The Land (Disney)
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The Land is the name of a pavilion that sits on the western side of "Future World", one of two themed areas of Epcot, a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida USA. It opened on October 1, 1982 as part of the Phase I features for the grand opening of what was then known as EPCOT Center. "The Land" is dedicated to human interaction with the land itself. It explores not only how we humans use the land for our benefit, but also how we can destroy it. Future Technology in better preserving the land is also explored in the pavilion, along with a focus on the celebration of the land itself.
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[edit] Attraction History
While the pavilion itself has technically existed since 1982, it has so far gone through three signficicant phases. The original and first phase of the pavilion consisted of a ten year sponsorship under Kraft Foods Inc. from 1982-1992. Kraft played a vital role in co-financing the everyday functions of the attractions, restaurants, and shops inside the pavilion. Both the pavilion's interior and exterior were bathed in earth tone colors. Some exotic colors and plants were also placed both inside and outside the pavilion to better "place" the pavilion as part of Florida.
1993 was the last year in which nearly every feature of the original EPCOT Center (including the park's name) existed. It was declared that EPCOT Center must update itself by October 1, 1996 for Walt Disney World Resort's 25th Anniversary. "The Land" was no exception. Its sponsor, Kraft, under a temporary 1993 contract, withdrew as sponsor on September 26, 1993. The Walt Disney World Resort and "The Land's" new sponsor, Nestle were able to both co-finance the gradual refurbishment of the pavilion starting September 27, 1993.
The pavilion itself was cosmetically freshened. While the original colors did exist within the pavilion itself, more vibrant colors and fabric changes to the various restaurants and shops gave the pavilion a more modern and refreshened look. Some small features to the pavilion did change during the 1993 refurbishment. The names of certain shops and restaurants also changed during this time.
Also in 1993, the main attraction of "The Land", an indoor attraction, narrated by a live Disney Cast Member, taking guests on connected boats through various exhibits within the pavilion called Listen to the Land, was closed on September 27, 1993. It eventually reopened mostly the same under a new name called Living with the Land on December 10, 1993.
In 1994 another original attraction to "The Land" closed on January 3, 1994. The Kitchen Kabaret Revue, better known as Kitchen Kabaret, which was an Audio Animatronics theatrical presentation concerning nutrition. It eventually reopened as Food Rocks. Some of the elements from the original show existed in the new show. The new show was meant to be more modern and appealing to younger audiences.
In 1995 the last of the three original attractions to "The Land" closed on January 1, 1995. Symbiosis, which was a cinematic presentation that discussed both the positive and negative aspects of human relationship with the land. It eventually reopened as Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable, a new film featuring characters from The Lion King. Like the transition from The Kitchen Kabaret Revue into Food Rocks, Symbiosis also had some of its footage recycled into Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable. The new show was also done to be another resfreshed and modernized feature of "The Land" that would better appeal to younger audiences.
In 2003 Nestle renewed its sponsorship of "The Land", however it was under agreement that Nestle would oversee its own refurbishment to both the interior and exterior of "The Land". Between 2004 and 2005, the pavilion itself was under refurbishment. While both the 1982 and 1993 color schemes were simply freshened, there was a heavy emphasis on the newly selected roster of the 2004 color scheme, which was a very vibrant selection of white, yellow, and green.
The various flowers, plants, and trees selected for the pavilion for 1982 and 1993, also existed with new foliage given to the pavilion in 2004. All of the carpeting in the pavilion was redone. The main food court was completely redone. Large metalic sculptures now fill the main food court were one large fountain had been since 1982. Fabrics for the restaurants, and shops changed along with the names of certain restaurants and shops.
Every pavilion in "Future World" for the original 1982-1993 EPCOT Center had a circular symbol of the same size that had a sole color and elemental form expressing what the pavilion presented to guests. "The Land's" symbol, green with a stylized leaf within a circle, had survived in both the interior and exterior of the pavilion from 1982 until 2004, although it can still be seen on the slip covers for Living with the Land's FASTPASS machines, which are put on after all Fastpasses for the day have been distributed. During the refurbishment of the pavilion many of the elemental symbols were removed, along with many of the signs that had the name "The Land" in the original 1982 font. The 2004 refurbishment preserved some of this, but a new font was selected that both honored the 1982 font but gave once again a modern feature to the 2004 font.
