Universe of Energy
Encyclopedia
The Universe of Energy is a pavilion
located in the eastern half of Future World at Epcot
. The pavilion contains one attraction
, its second since its 1982 opening, entitled Ellen's Energy Adventure, starring Ellen DeGeneres
and Bill Nye the Science Guy
. Universe of Energy was previously sponsored by ExxonMobil
(formerly Exxon
) from opening day October 1, 1982 through 2004.
that partially powered the ride vehicles. Visitors were transported through the pavilion in large battery-powered "traveling theatre cars" that followed guide-wires embedded in the floor as opposed to riding along conventional ride tracks. The original attraction featured numerous films that presented information on the subject of energy in a serious fashion as well as a ride through a primeval diorama
complete with animatronic
dinosaurs.
(see link below for video). The film was narrated by voice over recording artist Peter Thomas. The mosaic screen consisted of 100 rotating prism-shaped flip screens (reminiscent of those on the classic game show Concentration
), arranged in a twenty five wide by four high array. These flip screens rotated under computer control and were synchronized to a live-action motion picture that was projected onto their surface. Each flip screen contained three sides with white projection surfaces on two sides and a matte black surface on the third. The combination of the film and the screens' rotation created undulating, sometimes three-dimensional-appearing images. During the conclusion of the pre-show, the song "Energy (You Make The World Go ‘Round)" was played.
and a family of Brachiosaurus
in a swamp, a Stegosaurus
fighting an Megalosaurus
on an overhead cliff, several Trachodon
bathing beneath a waterfall, a number of Ornithomimus
watching helplessly as one of their own sank into a boiling tar pit
, an Elasmosaurus
that lashed out at guests, and numerous Pteranodon
that were perched around an erupting volcano
. The diorama also featured a deliberately "swampy" smell.
, Bill Nye
'The Science Guy,' Alex Trebek
, Johnny Gilbert
, and Jamie Lee Curtis
. It deals with energy, how energy is produced, the history of energy production, and the search for new energy resources. In particular it focuses on the origins of fossil fuels such as petroleum
, coal
and natural gas
. It also mentions solar and hydroelectric power. It is now also the longest-running show of the ride to date.
The current attraction uses the same traveling theater system that was used by the original Universe of Energy show. The primeval diorama
uses essentially the same sets and audio-animatronic dinosaurs as the original show, though during the rehab to the Ellen's Energy Adventure show, all of the dinosaurs were repainted in much brighter colors, several animatronic
figures were added along with an upbeat musical score to help tie it into the new films.
, playing against an old rival Judy Peterson (portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis) and Albert Einstein
. Eventually, Ellen does not know about energy.
and then into a prehistoric jungle where he explains the formation of fossil fuels.
s including an Edaphosaurus
and a family of Brachiosaurus
in a swamp (one of whom sneezes water onto guests), a Stegosaurus
fighting an Megalosaurus
on an overhead cliff, several Trachodon
bathing beneath a waterfall, a number of Ornithomimus
drinking from a pond (one of whom spits water at guests), an audio-animatronic Ellen fighting off an Elasmosaurus
with a tree branch, and numerous Pteranodon
perched around an erupting volcano
.
also makes a brief cameo as a caveman.
towards the beginning of the Theatre II film; it is only on-screen for 3 seconds.
Pavilion (structure)
In architecture a pavilion has two main meanings.-Free-standing structure:Pavilion may refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure. Large or small, there is usually a connection with relaxation and pleasure in...
located in the eastern half of Future World at Epcot
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida. The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was initially named...
. The pavilion contains one attraction
Attraction
In general, an attraction draws one object towards another one. The term may have the following specific meanings.* In physics, attraction may refer to gravity or to the electromagnetic force* Attractiveness...
, its second since its 1982 opening, entitled Ellen's Energy Adventure, starring Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen Lee DeGeneres is an American stand-up comedienne, television host and actress. She hosts the syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and was also a judge on American Idol for one year, having joined the show in its ninth season....
and Bill Nye the Science Guy
Bill Nye
William Sanford "Bill" Nye , popularly known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, is an American science educator, comedian, television host, actor, mechanical engineer, and scientist...
