Top 10 EPCOT Tunes

Welcome to Stratoblog’s first August post. We all love to sing, dance and hear music. And the best place to hear the best tunes has to be EPCOT. Don’t agree with me? Well, I got some folks over at Mousebits to join me on this one. How? Well, they voted their Top 10 EPCOT tunes. On each tube, I’ll talk a little about it, then I’ll add some of the comments from the folks at Mousebits. Simppe, clear and fun. So hang on tight and lets discover the Top 10 EPCOT Tunes! Oh, and perhaps you can listen to them while reading?

WARNING: After number 9 I started to notice that some of the top 10 lists we’re written starting with 10 and ending with 1 and some starting with 1 and ending with 10. So constantly I found myself thinking I was looking at number 8, but was looking at number 2. So I went back and decided to choose everything by “number of mentions”. Also, I didn’t consider some of the impossible-to-find-unless-you-are-a-man-called-TyphoonLagoon-on-Mousebits, and I placed every single “Feel the Flow – Version One Thousand/That Song that Plays in the Middle of Illuminations/Journey into Imagination Bathroom loop” into just “Universe of Energy/Illuminations”. I would like to also say sorry if you think I did it wrong.

10. Canada ( You’re a Lifetime Journey )

This song came from the old “O Canada” show on the Canada pavillion. I would like to take this moment to add a few words from Mousebits user Cxrbrett:

A great song and really stirs up some emotions. Very beautiful. New version is just not as powerful to me.

Well, I would also love to add my own words.

I’ll enter in the Fantasia part of my brain and think. And when I think while listening to this music, I imagine seeing Canada’s landmarks and nature all around one solo singer, with the female voice being the voice of the wind. Its so soft, yet, so powerful. Like that video I just posted right above these words. This post will be a lot like this: audio>words>video>words. To end this really short review, I want to say one thing about the lyrics: they’re smart. There’s a thousand dawns and sunsets I could see, and still not know you well~ That’s… fantastic.

9. Standing in Motion

Sometimes music can do the job of the words. And sometimes visuals can do that too. Except for this tune in particular. I don’t have much to say about it, but man, this is one of these songs that makes you want to dance. This tune comes from the Fountain of Nations, and its just… Well, watch for yourself. After that, I’ll add a few of my own words on it:

What I was talking about when I mentioned “visuals can do that too – except for this tune” is that I cannot imagine this, for example, with animation (again entering the Fantasia side of things), only with water- and water visuals is something that got re-done in a much bigger concept: first Fantasmic and now World of Color. And thats a prime example of water visuals. Also, some songs don’t really need lyrics, but if this song had lyrics, it would be something along the lines of… I don’t know… Raining along, figthing the storm, standing in motion. Something like that.

8. Universe of Energy (both versions)

This one actually surprised myself. I personally incline more towards Ellen’s Energy Adventure score, considering its made by Bruce Broughton, my favorite Disney composer and, second, it was not taken from Adventure Through Inner Space. Although I have to consider that the original Universe of Energy did have a huge resemblance to Adventure Through Inner Space, I just did not fully enjoy the soundtrack.

But what the original soundtrack really wanted to send to everyone was its more scientific, more heavy theming. It starts with the relaxed “Energy, You Make the World Go Round”, which is more like an Ode to Energy. Then we are taken to the primeval world, where the mood is more dark, more historical, and the soundtrack changes to reflect that. Instead of the 80′s cheesy music we got at the start, we got the ATIS music, which more sounds like the BGM to “You Studying Chemistry”. And then, the Ellen’s Energy Adventure score is more… silly, more adventurous (is that how you spell it?) and more out-of-this-world. Its also stronger than the original version, but, anyway, thats my opnion.

7. Soarin’

I can’t say I’m surprised- I was really counting on this tune to be here. Heck, this was the number 5 on my original-pre-Mousebits list. Soarin’ is Soarin’. Made by the late great Jerry Goldsmith (who also composed Mulan’s soundtrack), this is another song that I can compare to Standing in Motion. Here’s why:

Soarin’ is, how to put this, Soarin’. I don’t know a song that compares to the majesty that is Soarin’. The music, together with the visuals, make for one of the most amazing experiences you can have at the parks. “Legend” tells that Goldsmith came out of the ride crying and saying that Disney should let him score that ride. And by Godfrey, good thing they did. This song really reflects on what it is showing you, which is the majesty of the state of California. Beautiful countryside, forests, rivers, mountains, cities, and, of course, Disneyland!

6. One Little Spark/Magic Journeys

This one didn’t surprise me either. At least a bit- I was surprised to see that one of the Mousebits users voted for the current version of One Little Spark. Y’know, the one sang by Eric Idle and David Goelz. I can’t say I like it because I don’t- I still prefer the original and I am going to talk about the original. So, in this user’s homage, you can listen to the current version of One Little Spark.

One Little Spark and Magic Journeys were two songs written especially for the Imagination pavillion. They were written and “made” by the Sherman Brothers, the creators of such classics as Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, It’s a Small World, Miracles for Molecules, and others (the only EPCOT Pavillion that had that honor was Horizons with its original theme song, “Reach for New Horizons”, but then it changed to the George Wilkins score). And it was one of the few songs that were really out-of-mind. The first song is all about imagination itself (one little spark, of inspiration) while the second song is about a child’s imagination (all at once you’re on your way, to a place that cannot be, no one knows what holds the key). They are just so relaxing… Except for One Little Salsa, the current version of One Little Spark.

