EpcotServo's UpdatePage!

EpcotServo's Updates #2.46- And your Park is Themed

2012-01-08T16:43:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone and welcome to another Universal Update! Before we get to the words and pictures I'd like to warn that due to Google doing something stupid, all Picasa web albums open in Google+...So the captions are now off to the side unless you log in and switch back to web albums. Which I suggest you do. Anyhoo, on to the stuff!

UNIVERSAl

-Crowds were high, and annoying

-They were moving about barges for the new lagoon show. Now there are 4. One at lagoon end, one before Richter's, one by San Fransisco, and one by Amity.

-Amity is walled off, except for the shark photo-op, which is crazy popular even though the land is closed.

-The new line set up in Forbidden Journey is an absolute mess. Now all persons with or without bags enter the line to the left of the entry gates, which snakes all the way back and uses the eternity of the extended and super-extended queue. Basically You'll wait 50 minutes to an hour before you even get your bag in the locker, then wait another 30 to 40 in the normal queue. Basically instead of fixing things, it's somehow turned into a bigger clusterfail of crowd management.

-Face capture wasn't working in the soul-sucking department.

-Words

OK, that's about it...Now for the pictures!

Enjoy! (^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates246AndYourParkIsThemed#5695368784787989842

EpcotServo's Updates #2.45 JAWS Special- Fin

2012-01-04T20:46:00.003-05:00

Hello there everyone and welcome to an Update, Special Update...From the closing of JAWS! Some very nice pictures to get too, so let the words be said!

UNIVERSAL

-Crowds were mild everywhere except Amity and JAWS.

-So many people turned out to see Jaws off. From the chatter in the queue, It seemed the atmosphere was mostly "We support Universal, but this is kind of one step too-far." I guess, alienated was the word. The person in video they put out says it best, there'll never be a ride that captures the feeling of JAWS. (Also the many "REALLY? MORE Harry Potter? What?" comments overheard were always hilarious.)

-They really didn't do much for the closing...They gave out beads, gave the skippers a basic lanyard badge that said "The Final Voyage", and I guess they gave out 48 tickets to press and such for the final ride. All they did for guests was give out beads. It seemed to me the immediate higher-ups tried to do SOME thing, but with no special event, no special merch, and no real hype that wasn't fan created, I think they missed out on a big opportunity. I mean the place was packed with Jaws T-shirts, shark hats, fan-made items and shirts, people lining up again and again...And yet there wasn't an Amity Boat Tours shirt, or a button, or even a little ceremony or anything. It wasn't handled badly, but as send-offs go, the fans far outnumbered anything they did for the fans.

-Speaking of which, all JAWS merch was GONE. Either by lack of stocking, or sold out.

-The night ended in a rousing chorus of "show me the way to go home" at the unload dock, because for the last hour everyone who disembarked stayed around to watch it close. It was pretty tough/special to be there with skippers wiping away tears as this huge crowd on land applauded them as they went by...Like I said, the fan/team member support was huge.

OK, that's about all for wordstuff.

Enjoy! <(^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates245JAWSSpecialFin#5693944631783339346

EpcotServo's Updates #2.44- The Update Holiday Special

2011-12-24T00:08:00.000-05:00

There's no word like hello for the Holidays! Welcome to another Update show, so let it snow!

STUDIOS

-Crowds large to even larger.

-Star Tours is still, still great.

-I kind of don't like how they replaced the holographic poster at the end of the Muppets hallway with an ad for The Muppets. The movie is great and worth advertising, but that's just crossing the line getting rid of an attraction element for an ad...

-All the lights were working at Spectacle of Lights.

-^See, "Lights not working" always gets more attention...When things work properly it's worth noting too.

-If I didn't know better I'd say that was some veiled form of vague commentary on society.

-But it really wasn't.

-Happy Holidays!

ENJOY!
(^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates244TheUpdateHolidaySpecial#5689505348820093042

EpcotServo's Updates #2.43- Fantastic Voyage

2011-12-21T02:25:00.000-05:00

Hello and Hello, and in addition a very Happy Holidays Hello! Today we've got an Update with lots of last pictures from JAWS, and a few extra random pictures for random's sake. Proceed!

UNIVERSAL

-Crowds were high to Mountain Dew levels of extreme.

-Lots of rigging and diving for the show they should've announced by now.

-And lots of people waiting for the ride they shouldn't be closing.

-Bullwinkle is in this Update.

-Fact.

OK, that's about all, so click on and have a Merry Christmas, if that's ok!

ENJOY!
( ^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates243FantasticVoyage#5688465366158043010

EpcotServo's Updates #2.42- Like Love

2011-12-10T17:44:00.001-05:00

Heya everyone and welcome to a long overdue WDW Update! Lots of fun was had, so let's start with the words.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

-Crowds were low to mild.

-Expedition Everest was running the proper 4-train profile and was running perfectly.

-Waterfall B was not working again, Steam was working fine though.

-Brand new Everest merch! Every Winter they get great new stuff in, and now they have some new very cool shirts, including a Himalayan Escapes T-Shirt.

-For all that's made over Everest's missing effects, Countdown has more missing longer that are much more important.

-The chasing Carnotaurus wasn't working so they just turned out all the lights. Either that or just a large section of show lighting was broken. It was kind of weird to have a whole long scene of ride just be complete darkness.

-The Jungle Trek is still pretty spectacular.

STUDIOS

-Crowds were extremely high. Packed, even.

-We just went in to ride Star Tours, so no pictures.

-Seriously, the park was jam-packed.

-STAR TOURS is still AMAZING.

-The Starspeeder 1000 figure-sized vehicle is at Studios! Traders had many of them and they were being seriously gawked over. A cast member at checkout shared a cool tidbit, since this was pretty much the first day they were out. The designer of them actually called in and asked how they were doing! They're already selling like hotcakes. Naturally, all Star Tours fans have been waiting for it for years!

-Did I mention the park was like super-packed?

EPCOT

-Epcot crowds seemed mild.

-Full moon out and great weather!

-It was really pretty as well.

-Fun things are fun!

OK, that's about all for words. Pictures now!

Enjoy!
(^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates242LikeLove#5684620628517809250

EpcotServo's Updates #2.41- Fate/Stay Day

2011-12-03T19:36:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone and welcome to another Universal Update! Stuff to get too, so to stuff we get!

UNIVERSAL

-Weather was great, crowds were none!

-Re: Jaws, I'll say plenty with the pictures, but just have to say the skippers as always save the day. They were great and friendly, and even managed to work some great timely humor for being the day they found out it would close. After stressing that a shark hasn't been seen in these waters and that they have the grenade launcher, our skipper added "So nothing can go wrong today...nothing." And after the line about not telling anyone about it because it'd be bad for business noting "Who knows? They might shut us down forever or something!" Perfect.

-Parks are decked for the holidays!

-Yes, even Potterland.

-Spiderman was acting weird again and the whole finale was messed up. As much as I love seeing the falling building reset, that's twice in a row now...And when Spiderman has a 100% track record for working perfect every time for a VERY long time, it's all the more noticeable. Maybe time for that rehab?

-Who says Kamille is a girls' name!?!?!?

OK, that's about it. Now onto the visual culture!

ENJOY! (^ ^ )/

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates241FateStayDay#5682049110592045394

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates 2: Part 7- You are (Not) a Local

2011-11-19T20:31:00.000-05:00

Hello again, and welcome to the last, final, and concluding CALIFORNIA Update! It's been an incredible run of Updates with over 3000 pictures to sort through, so applaud yourself as you come stumbling into the final installment! So join us, won't you, as we take one last trip through Disneyland and above all do as I do, and ENJOY!

m(_ _)m

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdates2Part7YouAreNotALocal#5676858636460502818

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates 2: Part 6- Best of the West

2011-11-16T18:00:00.000-05:00

Hey there everybody and welcome to Part 6! You know what that means. Only one part left to go! So let's get going and go before the big goodbye update.

Enjoy!
\(^ ^ )/

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdates2Part6BestOfTheWest#5675725086422578434

EpcotServo's Updates #2.40- Separate Ways

2011-11-14T18:57:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody and welcome to a three-park hopping cross-universe Update! Got lots to start, so start we shall.

KINGDOM

-Crowds. THE UNBEARABLE CROWDS!

-Crowds were high.

-They need to bring back Davy Jones, Blackbeard's projection is unintelligible in both audio and face.

-The hat pirate did have hats.

-Haunted Mansion queue and ghosts are still baffling and bad. The ghosts at the end in particular are still very poorly done and boarding on flat out bad show. Mainly because they're just so flat.

-Big Thunder is still fun, but the missing wood planks are pretty bad, and pretty much all the effects aren't working or are flat-out gone.

