Epcot Archives - Page 7 of 7 - On the Go in MCO

IBM Centennial Celebration in Innoventions

IBM is celebrating their Centennial Anniversary by showcasing their history and contributions in Innoventions.

Paul Lasewicz, IBM archivist, is sharing his knowledge and showing some of the products that have made them famous over the last 100 years.

The 20 minute presentation is full of information and facts. As a bit of a history buff, it was really interesting learning about their roles in early census tabulations and the creation of the Social Security Administration. I also learned that I need to type 216 words a minute to break the world record…guess I can mark that off the bucket list.

I know I probably sounds like a huge dork right now. But what started off as a way to dodge the rain, turned into a really fun hour.

Paul and his presentation are here until tomorrow, and take place every hour from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Hidden Gems: Making Earth Day Everyday in Innoventions

It is really easy to walk by, and goodness knows that I had done it many times, but you really should stop by Innoventions East and try your hand at making Everyday Earth Day by creating paper!

088 — Some fun environmental facts are on display around the area.

090 — The first step was to scoop up the cellulose with a strainer.

095 — Once the cellulose was placed into a form, it was dunked into another water bath.

096 — As the form was lifted out of the bath, you could see the paper taking shape.

098 — Zoe after she moved her form over to the rolling area.

099 — Getting closer... The vacuum really helped start the drying process.

101 — And now to roll out as much of the leftover water as you can from the 'paper'. Zoe was able to do this part all by herself!!!

103 — And the paper was really starting to take it's shape! It was super soggy at first, but she was able to peel it off of the drying area and ready to be dried some more in an oven for a few minutes.

104 — Zoe and her paper!!! She was soooo proud of all of her hard work!!! 🙂

And now the best part….DECORATING!!!!!

And now a look at the finished product!!!

The whole process did take about 20 minutes, but it was a great break from the heat and the hustle & bustle of a day in Epcot!!!

Wordless Wednesday – We all have this picture & love it!!!

New Figment Game in Imageworks!!!

Last week I tweeted out a picture of the opening of some computer stations in Imageworks, so I returned yesterday to find that they had opened more stations.

015 — There is still a large area walled off where the Kodak demonstration area was located at the exit of the ride.

016 — A look at the computer station area...

At each computer station, you have the opportunity to “Compose Your Own Figment” who can either be a boy or a girl.

Here is what it looks like if you choose the “Boy” Figment without emailing it home…

And here is what it looks like if you choose the “Girl” Figment with the email home option…

I thought that it was a super cute addition to the games that are still in Imageworks, but I thought that getting to make Figment a boy or a girl was a little odd.

What do you think?

Today’s Walk Around EPCOT

Another Week…another walk around EPCOT.

There is a lot going on….So let’s get to it…

001 — One of these things is STILL not like the other...

003 — Or Two? I can't believe that they haven't painted this side yet.

004 — Still lots of work going on in front of Fountain of Nations

007 — You can also get a good look at all the different colors of concrete that are in the area now,

008 — The Whirlygigs are still...well still.

010 — I think I like the little green box!!! 🙂

011 — The Character Spot entrance is still behind walls, too.

012 — A closer look at the concrete work going on.

013 — Genie and Marie were meeting and greeting sans handlers near Club Cool.

Then I headed into World Showcase. And while you can tell that efforts are ramping up in preparation for Flower and Garden, there is a lot of action going on in China these days…

056 — The Duffy location in China has been moved while Yong Feng Shangdian Department Store is being refurbished.

057 — Walled off Yong Feng Shangdian Department Store.

058 — And the entrance to the Yong Feng Shangdian Department Store.

059 — The Duffy spot is now located in the Tomb Warriors exhibit near the Temple.

And in all seriousness, what would a walk around EPCOT be without a peek at some new merchandise?!?!?!?

2011 St. Pat's Ears — 2011 St. Patrick's Day Ears

Duffy 1st Visit Outfit — Be still my beating heart! A new Duffy outfit!!!

New Duffy Spinner — And the kids will all love the new Duffy Spinner!!!

And to offset all the Duffy hate, I thought I would share with you my favorite spot in ALL of EPCOT….

SSE Mural — But my favorite spot in all of EPCOT, will always be this!

A Quick Walk Around EPCOT’s Future World…

With all the hubbub around the activity in EPCOT’s Future World, I decided to scoot over and take some pictures.

These bad boys are hanging from all the lamp posts near EPCOT's entrances.

And this guy was over the turnstile. I love em!!!

One of these things is not like the other...

I am totally not a fan of the whirlygigs, and I was super excited to see them stopped!

The front of the Fountain of Nations is all walled off.

The entrance to the Character Spot is closed, but the Character Spot itself is still open for business.

The entrance for the Character Spot is now located near Club Cool.

The smaller whirlygigs are still moving...boo!

The birds are still talking, but there is no water or waves. It is pretty sad...

Again the smaller whirlygigs are moving...still boo!

I love the 40 retro merch!!! This is part 1 of Mousegear's window display.

Part 2 of the 40th Anniversary Mousegear Window. I MUST have that cute plaid skirt!!!

Look who I found at the kiosk near Captain EO!!!!!

Ringing in 2011 in Epcot

Preparations for New Year’s Eve at Epcot are well under way!

Here are some pictures that I took around World Showcase today….

Holiday Brewer's Collection - Germany - Menu

Precious Moments Doll Kiosk at EPCOT

There is a new Precious Moments doll kiosk set up in EPCOT which is located right outside of The American Adventure in World Showcase.