5. Horizons/World of Motion Score

I mean the entire score.

THE ENTIRE SCORE.

FROM ENTERING THE BUILDING TO EXITING IT.

Why did I put the word ENTIRE SCORE in bold? Because its fantastic. Why is it fantastic? I don’t know.

World of Motion’s focus was more sillier, more fun, so its no wonder that it followed the good ol’ “it’s a small world” premise, where the song is repeated in different variations on different rooms. You would hear “it’s fun to be free” every single time on World of Motion. You can say Journey into Imagination was the same, but those were variations of One Little Spark with different lyrics.

And Horizons was a more futuristic, more majestical focus. As you exit the building and you hear this different version of the New Horizons theme song, its just inspires you, and it makes you look forward to the future. Horizons was a different type of score, an ambiental score, where this score can transmit a message in every ambient. You’re in the 50′s scene, you hear classical jazz music, you think fun, dance, music! And thats what the narrators talk about too. See what I mean?

4. Tapestry of Nations/Dreams

I have to admit right now that I -NEVER- have listened/seen the Tapestry of Nations/Dreams parade. So I’m going to put a Tapestry of Nations music and a Tapestry of Dreams theme.

Since I have never listened to these tunes until now, I have to put this here: unknown language chorus just makes everything way more awesome. And Tapestry of Nations was unique: it was a parade… on EPCOT. It could be considered the theme for World Showcase, with everyone united making 0ne-big Tapestry of Nations. Its just incredible to hear the power this music has when you consider it talks about all the countries in World Showcase acting together.

3. Innoventions Exterior Loop

This song just screams “new” for me. I don’t know why, but it does. Or else…

Or else this song screams “the new creation”. The new creation it is! Innoventions is all about them, and when you can capture the future feel that Innoventions transmits (the new creation, the new invention, the inovation). This song screams new! It screams innovative! It screams we have the future here, in marvelous innoventions! I don’t know why isn’t this feel replicated on Disneyland’s Innoventions, but I think this is what makes EPCOT’s Innoventions unique. Its the new. Its the future. The word this song transmits is the word new.

Or else “the future of the 90′s”?

2. Spaceship Earth

- “But Strat”, you say, “what version?”

- I’m sorry, reader, let me fix myself.

2. Spaceship Earth (1986 – 2007)

Spaceship Earth is EPCOT’s weenie. And thats a lot. I mean, Magic Kingdom has land weenies. But Spaceship Earth is the weenie to a whole park. And if you’re the weenie to a whole park. And you have to be awesome. In every term of the word. Story, scenes, narration, ride vehicle… But, especially in music:

Music plays an important part on attractions, as we have seen in this post, but Spaceship Earth holds EPCOT’s message, and the music has to transmit this to the audience. Starting with Tomorrow’s Child, we had a very abstract song, with some of the best  lyrics ever (holding the spark, as we embark, on a great journey) which was all about the journey of the future and how today’s child will shape tomorrow. Then we move on to the more historical, more deep 1994 score. With the incredible finale, you could hear that every instrument was a line, a line that started on the past and went to the future, creating a new one. Each line meant a new form of communication- the music was transmitting the history of the ride to us. Soft violins with musical choruses made this one of the best Spaceship Earth scores ever. But then we move on to the 2007 score, my favorite. Bruce Broughton took the famous “sense of adventure” from his compositions at Ellen’s Energy Adventure and Honey I Shrunk the Audience and placed it on Spaceship Earth. The soft sounds represent stars twinkling on the sky, a sky thats full of possibilities for the future.

1. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth

Evening in EPCOT, World Showcase awakes

To the Reflections of Earth

The fireworks pops, the countries illuminate

To the Reflections of Earth

To the big sounds as loud as a thunder

To the little sounds soft as a psalm

And some say the soul of the lake’s

The Reflections

The Reflections of Earth

Listen, they’re beautiful, no? Reflections of Earth has actually a scene list. And it tells the story of humanity, from the loud bang of our beginnings to the end with the incredible song “We Go On”. Reflections of Earth is an incredible show. You can listen to the music of the show and feel amazed. You can see the show and be amazed. Everything in that show is amazing alone, but it becomes a majestic festival of colours, sounds and feelings when everything is together. The message of Illuminations is the same message that We Go On transmits (we go on, through the joy and the tears, we go on, to discover new frontiers). We should all act together, in peace, towards a bright future. And together we shall light as one nation, together as Illuminations. There is something about this show that just hits me in the heart, and I’ll tell you all what it is. When you are listening to We Go On, you can clearly hear a kid singing with everyone, saying “moving on”. I don’t know, that just brings a tear to my eye. If Future World can have its message transmited in Spaceship Earth, EPCOT as a whole can transmit its message on Reflections of Earth. Its a composition that makes you think. It makes you feel. And in the end, it always brings a smile to your eye. Especially when you are watching with the New Year’s Eve tag.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

- Living Seas Score (relaxing, under-the-sea music for you to ignore the outside world and submerge and this delightful place)

- Land (incredible compositions using instruments as banjos made this one of the best places to hear music)

- Honey I Shrunk the Audience (Bruce Broughton once again brings the sillyness to the music with a great theme song and score)

- Journey into YOUR Imagination/With Figment (funky, “scientific” tunes with the sillyness and impending adventure sense)

- Wonders of Life (soft and simple: one of the best scores to hear on the bed on a rainy day)

- All World Showcase loops (each country has its own mood, its own instruments, but when we put it all together, we have Reflections of Earth)

CONCLUSION:

I would like to put here a few words from one Mousebits user that contributed to this list. That will be my “conclusion”, thanks for bearing with us through Stratoblog’s longest post ever.

