Walt Disney World- Epcot
At Walt Disney World Resort, the big project to look forward to is a complete refurbishment of Future World, bringing new life to old pavilions with a touch of classic EPCOT class. Stay tuned to hear all about Project: Gemini!
EPCOT Transit Authority PeopleMover
The PeopleMover has always been a classic part of Tomorrowland, an attraction that is so simple, yet so indescribably perfect. One of Walt's biggest fascinations was with transportation, which makes the execution of this attraction feel even more magical. The only thing that could make this even better was if there was more of it, and with our Gemini Project, this will be coming to Epcot soon!
The PeopleMover station will be located in the former Wonders of Life building. It fits here perfectly, as it goes with the mechanical sciences theme of Future World East. It will not take up the entirety of the building, some space (including the former Body Wars and Cranium Command) will still be used for backstage. In addition, the new main Festival Center will be the Odyssey. The PeopleMover will travel all throughout Future World, going through all of the major pavilions in the area for a brief scene/look inside, much like how the Magic Kingdom version travels through Tomorrowland. The audio will advertise for all of the attractions as well as narrate the adventure.
Map of PeopleMover Route
It may seem odd that such a large area is being used for a station that uses merely a fraction of that in the Magic Kingdom. There are several main reasons for this, one being queue space. Of course, the PeopleMover has a constantly moving line, good capacity, and historically never huge lines, but recently in the Magic Kingdom the queue has started to overflow a bit more (partially due to the Fastpass+ distributing attraction visiting more evenly), making it logical to have the space just in case it is needed. In addition, having a large queue space makes it so that guests don't have to walk back and forth through a boring and crowded switchback constantly, but rather can walk in a more open space and enjoy a more themed and decorated queue, including pieces of classic EPCOT/Tomorrowland memorabilia, or concept art/construction pictures of the original EPCOT.
The other reason for having a large building is for the grand finale of this trip on the PeopleMover. When guests return back to the station, they will circle the newly-added in upstairs portion of this main room area, as they can marvel upon the large and magnificent EPCOT Center model that used to be housed in the upstairs portion of the Carousel of Progress building when this attraction was in Disneyland.
Despite the PeopleMover being among the first of the projects in Future World to start construction, it will also be among the last to open. This is because construction on this is very tricky to navigate, as the track winds throughout half of the park/pavilions in guest areas. Construction will be completed in phases/at nighttime/when areas are down for refurbishment.
Imagination Voyage at the Imagination Pavilion
Queue -
Guests enter the Imagination Pavilion where the queue is unchanged except for the fact that all mention of Dr. Nigel Channing is removed and replaced with the Dreafinder.
Ride Stats & Info -
Attraction Type: Traditional Dark Ride
Vehicle: Factory Tour Rover
Theme: Imagination
Amount of People per Vehicle: 7
Duration: 6 Minutes
Riders per Hour : 2,200
Riders per Day : 22,000 - 33,000
Height Restriction : None
Ticket Rating : C-Ticket
Ride Experience -
Room 1 - Meet the Workers
As the vehicles glide into the first room they are met with a man polishing some sort of contraption. The vehicles turn to face him, and the contraption.
Dreamfinder : Hello all welcome to the Imagination Institute! I am Dreamfinder, and this is the Dream Catcher. In there is the imagination of everyone who has ever existed. Imagination is the most important thing in the world. Above money, power, and for that matter nearly anything else. It can create life, and much more. What, you don't believe me? Oh dear then there's simply one thing to do. I'll simply show you the power of Imagination!
Two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow.
Horn of a steer, but a lovable fellow.
From head to tail, he's royal purple pigment.
And there, viola!, you've got a Figment!
As the Dreamfinder sings a verse from One Little Spark the Dream Catcher comes to life. Various lights flicker in erratic patterns while the machine whirs and bumps. Finally steam hisses from an opening as Figment pops out!
Figment : Whoah! Hiya I'm Figment!
Dreamfinder : Hello Figment, I'm Dreamfinder. I brought you to life to show our guests here the power of Imagination.
Figment : Imagination!?! I love it already! I'm imagining that were all Deep Sea Divers in search of treasure!
The vehicles suddenly move again as they go to the next room.
Dreamfinder : You've done it Figment we're going under the sea!
Both : One little spark, of inspiration
Is at the heart, of all creation.
