Epcot

Inside the Siemens VIP Lounge in Epcot’s Spaceship Earth

21 September 2012 by Suzannah Otis 11 Comments

As an EPCOT Center child, once I discovered that Future World lounges existed, it was on my bucket list to see them all. For the most part, it’s been happy accidents that I’ve seen them, just being with the right people or at the right event, and today was another example of that. I can now cross the Spaceship Earth lounge off my list thanks to an event put on by the Disney Interactive Media Group promoting the upcoming Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion game for the Nintendo 3-DS. I’ll have a post on that event soon, but for now, let’s head into the lounge!

Siemens VIP Lounge Spaceship Earth Epcot — Comfy chairs and couches, with LED color-changing lamps

Warren Spector discusses how Epic Mickey Power of Illusion was born

Pretty cool, right? I love how the various parts of the lounge can change color at a whim. Very Future World! Prior to the redesign in 2007 with Siemens, the lounge was run by AT&T and Bell System before that. Siemens employees can check in here and take advantage of the lounge during their stay at Walt Disney World.

The other lounges within Future World are the GM lounge (currently under reconstruction with Test Track’s refurbishment), the HP lounge at Mission: Space. The former United Technologies lounge at The Seas, The Wonders of Life lounge and one above The Land are sometimes available for special events. The former Kodak lounge at Journey into Imagination and the Universe of Energy lounge are no longer used. There are World Showcase lounges above the American Adventure and the Norway pavilion which are also used for special events.

in the Siemens VIP lounge — I was happy to be experiencing the Spaceship Earth VIP lounge with my friends Amanda Tinney and Nicole Siscaretti! A fun night for all.

Have you been in an EPCOT corporate lounge?

STAY COOL WEEK: Top 5 Ways to Stay Cool in Epcot

9 July 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

This week on Zannaland we’re going to tackle the best ways to keep cool in the sweltering Florida heat and humidity. There are of course lots of air conditioned havens throughout the parks, but I thought it would be fun to list some ways to keep cool in-between those attractions, restaurants and shops. Let’s start off our tour with Epcot!

1. Club Cool – everyone’s favorite spot to grab a free soda sample and try some new soft drinks from around the world! Club Cool is the perfect halfway point between Future World and World Showcase and a great place to pause for a quick drink if you need a little more buzz than plain water. Of course it’s also a great place to snap some fun photos or video of unsuspecting first-timers as they try “Beverly” the famous Italian apéritif isn’t the sweet soda most people are expecting. For those wanting more than a sample, Club Cool also offers full-sized sodas and drinks as well as frozen slushies.

2. Innoventions – There are some fun activities to do for any age inside both Innoventions East and West. My family loves playing the Great Piggy Bank Adventure and asks to go back again and again. There’s also “Where’s the Fire” fire safety game and video game testing on the west side. Over on the east side you can test out your own virtual coaster at the Sum of All Thrills, prepare for hurricanes in Storm Struck, play around in some home safety testing areas, or the newest exhibit – Vision House, a 25-minute escorted tour inside a smart home of the future. There’s also plenty of seating in each side of Innoventions, for families that want to let older kids play while the parents rest for a bit in the cool.

3. World Showcase museums – We’ve all been to the countries around World Showcase; restaurants, shops, even some outdoor shows or movies to experience. However many countries also have some sort of cultural exhibit or museum which may be overlooked by guests rushing to the next attraction. Morocco has a beautiful Gallery of Arts and History, which I admit I’d never visited until last summer during a scavenger hunt! Japan has an ever-changing museum of cultural exhibits at the Bijutsu-kan Gallery, which has featured spirit animals in Japanese art and culture for the last couple of years. It’s often overlooked and a really fun way to see other cultures and how they affect us all. Norway has the Stave church, which, while tiny, is a nice respite from the heat and has interesting representations of early Vikings, all inside a beautifully carved wooden structure. China has an amazing display of the Terracotta Army found near Xi’an, China, along with some other cultural artifacts. Also, even if you aren’t going to the American Adventure (but why wouldn’t you go?!) you can check out the National Treasures exhibit inside the American pavilion and learn something new while you beat the heat.