I don’t have time to talk about each track in greater depth but will say that in general I much prefer the music of EPCOT circa 1982-1996. There seemed to be a greater sense of dynamics, mystery, and emotional range in most of that music. There’s sort of a duality in songs like “Magic Journeys” or “Fun to Be Free” — on one level they’re very whimsical, very mellow and innocuous, yet, as crxbrett pointed out about “Magic Journeys,” there’s also an element of melancholy, bittersweetness, and reflection that I find to be very resonant. Moreover, there was a wide variety of styles and genres throughout the park during that time — you had very melodic pop/tin pan alley stuff (i.e. World of Motion, The Land, “Making Memories”) but also music that was ambient and somewhat free-form (i.e. parts of El Rio del Tiempo, Horizons, The Living Seas). And then there was stuff like Journey Into Imagination or the original EPCOT entrance loop that represented a mediation; very melodic yet also full of tangents and sections where the melody wanders off into some other musical realm.

On the contrary, most of the recent music (specifically Test Track, JII with Figment, Mission: SPACE) don’t do anything for me. I don’t know what it is exactly. Maybe they sound too rigid and derivative of contemporary Hollywood scores.

Have a magical day, and remember:

We go on.

This post would have never happened without the folks at Mousebits. Thanks for sharing such great Disney tunes and your opnions on the Top 10 EPCOT tunes.

All the songs here may be removed after complaint.

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The Top 10 Disney Villains

You can’t live without them. You can’t fight without them. Its the Top 10 Disney Villains according to Stratofarius!

NUMBER 10: Buy n’ Large, from Wall-E

Movies and books are great places to have critics against our actions. And Wall-E is home to one of the best critics against mega companies, showing Buy n’ Large as one of them, and therefore partly responsible for the Earth being filled by trash. So BnL quickly wrapped up a solution, that being sending everyone to the space in big ships until the Earth is cleaned by their giant group of Wall-E’s. As we see, that didn’t work. And yet, BnL attempts to stop Wall-E, Eve and Captain John on their plan to bring humanity back to Earth. An awesome methaporic villain.

NUMBER 9: Queen Narissa from Enchanted

If you are a Disney fan, you are probably laughing at the picture above, right? Hey, I’ve seen this before, in Snow White! Hey, everyone was saying I’ve seen this before in Enchanted. Because this villain has a bit from every single Disney (not Pixar) villain ever created. And Enchanted was a parody by Disney of Disney. Don’t believe me? Watch this:

And see all of these pictures at IMDb.

NUMBER 8:  Jafar from Alladin

Ever heard of a trope called ‘The Comedic Duo”? Well, I do believe Alladin was one of the times when this trope was applied to a couple of villains. Jafar is the mind of the group while Iago is the heart. Jafar is a wizard who has been trying to get in the command for years, but now he finally sees an opportunity with Alladin and the Genie and all that jazz. And just as Jafar finishes revealing his plan, Iago breaks into a sarcastic comment about his plan- Iago and Genie are the main comedic relief of Alladin.

NUMBER 7: Hades from Hercules

Hades is the most different Disney Villain. He, together with Syndrome from The Incredibles, is part of the “cool but evil” group of villains. I mean, the way he talks, just shows you that he is probably the last person you want to be near when people tell him that his master evil plan has gone wrong. He attempts to keep calm, and he just makes fun of everything. Remember him on Fantasmic? Oh, you’ll love this one more thing. He was treating Chernabog – freaking CHERNABOG – as something else. Speaking about Chernabog…

NUMBER 6: The Crocodile from Peter Pan

I bet people went WHAT when you saw this for two reasons: first, you thought it was Chernabog. Second, you thought that if there was a Peter Pan villain on this list, it would be Captain Hook. But NO! I say that the top villain from Peter Pan is THE CROCODILE! I mean, sure Hook is awesome, the most awesome villain of the awesome Peter Pan movie, but what can be more menacing than the only villain that the main villain itself fears? Not counting that the crocodile adds more comic relief to the comedic duo Hook and Smee. If I could point someone that came from the crocodile, that would be Iago.

NUMBER 5: Maleficient from Sleeping Beauty

Maleficient is considered the most evil Disney Villain ever, PRONTO. That doesn’t means she is the best, ok? Maleficient is mostly awesome for two things: one, she cursed a girl with death just because her parents didn’t invite her! If Sleeping Beauty told me a lesson, it was never to forget inviting evil witches to your party. And for the second thing, she is the dragon on Fantasmic! Thats right! That big dragon almost eating Mickey at Fantasmic? Thats Maleficient! You can beat that! Or can you?

