On Tuesday, March 27th, my husband and I took the new future world tour. We met our guide, Brad, and 6 other guests at Guest Relations behind Space Ship Earth in EPCOT at 8:45 A.M. Brad told us that this is a brand new tour and that he had participated in developing and writing it.

He led us up to the base of Space Ship Earth (which at that time was roped off because a crane was completing the word EPCOT on the top). We were able to look at one of the red tiles that make the new logo sparkle and were given an explanation of how they work. He told us the history behind Walt Disney's concept for EPCOT. I just love how they try to keep Walt's memory and ideas alive still today. We talked about how they actually built the sphere and were able to look at a piece of the material that was used.

Then we were off across the park to the Living Seas. Brad took us into the VIP lounge. He told us that it was just recently that even cast members were allowed entrance. Before that it was only corporate sponsor's guests that were entertained in there. It's an absolutely beautiful area looking into the aquarium through one wall. There are two rooms, one a lounge and one a multi-tiered dining area. The walls are all paneled in a dark red wood and the carpeting is in shades of blue. The dining area features a glass piano. He told us that the water in the aquarium is what holds the shape in place. If there was no water, the structure would collapse in upon itself. It's not made of glass but a form of plastic.

From there we went to the Inventor's Circle located just behind Innoventions, across from Living with the Land. We talked about the ideas that are represented and how the time frame starts in the middle and works it's way out. We also visited the picture gallery of Walt's different accomplishments through the years. Brad told us many interesting stories about each of them.

Next was Living with Land. We were given a 15 minute break and then we all met up in the gift shop where one of the botanists took us outback into one of the greenhouses. She talked about new innovative ways of growing produce. This is one small segment of the Behind the Seeds tour.

Journey into your Imagination was next. Again, we were taken into the VIP lounge which is located upstairs above the attraction. You can look out through the glass pyramid's windows and view much of the park. Brad said that they refigured the layout of the attraction because so many people failed to go up the escalator after they finished the ride and missed out on the imagination 'play' area. This is now located directly between the ride and the exit so it cannot be missed.

The Universe of Energy was my favorite. There is an eight minute window in which the room that holds the audioanimatronic dinosaurs is empty of guests between shows. We snuck behind the scenes and waited until the last car was gone and then we were allowed to spend that time walking around in the room. It was awesome. Brad made sure that we were out of there before the next group of guests came in because, as he said, we did not exist in that time frame and therefore could not be seen there.

In the Wonders of Life he pointed out a hidden Mickey on the wall near the Body War ride. He talked about how all of the pavilions relate to each other and that this is one of the areas that is still in it's original condition and will probably be the next one to be updated.

At Test Track, we were told about the problems of building and maintaining the ride that have been encountered and how they have been dealt with. We went behind the scenes to take a look at the cars.

From there we were taken back stage to the cast members area. There is a service area that houses a store, cafeteria, costuming and office area there. The inside walls of the building have been decorated by cast members from each of the different areas in EPCOT. It was fun to see all the creativity that came from each. We then went to a building that housed the International offices and met with a cast member from Morocco. She told us about every day life in Morocco and answered many questions.

We also viewed the area where the barges for Illuminations Reflections of Earth are stored and talked about how and where the fireworks are purchased, stored and transported from. He could not, however, tell us how much was spent each night on them. It was one of the politically incorrect things that he was not allowed to talk about.

Brad then led us back on stage at China. It was about 1:30 P.M. He gave us several parting gifts, a no-waiting ticket for Test Track, an Undiscovered Future World Tour pin, which he told us would never be sold only given to people who had taken the tour, an invitation to the VIP viewing area for Illuminations Reflections of Earth across from Italy for that evening and a 20% discount for lunch at the Nine Dragons restaurant in China.

We felt that this tour was excellent and well worth the money. One other note, I am disabled and use an ECV to get around. If you use an ECV or wheelchair, you need to let them know when you book the tour. I did not have any problems at all, there were ramps and elevators everywhere we went and I was able to keep up with group without any problems.

We have taken several tours, both at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and find that they add that extra dimension to our visits. We always have learned new and interesting facts and are happy that they are developing new ones.

Sally Zealor

 

Thanks Sally!

 

 

 

 

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