Around Epcot's birthday, I was rocking my Epcot Center tee that my girlfriend made me and saw this little jem on a random wall in the former Inoventions (near the former Visa card-member photo spot). This is the stuff that I look for in Epcot now. I know that the spirit of Epcot leaves on somewhere, but since the late 90's has been so elusive. The fact that Disney took the time to set this up is a little comforting. As was this beautiful sight.
A little backstory; I actually started my Disney fandom when this attraction was being refurbished to the abomination that was Journey Into YOUR Imagination. This ride was my childhood, and meant the world to me!I was just some 8 year old kid who was so hurt and pissed that my favorite attraction was being taken away from me, that I joined a website named "Friends of Figment" and singed a petition to have the ride in it's original form, just like the Save Mr. Toad's Wild Ride group wanted. For the next 17 years I learned that things do not go back to there original forms (most of the time, looking at you EO) and have accepted that we honor those attractions through...pins...
But when the announcement was made that the new Disney Vacation Club Lounge at Epcot would be located in the on the second level of Journey Into Imagination, a place off limits since 1998, I was elated. I had dreamed about following in the footsteps of AdamtheWoo and my personal favorite Mr. Leonard Kinsey and just darting up those stairs, but now I don't have to risk getting kicked out! This is one of the best views of Spaceship Earth there is.
My girlfriend and I (seen here grinning like an idiot). (below)
It was so good to be back up in the second floor of JII, and almost go into the original far superior Imagesworks. I want to take a sledgehammer to that wall so bad. Also kinda sad that they just left the escalators covered, but the elevator still works!
Also, here are the best restrooms in Epcot!
Also here is a super secret tip. Do you need to go to the bathroom in Epcot? Head over to Journey into Imagination and keep going, past the entrance to the ride. Here you will find some rarely used bathrooms unchanged from 1982. Here you can still listen to the original JII's Background music, which includes Magic Journeys, and Makin' Memories. Also you can see the original paint job/where Disney got lazy. As a Cast Member I ran into said, "you gotta take a shit? Head to Imagintion". Actually, once I think of it I don't know if he was talking about the bathrooms, or the ride?
It's weird to say "former" Inoventions because I remember when is took Communicore's place. At 25 I'm really not that old, but I feel it when the "new attraction" (or at least that how I see it in my mind) is now seen as dated and slated for renovations. They should name it Renovations!
Also,what the hell is going on with the color scheme near Epcot's fountain of nations?!?
It literally looks like a colorblind artist just started painting.
I can't be the only one who thinks this looks better right?
And back on the inside you can see the remnants of the previously mentioned Imagination's Dreamcatcher. This is located right inside the shop Mouse Gears (pictured below).
To be fair, I actually think this is one of the better stores on Disney property. This is the one of the only places you can find original Epcot Center memorabilia as well as general souvenirs.
On to an attraction that really hasn't changed since 1982, except for the Ellen's Energy Adventure update, which basically added Ellen Degeneres and Bill Nye the Science Guy to the original. Unfortunately they got ride of the songs "Universe of Energy" and "Energy, You Make the World Go 'Round", which I performed as sophomore in high school to get our group an A for creativity in science! I had to ride one last time, as it was recently announced to be closing.
The theaters are pretty much the same, the building which was recently repainted to it's original color is the same, and the ride vehicles are the same (pictured below). Even the Prehistoric scene is pretty much the same (also pictured below).
Look at all them crowds!
A great place to sleep, or rest your feet!
Seriously, the exact same since 1982!
Ok, This is actually pretty cool that they still have this! As you probably know, I love the original logos.
Once again I visited Wonders of Life or as it's now called, the "Festival Center", just to get a look at the Body Wars queue, which I actually succeeded in. My friends distracted the nearest cast member with pin trading and allowed me to peek and a bare wall :/.
On to Mission: Space. Honestly I really like this ride, it's just so unfortunate that it replaced Horizons which meant it really couldn't live up to it's predecessor no matter how hard it tried. The story is getting a tad bit stale, it would be cool if they did different missions like a Star Tours.
Anyways, the remnants, or rather nods here from Horizons are actually hidden in plain sight. You can see the original Horizons logo right smack dab in the middle of the gravity wheel (pictured below).
You can also spot the same logo in the gift shop (pictured below).
This are constant reminders to me and all Epcot Center fans of how much we miss Horizons.
