Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
225
Turtle Talk with Crush
. Crush (from
Finding Nemo
) chitchats with the audience from
behind his undersea movie screen, engaging them in conversation and telling a joke or
two. This is a first-of-its-kind attraction using digital projection and voice-activated
animation to create a real-time experience. Your kids will get a huge kick out of it; you
will, too.
Bruce's Shark World,
a small interactive play area, is the perfect spot to let little ones
run around, climb, and work off excess energy—not to mention snap a photo or two.
Note:
The
Epcot DiveQuest
enables certified divers (ages 10-11 must have an adult
accompany them) to participate in a 3-hour program that includes a 40-minute dive in
the Living Seas aquarium. The program costs $175. Call
&
407/939-8687
for more
information. Keep in mind, however, that you get far more for your money at Discovery
Cove (p. 302) if you want to swim with dolphins.
Spaceship Earth
Overrated
Frommer's Rating:
C
Recommended Ages:
All ages
This massive, silvery geosphere symbolizes Epcot and is probably the most recognizable
Disney icon next to Cinderella Castle (and those mouse ears, of course). That makes it a
must-do for many, though it's something of a yawner for others. The 15-minute show/ride
takes visitors to the distant past, where an audio-animatronic Cro-Magnon shaman
recounts the story of a hunt while others record it on cave walls. You advance thousands of
years to ancient Egypt, where hieroglyphics adorn temple walls and writing is recorded on
papyrus scrolls. You'll progress through the Phoenician and Greek alphabets, the Gutenberg
printing press, and the Renaissance. Technologies develop at a rapid pace, through the
telegraph, telephone, radio, movies, and TV. Then it's on to the age of electronic commu-
nications before catapulting into outer space. While the premise remains the same, recent
(and long overdue) updates have brought this adventure through time more in line with
the park's other edu-taining offerings. New scenes have been added, existing scenes
enhanced, and the special effects spiffed up, the result of which is a greatly improved expe-
rience. Judi Dench now narrates as you move slowly along the track (which at times is
rather steep), tracing the progress of communications. Touch screens add an interactive
element (and do a good job keeping you distracted as you move backwards down through
the giant sphere at the end of the ride).
“Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of
Tomorrow”
is a hands-on post-show exhibit filled with futuristic games focusing on such
themes as medicine, transportation, and energy management.
Test Track
Frommer's Rating:
A+
Recommended Ages:
8-adult
Test Track is a $60-million (the figure once raised eyebrows but is now considered mere
peanuts next to HP's $100 million for Mission: Space) marvel that combines GM engi-
neering and Disney Imagineering. Most of you will have a blast. The line can be more
than an hour long in peak periods, so consider the FASTPASS option (but remember to
get one early before they run out). The last part of the line snakes through displays about
corrosion, crash tests, and other things from the GM proving grounds (you can linger
long enough to see them even with FASTPASS). The 5-minute ride follows what looks
to be an actual highway. It includes braking tests, a hill climb, and tight S-curves in a
six-passenger convertible. The left front seat offers the most thrills as the vehicle moves
through the curves. There's also a 12-second burst of speed that reaches 65 mph on the
straightaway (no traffic!).
Note:
Riders must be at least 40 inches tall. Also, expectant
6