Right at the start, of everything that's blue.
One little spark, brings an ocean for you.
Room 2 - Under the Sea
As the vehicles leave the last room they progress into a transition room. Projection mapping covers walls painted an ocean blue with bubbles while the words dive, dive, dive are heard overheard. As the vehicles exit the transition room a submarine siren is heard wailing.
Guests then go to the deep sea floor. Tall, thin deep sea volcanoes are present spewing out a constant stream of mist. The walls will be painted a dark blue to evoke the feeling of being deep under water. Using projection mapping on the ceiling if guests decide to look up they'll see that it seems like there in the bottom of the ocean. Various bioluminescent fish are seen throughout the room. However these fish are not close to how they look like at all, but they have now have a cartoonist look to them thanks to Figment's imagination. Figment is spotted in deep sea diving gear near the ruins of a lost civilization. The Atlantean language used in the film Atlantis : The Lost Empire is found carved in and around the ruins.
As guests continue through the ancient ruins they come across a group of sirens casually lounging around on top the ruins. They will occasionally all in sync look towards the guests all the while singing an eerie but yet playful tune. An occasional crumble can be heard followed by a sinister slither, and once that happens the sirens all stop, and look around frantically. As guests continue along the ruins the sirens disappear as a giant cartoonish sea serpent makes her grand appearance. She will be smiling at the guests, occasionally spewing out bubbles at them. A bit further we see Dreamfinder in an elegant glass pod with a speaker on top of it. Figment will be outside the dome in his suit sitting down on some of the ruins.
The vehicles stop as Dreamfinder and Figment begin to speak.
Figment: This was a lot of fun, doc!
Dreamfinder: Yes Imagination can take you anywhere.
Figment: Really? I want to fly in the sky like a bird!
The vehicles suddenly move again as they go to the next room.
Dreamfinder : Figment looks we're going to soar over the sky!
Both : One little spark, of inspiration
Is at the heart, of all creation.
Right at the start, of everything that's high.
One little spark, brings you the sky.
Room 3 - We're Soaring, Flying
Once again guests enter a transition room. Here projection mapping is used to cover this small room in clouds flying past the guests. Air rushes by the vehicles to give the riders a sense of flight. The sound of an airplane whooshing past is played throughout the room.
As the vehicles enter the next room they see that they are surrounded by clouds. The vehicles turn, and stop in front a screen depicting a blue sky with clouds scattered around. Figment will appear flying in a jetpack in an aviator costume, and Dreamfinder riding on his Dream Catcher.
Figment : Wow! This is so much fun!
Dreamfinder : Yes, Imagination can be a lot fun.
A large fin pops above the clouds as an airplane's engine is heard coming towards the guests.
Figment : Watch Out!
The vehicles move quickly into another room passing by mountains and tall trees swiftly. Guests see Figment resting on the Dream Port talking to Dreamfinder.
Figment : You know what? Next I think we'll float in space.
Room 4 - Defy Gravity
Guests enter a star field with various planet, comets, and meteors all around the room. Figment will be seen floating around with an ice cream scooper trying to get some ice for a snow cone from a comet. They will then pass by a replica of Captain EO's spaceship. With the faint instrumental tune of We Are Here To Change The World coming from within. The vehicles reach the end of the room where they see Dreamfinder in his glass pod once again, and Figment in his space suit outside.
Dreamfinder : You know Figment, it's time to go back to reality.
Figment : Awh, well it was fun while it lasted.
Both : One little spark, of inspiration
Is at the heart, of all creation.
Right at the start, of everything that's new.
One little spark, lights up for you.
Room 5 - Reality
The vehicle stops in front of a control panel with the Dreamfinder and Figment projected onto it. They welcome the guests back. Figment proceeds to say that he has a little surprise for everyone. The control panel explode, and it reveals the same finale room in the Journey into Your Imagination at Epcot. However there will be no creepy room. Dreamfinder in his Dreamport will be in the center of the room. All of the Figments and Dreamfinder are singing One Little Spark.
Both : One little spark, of inspiration
Is at the heart, of all creation.
Right at the start, of everything that's new.
One little spark, lights up for you.
We all have sparks, imaginations.
That's how our minds, create creations.
For they can make, our wildest dreams come true.
Those magic sparks, in me and you.
