Ellen's Energy Adventure: Must do or skip?

[mickeyluv'r]

Ooh, it is a tough call. I also have nostalgia for CoP, but the last scene is also painful.

I really wonder if Bob Iger ever actually visits any of the amusement parks. I can't imagine any of the WDW decision -makers actually taking pride in either attraction.

The names are all wrong. Tomorrrowland really ought to be renamed Retro-World, and Future World really deserves to be called Yesterland. There's really nothing modern in either land.

Universal's Men in Black (2000) is pretty old, so it makes Buzz (1998) look even more dated.

Energy dates to 1996- so TWENTY YEARS OLD!

CoP was last updated in 1993, so 23 years ago.

 

[Accident]

I recently went on it just because of the "connecting with walt" podcasts. I never knew the dinosaurs were the original worlds fair ones.. other than that, it's a good place to find a/c and nap..

 

[Miss Frankie J]

If you are going in the summertime it is perfect to escape the heat for a bit or even kill time inbetween a Test track and mission space FP+

I'd do it at least once if you are able

 

[mco65]

No, not worth is just for the dinosaurs IMO. But if your tired and need to relax for a spell, this ride is great for that. I have done it many times, its always fun and relaxing..

 

[Yahweh]

Please skip it! It is a disgrace!

It is SO terribly outdated that it is full of wildly outdated misinformation! I can't say that loudly enough!

The world of ENERGY has completely transformed since the last time that clunker was updated, and the new ideas are truly exciting! Just for a start:

1. The cost of renewable energy sources is now competitive with carbon based fuels. Adding a solar cell to most homes will SAVE you $$$!

2. For almost 100 years, Edison's basic lightbulb stayed the same. Compare that to cars and televisions from just 10 or 20 years. FINALLY! Our newest bulbs cost less and generate better light.

3. Ellen Energy predates the kind of world dangers our energy grid now faces.

Sigh, it is just so sad to consider the kind of benefit Disney COULD be giving their customers in a part of Epcot called "Future World."

Ah, But Alex Trebeck's moustache will never be outdated!!!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Really? Can you explain why? We have some people who don't do well with dizzy (my parents) or claustrophobia (me!) I was expecting something like the Great Movie Ride in DHS?

The time difference is the opening movie. They didn't used to allow guests to enter during that movie, but now they do if it isn't full. Otherwise it is a bit like the Country Bears (or any show), the wait is mostly about waiting for the next show to start.

Energy is has different sections, and each takes a certain amount of time.

I don't know why anyone would get claustrophobic. At no point are guests highly confined. You sit in large moving theaters. They are bigger than the ones in the Great Movie Ride, and move much slower.

The only thing I can think of is that one portion is very dark. Again, it is similar to the last scene of GMR, the carts move (and turn) rather slowly. some of the Energy theaters are 360 surround, but often only one of the screen has a movie playing. It is a bit similar to the China and Canada films in Epcot I that regard.

Perhaps it is also bothersome that nowadays, the ride is probably pretty empty most of the time.

 

[kimmyg26]

Every time we go to Epcot, I make a mental note that I finally have to go on this ride. After plenty of Disney trips, we have yet to do it. I want to check it out but the length of time for this ride deters me. I guess it's my mind always thinking about everything else that I HAVE to see and do. One day....one day soon I will hopefully finally experience it!

 

[Anal Annie]

If it's super hot or raining out it's a great place for a nap! Otherwise....pass!!

 

[Parker Clan]

Really? Can you explain why? We have some people who don't do well with dizzy (my parents) or claustrophobia (me!) I was expecting something like the Great Movie Ride in DHS?

For me it wasn't like the GMR, it's hard to explain, I know that doesn't help lol
The GMR is shorter so maybe that's why. I just remember feeling very dizzy and wanting to leave. Now..it was August so I wonder if I was dehydrated??

 

[texasroni75]

We visit this attraction about every other trip. We go on the ride to be entertained, not to determine how we will make energy efficiency decisions. If anything, you could always let the family know ahead of time that it's more of a "history lesson" on energy, than about the latest and greatest. So, while it's outdated for sure, it still has some value, if you have some free time in your schedule and want to sit back for a bit in the A/C.

 

[SaraMc]

We take our kids out of school. Its educational. So there is that. In the summer when its super hot its a nice break

 

[RRZJ]

It's a great ride for a 5 and 7 year old. The ride through the dinosaurs is one of my kid's favorites.

 

[Delirium]

I always recommend people try something at least once. That said, it is time consuming. However, if there was a situation where I could do one non-headliner in 45 minutes that I had never done before or 2 non-headliners that I had done multiple times before, I would choose the one I had never done. So, my recommendation if you don't have time to do everything, budget some things out like Living with the Land and Figment and give Ellen a shot.

 

[Grumpy Tigger]

It is not a must do, but it is good if we have time and want a cool place to rest for a little while. We enjoy it, but not love it.

 

[PetePanMan]

Skip unless you need to take a cool nap.

it really is a great place to have a nice nap on a hot day

 

[mdoc]

We almost always do this when we're at Epcot. It's a fabulous napping/cooling off opportunity, and the ride itself is interesting if you're awake on it (which I rarely am). I was very pleasantly surprised the first time I rode.

 

[jrmasm]

We love it and ride every trip. My kids love Ellen and Bill Nye.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hi! I've been to Epcot countless times and never done this. We tend to do the headliners in FW and get over to WS as that is our favorite place in all of WDW. My kids are 5 and 7 and therefore not super interested yet in educational stuff and also I saw that the showtime is 22 minutes, which is a big chunk of time. But my DS loves dinosaurs and I saw that there are some in the ride.

Is it worth going just to see the dinosaurs?

The ride is 45 minutes long. Our grandsons age 11 and 9 at the time, really liked it. They are also obsessed with dinosaurs, which might have helped.

This ride is a family favorite, although we only do it occasionally now. It is a great place to either cool off, warm up, or escape the rain. If you have time to kill between fastpasses or ADR's, then this is a nice way to do it.

Really? Can you explain why? We have some people who don't do well with dizzy (my parents) or claustrophobia (me!) I was expecting something like the Great Movie Ride in DHS?

I'm not the original poster but for me the only part that would make me dizzy is the section of the film when the airplane is swooping down over the river valley. Those kinds of scenes always give me motion sickness. I just close my eyes when that part comes up. It is only about 30 seconds long. I can't think of anything that would make someone feel claustrophobic, those, because the building that the ride is in is huge. But they do have a short period when you are in the dark, so maybe that is what they are referring to.

 

[TexasErin]

We love it and quote it frequently at home. If you think Ellen is funny (which we do), it's totally worth it! Plus it does have some educational value. And I also love Jamie Lee Curtis and she has a part in it. We usually see it twice!

 

[Pmlocke]

You are at Disney World. Why would you think about skipping anything? I especially like this ride because it gives us a chance to sit and relax for a while before we head back out into the park.