Wonders of Life
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| Wonders of Life | |
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| The pavilion in June 2007 | |
| Epcot | |
| Land | Future World |
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| Designer | Walt Disney Imagineering |
| Attraction type | Simulator ride (Body Wars) Theater (Cranium Command, Making of Me, Goofy About Health) Exhibits (Fitness Fairgrounds & Frontiers of Medicine) |
| Theme | Life |
| Opening date | October 19, 1989 |
| Closing date | January 1, 2007 |
| Music | Various New Age music |
| Site area | 100000 sq ft |
| Total cost | US $100 Million |
| Geodesic dome size | 65 ft high and 250 ft in diameter |
| Wonders of Life DNA monument height | 75 ft |
| Sponsored by | MetLife (1989-2001) |
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The Wonders of Life pavilion was an attraction at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The pavilion was devoted to health and body related attractions. It is located inside a golden colored dome between Mission: SPACE and the Universe of Energy. The pavilion officially opened on October 19th, 1989, and closed on January 1, 2007, and although the space is sometimes used for special events, the attractions within have been closed and partially removed.
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[edit] 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, and it featured two main attractions: Cranium Command and Body Wars, the first thrill ride located in EPCOT. Also featured was a theater (home to The Making of Me), restaurant and interactive attractions that evolved around the idea of health and wellness. MetLife ended its sponsorship of Wonders of Life in 2001, which lead to the slow decline of the pavilion. On January 4, 2004, Disney made the decision to make the pavilion seasonal operation only. It reopened when the park was projected to hit near capacity during the high spring months and Christmas season. The pavilion's most recent operational phase was 11/26/06 through 1/1/07. While the pavilion is not operational to the public it is commonly used for private and corporate events. On August 5, 2007 the Wonders of Life sign and the 72 foot tall The Tower of Life Double helix DNA structure were removed. No official explanation was ever given for the closure of the pavilion, but it was speculated that the loss of MetLife as a sponsor, poor attendance and location, and lack of updates to the attractions and the pavilion itself were all factors.
In 2007, temporary walls were placed around the existing attractions when Epcot hosted the Food and Wine festival in the Wonders of Life building. The "Celebrate the Joy of Life" and "Body Wars" had been removed during the last opening in 2009, and most of the exhibits had been removed. The pavilion also received a paint job inside, which painted it to more mute colors, such as white and light green. It is unknown if any of the attractions will ever reopen again, although it is possible that the pavilion could be re-opened with the same theme, or even a new one, if sponsorship is signed.
Currently, the pavilion is open seasonally as the center for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival and the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. For these events, the pavilion hosts seminars, videos, presentations, and more.[1] Presently all attractions are shut down and their signs removed, and the state of Body Wars is unknown, but Cranium Command still exists. The theater that was formerly used for The Making of Me is still used for various movies and presentations during the events.
[edit] Attractions
- Cranium Command - A theater show with audio-animatronic actors and a movie. The show explained the functions of the human brain and its interaction with the human body.
- Frontiers - Listen to stories about medicine and the brain on small televisions.
- Body Wars - Epcot's first thrill ride, a motion simulator ride taking guests on a Fantastic Voyage-like trip through the blood stream. 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 Park as its rougher counterpart.
- Coach's Corner - Guests can swing a bat while a professional player gives tips.
- Goofy About Health - A multimedia show about healthy living hosted by Goofy, using clips from his cartoons.
- Fitness Fairgrounds - Tested guests' athletic abilities (this is due to be demolished starting by January 16, 2009)
- Sensory Funhouse - Interactive playground
- The Making of Me - 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.
[edit] Live entertainment
- Anacomical Players Retired in 2000
[edit] Shops
- Well and Goods Limited (Closed)
[edit] Food services
- Pure & Simple - Various snack type foods (Closed)
[edit] References
- "Wonders of Life". WDWHistory.com. http://wdwhistory.com/wiki/Wonders_of_Life. Retrieved June 5, 2006.
- "INTERCOT". INTERCOT.com. http://www.Intercot.com. Retrieved December 3, 2006.
[edit] See also
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Coordinates: 28°22′29.88″N 81°32′47.99″W / 28.3749667°N 81.5466639°W