Imagination, imagination.
A dream, can be a dream come true.
With just that spark, in me and you.
Innoventions West
As guests enter Innoventions West they discover that the closed Walt One Man's Dream has been moved into the building. Guests can experience all the fun that can be experienced. As guests continue through Innoventions West they can enter Character Spot. Inside Character Spot guests can find and meet Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. Continuing along the path there's Fountain View presented by Starbucks. Here guests can have a quick pastry or even a quick energizing coffee. Finally in Innoventions West there's Club Cool presented by Coca-Cola. Here guests can have free samples of various sodas from around the world. My personal recommendation? Try the Beverly!
Innoventions East
As guests enter Innoventions East they are met with a newly expanded Sum of All Thrills presented by Raytheon reusing the vehicles from Cyberspace Mountain from the closed DisneyQuest. With the added capacity the wait times should effectively go down as the lines move quicker. Continuing along there's Worlds of Wonder presented by Microsoft. In this exhibit for three minute groups of people equipped with hololens enter a world where robots have taken over, and guests must fight back to save Earth. Colortopia presented by Glidden provides a way for kids and adults to paint the world around the. The last exhibit is Soft Robotics with Baymax presented by Carnegie Mellon. Here guests will learn about the science of soft robotics, and how they are made. They can even watch a short video incorporating everyone's favorite robot, Baymax! Also located in Innoventions East is the Electric Umbrella presented by Foodini with a newly upgraded menu with food made by 3D printers. Finally there's Mouse Gear an essential stop for those looking to buy Epcot merchandise, or even merchandise containing your favorite Disney characters.
Innoventions Plaza
Located between both Innovention buildings guests will encounter the Fountain of Nations. A marvel to all who see it, and maybe you even might catch one of the shows put on by the fountain. Lastly there's Take Flight! presented by AeroViroment a new 15 minute show put on by drones and the fountains. Guests will be astounded by the imagery that the drones will carry as they fly over guests. All of the things added to Innoventions will make it a fun and engaging experience for all who come.
ImageWorks Floor 1
Immedialey after exiting the ride guests encounter a moved gift shop. The gift shop features a more colorful design that is much more inviting than the gray walls now. At this newly expanded and moved gift shop guests can buy merchandise relating to Figment, Inside Out, Epcot, and other General Disney Merchandise. Exiting the gift shop guests enter the ImageWorks exhibits. The first exhibit is Paint the World here guests will be able to use digintal paint brushes to paint various pictures of characters found around Epcot. This area will be surrounded by large, zany, over the top paint cans. The next exhibit is What's Your Figment? Here guests can create their own Figment with over a thousand possible combinations. The least major exhibit is Figment's Theater. Here several benches will be provided for seating as well as seating on the floor for kids. At the theater guests can experience a puppet show where guests go on an adventure with Figment, or the other show is a small imaginative improv show. For more information on the two shows please ask an Imagination Pavilion cast member. As guests go to exit they see that the second floor is now accessible through elevators and stairs. A sign announces that Joy, Sadness, and Dremfinder with Figment are all meetable upstairs.
ImageWorks Floor 2
Welcome to the second floor to ImageWorks! Here guests can meet various Disney Characters. The first would be Dreamfinder with Figment. Guests can meet him through the rainbow tunnels in front of a replica of the Dream Port. The second meet and greet is Joy and Sadness guests can meet them after going through Long Term Memory and entering Head Quarters. Outside of the two meet and greets there are comfortable seats and charging ports for guests to cool down. There's even space for a third meet and greet to promote future properties.
Inside Out : A Day at the Park
A new experience in the previous Captain EO building
Queue -
As guests enter the queue they enter the lobby. It remains largely unchanged except for the wall mural now being made up of images from the Disney*Pixar film Inside Out. After a few minutes of waiting guests are allowed into the preshow room. As all the guest get into the room they notice that the preshow room is based off Long Term Memory. Finally the monitors flicker on. Two memory workers are seen in front of an old tv on a rolling stand.
Paula: Welcome aboard crew!
Bobby: Yeah, hi!
Paula: Today, boy do we got an assignment for you new recruits!
Bobby: Yeah, to better understand how these little beauties are made (points to a memory orb) you guys are all going to be sent to Head Quarters!