NUMBER 4: Chernabog from Fantasia

He’s mean! He’s evil! Walt Disney called him ‘Satan himself’! And he sits atop Bald Mountain! Lets welcome CHERNABOG! In the Disney direct-to-DVD movie House of Villains, in which the villains trap all the heroes and kick Mickey and friends out of their club, Chernabog says that he loves Maleficient’s dragon form’s work and he kicks Mickey and friends out of the club everytime they try to come back. Of course, that just means awesome but there are a whole lot of reasons you can see at his Wikipedia article.

NUMBER 3: The Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland.

Just look at her face. Just look. She doesn’t cares if your innocent at all. She doesn’t cares if you have evidence. She will put you on the stupidest trial ever just because her roses aren’t white like she ordered. The Queen of Hearts is the vile ruler of the Wonderland, and her word is rule. If I can describe her in an announcement, it will be She’s big, she’s hot, but not in the way you would want her to be! And that makes her the number 3 villain. Enough said.

Oh yeah, she just has this amazing voice when she screams “OFF WITH HER HEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!”

‘Nuff said.

NUMBER 2: Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog.

One of the best characteristics of Facilier (which defines his character and is important to the plot) is that he has no REAL BIG power. At the beginning of the movie you see him giving a poor New Orleans person hair, since that is what he needs to conquer a girl (and that spell later turns the man into a living ball of fur), but when he is really messing with transformations: such as transforming Lawrence into Naveen and Naveen into a frog, he really needs the help of his friends from the other side- and later in the movie he needs help from his friends again to capture the frog. Facilier being the first Disney Villain who is not almighty powerful and that really depends on other people gives him this Number 2 spot. Not counting the fact that Bruce W. Smith, supervising animator of Dr. Facilier, referred to the character as the “lovechild” of his two favorite Disney Villains: Captain Hook and Cruella De Vil.

NUMBER 1: Scar from The Lion King

Some people say its all in the voice. Now when you create an villain that can do anything for assuming the role he was always declined, even killing his own brother, culping his son and then using hyenas as handymen by giving them the fake promise of food, with the low and rasp voice of Jeremy Irons, you’re sure to get a character thats worth your entire movie. Irons, of course, is the main responsible for Scar taking the number one spot. I remember seeing Musafa pleading for help before falling into the gorge- he says “Brother, please, help me!”, and Scar simply attacks him, and says Long live the king in such a way that it REALLY gave me the chills.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

These are the really good Disney Villains who were not good enough to get on my list:

• Ursula, from Little Mermaid (she uses people who are suffering as a way of living, I mean, come on, how much cooler can you get?)
• The Evil Queen, from Snow White (eat this apple, dearie, and also she became one of the most famous Disney Villains)
• Captain Hook, from Peter Pan (SMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!)
• The Hyenas, from The Lion King (especially Ed, he just sticks out from the group)
• Stromboli, from Pinocchio (they don’t return Pleasure Island… AS BOYS *insert the most maniacal grin ever*)
• Sid, from Toy Story (yeah, melt him with your laser)
• Pete, from The Mickey Cartoons

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Top 10 Attractions with a Story (Part 2)

Before I start, a few announcements:

- I HAVE A RADIO! Thats right, e veryday, at 3PM EST or 4PM EST (except weekends), you can hear to a daily block of Disney Music w/ me as the host. Yay. Go to http://disneysource.listen2myradio.com/

- I’ll be travelling tomorrow and won’t be back until next week, last week before school. So don’t expect any posts as frequent as the last months. But I WON’T STOP POSTING.

With no further delay. Let’s move.

Number 4: Spaceship Earth

You can’t beat Spaceship Earth in history terms. Maybe because the history existed even before the ride existed. Hell, we are the attraction’s story! We make the attraction’s history! You can beat a history where YOU is an important part of it. And thats why Spaceship Earth gets number 4. I can’t dream of Spaceship Earth not telling the history of mankind. Well, the ride is about mankind, right? So if the world ended… What would happen to Spaceship Ear- GAH! What a confusing history!

Number 3: Horizons

Do you enjoy Spaceship’s Earth new finale? Then you should enjoy its cousin that inspired the creation of all those “Create your Tomorrow” – Horizons. Instead of being the generic attraction about the future, it was actually about how each generation imagined the future. Sounds familiar? The new Spaceship Earth is all about how each generation created the next generation’s future. Kinda the same concept. And there’s more: you could choose your own end. Way to go Imagineers. How about you stop with the character/prop is missing story and start to take basis of all those stories that made guests come back and back to EPCOT Center? Speaking of stories that should be bringed back…

Number 2: Journey into Imagination and Cranium Command and Mickey’s Philharmagic

Wait just a jiggy there, Stratofarius! One attraction is about Imagination. The other is about the Brain. The other is about Disney Movies. What do they have in common relating to the story? Well, simple: because they all had touches by the Animation Studios. Journey into Imagination: Figment and Dreamfinder, the first characters created just for a theme park, cartoony-like, made with the help of the Animation Studios. The Cranium Command: the pre-show is animated. Mickey’s Philharmagic is basically the 3D version of Disney Classics. And not only that contributes on the visual character, it allows the story writers to set their fancies free and create totally new stories for the rides (except for Philharmagic, it has some Fantasia objects – the Hat). And that is why those three attractions get the number 2 spot. I almost didn’t include Philharmagic here because it is the prop is missing and we must find it story. All over again.

But hey, the next ride is actually ORIGINAL!

