Innoventions
Innoventions is a pavilion located in Epcot. The pavilion is divided into Innoventions East and Innoventions West.
Contents
Pavilion History
Innoventions opened in 1994, replacing the CommuniCore pavilion. Like its predecessor, Innoventions was divided into East and West buildings, with a total area of 100,000 square feet. Disney CEO Michael Eisner had said in the early 1990's that, "People need a place to experience the new future, a permanent World's Fair where they can test and try the products are changing our world". Innoventions in Epcot was built with this idea in mind. Like CommuniCore, Innoventions would feature technology based exhibits, however instead of the subtle and understated tone of CommuniCore, Innoventions louder and bolder. Another noticeable difference between the two pavilions was the color scheme. Innoventions was given a futuristic metallic blue scheme as opposed to the muted powder blue that had characterized CommuniCore. When it opened, Innoventions featured exhibits by IBM, Sega, and General Motors (among others). Since Innoventions was at least partially inspired by a consumer electronics show, the pavilion was less organized then CommuniCore had been, and large advertisements were occasionally present. When Innoventions opened, it also featured two old stores (the Centorium and Field Trips) and the new Ice Station Cool Store, which had free Coca Cola samples from around the world. Innoventions was also home to the Pasta Piazza Ristorante, the Electric Umbrella, and the Fountainview Espresso & Bakery.
The first major change to Innoventions came in 1997, when Innoventions West was refurbished. Although most of the exhibits changed when it reopened, some were updated and retained. In 1999, in preparation for the upcoming Millennium Celebration, all of Innoventions (both East and West) was closed for refurbishment. Besides just renovating the exhibits, the 1999 refurbishment also gave the pavilion more order. All but two of the entrances and exits were closed off, and a path was created for guests to follow. Following the refurbishment, Innoventions was given the subtitle "The road to tomorrow" and a new mascot Tom Morrow 2.0 became the pavilion’s host. Finally, the Centorium store (which had been open since the pavilion was known as CommuniCore), was expanded and renamed Mouse Gears. The other store located in the pavilion “Field Trips” also closed. The shop was replaced by the Art of Disney store.
Between 2000 and 2007, Innoventions only underwent minor changes. In 2000, the Pasta Piazza Ristorante closed, and in 2001 a kiosk named Discover the Stories Behind the Magic opened. The new interactive exhibit was built as a tie in with the 100 Years of Magic Celebration, and thus it was removed in 2002. The other entrances and exits to Innoventions were also reopened during this time. In 2005, the Ice Station Cool closed, before later reopening as Club Cool. Club Cool was still sponsored by Coca Cola; however the exterior of the building was changed.
The most recent major renovation came to Innoventions in 2007. During the renovation the pavilion was updated the subtitle "The road to tomorrow" was dropped. The color scheme of the pavilion was also returned to a powder blue (similar to that of CommuniCore). Following the renovation, Tom Morrow 2.0 was removed and a kiosk celebrating Epcot's 25th anniversary opened, although it would close a year later. In 2009, The Sum of All Thrills opened in Innoventions East. The exhibit allows guests to design their own thrill ride, and then enter a motion simulator and ride it. The Sum of All Thrill is the first "ride" ever located within Innoventions.
Exhibits History
NOTE: Current exhibits are in bold.
