Lifeline

When thinking about what Epcot needed, there is one thing that I could get off my mind. Why is the Wonders of Life pavilion still empty?

Sure, it doesn't take up prime real estate in Future World. But it still is plenty of real estate. A great pavilion could be put in, or at least replace the current tomb of a building. And in today's world where people are so conscious about their health, why wouldn't a life pavilion work. People need to learn about their bodies. Why not entertain them while you do it?

So what do you guys think? Is it time for a new health and life pavilion in Epcot?

Makin' Memories

The song says it all. Take a listen:



I recently started going through old vacation pictures. Boy, is it a time warp. It's so crazy, but so fun to go back through old pictures. I highly recomend it. It's a great way to take yourself back to the happiest place on Earth. You also can take yourself back to things that are no longer in Epcot....

R.I.P. Sea Base Alpha

The Jammintors

I think the Jamminators are one of the most underrated entertainment offerings in all of Epcot. They're fun, energetic, and can really get a crowd going. Do they really fit in Future World? Probably not, but they are still a great group and do a great show. Enjoy!

A Park by Any Other Name

EPCOT Center vs Epcot. What's the big deal?

When EPCOT Center was changed to Epcot, Disney World was changed forever. On face value, its not a huge difference. You just hit shift instead of the caps lock button when you type it. But on a spiritual level, it's much more important.

EPCOT Center was a celebration of Walt Disney's grand vision. It's a permanent world's fair with tributes to innovation and world cultures. Sure, it wasn't exactly what Walt wanted, but it was close enough. EPCOT had a purpose. It revolutionized the theme park business. Edutainment was born. For the first time in Disney World, people learned something while having fun. EPCOT center was something different. Something spectacular. Something special.

The name Epcot, signaled a difference in the history of the park. It was a change in direction away from it's original vision. It was no longer Walt's park. Since the name change, Epcot has suffered from a lack of vision. This has resulted in a lack of consistency. Wonders of Life now sits empty and dormant. Thrill rides, not edutainment, have become the mission. Spaceship Earth is no longer a grand and miraculous spaceship. Even it has given way to cartoons and simplicity. Pixar even found it's way into the Living Seas. Through all this change, however, World of Showcase has remained remarkably stable. But is no change, good change?

Now by all means, this isn't bashing Epcot. I still love the park. But it is no EPCOT. There is still hope, though. Like a great attraction once said, "If we can dream it, then we can do it." And I for one certainly dream of a future more like EPCOT than Epcot.

Mickey's Starland Show

Instead of taking a look at Epcot today, I thought we'd take a much different trip. It's time to bust out the Wayback Machine here at the My Park, My Rides Blog.

The year is 1995. We're at the Magic Kingdom. This is a different Magic Kingdom, though. Before the New Fantasyland, and even before Mickey's Toontown Fair, there was Mickey's Starland. This 5 year old land is what became of the temporary Mickey's Birthdayland which opened in 1988.

One of the centerpieces of the land was Mickey's Starland Show. The show featured everyone's favorite stars from the Disney Afternoon cartoons. The show was a lot of fun and looking back it just screams 90s. Excuse the quality, after all it is 16 years old. The very beginning is missing and some bits and pieces are choppy, but most of the show is there. Enjoy!

Best Overall Pavilion

This is one award that I'm going to have to cheat on. When thinking about what Epcot pavilion deserves this award, I tried my best to think of a current one that was deserving. Unfortunately, I couldn't get one past one out of my mind. So, the Sorcerer's Wand for Best Overall Pavilion goes to...



Could the Wand have gone to anything else? Horizons WAS Epcot. It was the integral attraction that showcased the scope and vision of the park (The park the way it was meant to be, at least). It's motto "If we can dream it, then we can do it" was something that inspired millions of park guests. Horizons promised a better future that people could believe in. It was as innovative as it was inspiring. I think it is probably the most spectacular audio-animatronic ride I have ever seen. It certainly is the most impressive ride in Epcot's history.

Do you guys agree?

Money Grows on Apple Trees

While watching the news about the Ipad 2 the other day, the thought struck me that while Steve Jobs is heavily connected to Disney, nothing has ever come of it in the theme parks. I think Epcot would be a great place to showcase the best and brightest ideas from Apple. Even if it was just an Apple overhaul in Innoventions, I would love it. The current videos games and software are just a blatant advertisement anyway. Why not make it interesting and groundbreaking? Apple would get some great advertising and Epcot would finally have some technology that is really innovative.

What do you guys think? Would you welcome Apple in the parks?

Best Show

It's time for another Sorcerer's Wand!! This award is one that needs no explanation. In fact it has none. It's something you have to see to believe. So I present to you, the winner of the Sorcerer's Wand for Best Show.