WillMontu Posted March 12, 2007 Posted March 12, 2007 I got to go down to Orlando again two weeks ago with Erik Johnson in his infamous Van. We hit MGM and EPCOT. At MGM, we hit Rockin' Roller Coaster and then went to Good Tower (which was a walk-on). In addition, I was able to check out a few other rides I had never done, including Star Tours (One of the ride-ops recognized my TPR shirt, and I think he said something about donkeys), and the tram tour. At EPCOT, I got to experience a few of the classic rides that I missed out on when I first visited the park in 1995, including the Universe of Energy (which was closed when I first visited) and the Land river ride. I also took some video footage of the tram tour, The Land boat ride, SpaceShip Earth, Universe of Energy, Journey into Imagination, and Illuminations. I can post screen-grabs and/or video footage if anyone's interested. More pictures are on the way. I can't post them all right now as my connection is running slow. The pre-show room It would be cool if Disney were to make an on-site hotel themed to TOT Does anyone else here play Mahjong? We went back for some more rides on GT Of course, it isn't a visit to a Disney park without a random rodent encounter! The 3D glasses are a nice touch The Muppets 3D attraction. Reminds me of watching the Muppet Show when I was little Do you have this credit yet Robb? I finally got to do the backlot tour But it does have Jeff Johnson credit The queue for ST was somewhat slow I've only seen two Star Wars movies (the first two of the original series). How sad and pathetic is that? The centerpiece of MGM is the Sorcerer's Hat (which is still bigger than DL's castle) Why are they selling merchandise for the California version here? "Love in an elevator, Lovin it up till I hit the ground" (at which point, we have to get off and go round the queue again!) "Love in an elevator, Livin it up when I'm goin down" "I really need a girl like an open book, To read between the lines" "But where am I gonna look, They tell me that love is blind" "I'm bettin on the dice I'm tossin, I'm gonna have a fantasy" Time for Rockin' Tower of Terror! (which was almost a walk-on) The station itself is much the same, however the new line merges into the regular line just before boarding It leads into the same room as the regular queue, but on a separate platform They added a separate queue for people named Barry This is one of the changed rooms from the original version. Sorry, Robb, but your eight-track player is gone! The ceiling in RnR's queue There was a bit of waiting even with FastPass though This was where the stand-by and FastPass queues merged A hidden Mickey? A bad shot of me and the Tower (through the trees!) The construction fence along the ride of RnR. Too bad Casey wasn't with us to take a picture of whatever is behind it. Why does this have to share the name with a mediocre coaster at Drayton Manor? We first picked up Fastpasses for RnR and then went through the standby line. The original "Vekoma in a box" Expedition Everest is behind there, somewhere. The uber secret back entrance of WDW Thank you for reading. Comments are appreciated The IllumiNations fireworks show Despite breaking down, the ride was almost a walk-on Long exposure shot of TT Some construction walls by SpaceShip Earth. This used to be an interactive play-area type attraction Due to funding cuts for NASA, there were only two of us on the team. Hi, Wes! How's it going? Space was almost a walkon. It didn't kill anyone today The ride system was probably state-of-the-art for its time The pre-show takes place in a large empty room Universe of Energy is one of the old-school EPCOT rides It does work though, unlike my old camcorder Kodak hasn't quite got this whole camera miniaturization thing down yet An oversized G3 Kodak Picture Maker. I got to ride the original Journey in 1995, but I don't remember much of it. We first hit Soarin' Next up was EPCOT. This is Robb and Elissa's favorite WDW park, and I can see why. Another shot of the launch track And they're off! It kind of reminds me of Voyage, in a way The pre-show is pretty much the same as it always has been Again, the door for people named Barry (hopefully KidTums won't need to use this door when she grows up...if she grows up, that is.) Another shot of the reconfigured queue There is still a display of retro equipment, but it's much smaller now The "door" is still there! Another shot of RnR's queue
Homer Posted March 12, 2007 Posted March 12, 2007 Thanks for the update Will, I'm sure RnRC reminds me of Gwarzi very much in more ways than one!
vistaway Posted March 12, 2007 Posted March 12, 2007 Wow - can't believe how quiet Epcot was. Those IllumiNations crowds are ideal!
Chrissie Posted March 12, 2007 Posted March 12, 2007 I wonder why they changed RnRc?! Anyone know?? Good to see updates from WDW, Still miss it loads.
Sir Clinksalot Posted March 12, 2007 Posted March 12, 2007 Thanks for the update. Epcot looks nice and dead. I miss GT. I can't wait to get back to WDW in May, October and December.
DarkMeasures Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 I miss Disneyworld. I used to live in Illinois and my parents would take me there quite often. But now I am in college, living on the west coast near Seattle. It means that I have to start going to Disneyland now. (By the way, the state of Washington is a horrible state to live in if you love Rollercoasters. As Enchanted village should be renamed crapchanted village.)
stingrock23 Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 Awesome update. I wasn't planning on going to Orlando this year, but I'm getting the itch to find a way.
mcjaco Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 The ride system was probably state-of-the-art for its time Ahhh, you're killing me. The whole system is still fairly state of the art. It's run on solar energy collected from the roof panels, then it runs by radio control off of a small antenna run through the cement floor. They used the same technology in the Towers of Terror. Spaceship never really had a "play area." It was an a display of cutting edge technology in communications. Like fiber optics! I would love to know what is taking Siemens so long in getting that area done...
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