. Universe of Energy was previously sponsored by ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil
Exxon Mobil Corporation or ExxonMobil, is an American multinational oil and gas corporation. It is a direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil company, and was formed on November 30, 1999, by the merger of Exxon and Mobil. Its headquarters are in Irving, Texas...
(formerly Exxon
Exxon
Exxon is a chain of gas stations as well as a brand of motor fuel and related products by ExxonMobil. From 1972 to 1999, Exxon was the corporate name of the company previously known as Standard Oil Company of New Jersey or Jersey Standard....
) from opening day October 1, 1982 through 2004.
Original attraction
The original Universe of Energy pavilion itself was an innovation in energy technology, as the entire roof was covered in 80,000 photovoltaic solar cellsPhotovoltaics
Photovoltaics is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power generation employs solar panels composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material...
that partially powered the ride vehicles. Visitors were transported through the pavilion in large battery-powered "traveling theatre cars" that followed guide-wires embedded in the floor as opposed to riding along conventional ride tracks. The original attraction featured numerous films that presented information on the subject of energy in a serious fashion as well as a ride through a primeval diorama
Diorama
The word diorama can either refer to a nineteenth century mobile theatre device, or, in modern usage, a three-dimensional full-size or miniature model, sometimes enclosed in a glass showcase for a museum...
complete with animatronic
Audio-Animatronics
Audio-Animatronics is the registered trademark for a form of robotics created by Walt Disney Imagineering for shows and attractions at Disney theme parks, and subsequently expanded on and used by other companies. The robots move and make noise, generally in speech or song...
dinosaurs.
Pre-show Theatre Film (audience standing)
The original pre-show featured a unique eight minute film presentation known as the "Kinetic Mosaic," which was invented by Czech film director Emil RadokEmil Radok
Emil Radok was a Czech film director. He was co-inventor of the multi-media show Laterna Magika, , which was a star attraction at the Czechoslovakia pavilion at Expo 67...
(see link below for video). The film was narrated by voice over recording artist Peter Thomas. The mosaic screen consisted of 100 rotating prism-shaped flip screens (reminiscent of those on the classic game show Concentration
Concentration (game show)
Concentration was an American TV game show based on the children's memory game of the same name. Matching cards represented prizes that contestants could win...
), arranged in a twenty five wide by four high array. These flip screens rotated under computer control and were synchronized to a live-action motion picture that was projected onto their surface. Each flip screen contained three sides with white projection surfaces on two sides and a matte black surface on the third. The combination of the film and the screens' rotation created undulating, sometimes three-dimensional-appearing images. During the conclusion of the pre-show, the song "Energy (You Make The World Go ‘Round)" was played.
Theatre I Film (audience seated)
Upon entering the theatre, guests were seated in one of six seating areas. Here, they viewed a four minute hand-animated film that depicted the beginnings of life on earth and the formation of fossil fuels. This film was narrated by Peter Thomas.Primeval Diorama (audience seated)
At the conclusion of the film, the entire theatre seating area moved into the primeval diorama. Here, the theatre seating broke up into six multi-passenger vehicles that took guests on a seven minute journey through the diorama, which was populated by numerous animatronic dinosaurs including an EdaphosaurusEdaphosaurus
Edaphosaurus is a genus of prehistoric synapsid which lived around 303 to 265 million years ago, during the late Carboniferous to early Permian periods. The name Edaphosaurus means "ground lizard" and is derived from the Greek edaphos/εδαφος and σαυρος/sauros...
and a family of Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur from the Jurassic Morrison Formation of North America. It was first described by Elmer S. Riggs in 1903 from fossils found in the Grand River Canyon of western Colorado, in the United States. Riggs named the dinosaur Brachiosaurus altithorax,...
in a swamp, a Stegosaurus
Stegosaurus
Stegosaurus is a genus of armored stegosaurid dinosaur. They lived during the Late Jurassic period , some 155 to 150 million years ago in what is now western North America. In 2006, a specimen of Stegosaurus was announced from Portugal, showing that they were present in Europe as well...
fighting an Megalosaurus
Megalosaurus
Megalosaurus is a genus of large meat-eating theropod dinosaurs of the Middle Jurassic period of Europe...
