R.A. Pedersen's Blog, page 21

Spaceship Earth Adding Fastpass?

We had heard rumors that Spaceship Earth might be adding Fastpass – but to be honest we thought they were silly and far out there.

However Disney is in the process of modifying the queue to allow access to the second load ramp. There's no reason to do so unless Spaceship Earth is going to be loading from two lines at once.

It could be prep for the rumored Xpass project but that function much like Fastpass anyways. We shall soon see.

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Release: Pella Partners with Green Builder Media for VISION House in INNOVENTIONS

It sounds like a futuristic movie scene: a woman at work uses her smart phone to remotely unlock her front door for a repairman. As the sunny winter day turns into evening, her time-activated home automation system lowers the blinds in the family room to help prevent heat loss.

Innovative home technology like this — including a new product from Pella Corporation — will soon be a reality in the new green home exhibit at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Lake Buena...

Monorail Platform Gate Upgrades Coming Soon

Disney filed paperwork today stating they were going to upgrade the monorail gates and make modifications to the platforms at the Transportation and Ticket Center as well as Disney's Contemporary Resort. The exact extent of these modification is unknown, but in the case of the Contemporary Resort the wording on the paperwork distinctly says "monorail entrance gate upgrades."

Epcot's Norway Pavilion to Modernize

It's been a while since anyone has heard much of anything about any progress for Epcot's Norway pavilion – November 2011, actually, if our archives don't deceive us.

The Norway pavilion, the last new country added to the World Showcase, has had a long and hard road in attempting to get funding for updates and modernization. The ride itself has always been buggy and never worked as intended and the film at the ride's exit has been downright outdated and awful for a good decade. It's to the...

FASTPASS Return Time Enforcement to Begin in March

A quick note for everyone who gets a Soarin' FASTPASS at Epcot and then wanders off for the entire day only to return several hours after their return window – that wont be happening anymore.

Starting in March Disney will be training their Cast Members on a new policy that forbids returns outside of the FASTPASS return time window short of a few exemptions. Guests with a valid FASTPASS for the day will be able to return anytime 5 minutes prior to the start of the return window – easing much o...

Archive Newsreel of Epcot Futurecom and More circa 1982

AT&T Recently posted this wonderful newsreel covering the opening of Spaceship Earth, Futurecom, and the World Key information systems – as well as EPCOT Center in general.

Highlights from the video include the rarely seen Earth Station doorways, the Futurecom entry area and exhibits, and the World Key kiosk on Showcase Plaza bridge – it's themed to look like a mini-Odyssey. Enjoy!

Habit Heroes Proves Unable to Save Itself at Epcot

The Walt Disney World resort unveiled their latest addition to Epcot this week in the form of Habit Heroes, a new mini-attraction in Innoventions East sponsored by Blue Cross and Anthem of Florida. As with all Innoventions exhibits, this addition brings attention to a particular cause that the sponsor wants to showcase – in this case, the unhealthy habits of teens and young people.

It's an imposing structural addition overall. Walking south along the old "road-to-tomorrow" through...

Nemo Queue Work Putting Holes in Building Exterior – Is Fastpass Coming?

There's rampant speculation that the current work on the entrance of the Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion is to add Fastpass to the main attraction. Disney hasn't confirmed anything either way, but we'll provide some photos to help illustrate the point.

Remember, Disney filed for "Queue Modifications" so this work definitely relates to the queue of the main attraction somehow.

We present: Refurb Walls!

Now to the casual on-looker that's a standard Disney refurbishment wall. However, notice...

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom to Debut Late February

Inspiration meets innovation when Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom opens to Walt Disney World Guests in late February of this year. This immersive, role-playing game features unprecedented interaction with Disney characters who come to life in previously hidden areas throughout Magic Kingdom park.

Families, friends and individuals can take on the animated Disney Villains by casting spell cards featuring Rafiki, Rapunzel, Woozles and more than 60 other characters. Individually created by Disney a...

Video: Universal Orlando's 2012 Year to Be Here Announcement

Universal released this for everyone to see why 2012 is the "Year to Be Here" err.. there? Regardless, it's a nice look at some of their coming attractions and offerings. We don't typically delve into Universal's stuff, as it's not within the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow boundaries, but it's near enough by and worth taking note of. If anything, it's good to know what Disney is up against to decipher their decision making process.