Number 1: Space Mountain 2009

How hard it is to put a story on a rollercoaster? Not hard. Big Thunder Mountain did it. But how hard it is to put a story on a rollercoaster that since its first days NEVER had a story? And thats why Space Mountain 2009 gets the trophy. With the recent updates, we actually received a story for the ride: The whole mountain is actually like the TTA – a station where you go on a ride to other galaxies (including one of Horizon’s Choose your Tomorrow destination). The post-show changed to have a story. The queue changed to have  a story. And you know how hard it is to update classic attractions: When Haunted Mansion was being updated in 2006, there was a lot of fear in the Disney community- It was one of Walt’s last creations after all. And that applies to Space Mountain too. And thats why it gets Number 1. Congrats, Imagineers.

Top 10 Attractions with a Story (Part 1)

Stories. Everyone has one. How your cousin jumped off the window AND survived or even how you like to dance the cha cha cha everytime you play some random Playstation 3 game, stories are always fun to hear and to tell. And Disney did something new. Kicking the “its just an attraction” argument out of the way, every attraction tells a story. Well, some. Welcome to the newest edition of Top 10 Disney! I wonder how much it will take until we have a Top 10 Top 10 of Stratoblog. Really. So here it is, my chaps, the Top 10 Attractions that have a Story!

Number 10: The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion has  a great sto- what? Are you telling me you didn’t knew it had a story? Well, since the newest updates, it had. Don’t you wonder why there’s a new bride at the attic? Well, my duty is to inform so, here it goes. Since 2007, the Haunted Mansion has a storyline, and it envolves Constance, the bride on the attic, and the fact that she kills her husbands. DoomBuggies.com tell us that:

While much of Constance’s story is left to the imagination, there are some hints in the newly-packed attic that give guests insight into the character. A series of wedding portraits are displayed among the various wedding gifts and ceremonial trappings scattered throughout the attic – and as guests pass each photo, the heads of Constance’s former grooms disappear from, and then reappear in each portrait. In one portrait, Constance holds a rose while posing next to her groom named “George,” echoing one of the stretching portraits at the beginning of the ride that picures a widow holding a rose as she stands over the grave of her dearly departed husband George, whose headstone has been hacked at with a hatchet.

This new bride – by turns comical and menacing – offers pithy comments to guests as they pass through the attic, such as “in sickness, and in wealth,” or “’til death do us part,” as she raises and lowers a gleaming hatchet that appears out of thin air, then disappears again.

Of course, that is only part of the story behind the Haunted Mansion. Master George, Madame Leota, everything you see on the ride is part of the story. Take the Backstage Magic tour if you want to know more, or watch the movie! Thinking about it, just take the tour, please.

Number 9: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Another one from the “I didn’t knew this had a story” series, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has a pretty weird story. Not the fact that it’s weird, but because there are 2 stories! That’s right, 2 storylines. The first one is this: when you say the mountain’s name, it floods or something like that- well, a disaster occurs, but the other one is that the train you are riding in is actually haunted: that’s why there is no driver. While you may think that the second version has more proofs that its true, the first one is explaining why is the town flooded. But if you want to tell the story to someone, tell them the second version: its the most known one and it will probably make a lot of sense. Also, you don’t want your friend screaming: “BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN! BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN!” the entire ride, do you?

Number 8: The Original Living Seas

Oh snap! I guess you didn’t knew this had a story, did ya! Well, almost every single pavillion had a story. But the Original Living Seas had a story and a layout that made you understand that story. The queue had props from movies about water and yada yada but the pre-show placed you in the history, introducing you to Seabase Alpha and why is it there, and why is it used. According to the pre-show its a research facility, and you are invited to join. To do that, you’ll have to go underwater- by the Hydrolators, then take a Sea Cab to Seabase Alpha and then visit all the exhibits. One more trip back to the surface by Hydrolators and its over. If your skipping it, you’ll never really understand the history, so thats why Disney made the original layout force you to understand the history. But before the Seas became Seas with Nemo, they destroyed one of the pre-show theaters so you could go directly to the Hydrolators. Then the Seacabs were removed: you just walked to Seabase Alpha. The history layout was broken. And down with the history went the Living Seas.

Number 7: Over 15 attractions

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Three Caballeros and the Gran Fiesta Tour, but lets talk about the history, right? It’s concert time, and Donald goes missing, so the other Caballeros go find him. Sounds familiar? How about the story from all the Nemo attractions? Well, its this: Nemo is missing and you go with the other characters around the seas to find him. Still doesn’t sounds familiar? How about the Monsters Inc attraction at DCA? Boo has gone missing in Monstropolis and guests join Mike and Sully so they can find her. Notice a pattern? And that isn’t for the newest attractions only: Splash Mountain! Br’er Rabbit goes missing so Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox go find him so they can make him their dinner. MuppetVision! Bean Bunny goes missing and Sweetums and the other Muppets try to find him. Dinosaur! PhilharMagic! Alien Encounter! Stitch’s Great Escape! So many attractions use the same story. But luckily this is ending, with the new Toy Story Midway Mania the combo was broken, since it isn’t the same story. Some of these attractions are excellent, some are not, but the story is just repeated. Over. And over. And over.

