Karin1984
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 5, 2012
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For those interested, last Wednesday I went on the UnDISCOVERed Future World Tour in Epcot. As there are not many reviews about this tour (what I could find), here are my experiences and some gossip/news/rumors/speculation etc our guide told us. Not a lot of pictures as in backstage areas you are still not allowed to make pictures.
We started off with a little confusion. Me, my friend and 1 other guest were told that the meeting point would be at the sign ‘Epcot Guided Tours’, to the right before the entrance. This appeared not to be the case, it started at Guest Relations. We got our name tags, without having to show the requested IDs and were advised to go to the bathroom before the tour started.
Once everyone was there (15 people in total), we met Robert (amazing storyteller, talks a little too fast at times), and were handed out our head phones. We started off in Guest Relations with some general history and trivia questions about Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse, Anaheim, The Florida Project and how Epcot came to be. Robert showed us some cards with pictures of World Fairs Walt had visited and how some of these exhibitions influenced Epcot. Immediately some info on Spaceship Earth, but also how it works in comparison to the Castle in Magic Kingdom. This took about 30 minutes. Which me and my friend both thought was too long. Could be just us as we live and breathe Disney. It might be necessary as a Guide does not know in advance the level of knowledge of his guests.
Around 9:30 we went backstage at Guest Relations, where we were shown Marty, an audio animatronic, how he works, facts about audio animatronics (who knew that the Abraham Lincoln model used in Anaheim was also the model used for the auctioneer in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride!).
According to Robert they have developed a new way of creating skin, which looks even more realistic and the refurbishment of Pirates of the Caribbean will include these new skin. I asked if it would be more like the dwarves in 7DMT and the singers in Haunted Mansion. He confirmed, it would be more like this, but I’m not sure if he meant projected faces. The new skin will be able to portray more subtle emotions.
We went through Innoventions where Robert told us stories about how Walt imagined to use Epcot for teaching guests things without them realizing it.
No news on when Colortopia will open.
We went outside and in front of the fountain Robert shared the troubles they had with the fountain ceremony they had at park opening. Also how the fountain works in relation to the weather, how high the water goes, wind etc.
On to the other side of West, we were pointed out the differences between Land / Sea side and Future side. And the landmark, where you can see how all kind of inventions throughout the ages influenced each other.
We then went on to Coral Reef, first in front 10 minutes, then inside about 10 minutes. Outside information on how the rides before Finding Nemo looked, how it works with setting up an aquarium as big as this. Inside, about upkeeping / cleaning of the tank, with some anecdotes about the dolphins. Greeted by one of the cleaners. With his sign he asked us if we were on a backstage tour and wished us fun.
First bathroom break here.
After this we went into the land pavilion. Robert pointed out the mural and how both sides are an exact mirror image of each other, and where you can find the signature of the artists. (the little green stone)
Once inside Robert told us about how Living with the Land, Soarin and The Circle of Life rides came to be. How the seasons can be find in the restaurant. It’s about 11am when we have a 15 minute break, we can get something to eat/drink inside the pavilion.
We go through a side door and end up backstage, where they are working on the Soarin’ expansion. Robert lets us in on how the new film will not be just California but Worldwide, and it is still planned to premiere in a few months and that there will be different versions for Disneyland California, Disney World and Disneyland Shanghai for the ending. So, the movie will end in the park you are seeing Soarin’ in. The same for the little kid in the instruction video. Now in both Disneyland California and Disney World the boy in the video is wearing a Disneyland shirt. In the future films the kid will wear a shirt for the park. The films will be more like how it works on Star Tours, the movies are digital and the scenes can be different each time you see it. So even longer queues to be expected!
We went in through the VIP entry and rode Soarin’, front row with Robert narrating throughout the film. Pointing out things like the pirate ship and the Mickey on the golf ball.
Onto the Imagination Building. The ride was closed due to a technical problem, but Robert took us up to the pyramid. Currently this space is unused, but was home to where Robert once worked, an interactive play area with Figment. Still a lot of theming on the walls.
In the pyramid itself, we got some stories on how the monorail came to be. How it was developed and how the opening ceremony went. As we are above some fountains also on who designed most of the waterworks in the parks. This area is officially not accessible for guests, no pictures.
Robert suspects that the area will be re-themed and opened with Inside Out as the theme. Before the movie premiered John Lasseter visited the pavilion with a notebook. There were and still are already 5 flags hanging in the pyramid, each with the color of the emotions from Inside Out. I hope they can realize this soon
Inside to the West building and there is a timeline of Epcot’s history, we got a little more history on different shows and rides there were in the past, successful and unsuccessful ones. There was time for another bathroom break here, we didn’t use it.
For those going to the Food & Wine Festival, next to the West side, a part was getting refurbished. According to Robert this is to incorporate the Future World with the F&W festival, it should become a place where you can experiment with food yourself and immediately eat it.
Next we were standing in front of the other side of the fountain (on the way to World Showcase), where we told information about the Epcot family, how new CMs are welcomed.