on an overhead cliff, several Trachodon
Trachodon
Trachodon is a dubious genus of hadrosaurid dinosaur based on teeth from the Campanian-age Upper Cretaceous Judith River Formation of Montana, U.S.A...
bathing beneath a waterfall, a number of Ornithomimus
Ornithomimus
Ornithomimus is a genus of ornithomimid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period of what is now North America.In 1890 Ornithomimus velox was named by Othniel Charles Marsh on the basis of a foot and partial hand from the Maastrichtian Denver Formation. Another seventeen species have been named since...
watching helplessly as one of their own sank into a boiling tar pit
Tar pit
A tar pit, or more accurately known as an asphalt pit or asphalt lake, is a geological occurrence where subterranean bitumen leaks to the surface, creating a large area of natural asphalt.-Known tar pits:...
, an Elasmosaurus
Elasmosaurus
Elasmosaurus + σαυρος sauros 'lizard') is a genus of plesiosaur with an extremely long neck that lived in the Late Cretaceous period , 80.5 million years ago.-Description:...
that lashed out at guests, and numerous Pteranodon
Pteranodon
Pteranodon , from the Late Cretaceous geological period of North America in present day Kansas, Alabama, Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota, was one of the largest pterosaur genera and had a maximum wingspan of over...
that were perched around an erupting volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
. The diorama also featured a deliberately "swampy" smell.
Theatre II Film (audience seated)
Leaving the diorama, the vehicles entered the EPCOT Energy Information Center where they reassembled back into their original theatre seating formation. Here, guests viewed a twelve minute live-action film that took them on an in-depth look at various current and future energy resources around the world.Theatre I Finale Film (audience seated)
At the conclusion of the film, the entire seating area moved back into Theatre I where guests viewed a two minute computer-animated film of laser-like images that were reflected off of mirrored walls within the theatre. The film was accompanied by an upbeat song entitled, "Universe of Energy."Universe of Energy: Ellen's Energy Adventure (1996–present)
The current show stars Ellen DeGeneresEllen DeGeneres
Ellen Lee DeGeneres is an American stand-up comedienne, television host and actress. She hosts the syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and was also a judge on American Idol for one year, having joined the show in its ninth season....
, Bill Nye
Bill Nye
William Sanford "Bill" Nye , popularly known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, is an American science educator, comedian, television host, actor, mechanical engineer, and scientist...
'The Science Guy,' Alex Trebek
Alex Trebek
George Alexander "Alex" Trebek is a Canadian American game show host who has been the host of the game show Jeopardy! since 1984, and prior to that, he hosted game shows such as Pitfall and High Rollers. He has appeared in numerous television series, usually as himself...
, Johnny Gilbert
Johnny Gilbert
John L. "Johnny" Gilbert III is an American show business personality who has worked mainly on television game shows. Originally a nightclub singer and entertainer, he has hosted and announced a number of game shows from various eras, dating as far back as the 1950s...
, and Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis is an American actress and author. Although she was initially known as a "scream queen" because of her starring roles in several horror films early in her career, such as Halloween, The Fog, Prom Night and Terror Train, Curtis has since compiled a body of work that spans many...
. It deals with energy, how energy is produced, the history of energy production, and the search for new energy resources. In particular it focuses on the origins of fossil fuels such as petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
, coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
and natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
. It also mentions solar and hydroelectric power. It is now also the longest-running show of the ride to date.
The current attraction uses the same traveling theater system that was used by the original Universe of Energy show. The primeval diorama
Diorama
The word diorama can either refer to a nineteenth century mobile theatre device, or, in modern usage, a three-dimensional full-size or miniature model, sometimes enclosed in a glass showcase for a museum...
uses essentially the same sets and audio-animatronic dinosaurs as the original show, though during the rehab to the Ellen's Energy Adventure show, all of the dinosaurs were repainted in much brighter colors, several animatronic
Audio-Animatronics
Audio-Animatronics is the registered trademark for a form of robotics created by Walt Disney Imagineering for shows and attractions at Disney theme parks, and subsequently expanded on and used by other companies. The robots move and make noise, generally in speech or song...
figures were added along with an upbeat musical score to help tie it into the new films.