4. Water play areas – Made for kids to cool off? Sure. But adults can run through and cool down too! There’s the little splash area between Future World and World Showcase that’s always fun to run through and see if you can stay dry (but if you don’t, you get cool!). My favorite, the jumping fountains, can be found over by Journey into Imagination. I cannot tell you the number of days and nights I would stand there as a child and get completely soaked as I intercepted one of the leaping sprays of water. There was many a time I rode Horizons dripping wet and I didn’t care a single bit. Of course, that part is not possible now, but my point is, it’s hot enough that you won’t stay wet long and you’re on vacation, what’s the harm in a little water if it keeps you cool?! If you’d rather stay dry, there are always places to sit while you watch the little ones get drenched.

5. Snacks to keep cool – I have a confession to make: I’m really not a fan of Mickey Bars in the summer. Maybe it’s the mom in me but all I see is a messy, melting, chocolatey mess in the Florida sun. So that’s not my choice for frozen treat in the parks. My favorite go-to snack to cool down in Epcot is the kaki gori in Japan. These snow cones are unrivaled in terms of yumminess and the only thing that actually cools me down without making a huge mess at the same time. There are also frozen slushie places scattered around the park, and frozen alcoholic drinks for those looking for an extra kick.

Of course, remember to stay hydrated with water (TIP: you can usually get a free ice water in any counter service location), covered in sunscreen, and stop to rest and cool off every now and then. During this extreme heat, it’s a great time to discover some hidden treasures that may just become your family’s favorites.

Do you favorite place to keep cool in Epcot?

Stay tuned tomorrow for more ways to keep cool at Walt Disney World!

Fourth of July Festivities and Fireworks at Walt Disney World Resort

4 July 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

JULY 4TH CELEBRATED AT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN FLORIDA — Cinderella Castle with patriotic projections ©Disney

Here are all the official events going on at Disney Parks here in Florida tonight! For the first time ever, I’ll actually be attending Fourth of July activities at Epcot. I know it’ll be super busy, but it should be super fun too. The last time I was in a Disney park on the Fourth, I was working at the Magic Kingdom in 1995, so it’ll be nice to experience again, on the opposite side of the coin. I wish you all a wonderful patriotic day with family and friends! Enjoy good food and spectacular fireworks as we celebrate our freedom!

Walt Disney World Resort will pixie dust the night skies July 4 with special pyrotechnic shows, including a patriotic display at Magic Kingdom, a rock’n’roll spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a classic sky show at Epcot infused with an Independence Day finale. Here’s how you can celebrate America’s birthday – Disney-style:

Magic Kingdom will present “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.” This patriotic fireworks spectacular, paying homage to the hopes and dreams of America’s forefathers, will light the skies at 9 p.m. July 4 – and for guests who would like to begin the Independence Day celebration early, the show also will be presented July 3 at 9 p.m.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, traditional Fourth of July fireworks take on a different spin when Mulch, Sweat, and Shears perform for the all-new “Rockin’ 4^th of July Celebration.” These resident landscapers – with serious rock and roll ambitions – take Disney guests on a musical road trip across America that will highlight each region’s contribution to rock and roll. Fireworks, lighting and special effects – backed by the driving live rock and roll of Mulch, Sweat, and Shears – combine to bring a new twist to celebrating Independence Day. Showtime July 4 is 9:45 p.m. Before the show, Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests can catch Disney’s Fantasmic!, performing July 4 at 9 p.m.
At Epcot, sky-watchers can check out “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” bursting high above World Showcase Lagoon. IllumiNations is a 14-minute spectacular during which pyrotechnics, lasers, water and music are all used to tell a story about the past, present and future of our planet. On the Fourth of July, the show will be enhanced with “The Heartbeat of Freedom,” an overture of traditional Americana themes displayed in a pyrotechnic and laser light event. The show is at 10 p.m.

In addition, Epcot guests may lend their ears to “Voices of Liberty 4^th of July Concert” and meet with Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross and Disney characters adorned in patriotic dress at American Adventure.

Theme park hours on July 4 (subject to change without notice): Magic Kingdom, 8 a.m.-1 a.m.; Epcot, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Photo Tour of the Epcot’s All-New Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Italy

1 May 2012 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Construction is finally complete and today saw the grand opening of Tutto Gusto (gusto means flavor or taste in Italian) wine cellar in Epcot’s Italy pavilion at the World Showcase. The new building blends right in to the existing Tutto Italia restaurant while making a nice segue to Via Napoli’s more rustic stable-like structure.