Our next stop is the VIP lounge within Mission Space (the Jupiter model in front of the ride is an old ball used at the Indiana Jones Stunt Show). The lounge is used for the VIPs to relax, it’s owned and managed by HP. No drinks, but there was candy we could take.
Robert told us about how Mission Space was developed, how it helped the space program and what astronauts think of it. Also information on how the area after Mission Space is designed, especially for those who did the Orange version, to get your body adjusted again to the normal world again.
This is what you see from windows in the VIP lounge, you look down on the area after the ride. So next time, look up and wave to the people
It’s about 1 pm when we arrive at Test Track and go behind the ride to see how the construction works. Also how it was designed, how the testing worked, the cars, the wheels etc.
For the last half hour we walk backstage (the area you can see when your Test Track car gets outside) and go into the costume building. We get to hear all about how cast members have to take care of their costumes and the entire laundry system. We walk through racks with thousands of costumes sorted by their ride/pavilion/store. Before we go into the next area, we have to swear that there is only one Mickey Mouse, one Cinderella and that we will forget everything we see in here. (I only swore to the first 2 things ;-) ) Inside is the wig/make up area of the characters and we could see princesses with only their wigs/make up or fur characters without their head on. We don’t see the last, but we do see the first. Coincidentally the friends of the princesses we would meet for dinner in Norway. Robert tells us how the training for the characters goes, what they have to do, etc.
Also we see the seamstresses working on the fur for a dog, I couldn’t recognize the dog, so maybe it’ll be for the new Frozen ride?
Robert mentioned May 2016 as opening month for the Frozen ride. Not a lot of details are known, all Robert said was you will be able to immerse yourself in the world of Arendelle.
We walk backstage towards the China pavilion were our tour ends at 1:30pm. We get a Figment pin and Robert has arranged that we can use the VIP area (in front of Italy, right of the gondolas) for Illuminations that evening if we wish. Also if there is space, and you say you were on the tour, the Nine Dragons sometimes gives discounts on the lunches.
We did use the VIP spots, but would probably not use them again. For two reasons. 1. It depends at what time the Magic Kingdom closes. Illuminations began at 9, but so did Wishes. From Italy you cannot hear the music of Wishes, but you can see the fireworks from this direction. 2. It takes a long time to walk from Italy back to the bus stops. But it was a nice bonus.
Overall, I enjoyed the tour. 4,5 hours for $65 is worth it imho. But it’s not a tour I will repeat soon as there will not be new things added for the coming years. Highlights were Robert’s storytelling, especially the fun things about guest behaviour and the wardrobe sections.
We started off with a little confusion. Me, my friend and 1 other guest were told that the meeting point would be at the sign ‘Epcot Guided Tours’, to the right before the entrance. This appeared not to be the case, it started at Guest Relations. We got our name tags, without having to show the requested IDs and were advised to go to the bathroom before the tour started.
Once everyone was there (15 people in total), we met Robert (amazing storyteller, talks a little too fast at times), and were handed out our head phones. We started off in Guest Relations with some general history and trivia questions about Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse, Anaheim, The Florida Project and how Epcot came to be. Robert showed us some cards with pictures of World Fairs Walt had visited and how some of these exhibitions influenced Epcot. Immediately some info on Spaceship Earth, but also how it works in comparison to the Castle in Magic Kingdom. This took about 30 minutes. Which me and my friend both thought was too long. Could be just us as we live and breathe Disney. It might be necessary as a Guide does not know in advance the level of knowledge of his guests.
Around 9:30 we went backstage at Guest Relations, where we were shown Marty, an audio animatronic, how he works, facts about audio animatronics (who knew that the Abraham Lincoln model used in Anaheim was also the model used for the auctioneer in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride!).
According to Robert they have developed a new way of creating skin, which looks even more realistic and the refurbishment of Pirates of the Caribbean will include these new skin. I asked if it would be more like the dwarves in 7DMT and the singers in Haunted Mansion. He confirmed, it would be more like this, but I’m not sure if he meant projected faces. The new skin will be able to portray more subtle emotions.
We went through Innoventions where Robert told us stories about how Walt imagined to use Epcot for teaching guests things without them realizing it.
No news on when Colortopia will open.
We went outside and in front of the fountain Robert shared the troubles they had with the fountain ceremony they had at park opening. Also how the fountain works in relation to the weather, how high the water goes, wind etc.
On to the other side of West, we were pointed out the differences between Land / Sea side and Future side. And the landmark, where you can see how all kind of inventions throughout the ages influenced each other.
We then went on to Coral Reef, first in front 10 minutes, then inside about 10 minutes. Outside information on how the rides before Finding Nemo looked, how it works with setting up an aquarium as big as this. Inside, about upkeeping / cleaning of the tank, with some anecdotes about the dolphins. Greeted by one of the cleaners. With his sign he asked us if we were on a backstage tour and wished us fun.
