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Innoventions
Epcot |
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EPCOT
Attraction Seating AT
A GLANCE... FUTURE
WORLD WORLD
SHOWCASE ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL
EVENTS HOLIDAYS TOURS SPECIAL
REPORTS ARCHIVES OTHER
THEME PARKS
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Innoventions opened in 1994 in the area formerly known as Communicore. Communicore was the home of Epcot Computer Central and the World Key Information System. Disney has partnered with a variety of vendors to present the latest in cutting edge technology at Innoventions. Innoventions is located on both sides of the center of Future World. At one time, the sections were divided into Innoventions West and Innoventions East, but those names seem to have disappeared.Designed to create the effect of traveling along a highway, each area is numbered with a sign similar to those seen along US Interstate.
ThinkPlace is presented by IBM - Under Rehab til Fall 2008 This area is also home to the popular IBM Internet Postcards, which allow you to take a picture of the family and send it via email to the folks back home. E-postcards are available in English, Spanish, German, French and Japanese.
Slap Stick Studios presented by Velcro
Rockin'
Robots - Take
a turn as the conductor of one of four robots to create beautiful music.
Use the touch screen to direct Robotics arms to play music. Sounds include:
metal chimes, gongs, organ pipes, wooden crates and car horns.
Where's the Fire? - Highly Recommended for families! There is an interactive game house where teams search to find the fire hazards in their "home." Each side of the house has six rooms for you to explore using special "flashlights." The other neat part of this exhibit is the Play It Safe Maze. Children learn how to exit their home in case of fire, learn about safe places and more. Parents participate, too! The maze is geared for children under 5. Those older will appreciate the interactive game house. You can even get your photo taken alongside the 30-foot fire truck! This is the largest Fire Prevention exhibit currently in the United States and is presented by Liberty Mutual. Where's the Fire? is located in Innoventions West. Don't overlook this one! A Cast Member told AllEars® that Walt Disney World had received a guest letter stating that their daughter was at a sleepover a few months after her trip and was able to get her and her friends out of a burning house safely.
Video Games of Tomorrow presented by Disney Interactive - This area features a variety of video games including "Finding Nemo, Kingdom Hearts II, Chicken Little, Cars, and the ESPN X Games" and much more. Kids as well as adults will find something to amuse themselves here. Kidcot - explore the world of satellites, gadgets and robotics with Kim Possible as your guide. Pick up and decorate a Fun Stop Lanyard! INNOVENTIONS
EAST
There is a warning sign outside of the theater: "StormStruck is a simulation of a severe weather event that takes place in a dark theater and includes loud and unexpected noises. This attraction may be frightening to children." Pick up your 3D glasses and enter into a very small theater with 3 rows (seating for approximately 35 persons). There are computer monitor screens in front of you (see photo on the above right). Parents USE CAUTION before bringing your children into the theater.This is a VERY loud and VERY in your face virtual reality show in a very small theater. It is quite realistic. There are many special effects including feeling the wind and rain. After the 3D movie there are questions on a monitor in front of you to test your knowledge of home protection techniques.
There is a child area outside the theater, so that "child swap" is possible. There is a cool activity for the kids about storm preparation and includes building a storm kit.
Disney's Official StormStruck website: http://stormstruck.com/
Test the Limits Lab - The "Test the Limits Lab" sponsored by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is designed to be an interactive, kid-powered test lab. The exhibit's six kiosks allow Epcot visitors to get a hands-on feel for how UL annually tests the safety of more than 18,000 products. Be sure to see the Fireman's hat "crush" test as well as the Impact Lab's Slam the Door exhibit! Environmentality Corner - learn how you can protect and preserve the environment. An interactive paper-making station allows children of all ages to learn something new. Kidcot - Kim Possible teaches you about the chemistry of cooking and what makes your foods "fluffy, pop or fiz". Pick up and decorate a Fun Stop Lanyard. DINING
The Electric Umbrella, located in Innoventions East, serves lunch and dinner. Menu items include burgers, chicken, and salads. Be sure to check out the tables on the second level for a peaceful break away from the crowds. Fountain View, located in the Innovations West area, is an Edy's Ice Cream Shop serving shakes, floats, scoops and sundaes! There is one flavor of No-Sugar Added Ice Cream. Sit outside to enjoy the Fountain show. Epcot
Restaurants At A Glance
The Disney Imagineers are masters at taking a few simple elements, such as light, water and sound, and creating beautiful "attractions." Their expertise is obvious in the Innovention Fountain located in Innoventions Plaza in Epcot's Future World. The elaborate display, designed by imagineer Mark Fuller, is based on a 180' x 120' oval. Computer-controlled pumps send 29,000 gallons of water per minute cascading down its tiered walls. More than 108,000 gallons of water swirl throughout the fountain. The fountain "performs" throughout the day every 15 minutes to a random selection of music. For a spectacular view, stand at the end of the fountain facing Spaceship Earth after dark when the fountain is lit. During the month of December, when all of the "World" has been transformed by thousands of holiday decorations, the fountain also takes on a new dimension. The music changes to holiday music and the fountain is synchronized perfectly with the twinkling Lights of Winter Archway. For more information on Epcot Live Entertainment, visit Steve Soares WDW Entertainment Website.