-While Toontown station is closed, the train still stops there to refuel. So you just have to wait there looking at an ugly unkept wooden green wall. No signage, no decoration, just ugly wooden walls and trash people have thrown out. It's EXTREMELY bad show. At DCA the walls there are beautiful. Are you telling me they couldn't even put a single sign there? The spiel mentions "Look at all those posters!" so maybe they intend too, but it was still pretty awful and very Kingdom-typical.

EPCOT

-Epcot was just PACKED. ALL the parking lots were being used. Insane.

-Lots of drunken-ness. Hhhrrrm.

-Epcot is crazy pretty at night none the less.

IOA

-Sunday! Islands of Adventure!

-Crowds were low to mild.

-Went on spiderman really early, only a few people on the ride. But better yet...The ride kept stopping! Seemed just like blocking problems, I think they added a vehicle or something. It was awesome! Got to see the fire effect from the scene before, watching it float up into the rafters. But better yet-Got to see the "Falling building" reset. It's MASSIVE! And it just LAUNCHES up in three parts! They offered a re-ride to the other people on, but I loved it. Heh.

-Potterevent! We won admission into one of the panels, and that was cool. Just a Q&A with a few of the cast, and they were running other panels and making of sessions. So all of these events were for the people who paid for the package thing, but there was plenty of room everywhere and a public standby. The CRAZY fans were there, but all they had out was A-frame info signs, and no schedule or notification of the event to day guests. I think to get this to take off, they'll need to do the following...

1.Drop the paid event as the main thing. Make it a premium extra and the event open to all dayguests.

2. Let WB handle stars and such, and not be the headline thing. It just kind of seemed like a trade show.

3. The name. "WB presents Harry Potter Home Entertainment Celebration" is a VERY trade show name.

4. Again, make it public. Publish schedules and decorate it, have a firework show or something. I think Universal needs to take a page from Star Wars Weekends here. It needs to draw the dedicated fans and the undedicated fans. As it were, this was just a low-attended premium fan trade show taking place on an average day at the park.

-Speaking of Star Wars, to the teener behind me who said "Star Wars fans can suck it, we have better fans"- Shut up. You literally don't know what you are taking about. A: Star Wars fans actually love it enough to criticize it. B: You didn't have to find Harry Potter. You were freaking required to read it in school idiot. C: You know what they call "Star Wars" and "Harry Potter" fans? G'D EVERYONE. You aren't special in any way.

-Forbidden Journey and Frozen Butterbeer. Yes please.

-They setup a red carpet for the after-hours parties, but put up big blockades and mats out, complete with Team Members guiding people off the carpets. Needless to say, everyone finds this annoying and is all the more reason no average guest there and had no idea what this event was or if there was any benefit to attend. Hopefully Universal will make this a Star Wars Weekends-esque event.

-Doctor Who fans are better anyway.

OK, that's all for that. Now this is all of this!

Enjoy!
( ^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates240SeparateWays#5674963786578693186

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates 2: Part 5- 101 Ways to look at Disneyland

2011-11-14T18:20:00.000-05:00

Welcome, welcome, welcome, and welcome to CALIFORNIA Update number 5! The weather clears up, and provides some really beautiful Disneyland here, so click on and see the world the Disneyland way!

Enjoy!
(^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdates2Part5101WaysToLookAtDisneyland#5674987607590201778

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates 2: Part 4- Kingdom of the California Adventures

2011-11-10T19:34:00.000-05:00

Hello hello once again, and welcome to the CALIFORNIA Updates! Loads and loads of Disneyland fun for everyone to get to this time, including WORLD OF COLOR!

So get ready, and click on! For the Updatetime has only just begun!

Enjoy!
( ^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdates2Part4KingdomOfTheCaliforniaAdventures#5673506605760554594

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates 2: Part 3- A land for You and Me

2011-11-08T21:10:00.000-05:00

Hello to all you people out there! Let's continue the epic adventure in updating, the CALIFORNIA Updates! Lots to get to in part 3, and ALL of it Disneyland! So let's get right to the show, and roll the pictures!

Enjoy!
( ^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdates2Part3ALandForYouAndMe#5672787788076437938

EpcotServo's Updates #2.39- It's only a preview!

2011-11-05T01:53:00.000-04:00

Hey there everybody! Got to preview this year's Spectacle of Lights, and here's some pictures! With lights! And words! Dare I say it, pictures! Venture onwards!

STUDIOS

-There's a few new things at spectacle this year, as follows...

-The canopy is no longer just red lights, they all change color.

-They have a window with a screen that displays historical imagery of the show.

-Some of the windows have light screens that shows animated Xmas imagery, which is a nice new plus. Though they do have Prep & Landing synergy, which stinks. Literally nothing can be added with synergy. And not in an awesome full-blown way like Disneyland, just the WDW kind of shady small-scale useless synergy. Just kind of nergy.

-It's still a great display.

And that's about all, so advance to PictureStage!

Enjoy!
( ^ ^)/

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates239ItSOnlyAPreview#5671376222595234642

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates 2: Part 2- Back to the Update

2011-11-03T18:02:00.001-04:00

Hey there everybody, and welcome back to PART 2 of the CALIFORNIA Adventures! Today we have Universal Hollywood, more ElecTRONica, and even some World of Color! Lots to get to, so begin the righteous clicking!

Enjoy!
( ^ ^)/

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdates2Part2BackToTheUpdate#5670879306980067330

The Update Spinoff- Bishoujo Parks Academy

2011-11-03T14:28:00.000-04:00

Are you a fan of EpcotServo's Updates? Well then prepare yourselves for a new experience in WDW parody! Using the magic of comics, and the skills of the computer, you can now enter a world of joyus gags, and wondrous manga. EpcotServo's enchanted Bishoujo Parks Academy!

Now online at MoeParks.Blogspot.com!

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates 2: Part 1- Disneylanded

2011-11-01T19:22:00.000-04:00

This is the story of two worlds and the attractions that inhabit them. One of these is Disney World, the one that is local and nearby. The world of the "Tourists". It lies on our side of the country.

The other, an amazing micro civilization, lives and breathes just beyond our grasp.
This is the world of the "locals". Because we, the tourists, have created this Disneyland, part of us lives there too...

on the other side of the country.

LOST HORIZON PICTURES
presents

EPCOTSERVO'S
CALIFORNIA
UPDATES

RETURN OF THE SERVO

You are (Not) a Local

Part 1- Disneylanded

Welcome to the first of 7 Updates into the world of DISNEYLAND! We have lots of notes to get too, and round about 3000 pictures to sort through, so let's get started!

Enjoy!
( ^ ^)/

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdates2Part1Disneylanded#5670152485769150450

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates: Return of the Servo

2011-10-08T23:44:00.000-04:00

Coming soon. For every return...There is another return.

EpcotServo's Updates #2.38- The Adventure Complex

2011-10-07T01:33:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody! Had a huge day at Universal, and have some regular sized pictures to share! And some slightly larger ones! To see, continue viewing!

UNIVERSAL

-Weather was awesome

-Crowds were awesome

-Rides were awesome

-Awesome was awesome

-The dragon was not fire-breathing on Forbidden Journey.

-The flip-flop is still there on Forbidden Journey, it's been flopped there for awhile.

-Rode FearFall for the first time. Had a pretty cool queue! Had fun.

-Mummy FrontRow is great

-GREAT news: The firewall you cross in JAWS was working! Haven't seen that on in a LONG time! Years, I think. Really cool!

-Men in Black Alien Attack is alot harder in the middle seat!

-E.T.Aliens are still nightmare fuel.

-Forbidden Journey was empty in the afternoon. YES. I like it.

OK, that's about it for the word pictures. Now on to the picture pictures!

Enjoy!
(^ ^ )/

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates238TheAdventureComplex#5660610882543343106

EpcotServo's Updates #2.37- Studios; Gate

2011-09-25T13:12:00.000-04:00

Hey there everybody! Been a longtime since we've done a Disney Update, so get ready for just that. Minus the long time, and more like right now. Servo, Go!

STUDIOS

-Crowds were mild. Not bad at all.

-The picture-in-the-eye thing is working great at Tower.

-Muppets is already in dire straights, and is in really bad shape. Lighting yellow, Curtains not functional, and worst of all Penguins stayed raised the entire time, even during show load-in and out. (In olden days, this would mean the show would not operate. They really don't care for show any more, so it doesn't.)

-Please fix Muppets

-The Phineas and Ferb Meet and Greet is the ugliest thing ever added to Studios, including large blue hats.

-They've made the gate signs in Star Tours load blink, I believe to indicate which gates are not fully loaded yet. Another stop-gap measure to look like they can, in any way, effect the hourly capacity? Probably. But they are blink-ey lights now in any case.

