RUMOR: Timekeeper moves to Epcot (?)

[Robo]

Just read on another thread that a "CM said" (gotta love those "CM said" things) that Timekeeper (the mostly-closed except "seasonally") but nicely-done attraction at MK's Tomorrowland... was going to be removed from MK, and "MOVED" to Epcot.

This would be a very nice "fit" as the attraction has an "international" theme (scenes take place in many different parts of the world) and a "futuristic" tone.

Timekeeper was originally developed for "EuroDisney" (now called "Disneyland Paris") and was installed at WDW at the same time.

For those who have not SEEN it (and that's a LOT of people), its a "Circle-Vision 360" film with in-room A100 AudioAnimatronics characters and other effects.

It stars Robin Williams and Rhea Perlman as the voices of the animatronic hosts, and a good cast of actors in the effects-heavy film.

I consider it a first-rate Disney attraction with humor, good characters, a fun story, positive "look into the future" message, a thrilling 360-degree film, and a good dose of Disney "HEART".

I know its just a RUMOR, but Timekeeper at Epcot would help both the attraction and the park.

(Hey, it could "bridge" FW and WS if they put it in place of the ill-fated Odyssey Restaurant).

Yes? No?

 

[joshsmom]

I really like Timekeeper and I wouldn't mind it moving--as long as they actually had it OPEN!!! We've only been able to see it a few times in all the trips we've taken and I think its a shame.

 

[Bracho]

To be honest I don't care where it is as long as they leave it open.

 

[chesirechik]

I've been to WDW three times, once during peak, and it has NEVER been open!

 

[cinderkelli]

I keep hearing this 'seasonally' thing. What does that mean? When is it normally open? Is it just random?

 

[Lesley]

Cool idea. Good fit. I like Timekeeper. Not holding my breath though....

 

[rcraw45425]

We've caught Timekeeper during the really busy times like spring break/Easter

 

[ChrisFL]

great rumor, but where would they put it? They'd either have to remove a current 360 film (highly doubtful as they're all country specific) or build a new theater.

I'd think it could go to Future World, but still I don't know where they'd put it. Cost wise, if it goes in an existing building it wouldn't be too bad, but to have a new building for it? I just don't see Disney spending the money on it.

 

[Robo]

great rumor, but where would they put it? They'd either have to remove a current 360 film (highly doubtful as they're all country specific) or build a new theater.

I'd think it could go to Future World, but still I don't know where they'd put it. Cost wise, if it goes in an existing building it wouldn't be too bad, but to have a new building for it? I just don't see Disney spending the money on it.

The good thing about this is, as ride buildings go, there's nothing much cheaper than a Circle-Vision theater.
No tracks and "cars", no theater seating, no multi-set lighting...
Just a big round room with lean-bars and carpet.

Yes, the projection "booths" must be built around the outside perimeter, and a "stage" for the animatronic actors (and a QUEUE area) but all of the technology and gear are already built... just need to be MOVED, set-up and re-connected.

About as cheap as any attraction can be.

Where? I already suggested the Odyssey Restaurant location (as a "bridge" between FW and WS.)

But it would not be too much of a "trick" to build it "outside" the traditional FW semi-circle area(s) with a lengthy queue to the theater... look how much they spent on building that IMMENSE "hallway" from the Land to "Soarin'" theaters (probably cost as much for that "hallway" as the whole new Timekeeper 360 Theater would cost).

 

[ChrisFL]

I don't believe they could actually FIT it into the Odyssee restaurant, they'd have to do work on it. I also realize that it's one of the cheapest things they could build, but they also couldn't do much for promoting it, it's not a new attraction at all, just being moved.

I think it's a great attraction, but I don't think Disney would be willing to do all of that work to move a show that's been open for 10+ years

 

[Chief Joseph]

Now that Seimans has signed on to sponsor SE and other attractions, I wonder if possibly they are looking for a way to incorporate the AA units into the post show area with a new schpiel.

Or possibly a complete redo of the France Pavillion movie.

 

[YoHo]

I realize Disney has given up on any kind of theme for Epcot, but I don't really see how this movie fits with what's left in any coherent way. Maybe, MAYBE Imagination. Having said that, it's a very Epcoty ride in feel. I wouldn't be surprised if it did better there. Of course, it really doesn't fix the inherent problem with the ride which was the whole not sitting down, craning your neck to see thing.

 

[seashoreCM]

How easily could one theater be set up to do three or four different Circle Vision shows on an alternating basis?

One way would be to have three or four sets of projectors, each set always loaded with the same films. Between shows the screens are slid around the perimeter of the room slightly so a different set of nine projector lenses is revealed.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Since The Wonders of Life pavillion is pretty much shut down, except for the last two weeks of the year, maybe Timekeeper could be moved over there.

 

[Robo]

I don't believe they could actually FIT it into the Odyssee restaurant, they'd have to do work on it.

I didn't intend it to fit IN the restaurant, I meant it could go WHERE the restaurant IS now as a "bridging attraction" between FW and WS.

they also couldn't do much for promoting it, it's not a new attraction at all

They don't need to promote it. It would just add to Epcot another broad-appeal (not just a MOVIE, not a THRILL-RIDE) attraction.

Back in the early days of WDW, the CoP was simply "moved" to MK from Disneyland.
CoP hadn't been very popular in California for quite some time by then either.

I think it's a great attraction, but I don't think Disney would be willing to do all of that work to move a show that's been open for 10+ years

Well, it may have been SITTING THERE for 10 years, but it hasn't been OPEN for 10 years.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Just read on another thread that a "CM said" (gotta love those "CM said" things) that Timekeeper (the mostly-closed except "seasonally") but nicely-done attraction at MK's Tomorrowland... was going to be removed from MK, and "MOVED" to Epcot.

Whenever I hear a new rumor, I apply a "reasonableness" filter to it. This rumor doesn't pass.

Timekeeper in Tomorrowland at MK did not resonate with guests. Within a few years of opening, Timekeeper was playing to a near-empty room. It's so unpopular that Disney doesn't think it's worth staffing with a few cast members, except during peak periods. (And when I saw Timekeeper during Christmas vacation 2004, the audience consisted of about a dozen people, including my kids and me.)

Yet now a CM wants us to believe that Disney will spend millions to build a new CircleVision theater at Epcot for Timekeeper — even though Timekeeper fits perfectly into the retro-future of Tomorrowland, and Disney doesn't need the CircleVision theatre in Tomorrowland for anything else.

Sorry, I don't buy it.

I think this is another case where the CM was having fun making things up (or the case of a gullible CM who was a victim of someone else who made it up).

The equivalent of Timekeeper closed at both Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland to make way for Buzz Lightyear, but the MK already has a Buzz Lightyear ride.

(Hey, it could "bridge" FW and WS if they put it in place of the ill-fated Odyssey Restaurant).

Yes? No?

No.

Actually, the Odyssey Center is used extensively during the Food & Wine Festival and for private events during the rest of the year. It may have been "ill-fated" (in terms of its ability to fill tables) in its previous role as a large counter service restaurant, but now has a significant role at Epcot.

 

[ztbz]

Also the Odyssey building is use for the Employee Cafeteria, The Building was also built on top of a Sinkhole which is where the Lake in front the Odyssey comes from so it would likely be too costly for Disney to turn the Odyssey into a 360 degree theater and they would have to relocated the Employee Cafeteria too.