Changes

Ellen's Energy Adventure

2,417 bytes added, 01:33, 15 July 2022
{{Infobox Disney ride |
| image=ellenexteriorellenexterior2.jpg
| caption='''Ellen's Energy Adventure attraction sign'''
| opened= September 15, 1996 (as Ellen's Energy Crisis)
| closed= August 13, 2017
| theme= Energy
| duration=45:00
==Attraction History==
===Original Development===The show that would eventually become Ellen's Energy Adventure was originally developed as a replacement new attraction for the Universe of Energy attraction, which was located in Exxon’s Exxon's Universe of Energy pavilion. Although the Universe of Energy had initially been quite popular with guestsat its onset, by 1996 attendance in the pavilion had dropped substantially. Furthermore, the information presented in the attraction was dated, and guests began to complain that the ride's tone was too serious <ref name= "book"> Pedersen, R.A. The EPCOT Explorer's Encyclopedia:. United States: Epcyclopedia, 2011. Print </ref>. With this these problems in mind, Exxon and Disney agreed that the pavilion needed a new attraction was necessary, with Exxon asking that the attraction it be ready in time for the pavilion’s 15th anniversary in 1997 <ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=619 </ref>. In order to rejuvenate the pavilion, Disney pitched the idea of Ellen’s Energy Crisis, a show that would still teach guests about energy, but would do so in a lighter more comedic tone. Using the same ride format (including the Primeval Diorama) as the Universe of Energy, Ellen’s Energy Crisis would feature comedienne Ellen DeGeneres as the attractions host. Disney estimated that the change from the Universe of Energy to Ellen’s Energy Crisis would take five months, and with this in mind the attraction closed on January 20, 1996 <ref name= "Martin"/>.
After In order to rejuvenate the Universe of Energy closed changes were made to pavilion, Disney pitched the attractions infrastructure in order to accommodate idea of Ellen’s Energy Crisis, a show that would still teach guests about energy, but would do so with a lighter, more comedic tone. In Using the preshow theater, same ride format (including the rotating Radok screens were taken out and replaced by five standard screens <ref name= "Martin"/>. Initially, Disney had planned on reusing expansive Primeval Diorama) as the Radok screensoriginal Universe of Energy attraction, however after further changes to Ellen’s Energy Crisis would feature comedienne Ellen DeGeneres as the attraction's script, this idea was scrapped <ref name= "book"/>host. Also in the first theater, the gold curtains Disney estimated that rose were removed and replaced by stationary black curtains. Furthermore, the mirror walls which were used to reflect and multiply change from the images Universe of the theater’s three rear screens (giving the attraction's finale a seemingly endless scope) were removed and replaced with sound insulation <ref name= "Martin"/>. More substantially, as part of Ellen's Energy to Ellen’s Energy Crisis the first theater got a completely new film as well as a new audio system <ref name= "Martin"/>. Like the first theaterwould take five months, and with this in mind the second theater also got a new filmattraction closed on January 21, which used both new footage as well as recycled footage from the original attraction 1996 <ref name= "Martin"/>.
After the Universe of Energy closed, changes were made to the attraction's infrastructure in order to accommodate Ellen’s Energy Crisis. In the Primeval Dioramapreshow theater, the storm effects rotating Radok screens were toned down taken out and a significant amount of vegetation was added replaced by five standard screens <ref name= "Martin"/>. At this timeInitially, the dinosaurs’ skin color was also changed based Disney had planned on new scientific findings <ref name= "Martin"/>. As far as reusing the dinosaurs themselvesRadok screens, as Bill Nye the Ornithomimus who Science Guy was once drowning in to show DeGeneres a mud pit, was relocated and reprogrammed so that it now squirted guests with water <ref name= "Martinkinetic energy mosaic"/>. An Ellen DeGeneres Audio Animatronic also replaced a fish eating Pteranodon, and As the Elasmosarus' programming was changed so that it now attacked Ellen as opposed attraction continued to guests <ref name="Martin"/>. Finallydevelop however, the quaking rock effect this idea was scrapped and the wave pool effect screens were both deactivated <ref name="Martin"/>removed.
