Future World

I’m on to Epcot in “The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World.” Finally, right? As most of you know, I LOVE Epcot. Although it doesn’t hold the nostalgia and excitement of Magic Kingdom, it seems to be a place that sparks the desire to learn from all who visit.

Epcot (which stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) opened on October 1, 1982 (11 years to the date after MK opened). Originally Walt Disney had wanted to create a community where all the members worked together to create a better world to live in. He offered his vision in the “City of the Future” model (which is on display in MK) which would have residential housing, shopping, dining, and a family-oriented sports venue. These ideas are reflected all around Epcot and Disney – with Downtown Disney, the ESPN Wide World of Sports at the Boardwalk and the neighboring town of Celebration. He wanted the community to constantly be working towards effective, environmentally friendly living. He was actually quite progressive for his time.

This focus on the correlation between science, nature, and community is reflected in Future World. This side of the park represents the living world (land/sea) and the world of innovation – separated by the ‘Fountain of Nations.’ This fountain contains water from rivers and bodies of water around the world! A gallon of each was added to the fountain on opening day “as a gesture of peace and togetherness.” How cool!

The next tid bit I thought was interesting and plays on the company’s desire to be eco-friendly is about ‘Spaceship Earth.’ Both times Nate and I went to Epcot we weren’t able to go on ‘Spaceship Earth.’ I was disappointed because I knew he would like it, so we’ll have to make sure he goes on it when he comes to visit me! The ride was designed with a runoff system so every time it rains, no rain hits the ground and the rainwater goes directly into the World Showcase lagoon!

The ride, as some of you know, is a journey through time showing people working in/for the community. In the ancient Egyptian scene, the scrolls contain real documents written by a pharaoh to one of his agents! So cool. On that same theme, the graffiti found in the Roman scene is what was actually found on the walls of the Roman city of Pompeii. Most of you who have known me since I was younger knows my sister and I loved the ‘Magic Tree House’ series – my favorite book was “Vacation under the Volcano,” set in Pompeii, so you can imagine how exciting it was for me to learn this fun fact!

In the telegraph scene you can hear Morse code. The message being tapped out is the 1869 announcement that the golden spike linking the transcontinental railway at promontory Peak has just been driven in. How exciting!

The Universe of Energy ride, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres shows us how to use sustainable fuel choices.  The roof of the building is covered with 80,000 photovoltaic cells that provide solar energy which is converted into AC and then used to power the ride. That is why on the ride they say you are ‘riding on sunshine!’

Just before we went to Disney to dance in Tomorrowland with our dance studio, Mission: SPACE opened and a woman died. It eventually came out that she had many health problems; most of them ones that they tell you not to go on if you have, but it still scared me. It wasn’t until when Nate and I went in 2010 and he really wanted to try it that I agreed to go on. I did not like it. You’re in a small spaceship with lots of movement and I felt very sick at the end. BUT, they definitely accomplished what they wanted to with the ride, which is very true to the real thing spaceship launch. Also, in their defense you are very warned that the ride can cause motion sickness long before you get on.

For anyone interested in science, it may be worth it to walk through the line of the ride because one of the eight lunar roving vehicles that were ever created is on display. They were constructed for NASA by Boeing and three remain on the moon to this day. How fun is that?

Keeping with the theme of natural energy, Disney doesn’t use any pesticides! They only use natural pest management. That is, they release 250,000 ‘warrior insects’ to get rid of harmful pests. Guests can be a part of it via the Ladybug release at Epcot. Who knew?

Next is ‘The Land,’ now well known because it is the building that ‘Soarin’ is in. Outside of the building you will notice the mosaics on each side of the walkways there to represent the layers of earth exposed after a volcano eruption. The pigmented pavement represents lava flowing from the eruption. All the natural elements from the murals at the pavillion's entry were found on Disney property.

Here is a picture of my family in 'The Land' in 1992 before it was redone!

Inside the land is a restaruant among other things. If you eat at the restaurant (as well as the food court there and the Coral Reef Restaraunt in "The Living Seas") you will be eating vegetabes that were grown in the greenhouses on the 'Living with the Land' ride. All the plants that are in the ride are grown using hydroponics (no soil, just water). This technique was used by the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and eventually NASA!