-They've also added a Dolby 3-D sign at Unload, I believe probably so Dolby cuts them a deal on the shiny glasses.

-Star Tours is still awesome, especially the Death Star Ending.

EPCOT

-Crowds, again Mild.

-Soarin' is still really cool, though the games have really messed up the Great Hall.

-Yakitori house under heavy walls. Sad, really.

-Japan is really increasing great Ghibli and Anime merchandise, also they have some Durarara! shirts and playing cards now.

-Since when did they make the pre-Illuminations Music Alternative? (As in an Alternative to Good.)

-EPCOT is awesome.

-That is all.

OK, that's all. On to the pictures!

Enjoy!
(^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates237StudiosGate#5656338019202040098

EpcotServo's Updates #2.36- E N D L E S S 8

2011-08-30T15:25:00.000-04:00

Hey there everyone! Got some Universal Updates to Update, so let's do that thing I just said.

UNIVERSAL

-Very not crowded. Mild, even.

-Dueling Dragons was very not dueling, just as they said it would.

-Crowds were so low Potterland was on full show, with the doors of the Hog's Head closed, back exit of the candy shop closed, no shop lines except for the wand show, and even barstools at the bar.

-At the main IOA store they have the 1 year Potterland Anniversary pin, ask for it by name.

-Still two or three leaping mummies not leaping.

-Everything else at Mummy was working great.

-Construction for Neutron 2.0 has signage and graphics now.

-For some reason there is a bunch of NBC emmys on display. (Synergy)

-Mogami River

OK, that's about it...on to the pictures!

Enjoy!
(^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates236ENDLESS8#5646709219826625794

EpcotServo's Updates #2.35 - 42

2011-08-24T19:19:00.000-04:00

Hey there everyone! Welcome to Updatetime, click on to see the update just fine.

DAK

-very hot and very crowded, very hot and crowded, even.

-Everest was running 4 trains on the 5 train system...still scary/bad show.

-But, after exactly WAYYYYY too long, Waterfall B is working again! Yay!

-They're finally selling the shirts from Tashi's Trek and Tongba shop, embroidered "Serka Zong" with the mystic eyes, in orange and red- as well as "Anandapur" with a square seal in blue and light tan. Pricey at $34, with black Expedition Everest on sleeve. Very cool.

KINGDOM

-Hot, Crowded, Rainy! (The Troublesome Trinity)

-Enchanted Tiki Room! Kind of a mixed bag...Liked the pre-show, the return of the classic, and the lack of shrill songs and gimmicks. Kids seemed to like it more than UNM, as there was even applause and clapping along. Dislikes were definitely the severe cutting down of an already cut-down show, and the lack of Enchanted Fountain. On their own, one would be fine, but both of them makes it a big minus. Really the biggest highlight, and positive is the lack of Under New Management. I always knew it was bad, but never realized just how much it was ruining the whole attraction...I mean, it was packed, and people were enjoying it way more.

-Pirates! Blackbeard sucks. It's awful. Mumbly blurry lovejoy. Bring back Davy's awesome face and most importantly, the fantastic voice of BILL NIGHY! Also, Hat Pirate is missing his hats again.

-Angular Kids! The new Mansion queue is still awful. At the splitoff everyone is confused...And the only way cast members can describe is "It's kind of an interactive thing". Seriously. Mansion Butlers and Maids using the word interactive...And if that isn't bad enough, the hitch-hiking ghosts are gone and all that's there is a screen. (Seriously, the projector seams are awful, how can they not be calibrated to be seamless?) For a wonderful brief time we had the best Mansion in the world. Now, we have the worst. Sad, really.

-Fantasyland! Is filled with dirt and construction and stuff. Dumbo's building and tent is really coming along, it's pretty much fully built, just needs to be sealed up and Dumbothings built.

-Shopping! Emporium had some Tronorails, and so did Once upon a Toy. I'm sure other stores have them too, limited quantities though. They only have like 8 or so out on shelves there, and only 3 at Kingdom...My guess is they don't have that many and just restock them at the end of the day.

-Peoplemover! I like riding it!

-That's all!

OK, that's about it, on to the pictures!

Enjoy!
\(^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates23542#5644497716784877634

EpcotServo's Updates #2.34- Universal Afternoon Samba

2011-07-30T20:20:00.000-04:00

Hey there everyone! It's a like fine-update time, so click on cheese pine! (Cheese pine?)

UNIVERSAL

-Crowds were mild.

-ROTM, MIB, JAWS, etc....all still awesome.

-Treasure Room Update! Two out of three pop-up warriors are still not jumping out. Falling wall was working though.

-I've noticed this the last few times, but the dropping scarabs have not been dropping lately, and the projectors in the scarab room have been are getting washed out like the treasure room one...It doesn't look bad, but the result is that you still see the room when descending backwards.

-Team Members are still on the whole waaaayyyyyyyy better than they used to be. Keep it up!

-The "Wire-chomping" Shark was a no-show. Not surprising though since it just reopened from a short rehab a few days ago. Also the really great Skipper made up for it by using the grenade launcher to mimic the movie's ending. Well done!

-JAWS at night is also really cool! Never done it before. If only the flame wall still went up!

-Same as it ever was.

-Potterland and IOA is great and all...But Universal Studios needs more credit for being a great park!

OK, that's about it, except for the rest of it!

ENJOY!
(^ ^ )/

https://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSUpdates234UniversalAfternoonSamba#5635295098512445906

EpcotServo's Updates #2.33- It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Wizarding World (Part 2)

2011-07-16T20:47:00.001-04:00

Hey there everyone! Time for another Update, and if you think I'd be like the rest of the world and try and cash in on the Harry Potter craze...You're absolutely right! Click on, ye magic wizardy persons, and deposit yon credit card numbers in the enchanted comments!

UNIVERSAL

-No pictures due to rain. It was pouring for hours...But if you fought through it, no lines at anything! Walked right on MIB and Mummy!

-Construction for the Putt Putt Golfing is ongoing, and starting to go vertical.

-Do putt putt golf courses go vertical?

-T2:3D is still awesome, hilarious, hokey, and amazing all at the same time. It's that slice of stunning yet stinky cheese that assaults the senses that makes me love Universal! Potterland may make them think they're all sophisticated now, but I know Universal...Still making absurdly technical attractions that spray water on you for no good reason. Go see it again to remind yourself of what Universal does best!

IOA

-Potterland is awesome after it rains. AND Forbidden Journey was hardly a 15 minute wait!

-The projections in Three Broomsticks may have been off or broken, I didn't notice any.

-The Floo Powder smell was working, and smelly!

-I finally felt the part where your feet can sometimes be hit by a wall swerving into the Whomping Willow scene. A ride where you can unintentionally feel the scenery. INSANE AND AWESOME

-In the Common Room right before Merge, they added a new moving portrait that shows the benches, and how they move. Just a continuous loop of the bench moving around to show what the vehicles motion is like.

-Spiderman had two digital projectors installed, my guess as a bench test for the upcoming rehab. They look great, and will look better with updated animation.

-They are cracking down on glasses theft at Spiderman, they added a ton of more bins, and a loud "GOOD WORK TEAM, PLEASE DEPOSIT YOU'RE SAFETY GLASSES IN THE BINS" announcement in the exit hall. It's slightly patronizing and hilarious.

Good work team! Now on to the pictures!

https://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSUpdates233ItSAMadMadMadMadMadWizardingWorldPart2#5630104864603819874

EpcotServo's Updates #2.32- Do Androids Dream of Electric SSE?

2011-07-10T23:22:00.000-04:00

Hey there everybody! It's an Update time, so look under your seats for an Update! But first, let's use our words.

EPCOT

-Crowds were medium to light.

-Sad, there is officially no more TRON in the Mission Space shop.

-Living with the Land is still great

-Huh? Did you say something?

-Test Track! Everything was working except the cones and one half of the ABS review screen cameras.

-In the Spirited Beasts exhibit, they finally corrected the Rei sign that said she sometimes had a tale. Which, as being pretty much human, is just as susceptible to grow a tale than you and me. And never, ever sported a tale fake or otherwise. This has been corrected. You're welcome, America.

-Fun was had.

-I am just padding the Update at this point.

OK, that's all for that! Now on to this!

ENJOY!
(^ ^ )/

https://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSe...19893521437602

EpcotServo's Updates #2.31- The Startoursica Opens

2011-05-28T19:06:00.000-04:00

Heyo everybody! Ready for more Update? Well here it is!

STUDIOS

-Crowds were mild to medium.

-Star Tours is now open, and The Awesomeness Continues!