Although initially planned for a Summer 1996 opening, delays in Burbank with During the filming and editing schedule for Ellen’s Energy Crisisrenovations, led Disney to realize that the attraction would not be ready on time <ref name= "book"/>. With the World of Motion already closed for refurbishment during the busy peak season, Disney decided that they would temporarily reopen the original Universe of Energy attraction, albeit it with Ellen’s Energy Crisis’ infrastructure <ref name= "Martin"/>. This meant that beginning in June 1996 an attraction that was a combination of the original Universe of Energy and the incomplete Ellenpavilion's Energy Crisis ran in the Universe of Energy pavilion <ref name= "Martin"/>. Without the Radok screens, the first preshow theater received a brand new film did not achieve the effects that were intendedand audio system. In the Primeval DioramaAt this time, the dinosaurs had their new colors and the audio tracks for Ellentheater's Energy Crisis gold curtains were mutedremoved and replaced by stationary black curtains. Furthermore, the Ellen Audio Animatronic mirror walls that was installed in were used to reflect and multiply the Diorama was deactivated and hidden from guestimages on the theater's view behind a boulder <ref name= "Martin"/>. In three rear screens (giving the attraction's second theater, the monitors finale a seemingly endless scope) were removed and maps that the ride narration referred to had already been removed replaced with sound insulation <ref name= "Martin"/>. To fix thisLike the first theater, the second theater also got a new narration was installed that made the attraction seem more currentfilm, while also omitting the references to the removed props<ref name= "Martin"/>. Finally, due to the fact that the mirror walls had been removed which combined new footage with recycled footage from the third theater, the original attraction lost its grand finale <ref name= "Martin"/>.
After operating throughout Moving into the summerPrimeval Diorama, on September 1, 1996 the Universe scene's storm effects were toned down and a significant amount of Energy attraction finally closed for good vegetation was added <ref name= "Martin"/>. At this time, and the dinosaurs’ skin color was also changed based on September 15th Ellen’s Energy Crisis soft opened for guests new scientific findings <ref name= "bookMartin"/>. A few weeks later, On October 1, 1996As far as the dinosaurs figures themselves were concerned, the attractions name Ornithomimus who was changed to Ellen’s Energy Adventureonce drowning in a mud pit, was relocated and the attraction had its official openingreprogrammed so that it now squirted guests with water <ref name= "bookMartin"/>. On hand for the festivities were attraction stars Alex Trebeck An Ellen DeGeneres Audio Animatronic also replaced a fish eating Pteranodon, and Bill Nye the Science Guy Elasmosarus' programming was changed so that it now attacked Ellen, as opposed to attacking guests <ref name= "ProgressMartin"> http://progresscityusa>.com/energy/rehab.htm Finally, the quaking rock effect and the wave pool effect that were used in the scene were both deactivated </refname="Martin"/>.
Since ===Hybrid Attraction (1996)===Although initially planned for a Summer 1996 opening, delays in Burbank with the shooting and editing schedule for Ellen’s Energy Crisis' films, led Disney to realize that the attraction would not be ready on time <ref name= "book"/>. With the World of Motion already closed for refurbishment during the busy peak season, Disney decided that they would temporarily reopen the original Universe of Energy attraction, albeit it with Ellen’s Energy Crisis’ infrastructure still in place<ref name= "Martin"/>. This meant that beginning in June 1996, an attraction that was a combination of the original Universe of Energy and the incomplete Ellen's Energy Crisis ran in the Universe of Energy pavilion <ref name= "Martin"/>.  The Universe of Energy/Ellen's Energy Crisis hybrid presented its own unique set of problems. Without the Radok screens, the first preshow film did not achieve the effects that were initially intended. In the Primeval Diorama, the dinosaurs had their new colors, and although the new dialogue for Ellen's Energy Crisis was muted, the attractions redone score played <ref name="newmartin"/>. Furthermore, the Ellen Audio Animatronic that was installed in the Diorama was deactivated and hidden from guest's view behind a boulder <ref name= "Martin"/>. This meant that the Elamoursaurs was now attacking nothing. In the attraction's second theater, the monitors and maps that the ride narration referred to had already been removed <ref name= "Martin"/>. To fix this, a new narration was installed that made the attraction seem more current, while also omitting any references to the removed props<ref name= "Martin"/> and the new "K-NRG" radio mast was hidden behind a black drape <ref name= "newmartin"/>.  Finally, due to the fact that the mirror walls had been removed from the third theater, the attraction lost its grand finale <ref name= "Martin"/>. ===Ellen's Energy Adventure opened very (1996-2017)===After operating throughout the summer, on September 1, 1996, the Universe of Energy attraction finally closed for good <ref name= "Martin"/>. Subsequently, on September 15th 1996, Ellen's Energy Crisis had its first soft opening <ref name= "book"/>. A few weeks later, On October 1, 1996, the attraction's name was changed to Ellen’s Energy Adventure, and its official Grand Opening was held<ref name= "book"/>. On hand for the festivities were attraction stars Alex Trebeck and Bill Nye the Science Guy <ref name= "Progress"> http://progresscityusa.com/energy/rehab.htm </ref>. Following Ellen's Energy Adventure's opening, the attraction experienced a relatively few number of changes have occurred. In 2001, Exxon and Mobil merged, and thus ExxonMobil became the sponsor of Ellen’s Energy Adventure the attraction <ref name= "Martin"/>. This sponsorship was short-lived however, because in 2004 the company chose not to renew <ref name= "book"/>. More recently, in  In 2009 the attractions attraction's ride and sound system was upgraded <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/ellens-energy-adventure/news/20nov2008-ellen's-energy-adventure-refurbishment-in-2009.htm </ref>. In the later years of Ellen's Energy Adventure's existence, technical problems plagued the attraction's Audio Animatronics. First, in 2014, The Elasmousaurus was removed after years of declining movement <ref name="newmartin"/>. By September of that year, the Ellen DeGeneres Audio Animatronic was also removed and the Pteranodons were moved into her original spot in 2015. By 2017, even one of the Pteranodons had been removed<ref name="newmartin"/>.  On July 15, 2017, Disney announced that Ellen's Energy Adventure (and the Universe of Energy pavilion as a whole) would be closing on August 13, 2017 to make way for a new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction <ref> http://themeparkuniversity.com/disney/universe-energy-closing-august-13th-2017/ </ref>. This came to fruition, and Ellen's Energy Adventure closed on the aforementioned date.