Innoventions East (1994-1999)
Name | Opened | Closed | Notes |
General Electric | 1994 | 1999 | Expanded in 1996 |
Magic House Show | 1994 | 1995 | |
General Motors | 1994 | 1999 | New Exhibit in 1996 |
Hammacher Schlemmer | 1994 | 1997 | |
Honeywell's Comfortville | 1994 | 1996 | |
Oracle's Information Highway | 1994 | 1996 | Enlarged in 1996 |
Masco's Magic House Tour | 1994 | 1995 | |
Honeywell's House of Innoventions | 1995 | 1999 | Replaced Masco's Magic House Tour |
Mr. MIDI | June 1995 | September 1995 | |
Motorola | 1995 | 1999 | Replaced Mr. MIDI |
Disney Interactive | 1996 | 1997 | |
Family PC | 1995 | 1999 | Moved and expanded in 1997 (replaced Disney Interactive) moved back in 1998. |
Epcot Discovery Center | 1996 | 1997 | Moved from Innoventions West |
Bill Nye the Science Guy | 1998 | 1999 | Moved from Innoventions West |
Disney.com Interactive Zone powered by Gateway | 1998 | 1999 |
Innoventions East: The Road to Tomorrow (2000-Present)
Name | Opened | Closed | Sponsor | Notes |
Forests for Our Future | 1999 | 2004 | TAPPI | Renovated 2001. |
Disney.com's Internet Zone | 1999 | 2007 | Compaq (2000-?) | |
Communications Dream Forum | 1999 | 2003 | Motorola | |
The House of Innoventions | 1999 | 2009 | Panja (1999-2000) Whirhpool (2002) |
|
Web Site Construction Zone | 1999 | 2001 | Go.com | |
Mission: SPACE Launch Center | 2001 | 2003 | Preview of Mission: Space | |
Future Cars | 1999 | 2001 | General Motors | |
Look into the Future | 1999 | 2001 | Moved to Innoventions West. | |
Discover the Stories Behind the Magic | 2001 | 2002 | Kiosk for the 100 Years of Magic Celebration. | |
Opportunity City | 2004 | 2008 | Kauffman Foundation | Also sponsored by Disney.com. |
Fantastic Plastics Works | 2004 | 2008 | The Society of the Plastics Industry | |
Don't Waste It | 2008 | 2011 | Waste Management Corporation | |
Kidcot | 2004/2005 | 2006 | Play area for kids. | |
Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure | 2009 | 2012 | ||
StormStruck | 2008 | N/A | FLASH | |
Take a Nanooze Break | 2010 | N/A | Cornell University | |
Environmentality Corner | 2005/2006 | 2012 | ||
Test the Limits Lab | 2003 | 2015 | Underwriters Laboratory | Renovated 2009 |
Habit Heroes | 2012 | N/A | Blue Cross Blue Shield | Habit Heroes closed on February 26, 2012 following a wave of criticism regarding its plot line. The exhibit reopened with a new plot in January 2013. |
Sum of All Thrills | 2009 | N/A | Raytheon | |
Vision House | 2012 | N/A | Green Builder Media |
Innoventions West (1994-1999)
Name | Opened | Closed | Notes |
Epcot Discovery Center | 1994 | 1996 | Moved to Innoventions East. |
Bill Nye the Science Guy | 1994 | 1997 | Moved to Innoventions East. |
AT&T | 1994 | 1999 | Closed with rest of pavilion in 1997 but later reopened. |
Discovery Magazine | 1994 | 1997 | Updated Annually. |
Electronics | 1994 | 1995 | |
Alec Tronic | 1994 | 1997 | Moved across way in 1995. |
IBM | 1994 | 1997 | |
IBM: Solutions for a Small Planet | 1998 | 1999 | New IBM exhibit following 1997 refurbishment. |
Sega | 1994 | 1999 | Closed with rest of pavilion in 1997 but later reopened. |
Walt Disney Imagineering Labs | 1994 | 1995 | |
Silicon Graphics | 1995 | 1997 | Refurbished in 1996. |
Inspired By Vision | 1998 | 1999 | Replaced Silicon Graphics |
Enel / Infobyte VR Presentation | 1996 | 1997 | VR = virtual reality |
Aladdin's Magic Carpet VR Adventure | 1996 | 1997 | VR = virtual reality |
Innoventions Pre-Show | 1998 | 1999 | |
Lutron Ultimate Home Theater Experience | June 1999 | August 1999 |
Innoventions West: The Road to Tomorrow (2000-Present)
Name | Opened | Closed | Sponsor | Notes |
Networked Living | 1999 | 2002 | IBM | Renovated 2001. |
ThinkPlace | 2002 | 2009 | IBM | Replaced Networked Living |
Smarter Planet By IBM | 2010 | 2012 | IBM | Replaced ThinkPlace |
IBM THINK | 2013 | 2015 | IBM | Replaced Smarter Planet |
Ultimate Home Theater Experience | 1999 | 2006 | Lutron | |
Beautiful Science | 1999 | 2007 | Monsanto | |
Video Games of Tomorrow | 1999 | 2001 | Sega | |
Medicine's New Vision | 1999 | 2002 | RSNA | |
Broadcast Connection | 1999 | 2001 | AT&T | |
Knowledge Vortex | 1999 | 2002 | Xerox | |
Look Into the Future | 2001 | 2007 | Moved from Innoventions East | |
Tom Morrow's Playground | 2001 | 2006 | ||
Video Game Playground | 2005/2006 | N/A | ||
Segway Central | 2006 | N/A | Segway | |
Rockin' Robots | 2005 | 2010 | KUKA Industrial Robots | |
Great American Farm | 2005 | 2008 | American Farm Bureau | |
Too Small to See | 2006 | 2008 | Cornell University | |
Epcot 25th Anniversary Gallery | 2007 | 2008 | ||
Slap Stick Studios / What's Your Problem | 2008 | 2011 | ||
Where's the Fire | 2004 | N/A | Liberty Mutual | |
Great Piggy Bank Adventure | 2009 | N/A | T. Rowe Price |
Current Attractions
Innoventions East
Habit Heroes- This exhibit is an interactive show sponsored by Florida Blue Cross and Blue Shield. In Habit Heroes, guests learn healthy eating habits.