-Be fore-forewarned that this Update contains pictures of the queue. None good enough to warrant ruining your unspoilerness. If you are prespoiled, or do want queue spoilers, continue on. You shall be warned yet again.

-Over just the last few days of being open they've repainted some peeled areas in the hallways from Soft Openings, fixed the smoke effects on the Starspeeder, and added cool luggage tags to the baggage in the security room that looks like checked baggage stickers, with the barcodes and whatnot. Very cool. Glad to see they will continue to polish it for the time being.

-They were filming something by LMA.

-Star Tours merch is all pretty cool. Thought there would be more, but pleasantly surprised they didn't go overboard either. The Launch Collection stuff is great.

-That's about all!

-So go look at the pictures!

ENJOY!
\(^ ^)

https://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSUpdates231TheStartoursicaOpens#5611899779332376674

EpcotServo's Updates #2.30- Live and Let Ride

2011-05-22T17:20:00.000-04:00

Greetings world! Let's meet the brand new day with a few days-old-Update! Click on, stranger tides.

EPCOT

-Captain Eo still has more people per show than HISTA. Yep!

-Crowds were mild, as was the weather. (But now they're not.)

-Universe of Energy's signs are missing select words, namely all of them.

-EPCOT!

STUDIOS

-Star Tours is really, really, really, really x100 good. I didn't ride much else, because of this.

-See above

-Studios is really pretty at night.

-See above

-Other news, of interest.

Ok, that's about it! Thanks for reading the reading part, and enjoy the viewing of the viewing part!

ENJOY!
\(^ ^ )
https://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSUpdates230LiveAndLetRide#5609643443104388322

EpcotServo's Updates #2.29- Darkplace

2011-04-23T20:15:00.001-04:00

Greetings celestials! Ready to Update? Then hit the Update button and read on!

IOA

-Crowds were heavy, to...Uh, heavy.

-Waited the entire line of Forbidden Journey for the first time. (Posted at 60 Mins., got on in 70.) It actually wasn't bad...It moved very quick. Really well designed line.

-Spiderman is still awesome, everything was working.

-Frozen Butterbeer is indeed fantastic.

-IOA is REALLY pretty at night.

-And I took pictures of it.

-many pictures of it.

-And that's pretty much it.

OK, on to the pictures!

ENJOY!

(^ ^ )/

https://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSUpdates229Darkplace#5598928058326972450

EpcotServo's Updates #2.28- This Islands Earth

2011-04-10T23:28:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone, want to spend an evening in a UNIVERSAL way? Well let's do that then...Because we already did.

IOA

-Crowds weren't that bad about two hours before closing. No crowd control at all in Potterland. No lines for the shops except for the wand show, and Forbidden Journey was 45 minutes standby and around 10 to 15 minutes Single Riders.

-Forbidden Journey is still amazing. Rode it twice. Don't know if it was unusual or not that this effect was working, but one of the first Dementors has these air blasters below it that blow cold air at your legs and give you the shivers. Very cool!

-Saw my first breakdown on FJ. Was maybe 10 or 15 people away from getting on in the Single Riders line, just in view of the Room of Requirement when it stopped suddenly and the worklights flashed on. 7-8 minutes later it was started moving again and all was well.

-Took advantage of the light crowds and saw the wand show. Very cool. Would like to see it more, but A: It's kind of just a shopping pre-show, and B: the wait is very long, even when it isn't.

-FROZEN Butterbeer is freakin' amazing. I found me my favorite PotterlandDrink I believe. It's like a slurpee meets milkshake meets rootbeer. Wonderful.

-Overheard exiting Forbidden Journey: "Well that was worth the wait...and the price of admission."

-IOA is very pretty at sunset.

-So there's that.

UNIVERSAL

-Mardi Grass was very very busy.

-When in UNIVERSAL, visit the Monsters Cafe. It's amazing. Never eaten there, but it's full of MST3K stuff.

-Jimmy Neutron is ultra-closed.

-I really wish we had Hollywood's CityWalk.

-Fun!

OK, that's about it for the informative infojam. Now on to the plentiful pictures!

ENJOY!
(^ ^ )/

https://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSe...46100887134626

EpcotServo's Updates #2.27- Close Encounters of the Third Visit

2011-03-19T20:58:00.000-04:00

Heyyooo! Time for another Universal visit, this time an afternoon at Universal Studios and CityWalk to ride Alien Attack & E.T. before seeing PAUL. (Which is great, by the way.) Got a few pictures, so do a few clicks to see them!

UNIVERSAL

-Since the entirety of the human population was in Potterland, Universal Studios was nice and empty in the morning. Any crowds there were sucked up by the coaster, leaving the best rides empty!

-Speaking of best rides, Revenge of the Mummy

-Imhotep was working!

-This is a line of news, about a theme park.

-Was going to ride JAWS, but they were taking a boat offline and the line was stopped. Never seen that before!

-Men In Black Alien Attack is a really awesome ride. I feel like this has been forgotten. MIB and Midway Mania are the best possible interactive rides. Need not make any more. They have both bases covered.

-Seriously, I know many newunifans are PotterPeople, so I need to stress that you should go ride Alien Attack. It's pre show, queue, ride, shop, building...Awesome.

-Universal is loud. So loud. Universal is like me when I think someone isn't paying attention to a good movie...I turn up the volume.

-And I think it would go...something...like this:

-YOU'RE ON A UNIVERSAL RIDE!!! IT'S AWESOME! YOUR SOULS!!! LOOOK AT THE FIRE!!! ISN'T THIS AMAZING! LOUD NOISES!!!!

-Speaking of which, The Simpsons Ride is still pretty good. A good walk-on ride like BTTF was. Don't wait for it, because there are a billion pre-shows as it is.

-E.T. has a ridiculously cool queue. Why isn't the ride as good?

-One of E.T.'s homeworld aliens, which are nightmareish hellspawn creatures with demented faces that look like they've been dragged from the underworld, and make even Cthulu, lord of darkness, look cute, was missing.

-As long as it's missing, it may save children from seeing the horror...the horror.

-There's only one thing left to do...PUSH THE RED BUTTON!

-Not into Mardi Gras, but the Studio Store has a REALLY nice dated AP pin for it, fellow Passholders. Ask for it by name!

-The Rip Rider Coaster stops and gets cycled a bunch, doesn't it?

-Watching Star Trek: The Next Generation...Hold on.

-Where was I?

-Ok, yeah, I'm done.

So that's about it, on to the pictures!

Enjoy!
( ^ ^)/

https://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSe...42389855305858

EpcotServo's Updates #2.26- Universal Century

2011-03-14T01:20:00.002-04:00

Hey everybody and welcome to a huge supersized UNIVERSAL UPDATE! That's right, finally returning to Universal and IOA. And not just returning, pass-holding! Meaning you can expect Universal Updates just as much as Disney updates, laziness permitting. But enough with the chit-chat we got an incredible new ride and land to talk about, old favorites to visit, and tons of pictures to clicky through! Hold on to your butts, because it's UPDATE TIME!

IOA

-This park has received has gone through a crucible over the summer with Potter. Holy cow, I've NEVER seen IOA run so efficiently, effectively, and guest-friendly. Crowd Control, greeters, additional turnstyles and ticket windows, people managing the lines and more friendly interaction and good guest service than I've EVER seen in USO. It's amazing. The park is clean, everything is working, all seasonal shops and restaurants are opened. It's so crowded there now full time that the Team Members know how to make things go smooth, and know that positive interaction keeps people in good spirits. No longer a half empty park with slow passive aggressive TMs and closed shops and restaurants, IOA is running as smooth and positive as the WDW parks. I guess they've seen what's it like to be in demand now, and are taking the responsibility that WDW takes with being crowded year round.

-And seriously, I can't stress enough- maybe it was the bonus, but the Team Members at Universal are head's above what I've seen in the last few years. Friendly, efficient, and know what they should be doing. I'm really happy to be a passholder now, and I'm hoping this more-stellar-than-usual atmosphere amongst the ranks keeps up.

-Spiderman still rocks. I hope they do a digital rehab though, that would be nice.

-In another round of good operations, in both parks, Single Riders was operating at all SR attractions.

-The park really looks great, everything is painted and lots of mechanical and environmental effects were working, such as the moving props in Toon Lagoon and the Mist in Jurassic Park.

POTTER

-WARNING! Spoilers ahead. If you haven't been there you may want to avoid the next section so I don't overhype/underhype anything for you.

-Still there?

-Ok.

-So the whole thing is really amazing. As it should be known, I'm not a big Potter fan. I've read all the books, seen all the movies, and aside from Azkaban and Goblet of Fire, I've never really been obsessed over it, and enjoy razzing it immensely. So aside from my thoughts that it's all quite overhyped, I LOVE Pottertown. (I love making names for it as well.) It's amazing. You can't help but go "wow" when you reach that middle part of the street where the castle and buildings tower over you.