Number 6: Honey I Shrunk the Audience

With Honey I Shrunk the Audience leaving Disneyland (and maybe the other parks), I’ve developed a strange feeling of nostalgia when hearing or talking about the attraction. Maybe it’s because I’m looking beyond the bad things and looking at the good things on the attraction, especially the story. I mean, its such a good story that it got an entire refurbishment based  on it. What kind of attraction ever did that before? Huh? Hu- What? Dumbo? Get out of here, you silly reader- Dumbo doesn’t have a story.

Right?

Number 5: Dumbo

Actually…

Number 5: All Fantasyland Rides

I’m doing number 5 based on them because they are based on amazing stories and, most of the times, they re-tell them to us. Take Alice in Wonderland, for example: amazing animation, amazing ride! Dumbo! Mr. Toad! Peter Pan! Snow White! Pinocchio! Mickey and Pals! Other Disney movies! The possibilities are endless! And thats why they take Number 5.

To be continued!

Top 10 Special Effects

After listening to new episode of WDW Radio, where they decided the Top 10 Special Effects, I decided to do MY list of top 10 special effects. Welcome to the third edition of Disney’s Top 10.

Number 10: The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansionw as a blast when it opened- and still is. Why? Because of its ground breaking effects that still amaze families throughout time. The Pepper’s Ghost effect, Stretching Room, Changing Portraits, Following Busts, Never-Ending Staircase, “Is that piano playing by itself?”, Eyes on the wallpaper, and much much more. Of course, we can say that the Haunted Mansion is a living effect, and that’s why it takes number 10 in my list.

Number 9: SceneChanger (American Adventure)

The SceneChanger – actuall called WorldWagon, but do you know what it is? Did you ever wonder how does the animatronics appear on the American Adventure stage and the screen changes in the same time? That’s the WorldWagon. Want to see it? Take the 7 hour Backstage Magic tour- it’s an incredible machine that operates one of the most incredible shows in the entire Walt Disney World resort. And that is why it is number 9.

Number 8: The Mice.

You know it, you hate it, so speak up, Disney fan! One of the best effects on the entire resort belongs to one of the most outdated attractions. When the mice are accidentally duplicated in Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, you know what’s going to happen. The lights go off and your fears come true. Mice are on your feet, walking around, trying to do anything. And people scream. A lot. And that is why its the number 8 effect. Also, may I ask why does HISTA in EPCOT is a top attraction, but in the other parks its still an empty theater?

Number 7: A taste of your own medicine

Do you know why It’s Though to be a Bug it’s still one of the most loved rides on the Animal Kingdom? Because it uses our fears (much like Honey I Shrunk the Audience does) as a part of its show. When Hopper invades the theaters and orders the others bugs to attack us, you get stinged, squished, attacked by spiders. And you get scared, and thats a part of a bigger efect, the fear effect that most people use. And that is why its the effect number 7.

Number 6: Toy Story Mania

3D. We all know it. We see it on the parks and on the movies, especially with the new Avatar. Disney wanted to do a 3D attraction, but they wanted to do another leap on the 3D system. And what they got? Toy Story Mania! 3D and interactivy at its best, and if you think that it doesnt deserves this place, here’s something that you might think: you are in a cart that it’s moving. Moooooooooving. Not standing still. Moooooooooooving. That’s why its number 6.

Number 5: Figment’s House

If you just said that its a scenery, wrong. I’m refering to the effects on Figment’s house. As Figment said: Upside down? That’s the best idea you had all day! And it is. Look at that sink. Water is dripping from it but it’s not falling on you! The toilet is flushing down and you can see the water go down. BAM. How did they do that? We shall never know. And that is why it’s number 5.

Number 4: He’s there! And Live!

You know how they do that effect on Turtle Talk with Crush, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor and more? Well, to ruin the magic, it’s- nah, just kidding. Seeing those kids being happy because their favorite cartoon character is right there, talking to them, it’s just incredible. And the Laugh Floor is sure to give you some laughs. It’s all live. It’s not a recording. And that is why it takes number 4 in this list.

But seriously, Disney, Nemo on EPCOT? EPCOT?

Number 3: Fake Waterfall

Wanna scare someone that is going on Pirates for the first time? Tell them the waterfall is real and they’re going to get wet. Then watch as he goes mad. And after the waterfall, watch as he tries to strangle you for lying to him. The fake waterfall its an incredible effect and some say it uses the same water projection effect in Fantasmic. Anyway, it takes number 3.

Number 2: Smelitzer

Is that… oranges? Wait a second, am I the only one that’s smelling a skunk? Is that a… eurgh! Chilli Dogs! The Smelitzer provides different effects on the guests, but you do remember what attractions used it, right? Well, they are Horizons, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Stitch’s Great Escape, Soarin’, Philharmagic. Apples, Oranges, Chilli Dogs, Skunks, no matter the smell, the Smelitzer is a great effect that deserves its number 2 place.

Number 1: The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Yes, I don’t like the attraction, but it deserves it. It really deserves it. First time I saw the animated fish in the tank, I went “wait, where are the Seacabs?” and “OHMYGOSH HOW DID THEY DO THAT?” Great effect for a great movie and a not-so-great attraction. At least for me. And it takes number 1.

I want to know what’s your Top 10 Effects at Disney Parks! Send me an e-mail at stratofariusbr@hotmail.com or post it as a comment!

Top 5 things that I love about EPCOT Center

… even though I never got the chance to see them.