VISION House- This exhibit houses a “show house” that features "the very best in green residential design and sustainable living".
Sum of All Thrills- The only "ride" in Innoventions, the Sum of All Thrills is sponsored by Raytheon. On the Sum of All Thrills guests design their own thrill ride, and then board a motion simulator to ride it. Guests must be 48 inches to ride, and 54 inches if their ride includes an inversion.
Storm Struck- A Tale of Two Homes- In this exhibit, guests can feel what it's like to be in the middle of a hurricane. Guests also take an interactive quiz, to learn how to prepare for a hurricane. Storm Struck is sponsored by FLASH (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes).
Take a Nanooze Break- This exhibit allows guests to see the molecules that make up everyday items. The exhibit is presented by Cornell University and National Science Foundation.
Innoventions West
Where's The Fire- In this exhibit sponsored by Liberty Mutual, guests learn fire safety and prevention. Inside a house, guests can use interactive screens to learn about various hazards. Also included in the exhibit is a full sized fire engine.
Play It Safe- This exhibit is a children's play area also sponsored by Liberty Mutual. Here, young guests can learn how to stop, drop and roll.
Segway Central- At this exhibit, for an extra fee guests can board a Segway and take a tour around Epcot.
The Great Piggy Bank Adventure- Sponsored by T. Rowe Price, this interactive game teaches guests money management in a fun way.
Videogame Playground- This exhibit lets guests play various games using the newest videogame technology.
Restaurants
Electric Umbrella- A counter service restaurant located in Innoventions East, the Electric Umbrella specializes in cheeseburgers and chicken. The restaurant usually opens at 11 am.
Club Cool- Located near Innoventions West, Club Cool offers guests free samples of Coca Cola from around the world.
Fountain View-Located near Innoventions West, the Fountain View serves Starbucks coffee as well as other snacks and pastries.
Former Restaurants
Pasta Piazza Ristorante- Located near Innoventions West, Pasta Piazza Ristorante was a counter service restaurant that specialized in Italian food (including a Mickey Mouse shaped pizza). Pasta Piazza Ristorante opened in 1994 and closed in 2001.
Fountain View Ice Cream-Located near Innoventions West, the Fountain View Ice Cream allowed guests to get a hand dipped ice cream cone and watch the Innoventions Fountain.
Shopping
Mouse Gears- The largest store in Walt Disney World, Mouse Gears sells all kinds of Epcot and Disney World merchandise. Mouse Gears is located in Innoventions East.
Art of Disney- Located in Innoventions West, the Art of Disney store sells art from the Disney theme parks and movies.
(The Innoventions Fountains) Fun Facts and Trivia
- Every 15 minutes, the Innoventions Fountain "performs" to classical music. The fountain was designed by Imagineer Mark Fuller.
- In the wintertime, holiday music plays instead.
- The Innoventions Fountain can shoot water up to 150 feet in the air.
- The Fountain send 30,000 gallons of water up into the air per minute.
- On Epcot's opening day, representatives from 22 countries each poured a gallon of water from their homeland into the Innoventions Fountain.
Music
The music for the Innoventions Fountain is rotated every 15 minutes in no particular order. The seven musical selections that can be heard are:
- "Standing in Motion" by Yanni
- "Day One" by John Tesh
- A selection from Disney's Iron Will (a live action movie)
- A selection from Disney's The Rocketeer (a live action movie)
- A selection from The Rescuers Down Under
- A selection from "Around the World with Mickey Mouse" (a proposed, but never used Epcot show)
- An instrumental from the "Air Battle Sequence" from the Surprise in the Skies show (Surprise in the Skies was once a lagoon show at Epcot)
References
http://www.extinctdisney.com/EPCOT/innoe.htm
http://wdwpast.tripod.com/epcot/epcot.htm
http://www.fb.org/index.php?action=newsroom.news&year=2006&file=nr0109b.html
http://www.pressoffice.cornell.edu/releases/release.cfm?r=15639&y=2006&m=11
http://blog.touringplans.com/2006/05/04/epcot-segway-central-now-open/