Difference between revisions of "Universe of Energy"
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==Pavilion History== | ==Pavilion History== | ||
| − | + | A pavilion which focused on energy was included in many of the early EPCOT Center designs. Initially, the pavilion’s focus was on solar energy, with plans for a large solar energy "collector" to be located in the building's center, around which a complex attraction that would feature unguided cars and a walkthrough portion would be constructed. Eventually however this design was deemed too complicated and the plans were scratched. When early on Exxon signed on to be the pavilion’s sponsor, the Energy pavilion’s scope was broadened so that it included all forms of energy, with a special focus on fossil fuels. Taking some inspiration from the 1964 World's Fair, the new designs for the Energy pavilion called for moving theater vehicles which could hold many guests. By 1978, the plans also called for guests to travel back in time to view the dinosaurs, while also learning about of the power and energy that wind, lightening, water, heat and the sun could create. | |
| + | The Universe of Energy (as the pavilion was eventually named) was one of the first Future World pavilions to begin construction. Of note, is the fact that throughout the development of EPCOT Center the Energy pavilion never changed locations, despite the fact that many of the other Future World pavilions were moved throughout the park’s development. The reason for this, was that plans for the pavilion always called for solar panels to be used in some capacity (initially as part of the solar energy collector and then eventually as a part of the pavilions roof). In order to maximize the amount of the sun that the panels would receive, the Energy pavilion needed to be in location that it was eventually constructed. Construction on the Universe of Energy was completed on time, and the pavilion opened with the rest of EPCOT Center on October 1, 1982. | ||
| − | + | Throughout the first 14 years of its existence, the Universe of Energy pavilion did not see any major modifications. This changed however on January 20, 1996 when the pavilion closed for a major refurbishment. Although the Universe of Energy had been quite popular when it opened, by the mid-1990s the pavilion’s popularity had waned. In line with the rest of Future World pavilions, Exxon wanted the Universe of Energy to get a new attraction in time for the pavilion’s 15th anniversary in 1997. In contrast to the original attraction’s scientific tone, Disney hoped to rejuvenate the pavilion by giving it a lighter and more comedic tone, while still keeping the original attraction’s basic structure (including the Primeval Diorama). In order to do this, the new attraction (titled Ellen’s Energy Crisis) would take the format of a game show which would star Ellen DeGeneres. At the time that the attraction as being developed, DeGeneres had a popular show on ABC, which Disney was in the processes of buying). | |
| + | Although originally scheduled as a 5 month refurbishment, problems with the filming and editing of the new attraction’s films led Disney to conclude that the Ellen’s Energy Crisis would not be ready for the summer of 1996. Due to the fact that the [[World of Motion]] was already closed in order to convert the pavilion to [[Test Track]], it was decided that the Universe of Energy would reopen for the busy summer season using the old films, albeit with the new infrastructure which had already been installed. With many of the attraction’s original components unusable or removed altogether (as in the case of the breathtaking Radok screens in the first theater), a hybrid version of the original Universe of Energy and the unfinished Ellen’s Energy Crisis opened on June 1, 1996. | ||
| − | After | + | After staying open through the peak season, the Universe of Energy closed for refurbishment on September 1, 1996. The attraction then finally reopened on September 15 as Ellen’s Energy Crisis, before being renamed Ellen’s Energy Adventure on October 1. Besides installing the new attraction, the 1996 refurbishment also changed the exterior of the pavilion. As opposed to the red, orange and yellow colors scheme that the exterior originally had, the pavilion was given new rainbow colors. At this time, the mosaic tiles were also removed from the exterior’s back wall. |
| + | |||
| + | Since the opening of Ellen’s Energy Adventure in 1996, the Universe of Energy Pavilion has seen relatively few changes. In September of 2001, a new sign was added outside of the pavilion. Then, in 2003 Exxon and Mobil merged, and became joint sponsors of the pavilion. At this time, all references to the company both outside and within the Universe of Energy were updated to reflect this change. In 2004 however ExxonMobil chose not to renew their sponsorship of the pavilion, and thus all references to the company were removed. Perhaps the most significant post-1996 change came following a late-2008 early-2009 refurbishment, when the dinosaur topiaries and the located outside of the pavilion billboard (which had been added in 1996) were removed. At this time, the pavilion’s original exterior color pallet was also returned. | ||
| − | |||
==Current Attractions== | ==Current Attractions== | ||
Revision as of 16:10, 23 May 2014
The Universe of Energy is a pavilion located in Epcot
| Universe of Energy | |
| |
| The exterior Universe of Energy sign. | |
| Epcot | |
| Land | Future World |
|---|---|
| Theme | Energy |
| Opening date | October 1, 1982 |
| Number of Attractions | 1 |
| Sponsored by | Exxon (1982-2003) ExxonMobile (2003-2004) |
|
| |
Contents
Pavilion History
A pavilion which focused on energy was included in many of the early EPCOT Center designs. Initially, the pavilion’s focus was on solar energy, with plans for a large solar energy "collector" to be located in the building's center, around which a complex attraction that would feature unguided cars and a walkthrough portion would be constructed. Eventually however this design was deemed too complicated and the plans were scratched. When early on Exxon signed on to be the pavilion’s sponsor, the Energy pavilion’s scope was broadened so that it included all forms of energy, with a special focus on fossil fuels. Taking some inspiration from the 1964 World's Fair, the new designs for the Energy pavilion called for moving theater vehicles which could hold many guests. By 1978, the plans also called for guests to travel back in time to view the dinosaurs, while also learning about of the power and energy that wind, lightening, water, heat and the sun could create. The Universe of Energy (as the pavilion was eventually named) was one of the first Future World pavilions to begin construction. Of note, is the fact that throughout the development of EPCOT Center the Energy pavilion never changed locations, despite the fact that many of the other Future World pavilions were moved throughout the park’s development. The reason for this, was that plans for the pavilion always called for solar panels to be used in some capacity (initially as part of the solar energy collector and then eventually as a part of the pavilions roof). In order to maximize the amount of the sun that the panels would receive, the Energy pavilion needed to be in location that it was eventually constructed. Construction on the Universe of Energy was completed on time, and the pavilion opened with the rest of EPCOT Center on October 1, 1982.
