Kevin's right about the UoE

[BeamsofLight]

The old preshow, before Ellen moved into the Universe of Energy, had screens that rotated as they talked about different forms of energy. "The Deluge" part was indeed in The Living Seas, but the flipping around screens business I only ever remember from UoE when I was little.

I found it on YouTube if anyone is interested -> link (not my video). Not a great video of it, but it'll show the screens.

Just a different lead in to the nap.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I'll back up Caroline - when I was listening last night, I was talking to my iPod, saying "Remember ....how it rotated to the giant screens with the Big Bang Theory and that was how you were introduced to the dinosaurs!"

Back in 89 they were pretty cool and seemed much more fierce - no cheesy extra characters to "soften their impact". (That was my only issue with the Ellen change....) They were much more in line with the feel of the Grand Canyon Diorama here at Disneyland.

As far as kathy's thoughts - she's right - they could do more to promote the alternative energy - but that's why they took out the original version to begin with - "Too Educational"!

 

[safetymom]

I only started going to WDW in 1995 so I don't know what the previous version was like. How does it compare with the current version?

 

[DisneyKevin]

I love threads that start with "Kevin was right"!!!!!!!!!

 

[manhattan]

As I listened, I was trying so hard to remember, because I do remember going when Ellen was new and we thought it was cute with Bill Nye the Science Guy, but I just couldn't remember it too clear.

 

[mrzrich]

Kevin is also backed up on Walt Dated World.

http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id182.htm

BTW this website is great for when you can't remember an old attraction or restaurant!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I only started going to WDW in 1995 so I don't know what the previous version was like. How does it compare with the current version?

Hey Kathy - the new version is a lighter and fluffier way to discuss energy - dumbed down for the masses, if you will. The old version had the rotating boards in the lobby area, which then led into an introductory video - it also had a countdown clock in the preshow area. You always made sure to go to the front right car so you could hear the whole "Dark Room" track - and get the best view of the Dinos. There was a scientific discussion of energy and the big bang theory - dry for most - and then off to the dinos. They are mostly the same - i can't remember how the one was changed to add Ellen...

One of the most interesting parts was as you entered the dark room after the dinos, they would have a "radio show of history" playing that told you what happened along the timeline of history 20,0000 years BC - the blahblahblah did blahblahblah. 1,000 years, BC - you get the gist. Some pretty cool things to learn. Then, you rotated into the final show on alternative energy sources. That's where I always feel asleep. Narcolepsy does that sometimes....

My favorite part was the theme song...
Energy...... these are a few of your faces.... Da da da da da da places... Da da dadada spaces. You make the world go round and round.... you make the world go round!

 

[thatslygirl]

I have to admit, I fell asleep, too. Which is weird, because those dinosaurs were loud!

(Now that I think about it, I fell asleep in Mission Space, too.)

 

[Cinderella89]

Seeing as I had just gotten off of work when I first did the refurbed addition of UoE....I feel right alseep durig the dinosours. Best new nap ride. lol

 

[DISnutCpl]

When I was listening to the discussion about the flipping-screen pre-show, I was talking to my iPod trying to help Kevin out! I also remember that during the flip-screen pre-show, Exxon had an ad (they were the sponsor or the attraction). It was a cool ad that had some really beautiful footage of the Exxon tiger. Wow, that was a random memory.

 

[Disney Khi]

You know, even though the first version was deemed to be "too educational," I always loved it when I went as a kid. I remember it being so cool, but I was always just a bit afraid of the dinosaurs. I also remember when Ellen was added to it. It was a fun change at the time, but now it is just "meh." I looked forward to riding it last year since it was the first time I'd been back in a number of years, and I was sorely unimpressed. It was DH's first time to Epcot, and he thought it was very boring. We didn't mind at all that it was down for refurb when we were there this year.

 

[challer]

This is reminding me of the "good old days" at EPCOT for me - the 80's when I was a kid and Future World wasn't boring or "too educational." It was inspiring and exciting. Now it's shallow and annoying and a shadow of its old self in its attempt to be thrilling and to keep the kids interested.

Was I the only kid like this?

 

[mikelan6]

I remember the revolving screens too. They made a strange sound as they turned. Ahhh ... the good ole days.

 

[Cyrano]

I love threads that start with "Kevin was right"!!!!!!!!!

Especially when they are started by someone else

 

[BeamsofLight]

This is reminding me of the "good old days" at EPCOT for me - the 80's when I was a kid and Future World wasn't boring or "too educational." It was inspiring and exciting. Now it's shallow and annoying and a shadow of its old self in its attempt to be thrilling and to keep the kids interested.

Was I the only kid like this?

I was a kid like that. I like to think I still am (at heart, anyway ). I miss the inspiring EPCOT of old.