Innoventions is a popular place for teens and some in that age group feel its their favorite part of Epcot. Recently some new exhibits are geared more towards families, like "Where the Fire?". The IBM exhibit
in Innoventions West features E-mail postcards from Epcot.
Cameras in small booths take your photo, then allow you to e-mail the
photo postcard to family and friends back home. Remember to bring your
e-mail address book with you and be sure to include your own e-mail address
so you get a copy, too. You have several backgrounds to choose from and
are not able to write any text. Innoventions is a good place to head if it starts raining or is very hot. Of course, others will have the same idea but there is so much to look at and interact with that there is enough room for everyone. In the evening, be sure to look down at your feet! There are fiber optics in the concrete that light up at night in the immediate area of Innoventions. Club Cool is often crowded (especially in hot weather) and navigating in a wheelchair may be difficult. In the area behind Club Cool is a hallway featuring large photographs of various inventions by Walt Disney and the Disney Company. Hanging from the ceiling in this hallway are large banners featuring the words "Creation", "Collaboration", "Perspiration", and "Inspiration" -- values Walt held close in his business ventures. Back in the Communicore days, this area was an exhibit called Expo Robotics, which was later used as Imagineering Labs. For a nice break, sit on the patio of the Fountain View and watch the fountain (and the people).
There is a KIDCOT station in each of the two sections of Innoventions. Kids will enjoy the interactive computer aspects of Innoventions. The Cast Members in all of these areas are more than happy to answer questions not covered in the standard presentation. They are fully trained by the organizations that sponsor the area.
MouseGear is the second largest shop on WDW property (World of Disney in the Disney Marketplace is the largest). It is themed both inside and out with working gears complete with sound effects. The shop sells clothing for kids and adults with areas specific to men and women. There is also an assortment of plush, toys, pins, key chains, magnets, luggage, hats, and all things Disney. This is one of the places at Epcot that sells a variety of Epcot-specific merchandise, something that can only be purchased within the park. Cast members at each entrance are eager to welcome guests and trade pins. The Pin Station between Innoventions West and Innoventions East is the hotspot on property for pin trading and purchasing. Pin workshops are held daily by Cast Members. Trading occurs here throughout the day. This Pin Station tends to have the most pins on property. Limited Edition pins may also be available. The Art of Disney store is one of four on property. Disney collectibles, animation cels, sculptures, and prints are available for purchase or enjoyment. For those on a tighter budget, postcards of some prints are also available. Inside Club Cool is a gift shop selling Coca-Cola merchandise in several languages.
Innoventions received a major update in 1999 in anticipation of the Millennium Celebration. The exhibits continue to change as new vendors come onboard. The magical Innovention Courtyard fountain has been part of Epcot since opening day. As part of the opening ceremony for Epcot Center in 1982, various countries from around the world were invited to bring water from their homelands to pour into the fountain as a symbol of peace and community.
Innoventions Fountain Facts:
Innovention Fountain Musical Selections - The selections played for the water ballets are rotated every quarter hour in no specific order. People always inquire about purchasing the sound track for the regular and holiday shows, but none have been produced. Music List for Innoventions Fountain Regular Season Shows:
ARCHIVES The Great American Farm (closed September 27, 2008) - Learn about the science and technology that goes into today's farm. A "bug tunnel" allows small children to crawl around, play a game of Hide and Grow Seek, or enjoy the Great American Pizza game! The Great American Pizza Game (bench seating no backs) is wonderful for youngsters as they learn about what foods and products are grown and manufactured across the United States.
Cast Member Costumes from 2003 
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INNOVENTIONS
"WEST" 
Segway Central -
The Segway™ Human Transporter (HT) is a personal, short-distance
transportation device using the advanced technology of tilt sensors, gyroscopes
and microprocessors. Cast Members are on hand to demonstrate and answer
questions. You can also see Cast Members on the Segway throughout Future
World. Two Segway Tours are available to guests.
Waste
Management unveiled its new sponsored exhibit, Don't Waste
It!, a 4,000-square foot exhibit that entertains and educates about the
trash disposal process, with a special ribbon cutting ceremony February
19, 2008. The interactive games include how to recycle, reduce and reuse
"trash" and a personal "trash" profile. 
The
House of Innoventions is a short (15 minute) walking tour
of the House of Tomorrow! During your tour of the "smart home", you'll
see a multitude of products that will help enhance and improve our lives.
Using one small electronic pad, everything in your home from the coffee
maker to the outside lights can be programmed and turned on or off. The
House of Innoventions is updated many times throughout the year to reflect
the newest technology. Recent additions include Home Automated Living
(HAL), a system which allows you to control everything in your home via
voice commands, new products from Kitchenaid and Whirlpool, and the LaScala
Bathing and Entertaining Center from Jacuzzi, a whirlpool bath with surround
sound and a 43-inch plasma high-definition television monitor. The Whirl
washer and dryer duet can accommodate 22 bath size towels at one time!
