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The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia

Category Archives: Recent Past

Historic B-Roll of Presidential visits to Walt Disney World Resort

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Disney tossed us this bone, since we’re not invited to the speech President Obama is giving tomorrow at the Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.  If you’re curious about the closures related to the speech and the impact on the parks we’ve been blogging over at TouringPlans.com to keep the Unofficial Guide readers abreast of possible changes to their vacation plans. If you want to watch the speech itself live tomorrow you can do so at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live

President Richard Nixon – President Jimmy Carter – President Gerald Ford – President Ronald Reagan – President George H. Bush at Walt Disney World.

Beat the Hump-Day-Blues with an Epcot Imagination Light Show!

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We admit it. We’re bored. There’s nothing really going on lately to talk about at Walt Disney World. Sure, there’s New Fantasyland but right now that’s in “dig a big hole” mode which is less than exciting. The Art of Animation? Seen one value-resort you’ve seen them all. The Grand Floridian DVC is behind schedule and we generally refuse to care about the holiday offerings at the parks that haven’t changed since 2002 (short of being cut back).

So.. to get all of us through the lull until the New Year, when Disney should kick several projects in high gear, we present: shiny things and flashing lights!

Story of a Shoe

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What do you see in this picture? We’ll give you a hint: it is a photo of the waterfalls at the rear of the Canada pavilion in Epcot.

Besides rocks and water.. there’s something special that most people never notice in the World Showcase. Here’s a closer look:

Up high on the rock work is a shoe. It’s not the only one you’ll find it you look hard enough around the World Showcase. This one was probably left by some jubilant Canadian on their final night of their International Program internship at Walt Disney World. It’s a tradition for the Canadian cast members to jump in the pool at the base of the falls before they depart back to the great white north.

But, back to shoes, it’s also common for departing International Program cast to leave behind their shoes in various places.

The old El Rio Del Tiempo attraction in the Mexico pavilion was chock-full of shoes – stuffed into all sorts of nooks and crannies – up until its renovation to become Gran Fiesta Tour. We’ve heard a large portion of that project was just “shoe-abatement.” In fact, there’s a pretty good chance that Gran Fiesta Tour has already amassed a sizable number of new shoes since Disney removed all the extra unintended “props” from the original attraction.

So keep an eye out the next time you’re in the World Showcase. We’re pretty sure you’ll find some more soles hidden about.

Disney Announces Top Ten Most Wanted Holiday Toys for 2011

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Disney Consumer Products has revealed their 2011 “Most Wanted Holiday Toys” list featuring toys inspired by favorite Disney characters and stories, making it easy for families to find that special plaything that will bring squeals of delight throughout the holiday season and beyond. This ultimate holiday toy assortment includes ten fun, entertaining and innovative new toys that tap into Disney’s rich storytelling heritage and offer lasting play value. Several playthings feature exciting technology that transforms playtime into a truly magical experience.

“Year after year, Disney toys are among the most popular items on holiday wish lists”

Many items on Disney’s “Most Wanted Holiday Toys” list have already been recognized with awards and accolades from key media outlets and toy industry experts including Disney FamilyFun, National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, Parents and Time To Play. And for the first time, renowned animators from Walt Disney Animation Studios have collaborated with Disney Store to design an exclusive Disney Princess doll collection.

“Year after year, Disney toys are among the most popular items on holiday wish lists,” said Mary Beech, vice president of Disney Toys. “Kids love to bring home their favorite characters, and parents know that Disney toys are the ones that kids go back to over and over again, offering both a great play experience and exceptional value.”

Disney’s “Most Wanted Holiday Toys” are available this holiday season at mass retailers including Kmart, Target, Toys “R” Us and Walmart, and Amazon.com. With toys ranging from $19.99 to $149.50, there’s something magical for every budget.

DISNEY’S “MOST WANTED HOLIDAY TOY” LIST

Top Picks for Preschoolers

Rock Star Mickey – Everyone’s favorite mouse is ready to rock! Mickey Mouse really gets things going as he sings, bobs his head, dances across the stage and finishes with his signature move — the mouska-split — where he plays the guitar with his nose. Kids can learn how to rock along with Mickey in the “You’re a Rock Star!” mode. Designated by Toys “R” Us as a hot toy for preschool-age kids, the interactive plush features three rock songs, including the classic “You Really Got Me.” Kids can rock out alongside Mickey with the Role Play Guitar by pulling the whammy bar for cool guitar sound effects, pressing Mickey’s head for fun phrases, sliding his hand up and down to change the pitch of the melodies and pressing the strings to step-through notes. The guitar plays four songs.

Best Toys for Boys

Disney AppmatesTM Mobile Application Toys – The new Disney Appmates feature miniature Disney·Pixar Cars 2 vehicles with sensors on the base of each toy that are recognized as a unique footprint by an app with no cable or Bluetooth connection required. Simply download the free Cars 2 Appmates app from the iTunes App Store, place your favorite Appmates toy character on the screen and play. Disney Appmates has been named a Time to Play People’s Play Award nominee and a “Best Toys” pick by Parents Magazine.

Cars 2 Remote Control Vehicles – Take the Piston Cup champion for a spin with Disney Store’s exclusive edition Lightning McQueen remote control vehicle. Sporting his new Cars 2 look, Lightning has lots of great features including 15 phrases, lights and turbo speed function for greater high-speed thrills. Additional characters include Tow Mater and Finn McMissile.

Cars 2 Bomb Blastin’ Mater – Stealth, sleek and totally tricked out—it’s Mater like you’ve never seen him before. Reenact some of the most exciting scenes straight from Cars 2 with the ultimate Mater spy vehicle. He’s got lights and sounds, dynamic eye and mouth movement, booster rockets, and even a bomb tied to his hood. Bomb Blastin’ Mater moves around by himself and talks, including phrases voiced by actor Larry the Cable Guy.