Throughout the first 14 years of its existence, the Universe of Energy pavilion did not see any major modifications. This changed however on January 20, 1996 when the pavilion closed for a major refurbishment. Although the Universe of Energy had been quite popular when it opened, by the mid-1990s the pavilion’s popularity had waned. In line with the rest of Future World pavilions, Exxon wanted the Universe of Energy to get a new attraction in time for the pavilion’s 15th anniversary in 1997. In contrast to the original attraction’s scientific tone, Disney hoped to rejuvenate the pavilion by giving it a lighter and more comedic tone, while still keeping the original attraction’s basic structure (including the Primeval Diorama). In order to do this, the new attraction (titled Ellen’s Energy Crisis) would take the format of a game show which would star Ellen DeGeneres. At the time that the attraction as being developed, DeGeneres had a popular show on ABC, which Disney was in the processes of buying). Although originally scheduled as a 5 month refurbishment, problems with the filming and editing of the new attraction’s films led Disney to conclude that the Ellen’s Energy Crisis would not be ready for the summer of 1996. Due to the fact that the World of Motion was already closed in order to convert the pavilion to Test Track, it was decided that the Universe of Energy would reopen for the busy summer season using the old films, albeit with the new infrastructure which had already been installed. With many of the attraction’s original components unusable or removed altogether (as in the case of the breathtaking Radok screens in the first theater), a hybrid version of the original Universe of Energy and the unfinished Ellen’s Energy Crisis opened on June 1, 1996.
After staying open through the peak season, the Universe of Energy closed for refurbishment on September 1, 1996. The attraction then finally reopened on September 15 as Ellen’s Energy Crisis, before being renamed Ellen’s Energy Adventure on October 1. Besides installing the new attraction, the 1996 refurbishment also changed the exterior of the pavilion. As opposed to the red, orange and yellow colors scheme that the exterior originally had, the pavilion was given new rainbow colors. At this time, the mosaic tiles were also removed from the exterior’s back wall.
Since the opening of Ellen’s Energy Adventure in 1996, the Universe of Energy Pavilion has seen relatively few changes. In September of 2001, a new sign was added outside of the pavilion. Then, in 2003 Exxon and Mobil merged, and became joint sponsors of the pavilion. At this time, all references to the company both outside and within the Universe of Energy were updated to reflect this change. In 2004 however ExxonMobil chose not to renew their sponsorship of the pavilion, and thus all references to the company were removed. Perhaps the most significant post-1996 change came following a late-2008 early-2009 refurbishment, when the dinosaur topiaries and the located outside of the pavilion billboard (which had been added in 1996) were removed. At this time, the pavilion’s original exterior color pallet was also returned.
Current Attractions
Ellen's Energy Adventure- This 45 minute attraction shows guests the history of energy- beginning with the Big Bang and concluding with potential future sources of energy. The attraction stars comedienne Ellen DeGeneres.
Former Attractions
Universe of Energy- The Universe of Energy attraction used film as well as a dark ride to show guests the history of energy. The Universe of Energy opened on October 1, 1982 and closed for good on September 1, 1996.
Fun Facts and Trivia
- There are roughly two acres of solar panels located on the roof of the Universe of Energy pavilion.
- Just inside the Universe of Energy pavilion, there is a tile mosaic. The mosaic is representation of the sun, and if guests look closely they can see one blue tile which is meant to represent the view of Earth from the sun.
References
http://allears.net/tp/ep/e_energy.htm
