Inoventions, what happened?

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Jun Mon 02, 2008 11:17 pm

It's possible, but it's not like stories of corporate espionage weren't around in the 20th Century. I would think any company would love to have millions of potential customers looking at an advertisement in the guise of entertainment and getting fired up about buying something.

sarahdragon26 · Post by **sarahdragon26** » Jun Tue 03, 2008 9:27 am

I noticed that ever since Disney put Innoventions in, it's been going down hill. I remember when there was a huge Sega video game area and a place where you could test all kinds of new things for your home. Now, I can't even remember the last time I actually took the time and went inside. The past few times, nothing had changed. It would be great to see more things done with it in the future.

Grandville · Post by **Grandville** » Jun Tue 03, 2008 10:33 am

My kids are young and it is a good place to go for some down time and let them decide what we do. I schedule our visits and am making all the decisions during the day. this place gives them a chance to choose. We try and use it in the late afternoon when we want to slow down the pace.

WVParkfan · Post by **WVParkfan** » Jun Tue 03, 2008 11:21 am

I agree that Innoventions could certainly use some updating, but remember this: each and every day, someone is experiencing Walt Disney World for the first time. Every day someone is walking into Innoventions for the first time and finding it amazing.

It's that thought process that keeps open the tired, old rides like the Jungle Cruise, the Astro Orbiter, or the Swiss Family Treehouse. Some of you refer to these as "classics," but you probably don't spend much time there. You would argue, though, that they are classics and should not be changed in order to allow everyone to have a chance to experience Walt's vision.

I agree. And, I'm not calling the Innoventions area a "classic." But I do believe some of you are criticizing Disney for "not" changing an area, and would also fight to the death if they "did" change another area. I find that to be hypocritical.

I understand that Innoventions is supposed to be about "innovative inventions," and I think they continue to do that to some degree. But just like a science museum in your local town, it can be very difficult for them to stay ahead of the future.

When we were at Epcot in March, there were a few things that we hadn't seen before in Innoventions, and some other areas that had been updated since our last visit. So, I think they certainly are working on it, but perhaps not at the pace some of you would prefer.

stev02 · Post by **stev02** » Jun Tue 03, 2008 11:42 am

Innoventions used to be fantastic. When I was younger (teenager) I looked forward to seeing what new games were out and what futuristic toy was brewing. Oh, I miss it.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Jun Tue 03, 2008 2:17 pm

NEW! StormStruck to replace PlasticWorks at Innoventions. Opening in Fall 2008, StormStruck will let participants see and feel what 2004's Hurricane Charley felt like. They become involved by making snap decisions as the storm approaches, and then seeing how they did to protect the house. 3-D glasses will be used to enhance the realism.

From MiceAge

If this is true, 3-D glasses usually mean a C or B ticket at least. It will definitely be worth a visit. Although I can't help but to think they're reusing the Body Wars simulators or something.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jun Tue 03, 2008 2:47 pm

It's that thought process that keeps open the tired, old rides like the Jungle Cruise, the Astro Orbiter, or the Swiss Family Treehouse.

This statement bothers me. There are a lot of older venues on property at WDW. The three you mentioned are classics. I feel right now when Disney does a rehab on something, it's just to theme it so they can market a new property.
A lot of what they have done recently has had to be redone. Disney attraction (older ones) have stood the test of time. Don't you think that Time Keeper would still be a big draw? I don't know anybody, outside of Disney management, that feels COP is old and tired. I feel the new Tiki Birds Under New Management is tragic.
Yes Disney needs some new creative venues, both they also need to keep the "Classics".

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Jun Tue 03, 2008 3:04 pm

It's that thought process that keeps open the tired, old rides like the Jungle Cruise, the Astro Orbiter, or the Swiss Family Treehouse.

"Classics" are timeless attrcations by default. Innoventions was never meant to be timeless, in fact, just the opposite. Nothing Disney ahs been doing lately will be a classic because none of it is timless. Everest is the only major new thing I can think of of the top of my head that will probably eventually take the title of classic.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jun Tue 03, 2008 3:10 pm

Cheshire Cat wrote:
It's that thought process that keeps open the tired, old rides like the Jungle Cruise, the Astro Orbiter, or the Swiss Family Treehouse.
"Classics" are timeless attrcations by default. Innoventions was never meant to be timeless, in fact, just the opposite. Nothing Disney ahs been doing lately will be a classic because none of it is timless. Everest is the only major new thing I can think of of the top of my head that will probably eventually take the title of classic.

Everest is one of the only major venues in a long time that wasn't build to plug something! Please don't bring up the "SPIN", That was off the shelf and not worth the Disney logo.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Jun Wed 04, 2008 2:04 am

WVParkfan wrote:Every day someone is walking into Innoventions for the first time and finding it amazing.