Pre-show Theatre Film (audience standing)
Guests view an eight minute film in which Ellen DeGeneres falls asleep and dreams that she is in an energy-themed version of Jeopardy!Jeopardy!
Griffin's first conception of the game used a board comprising ten categories with ten clues each, but after finding that this board could not be shown on camera easily, he reduced it to two rounds of thirty clues each, with five clues in each of six categories...
, playing against an old rival Judy Peterson (portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis) and Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
. Eventually, Ellen does not know about energy.
Theatre I Film (audience seated)
Upon entering the theatre, guests are seated in one of six seating areas. Here, the theater turns 180 degrees to the screen above the main doors, and a six minute film is shown in which Bill Nye takes Ellen back billions of years in time to witness the Big BangBig Bang
The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model that explains the early development of the Universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state which expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion caused the young Universe to cool and resulted in...
and then into a prehistoric jungle where he explains the formation of fossil fuels.
Primeval Diorama (audience seated)
At the conclusion of the film, the entire theatre seating area turns 90 degrees to the left, and moves into the primeval diorama. Here, the theatre seating breaks up into six multi-passenger vehicles that take guests on a seven minute journey through the diorama, which is populated by numerous animatronic dinosaurDinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...
s including an Edaphosaurus
Edaphosaurus
Edaphosaurus is a genus of prehistoric synapsid which lived around 303 to 265 million years ago, during the late Carboniferous to early Permian periods. The name Edaphosaurus means "ground lizard" and is derived from the Greek edaphos/εδαφος and σαυρος/sauros...
and a family of Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur from the Jurassic Morrison Formation of North America. It was first described by Elmer S. Riggs in 1903 from fossils found in the Grand River Canyon of western Colorado, in the United States. Riggs named the dinosaur Brachiosaurus altithorax,...
in a swamp (one of whom sneezes water onto guests), a Stegosaurus
Stegosaurus
Stegosaurus is a genus of armored stegosaurid dinosaur. They lived during the Late Jurassic period , some 155 to 150 million years ago in what is now western North America. In 2006, a specimen of Stegosaurus was announced from Portugal, showing that they were present in Europe as well...
fighting an Megalosaurus
Megalosaurus
Megalosaurus is a genus of large meat-eating theropod dinosaurs of the Middle Jurassic period of Europe...
on an overhead cliff, several Trachodon
Trachodon
Trachodon is a dubious genus of hadrosaurid dinosaur based on teeth from the Campanian-age Upper Cretaceous Judith River Formation of Montana, U.S.A...
bathing beneath a waterfall, a number of Ornithomimus
Ornithomimus
Ornithomimus is a genus of ornithomimid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period of what is now North America.In 1890 Ornithomimus velox was named by Othniel Charles Marsh on the basis of a foot and partial hand from the Maastrichtian Denver Formation. Another seventeen species have been named since...
drinking from a pond (one of whom spits water at guests), an audio-animatronic Ellen fighting off an Elasmosaurus
Elasmosaurus
Elasmosaurus + σαυρος sauros 'lizard') is a genus of plesiosaur with an extremely long neck that lived in the Late Cretaceous period , 80.5 million years ago.-Description:...
with a tree branch, and numerous Pteranodon
Pteranodon
Pteranodon , from the Late Cretaceous geological period of North America in present day Kansas, Alabama, Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota, was one of the largest pterosaur genera and had a maximum wingspan of over...
perched around an erupting volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
.
Theatre II Film (audience seated)
Leaving the diorama, the vehicles enter a second theatre where they reassemble back into their original theatre seating formation. After listening to a brief prehistoric broadcast from KNRG News Radio, guests view a twelve minute live-action film in which Ellen and Bill Nye take an in-depth look at various current and future energy resources. Actor Michael RichardsMichael Richards
Michael Anthony Richards is an American actor, comedian, writer and television producer, best known for his portrayal of the eccentric Cosmo Kramer on the television sitcom Seinfeld....
also makes a brief cameo as a caveman.
Hidden Mickey
There is one Hidden MickeyHidden Mickey
A Hidden Mickey is a representation of Mickey Mouse that has been inserted subtly into the design of a ride, attraction, or other location in a Disney theme park or elsewhere on Disney properties...
towards the beginning of the Theatre II film; it is only on-screen for 3 seconds.
