Universe of Energy question

[treehouse p]

Stupid Judy.

 

[tinker&belle]

It was the perfect ride for us to do during a short rainstorm in Aug.

 

[faindrops27]

Oh the horror. Is what I have to say. I never really liked this, back when it first came out. And the thing is my son looooooooooovvvvvvvvvves this ride. Why, I have no clue. I cannot stand the pre show. To be honest. It could be so much better without ellen, or a pre show, just have someone narrate while it moves through to see the dinosaurs. Just thinking of going back to Disney, and having to sit through that long boring commentary. Is giving me the shakes.

 

[mdhkitten]

I personally LOVE the pre-show because of Ellen. IMO, she really makes it (joking around with the audience, etc). I enjoy this more than I do the ride.

 

[OurMsBrooks]

I love this ride too. I wish there were MORE rides at WDW that were 45 minutes long! I think it's a wonderful break to be able to sit in air conditioning and relax for that long, and I really think it's a clever experience. I wouldn't want to skip the pre-show, because it's really part of the entire production. And I like Ellen, too.

 

[Robo]

Oh the horror. Is what I have to say. I never really liked this, back when it first came out. And the thing is my son looooooooooovvvvvvvvvves this ride. Why, I have no clue. I cannot stand the pre show. To be honest. It could be so much better without ellen, or a pre show, just have someone narrate while it moves through to see the dinosaurs. Just thinking of going back to Disney, and having to sit through that long boring commentary. Is giving me the shakes.

UoE was quite similar to what you suggested back when Epcot opened.
And it was like veiwing a corporate educational film.

This "revised" version is a fine example of making a dry subject much more entertaining.
Disney chose a "star" to perform the show.
There are those who don't like Ellen.
If they had chosen Roseanne, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Tom Hanks, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Ray Romano, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Bob Hope, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Jerry Seinfeld, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Rosie O'Donnell, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Oprah, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Robin Williams, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Hillary Clinton, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Barbara Bush, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Whoopi Goldberg, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Drew Carey, some people would be upset.


But they chose Ellen.
And I find the overall writing, situations, acting, and the total package to be very well-made and satisfying.

 

[TheGoofster]

UoE was quite similar to what you suggested back when Epcot opened.
And it was like veiwing a corporate educational film.

This "revised" version is a fine example of making a dry subject much more entertaining.
Disney chose a "star" to perform the show.
There are those who don't like Ellen.
If they had chosen Roseanne, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Tom Hanks, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Ray Romano, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Bob Hope, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Jerry Seinfeld, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Rosie O'Donnell, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Oprah, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Robin Williams, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Hillary Clinton, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Barbara Bush, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Whoopi Goldberg, some people would be upset.
If they had chosen Drew Carey, some people would be upset.


But they chose Ellen.
And I find the overall writing, situations, acting, and the total package to be very well-made and satisfying.

From what I listened to, you could take anyone on this list (or anyone else you might want to add), and it still would be pretty bad. I'm sorry, but a lame joke is a lame joke regardless of who delivers it.

Now, what I think they should do is redo the whole intro, and give it like a Monty Python kind of presentation, and then everybody would be happy, especially my wife.

 

[Feralpeg]

I was listening to an audio of this ride today, and was not at all impressed by Ellen (the so-called humor was anything but), then I heard her say "to all of you who have come in late...", and it got me wondering, is it possible to skip that tacky intro part of the show, and only go on the riding part of the attraction, or do you have to sit through ALL of it (dumb jokes and all).
The last time I went on this ride was, I think, 1990, so I really don't know much about it.
Thank you for any responses.

Sorry, but I love that part of the show. I've heard many times and still find it amusing.