I could probably dangle my keys in front of these people and amaze them.

You would argue, though, that they are classics and should not be changed in order to allow everyone to have a chance to experience Walt's vision.

Not at all. I've never seen anyone here state that classic attractions should not be improved. When Disney has seen fit to upgrade attractions (while at the same time keeping the spirit of the original), they have been praised by even the most rabid fanboys.

I would love for WDW's Fantasyland to get an upgrade like the one in DL. It would be great if the Jungle Cruise got better AAs. How many times have you heard people say that Horizons should have been upgraded?

But I do believe some of you are criticizing Disney for "not" changing an area, and would also fight to the death if they "did" change another area. I find that to be hypocritical.

You're completely missing the point. People like me don't oppose change in and of itself, we simply oppose stupidity.

Not all change is equal and these distinctions are extremely important.

SWHorn · Post by **SWHorn** » Jun Wed 04, 2008 1:22 pm

Very well said, Schnemo. I agree.

kcarts · Post by **kcarts** » Jun Wed 04, 2008 7:36 pm

For those that think it's time to at least "freshen up" Innoventions (and I am one of them), do we have any suggestions......

kcarts · Post by **kcarts** » Jun Wed 04, 2008 7:38 pm

For those that think it's time to at least "freshen up" Innoventions (and I am one of them), do we have any suggestions......

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jun Wed 04, 2008 7:52 pm

Sure! Disney could show some of the up coming "innovation" in computers. All they would have to do is consult with PC Magazine. They could also show some of the concepts for green power sources and hybrid cars.
There is so much out there that has been prototyped but not marketed yet. Especially in the fields of electronics and power. Disney could keep Innovations fresh by just keeping a year or two ahead of the market

.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jun Wed 04, 2008 10:21 pm

Okay as I posted before, it's been a while since I actually walked around Innoventions. I figured I would look up what's actually in there now before I commented further on what could change. So, courtesy of allearsnet, the current 'attractions':

In Innoventions West:

- ThinkPlace, presented by IBM. Looks to be the same kind of group 'find the pieces' game as they have at the end of Mission:Space. You can also send a video postcard.
- SlapStick Studios, presented by Velcro. The tag line is "Play the "What's Your Problem" game and learn how velcro can help solve your problems." I ... can't stop laughing long enough to comment further.
- The Great American Farm. A couple of activities to teach kids about what's grown in the US. Closing this year, apparently.
- Rockin' Robots. Conduct the robots to make music (via a touch screen), a la Journey into Imagination from the sound of it.
- Segway Central. Where you can do the 15 minute Segway ride, I believe.
- Where's the Fire. Interactive fire safety game for families and another maze for kids.
- Video Games of Tomorrow. Presented by Disney Interactive and only showcasing Disney games, as far as I can tell.

In Innoventions east:

- Waste Management. Learn about reducing your 'waste profile'.
- Storm Struck. Relive Hurricane Charley. Should be a hit with Central Florida natives...

- Fantastic Plastics Works. Learn about how plastic works.
- House of Innoventions. That's the house of the future/Ikea thing... I really think that was closed in December..
- Test the Limits Lab. Supposed to be an interactive test lab for kids to see how products are safety tested.

Okay ... so I'm not entirely sure how up to date that is (see the house of the future thing) but allears is usually pretty good so I'll more or less take it as 'the answer'. A few things that I realized just reading through the list and descriptions. There's a lot of stuff in there that's aimed at children. There were a few things that specifically said that they were aimed at children under 5. That would seem to explain why a lot of the response here is somewhere between 'boring' and 'needs updating', seeing as for the most part I don't think we're under 5.

My other issue with the list is ... where's the innovation? I'm willing to grant that fire safety is important, but unless this is fire safety of the future, I don't get why it's in there? And nothing against the fine people who bring us Velcro but ... discover how your problems can be solved with Velcro? Seriously? We can't do better than that in a showcase of innovation and technology?

Depending on what they do with it, the trash thing sounds like it might be genuinely showing off some innovation, if they have some more 'green' tech in there. I haven't seen it yet so I don't know. That, and the Segway stuff. Even though Segways are kind of old news now, I would think the majority of people still haven't ridden one or had the opportunity to see one really up close.

I agree with jacca; throwing in some hybrid car tech there would seem like an easy answer but probably conflicts with the sponsorship of Test Track. More 'green' stuff would be a possible quick fix too. How about some state of the art building materials? Or actual robotics, rather than push-button instruments that happen to have robots attached? At the moment, it seems like the exit of SSE has more innovative stuff on display than Innoventions.

Subsonic Radio

Inoventions, what happened?

Should Inoventions stay?