Wonders of Life Pavilion in Epcot

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Any one have any inside info or heard any interesting rumors about the future of this Future World pavilion? This is what I've heard from Jim Hill's site.-->

Well, there had been some talk that the future of this Future World pavilion might be tied to Disney's new deal with Pixar. That -- as part of its new distribution deal with the Mouse -- this computer animation studio might work with the Imagineers to set up a Pixar showcase inside this theme park. This plan would involve retheming WoL's old "Cranium Command" & "The Making of Me" shows and "Body Wars" simulator attraction into new rides, shows and attractions that would be based on "The Incredibles," "Monsters, Inc." and "Cars."

Mind you, the Imagineers who have been tasked to create new attractions for Hong Kong Disneyland have reportedly been checking on the availability of "Body Wars" 's four simulators. Supposedly with the idea that these 26-ton vehicles can then be used to present "Star Tours" at Disney's newest theme park.

So which proposal will win out in the end? To be honest, it'll be up to Jay Rasulo -- Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts -- and Al Weiss -- this division's new president of Worldwide Operations -- to determine what happens next with Epcot's "Wonders of Life." Whether or not this Future World pavilion will be turned into a Pixar showcase or just pulled down to make room for this theme park's next "Mission: Space" / "GM Test Track" -like thrill ride. And given that Siemens AG just refused to pay to turn "Spaceship Earth" into Epcot's next thrill ride ... Well, the latter scenario is actually a lot more likely than you might think.
Taken from JimHillMedia.com Link: http://www.jimhillmedia.com/article.php?id=1756

I was sad not to be able to see The Wonders of Life attractions last month, I really liked Body Wars and Cranium Command.
Although if they bring in a cool new attraction or two, like Soarin', Test Track or Mission Space in it's place, it would make saying goodbye alot easier.

 

[2Xited4Disney]

I can't wait to read what people have to think about this... I know some people here are going to be VERY VERY ANGRY!

 

[ChrisFL]

Well, when WOL opened, Body Wars was supposed to be the main draw...but it's basically a flight sim nearly identical to Star Tours, plus those types of rides are not popular like they were a decade ago. Unfortunately I don't believe they'd only take out that part of the pavilion and leave Cranium Command there. I do hope they keep the dome, that's one of the coolest buildings in the whole complex

 

[hauntedmansion79]

First off, we loved the Wonders of Life Pavilion. Cranium Command was soooo good, and Body Wars was EPCOT's first thrill ride (more or less). It will be sad to see it go. However, we have always thought that rides based on Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo and other Pixar movies would be a perfect fit (it would actually fit better in Fantasyland, but anywhere in WDW is just as good). But these rides need to be quality, not quickly put together like some of the newer rides (Carpets of Aladdin, Stitch). If they are done thoroughly, in the old disney style, then this could be a very cool new pavilion.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I could see re-working Cranium Command to use Violet from the Incredibles. Not sure where Monsters, Inc or Cars would fit in. In fact I could see using the Incredibles as the basis for new Wonders of Life attractions in general. The baby could be the subject of the making of me. Body Wars would have to be replaced with something else....I'm not sure what. WOL never embraced the body as fully as it could have. They could have had a much more interesting interactive applications than they did. Sight, sound, taste, touch and smell...with todays technology you could develop some interesting experiences....just look at what Soarin did with sight & smell.

And gee there is always the sixth sense...I could see some fun games with that! (I see dead people).

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I would love to see them keep the body and "Life" theme of the pavilion and just do a major refurb, they shold scrap the Making of Me movie, never quite got what the point was, the movie leaves out just enough details to leave a child wondering and put in just enough to make parents squirm and think "I hope my kids don't ask what those animated tadpoles are." The last thing a parent is hoping to do is to have the birds and bees talk at the hotel room after Illuminations.
I would love them to keep Cranium, maybe just do a new film.
And Body Wars should be scraped and they should put in a new thrill ride/headliner with more up to date technology.
I am not for the Pixar thing, it just dosen't make sence, those attractions should go into MGM or MK. Like doubletroube_vb I agree they could us the incredibles in Life, but put Monsters in MGM and Cars should go where those sucky go-carts are now in tomarrowland.
Yeah, The Incedibles Fitness Playground, that sound good.

 

[MJMcBride]

I think you'll see more PIXAR attractions, just not in Epcot. The Wonders of Life has been gone for a long time and I was never a big fan. Perhaps if they keep the simulators there, they can use 3D tech to up the ante for that ride.

 

[dbm20th]

The Pixar idea sounds great, but in EPCOT?? They are putting Nemo only yards away! Are we changing the name to PIXCOT?

This seems weird to me, but a great idea.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Bump.........

 

[MJMcBride]

Since the simulators are already there why not bring Stromrider (from Tokyo DisneySea) to that spot. Seems like that ride with maybe some hands-on meterology exhibits would fit in with the science theme of Future World.

 

[dbm20th]

Since the simulators are already there why not bring Stromrider (from Tokyo DisneySea) to that spot. Seems like that ride with maybe some hands-on meterology exhibits would fit in with the science theme of Future World.

Now you may be onto something...

 

[Another Voice]

At one point there was an idea of moving the simulators from 'Body Wars' and putting them into a new building between 'The Land' and 'The Living Seas'. The 'Air' pavilion would have been a version of 'Stormrider'.

In the end this plan was deemed to expensive for the possible gain. 'Soaring' was cheaper and more of a "sure thing" for the ride's popularity.

 

[raidermatt]

And given that Siemens AG just refused to pay to turn "Spaceship Earth" into Epcot's next thrill ride ...

That's the only positive statement in the entire post.

I've already written off WoL in anything resembling its prior form to Yesterland. But maybe the failure of M:S to be the huge draw it was meant to be will speed some plans to do something with the pavilion.

I've also accepted the fact that "Future World" really no longer exists persay. Its days as a World's Fair kind of place are over as well. While making it into "Pixcot" is sad, it wouldn't be surprising.