 

[TheGoofster]

Actually, the more I think about it, the less sense it even makes to me to use a real "star" as the host of an attraction.
If you think about it, a real person only has a limited time appeal, before they are no longer well known enough to be recognizable to all visitors (not too mention that many foreigners don't recognize them in the first place).
I personally prefer it when Disney uses their own characters to host their attractions.
For example, the old Journey into Imagination verses the new one. I think most people would agree that the old one with Dreamfinder and figment was much better than the new one (especially when the took figgy out altogether).
Or Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carrey. Does Drew really make this a good attraction? Again, most people would say no. So why not either use an existing Disney Character (perhaps someone like Krunk), or make up a new one that would increase the appeal of this attraction?
Could you imagine the Country Bear jamboree with a real "star" being the host? Or even worse COP being hosted by a real "star" (oh the horrors of even just thinking about it).
I would love to see UoE be redone, and have all the real "stars" be replace by Disney characters (for example I think Professor Von Drake would be a great host of this ride)

 

[mdhkitten]

Personally, I think that their adding Ellen is what's kept the Universe of Energy going for so long....................otherwise I think it would have been doomed quite some time ago. Again, that's just my opinion!

 

[cleo]

Stupid Judy.

ACK!!! My 13 year old walks around the house saying this all the time! Then he adds this twisted, sorta-spooky laugh at the end. Weird. Just weird!

But I agree with mdhkitten. Adding Ellen brought new life to a fading attraction. It's a terrific show, hugely informative (even if it leaves you wondering what the solution will be), and Ellen is, in my opinion, a great addition, whether you find the jokes funny or not.

 

[TheGoofster]

Personally, I think that their adding Ellen is what's kept the Universe of Energy going for so long....................otherwise I think it would have been doomed quite some time ago. Again, that's just my opinion!

Seriously? You think it was Ellen that has kept the show going, and not the realistic, animatronic dinos that keeps people coming back?

Now, I'm not trying to be sarcastic but let me ask you a question.
If they were to replace Ellen with, lets say a talking piece of coal as the host of the show, but kept the life-like dinos, would you not want to go anymore because Ellen is gone?
or
If they kept Ellen, but took out the dinos, would you still go to the show?

I'm sorry, but the only reason this show still is there is because of the dinos. The host is only an extra. Now I agree that a good host can help improve a show (or in this case hurt it - IMHO ) but I don't think anybody goes to UoE just because Ellen is there.

Of course there are some who go just to get in a nap, but that's a different subject.

 

[mdhkitten]

Seriously, in my 29 trips to WDW, Universe of Energy wasn't an attraction that I looked forward to.............I basically did it because I try to do everything because I love WDW so much (and it's a great place to cool off in the summer )! Ellen, for me at least, makes the attraction much more fun, enjoyable, and informative. If I want to see more realistic (IMO) dinosaurs, I'll go ride Dinosaur at AK.

 

[Robo]

Seriously? You think it was Ellen that has kept the show going, and not the realistic, animatronic dinos that keeps people coming back?

Now, I'm not trying to be sarcastic but let me ask you a question.
If they were to replace Ellen with, lets say a talking piece of coal as the host of the show, but kept the life-like dinos, would you not want to go anymore because Ellen is gone?
or
If they kept Ellen, but took out the dinos, would you still go to the show?

I'm sorry, but the only reason this show still is there is because of the dinos. The host is only an extra. Now I agree that a good host can help improve a show (or in this case hurt it - IMHO ) but I don't think anybody goes to UoE just because Ellen is there.

Of course there are some who go just to get in a nap, but that's a different subject.

Actually, the Dinos are the most boring and SLOW part of the attraction for me.
I appreciate the great production value (animation, creative writing and locations, the jokes, use of wide-screen, and surround sound) in the films.

BTW, there are plenty of Epcot film attractions without Dino dioramas that are very successful.

Its alright to NOT LIKE an attraction.
Its alright to NOT LIKE an actor.
There are plenty of both choices at WDW.

