Universe of Energy question

[TheGoofster]

OK, first of all, the original intent of this thread was a simple yes / no question of whether or not it was possible to avoid the preshow for UoE, and again, I thank everyone who answered that question for me.

Now, as for the rest. Yes, I have only heard the audio for this show (I went to youtube to look for a video but none were listed), so is it possible that my original judgement was marred by my inablility to see the show as well as hear it? Sure, it is possible. BUT, I don't think so. As I previously stated the humor in the preshow to me was very stale (kind of like a stale donut, you only need to take one bite to know you don't like it, repeated bites are not necessary) and I really don't think that any visual aides will enhance this bad tasting humor.
Now I agree that what the show used to have (back in 1990) was not really any better. Like someone said it was more of a classroom type preshow. But, just because it used to be boring doesn't necessarily mean that it is any better now. Again, my opinion is that what they have now is not any good. (But take comfort in the fact that my opinion doesn't move to many people to action at Disney).
IF you like what they have now then you should be glad, because I seriously doubt they are going to change it any time soon (too bad for me).
Now, if Disney were to ask for my imput, I would definately say "YES, change it please", and I might offer a suggestion (like previously mentioned) of Professor Von Drake or some other Disney character. (by the way, the Monty Python was meant as a joke, in case the whistling happy face didn't make that clear)
As for skipping this show, I won't do that either simply because I happen to like the cool dinosaur part (which I think most people do, regardless of who or what is hosting the show), AND my kids don't care if I like the preshow or not, because they want to see the dinos (and yes, we will be seeing the dinos in Dinosaur at AK as well).
As for my using earphones to sleep during the preshow, I did not realize that you would be standing (again, the last time I went was in 1990), so I guess that idea is down the drain. Thanks for the head up.

Honestly, I didn't realize that I would be causing such a fuss (my southern wife taught me that word) by my original post, but that's OK, because it just makes it all the more fun.
SO, let's just agree to disagree that for some Ellen's preshow is boring and stale, and for others the preshow is a great part of the overall attraction.

 

[DisMN]

Goofster, I hope you'll report back after you've seen the preshow!! I'd love to hear if your opinion has changed or not.

As far as the whole ride goes we love it and think even the lame jokes are hysterical, but we're weird that way.

The only thing we didn't love, that my granddaughter especially detested was the very end. There's just no need to scare the bejeesus out of a person at every opportunity. Can't we have one ride or show where there isn't a "BOO!" effect? Geez louise........
granddaughter wanted to write to the "owner" of Disneyworld to express her irritation at this. She said the scare made her forget all the neato information that she learned on the ride. I tend to agree with her on that one.

 

[TheGoofster]

Goofster, I hope you'll report back after you've seen the preshow!! I'd love to hear if your opinion has changed or not.

As far as the whole ride goes we love it and think even the lame jokes are hysterical, but we're weird that way.

The only thing we didn't love, that my granddaughter especially detested was the very end. There's just no need to scare the bejeesus out of a person at every opportunity. Can't we have one ride or show where there isn't a "BOO!" effect? Geez louise........
granddaughter wanted to write to the "owner" of Disneyworld to express her irritation at this. She said the scare made her forget all the neato information that she learned on the ride. I tend to agree with her on that one.

To be honest I really hope that I can write back and say that I was pleasantly surprised, I know I can be really stubborn (so says my wife), but I really will try to go with an open mind. Unfortunately we won't be going until Dec. 2007, but if you can wait, I'll be glad to report back.

Now, as to the surprise at the end. What is that about? I haven't been in so long that I don't remember much about the ride. My daughter will be 7 when we go, and even though few things scare her, I wouldn't mind a heads up about what to expect.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I don't think it's fair to judge an attraction based on an audio recording. I'm glad you are going to give it a try.

UoE is a great show. It may not be for everyone, but the "lame jokes" perhaps just don't translate as well when one is experiencing it through headphones or home speakers and not in it's intended state.

NED

 

[Robo]

Now, as to the surprise at the end. What is that about? I haven't been in so long that I don't remember much about the ride. My daughter will be 7 when we go, and even though few things scare her, I wouldn't mind a heads up about what to expect.

Don't sweat it. Its a intentional JOKE.

After Ellen "signs off" for the last time, there is simply a short, LOUD sound effect. Its a repeat of one used earlier in the attraction.
(I think when translated from the original "Dinosaurese" it means, "Stupid Judy.").

As attraction "surprises" go, this is not exactly a biggie.

 

[faindrops27]

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)

Goofster, I miss the old figgy. Oh my goodness. When I first saw figment, as a preteen it was love at first sight, when he chimed. Imaginationnnn, imaginationnnnnn. I begged my mother for anything with figment on it at Disney. How, I do miss the old figment. However, now as a mother, I drag my children to watch the new production. Even though, I dont see it as it used to be. I find myself thinking of the old production.

Anywho, I totally agree with you, on UoE being redone, updated. In my opinion, it could be so much better.. That however is not to discount anyone's love for the ride, as it is. This is JMHO.

 

[faindrops27]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

"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?
Adept at sleeping on your feet, are you?

Goofster,
You can sleep if you would like, without standing.
Just get to one of the benches aligning the walls of the pre-show movie theatre. Place in the earplugs, lean against the wall and snooze.

 

[TheGoofster]

Goofster,
You can sleep if you would like, without standing.
Just get to one of the benches aligning the walls of the pre-show movie theatre. Place in the earplugs, lean against the wall and snooze.

Thanks, that's nice to know. IF the preshow seems as bad to me in real life as it does in the audio (yeah, I know, don't judge it before seeing it ), I might just be homing in on one of these benches. I just hope there is enough room, and that too many others don't get the same idea.

By the way, I totaly agree about Figment too. The first time I saw him I thought he was the coolest character in all of Disney. Thankfully I never saw JIYI without him. In fact the last time I went they still had Dreamfinder. So although I'm looking forward to taking my kids to see JIYI, I just wish they could have seen the original. I have watched the new one on Youtubes, and it just doesn't hold a candle. (But at least figgy is back )

 

[cjb71870]

JIYI has been refurb'ed and refurb'ed again. There are rumors for a fourth refurb with the original designer doing it.

 

[sodaseller]

I love Ellen on the PreShow and find her very amusing

 

[goofyernmost]

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!

I couldn't agree with you more... The original Universe of Energy (Exxon Corp) was the longest, most boring, gigantic pile of corporate dribble that I have ever encountered. All they talked about was what great things that they had done for the world (this was right after the Valdez oil spill)

Ellen added fun, corny jokes, a lot of useful information that kids were learning without realizing that they were learning. It was funny, informative and as well done as the time frame allowed.

Stupid Judy was a line the stuck with me too. Great show. Don't let someones biased opinions of Ellen stop you from enjoying a really improved show. I am so glad that they chose her for the character, it is a natural with her professional persona.

I agree, she saved it from it's ultimate demise.

 

[Arielle22]

I also love Ellen and the preshow. I am disappointed when we got there this past August and it was already running. Without the preshow, the end won't make much sense.

To the poster who said using stars doesn't make sense because they fade and people from other countries don't know them, then to those people the stars are just actors, the same as the people playing stage hands or Einstein.