This is part 1 of 2, first written to all by WDW Cast Member Ed Sterrett on Fidonet's Disney echo on May 19, 1994. (Quoting:) Hi gang! As promised- the 'scoop' on Innoventions, EPCOT Center's new attraction! (Be sure not to miss The Disney Channel's sneak preview on June 12th) >From Eyes & Ears, 5/19/94 EPCOT '94 launches a new era in its quest to expand Walt Disney's vision of EPCOT as an international exposition of tomorrow by adding an exciting showcase of new products for living in the near future called "Innoventions." Opening as a preview this summer, Innoventions will introduce the amazing products coming next month or next year that could change our daily lives forever. Michael Eisner, our company's Chairman and CEO, said, "We believe EPCOT Guests will be amazed, inspired, captivated, awed, delighted and, of course, entertained. They may never go to Mars," Michael added, "but they will use the machines, computer games, toys, phones, musical instruments, televisions, stoves, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners and toilets which they will see, probably for the first time, in Innoventions." These are products just now appearing in the marketplace which most people have only read about or seen on television. Exhibits, similar to those seen by a privileged few in major trade shows, will be constantly changing. Visitors will discover new interactive video systems, action-packed video games and CD-ROM visual information libraries. They will see electric powered autos, dancing robots, high fidelity television, voice-activated appliances and a magic house that thinks for itself. Although products will not be sold in exhibit areas, representatives will be on hand to explain and demonstrate. Guests may use interactive computer terminals to recieve information by mail. The initial phase of the project will occupy 100,000 square feet in Innoventions Plaza (formerly CommuniCore) in the heart of Future World. The entire appearance of the area is being given a bold, fresh look with bright colors, lively graphics and new eateries including Electric Umbrella Restaurant, Pasta Piazza Ristorante and Fountain View Expresso & Bakery. "CommuniCore was an area where there were restaurants and a major merchandise facility. The rest of the area was filled with exhibits. These exhibits were at least 10 years old and needed to be replaced with big new ideas," said Pete Rahill, of Walt Disney Imagineering, project manager on Innoventions. According to Pete, "Our Guests can get exposure to a combination of things in one place at Innoventions. That's what is unique about it. There's electronics, home products, stereo equipment, videos, etc. There's something for everyone- not just adults or kids, but for both!" (cont next message) Ed Sterrett (1:363/166) ()_() (_) Walt Disney World Communications Control Center ... "This tagline is undergoing maintenance for your future enjoyment." -+- FMail 0.96ā + Origin: The Rush Room - We OWN Orlando - (407)678 & 0749 (1:363/166.0) (End of quoted material. Continued in the next message.) --Rich Koster ()_() FDC Walk-Around Mickey Mouse (_) Please address replies in care of Rich Koster to: Internet: rich@yensid.ness.com or rich_koster@delphi.com UUCP: rich@yensid.UUCP Fidonet: 1:390/5.10 * "Your Future World is born today!" * Q-Blue 1.0 * VQWK 6.20 [Rev H - 04/04/94] Part of the Magic of Mickey's Kingdom BBS (909) 242-3975 Lines: 143 This is part 2 of 2, first written to all by WDW Cast Member Ed Sterrett on Fidonet's Disney echo on May 19, 1994. (Quoting:) (cont from prev msg) What We'll See at Innoventions- Exhibits from eleven major companies, along with exhibits designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, are planned for the initial phase of Innoventions: * AT&T Co.- Voice and data-transfer technologies, recognition devices and video computer phones, on-line computer libraries, "True Voice" demonstrations, and a variety of new computer-driven games. * Apple Computer Inc.