Universe of Energy - Ellen DeGeneres...Jeopardy, Watch Out!
Written: Jan 29 '03 (Updated Mar 09 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Imagination and creativity, the story - how it all fits together
Cons: The lady who coordinates the line
The Bottom Line: It's a non-thrill ride yet a fun and interesting attraction!
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| jetbluefan1's Full Review: Universe of Energy |
Everyday, I think back to this one day that I went to Epcot, Disney, ( http://www.epinions.com/content_83714281092 ) in Orlando, Florida. Though I have been there five-six times, the most recent thought is of my most recent trip in December 2002. I remember going on one of my favorite attractions, Universe of Energy.
Identifying Universe of Energy
Easy, simple, fast! Heading toward the middle of the park near the country exhibits, you’ll notice a quite large pavilion decorated with hundreds of mirrors. In front of the pavilion is a sign that says: Universe of Energy, then in smaller words: Presented by Exxon. The sign stands in a small pool of water, and in the middle is where plants and bushes are growing, on the tiny island.
Lines
There we were, running to make it to the line that starts from outside the door. Right as we got in line, the doors to the pavilion closed and the staff member told us that it would be an eight minute wait. I asked her if we could just sneak in since we were just a few seconds off schedule, but she answered in a rude, “You have to wait your turn.”
So there we were, sitting on a small step which led to a small garden waiting for eight minutes while little kids ran around, screamed, yelled, and whined. Of course, you get used to it after being in a Disney park for over 20 hours in three days!
Pre-Show
The pre-show is about five minutes long, and is included in the total duration of the attraction which is 37 minutes long. The pre-show room is air conditioned and has a large amount of standing space. In the back are benches.
About two minutes after going in, the lights dimmed and one of the five big screens of the wall came on. There, Ellen DeGeneres talked about how one day she was watching Jeopardy when her neighbor Bill Nye The Science Guy came over, asking for salt if I’m not mistaken. Then they get into a conversation about the Jeopardy topic: energy. Then, Ellen noticed something! Her goody-good former college room make Judy was on the show.
After Bill leaves, Ellen falls asleep on the couch and then we proceed into the next room.
Vehicle
The attraction takes place inside a set of vehicles. Each vehicle has about 15 rows and each row can seat about 10. These vehicles take you throughout the whole ride and are handicapped accessible. You don’t need any type of seat belt for the attraction since it is very slow yet entertaining.
As a safety caution, seat smaller children in the inside away from the automatic doors of the vehicle. This is to prevent smaller kids from getting scared of the fake dinosaurs. Also, no eating or drinking is allowed during any portion of the attraction.
The Feature Presentation
The lights now dim and the car moves towards another big screen. On this screen, you will go into Ellen’s dream when she’s in the Jeopardy game show playing against Judy and Einstein. There she is with no points (same with Einstein), and Judy with over 1,600 points. Then comes commercial time and Ellen decides to pause her dream; after all, it is her dream and she could do whatever she wants! Then, Bill Nye the Science Guy runs in and tells Ellen to travel back to the very beginning of life which is supposedly the Big Bang.
After the BANG, you venture back to when the dinosaurs lived and go into a whole new world behind that curtain. There are all these different types of fake dinosaurs in the jungle and sound effects. Some of the dinosaurs move. There are also statues made out of plastic that look like Ellen and Bill as they go back to the dinosaurs and live about all different types of energy.
After passing that curtain, you go into a big room listening to B.C - A.D radio which talks about major events and findings about energy.
The time of the cockroaches, the time of the mammoths, the time of the first humans...
Then, you are back to reality with Ellen and Bill who pop up on a huge video screen behind the next curtain. Here, Ellen learns about energy that dams use, and how if one type of energy is lost, there are many other types of energy that will make up for the lost type. One example that they use is that when there is no more wind and the windmills out in the open plains don’t produce energy, sun light can always make up for that energy being lost, and huge mirrors are used in open spaces to bring down more light and energy.
I hope this isn’t too confusing for you so far, but when you really go on the ride, you will understand everything that I am talking about!
Next, you come back to the Jeopardy show with Judy, and Ellen’s new knowledge for energy. Einstein is out of the game and receives a light bulb for playing.
Afterwards, Ellen and Judy are tied and it is time for the final question and wager. The question is, What type of energy never runs out? Judy cleans her glasses and writes down nothing, while Ellen thinks and then writes down her answer. When it comes to answer their questions...well, hehe, I’ll let you have that surprise once you go on this attraction!
Conclusion
Universe of Energy is not a thrilling ride, but it’s a thrilling attraction. It’s cool how so much could happen in 37 minutes, and I love the whole setup. The dinosaur area is very well done and makes it look as if the world is still conquered by dinosaurs. I also love the story of how Ellen DeGeneres falls asleep in front of the TV while watching Jeopardy and then the whole attraction takes off from there...
Universe of Energy - Ellen DeGeneres...Jeopardy, Watch Out!
Visit my Disney World review at http://www.epinions.com/content_89126309508
Recommended:
Yes
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