Live from Orlando 2006 - Part 22

[Tannerman]

When we arrived at Epcot with Karl and Sara, Sara commented about how "cute that little Mickey wand was" over Spaceship Earth.

Spaceship Earth and "Epcot" wand

Given that they had never been to Epcot before, I could understand how this might be something that you might say off the cuff. But as we've discussed previously, it was another attempt by Disney to try to reinvent the park.

Very cool construction materials

Spaceship Earth was an engineering marvel when it opened in 1982. The geosphere is 180 feet high and engineered in such a way so that when it rains, no water pours off the sides onto the ground. Inside is a classic ride that recalls the history of communication, originally sponsored by AT&T. AT&T dropped their sponsorship in 2003, but in November 2005 Siemens AG announced that they were picking up the sponsorship for a period of 12 years.

Spaceship Earth and "2000" wand
(Source: lostworld.pair.com)

Back in 2000, Walt Disney World's marketing angle was a big Millennium Celebration, with Epcot serving as the hub for that initiative. One of the things they did to help celebrate the event was by modifying the classic look of Spaceship Earth. They added an external hand that looked like Mickey Mouse holding a wand, waiving it over the large "ball", with the numbers "2000" appearing. It was a creative idea back then (and probably better received as a one-time stunt than Disney converting the castle at the Magic Kingdom into a big pink birthday cake back in 1996 for Walt Disney World's 25 anniversary).

Spaceship Earth... and that's it!
(Source: lostworld.pair.com)

Unfortunately, after the millennium, Disney didn't remove the large wand over Spaceship Earth. Instead they just changed the "2000" to "Epcot" and left it. Personally, I think this is one of the stupidest things in all the Disney theme parks and completely ruins the atmosphere and design of Spaceship Earth. But hey, that's just my opinion. Somehow, I now long for the days of that large silver ball looming over the horizon... and nothing else!

"Leave A Legacy" tombstones

Another thing that Disney did at Epcot for the Millennium Celebration was create "Leave A Legacy". This was an extension of a concept they pulled off in front of the Magic Kingdom with their "Walk Around The World" bricks. Back then, you paid some cash and got your name on a brick that was used to pave a path around the Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the Magic Kingdom. It was very successful. For 2000, they wanted to try something similar at Epcot. This time, however, your face was digitally captured with your name and placed on these large stone pillars right in front of Spaceship Earth at Epcot's entrance.

Note the "Leave A Legacy" pillars behind Steve & Amy
(via Disney's PhotoPass)

Unfortunately, this was not as successful. It's actually been nicknamed the "Graveyard of Epcot" by a lot of folks, because frankly the pillars look like tombstones. Upon our visit in January, you could still see a ton of empty space open for future faces. And of course, the installation of this promotional gimmick sucked some more life out of the entrance of the park, which used to be quite organic if you look at photos from the entrance in the 1980s.

Brawny tells you to wash your hands!

Since we had limited time in Epcot, we quickly routed towards World Showcase, skipping more of the stuff in Future World (though we did try to get on Spaceship Earth, but it had broken down). Sara is a big fan of tea and she really wanted to see the extensive collection available at the United Kingdom pavilion. So it was a-shopping we went! But not before stopping off at the bathrooms in Epcot, which like those over at Animal Kingdom, have hand washing tips that are sponsored! Whereas Sparkle sponsors over at AK, at Epcot the honor goes to Brawny paper towels. (Both Sparkle and Brawny are owned by the same company, Georgia-Pacific... which is second largest pulp and paper company in the world. For those wondering, the subject of last summer's trip out West during SumTan's Pacific Northwest Trek, sponsored by Weyerhaeuser -- yeah, they come in 3rd in the world).

Club Cool
(Source: Wikipedia.org)

Given my odd habit of conducting beverage reviews on various soft drinks, I encouraged us to stop off at Club Cool, a sponsored attraction by Coca-Cola in Future World (recently remodeled from its previous incarnation as the better -- in my opinion -- Ice Station Cool). Here, Coke provides free samples of soft drinks they offer all over the globe. It's a nice commercial application of the world theme... and they get some sales of merchandise and stuff out of it as well.

Previous (and better) look: Ice Station Cool
(Source: Solarius.com)

The old Ice Station Cool looked like an arctic expedition, and you had to walk into this snow tunnel where it actually did snow from the ceiling. It was quite a refresher. The theming was very "cold" all over the place. The new Club Cool looks like a storefront that belongs in a mall. Nothing unique. Very boring. Hardly a theme at all. Coke really dropped the ball here. Maybe they were too busy coming up with duds of flavors like Coke Black Cherry Vanilla and Vault. (Long live Pepsi!)

Infamous Beverly soda!

One thing that did not change was the free beverages. And as I learned on my last trip in 2001, where I was introduced to the beverage that has become a Disney theme park fan legend, Beverly is not a good drink. But I didn't tell that to Karl and Sara at the time.

Those Italians must be crazy

So it was time for a taste testing for everyone. And knowing that Beverly was an extremely bitter drink that will make you wish you never put it in your mouth, I casually didn't partake!

Sara is wondering what she just drank


Karl did not take it well


Classic Amy "this is gross" pose

Of course, it wasn't accepted very well by our group of taste testers. In fact, it almost made Karl physically sick, but I won't go into details on that... other than to say that he made friends with a nearby garbage can just in case! I don't think I'm going to live down that experience.

Fountain of Nations

Just outside of Club Cool is the Fountain of Nations, which is pretty much just a big fountain that performs with a choreographed soundtrack every 15 minutes. Back at Epcot's opening ceremonies in 1982, water from 22 nations was poured into the fountain (hence the name). Epcot was doing fancy water fountain shows long before the Belagio in Las Vegas.

The fountain sits behind Spaceship Earth as you enter the park

After experiencing some of the fountain show, we continued on, starting on our loop around the World Showcase Lagoon!

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[Wally]

Originally Posted by Tannerman

Spaceship Earth was an engineering marvel when it opened in 1982. The geosphere is 180 feet high and engineered in such a way so that when it rains, no water pours off the sides onto the ground.

Where does it go if it doesn't run off the sides?

[Tannerman]

Originally Posted by Wally

Where does it go if it doesn't run off the sides?

There is actually an elaborate gutter system that runs right beneath the skin of the sphere. Rainwater enters via holes over the entire structure and is then routed via pipes accordingly.

[Kidologist]

Originally Posted by Tannerman

The geosphere is 180 feet high and engineered in such a way so that when it rains, no water pours off the sides onto the ground.

I'm curious?? How is this done? are their drains? or is it with the water flow? Tell us oh Great Disney Guru!

And.......

Originally Posted by Tannerman

I don't think I'm going to live down that experience.

I had no idea you enjoyed my misery so much. There goes that next bonus.

[Tannerman]

Originally Posted by Kidologist

I'm curious?? How is this done? are their drains? or is it with the water flow? Tell us oh Great Disney Guru!

Read the post right above yours