(Can you tell that I have shopping on the brain???)

While I have seen the little figurines before, I have never seen the dolls in person! They are sooo cute!!!

The individual dolls are $40 each (except for Ariel in her shell which is $36), and come in their “normal” outfits and in “Enchanted” outfits that are more festive for the holidays.

Tiana, Snow White, Mary Poppins, and Peter Pan where my favorites!!!!

Also available are two sets of dolls. The first is a holiday set of a girl and boy doll wearing Ear Hats with a Christmas tree that comes in a red satin Mickey shaped box for $75. But there is a green velvet shaped box reading “2nd Star to the Right” that contains Peter, Wendy, and Tink dolls, also $75, that stole my heart!!!

I was a little worried about finding doll stands for them, but the kiosk has the individual doll stands for $4.

I’m not sure which one of these (and if it will be only one) that I’ll get for Zoe, but I can’t wait to go back and take another look to decide!

“BeadforLife” – Bringing new opportunities near and far

As I was walking through World Showcase in EPCOT yesterday, I stumbled upon a new kiosk at the African Outpost.

Disney has partnered with “BeadforLife”, http://www.beadforlife.org, to give new life to older Walt Disney World Resort Maps, books, and pamphlets while providing job opportunities for women in Uganda.

The Walt Disney World pamphlets and other outdated materials are sent to Uganda, where the women measure, cut, roll them into beads, and then seal them for extra protection. These beads are then sent back to Florida in the same container, to be strung into necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

The BEST thing is that you can either purchase a piece of jewelry that has already been assembled or you can design your own there on the spot!!!

They are also really reasonable!!!

I can’t wait to design my own necklace!!!

DSCI0448 — A look at one of the necklaces!

See ya later!

So I posted this pic earlier on Twitter (from @shelleycaran)…

And while usually change is a good thing, when it comes to the Imagination Pavilion change makes me feel like Forest Gump. You never know what you are going to get, especially when it comes to the future of an unsponsored pavilion. *coughwondersoflifecough*

My first trip to EPCOT Center was in 1986. The Imagination Pavilion was AMAZING! The ride was captivating, and I remember wanting to ride it over and over again! It was an experience, and then when you went upstairs you really got to explore and connect with the subject at hand…Imagination.

Fast forward to today, and you have a tired ride that has no staying power. Besides the cuteness of Figment, which no one can deny, I find that my take away is bleak. Rather than exploring what Imagination is and can be we get shown how much imagination is fought, misunderstood, and held captive at times.

Kodak’s exit after 28 years of sponsorship is bittersweet, but with their departure I find hope that one day we’ll be “Makin Memories” and find the “One Little Spark” we have all been hoping for!

Hidden Gems: Morocco’s Fez House

I always look longingly at Morocco as I pass it in the World Showcase at EPCOT, because I usually have zero time to explore my favorite pavilion.

Morocco may not have a ride or movie to lure people in, but what it does provide you with is an intimate glimpse into what it may be like to live there.

Over the years, I have found The Fez House to be a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle out on the World Showcase Lagoon.

While the outside is plain, once you enter the doorway you are instantly transported to a time and place that is both unfamiliar and comfortable all at once. The walls echo with the sounds of traditional music mingled with the soft flow of water from the fountain, and all around you are details that make you feel like the family that lives there has just popped out to the market.

Just to the left of the fountain is a brass plaque that tells you some details and information about not only the design of the house but of how important homes are in Moroccan culture.

The First thing one should own is a home;

and it is the last thing one should sell. For

a home is one’s castle this side of Heaven.

Moroccan Proverb

If you ever find yourself needing to take a break from it all, I strongly suggest popping into the Fez House to take a moment to reflect on your day.

Illuminated by Illuminations!

I have to absolutely admit that when my Sister-in-law invited us to tag along on their Illuminations cruise I geeked out for a minute. It is my absolute favorite nighttime show in my favorite park!!!

We met at the Yacht Club Marina at 8 pm to board our boat, and we were greeted by Captain Michael. He was super funny and awesome! Zoe had to wear a life jacket, and at first she was nervous. The good Captain was quick to reassure our little lady, and soon enough she was walking down the dock showing off her “magic vest”.

The cruise began with a tour around the Swan and Dolphin Hotels, followed by the area in front of Hollywood Studios, and then back again to tool around in front of the Yacht Club and Boardwalk Resorts.

Then it was time…

We pulled under the bridge near the International Gateway between two other boats, and we got settled in for the show.

Now while the view from this area was absolutely beautiful and spectacular, it was by far not the shining star of the cruise. That spot alone goes to our fearless Captain.

As the show was about to start, up crept Michael to walk us through the show. He talked us through each image on the globe, explosion of each firework/gas/water effect, and the lighting of the torches. It was amazing! I never noticed a quarter of the images that he pointed out, and I have Goosebumps just thinking about it now.

From the bubbles as the land of the earth was rising from the sea, to the journey through the cave, the creativity of man, the many faces that grace the globe (equal parts women and men), to the fact that the Tapestry of Nations parade is shown so close to the finale you easily miss it…

I absolutely apologize for the total lack of photos, but I wasn’t going to let myself get distracted from Captain Mike for too long. 🙂

If you haven’t had the chance to take an Illuminations cruise, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Also, I can’t thank Elizabeth enough for inviting us to join her and letting us in on this crazy and amazing experience!

I am afraid that I may be hooked, and will HAVE to do this again!!!