Paula: Your going to see through the eyes of Riley Funhour Amusement Park! It's been a tough year for her, and to make up for it her parents are taking her there!
Bobby: Yeah, now to get you up to speed here is a quick recap of what has happened to Riley!
The monitor plays scenes from Inside Out in this order - Riley finds out she is moving, she runs to her new house to see a dead rat, she is disappointed in her room, she is sleeping in a bag on the floor, she breaks down crying in class, she gets into an argument with her parents, she leaves the Hockey team tryouts, she runs away, she reunites with her parents and hugs with them.
Paula: It looks like they're ready for you guys!
Bobby: Yeah, you better start moving!
paula: Bye now! Yes walk that way. Buh-bye.
Show Experience -
As guests walk into the theater they see that it has been renovated. This show has been updated to include 3D, a hydraulics floor, smellitzer, and finally there's also water squirters. The theater has been rebuilt to resemble Head Quarters. At the bottom left of the screen there's platform with the Console located. Behind the console are five animatroics of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust.
Scene 1 - The Nap
Once all the guests are seated the lights dim as the animatronics cotinue to work on the console, but now Joy looks up.
Joy: Oh, this is so exciting! You guys are all here! I think I might just play my accordion!
Disgust: Ugh, Joy please don't your not very good.
Fear: I think Riley is waking up! Did we pack sunscreen? Oh no what if we get burned and look like a tomato!
(Fear grabs onto Anger)
Anger: GET OFF ME!
(Anger's forehead lights up. The temperature goes up a bit, but goes down once Fear removes himself from Anger's head)
Sadness: I hope its rainy and our shoes get filled with water...
Joy: Shhh, Riley's awake!
Scene 2 - Arrival
The screen "blinks" showing a nearly filled parking lot. She is sitting in the backseat with her parents up front. Her dad is driving and her mom is in the passenger seat.
Joy: Look were going to park there!
(A car cuts them off parking in the spot. Riley's Dad honks his car yelling at the car)
Anger: That punk! I'll show him a lesson or two!
Disgust: Sure and while your at it maybe you could learn how to actually drive.
(Car parks. The doors open as Riley and her parents head out towards the entrance)
Joy: We're here!
Fear: Oh, look at those crowds! Were going to get lost!
Sadness: Awh, not a single cloud of rain...
(Sadness wipes a tear off her face. Riley gets into the park)
Joy: Come on guys what should we do!?!
Anger: I think we spit spitballs at the people in front of us in line.
(Anger cackles a bit while rubbing his hand together)
Disgust: Ew, no I think we should go shopping at that store that sells French fashion.
Fear: I think we should go do something safe. Like just stand here.
Sadness: We should get ice cream...
Joy: Yes, ice cream!
Sadness: And let it melt and fall on the floor...
Joy: Never mind. How about we look at that commercial again to decide?
(Joy pulls up a joyous orb)
Memory Orb: TripleDent Gum, will make you smile!
TripleDent Gum, it lasts a while!
(Disgust rolls her eyes)
Anger: WHO ASKED FOR THE GUM COMMERCIAL!!!
Joy: Sorry, wrong commercial!
(Funhour Amusement Park promoting a new rollercoaster plays)
Joy: We should ride that! I heard it has 12 loops and goes at 100 mph!
Fear: That sounds scary! Are you sure you don't want to play a carnival game? Like that with the rubber duckies?
(Riley's eyes change to focus on a booth with rubber duckies going around waiting for someone to grab one. The person running it is asleep)
Disgust: Are you kidding? What if the cool kids are here and see us!
Anger: Let's just ride the roller coaster!
Joy: Here we go!
Scene 3 - Path of Speed
The film moves as if Riley is walking. She passes by various booths selling clothes, stuffed animals, tickets, and various other knickknacks. Guests will even see a Pizza Planet booth with the truck peeking out from behind the booth.
Joy: Do you guys smell that?
(All the emotions pause as they smell. The smell of freshly baked cookies waft into the room. The eyes show a cookie cart)
Joy: We should get one!
Man: Get your ketchup cookies! A San Francisco original!
(Disgust quickly puts her hands on her mouth to stop from throwing up)
Disgust: We're not eating those!
Anger: Great first pizza, and now cookies!
Joy: Okay then, let's get back to the roller coaster then.