While the Italy pavilion is now dominated by dining options, the new additions of Via Napoli almost two years ago and now Tutto Gusto really make a nice “village” feel to the area. With the exception of the smoking area that seems to have cropped up around the fountain, Italy now is a place I’d love to just sit and take in the lovely architecture and atmosphere.

Tutto Gusto will be a great option for those looking for a quick bite or dessert or a glass or two from the over 200 wines offered in their collection. The menu offers small plates such as cured meats, cheeses, panini, and pasta as well as desserts. We’ll be back soon to do a full review, but for now, I thought I’d leave you with some photos to whet your appetite, including the menu. Divertiti!

Click to enlarge all photos in the gallery below:

Beautiful mosaic tile work inside Tutto Italia.

Will you add Tutto Gusto to your World Showcase tour?

Imagineer Trevor Bryant on the New Test Track – Video and Photos

30 April 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

At the Summer to Remember Media Event I had the opportunity to ask Imagineering Show Producer Trevor Bryant to give us the scoop on what the re-imagined Test Track will offer. Take a peek at this video and see what he shared!

Here are some images of the concept art that was displayed as well. I am loving the “Tron”esque, futuristic glow!

How do you like the new feel of the attraction, now sponsored by Chevrolet, compared to when it was sponsored by GM?

Photo Highlights of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

24 April 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival has been a family favorite for years, so of course this year was no different. Below are some of my favorite flowers and topiaries. I’ve left some displays out so you can discover them on your own when you visit. If you have the chance, make your way to Epcot and take in the sights and scents!

Be sure to check out the workshops and merchandise locations too for some great info and home garden ideas. There are fun activities for the kids and informative ways to take better care of our world, one garden at a time. The Flower Power Concert Series also offers a fun way to relax and enjoy the day with some sounds from the past.

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival runs until May 20, 2012

As always, click any photo to see full-size.

Behind The Seeds Tour: The Best Value at Walt Disney World!

20 April 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

The Behind the Seeds Tour is one of those things I’d see at Epcot, each time we went on Living With the Land (back to when it was Listen to the Land) and always wanted to do, but never got around to it. Finally, last September, my newly local friends and I decided to fix that and I finally got to experience this wonderful tour first hand.

Most of the special tours Walt Disney World offers are well into the $50+ range, and the backstage ones can get up to over $200 per person. Having three children, that adds up quickly. Also, many tours are for ages 16 and up, so as not to ruin the magic for any younger visitors.

Family Magic Tour: at $27 for adults and children, this is another great value. We last went in 2006 and I think my little guy is almost old enough to take the tour himself. I cannot recommend the Family Magic Tour enough, it’s just perfect for families with little ones. I’d say ages 4-9 will enjoy this the most. It’s a family scavenger hunt style tour with some surprise visitors along the way. When we take our youngest, I’ll be sure to report on it in-depth!

Back to Behind the Seeds; this tour is $18 per adult and $14 per child, and 15% annual passholder, DVC, Disney Visa, and military discounts are offered. If you have even a slight interest in gardening or horticulture, you will love Behind the Seeds. I had no idea that the cast members that give the tour are actually members of the Epcot Science Team, and really knowledgeable on the topics at hand. I just assumed all these years that they were just regular cast members, so that was a pleasant surprise. The tour groups are kept small, up to I believe 10 or 12 people, but it is still an undiscovered treasure, and our tour only had 5 people, including my friends and me.

The first stop is the Biological Control area. I feel like there should be a warning here for anyone squeamish about bugs, that there are some very icky videos shown of bugs in action, bugs that live inside other bugs and nest and all sorts of gross stuff like that. I’m not really a fan, but it was over relatively quick. Circle of life and all that. The point of this area is to teach guests about good bugs and bad bugs. Of course we all know ladybugs and dragonflies are good bugs, eating aphids and mosquitoes respectively, but there are many others out there, which can control pests that destroy crops and offer a natural alternative to toxic pesticides. It was great to learn that that is the preferred method in the Land greenhouses. At this time, we were all handed a test tube full of frozen ladybugs to hold on to. We were told we would get to release them later in the tour.

We then walk by the Biotechnology Lab, which is really just a look into the window where they are growing crops with different techniques. It’s also where they grow all of those little “Mickey’s Mini Garden” trees they sell out front.