The pavilion's entrance sign, original from 1982, was changed for a new sign in 2004 that better represented the 1982, 1993, and 2004 aspects of "The Land". The pavilion's dedication plaque, original from 1982, was saved. The walkways and stroller parking to the pavilion's entrance were both widened and better redefined.
The biggest and most significant change to "The Land" during the 2004-2005 refurbishment was the closure and entire demolition of Food Rocks, which initially occurred on January 3, 2004. May 5, 2005 was to be and was "The Lands" official grand reopening, and also the start of Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth Campaign. That date would also be the official opening of "The Land's" newest attraction: Soarin'
Soarin', opened on May 5, 2005 as a replacement for Food Rocks. It is a massive attraction that is an actual addition to the pavilion itself. It celebrates the land itself and is currently a very popular and well received attraction from the guests who have experienced it.
While "The Land" as a pavilion has somewhat changed, its purpose has not, and continues to be a positive and serious experience that has allowed elements from all three of its phases to exist so that today's guests can continue to experience all that "The Land" has to offer.
[edit] Current Attractions and Services
- Living with the Land (December 10, 1993 - Present)
- Soarin' (May 5, 2005 - Present)
- Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable (January 21, 1995 - Present)
- Behind the Seeds Tour
[edit] Current Dining
- The Garden Grill - Family restaurant with a farm house atmosphere, rotates and offers a view of the dark ride section of Living with the Land. The food is simple, family fare with costumed characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Chip 'n' Dale, and Pluto (Disney).
- Sunshine Seasons - A food court
- Asian Shop - A variety of noodle bowls and stir-fries.
- Sandwich Shop - A variety of made to order sandwiches.
- Soup/Salad Shop - A variety of soups and salads.
- Wood-Fired Grill Shop - Rotisserie chicken, beef and fish.
- Bakery - Nestle Toll House Cookies, Ice Cream, among others.
[edit] Current Shopping
- Soarin' Information Desk - A desk that sells one Soarin' T-shirt and some select Soarin' pins. This is also where guests may sign up for the Behind the Seeds greenhouse tour.
[edit] Former Attractions and Services
- Listen to the Land (October 1, 1982 - September 27, 1993)
- The Kitchen Kabaret Review (October 1, 1982 - January 3, 1994)
- Food Rocks (1994 - January 3, 2004)
- Symbiosis (October 1, 1982 - January 1, 1995)
[edit] Former Dining
- The Good Turn Restaurant (October 1, 1982 - May 1, 1986) - The original name of the present Garden Grille Restaurant.
- The Land Grille Room (May 2, 1986 - November 15, 1993) - The second name given to the present Garden Grille Restaurant.
- Farmer's Market (October 1, 1982 - October 25, 1993) - The name of "The Land's" original food court.
- The Sunshine Season Food Fair (1994 - 2004) - The second name given to the "The Land's" food court.
- Ice Cream - Nestle Toll House Cookies, Ice Cream, among others.
- Potato Store - A variety of potato dishes.
- Pasta - A variety of pasta dishes.
- Soup/Salad - A variety of soups and salads.
- Barbecue - BBQ chicken and beef.
[edit] Former Shopping
- The Green Thumb Emporium - A small gift shop, focusing on food and gardening.
[edit] Pavilion facts and figures
- Pavilion capacity: 3,600 persons
- Pavilion size: 253,780 square feet (24,000 m²) Roughly the size of Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World.
- Pavilion sponsor(s): Kraft Foods Inc. (October 1, 1982 - September 26, 1993), and Nestle [1] (September 27, 1993 - Present)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Nestlé sponsorship, page 35. "Nestlé USA sponsors the Land Pavilion at Epcot® at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. " http://www.nestle.com/NR/rdonlyres/EBE8996B-602E-4D86-B781-61B550B78F8E/0/2000_EnvironmentProgressReport_English.pdf