-What makes it so cool is that it's fully realized. The merch is all cannon, and feels real. Everything is well done and looks complete and fits right in. The effects all feel natural and in place. The show is complete, from the costumes and buildings, all the way down to the drinks and the signs. My only wish is that we would see more of this in Theme Parks, where the world is fully realized and everything is cannon and feels real.

-Universal needed this. This is like Kingdom. It's something that will ALWAYS bring in money. Seriously...People will be buying $100 ROBES IN SUMMER, and they'll be ENJOYING IT. Insane.

-Speaking of insane, let's move on to Forbidden Journey, the landmark attraction that was designed by the criminally insane.

-Seriously. From the lockers, to the fact that you're swinging around 30ft in the air having your soul sucked out, this ride was designed by insane people. There's a speedramp, to get on a speedramp, to get on a sideways vehicle, attached to a robot arm located in another room, moving at full show speed. I literally can not think of a sane person who would actually see this through blue sky phase. At some point, a man in the design room must've broke out laughing thinking "We're not actually going to build this, are we?"

And they did.

And it's every bit as insane as it was then. One of my favorite parts is that you realize you're having a hard time looking around, only to realize you've been looking at the ceiling this whole time, and you're moving forward on your back. It's crazy. It does go a mile a minute, and the first time you ride it, you have NO CLUE as to what is happening because of the speed and the sheer shock value of all the scenes. (Fun note: I screamed like Bender when the dementor swings by really close and gets right in your face. Genuine girlscream due to the large scary thing like five feet from your face.)

So the ride is amazing, but is Universal through and through. You're thrown, flown, spit on, torched, dropped, hit, whacked, spun, twisted, turned, layed down, tossed backwards, and have your soul literally sucked out of your face. Like Universal itself, that's it's upside and it's downside. It's as insane as the people who built it.

So where do I rank it? I rank it in the Trio of Forbidden Awesomeness.

LET IT BE KNOWN HENCEFORTH, that these three attractions are all amazing, fun, detailed, and generally awesome. Each one has different strengths and weaknesses, but in the field of best rides in America, they stand equally as the three winners. I have my favorite, and you may have yours, but if you recognize one you must recognize the other two, AS THE TRIO OF FORBIDDEN AWESOMENESS.

Indiana Jones Adventure and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye

Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

-The queue is amazing and all, but man is Single Riders great. It's got to be the fastest Single Rider queue I've ever been in.

-Butterbeer is really fantastic. We just went to have one to say we did, but holy cow it's great. It's basically a cream soda, but it really hits the spot. And the mug gets you cheaper refills and eighty nine cent soda refills everywhere else they told us. Great deal!

-Guest service and Team Members again here are amazing. They deal with so many people so wonderfully. I would lose my mind, but they all have smiles and stay in show. Another great guest service was in Honeydukes, a candy shop packed with people paying already, and I thought "gee, I'd just like a taste of something while I walk through", and sure enough someone came out with samples! How great is that?

-The shops are all so crowded, but it seems like because EVERYONE is feeling cramped, people are more polite and co-operative than usual. The merch is all fantastic (Though there is nothing Forbidden Journey marked...) and it's all so quality and so right in place in the land that I can only imagine a real Harry Potter fan would go insane. (*Still not as insane as the designers of Forbidden Journey.)

-Wand shopping is very satisfying and cool, it's fun to pull out a box and look inside. Plus when they had taskers to help people find the appropriate wand it was even funner to see which one corresponds to your birthdate.

-So, I think that's about everything Potterland, and I gotta' say, bravo to Universal on this one. Harry Potter may be overrated to me, but I think Universal's land has mostly earned it's absurd popularity, and even though I've now spent lots of time there, I get excited thinking about returning, which is a mark of a good attraction.

UNIVERSAL

-Universal also looked great!

-Imhotep was working on Mummy! Hurray! Haven't seen him work in forever.

-JAWS was particularly great with an awesome skipper.

-Cyberdyne no longer has the good range of cool stuff it used to have.

-awww.

-Only at Universal will you hear "Killer Queen" playing in the restaurants.

-Which are quite good by the way, Universal's burgers, chicken, fries, and stuff are usually pretty good.

-Men In Black Alien Attack is still great!

-I am so tired I am incapable of any more Theme Park Thought

-Imma go lay down for awhile

OK, that's it- Enjoy the Updateshow!

https://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSe...53616055915682

I'd like to add one last quick message most different from the usual annoying antics, and really it needn't be said, but if you haven't thought about it yet I want to URGE each of you to please support Japan in their time of crisis in any way you can. Japan has given me and many others alot of happiness, and I never once doubt their ability to get through this, but now is one of those times a little help can go a long way. Think about it, won't you? Thank you.

http://www.ifrc.org/

EpcotServo's Updates #2.25- Forever February

2011-02-21T17:29:00.000-05:00

Heyo everybody! How's it going? Feeling fine and ready for Updatetime? Well click on, McDuff!

ANIMAL KINGDOM

-Crowds light to Medium

-I had heard everything in Countdown was working, this was wrong. The entry laser and fog was working, but all the usual stuff +the entry doors were still SBNO

-Just to get it out the way, Yeti A-show, Vulture, Steam, New Roof Mist, and Waterfall B all no-show.

-Much worse than that, they were running Five Trains which cascades the ride in the worst way.

-However, the ride is still awesome and everyone still applauds after the ride. And not in the fake, getting-people-to-applaud-themselves way like in ROTM.

-Save the Turtles

-Animal Kingdom is such a great park.

-So the Trek thing is as bad as I thought it would be. Added lots of bulky railings and trails everywhere, and generally makes those areas look less wild than they should. Overall I can't say it's as detracting from the ride as the cut-out spiel and ending, as that is much worse, but is still annoying enough to tick off us Animal Kingdom purists.

-It would have made me more mad had the Safari not been so awesome. The parade was going on, so there was basically no trucks on the line. Meaning we could stop and watch the animals, and take our time. It was a really good one. Plus, the driver said "Poli Poli...Very slowly." over the collapsing bridge. Great driver.

-New sign at Tamu Tamu

-That's pretty much Itu Itu

EPCOT

-The SSE legs aren't matching and it's blatant bad show that offends and confuses everyone entering the park, and is emblematic of the company's problem.

-HA HAHAHA! Ohhh, I'm just kidding. Who talks like that? Yeah, no...It's really not that big of a deal and nobody even notices. It took me awhile to notice, and even then I didn't really care. It'll probably get re-painted or something in the next few weeks.

-Flower and Garden must be starting soon, as there is an increasing amount of Flowers and Gardens.

-Crowds were light, and the full moon was beautiful.

-I'll be there, waiting under the Cherry Blossoms

-Mission Space is still fun.

-Mission Space Cargo Bay is still the BEST store for TRON at WDW. While other stores only have a display-full of leftover merch, Cargo Bay had been freshly stocked with brand new items (And I mean brand new. I cleared them out of a super rare new item, the Rinzler variant of the basic flyable disc.) They also had a new DisneyParks TRON shirt and hat, as well as some of the classic TRON merch. I think they could be testing how well the TRON merch sells in a high-traffic thrill ride gift shop, but it may just be that it sold the best in that location, so they are making Cargo Bay the premiere spot for TRON. Either way, check it out.

-Spaceship Earth still goes round and round, up then down & out.

-Yes.

OK, that's about it...On to the Picturefest!

ENJOY!
\(^ ^ )

https://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSe...49829047579986

EpcotServo's Updates #2.24- The Magic, The Memories, The Goings Ons

2011-01-30T16:30:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone, long time no Update! Let's do this thing, the way we do it!

KINGDOM

-Crowds were light and fruity, fresh and tootie.

-The....What's it called again? The....Whatever it's called Memories celebration is ongoing.

-I don't remember, I don't recall. I have no memories, of anything at all!

-The majority of cool TRON merch is gone, sold out, or just plain vanished most everywhere except for a handful of diecasts, lightcycles, and books. It must have sold well because there's no overstock, but I guess not well enough to warrant keeping an abundance of stock.

-Tigger's Bounce Zone Area was closed, but this did not keep kids from sneaking in, and getting evicted when Cast Members found out.

-Mansion's turnstyles are all gone in preparation for the Mansion Queue's New Groove.

-40th Merch is pretty good, and most everywhere.

-Listen to the Land, we all love. Nature's plan will shine above.

-Hats were most certainly there on the Hat Pirate.

-Big Thunder was running alot of trains.

-And the Railroad was running few trains, really fast...

-What does it mean?

-Tiki Room was maximum closed.

-AquaDuck

-The weather was beautiful.

