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Innoventions 4-D Weather Attraction
Posted: Jul Sun 27, 2008 6:34 pm
by Cheshire Cat
Does anyone have any info on this? During our July we were talking to an Innoventions Cast Member about how there's nothing to do in Innoventions anymore and that most exhibits are walled up. She told us about one of the new exhibits sponsored by some weather-related company and said that it was going to be "big". We kept talking to her and eventually she told us it was going to be a 4-D show. I read about this somewhere else also, but completely forgot about it until we met her. Does anyone else know anything about this. As far as I can tell it's one of those projects that's going to happen, it's just a matter of time. I'm wondering if it's something similar to the Tokyo DisneySea weather ride.
Posted: Jul Sun 27, 2008 7:50 pm
by DisBeamer
As far as I've heard it something to do with hurricanes and hurricane safety, in which they're going to recreate one of the storms that hit central Florida a few years ago (I wanna say Charlie but I can't remember off the top of my head). I think the gist of it was the audience would 'experience' the storm in a 'traditional building materials' kind of 'house', and then in one built more specifically to deal with hurricane conditions, though I assume that's mainly speculation at this point. I don't recall which company/companies are supposed to be involved, if it's been announced.
Posted: Jul Sun 27, 2008 8:18 pm
by agingerbugg
When I was a kid there was something similar at MOSI in Tampa (that's Museum of Science and Industry). You would sit in this wind tunnel and they had pieces of foam (representing debris) that would fly around. It only simulated a category one, they said because any higher would be dangerous. It most likely will be Charlie, he is the one that hit WDW headon. The others Frances, Jeanne and Ivon all hit other parts of the state.
Posted: Jul Sun 27, 2008 9:05 pm
by Captain Schnemo
There used to be this place called
Planet Ocean in Miami where they had a simulated hurricane room. I used to love this museum and went there a few times as a kid.
I don't remember much about it any more, but I do clearly remember that this room terrified me, particularly because there weren't always a lot of people around (which explains why it closed) and I'd often be in there by myself.
I've since experienced a couple hurricanes in real life, and I have to say the attraction got it just about right. Even when you intellectually know what's going on, it is awfully frightening...more so when you have a mortgage!
Posted: Jul Sun 27, 2008 11:34 pm
by yodiwan1
I've been through enough real hurricanes here in Florida, I don't need to sit througha fake one!!! lol, these are not laughing matters. I think something like this should not be done. To someone who has not known anyone afftected by one, or been in one, I can see why it would be "cool", but hurricanes have devestated lives and no good comes from them. How would a Katrina or Wilma victom like to come to WDW and see this exhibit. If anything Disney should use this space to show peopl how to help save the Earth. This is EPCOT after all and while attractions have branched out away from the original idea of EPCOT, something like this can bring some of it back. Preserving the very planet that WDW is in should be important I think. Disney is very lucky a major hurricane has not really impacted it too bad.
Posted: Jul Mon 28, 2008 9:16 am
by DisBeamer
yodiwan1 wrote:I've been through enough real hurricanes here in Florida, I don't need to sit througha fake one!!! lol, these are not laughing matters. I think something like this should not be done.
I kind of wondered (and have heard others who actually live in Florida wonder, or actually be upset) about this. It doesn't seem like it's in the best taste ever. Then again we know the local visitors aren't WDW's bread and butter, so perhaps they're not worried about upsetting Floridians. I can't say as it bothers me, since it sounds like they might actually have some science
*gasp* in Innoventions, but I've never had my house schmucked by a hurricane.
Posted: Jul Tue 29, 2008 7:35 pm
by yodiwan1
Don't forget, hurricanes have affected alot more people than just Floridians. Just ask people in the Carolinas and all along the gulf coast.
Posted: Jul Tue 29, 2008 8:55 pm
by agingerbugg
I have lived through three hurricanes and four tropical storms and I still think this looks cool.
Posted: Aug Fri 01, 2008 12:21 pm
by 99Soulz
I thought the same thing when Universal Studios opened the Twister attraction, thinking this can really hit home to thousands of people and not a real good "attraction" per se. And I think it was actually delayed in opening due to a recent tornado during that year.
I personally love storms and just in awe of the physical presence of one but think an attraction might be going a bit too far. If this does happen, I would hope part of the show would be to educate and maybe show how meterologists (computers really) can predict when they are likely to occur to get some educational aspect out of it.
Posted: Aug Fri 01, 2008 7:59 pm
by DisBeamer
99Soulz wrote:I thought the same thing when Universal Studios opened the Twister attraction, thinking this can really hit home to thousands of people and not a real good "attraction" per se. And I think it was actually delayed in opening due to a recent tornado during that year.
I personally love storms and just in awe of the physical presence of one but think an attraction might be going a bit too far. If this does happen, I would hope part of the show would be to educate and maybe show how meterologists (computers really) can predict when they are likely to occur to get some educational aspect out of it.
Interesting; I didn't know US delayed the opening of Twister. I suppose as long as nothing big hits the country this year, Disney'll be okay.
Oh, and speaking on behalf of meteorologists posting on subsonic (I know there's at least two of us

), there's a fair bit of human interpretation that goes into 'predicting', thankyouverramuch.

Posted: Aug Fri 01, 2008 8:58 pm
by srik
I think this would only be in poor taste if they just did one part of the show that DisBeamer, described, but showing the difference between a hurricane proof house and a standard structure, seems like something that is very EPCOT to me. Focusing on new technology to help society is exactly where EPCOT should be (though often isn't) in my mind.
In the way of full disclosure, I haven't lived thorough quite the number or intesity of hurricanes that some of you have, but there have been several that hit the Massachusetts coast in my 35 years.
Posted: Aug Sat 02, 2008 9:25 am
by 99Soulz
Sorry DisBeamer, did not mean to disrespect you or your profession. It just seems that more and more we are being told that "according to the latest computer model....etc" from professionals in your field that it looks that they are just providing us the readouts anymore.
I am glad to hear there is still human involvement - less chance of being outsourced too!
Posted: Aug Sun 03, 2008 8:12 am
by skull
I don't see the problem as long as they keep it "scientific". It's teaching people how they can, if they have the money of course, help to protect their homes during smaller hurricanes.
Also, if your the type of person that thinks it in poor taste, or thinks it will stir up bad memories, then there is nothing stopping you from just not going. If there are enough people just not going into that exhibt, then surely they'll close it
Posted: Sep Thu 04, 2008 12:29 am
by jumrungle
Does anyone know when this attraction is scheduled to open?
Posted: Sep Thu 04, 2008 7:15 am
by Esmeralda
jumrungle wrote:Does anyone know when this attraction is scheduled to open?
It's already open - check out the Laughing Place article. I haven't been excited about Innoventions in a long time, but this might be worth seeing in person!
http://www.laughingplace.com/Lotion-View-724.asp