Next, was one of my favorite parts of the tour. There is a plant which is touch-sensitive – it’s scientific name is Mimosa Purdica. We were told to touch the leaves of the plant, which instantly folded up! It was the coolest thing, until our tour guide bumped the pot the plant was in and ALL the leaves folded in. That was the coolest thing.

We then saw the hydroponic methods, elevated growing methods – which yields more fruit or vegetables, aquaculture, and then growing tea and spice gardens. It was such a wonderful tour – completely interactive – we got to touch things, feed fish, release ladybugs, try a hydroponic cucumber (yum!), and identify spice origins. You can also see how they make the Mickey-shaped pumpkins, watermelons, etc. but during our tour they did not have any on display that were big enough to look like Mickey yet. I always feel kind of bad for those veggies, forced to squeeze themselves into Mickey. But then, I’m silly that way, having grown up with Kitchen Kabaret and attaching feelings and emotions to my food groups. 😉 Check out some photos of what we did see on our tour in this gallery below:

Behind the Seeds Tour biological control — Behind the Seeds Tour – Biological Control

Behind the Seeds Tour Mickey's Mini Garden — Mickey’s Mini Garden trees in the Biotechnology Lab – Behind the Seeds Tour

Behind the Seeds Tour hydroponics — Behind the Seeds Tour – Hydroponic growing methods

Behind the Seeds Tour touch sensitive plant — Behind the Seeds Tour – Touch-sensitive plant: Mimosa Pudica

Behind the Seeds Tour tomato tree — Behind the Seeds Tour – Guinness World Record tomato tree!

Behind the Seeds Tour ladybugs — Behind the Seeds Tour – releasing ladybugs to control pests!

Behind the Seeds Tour pumpkins — Behind the Seeds Tour – elevated growing method wth pumpkins

Behind the Seeds Tour hidden Mickey — Behind the Seeds Tour – Hidden Mickey in the tank

Behind the Seeds Tour fish feeding — Behind the Seeds Tour – feeding the fish in the tank

Behind the Seeds Tour tea garden — Behind the Seeds Tour – Tea garden

Behind the Seeds Tour spice garden — Behind the Seeds Tour – Spice garden

Behind the Seeds Tour – I loved getting these amazing views on the tour!

I would recommend this tour in a heartbeat. You can bring children 3 and over too, just make sure they are well-attended as there are parts where you go near the water on the boat ride. Strollers are provided if you need them too. Most of all, it’s just really amazing to see the amount of time and effort Disney makes with these greenhouses. The fruits and vegetables are used in many Walt Disney World restaurants, which is even better!

For more photos of the tour, head to my Behind the Seeds flickr set. You can sign up for tours on the same day, at the desk to the left of the Soarin’ entrance. Tours are every 45 minutes, from 10:30 am – 4:30 am. You can also plan in advance by calling 407-WDW-TOUR. Behind the Seeds should definitely be added to your “Must-Do” Disney list, or even your Must-Do-Again list!

Duffy the Disney Bear Passholder Exclusive T-shirt

15 October 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Since first learning of Duffy the Disney Bear‘s popularity in Japan’s Tokyo Disney Sea, I’ve been a huge fan and supporter of his presence here in the US Disney parks. I love reporting on Duffy’s new outfits and special edition Duffy bears already in costume.

So of course I was in attendance today when 750 Walt Disney World Annual Passholders received a special t-shirt commemorating Duffy’s one-year anniversary in the parks here. Also part of this event was a Duffy book release and signing by the illustrator, Monty Maldovan. This new story book tells the tale of Duffy the Disney Bear and is sure to be a favorite around these parts. The illustrations are simply darling.

Monty Maldovan signs books for eager Duffy fans

I’m continually amazed at what Disney gives back to its guests and annual passholders and today was no exception. Of course, the best part was walking through the door to my little guy and giving him Duffy’s new shirt and book. He was SO excited. As you can see, so were Duffy and friends:

Big Duffy reads to newly-shirted Duffy, as some friends listen in*

Thanks once again to Disney Parks for a memorable day!

^{*This photo scene is an homage to one of my very favorite children’s books – Edith and Mr. Bear by the talented Dare Wright.}

Guest Post: What’s So Great About Spaceship Earth?

