Hello & welcome back to A Look at Disney World. Yesterday, I counted down my Top 6 Magic Kingdom Attractions. Today, we head to the Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow as I take a look at my Top 6 EPCOT Attractions. With that out of the way, let's begin.
6. Captain EO
Okay, this isn't on the list for how good it is but rather for how hilariously dated and cheesy it is. If any attraction can captures the '80s, it this one. And that is the big reason, why it's on my list. This attraction is less an attraction and more an extended Michael Jackson music video with special effects that is in 3-D! The basic plot is that EO runs a ragtag space crew that has to deliver a gift to The Supreme Leader played by Angelica Houston. One of many names attached to this project, which also includes Francis Ford Cooploa and George Lucas as well. But honestly, the story to this thing and I rarely say this doesn't matter. Because as I said, it is just an '80s music video that somehow ended up being a Disney attraction. I'm not sure but when I watched this, I felt as though I was transported back to the '80s. I swear saw people with big poofy hair and bright neon clothes. Still not convinced, here take a look...
This may not technically be a "good" attraction but it is gloriously cheesy and it screams '80s. This is something that has to be seen to be believed. The only thing that surprises me with how much this attraction was merchandised. There was a comic book for goodness' sake, they never thought of turning this into a full length film. I mean, they already had the actors and the story but maybe it wouldn't have done as well.
Oh, and don't worry, we aren't done with EO yet as we will be taking a look at the song from this attraction on an upcoming Music Fridays. Now do note, I did not see this until it was brought back. You see after the King of Pop died, there was fan demand to bring EO back to the park because I don't know, the fans thought this would be respectful to Michael. Look, I'm not the biggest MJ fan in the world but I am glad that Disney gave in on those demands because before I saw this, I viewed this as something that was just forgettable and another footstep in the history of both Disney and the King of Pop but I was wrong. It is glorious. Look, I can't do the story justice, so I'll just copy and paste it here. for ya.
The film tells the story of Captain EO (Michael Jackson) and the ragtag crew of his spaceship on a mission to deliver a gift to "The Supreme Leader" (Anjelica Huston), who lives on a world of rotting, twisted metal and steaming vents. Captain EO's alien crew consists of his small flying sidekick Fuzzball, the double-headed navigator and pilot Idey (Debbie Lee Carrington) and Ody (Cindy Sorenson), robotic security officer Major Domo (Gary Depew), a small robot, Minor Domo (who fits like a module into Major Domo), and the clumsy elephant-like shipmate Hooter (Tony Cox) who always manages to upset the crew's missions. Dick Shawn plays Captain EO's boss, Commander Bog.
Upon arriving on the planet, the crew is captured by the henchmen of the Supreme Leader, and brought before her. She sentences the crew to be turned into trash cans, and Captain EO to 100 years of torture in her deepest dungeon. Before being sent away, Captain EO tells the Supreme Leader that he sees the beauty hidden within her, and that he brings her the key to unlock it: his song, "We Are Here to Change the World".
The two robot members of the crew transform into musical instruments, and the crew members begin to play the various instruments. As Hooter runs toward his instrument, he trips over EO's cape and breaks it, stopping the music. The spell broken, the Supreme Leader orders her guards to capture Captain EO and his crew.
Hooter manages to repair his instrument and sends out a blast of music, providing EO with the power to throw off the guards. He uses his power to transform the dark hulking guards into agile dancers who fall into step behind him for a dance number. As EO presses forward toward the Supreme Leader, she unleashes her Whip Warriors, two cybernetic defenders each with a whip and shield that can deflect EO's power.
The others all run away, leaving Captain EO to fight the Whip Warriors alone. EO is trapped by a closing gate and is preparing for a last stand as both the whip warriors draw their whips back for a final blow. Fuzzball drops his instrument and speedily flies over to tie the two whips together, causing the Whip Warriors to be thrown off balance giving EO an opportunity to transform them as well. With no further obstacles, EO uses his power to transform the remaining four henchmen (not yet unleashed) and they, the transformed whip warriors and the other dancers, press forward in dance before EO transforms the Supreme Leader into a beautiful woman, her lair into a peaceful Greek temple, and the planet into a verdant paradise.
A celebration breaks out to "Another Part of Me", as EO and his crew triumphantly exit and fly off into space.
I couldn't make this up if I tried. I may have to review that comic down the line because it just sounds glorious and if someone has a copy, send it to Linkara. Okay, I think I've spent enough time. on this. Moving on.
