The Universe of Energy is a pavilion located in the eastern half of Future World at Epcot. The pavilion contains one attraction, its second since its 1982 opening, entitled Ellen's Energy Adventure, starring Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Universe of Energy was previously sponsored by ExxonMobil (formerly Exxon) from opening day October 1, 1982 through 2004.
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| Universe of Energy | |||
| The logo for the Universe of Energy. | |||
| EPCOT | |||
| Land | Future World | ||
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| Designer | WED Enterprises | ||
| Attraction type | Pavilion | ||
| Theme | Energy | ||
| Opening date | October 1, 1982 | ||
| Closing date | January 21, 1996 | ||
| Music | Official Album 1991 | ||
| Vehicle type | Two sets of six (12 total) moving vehicles with theater seating | ||
| Vehicle capacity | 100 | ||
| Ride duration | 45 minutes | ||
| Audio-animatronics | 34 | ||
| Sponsored by | Exxon (1982-1996) | ||
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The original Universe of Energy pavilion itself was an innovation in energy technology, as the entire roof was covered in 80,000 photovoltaic solar cells that partially powered the ride vehicles. Visitors were transported through the pavilion in large battery-powered "traveling theatre cars" that followed guide-wires embedded in the floor as opposed to riding along conventional ride tracks. The original attraction featured numerous films that presented information on the subject of energy in a serious fashion as well as a ride through a primeval diorama complete with animatronic dinosaurs.
The original pre-show featured a unique eight minute film presentation known as the "Kinetic Mosaic," which was invented by Czech film director Emil Radok (see link below for video). The film was narrated by voice over recording artist Peter Thomas. The mosaic screen consisted of 100 rotating prism-shaped flip screens (reminiscent of those on the classic game show Concentration), arranged in a twenty five wide by four high array. These flip screens rotated under computer control and were synchronized to a live-action motion picture that was projected onto their surface. Each flip screen contained three sides with white projection surfaces on two sides and a matte black surface on the third. The combination of the film and the screens' rotation created undulating, sometimes three-dimensional-appearing images. During the conclusion of the pre-show, the song "Energy (You Make The World Go ‘Round)" was played.
Upon entering the theatre, guests were seated in one of six seating areas. Here, they viewed a four minute hand-animated film that depicted the beginnings of life on earth and the formation of fossil fuels. This film was narrated by Peter Thomas.
At the conclusion of the film, the entire theatre seating area moved into the primeval diorama. Here, the theatre seating broke up into six multi-passenger vehicles that took guests on a seven minute journey through the diorama, which was populated by numerous animatronic dinosaurs including an Edaphosaurus and a family of Brachiosaurus in a swamp, a Stegosaurus fighting an Megalosaurus on an overhead cliff, several Trachodon bathing beneath a waterfall, a number of Ornithomimus watching helplessly as one of their own sank into a boiling tar pit, an Elasmosaurus that lashed out at guests, and numerous Pteranodon that were perched around an erupting volcano. The diorama also featured a deliberately "swampy" smell.
Leaving the diorama, the vehicles entered the EPCOT Energy Information Center where they reassembled back into their original theatre seating formation. Here, guests viewed a twelve minute live-action film that took them on an in-depth look at various current and future energy resources around the world.
At the conclusion of the film, the entire seating area moved back into Theatre I where guests viewed a two minute computer-animated film of laser-like images that were reflected off of mirrored walls within the theatre. The film was accompanied by an upbeat song entitled, "Universe of Energy."
| Universe of Energy | |||
| The sign as it looked from 2001 to 2004 when the pavilion was sponsored by ExxonMobil. | |||
| Epcot | |||
| Land | Future World | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designer | Walt Disney Imagineering | ||
| Attraction type | Pavilion | ||
| Theme | Energy | ||
| Opening date | September 15, 1996 | ||
| Hosted by | Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Nye 'The Science Guy,' Alex Trebek, Jamie Lee Curtis and Johnny Gilbert | ||
| Vehicle type | Two sets of six (12 total) moving vehicles with theatre seating | ||
| Vehicle capacity | 100 | ||
| Ride duration | 45 minutes | ||
| Audio-animatronics | 26 | ||
| Sponsored by | ExxonMobil (1996-2004)
None (2004-Present) |
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The current show stars Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Nye 'The Science Guy,' Alex Trebek, Johnny Gilbert, and Jamie Lee Curtis. It deals with energy, how energy is produced, the history of energy production, and the search for new energy resources. In particular it focuses on the origins of fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal and natural gas. It also mentions solar and hydroelectric power. It is now also the longest-running show of the ride to date.
The current attraction uses the same traveling theater system that was used by the original Universe of Energy show. The primeval diorama uses essentially the same sets and audio-animatronic dinosaurs as the original show, though during the rehab to the Ellen's Energy Adventure show, all of the dinosaurs were repainted in much brighter colors, several animatronic figures were added along with an upbeat musical score to help tie it into the new films.
Guests view an eight minute film in which Ellen DeGeneres falls asleep and dreams that she is in an energy-themed version of Jeopardy!, playing against an old rival Judy Peterson (portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis) and Albert Einstein. Eventually, Ellen does not know about energy.
Upon entering the theatre, guests are seated in one of six seating areas. Here, the theater turns 180 degrees to the screen above the main doors, and a six minute film is shown in which Bill Nye takes Ellen back billions of years in time to witness the Big Bang and then into a prehistoric jungle where he explains the formation of fossil fuels.
At the conclusion of the film, the entire theatre seating area turns 90 degrees to the left, and moves into the primeval diorama. Here, the theatre seating breaks up into six multi-passenger vehicles that take guests on a seven minute journey through the diorama, which is populated by numerous animatronic dinosaurs including an Edaphosaurus and a family of Brachiosaurus in a swamp (one of whom sneezes water onto guests), a Stegosaurus fighting an Megalosaurus on an overhead cliff, several Trachodon bathing beneath a waterfall, a number of Ornithomimus drinking from a pond (one of whom spits water at guests), an audio-animatronic Ellen fighting off an Elasmosaurus with a tree branch, and numerous Pteranodon perched around an erupting volcano.
Leaving the diorama, the vehicles enter a second theatre where they reassemble back into their original theatre seating formation. After listening to a brief prehistoric broadcast from KNRG News Radio, guests view a twelve minute live-action film in which Ellen and Bill Nye take an in-depth look at various current and future energy resources. Actor Michael Richards also makes a brief cameo as a caveman.
There is one Hidden Mickey towards the beginning of the Theatre II film; it is only on-screen for 3 seconds.
At the conclusion of the film, the entire seating area moves back into Theatre I and rotates back into its starting position, where guests see the two minute conclusion of Ellen's Jeopardy! dream.
During the transition from Theatre II to Theatre I, Johnny Gilbert, the Jeopardy! announcer, first announces that "If you'd like to have your own energy nightmare, place a self-addressed stamped envelope under your pillow, or, check us out on the web at www.energynightmare.game." (a fictional website) Then, in traditional game show style, he mentions that as a consolation prize, “Some contestants on Jeopardy! will receive a year's supply of energy. Energy, You Make The World Go ‘Round." This line is actually a tribute to the original attraction, whose pre-show film featured a song titled, "Energy (You Make The World Go ‘Round)."
Similar to other Epcot pavilions, The Universe of Energy pavilion can be booked for corporate special events and group functions. The large indoor areas within the attraction allow ample space for dinners, receptions, and other planned events.
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