At 7:00PM, Tonight, August 13th Ellen’s Energy Adventure shuts down for the last time. This 45 minute attraction was the second attraction of the pavilion since 1982. Running from 1996 until today, Ellen’s Energy Adventure had been loved by many. Some have loved based on nostalgia and some for an afternoon nap.
Ellen’s Energy Adventure
Although throughout the past few years, attendance of the attraction has dwindled down. This attraction will be missed. Touring Plans has the chart below showing the average wait-time for this attraction.
It is no wonder that something had to change to absorb more guests. At D23 this year, Bob Chapek, Disney Parks Chairman, announced a new E-Ticket attraction would be coming to EPCOT. A Guardians of the Galaxy attraction specifically which would be taking over Ellen’s Energy Adventure. Nothing specifically has been announced as to what exactly the attraction will be. Rumors are speculating that it may be a roller coaster, as EPCOT is the only park without one.
Ellen’s Energy Adventure and Original Universe of Energy Tribute
Much like the tribute video I shared earlier with the closing of The Great Movie Ride. Martin Smith from MartinsVidsDotNet, created a tribute video this past June. While only 66 minutes long, Martin brings us from its inception to the present. Please take a moment to check it out as we may not see anything like this again.
What are your thoughts on the closure of Ellen’s Energy Adventure? Are you excited for what comes next? Let us know in the comments below!
[Source: Touring Plans]
It gives me chills when I hear the original designers discuss the vision for Future World. A true showcase of innovation, technology, learning, and science. It really had the feel of a 21st century science museum, Disney-style. Sadly enough, today’s leaders of Disney parks and resorts lack any sense of what made Walt Disney World an amazing resort destination. Their vision is as short as today’s kids’ attention spans. Today it is all about using the parks to market movies, TV shows, or merchandise. It is about competing for profits with Universal, which in my opinion used to be the anti-Disney park. Now Disney sees them making a few dollars on Harry Potter, and the almighty dollar has taken over the direction of the Disney parks and resorts. Obviously attractions get old and stale, and need to change. But I bet my bottom dollar that if Disney would turn the current Future World and World Showcase into a more modern version of what it was originally designed to be, kids and adults alike would love it. I bet if an updated Horizons ride were introduced today, it would be more popular than it was 20 years ago. Disney needs to stop trying to be Universal. Go back to what made you unique. Epcot is not a place for Guardians of the Galaxy, Frozen, or Ratatouille rides. Stop focusing on profits, merchandising, and marketing. That’s not what Epcot was designed for. Keep all of that stuff at Hollywood Studios. That is my two cents.