 

[TheGoofster]

Oh well, to each his own.
We will be doing this show because like most people, my kids will want to see the dinos, and thanks to the many responses to this thread I realize that we will also need to sit through the boring, stale jokes of the preshow as well. Maybe I can bring a pair of earplugs and try to catch a few winks while the preshow is on, then have my son wake me up when the real show starts.
Anyway, thanks again everybody, your responses, like always, make planning a whole lot easier.

 

[mdhkitten]

Oh well, to each his own.
We will be doing this show because like most people, my kids will want to see the dinos, and thanks to the many responses to this thread I realize that we will also need to sit through the boring, stale jokes of the preshow as well. Maybe I can bring a pair of earplugs and try to catch a few winks while the preshow is on, then have my son wake me up when the real show starts.
Anyway, thanks again everybody, your responses, like always, make planning a whole lot easier.

No problem! Just go and enjoy yourself! Each person has their likes and dislikes, and that's ok!

 

[Robo]

I realize that we will also need to sit through the boring, stale jokes of the preshow as well.

Rest assured that well over 50% of virtually each group of guests riding/viewing any attraction will be first-timers.
Remember that a "stale joke" is not so stale if you've never seen/heard it before.

I am one who loves to revisit an attraction that may be "stale" to ME... just to watch for the reactions of first-time guests.

It can make an old show seem new.
Don't you like to show kids and friends your favorite movies and TV shows that you may have "memorized", but are BRAND NEW to them?

Also, if you DON'T like an attraction, its fun to see if others are bored by it as well.
Its the repressed "movie critic" in me, I guess.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I was listening to an audio of this ride today, and was not at all impressed by Ellen (the so-called humor was anything but), then I heard her say "to all of you who have come in late...", and it got me wondering, is it possible to skip that tacky intro part of the show,

I just reread the original post.
That's one of the disadvantages of being able to listen to dialogue without the accompanying video. If the OP sees the actual preshow, which really IS pertinent to the attraction (unlike, say, MuppetVision 3D where the preshow is just for entertainment), she/he might appreciate it better than just listening to it.

To be honest. It could be so much better without ellen, or a pre show, just have someone narrate while it moves through to see the dinosaurs.

That's the way it used to be. Now it's not. Things change. IMO, the current version makes the entire attraction more interesting, less dry and boring.

Now, what I think they should do is redo the whole intro, and give it like a Monty Python kind of presentation, and then everybody would be happy, especially my wife.

Define "everybody",,, because I enjoy it exactly the way it is. There are attractions I don't like, for whatever reason. I don't spend time at/on those attractions. For the most part, no adult is forced to see Universe of Energy. Anybody who doesn't like it could do something else and meet up with the UoE-doers later.

Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carrey. Does Drew really make this a good attraction?

Did Chevy Chase and Martin Short? Apparently not, because Disney saw fit to redo the attraction. As for 'real people' losing their appeal after a while - well, Ellen's not disappearing any time soon. Neither is Bill Nye. When they DO lose their appeal, the ImaginEars will come up with something else.

It's a terrific show, hugely informative (even if it leaves you wondering what the solution will be),

Not me! I know the answer to this one: Brain Power! People will continue to explore, and study, and create, new sources of energy!!!

We will be doing this show because like most people, my kids will want to see the dinos, and thanks to the many responses to this thread I realize that we will also need to sit through the boring, stale jokes of the preshow as well.

"Stale, boring jokes" because you've already sat through them a half dozen or fifty times? Or "stale, boring jokes" because you merely listened to the words without seeing the video, or based solely on what you've read here?

Maybe I can bring a pair of earplugs and try to catch a few winks while the preshow is on, then have my son wake me up when the real show starts

Adept at sleeping on your feet, are you?

 

[mdhkitten]

Just remember, you really can't fairly judge the audio without being able to see the video that goes along with it.

 

[Buckalew11]

Ellen is my favorite part of this attraction!!

My DH is no fan of hers so he usually sits this one out. I cannot understand that but, oh well, DD and I enjoy it and even do the jokes at home...esp. "Stupid Judy". LOL