31 August 2011 by Suzannah Otis 5 Comments

I am so very pleased to be able to share this piece from Tom Bricker (@wdwfigment on twitter) which not only showcases his writing, but also is ahhh-mazing photography. If you have not seen his blog, please check out the link at the end of the post. His work is just jaw-droppingly stunning. Let’s show Tom a great welcome with lots of feedback so he offers to share more of his work with us here in the future! 😉 (and for the record, I completely agree with his sentiments below – be sure to share your thoughts too!) (Also, please click on the photos below to see them in their full-sized glory!)

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Splash Mountain. Haunted Mansion. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Expedition Everest. Pirates of the Caribbean. These are some of the attraction names that are commonly thrown around when the conversation turns to the best attraction at Walt Disney World Resort. While a compelling case can be made for each of these attractions, I think perhaps an even stronger case can be made for Epcot’s flagship attraction, Spaceship Earth.

I’m sure some of you reading this aren’t yet convinced. You might be scoffing at the suggestion, thinking that it’s not even the “flagship” attraction in Epcot, a title that could arguably be reserved for Soarin’, the American Adventure, or even Test Track. (If you think Test Track is the top attraction in Epcot, you might as well stop reading now, as you’re a lost cause!) Since I think one of the best cases for Spaceship Earth is its strong aesthetic, a large portion of my case will be made through photos. So with all of this in mind, let’s delve into the question,
“what’s so great about Spaceship Earth?”

Location – The geosphere that houses Spaceship Earth, the attraction, is undeniably one of, if not the, coolest icons in all of the Walt Disney World. Given how unique it is, I’d place it above Cinderella Castle, which has no attraction on the inside, and definitely higher than the Tree of Life or Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Its scale is amazing, its design is spectacular, and it is absolutely gorgeous all lit up at night.

If there is any question that Spaceship Earth is the coolest looking attraction/icon at Walt Disney World, see below.

Quality – As an attraction featuring an incredible number of Audio Animatronics and incredibly detailed sets, Spaceship Earth is a high quality attraction with an incredible amount of detail. It is quite the contrast to many other attractions, new and old alike. Other older attractions, specifically Fantasyland style dark rides, offer sets with less depth and less complicated characters. Similarly (although by very different means), many newer attractions over-rely on technology and lack actual depth and dimensionality. While Spaceship Earth did adopt some of this technology, quite poorly, in the attraction’s now-darkened descent as a result of its last refurbishment, this refurbishment also refreshed several Audio Animatronics and substantially improved the first two-thirds of the attraction. So overall, it’s a net gain.

Duration – If you’re anything like me, an attraction’s duration is a big deal. Don’t get me wrong, things like Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster are enjoyable, but if I wait in line even for 20 minutes for an attraction, I’d like it to last for more than just a couple of minutes. At approximately 16 minutes in duration, Spaceship Earth is a wonderfully long and relaxing Omnimover attraction that actually takes time to tells its story. It’s also one of the few attractions where the payoff usually lasts longer than the wait in line for the attraction.

EPCOT Center-ness – Although it has changed some over the years, Spaceship Earth is still true to the original incarnation of the attraction, and accordingly, is one of the last vestiges of the original EPCOT Center Future World. The other epic Omnimover attractions: Horizons, World of Motion, and Journey into Imagination (unless we count the new one which is neither epic or even much of an “attraction,” for that matter), are all gone. It’s one of the last attractions in Future World that still embodies the theme of “edutainment” that was characteristic of all of the Future World attractions at one time.

Spaceship Earth may lack a 6-story drop, inversions, or other thrills that modern park-goers seem to demand, but it excels at offering the rich Disney Details, depth, and almost poetic storytelling (go ahead and roll your eyes at that one, I stand by it!) that so many of its contemporaries lack. Almost ironically, as the future of theme park attractions race past it it terms of technology, it continues to do an excellent job telling the story of the evolution of communications technology on this, our Spaceship Earth, engaging its Guests and offering an extremely compelling argument for it being the top attraction at Walt Disney World Resort.

Tom Bricker and his wife operate DisneyTouristBlog.com, a website featuring accounts of their adventures at the Disney theme parks. He is also a photographer and blogger for TouringPlans.com. You can contact Tom at [email protected].

VIDEO: Epcot in Under 10 Minutes and over 5000 Photos

8 August 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

One of my fabulous friends shared this link with me and I was mesmerized for the entire video. It’s simply brilliant! Click play and enjoy. I would love to have the patience and skill to do something like this, what about you? Be sure to visit its creator at DiscoverEpcot.com.