5. Sum of All Thrills
I find it rather odd that this ride is on my list. This attraction, which can be found in EPCOT's Innoventions is a ride that by all accounts is something I should dislike as I HATE math and this ride requires math. Mostly measurements because you see this is a do-it-yourself simulator ride. Which is a second for Disney as they also have this at DisneyQuest, where you get to build your own roller coaster. But here the ride is not just limited to roller coasters as there is also bobsleds, boats, helicopters and many other choices. I went with bobsled. I had a blast with it and for those wondering, here is what the ride looks like.
Also in the vehicle, there is a camera that shows you the other rider's reaction. Now sadly, I went on this ride by myself but that is still pretty cool.
4. Maelstrom
Again, this ride like EO isn't the greatest but unlike EO, where I enjoy it for how cheesy it is, I genuinely love Maelstrom, even if I do laugh when people make fun of it. The ride is pretty straightforward and simple. In a Norwegian themed boat ride that has you in a viking boat and come across trolls and then your boat is sent backwards. And that is pretty much it. It's probably one of the shortest rides at EPCOT, let alone Disney World but I still like it. Again, sometimes, simplicity just works. Oh and here is what the troll looks like.
He's kinda cute in a "so ugly that he become cute again: kind of way.
3. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
Our only other ride from World Showcase on the list. How do I describe this, imagine Small World just focusing on Mexico but using the Three Caballeros and less annoying. That's pretty much this ride. Again, this ride has pretty simple set up as you follow Panchito and Jose looking for Donald all over Mexico as they are to perform a big concert. Now instead of audio antramontics, which would've been cool, this ride just uses TV screens and has the characters dropped into the location.
This ride is rather relaxing, really. And it is honestly quite enjoyable. It's something I would say is a nice break ride. In that like the shows, this ride just gives you a nice relaxing break from the crowds.
2. The Seas With Nemo & Friends
Another pretty simple ride, you follow Marlin and Dory as Nemo has gone missing again. This time though Nemo is just being a jerk. But all of the characters are there and it's fun. Now the characters are just projections. Here take a look at Mr. Ray.
Now the big reason, they're projections is because The Seas is basically an aquarium and towards the end of the ride, the projections make it look as though the characters are swimming with the live animals and if your lucky, their might be scuba divers too. As EPCOT offers a scuba program and you might see divers swimming with the characters.
1. Journey Into Imagination with Figment
This ride is just adorable. Yes, I know many fans prefer the original with Dreamfinder and after reading Dreamfinder's autobiography. I can see why and just listen to One Little Spark and you'll understand why people love that version but the fact of the matter is, I missed out on Dreamfinder. One of my few regrets as a Disney fan but I was bound determined on my last trip to go on this ride and I didn't think it was possible to love a theme park character so much but Figment is so lovable and he is the biggest reason why, he's on the list. Honestly, Figment came very close to being on my list of My 20 Favorite Characters. Now instead of Dreamfinder, this version features Eric Idle as Dr. Channing from the the previous incarnation which did NOT include Figment. (Grr!)
Idle is okay but from what I've heard and seen online, I like the Dreamfinder better. I wish EPCOT would bring back Dreamfinder. Trust me, back when the ride was Journey Into Your Imagination and didn't have Figment, there was legitimate fan outrage from everything I've heard and looked up. Not surprising considering that both Figment and Dreamfinder were the first characters to debut in EPCOT and for the longest time, the only characters that were going to be a part of EPCOT. From what I've heard, people were going to the Complaints department after finding out Figment was removed. Doesn't surprise me though as Eisner hated both Dreamfinder and Figment. Feeling that Figment did not look like a Disney character. Blasphemy, Figment is just as much as Disney character as Mickey or Goofy and these two characters have quite the cult following. So after that, the ride re-opened as Journey Into Imagination with Figment calmed the fans down and I loved it. It features Dr. Channing trying to teach the guests about the senses with Figment just being lovable and silly and getting in the way. It's adorable. Disney, thank you for bringing Figment back but if you ever get rid of him again, I will lead the angry mob of fans. Do not touch a scale on that purple dragon.
So, there you have it, my Top 6 EPCOT Attractions. Join me tomorrow as I close out with Top 6 Trilogy with my favorite Disney theme park and the hardest one for me to choose my favorite attractions as I take a look at my...
Top 6 Hollywood Studios Attractions
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