Wonders of Life
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wonders of Life | |
The pavilion in June 2007 | |
Epcot | |
Land | Future World |
Designer | Walt Disney Imagineering |
Attraction type | Simulator ride (Body Wars) Theater (Cranium Command, Making of Me, Goofy About Health) Exhibits (Fitness Fairgrounds & Frontiers of Medicine) |
Theme | Life |
Opening date | October 19, 1989 |
Closing date | January 1, 2007 |
Music | Various New Age music |
Site area | 100000 sq ft |
Total cost | |
Geodesic dome size | |
Wonders of Life DNA monument height | |
Sponsored by | MetLife (1989-2001) |
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The Wonders of Life pavilion is an attraction at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida. The pavilion was devoted to health and body related attractions. It is located inside a golden colored dome between Mission: SPACE and the Universe of Energy. As of February 2008, the pavilion hasn't operated regularly for over 4 years, and although the space is sometimes used for special events, the attractions within have remained closed, and since been partially removed.
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[edit] History
The idea of a pavilion devoted to health and fitness dates back to the original concept of the EPCOT Center theme park, but no corporate sponsor could be found to cover the costs. It was not until MetLife signed on that the attraction was finally constructed. On January 4, 2004, Disney made the decision to make the pavilion seasonal operation only. It reopened when the park was projected to hit near capacity during the high spring months and big holiday season. The pavilion's most recent operational phase was 11/26/06 through 1/1/07. While the pavilion is not operational to the public it is commonly used for private and corporate events. On August 5, 2007 the Wonders of Life sign and the 72 foot tall The Tower of Life Double helix DNA structure were removed.
As of December 21, 2007, all attractions except Cranium Command have been removed, Body Wars having been gutted in November. Temporary walls were placed around the existing attractions when Epcot hosted the Food and Wine festival in the Wonders of Life building. It is unknown if any of the attractions will ever reopen again.
For the 2007 International Food & Wine Festival, the pavilion was open from September 28 - November 11 as the hub of the festival. [1]
According to disneyworld.com Body Wars and Cranium Command are not closed after January 31, 2008. But as of February 1, 2008, DisneyWorld.com no longer includes the Wonders of Life Pavilion in its registry.
For the 2008 Flower & Garden Festival, many festival activities took place inside Wonders of Life from March 19, 2008 - June 1, 2008. [2]
[edit] Attractions
- Cranium Command - A theater show with audio-animatronic actors and a movie. The show explained the functions of the human brain and its interaction with the human body.
- Frontiers - Listen to stories about medicine and the brain on small televisions.
- Body Wars - Epcot's first thrill ride, a motion simulator ride taking guests on a Fantastic Voyage-like trip through the blood stream. 40 passengers could be accommodated in one of four, 26-ton simulators. The film shown was directed by Leonard Nimoy, and starred actors Tim Matheson, Elisabeth Shue and Dakin Matthews. Often compared to Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park as its rougher counterpart.
- Coach's Corner - Guests can swing a bat while a professional player gives tips.
- Goofy About Health - A multimedia show about healthy living hosted by Goofy, using clips from his cartoons.
- Fitness Fairgrounds - Tested guests' athletic abilities
- Sensory Funhouse - Interactive playground
- The Making of Me - Short movie about birth and life starring Martin Short.
- Wonder Cycles - Stationary bicycles with a television attached. The faster riders pedaled, the faster the video played. The bicycles would take the rider on a short tour, with a selection of:
- 100th Anniversary Rose Parade Pasadena, California
- Disneyland in California - The rider could see that day's park patrons watching the camera pass and moving out of the way for the operator.
- Take a Little Ride: Microworld Bigtown, U.S.A.
[edit] Live entertainment
- Anacomical Players Retired in 2000
[edit] Shops
- Well and Goods Limited (Closed)
[edit] Food services
- Pure & Simple - Various snack type foods (Closed)
[edit] References
- Wonders of Life. WDWHistory.com. Retrieved on June 5, 2006.
- INTERCOT. INTERCOT.com. Retrieved on December 3, 2006.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Wonders of Life at Lost Epcot
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