==Attraction Summary==
Ellen's Energy Adventure is was a 45 minute attraction with consists that consisted of four films and a dark ride.
===Preshow===
As guests enter the attraction’s first room, they can see a dark movie screen on the wall[[Image:EnergyStars. After everyone is in the theater, jpg|thumb|350px|Ellen DeGeneres walks onto the screen and begins to talk to the audience. Ellen introduces herself as the spokeswomen for the Universe of 's Energy, which she admits is somewhat surprising. She then tells guests that while she is an expert on a lot of things, not too long ago she could have cared less about energy. Adventure stars Ellen then explains that one day everything changed as she was watching TV in her apartment. With a snap of her fingers DeGeneres (for a second timeleft) Ellen transports guests back to her apartment, where they hear the TV announcer say, "This is ... Jeopardy!" As Ellen is watching Jeopardy, her neighbor Jamie Lee Curtis (top right) and Bill Nye the Science Guy walks in. Bill says he came over to borrow some foil for an experiment, but soon enough he is watching the game show too. The announcer then tells guests that the first contestant on that day's Jeopardy is a professor of energy at Princeton University, named Dr. Judy Peterson. Hearing this, Ellen exclaims that Judy was her "know it all" roommate in college. Ellen claims that both Judy and energy are stupid, which Bill disagrees with before leaving. After Bill leaves, Ellen says that even if the universe needs energy, she doesn't, before she falls asleep.(bottom right)]]
As guests entered the attraction’s first room, they could see a dark movie screen on the wall. After everyone was in the theater, Ellen DeGeneres walked onto the screen and began to talk to the audience. Ellen introduced herself as the spokeswomen for the Universe of Energy, which she admitted was somewhat surprising. She then told guests that while she is an expert on a lot of things, not too long ago she could have cared less about energy. Ellen then explained that one day everything changed as she was watching TV in her apartment. With a snap of her fingers (on her second try) Ellen transported guests back to her apartment, where they heard the TV announcer say, "This is ... Jeopardy!" As Ellen watched Jeopardy, her neighbor Bill Nye the Science Guy walked in. Bill explained that he came over to borrow some foil for an experiment, but soon enough he was watching the game show too. The announcer then told guests that the first contestant on that day's Jeopardy was a professor of energy at Princeton University, named Dr. Judy Peterson. Hearing this, Ellen exclaimed that Judy was her "know it all" roommate in college. She then claimed that both Judy and energy were stupid, which Bill disagreed with before leaving. After Bill left, Ellen said that even if the universe needed energy, she didn't, before she falls asleep. Back in the present time, Ellen appears appeared again in order to tell guests that every time somebody takes a nap in front of the TV, that means meant that they are were going to have a dream. The scene then shifts shifted to Ellen's dream (or nightmare) in which she is appearing appeared on Jeopardy! alongside Dr. Judy Peterson and Albert Einstein. Alex Trebek (the host of Jeopardy!) tells told the contestants the categories for the day’s show, which all have had to do with energy. After the end of the first roundof play, Judy has had $17,800 while Einstein has had zero and Ellen has had negative money. Although defeated, Ellen declares declared that since it is was her dream , she can could still win. Bill Nye then appears appeared (to meet Einstein) and agrees agreed to teach Ellen about energy, by taking her back in time. [[Image:Jamie.jpg|thumb|250px|Judy PetersonFollowing this 8 minutes preshow video, Ellen's rival on Jeopardyguests entered a theater where they were seated in one of six seating areas.]]