Theatre I Finale Film (audience seated)
At the conclusion of the film, the entire seating area moves back into Theatre I and rotates back into its starting position, where guests see the two minute conclusion of Ellen's Jeopardy! dream.Pavilion facts and figures
- Grand opening: October 1, 1982 (Opened with EPCOT Center)
- Grand re-opening: September 15, 1996
- Designer: WED Enterprises (Universe of Energy) / Walt Disney Imagineering (Ellen's Energy Adventure)
- Show Duration (Universe of Energy & Ellen's Energy Adventure): 45 minutes (new shows every 17 minutes)
- Preshow film length: 8 minutes
- Theatre I load time: 4 minutes
- Theatre I film length: 6 minutes
- Transition from Theatre I to Primeval Diorama length: 1 minute
- Primeval Diorama length: 7 minutes
- Transition from Primeval Diorama to Theatre II length: 4 minutes
- Theatre II film length: 12 minutes
- Transition from Theatre II to Theatre I length: 1 minute
- Finale Film length: 2 minutes
- Seating capacitySeating capacitySeating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
: 1746, Six 97-passenger vehicles per show, three concurrent shows, maximum of 586 people per show - Number of audio-animatronics: 26
- Former Sponsor: ExxonExxonExxon is a chain of gas stations as well as a brand of motor fuel and related products by ExxonMobil. From 1972 to 1999, Exxon was the corporate name of the company previously known as Standard Oil Company of New Jersey or Jersey Standard....
(Universe of Energy) / ExxonMobilExxonMobilExxon Mobil Corporation or ExxonMobil, is an American multinational oil and gas corporation. It is a direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil company, and was formed on November 30, 1999, by the merger of Exxon and Mobil. Its headquarters are in Irving, Texas...
(Ellen's Energy Adventure) - Ride system: Traveling Theatre
- Track: 1/8-inch embedded guide-wire
- Handicapped accessibility: Guest remains in wheelchairs (up to 6 wheelchairs are ramped onto ride vehicles), guests in EVCs (with joystick) may also remain in chair, guests in motorized scooters must transfer to a traditional wheelchair
Special events
Similar to other Epcot pavilions, The Universe of Energy pavilion can be booked for corporate special events and group functions. The large indoor areas within the attraction allow ample space for dinners, receptions, and other planned events.Timeline
- October 1, 1982 — The pavilion opens with the original Universe of Energy show.
- January 21, 1996 — The original Universe of Energy show and pavilion are closed for refurbishment.
- June 1, 1996 — The fully refurbished pavilion temporarily reopens in an effort to help handle the park’s busy summer crowds. The old films from the original Universe of Energy show are used during this time as the new films with Bill Nye and Ellen DeGeneres had not yet been completed.
- September 1, 1996 — The pavilion closes and the new films are installed.
- September 15, 1996 — The pavilion re-opens with a new show entitled Ellen's Energy Crisis, but is immediately re-named Ellen's Energy Adventure.
- 2003 — The original Universe of Energy marquees at the entrance of the pavilion are replaced with all new signage to reflect the sponsor's new name, ExxonMobilExxonMobilExxon Mobil Corporation or ExxonMobil, is an American multinational oil and gas corporation. It is a direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil company, and was formed on November 30, 1999, by the merger of Exxon and Mobil. Its headquarters are in Irving, Texas...
. - 2004 — ExxonMobilExxonMobilExxon Mobil Corporation or ExxonMobil, is an American multinational oil and gas corporation. It is a direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil company, and was formed on November 30, 1999, by the merger of Exxon and Mobil. Its headquarters are in Irving, Texas...
drops its 22-year sponsorship of the pavilion, and all references to the company are removed from the signage and show. - March 28, 2009 — The pavilion re-opens after a lengthy refurbishment that began in late 2008. Although no significant changes to the show were made, some of the scenes within the diorama were refreshed, the audio systems were upgraded and the computer systems that operate the attraction were updated. The exterior of the pavilion was also repainted back to its original color scheme of reds, oranges and yellows (during the Ellen rehab in 1996, the exterior of the pavilion was repainted into a pastel rainbow color scheme).