(The screen continues to "walk" towards the entrance of the roller coaster. The entrance sign reads Coaster of DOOM, and to torches light up as it is revealed. The wait shown is five minutes.)
Fear: Joy!!! Let's not ride the Coaster of DOOM!!!
Joy: Calm down Fear I'm sure it'll be fine. Let's run to the front of the line!
(The film seems to be running towards the end of the line. Right when Riley gets to the front of the line vehicle zooms off the track)
Fear: I think this is a sign.
Anger: Argh! We were so close!
(Another vehicle roars into the station as the rider get out, Riley gets in)
Scene 4 - DOOM
Joy: Look guys were on!
Disgust: The harnesses are coming down. Wait what's that smell?
(A foul smell is emitted into the audience. Riley looks next to her, a man is seen raising his arms and showing off a disgusting smelling sweat stain on his armpit region. However her parents are no where to be seen)
Fear: That's not Mom or Dad! Were lost!
Announcer: Hold on tight in 3....2.... your off!
(The smell disappears as the film simulates a launching coaster. The whole theater shakes along with the coaster on the launch)
Fear: Lllll-oop!!!
(Fear faints onto the Console. Riley lets out an ear piercing scream)
Joy: This is exciting, I've never been more excited! Look water!
(Fountains spray water to the screen. Water squirts out at guests)
Disgust: Ugh, were all wet! And my favorite shirt is all ruined now!
Sadness: Your right Joy this ride is great...
Joy: Guys, big drop!
(As the film shows going uphill, it quickly goes down having the whole theater shake with it. The ride soon comes to the exits)
Anger: That's it! This is an outrage!
Fear: I'm awake what did we miss?
Sadness: We still don't know where mom or dad are...
(Fear faints again on the console)
Joy: Okay let's get off, and head towards were we last saw them!
Scene 4 - Misfortune
The film seems as if Riley is running, but gets lost.
Disgust: Great we're lost in the most visited place in San Francisco.
Sadness: This is awful...
(Fear reawakens)
Fear: What if they left us!
Joy: Let's just remember were we last saw them.
(A joyous memory appears)
Memory: TripleDent Gum, will make you smile!
TripleDent Gum, it lasts a while!
Anger: THIS AGAIN!!!
(Anger's forehead lights up again heating up the room)
Joy: I'm going to go talk with those memory workers.
Sadness(humming): TripleDent gum mmmm
(The film begins to tilt from left to right)
Fear: Guys what's happening? Are we poisoned!
Disgust: No we haven't eaten or drunken anything. That's it we're dehydrated!
(Riley begins to fall, and hits the ground. The whole theater shakes)
Sadness: Guys nothing is working...
Joy: Mom and dad will find us and we'll be fine!
Scene 5 - Reunion
The screen flicks on to see Riley's parent concerned over her. Riley seems to be in the clinic.
Joy: Were saved!
Riley's Mom: We were so worried! I'm so glad we found you!
Riley's Dad: Don't do that ever again!
Riley's Mom: Take her to the car sweetie. You can go back to sleep Riley everything is fine!
Sadness: I think today was a great day...
(The other emotions just look at Sadness. The screen flickers off)
Joy: Well workers looks like your trip is over! Tell Bobby and Paula that I say hi, and to stop sending that gum commercial all the time.
The show is now over the exit doors open as guests leave the theater new guests enter.
The Climate Chronicles
Replacing the old Circle of Life theater show in The Land pavilion will be a brand new show based all aroundthe Earth's climate and mankind's relationship with it over the years, talking about how climate and mankind both help and hurt each other. Join your host, Augusta Wynn, covering natural disasters, agriculture, and the Greenhouse Effect, in an edu-taining 12 minute theater show that harnesses what EPCOT was truly about.
Universe of Energy
The Universe of Energy pavilion is perhaps the one in Epcot that feels the most outdated and in need of a refurbishment. As, of course, the BoD wouldn't greenlight too many new e-tickets for Project Gemini (in addition to Imagination!), the new UoE attraction will be more or less a reskinning of the former attractions. Enjoy a 43 minute show/ride that tells the story of mankind's advancements over the years with energy in our society, including an expanded diarama scene that has updated dinosaur animatronics, as well as a new section with fields of wind turbines and other energy sources. Lastly, the use of more 4D effects will take place, such as smoke, projections, etc.