Across from 'The Land' is the pavillion now called 'The Seas with Nemo and Friends," formally known as 'The Seas.' Inside the seas there is a saltwater tank that was the largest in the world until Georgia opened a new aquarium in Atlanta in 2005. It is where they do the diving and snorkling that Victoria and I want to do when we go!

That's all for the Future World section! I hope you enjoyed the fun facts, I sure do. Reading this book has been very fun and it has given me even more of an appreciation for the imagineers and all the work they put into each and every aspect of the parks, and the learning experience for the guests. Also, we check-in in 20 days. What?!

Walt Disney World Anniversaries

Victoria and I will be at WDW for some very important anniversaries!

First off, this year is the 30th anniversary of the college program itself! It launched in 1981 and consisted of 200 students from 30 schools working in Magic Kingdom. Since then more than 45,000 students have participated. I'm sure we will be celebrating something as CP's, of course I won't know how much until we are there. Luckily we only have to wait 24 more days. (yikes)

The second big anniversary is the 40th anniversary of Magic Kingdom! The park opened on October 1, 1971. Disney has yet to announce plans for the big day, but they have released the merchandise they are selling for the year. (For anyone that is a huge Disney collector, these are for them!)

Disney's Senior Graphic Designer, Natalie Kennedy, created a 40 anniversary collage which is featured on many anniversary merchandise. In order to create the collage she collected Disney memorabilia from across the years. Taking elements from all four parks, as well of images of Walt himself, she worked for three months to finish the collage.

In stores all around Magic Kingdom, and the resorts purses, hats, journals, etc, will adorn Kennedy's collage. Many of the images she chose are iconic Disney photos and memorabilia.

Another quintessential Disney icon is (of course) the Cinderella Castle. Naturally, the Disney Theme Park Merchandise team created a special pattern of different Disney attractions that have made Magic Kingdom what it is today. This collage, in the shape of the castle, was "created to evoke nostalgic memories for guests, and hopefully make a few say, "Oh my gosh! I forgot how much I LOVED that attraction when I was younger!" says Disney Cast Member, Dara Trujillo, Manager of Merchandise Synergy, Events, and Communication.

There are 18 different attractions in the castle. See if you can identify some!

Of course, they had to design purses for the anniversary as well. I have been looking for a small shoulder bag that fits snug to me that I could use when we walk around the parks and now I can wait to buy an anniversary purse (at my discounted rate of course!). For anyone who is a Disney collector but not able to visit us and use our discounts, you can buy them online and receive up to 30% off on certain dates!

The Dooney and Bourke bags are very cute and also have a nostalgic style. They feature everything from retro WDW icons to classic silhouettes of Mickey, original park tickets and maps, and autographs.


The last bit of merchandise I'll discuss are the mouse ear hats! These hats have a 1970's MK map on the upside of the hats!

They are also designed in the 1970's style, which anyone who was able to go when the park first opened will recognize.

I know I wrote some details on the opening of Magic Kingdom in a previous entry but here are a few more interesting facts I did not include:

The park opened to 10,000 visitors with 21 attractions including Cinderella's Golden Carousel, Country Bear Jamboree, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Hall of Presidents, Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Treehouse and Snow White's Adventures. Incredible, huh? These are some of my childhood favorites, I'm guessing they were yours too :)

For kicks, here is a picture from when my dad went to Disney the year it opened with his younger brother Brian and older brother, Jay.

The Art of Animation

So sorry friends! I have been seriously slacking. I didn't realize how busy the summer would be between work, my bio class, and weddings!

I recently was told that Disney is planning to build a new resort to add to their list of value resorts in WDW. I looked it up and it's going to be called the 'Art of Animation Resort' and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2012. Like all of the WDW resort, it will feature four themes: The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo, and The Little Mermaid.

The resort, like all of the WDW resorts will be connected to the transportation line which Disney offers so that guests can easily travel to all of the parks, Disney Quest, mini golf, golf, as well as Downtown Disney.

Like the other value resorts, the fare is generally cheap (under $100/night) as hotels go, and will create over 750 permanent jobs. The hotel is still in construction, but here are some pictures of the projected design:

Finding Nemo:

The Lion King:

Cars:

The Little Mermaid:

Getting to work on King Triton!

I'm really looking forward to being around for so many events! It will be interesting to see the construction on this resort as well as the new Fantasyland in MK! More updates to come.