We've just begun to dream after all.

I wanted to make this post since I started Stratoblog. However, a recent comment by Steve, in relation to the Top 10 Attractions that Need a Refurbishment, made by want to do this post even more. The comment said:

I know you said it was ’simple’ but I’d like to see you expand your EPCOT thoughts into a post of their own.

Thank you Steve, for your comment (and the fact that it is the first on my blog). And now, the second installement on the Top 10 series (this time top 5), here it is: Top 5 things that I loved about Epcot Center even though I never saw them.

Number 10: Dreamfinder and Figment

When I was born, the original Imagination pavillion was having its last years. When I finally went to Disney World for the first time, it already was Journey into Imagination with Figment. However, these are one of the things that I loved (and still love) about Epcot Center. Figment and Dreamfinder were the first characters created for a theme park ride, and they were loved, and even considered the unofficial mascots of EPCOT Center! Take a look at today’s pins. When there is a series, especially a “Happy New Year” one or a “Merry Christmas”, you have a pin with Figment on it. Starting as a small purple dragon on a pavillion, Figment grew together with Dreamfinder to become the most loved characters in the history of Walt Disney World. Hey, they were even some of the reasons why guests wanted Journey into YOUR Imagination removed! And this is why the Dreamfinder and Figment couple are the 10th thing that I love about EPCOT Center.

Number 9: It didn’t need Mickey & Friends to be Disney

I want to say it now: EPCOT Center was special because it didn’t need Mickey and his pals walking in every corner of the park to be called “a Disney Theme Park”. Look at all the other theme parks: Hollywood Studios has Mickey & Pals, Animal Kingdom has an area just for them and more… But in its opening day, there were NO DISNEY CHARACTERS (aside from Figment and Dreamfinder) on the park. 2 years later, as Michael Eisner became Disney C.E.O, he immediately added the characters to the parks. Don’t get me wrong: I like them being there, and I don’t have anything against it. However, this is one of the things that I love about EPCOT Center’s early years: it didn’t need Disney characters walking around to be officially called a Disney theme park. Geez, am I repeating myself?

Number 8: Wonders of Life was not a ghost town.

Boo. Do I have to say anything else?

Number 7: It was the first park to create the multi-park resort.

Take a look at this map. It is the entire Walt Disney World resort. Do you know whats interesting? EPCOT Center was the first park on the multi-park resort story. That means he was the first park to initate the chain of resorts that would appear. And each resort would have over 2 parks. This was never done before on the entire Theme Park history. And that’s the 7th thing that I love about EPCOT Center- not only it featured incredible technologies and addicting fun, it was the first theme park on a multi-park resort. And that entered history.

Number 6: It was educative.

Let’s play a game, folks! I want you guys to tell me what each of the following pictures is teaching you.

If your answer was nothing. Then you already got what I am trying to say. Everything on EPCOT Center was made to educate. Even Kitchen Kabaret teached about nutrition! And what happened to the new EPCOT Center? Every single ride must be a thrill ride or is not a good ride. Soarin’ is a thrill ride. Mission: Space is a thrill ride. Seas with Nemo & Friends is a… wait, its not even a thrill ride. Everything in the old EPCOT Center was made to educate.

Number 5: Theme Song

I used the Captain EO logo to illustrate this number. What happens is that every single pavillion and attraction had a theme song back on the old EPCOT Center. Now, lets play another game!  I want you all to sing the theme songs from the pavillions on EPCOT! Let’s go: in the big blue world… ahm…. that Test Track theme…. ahm… Soarin’ theme…. ahm… Mission:Space theme…. ahm… Universe of Energy theme… ahm… One Little Spark! Notice how most of the songs are not catchy? You pratically don’t remember them. And thats the 5th thing I love about EPCOT Center.

And what are the other top 5 things that YOU love about EPCOT Center! I want to know your opnions for my next post, that will be about EPCOT Center. Stay tuned!

Top 10 Attractions That Need a Refurbishment

With the recent re-openign of Space Mountain, I started to make a list of top ten attractions that seriously need a refurbishment. I just listened to the Netcot podcast and their list of seven rides that should never be refurbished. And thats why I am presenting the top ten attractions that need a refurbishment.

Number 10: Stitch’s Great Escape

What do you do with a character cute like him? It's Stitch, so KILL HIM!

So you have a good attraction with lots of comedy and theming. However, it is very scary to Disney standards and lots of mothers are complaining at Guest Relations that their kids had been traumatised. This was the sad story of Alien Encounter. And so, a replacement was created. This replacament was the attempt to turn the incredible but scary attraction in a incredible and not scary attraction. What we got was an attraction that still was scary to children, but now, it was one of the most HATED attractions on the Disney Parks history (and still is). So why does this attraction needs a refurbishment? Because the alien-in-the-tube-then-breaks-out concept has been proven to be a complete failure. When it was well-made, it was scary for children. And now that it isn’t well-made, its still scary for children! And that is why Stitch’s Great Escape is the 10th that seriously needs a refurbishment. And for the love of god, Imagineers, dont put Stitch in that replacement!

Number 9: All Attractions Related to Honey I Shrunk the Kids.

Honey, I Shrunk the Originality of the Disney Parks.