Following this 8 minutes preshow video, guests enter a theater where they are seated in one of six seating areas.
===First Film===
After everyone is was seated in the first theater, the theater itself turns turned 180 degrees so that guests are were now facing another large screen. This new screen shows featured Ellen and Bill standing in almost complete darkness. Although Ellen is was confused, Bill explains explained that they are were going to witness the Big Bang, which many scientists believe is how the universe started. Bill tells then told Ellen that they are about to witness see how the universe formed, and that they should probably get out of the way. All of the sudden, the universe explodes exploded and guests see saw a high speed depiction of how the Earth was created. In the scene, volcanoes erupterupted, mountains are were formed, and vegetation covers covered the Earth. Bill then emerges emerged from a jungle and tells told Ellen that they are were "two hundred twenty million years in the Earth's past, give or take a day". When Ellen asks asked Bill where all the energy iswas, Bill explains explained that when the plants and animals that they see saw around them diedied, "time, pressure and heat" will would turn them into fossil fuels. Bill then says said that he wants wanted to go explore, and while Ellen is was at first hesitant, a dinosaur roaring convinces convinced her to gotoo. Following the six minute film, the theater seats break broke into six ride vehicles and guests proceed proceeded into the next room.  
===Primeval Diorama===
After leaving the theater, guests find themselves in the Primeval Diorama, where they can no longer see Ellen [[Image:Dinoefight.jpg|400px|thumb|An Allosaurus and Bill (although they can hear their voices as they proceed through the scene). The first thing that guests hear Stegosaurus fight in the Primeval Diorama is Ellen talking to a roaring dinosaur, who she has mistaken for Bill. After Bill calls her over, the two reunite and move with guests through the scene. The first creatures that guests encounter are a giant millipede and Edaphosaurus. Further on, guests can see a Brontosauruses eating swamp plants. The large dinosaur then sneezes on guests, while nearby, duck-billed Trachodons can be seen bathing in a small body of water.]]
[[Image:DinoellenAfter leaving the theater, guests found themselves in the Primeval Diorama, where they could no longer see Ellen or Bill (although they could hear their voices as they proceeded through the scenes). In fact, the first thing that guests heard in the Primeval Diorama was Ellen talking to a roaring dinosaur, who she had mistaken for Bill. After the real Bill called her over, the two reunited and moved with guests through the diorama.jpg|300px|thumb|The Brotosauruses first creatures that guests encountered on their journey was a giant millipede and an Edaphosaurus. Further on, guests could see a Brontosauruses eating swamp plants.]]The large dinosaur then sneezed on guests, while nearby, duck-billed Trachodons could be seen bathing in a small body of water. Up ahead, guests see saw perhaps the most recognizable scene in the attraction- an Allosaurus and a Stegosaurus fighting on a cliff. Nearby Pteranodons are were perched around an erupting volcano. Further , and further on, guests can could see Ellen fighting off an Elasmosaurus with a stick. As she defends defended herself against the dinosaur she sayssaid:
{{Quotation| "Don't make me use this thing! ... Stop it! You don't wanna eat me! I'll make you lose your appetite. Help! Ow! ... If you can't say something nice, then ... ya can't. Hey! Listen mister, don't give me that attitude! Bill! I could use a little help here. Down, boy. I -- I said, down, boy!"}}
Guests then leave left the Audio Animatronic portion of the show, and they enter entered the second theater. 
===Radio Broadcast===
After entering the second theater, the attraction’s ride vehicles reassemble and guests hear heard a radio broadcast. The broadcast says said that the year is was 55 million B.C. and weatherman Willard Scott informs them informed guests that the forecast calls called for a decrease in the dinosaur population and an increase in mammals. The radio also mentions mentioned that cockroaches are were “two hundred million years old today", but that an incoming comet might get rid of them. The radio announcer then calls called for a traffic report, from which guests learn learned that the mammals are continuing continued to boom.  The radio broadcast then moved forward in time to one million B.C., and guests learned that mammals were now dominating the Earth, while the dinosaurs had gone extinct. Willard Scott then gave another weather broadcast in which he said that the Earth was getting colder and mammals needed to cover themselves in fur. Subsequently, The broadcast shifted to 900,000 B.C., where guests learned that woolly mammals, saber-tooth cats, and giant antlers had begun to appear. Willard then informed guests that the glaciers were receding, the planet was getting warmer, and a new kind of mammal was soon to evolve. The radio broadcast then ended and guests watched another film.
