted By ClintFlint2 Yes I'm really going to miss being put in a box and shaken like a martini. Good riddance!
Originally Posted By twirlnhurl That is sad. I was looking forward to riding Body Wars another 30 times this December.
Originally Posted By DAR <<Elizabeth Shue>> Pretty much the only reason I went on the attraction. The concept was cool but it was just a little too herky jerky for me.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome Body Wars wasn't my favorite, but I did enjoy Cranium Command a lot. I'd never even seen it until my mid-30's! The Making of Me is very sweet too. I wish they'd put the old attractions on DVD.
Originally Posted By dshyates Hey I got an idea. How about a cute kitchy retrofuturistic carnival to replace WoL. They could buy a big white steel coaster with a launch that sorta kinda looks like a woodie. Giant Wheel complete with futuristic star light display in the middle. A smaller Spaceship Earth with some swings. And it would be so cool if the swing seats look like astro orbitor rockets. and there would be this cool mad mouse coaster with cars that look like astro orbitor rockets. And they could completely trick it out with some flats that have space with stars and stuff painted on them. And they could have a carousel but insted of horses they could have little astro orbitor rockets... Best of all it would be, shall we say, inexpensive. Sorry, I'll go away now.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>When 'Wonders of Life' first opened, I loved the 'open-air-everything-under-one-roof' feeling. It was like a great section of really fun museum. Unfortunately, with the hot pink, aqua and electric blue color scheme, the reliance of pop stars like Ernest, Hans and Franz, and Bobcat Goldthwait in 'Cranium Command', it just didn't age well.<< And that was my problem with it. When it first opened it was definitely the first 2nd generation EPCOT addition. It stood out from everything that had been done at EPCOT prior. It just didn't give me a good vibe and that vibe proved to be a flash in the pan. It wasn't a timeless WED creation. I do think there was and is upward potential with the subject matter as well as with a real Adventure in Innerspace. >>I do enjoy 'The Land' and appreciate having all those various exhibits under one roof -- it provides a great sense of adventure.<< The funny thing with The Land, for me, is that it was one of my least favorite things in the original EPCOT Center. However with time the pavilion has been improved on; updated to keep fresh. And at the same time everything around it has been so dumbed down, not only in terms of content but architecturally, that it now isn't as low on my list. It still has its problems, different problems than from the past, with crowd control and its utilitarian additions brought on by different areas of Soarin's addition like the queue.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>When it was open in December, I heard a number of positive comments from guests (who had no idea it was there otherwise). It could have just been updated, there was a lot to save there.<< IMO, the only thing worth saving at this stage of the game was Cranium Command. And that would have still required a new script. But it probably would do okay living on - on it's own like as part of Innoventions. But for the real estate that WOL is located on, and for the strategic location of being near two thrill rides on one side and a 40 min film attraction on the other, something significant needs to be placed there.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<<Just more space for private parties, conventions and the like. Apparently, the Millennium Village facility (built for that) and the Odyssey complex (turned over for that purpose) aren't enough.>> Maybe they'll eventually put another Pooh Playground in there <<shudder>>! < are you trying to drive me mad ?
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <<Elizabeth Shue>> <Pretty much the only reason I went on the attraction.> You must really come unglued watching 'Back to the Future 2' and 'Back to the Future 3.'
