Wonders of Life

Wonders of Life
The pavilion in June 2007
Epcot
Area Future World
Status Closed
Cost US $100 million
Opening date October 19, 1989
Closing date January 1, 2007
General statistics
Attraction type Simulator ride (Body Wars)
Theater (Cranium Command, The Making of Me, Goofy About Health)
Exhibits (Fitness Fairgrounds & Frontiers of Medicine)
Designer Walt Disney Imagineering
Theme Life, body, health, and fitness
Height 75 ft (23 m)
Site area 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m2)
Geodesic dome size 65 ft (20 m) high and 250 ft (76 m) in diameter
Sponsor MetLife (1989–2001)
None (2001-2007)

The Wonders of Life pavilion was an attraction at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It was devoted to health and body related attractions. It is located inside a golden colored dome between Mission: SPACE and the Universe of Energy. It opened on October 19, 1989, and closed on January 1, 2007. Since that time, the pavilion has been used for seasonal special events and is now known as the Festival Center. The original attractions within the building have been closed and partially removed.

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 pavilion was finally constructed, [1] and it featured two main attractions: Cranium Command[1] and Body Wars[1], the first thrill ride located in EPCOT. Also featured was a theater (home to The Making of Me)[1], restaurant and interactive attractions that evolved around the idea of health and wellness. MetLife ended its sponsorship in 2001, which led to the slow decline of the pavilion.[1] On January 4, 2004, Disney made the decision to make it seasonal operation only.[1] It reopened when the park was projected to hit near capacity during the high spring months and Christmas season.[2] Its most recent operational phase was November 26, 2006, through January 1, 2007.[2] In 2007, the pavilion closed permanently, with no official reason given.[1] While it is not operational to the public, it is still commonly used for private and corporate events.

In 2007, temporary walls were placed around the existing attractions when Epcot hosted the Food and Wine festival in the pavilion. The "Body Wars" sign was removed in 2008, replaced by a temporary Garden Town sign while the imprints of the Body Wars sign left on the wall were painted over.[1] By 2009 Body Wars was gone without a trace. The "Celebrate the Joy of Life" sign was removed following in 2009, while most of the exhibits left were removed. The pavilion also received a paint job inside using mute colors such as white and light green.

The pavilion then operated seasonally as the center for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival as the Festival Center. For those events, it hosted seminars, videos, presentations, and more.[3] It was used as a central merchandise location during the two festivals as well. All attractions are shut down and their signs have been removed. As of November 2014, the Body Wars ride simulators have been dismantled.[1] The queue still exists, but most of the props and other electronics have been removed.[1] As of 2017, Cranium Command has had its queue and pre-show partially dismantled, but the theater - including the animatronics, lighting, seats, and staging area - remains intact.[1] The theater that was used for The Making of Me is still used for various movies and presentations during the event.[1]

On September 11, 2012, Walt Disney Imagineering filed a notice of commencement with the Orange County Comptroller’s office indicating the intentions for a "selective demolition" to take place at the pavilion, making a reopening even more unlikely. The notice came a few weeks prior to the theme park’s 30th anniversary. At this time, the simulators for Body Wars were removed, as well as their remaining motion bases and some soundproof barrier walls. The original entry and exit doors have been cemented over, but access is still attainable via Avenue of the Stars.

In early 2018, routine roof work and repairs commenced on the pavilion. This was followed by it not opening to accommodate the 2018 Flower and Garden Festival, as it fell silent. Imagineers were spotted touring the site in late February and job applications for interior remodeling were found. The future of the pavilion is currently unknown, but the building has reopened for the Food and Wine Festival for 2018.

Attractions

  • Cranium Command - A theater show with audio-animatronic actors and a movie. The show explained the functions of the brain and its interaction with the human body (included an animated pre-show segment).
  • Frontiers of Medicine - Listen to stories about medicine and the brain on small televisions, directed by New Wolf Creative.[4]
  • Body Wars - A motion simulator ride taking guests on a Fantastic Voyage-like trip through the bloodstream. 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 as its rougher counterpart.
  • Coach's Corner - Guests can swing a bat while a professional player gives tips (demolished January 16, 2009).
  • 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 - An interactive playground which tested guest's sensory abilities, including an Ames room
    • Audio Antics - A listening skill game which involved regular sounds and sounds that were out of place, which the listener had to figure out.
  • The Making of Me - A 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.

Live entertainment

  • Anacomical Players - A live show that featured actors and actresses who performed improvisational skits on health and nutrition. This was cut in 2000.

Shops

  • Well and Goods Limited (Closed)

Food services

  • Pure & Simple - Various snack type foods (Closed)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 The History of & Changes to The Wonders of Life (YouTube video). Park Ride History. April 4, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Abandoned - Wonders of Life (YouTube video). Bright Sun Films. August 31, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival - Walt Disney World Resort". Walt Disney World.
  4. ↑ "Frontiers of Medicine". Archived from the original on February 13, 2005.

Further reading

  • "Wonders of Life". WDWHistory.com. Retrieved June 5, 2006.
  • ""Erasing" Former Wonders of Life". YESTERLAND.com. Retrieved December 11, 2012.

Coordinates: 28°22′29.88″N 81°32′47.99″W / 28.3749667°N 81.5466639°W / 28.3749667; -81.5466639

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