Undiscovered Future World

[zoe69]

I just came back from a 5 night stay at CSR, and loved it. On Friday, we took the Undiscovered Future World Tour at EPCOT. I see there are many mixed reviews, and wanted to share my experience.

First, we were the ONLY people on the tour!! They said this was a fluke, but how wonderful for us! It was like our own VIP tour. Our guide Sarah was FANTASTIC!!

I am a FL res & have been to Disney more than a 100+ times, so I wasn't sure how much I would learn. Well... I learned alot, and saw a ton of things I'd never noticed, even in the "on stage" areas.

We were taken to 2 VIP lounges, went backstage on Test Track, went into the Mission Space Control, got to ride Soarin, saw the EPCOT costume wearhouse, saw where they store the Illuminations equip. backstage, & got VIP seating for Illuminations that night. We were also offered a 20% discount for lunch at 9 Dragons.

There were many other "cool" things we saw & learned, but I don't want to spoil the whole thing. Let's just say, I got more than my money's worth for this tour, and I would totally recommend it.

BTW, AP's get a discount on all tours!

 

[the kabuki]

Awww... go ahead and spoil it for the rest of us who will probably never be able to take this tour. One "cool" thing you learned at least???

 

[zoe69]

I guess it depends on your idea of "cool," but when we were in the Living Seas VIP room, our guide mentioned that the tank is held to the indows in the wall with only a little bit of silicone. Basically, the only thing holding up the tank is the pressure of the water. Over the years, they have only had one or two "minor" leaks.

 

[Shelby5514]

It sounds wonderful, may I ask what the price is for this tour?

 

[zoe69]

It's $49. You get a discount with an AP. I THINK it came out to @$40 w/ the discount. It was totally worth it!!

You can get details of all the tours on allearsnet. Go to "Beyond the Themeparks" then to "Tours and Cruises" then to "Behind the Scenes Tours." Then scroll down & you'll see a chart of all the tours. It's the last one in the Epcot column.

 

[Elfstar]

There may be a AAA discount as well. There is for Keys to the Kingdom tour.

 

[buzz2400]

Tell us some cool things. I can't go on any tour because you have to be 16 and ds is only 13. I would live to go on some of these tours and get some behind the scenes info. Please, please, please give us some info. thanks.

 

[zoe69]

Our guide pointed out some "Hidden Mickeys" that I would NEVER have ever guessed. In Soarin', she pointed out the mickey on the golf ball. (All you see is a black blur.)

She also told us that the camera crew only had one time to shoot the scene in the national park. So, when you see the skiers come over the hill, notice that the last one falls. They couldn't re-do the take, so he's in there forever!!

Also, because of the one shoot, the hang glider is computer generated into the film.

When we went behind the scenes at Mission Space, the CM showed us the Hidden Mickeys on the monitors. When you "take off" there are Mickey's on the end of the "thing" that supports the ship before & while launching.

There is also one on Mars, but I had a hard time seeing it.

The only reason the CM's know they are there is because the techs slowed down the films so they could see them. In "real-time" footage, you would never see them!

 

[crazyj4488]

Thanks for the report on this tour. I really think I'd like to check it out now.

 

[zoe69]

Thanks for the report on this tour. I really think I'd like to check it out now.

As long as you like Epcot, I think you'd enjoy it!

Another cool thing, is that you go into the park & check in before it opens. It's pretty neat to see it empty. The tour does not start until 9:00am. So, we sat outside & got to watch the opening ceremony (never knew they had one! LOL) and watch the crowd as it emerged into the park.

 

[kathyseb]

How long was the tour?
Sounds liek something we might be interested in.
We have gone on about five or six tours before, but not this one.

 

[zoe69]

You get there around 8:45am & we finished around 1:30pm. It's supposed to be 4 to 4 1/2 hrs. We really had a great guide, Sarah, & she took us EVERYWHERE!! Of course it was easy because it was just my DBF & me!!

Also, EAT BEFORE you go. There is only a 20 - 30 min break at the land to buy something! It is a long time to go without if you don't eat before hand!