Innoventions

Innoventions is the most diverse attraction in all of DIsney World. It’s full of displays from several companies on the forefront of innovative technologies. It’s also the largest attraction area at Disney World. This place is huge. There are 2 show rooms, a restaurant, the largest souvenir shop at any of the Disney World parks, a place to sample Coke products from around the world, and lots more.

With all of the shops, displays, food, and everything that’s available here this is the most confusing area in EPCOT (and that’s saying something). There is not a coherent theme. It’s more coherent than it’s been in the past, but it’s still all over the map.

Innoventions

Photo by Jeff_B

Take the Universe of Energy, for an example, it’s obviously focused on Energy, Test Track on automobiles, but this area is just whatever is left thrown together and labled as inventions.

First we’ll look at the displays. The pavilion where the displays are is divided into a East side and a West side.

East

Innoventions East is a collection of displays that range from Environmentally friendly to Kim Possible. (And you think Dad gets unfocused at times.)

• Enviromentality Corner – visitors can learn about making paper how to take care of the environment.
• Test the Limits Lab – families can interact together while pulling on a rope and watching a hammer smash a TV screen and test hard hats to see if they work.
• Kim Possible Showcase Lab – guests are sent on secret “missions” in 7 World Showcase Pavilions and Innoventions. Each mission is different. This is a neat way to give pre-teens something to do in the World Showcase.
• StormStruck – a very loud and in your face 3D adventure through a fierce storm. Learn how to protect yourself and your home through this activity. Parents of small children use caution this ride is intense.
• Don’t Waste it – interactive games that teach guests how to recycle, reduce and reuse.
• Sum of All Thrills – guests can custom build their own thrill ride whether it be a roller coaster, bobsled, or jet plane experience. Guests may want to read warning signs and test seats before entering. (This is very much like the roller coaster experience at Disney Quest.

West

• Smarter Planet – become part of the action packed game while guests run, jump, and dance through a video game
• SlapStick Studios – figure out creative solutions to problems through a fun and wacky game show.
• Rockin’ Robots – guests make their own beats with the help of 4 robots
• Videogame Playground – test the newest technology in the video game industry, battling villains and playing sports team, or make an adventure using Disney Characters.
• Segway Central– guests can tryout Segway self balancing and electric powered transportation, not as easy as it seems .
• Where’s The Fire? – explore the most dangerous house in America after becoming a Fire Chief after going through the Burning Questions kiosks.
• Kim Possible Showcase Lab – guests are given a Kimmunicator which has secret “missions” in 7 World Showcase Pavilions and Innoventions. Each mission is different. This is a neat way to give pre-teens something to do in the World Showcase.
• The Great Piggy Bank Adventure – this teaches young guests about the ideas of savings and investing and teaches families about how to talk about such subjects.

Souvenirs

The Innoventions Plaza is home to the largest souvenir shop of any of the theme parks. (That is if you don’t count all of the shops on Main Street that connect as one shop.)

Mouse Gear – Mouse Gear is the main souvenir shop in EPCOT. There is a little of everything here. You’ll find clothing, toys, jewlery, and lots more.

Food

The Electric Umbrella is a good place to grab a quick bite. It’s typical Disney fast food. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

You can also sample Coke products from around the world in Club Cool. Make sure you try the Beverly.

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Fun Facts

Here are some interesting tidbits –

• The big contraption on the wall in MouseGear comes from the original Journey to Imagination ride.
• Tom Morrow is the narrator inside the plaza. The name Tom Morrow became famous from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority ride where one of the background pages was “paging Mr. Tom Morrow.”

History

This attraction first opened at Walt Disney World on October 1, 1982 as the Communicore. This was to be the Main Street of EPCOT.

• Some of the past attractions have been sponsored by companies like Apple Computer, Motorola, Honeywell and Hammacher Schlemmer.

Dad’s Bottom Line

You can spend anywhere from minutes to hours in this attraction. The Man-Child has been known to spend a couple of hours in the Sega area.

Mrs. Mom goes to MouseGear with Dad to make sure the credit card doesn’t get to big a workout (yes, I said that correctly).