The radio broadcast then changes to one million B.C. and guests learn that mammals are now dominating the Earth, while Dinosaurs have gone extinct. Willard Scott then gives another weather broadcast in which says that the Earth is getting colder and mammals need to cover themselves in fur. Subsequently, The broadcast shifts to 900,000 B.C., where guests learn that woolly mammals, saber-tooth cats, and giant antlers have begun to appear. Willard then informs guests that the glaciers are receding, the planet is getting warmer, and a new kind of mammal is soon to evolve. The radio broadcast then ends and guests watch another film.
===Second Film===
The second next film begins began with Bill Nye back in the jungle. While he is looking looked for Ellen, she swings swung behind him on a vine and begins began to protest the whole adventure. Bill informs then informed her that they are were now at the dawn of humanity, and a very important discovery is was about to take place. Guests then see saw a caveman discovering fire. Following this discovery a montage of man's progress using various forms of energy (including wind, steam, and gasoline) is was shown. The montage ends ended with Bill and Ellen flying in a helicopter, with Ellen asserting that she is was ready for Jeopardy!. Bill tells proceeded to tell her that she is was not quite ready, and he begins began to explain potential future energy sources including solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy- which all have had their own problems. Bill also explains further explained fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil, saying that although these sources of energy will would eventually run out, things like off shore drilling and satellites can could help us find new sources. Bill and Ellen also discuss discussed how nuclear and fusion energy could also be solutions to our the planet's energy problems. The two celebrities end up concluding concluded that as long as we keep working on it, there should would be lots of energy options in the future. 
===Final Film===
[[Image:JepardyEllen.jpg|400px|thumb|Judy, Albert Einstein and Ellen on Jeopardy! Photo by Lauren Javier]]After completing her adventure, Ellen reappears reappeared on Jeopardy!. As the contestants are were about to enter Double Jeopardy, Judy informs informed Alex that although they were roommates, she called Ellen "stupid Ellen". With Ellen getting to make the first selection, she surprises surprised everybody by getting a $2000 dinosaur question right. This propels propelled Ellen on to a series of correct answers, and at the end of Double Jeopardy, Ellen is was tied with Judy at $17,800 (with Einstein still at $0). With only Judy and Ellen competing in "Final Jeopardy" Alex gives gave them their topic- "The Future of Energy". Alex then tells them told the contestants that the Final Jeopardy answer iswas: "This is the one source of power that will never run out". As the Jeopardy music plays played the announcer tells told guests:
{{Quotation| If you would like to have your own energy nightmare, place a self-addressed, stamped envelope under your pillow, or check us out on the web at www.energynightmare.game}}
As the contestants finish finished their answers, the Jeopardy announcer tells told the audience that, "Some contestants on Jeopardy! will receive a year's supply of energy. ‘Energy You Make the World Go 'Round’". This is was a not so subtle reference to the theme song of the old Universe of Energy attraction.
When Alex asks asked Judy for her answer to the Final Jeopardy question, she tells told him that she wrote nothing down because there is was no right answer. Alex informs informed Judy that her answer is was incorrect and that since she bet all her money, she will would finish with nothing. Ellen ends then ended up winningthe game, after giving the correct answer of “brain power”, which leads led to balloons falling down and Bill congratulating her. Back in the present time, Ellen concludes concluded her story before jokingly telling guests to “look out for that dinosaur!” After the screen fades faded to black , and guests hear head a loud roar, the attraction endsended.
==Cast <ref> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116187/ </ref>==
To read the complete Ellen's Energy Adventure script see: [[Script: Ellen's Energy Adventure]]
==Fun Facts and Trivia==* By the time Ellen's Energy Adventure closed, the attraction featured fifteen less Audio Animatronics than the original Universe of Energy <ref name= "newmartin"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRRTujzuTOs </ref>.  * On Ellen's Energy Adventure's final day of operation, the attraction's last ride broke down inside the primeval diorama <ref name="newmartin"/>.  
* In case you were wondering, www.energynightmare.game is not a real website.
* The largest screen in the attraction stretches Ellen's Energy Adventure stretched to 210 feet <ref> http:// waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id182.htm </ref>.
* Ellen DeGeneres can also be heard in [[The Seas with Nemo & Friends (Attraction)]] playing Dory the fish<ref> http://themeparks.about.com/od/disneyridereviews/fr/NemoRideEpcot.htm </ref>.
* Both the Universe of Energy and Ellen's Energy Adventure have had a run time of 45 minutes. This makes made Ellen's Energy Adventure the longest ride in Walt Disney World <ref> http://www.dadsguidetowdw.com/universe-of-energy.html </ref>.
==References==