First bathroom break here.
After this we went into the land pavilion. Robert pointed out the mural and how both sides are an exact mirror image of each other, and where you can find the signature of the artists. (the little green stone)
Once inside Robert told us about how Living with the Land, Soarin and The Circle of Life rides came to be. How the seasons can be find in the restaurant. It’s about 11am when we have a 15 minute break, we can get something to eat/drink inside the pavilion.
We go through a side door and end up backstage, where they are working on the Soarin’ expansion. Robert lets us in on how the new film will not be just California but Worldwide, and it is still planned to premiere in a few months and that there will be different versions for Disneyland California, Disney World and Disneyland Shanghai for the ending. So, the movie will end in the park you are seeing Soarin’ in. The same for the little kid in the instruction video. Now in both Disneyland California and Disney World the boy in the video is wearing a Disneyland shirt. In the future films the kid will wear a shirt for the park. The films will be more like how it works on Star Tours, the movies are digital and the scenes can be different each time you see it. So even longer queues to be expected!
We went in through the VIP entry and rode Soarin’, front row with Robert narrating throughout the film. Pointing out things like the pirate ship and the Mickey on the golf ball.
Onto the Imagination Building. The ride was closed due to a technical problem, but Robert took us up to the pyramid. Currently this space is unused, but was home to where Robert once worked, an interactive play area with Figment. Still a lot of theming on the walls.
In the pyramid itself, we got some stories on how the monorail came to be. How it was developed and how the opening ceremony went. As we are above some fountains also on who designed most of the waterworks in the parks. This area is officially not accessible for guests, no pictures.
Robert suspects that the area will be re-themed and opened with Inside Out as the theme. Before the movie premiered John Lasseter visited the pavilion with a notebook. There were and still are already 5 flags hanging in the pyramid, each with the color of the emotions from Inside Out. I hope they can realize this soon
Inside to the West building and there is a timeline of Epcot’s history, we got a little more history on different shows and rides there were in the past, successful and unsuccessful ones. There was time for another bathroom break here, we didn’t use it.
For those going to the Food & Wine Festival, next to the West side, a part was getting refurbished. According to Robert this is to incorporate the Future World with the F&W festival, it should become a place where you can experiment with food yourself and immediately eat it.
Next we were standing in front of the other side of the fountain (on the way to World Showcase), where we told information about the Epcot family, how new CMs are welcomed.
Our next stop is the VIP lounge within Mission Space (the Jupiter model in front of the ride is an old ball used at the Indiana Jones Stunt Show). The lounge is used for the VIPs to relax, it’s owned and managed by HP. No drinks, but there was candy we could take.
Robert told us about how Mission Space was developed, how it helped the space program and what astronauts think of it. Also information on how the area after Mission Space is designed, especially for those who did the Orange version, to get your body adjusted again to the normal world again.
This is what you see from windows in the VIP lounge, you look down on the area after the ride. So next time, look up and wave to the people
It’s about 1 pm when we arrive at Test Track and go behind the ride to see how the construction works. Also how it was designed, how the testing worked, the cars, the wheels etc.
For the last half hour we walk backstage (the area you can see when your Test Track car gets outside) and go into the costume building. We get to hear all about how cast members have to take care of their costumes and the entire laundry system. We walk through racks with thousands of costumes sorted by their ride/pavilion/store. Before we go into the next area, we have to swear that there is only one Mickey Mouse, one Cinderella and that we will forget everything we see in here. (I only swore to the first 2 things ;-) ) Inside is the wig/make up area of the characters and we could see princesses with only their wigs/make up or fur characters without their head on. We don’t see the last, but we do see the first. Coincidentally the friends of the princesses we would meet for dinner in Norway. Robert tells us how the training for the characters goes, what they have to do, etc.
Also we see the seamstresses working on the fur for a dog, I couldn’t recognize the dog, so maybe it’ll be for the new Frozen ride?
Robert mentioned May 2016 as opening month for the Frozen ride. Not a lot of details are known, all Robert said was you will be able to immerse yourself in the world of Arendelle.
We walk backstage towards the China pavilion were our tour ends at 1:30pm. We get a Figment pin and Robert has arranged that we can use the VIP area (in front of Italy, right of the gondolas) for Illuminations that evening if we wish. Also if there is space, and you say you were on the tour, the Nine Dragons sometimes gives discounts on the lunches.
We did use the VIP spots, but would probably not use them again. For two reasons. 1. It depends at what time the Magic Kingdom closes. Illuminations began at 9, but so did Wishes. From Italy you cannot hear the music of Wishes, but you can see the fireworks from this direction. 2. It takes a long time to walk from Italy back to the bus stops. But it was a nice bonus.
Overall, I enjoyed the tour. 4,5 hours for $65 is worth it imho. But it’s not a tour I will repeat soon as there will not be new things added for the coming years. Highlights were Robert’s storytelling, especially the fun things about guest behaviour and the wardrobe sections.
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