JOE INSIDER - What You've Been Missing / Epcot

This week's article marks the introduction of a new idea for JOE INSIDER: What You've Been Missing--photo essays from Florida-area theme parks looking at obvious--and not so obvious--details and what not. To test the waters, I decided to make a run to Epcot and snap some general photos in Future World and World Showcase.

This is a shot of Ice Station Cool, a Coca-Cola sponsored area in the old Communicore West area, just next to the large fountain. If you've never taken the time to visit it before, you should on your next trip. After a brief walk through a somewhat boring 'ice cave' (which includes a man frozen in ice... reaching for, of all things, a bottle of coke), you'll exit into a gift area which sells Coca-Cola memorabilia, but that's not all. There are a number of soda fountains nearby which offer free samples of coke products from around the world. A lemon-lime beverage from Israel is my favorite, but drink the Italian Beverly soda at your own risk--many agree it is the worst tasting of the bunch.

A ride on Journey Into the Imagination (the revamped version featuring Figment in the Imagination Institute setting) revealed this door just after the ride's introduction. It's the one and only nod to the forever lost Dreamfinder from the original Journey Into Imagination.

Speaking of which, here's a shot in Mouse Gear, the store that dominates half of the old Communicore East. See that goofy looking contraption on the wall? It's one of Dreamfinder's old Dream Catching Machines. The large balloon that carried it is, of course, removed, and the plaid design of the idea bag has been changed into a blocky purplish box.

These fuse boxes and pipes can be found on the Cargo Bay (read Gift Shop) wall in the Mission: Space pavilion. There are two hidden Mickey's here--one in the top right corner--which, admittedly, is difficult to make out because the wall does curve, making the angle of the photo appear odd... now where's that second one?

This bench sits just outside Innoventions East, facing Test Track and Mission: Space. Three fans are mounted above the seats, along with lights, and both systems are solar-powered... purportedly. Unfortunately, the fans are nowhere near strong enough to combat the Florida heat.

Here's something interesting--this shot of Morocco, taken from the Future World side of World Showcase Lagoon, shows a third building in the country's skyline: The Tower of Terror over at Disney-MGM Studios. However, despite the difference between Morocco and Hollywood, the architecture of the Tower blends with the Moroccan style, and this faux pas of Disney theming is avoided. Also note the tented structure in the middle--rehab in the works on a Morocco structure.

Unfortunately, there's little that can be done about the Swan and Dolphin resorts. Here, the giant swans dwarf the faux Eiffel Tower. It's not necessarily a horrendous sight, but it breaks a basic rule of good show. The hotels have stood in their place for quite a while now, so there's little that can be done to move them.

What in the world is THAT?! Why, it's the new Soarin' building, going up right behind Canada, eh? Painted a lovely shade of blue as to blend in with the Florida sky--you can't see it, can you? I was with Robert earlier last month when he saw it for the first time and nearly had a heart attack. Rumors have been circulating that the mountains behind Canada might be sculpted higher in size to hide the structure, but it's still just rumor.

That's all for now, folks. Don't hesitate to ask any questions or send any feedback--or if there's a particular photo you'd like to see, let me know--and remember to keep on ridin'.