-The Magic, The Memories, and You has respectively Started, Happened, and Is.

-It's a very cool show, and I like it, but it's clear it needs to be part of an actual show instead of a kind-of-weird-proto-show. After it ended, in a PACKED hub, there was virtually no applause whatsoever. I mean NOTHING. I went to clap...but there was no clapping. It's like nobody really knew just quite what they saw, or why they waited for it. It's like they were kind of just waiting for Wishes, and that show happened to run while they were waiting. I'm not saying this as an observation that they didn't like it, it just seemed to inspire very little excitement. It was really bizarre.

-I think the banner thing at the station also looks very good.

OK, that's about it. On to the Visual Accouterments!

ENJOY!
<(^ ^ )

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSUpdates224TheMagicTheMemoriesTheGoingsOns#5568081081783948866

EpcotServo's Updates #2.23- An EPCOT by any other name

2010-12-04T16:32:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone, and welcome to another Update! It's December now, so let's talk a day-long walk and see what pictures it brings us! But first, the speechofacts.

EPCOT

-Crowds medium. Never seemed to get really crowded, lines pretty short as well.

-It's Christmas at EPCOT, and it still doesn't feel like it without the Lights of Winter.

-ImageWorks is no longer really a thing

-Japan has new Totoro plates, for the well-to-do animation eater in you.

-Candlelight is back, and got to see Corbin Bernson of Pysch fame. (From afar of course, would never wait in giant lines for Candlelight. Same show, so I'm ok with just passing it, maybe stopping for a song or two. Does that make me a bad person?)

-LOVE ME!

-There is a new EPCOT Shirt, with Spaceship Earth at sunset and says "The Dawn of a new Disney Era." like on the old promo books we all have.

-Lots of Drunken guys be annoying as always.

-You're gonna' want to watch those force fields

-Soarin' is still fun.

-Mission SPACE has the best assortment of TRON Legacy goods I've seen on property. Pretty much all the Spinmaster toys, Disney's own hoodie and T-Shirt, Kid's pajamas, the Hurley shirts, New Era hats, and the Adidas lightcycle jacket.

-Which I now have.

-And is awesome.

-Still, this begs the question that if MOUSEGEAR has nothing TRON, why on earth is Mission Space so on the ball?

-The new silver railings are all around the Fountain of Nations.

-Both of those things I forgot to get pictures of.

-Sorry. m(_ _)m

OK, that's about all for talking...Now for visualizing!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSUpdates223AnEPCOTByAnyOtherName#5546929483326634034

EpcotServo's Updates #22- Hetalia World Showcase Powers

2010-11-15T21:15:00.001-05:00

Hey there everybody! Went to the park of EPCOT last night, and here is yon photographic results! But alas, first the wordages!

EPCOT

-Christmas is here, but Lights and Winter are not.

-Crowds are mild to heavy. With extra zesty sauce.

-Haven't been there since the new Cantina was open. Didn't see any aliens playing funky music when I walked past. F-

-There are pavilions representing different countries.

-Captain Eo is still Here-E-O

-Saw the Duffys. Duffies. Duffi. Didn't go near the meet-n-greet or shop though.

-MouseGear has rehab walls, but no TRON.

-Food and Wine festival was closing, it looked to have many foods and wines.

-It's called "Inception".

-Weather was good.

-And the band played on.

OK, that's about it. Now on to the Picturescene!

ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSUpdates22HetaliaWorldShowcasePowers#5539952814870623106

EpcotServo's Updates #21- Return to Studios

2010-11-04T23:21:00.001-04:00

Hey there teen gang! Some Studios stuff to return too, so let's do just that!

STUDIOS

-Crowds were medium to heavy due to ultra-stink Fantasmic! Nights.

-Rain was rainy, clouds cloudy

-One Man's Dream remained closed all morning but opened mid-afternoon. Not much is different, but there is new signage, painting, carpets, and some new sights to see.

-RNR was open and seemed fine. Some new gates at the Unload area that can kind of seal off the unload area between arriving trains. They were all open, so I'm not sure if they are or will be automatic or not.

-Pixar Place has a few new PIXAR shirts and hoodies.

-Yes, that is pretty much it.

-How many podcasts have to cover this kind of news again?

-Saw one or two of the trams had their Disneyland style doors installed.

Ok, that's all for the words part. Now to use all the other parts of the Update!

ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSUpdates21ReturnToStudios#5535890612068433970

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates - Part 7 FINALE: Get him to the Geek

2010-10-26T17:42:00.000-04:00

You've seen things... A Disneyland with awesome rides. Two actual Studios. A Submarine with a silly face. So many memories...lost in Updates. Time to conclude...the thrilling ElecTRONic, surprise in the skies packed FINALE of...

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates- The Return:
We can (Not) Have Nice Things!

ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdatesPart7FINALEGetHimToTheGeek#5532447333460839442

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates- Part 6: Starway to Heaven

2010-10-24T19:01:00.001-04:00

Join me in Part 6, as the CALIFORNIA Updates almost draw to a close! But before the Finale, explore with me for the first time,UNIVERSAL STUDIOS! The HOLLYWOOD version! Great little park, with an awesome attraction, the Studio Tour! Even with a tour guide so awesome he went through the Mummy tunnel and narrated it like it was Inception! Plus a great Mummy and Jurassic Park, and a my favorite downtown/shopping/entertainment theme park district I've ever visited: Universal Citywalk Hollywood! (2 would be Downtown Disney at Disneyland, 3 Downtown Disney WDW, and 4 Universal Citywalk Florida.) Why #1? Comic book shop and easy to get and great fast food! Plus there's even a GameStop and Hot Topic! That was playing Tegan & Sara! And back on the tour, an amazing King Kong with Peter Jackson and WETA! That and many more exclamations in Part 6!

All why I can't recommend Universal Studios Hollywood enough!

"See the Movies, Ride the Stars!"
-Edgar Wright

ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdatesPart6StarwayToHeaven#5531696195783499682

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates - Part 5: Raiders of the Lost Vault Disney

2010-10-22T21:12:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone, it's time for another thrilling-ish installment from the Epic CALIFORNIA Trip! On this episode, we're invited into the very heart of Disney, the Walt Disney Studios! Join me as we visit where pretty much everything about Disney has happened, ever! Even adventuring inside the fantastic and fantaboulus treasure rooms of Disney, known as the DISNEY ARCHIVES!

And then, after a taping at CBS and a harrowing LA traffic ride away, say goodnight and goodbye to Disneyland park as at Mickey's Halloween Candy, and take as much as candy as you can! The trip's end is getting closer, and the stakes are getting higher!

ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdatesPart5RaidersOfTheLostVaultDisney#5531034877536761538

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates- Part 4: Monday Monday Monday

2010-10-21T15:48:00.000-04:00

In this episode, join EpcotServo after he gets a cold from walking in the rain! Encounter less pictures than the last three updates! Even know what his opinion is on Captain Eo! Really just a prelude to the next one! Happens on a Monday! And be jealous they he had In-N-Out Burgers on that day,and didn't share any with you!

The wheel of fate is turning!

ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdatesPart4MondayMondayMonday#5530582930365677554

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates - PART 3: Worlds of Color

2010-10-18T20:37:00.001-04:00

Let's turn back the clocks to sunday and take a look through arguably one of the biggest picture Updates of the trip. Some of what I have on deck here:

-A look at World of Color after the show. Needless to say, amazing and fountainy

-Mulan

-Lots of Condor Flats (and Condor Cat)

-Many things that will be gone. ANNNNDDDD it'sgone!

-Space Mountain and Mansion Holiday

-Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, which is REALLY great.

-Nightstuff

-Some of my favorite shots of the trip

-Submarine Hilarity

-One of those ones where there is so many pictures the captions start to get boring

-And so much, much, much more!

Let's jump in and take a look at some Worlds of COLOR!

ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdatesPart3WorldsOfColor#5529534358329984722

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates- PART 2: Disneyland After Dark!

2010-10-13T17:11:00.001-04:00

Time for another Updatin'time! This time...Disneyland Day 2! Lots to get here, so get on and get it!

In this Update you'll see:

-Murals Manically Menacing Magic!

-ElecTRONica being built!

-Disneyland after Disneyland!

-Excalibur!

-Space Mountain projecting, but not really doing the whole show thing you saw last year.

-Magic stuff at night!

-Lots of Pictures!

-And not much more!

ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdatesPart2DisneylandAfterDark#552762721 7594729234

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates: Part 1- Everything Cool in 30 hours or less

2010-10-11T17:15:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! And welcome to the grandest Update of them all! On October 1st, 2010-there began a trip that would cross of all Los Angeles on a vacation unlike no other! Now get ready to cross the space-time continuum, and journey back, to relive an adventure unlike anything you've ever seen before! Except for the things you have seen before!