- "Learning Through Life" computers for everyday use by everyone from young children to retired people, Apple's new Quadro Duo PC's, electronic still picture camera, Newton personal digital assistant. * Discover Magazine Awards for Technological Innovation- Display of the current year's winning inventors and their inventions. * EPCOT Discovery Center- [replaces EPCOT Outreach] An exciting resource center for teachers and anyone interesed in education- an "Ask EPCOT" information desk, on-line connection to major information services, Class-to-Class Pen Pal and Educator Idea Exchange. The new two-story structure contains a shop called "Field Trips," featuring educational software. * Eclectronics- Disney Imagineers' potpourri of electronic gadgets and gee-whiz products to see, hear and try, including a $500,000 stereo system, electronic keyboards with exotic special effects capabilities, interactive video games and Alec Tronics, the Disney Audio-Animatronics® rock 'n' roll performer. * General Electric- [told ya they were still around ;) ] The Magic House Show will feature the Great Carrotini Rabbit in a display of magic built around the home of the future. Everything from jet engines to medical systems, home power distribution innovations, appliances and new lighting systems will be demonstrated. * General Motors Corp.- GM's new "Impact" electric car and ultra light, alternative energy vehicles will be the centerpiece of this look into the the future of personal transportation. * Hammacher Schlemmer- Based upon their upcoming catalogues of unusual gadgets, home aids and time-savers, the Hammacher Schlemmer exhibition will also include a test laboratory showing how the company picks products for usefulness, quality and uniqueness. * Honeywell, Inc.- See inside five homes where family and friends are enjoying "comfortable living at its best" using products for new and existing homes including zoned temperature control, security and energy-saving systems, electric windows and the latest communications and entertainment products. * IBM Corp.- Exciting and fun displays show how the latest advances in information technology are changing our lives. Visitors will experience everything from electronic field trips to video conferencing to thrilling special effects using IBM's innovative technologies. * Lego Systems- The Lego Dacta division will show its computerized educational systems where Guests operate elaborate models of equipment, buildings and molecular structures which demonstrate principles of physics, engineering, architecture, biology and other areas of science. * Masco Corp.- In the Magic House Tour, Masco will showcase the latest designs from Lineage Home Furnishings, Delta & Peerless Faucet and Merillat Cabinetry. Model bedrooms, kitchens, baths and home entertainment centers will be featured, using traditional, casual and contemporary styling coupled with advanced operating systems. * Bill Nye, the Science Guy- Cable television's popular science teacher will be featured in this multi-media show which traces- with humor- how inventor's ideas move from laboratory to marketplace. * SEGA of America, Inc.- Guests meet Sonic the Hedgehog, try out more than 100 video games just ready for the home entertaiment market plus SEGA's Virtual Reality system; experience AS-1 simulator space flight and Virtua Racing where participants compete against each other in a simulated Indy 500 race. * Videonics- Through video demonstrations, Guests will first learn how to make better home videos and then, with various Videonic products, see how it's possible to keep just the best parts of their video tapes, how titles can easily be added, how poor video color and brightness can be repaired and how narration, music, video and audio effects can be added. * Walt Disney Imagineering Laboratory- [!!!] For the first time in history, the public will go inside a Disney Lab to see a future Theme park adventure during development- an Aladdin's Magic Carpet adventure using super high-powered computer graphic imaging systems to combine Disney animation with virtual reality. The Disney VR lab in California is being replicated here so the new flying experience can be tested on EPCOT Guests before full-scale development of the attraction. [End of article] All-in-all, seems a lot better than a few computer games and portrait painting robots.. ;D Ed Sterrett (1:363/166) ()_() (_) Walt Disney World Communications Control Center ... "This tagline is undergoing maintenance for your future enjoyment." -+- FMail 0.96ā + Origin: The Rush Room - We OWN Orlando - (407)678 & 0749 (1:363/166.0) (End of quoted material.) --Rich Koster ()_() FDC Walk-Around Mickey Mouse (_) Please address replies in care of Rich Koster to: Internet: rich@yensid.ness.com or rich_koster@delphi.com UUCP: rich@yensid.UUCP Fidonet: 1:390/5.10 * "Whew! What they can't do these days!" -Jiminy Cricket * Q-Blue 1.0 * VQWK 6.20 [Rev H - 04/04/94]