As Epcot’s 40th anniversary approaches, I’m daydreaming about former attractions from the theme park. Some I experienced back in the day; some are fading memories such as “Shockwave,” an onstage musical group; Muppet Mobile Laboratories with Beaker biking about; and a Lord of the Dance show.
Shoot, that temporary cranberry bog wasn’t only about a decade ago, but did it really happen?
Here are four attractions bouncing around my Epcot memory banks, bolstered by the wonders of YouTube.
Puppetry was a big deal in Epcot's 'Tapestry of Nations,' which snakes around World Showcase. (Walt Disney Co. )
What: “Tapestry of Nations,” a parade of sorts, through the streets of Epcot, from 1999 to 2001. (Then it became known as “Tapestry of Dreams” through 2003.)
What it was: The cavalcade, part of the Y2K celebrations, featured enormous rolling steampunk-ish drums, king-size Michael Curry puppets and a glorious Gavin Greenaway soundtrack.
What stands out: The curvy World Showcase pathway wasn’t designed for parades, and there were stretches where standing was ill-advised for toes.
What happened next: Now, with food booths set up most of the year, the park is even less suitable for such street entertainment.
'Kitchen Kabaret' was an opening-day attraction at Epcot and had a 12-year run. (Wikimedia Commons)
What: “Kitchen Kabaret” (1982-1994) and “Food Rocks” (1994-2004).
What it was: If it weren’t for online video, these might be explained away as fever dreams. Both shows featured animatronic edibles singing about good nutrition habits. “Food Rocks” had a slightly more contemporary feel to it and fell more in the parody realm. It also used a few voices from actual stars, including Tone Loc as the host, Food Wrapper. It was a pun fest featuring fictional groups called the Peach Boys, Pita Gabriel, Chubby Cheddar and Neil Moussaka.
What stands out: The “Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit” song from “Kabaret,” is musical comfort food for kids who grew up at Epcot, and the ditty was worked into the short-running “Epcot Today” nighttime spectacular.
What happened next: The theater was removed to make way for Soarin’ and its queue.
Once upon a time, the Wonders of Life Pavilion included Body Wars and Cranium Command, an animatronics show about the brain. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
What: Wonders of Life (1989-2007)
What it was: A pavilion on the Future World side (a section now called World Discovery neighborhood) contained the Body Wars ride. It was a simulator (a la Star Tours) with a reputation for creating upset stomachs. I’d like a good look again at the hidden Mickey in the entrance mural.
What stands out: The sculpture outside that was a shoutout to a DNA strand. It has been removed.
What happened next: The building is to be repurposed as the interactive Play! Pavilion.
What: “The Magical World of Barbie Show,” a song-and-dance stage production at America Gardens Theater (1993-1995).
What it was: The Barbie show features a lot of her friends with big travel ambitions: to France, Africa and Australia. They used multiples forms of Barbie transportation, including a minicar on stage and a plane with surfboards for wings. You also would have seen a costumed koala character, a French fashion show, several costume changes and a swing-dance number set in the jungle. Ken makes a joke about his hair not being plastic, and kids are encouraged to be confident and to have pizazz.
What stands out: A bit of a “High School Musical” vibe and these sage words: “We’re always together whenever we’re apart.”
What happened next: Many shows have been on that stage since then, but a big-screen, live-action “Barbie” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling is set for theaters in summer 2023.
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