Ok, Disney, we get it! You made a good movie! Not only you made a good movie, you had to milk out every penny that movie is worth: so you made 2 sequels! And youre still not happy! You have to stick the old Honey, I Shrunk the Kids theme all around the parks! Disney, face it: in terms of age, the LAST thing you would put in the parks is anything related to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids! That movie is ALMOST 20 years old! 20 YEARS OLD! So what are the attractions that Disney needs to replace? The Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure… and the Honey, I Shrunk the Audience movie. Did I mention that the movie has been on Epcot Center for 15 years? Thats right! 15 years!

Also, I doubt that anyone that has been born after 2004 will remember what in the world is Honey I Shrunk the Kids. And I have to ask the same question, Disney: why did you have to replace an original theme with a theme based on a movie, that tend to get outdated and useless? Yes, I am talking about the Imagination pavillion.

Number 8: Pooh’s Playful Spot

If it didnt replace an underwater ride, then it would be ok.

Sometimes I envy Disneyland. I really do. Thats because they have the Submarine Lagoon. Let me say something to you, Disney, I would have waited 10 years for Nemo so we could have the Submarine Voyage. But transform it into a playground- no, thats a complete waste of space. Tell me, Disney, do teens go on that ride? Do adults go on that ride? No! Only kids! Since when, Disney, since when did kids became the most important thing for you? You’ve changed attractions because kids were bored of them? Let me inform you, Disney, that kids get more interested in the aquarium part of the Seas with Nemo & Friends pavillion than the actual ride. And that is why Pooh’s Playful Spot should be refurbished.

Number 7: The Indiana Jones Stunt Show Spectacular

If only that explosion could destroy the entire theater...

But, wait, Stratofarius, you just said that Disney shouldnt do rides based on movies, because they become outdated and useless! Well, I was talking about Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, but this is Indiana Jones, folks! You maybe never saw any of the movies, but you sure do recognize the silhouette of Indiana, don’t you? Now, the problem with this show is that it has been on since the opening of Hollywood Studios. It is 20 years old, and its always the same thing. It doesnt have that “re-ride” factor that most of the rides have. How about you destroy this thing and put the good ol’ Indiana Jones Adventure thats been thrilling audiences over at Disneyland and is still loved?

Number 5: Journey into Imagination with Figment

Hey, Figment, how about you pick that pencil and stick it up Eric Idle's a... nose?

This. This. Over nine thousand times this.  If someone asked me: “Why do people still visit the Imagination pavillion?” The answer is: Because it lives in the shadow of its former self.

What? No. Not Journey into YOUR Imagination.

Yes, the original Imagination pavillion. It was perfect and it became, together with Horizons, one of the most missed pavillions from Epcot Center. And if you dont believe me, think- the Figment and Dreamfinder ride and pavillion was there for 15 years, and it was one of the most visited rides. And now, whats the wait time for the ride? 5 minutes. And you can’t barely see lots of people on ImageWorks. Theyre there for Figment. And, Disney, give them more Figment.

Number 4: Dinosaur

Its a blast! From the past! And it uses the exact same track as Indiana Jones Adventure!

I want you to take a deep breath, and look into my eyes. Now, answer me: do you remember the Dinosaur movie? No? Another example of the outdated movie thing. We all learned the lesson: if it isn’t a classic movie franchise (like Indiana Jones or Star Wars), it isn’t going to work. So why is this attraction still called “Dinosaur”? Will there be any difference in changing it back to “Countdown to Extinction”? You can keep the corny pre-show with Bill Nye the Science Guy (I guess thats him), but, please, Disney, just give me back my old Countdown to Extinction!

Number 3: Ellen’s Universe of Energy

This pavillion is full of energy... for failure!

I dont live in America, thats for sure, but I see Ellen everytime. I follow her on Twitter. I saw her show on Youtube and lots of other things, and I’ll say it: she is a great host for the Universe of Energy pavillion.

Ellen is cool. The Diorama is cool. The rest? Not.

Jeopardy? Hum, outdated, maybe? Bill Nye the Science Guy? Outdated.

I’ll just say it in simple, big and bold words: REPLACE EVERYTHING, EXCEPT ELLEN AND THE DIORAMA.

Number 2: Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management

*craw* GO AWAY! *craw*

I think Disney went a bit franchise crazy in the 90′s. With some few exceptions (I love you, Spaceship Earth ’94), most of the attractions added on the parks during that decade were based on Disney characters or movie franchises (and I love you too, Splash Mountain). This? This is one of the worst ideas. Reasons?

1. Its an original Walt show. Created by Walt and designed by Walt with help from the Imagineers. Its his memory thats engraved on the show.

2. Iago and Zazu just seem to stick out of the theme. Maybe thats because they’re cartoony?

And at the beginning, it sounded like a good idea: but even kids don’t like this show! Disney needs to understand that its not because a cute character is on the sign, the kids will be pouring in.

And the number one attraction that needs to be refurbished is…

Number One: Epcot’s Theme

Thats right.

I love you.

I can’t understand: the old Future World pavillions had all a cohesive theme. But whats the problem with Disney?

So the refurbishment that needs to be applied to Epcot’s theme is simple:

• Get all the pavillions to have a single cohesive theme: to educate, to entertrain, to informate and to transformate.
• Change the name to Epcot Center.

So this was my Top 10 list. Pretty big, eh? Thanks for reading!