Lost Horizon Pictures presents...

EPCOTSERVO'S
CALIFORNIA UPDATES
THE RETURN
We can (Not) have Nice Things

Featurning Guest Appearances by...

Edgar Wright

Michael Cera

Jamie Hyneman

Robby Benson

Satya Bhabha

Craig Ferguson

Anna Kendrick

Dave Thomas

Mae Whitman

Bill Pope

Brandon Routh

Paige O'Hara

Mark Webber

Chris Hardwick

Johnny Simmons

Adam Savage

Michael Bacall

Aubrey Plaza

Don Hahn

Brie Larson

Glean Kean

Geoff Peterson

Alfred Molina

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

And the entire cast of ElecTRONica

PART 1
Everything Cool in 30 Hours or Less

Day 1 began at 4AM in the morning, eastern standard time. It would end 6AM the next day, eastern standard time. In nearly 30 hours we went from Orlando, to Disneyland, to a little revival theater in Hollywood. Join me now, as we take those first steps into a brave new world...Where we've technically been before...

and ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSer...82074249379170

EpcotServo's Updates STAR TOURS SPECIAL: Adventure Time!

2010-09-08T23:44:00.000-04:00

Hey there everyone and welcome to a very special STAR TOURS SPECIAL, super huge finale adventure time Kingdom Studios Update! Why so special? Well, first of all Star Tours' last flight. And the other reason is that the next time it will be Updatetime will be EPIC.

Why?

DISNEYLAND.

But that's for later. In the future. In the now, let's get down too it!

KINGDOM

-Crowds medium to light early in the morning.

-Walked on Space Mountain. The music is an improvement on silence, but still is sub-par. Now it's just like being in a mosh pit, getting bruised and battered in the darkness to rave music with no beat or rhythm. Not for lack of composing, but for lack of timing and sound quality. Just when you can hear the music you've rushed past it and lose the melody. But it fails mostly because the whole ride is still rough and uncomfortable, and just...sub-par. Sorry Space Mountain. I am always rooting for you.

-PAGING MR.MORROW is back on the peoplemover. News to me, as I heard more freaking out about it leaving than notice it had returned.

-Mansion still looks great.

-Fantasyland is Dirt City.

-Seriously, messed up.

-Big Thunder's earthquake scene was in bad shape. No special lighting, or movement.

-Magic Kingdom has a hall filled with Presidents.

-The hat Pirate was hatful again, not hat-less! (Said in Bullwinkle voice)

-All decorated for Halloween.

-Nice.

-Extremely hot.

STUDIOS

-Crowds light.

-Sun set around evening, then became cooler and darker.

-Tower was back to itself again, using the Nightastic Cameras like I asked, and restoring the eyeball to showing you. It's awesome! And combined with proper script and random drops, totally rocks! Rhyme!

-Coaster is a hoot in the back

-Midway Mania's exit gates does indeed screw everything up. The added time of the new gates opening and the Cast Members reaching the vehicles slows the WHOLE thing down to terrible slowness. You won't get it until you sit in a vehicle and realize how quick you USED to get out of the car.

Not to mention the ride was messed up too because of the added time, and stopped us in the wrong spot in the prize scene and it has generally caused havoc upon how fast and smooth they had the ride running before.

-STAR TOURS!

The final flight was amazing. The people who showed up for the actual guest closing of the ride was a great mix of Ex-Star Tours Cast Members and aficionados who were really devoted to the ride. While Disney decided to focus their PR engine and money on pleasing their glorified Magazine subscribers, this crowd was here because they felt they had to be there, NOT entitled to be there. As a certain French Star Tours researcher would say, and have translated, "They belong here more than we do!"

-I love that last movie I referenced.

-Got Sim 2, Row 1 for the last flight. They loaded all the simulators at one time so everyone got the last flight. The PA went over the cabins before REX came on thanking us for flying on the last flight to Endor, and "Flying with Star Tours for all these years"

Needless to say, it was so much fun. A weird combintain of Hilarity, Screaming and shouting, applause, and "Awwww..."s.

-I miss Star Tours already.

-That's it.

-Have a good'n.

OK, that's about it...

ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSUpdatesSTARTOURSSPECIALAdventureTime#5514737073383411442

EpcotServo's California Updates: The Return

2010-09-08T20:54:00.000-04:00

Coming Soon!

October 1st-9th I will be away to collect the craziest, wildest, and possible greatest Update ever. What's in store? Disneyland. DCA. World of Color. Mickey's Halloween Treat. Universal Studios Hollywood. ElecTRONica. El Captain. And even...Well, there are a few more incredible places that our on the list.

AND for the first time ever in California- EpcotServo's Updates will be in high resolution with the new Camera-offering the finest in poor quality Disneyland pictures I have offered thus far!

Stay tuned to the UpdatePage, and Twitter for the latest while I prepare for what may be the most epic trip into the hills of Hollywood ever attempted...(By me.)

EpcotServo's Updates #12= Endless 8

2010-08-09T23:05:00.001-04:00

Got another Update from the DISTANT past...of...LAST FRIDAYYYY! OoOooOOOoooOOO! Got TONS to get to, so let's. Get to it, that is.

STUDIOS

-Crowds Medium.

-Quorra TRON LEGACY billboard up by Pixar Place. Sam Flynn also has one along the Tram route in the parking lot.

-Muppets still looks great!

-Played the new Midway Mania game with a clearer projection, it's a blast!

EPCOT

-Crowds medium to light.

-Eo is still great. Caught it at an off time, so there wasn't very many people in it, but unlike HISTA those in attendance applauded and cheered for the show. Favorite moment was seeing a child wave goodbye to Fuzzball at the end. I really think the younger set isn't as jaded and cynical about the show as the internet is, and actually genuinely enjoy it.

-Saw more than a few people wearing Eo shirts, and there's a new magnet and keychain with the poster on it.

-Mexico restaurant is coming along.

-Yes, have some.

-Via Napoli interior is nice. Didn't eat there, Didn't really care, but took a few pictures to enjoy.

-The new Japan exhibit is really cool, and seems to be WAY more popular than the photography one. Had to move aside MANY times whilst taking pictures so kids could see what was in the displays. Plus lots of Adults enjoying it too, and not in a snarky way. I have a few qualms with wording and such, but as an Anime and Japanese Legend fan, It's a pretty fair mix of both and appeals to a general audience without talking down to them.

That's about it, ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSer...98042321699090

EpcotServo's Updates #11- Streets Ahead

2010-08-03T20:54:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone, now is the time for Update! Shall we dance?

DAK

-Crowds Medium to Heavy. Mostly heavy, packed, and uncomfortable...

-It was Extra Magic Hours, explaining the above.

-Some new Everest shirts, nothing TOO fantastic. But the awesome red jacket is back, meaning fall is on it's way!

-Everest Effects rundown: Steam was working, Waterfall A working, Vulture Working. New mist, waterfall B, and Yeti all SBNO.

-Did I mention it was hot and crowded?

STUDIOS

-Crowds medium to light.

-Last Tour to Endor is on the billboard out front.

-The New Midway Mania additions are great! Unfortunately the projectors for the new game were wonky, but it was still pretty great and I'll see it again this weekend. I love the addition of Trixie and Buttercup!

-Getting sadder and sadder riding Star Tours and knowing it's going away.

-Muppets still looks great. All three balcony arrows were working, as were the fireworks and fog. Only thing missing is still the burning rubber.

-So this was my first ride on the new Tower event...and what can I say? It's Nightastic! Meaning it isn't that great. Things I like: Green lights in the shaft, lighting going off in the boiler room. Things I didn't like: The elimination of the signature "Tower of Terror" line, the whole fifth dimension curtain overlay, and the continual showing of your picture.

It's like HEY! WE TOOK A PICTURE! DIDJA SEE YOUR PICTURE!

Things that were just alright: The Drop Profile. It was alright. Nice if they add it to the existing 4. It's nice temporary, but they need to just do the new photo effect in the giant eye that's in the 5th Dimension...not just cover it in curtains.

-Didn't see anything Nightastic! as the sun did not set before the park closed.

OK, that's it! Enjoy the pictures!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSer...37182336036898

EpcotServo's Updates #10: EO No You Didn't!

2010-07-02T20:43:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone, time for an extra-Captain Eo-Updatetime! Lots to get to, so let's all put on our flame-proof-Moonwalk suits and return to The Updates! Everyone, Let's do our best!

EPCOT

-So the park opened promptly at 8:45 strictly for people going to the opening of Captain Eo. Ok...So ALOT of people ignored the "Only people going to see Captain Eo" part and kept walking straight to Soarin'. Silly tourists!