Pirates of the Caribbean LEGO Black Pearl – Davy Jones has come to take Jack Sparrow back to the Flying Dutchman, and his brackish crew is in no mood to surrender just yet! Recreate a battle against Davy Jones and his crew by building the Black Pearl with more than 800 pieces in this LEGO® set, available beginning in November. Includes six minifigures – Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Joshamee Gibbs, Davy Jones, Maccus and Bootstrap Bill.

Hot Toys for Girls

Disney Animators’ Collection Princess Toddler Dolls  – These young renditions of your favorite Disney Princess characters were re-imagined by and created under the guidance of two of the Walt Disney Animation Studio’s most renowned animators, Glen Keane and Mark Henn. The collection has been named one of “The Year’s Best Toys” by Disney FamilyFun.

My First Disney Princess Singing & Story Telling Belle – This soft-bodied, 20-inch Singing & Storytelling Belle reads aloud her favorite Beauty and the Beast short story and can use her microphone to sing her favorite songs. Belle recognizes and interacts with friends Chip, Mrs. Potts and Lumière, a microphone and her storybook. Named a Time to Play People’s Play Award nominee, the Belle doll also includes a deluxe brush and can say more than 100 phrases.

Disney Tangled Rapunzel Deluxe Story Bag – This enchanting playset allows girls to play out all their favorite movie moments with the Rapunzel deluxe story bag shaped just like Rapunzel’s tower. Includes Rapunzel doll, Flynn Ryder doll, Maximus the horse, and chameleon Pascal. Plus fun new fashions and additional accessories for girls to take fairytale adventures anywhere, anytime on the go.

Best Choice for Tweens & Fun for the Whole Family

Disney Spotlight – Disney Spotlight bridges the gap between gaming and performing, providing a fun way for kids to connect with their favorite Disney music. By downloading the free Disney Spotlight app and connecting the mic to an iPad, kids can unlock Disney Channel hits or sing along to music from their own iTunes library. Kids can also purchase additional songs and create music videos to share with friends.

Trivial Pursuit: Ultimate Disney Edition – Awarded with The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval and created for the whole family, the game features three innovative question types: “Take 2 Trivia” – giving two chances to earn the wedge; “My Disney” – personal trivia sparked by favorite Disney moments or characters; and “Disney List” – work together to create lists or choose which don’t belong. With these questions players don’t have to be a Disney genius to play, and with the help of a “secret reveal” device players can see just how much their family loves Disney!

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Epcot’s Recent Past: The Living Seas Robot Dolphin

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In 1999 guests at Epcot could visit the Living Seas pavilion and meet DRU – the Dolphin Robotic Unit. Here’s a video form his creator that showcases how it was used in the pavilion for educational shows.

Here’s a excerpt from the blog of one of the WDI folks on the short-lived project:

In the late-90s, Imagineering Research & Development was starting to think about new ways to use technology to present characters in the parks in a natural, realistic way. Audio-Animatronics had been around since the 1960s, and while there had been many advances over the years, they were still restricted to performing in a specific area within an attraction or show.
One of the first projects designed to break the ties of traditional Audio-Animatronics was a dolphin, created in partnership between R&D and a motion picture effects firm and designed to be puppeteered in real time in an aquatic environment.

The show you don’t know: Epcot’s Splashtacular

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Splashtacular was a very short-lived show that ran in Epcot – and is the reason the central fountain stage exists – in 1993-1994. We managed to dig up some amazing videos of the nighttime rehearsal of the show with outstanding quality. So now it’s our pleasure to present to you, the greatest show about a fountain you’ve probably never seen: SPLASHTACULAR!

Part 1:

Part 2:

Epcot’s World of Motion circa 1994

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There’s nothing terribly interesting going on today at Walt Disney World to report, so we’ll take you back to 1994 to experience an equally slow, normal, and entirely uneventful day at Epcot. Let’s start by standing around outside the World of Motion.

Ah yes, the World of Motion. Did you know it had higher attendance then Spaceship Earth when the park opened? Well, that didn’t last. Let’s go inside to the load area and see how things are going…

Notice the switchback not in use, and certainly not the exterior extended queue in the portico. Regardless, we miss this old clunker. It just goes to show the typical ebb and flow of attraction popularity – it never was easy creating the future. Thanks to folks over at Widen Your World for taking these videos back in the day.

Piece of the Past: Unused Horizons theme song

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We’ve run across all sorts of odd bits of media while researching The Epcot Explorer’s Encyclopedia and we’d like to share some of them with you. There are some pretty spectacular things that we’ve amassed that just wont fit into a book. For starters, we’re bringing you one of the early song demo for the Horizons attraction.

This song underwent many revisions before becoming the song many people fondly remember from the attraction. We’ll start with early demo and look at other iterations as over the next few weeks. For now, enjoy what was possibly considered the “too upbeat” version of Reach for New Horizons.

Epcot’s Recent Past – Mission: SPACE

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We’ll give you a moment to look at this picture of Mission: SPACE and figure out what’s changed.

Mission: SPACE

Figure it out? The photo is from before May 2006. Disney introduced the Green and Orange versions of Mission: SPACE on May 19, 2006. The Green version of the attraction was to be the same visual and pitch/roll experience without the centrifuge. The Orange version would be the full-motion original attraction. The original standby queue for the attraction would become the Orange queue while the single riders queue would become Green. Guests entering the building would be required to choose which version of the attraction they wanted to experience and be given a card with warnings on it that they would be required to return to a cast member upon boarding. Signage was updated throughout the pavilion and the pre-show videos were modified to fit the two versions. Bay 1 of the attraction was permanently disengaged from the centrifuge system and a second bay was reworked to do so according to ridership demand.