-They've cleaned up the Magic Eye Theater entrance and added a Captain Eo Marquee that should make any passing tourist take notice and head in. Nice!

-They weren't running Fastpass for everyone, but they are ready to use it on crowded days.

-The lobby is mostly the same as it's been since 82, with new carpet and nice Eo signage.

-Here is where they had a ribbon set up across the photocell area, and soon had the area filled with Guests, Cast Members, and all kinds of Disneytypes. The ambassadors were there, and along with Mickey the VP of Epcot welcomed us back to Captain Eo. The best part was that they had it flanked with original Opening Crew for the show, and it was a really cool melting pot of Eo fans excited for the Epcot return.

-Interestingly noted, Kodak isn't mentioned not a wink in the entire attraction. Weird...

-The show is great! The lighting really shines in ours, and I encourage you to sit in the middle front to be immersed in the show, but to watch it again from the back to see how they illuminated every scene with LED spotlights that are a fry cry more amazing than any lighting in the original. The only real missing effect is the stars behind the screen, but they make up for it in projections. Again, the lighting immerses you in the show in a way no YouTube video can. Gold flashes over one section of the theater when he flashes the shirt, and energy ripples from the back to front at the transformation. And fans of the starball will note they used a starball-like lighting effect from Hista to cast "Moving Starlight" at the end of the transformation. Works for me!

Also, the sound is fantastic. You'll hear every bit crystal clear, and deeply booming. And so sue me, the moving floor is just awesome! Once more, using HISTA effects better than HISTA used, sneezes and "whips" included.

Go see it.

That is all.

-New Retro Shirts are in. Get em' while they're...retro?

-Crowds Medium to Heavy.

-Toy Story 3 was a great movie.

-New Exhibit moving into Japan. Again. See pictures for Color Commentary.

-Awkward will now be defined as the "Deep-Sea Oil Rig scene in Universe of Energy"

-I'm getting really tired of writing all this.

-Eo is not on the maps, but is on the time guides.

-I'm sure lots of other things happened today.

Ok, that's about it. ENJOY! (^^; )

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSer...54913782714882

EpcotServo's Interim Update #9- Summer Wars

2010-05-21T21:22:00.001-04:00

Hey everybody! Followed the crowds to the first day of Star Wars Weekends, and survived the crowds and lines to get just enough pictures for an Update. And I got some really cool news, and a full Muppets review, so let's jump right in!

STUDIOS

-Crowds extremely heavy like crazy go nuts.

-Really like the Star Wars Weekends logo.

-So getting major disappointments out of the way, you know that Star Tours Boarding Party Action Figure Set Disney said that would be available for Star Wars Weekends? Well after waiting two hours in line, turns out, they hadn't gotten it in yet. Y'know, wouldn't it just be great if they ever actually did the things they said they were gonna' do?

-Speaking of which, the store setup is a nightmare in AFI this year. About a cubic foot of shopping space, and a metric s*#ton of line. The amount of shopping space is so small, the line is just nightmareishly long. The Cast are doing an amazing job of planning and crowd control and get nothing but five stars (Save for the getting the things they said they'd have issue) but the venue is highly toxic and a new situation needs to be found next year.

-Ok, so the big news: At the exit of the shop, a display case shows off some exclusive Celebration merchandise. The big item: A repaint of the Starspeeder electronic toy model, in the new "Starspeeder 1000" model as seen in the Star Tours 2 Concept Art. It's the same toy, but the preview packaging and awesome new paintjob makes it wantable! On the downside, it's limited of 10,000 and will only be for sale at the Star Tours event and Celebration.

-Muppets Rehab Review Summary: Amazing! It's like seeing Muppetvision for the millionth time again for the first time!

-Preshow: Thankfully unchanged. There are the new boxes over the TVs, and the image is restored but was SUPER washed out. Everything was yellow/green or bright white. Needs fine tuning!

-Exit/Entry corridors have been repainted.

-Brand new carpet, and new comfy seat cushions!

-The Film is astounding. It is most definitely is Digital. You just can't get that crisp and clear an image, and the color and depth is almost breathtaking to the hardcore Muppetvision fan. I mean, you can actually read "Cats for Rent", and Honeydew's coat glowed bright white the colors are so bright! There is still some "Ghosting" (An Artifact where the item in this particular style of 3-D begins to "double" when in extreme close depth. So it's the little ghost of an image you see when Waldo's nose comes really close, or when Fuzzball flies out towards you.) This can only occur when Two projectors are in use, so the evidence in my mind concludes that they remastered the prints of both sets, and are using the old method of using two projectors. Then voila, you can use the same glasses, same 3-D, just now in digital quality. That's my bet.

-Right and left wall panels all look great and work, except for the Destroyed panels on the back left of the theater.

-Sound needs to be adjusted in Penguin Pit, and both balcony sections. It sounds like new speakers, but the audio was a little too quiet in these sections. Film audio was fine.

-For the first time in forever, the Penguin orchestra sections are perfectly level.

-Water was not working, or not working very well.

-Bubbles are plentiful, but start too early. Adjustment needed!

-Fans for the VaccuMuppet back from the dead as well.

-No Burning Rubber waldo today.

-Stadler's arm actually moves and gestures again. Second Bean head working, and bean working as intended. These AA's are back to working like they should!

-Fireworks were working, but center two were very faint.

-Yes, there are two sweetums.

-No, this isn't new.

-They moved the bins at exit from Four up front-to two bins in the old location, and two farther up the ramp. I think this congests it up too much, and isn't really collecting more glasses.

-All in all: Great rehab. The new film is simply amazing, and will astound Muppet Labs Regulars. Alot of things need tweaking, so hopefully they'll eventually get things working regularly again-But consider this classic pretty much restored.

-The Star Tours shop will only get more crowded

-Think about that

-RNR was back from rehab, no real noticeable difference.

OK, that's about it. On to the pictures, and enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSInterimUpdate9SummerWars#5473878626837618210

And an Operational Note: I've been rather pleased with the levels of quality-or should I say, mediocrity, of the infrequent Interim Updates-so look for The Update name (Sans Interim) to return for a revamped, redone, and recycled EpcotServo's Updates! The Interim will be over after the Grand Finale 10th Interim Update! Look forward to it! Or not! see you! maybe!

EpcotServo's Interim Update #8 - Iron May 2

2010-05-09T20:25:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone, and welcome to another Update! Got some pictures from Friday, and now that the Iron Man is a playin', and the Mothers are a Dayin', let's check out some Studios!

STUDIOS

-Crowds medium to light, not too bad.

-Nothing new at Midway Mania yet, save for new red lights in the track bed at Load/Unload, and Lotso at the Pixar Place Gift Shop.

-Tron, and Prince of Persia starting to get ads on the Backlot Tour.

-In a frustrating move, you can no longer just walk through the Art of Disney to get inside Animation, and have to go through a queue and around through the courtyard.

- Muppets is closed, but no walls or signs of activity out front.

-Mist was on in the Tower Queue, thank goodness. Looks great.

-No changes on Tower either. Ever gonna' get that new stuff for Nightastic?

-RNR Stratocastor still under tarps.

-All around the park met and saw TONS of great Cast Members. Studios' Cast Members are seriously the best some days.

-In a wouldn't believe had I seen it myself, there's an effect that's either new, or hasn't worked in near 20 years of going to Studios. It's on Min and Bill's, towards the bow of the ship. Every Five Minutes now, a canon like device, PITCHES out water off the side of the ship, out on the lagoon and even a little on the street. It looks like someone pitching out a bucket of water. Also on the back is a smaller fountain effect, of a hose just spraying water off the back bow. Weird.

-Iron Man 2 and Toy Story 3 Merch is all over Studios. (Iron Man stuff mostly at Legends of Hollywood)

OK, on to the pictures.

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSer...18305725661714

EpcotServo's Interim Update #7- Pirates of the Très Bien

2010-04-24T17:12:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody! Been a long time since an update. Where was I you ask? Good question. I was stuck in the Black Hole with a Robot that sounded like a hick. After dismantling it with extreme prejudice, I found myself back in the parks. And if you stop asking so many questions, I might just dedicate this next update to ya'll!

....and we so dedicate.

STUDIOS

-Crowds were light. No Fantasmic, and crowds are manageable.

-The Strat' is Under Tarps in front of Coaster.

-Tower still has scratchy and generally funky audio.

-Animation is all decked out for Toy Story 3. Including a nice new sign breaking down just what kind of art they have displayed.

-Rapunzel's signs in Animation have been updated to fit with the new Hip-Hop-Urban-Suburban name- "Tangled"

-Muppets' wait time sign has been changed from a stand alone pole, to attached right to the building closer to the entrance.

-Lots of effects and audio iffy at Muppets-Typical of an attraction about to go down for a period of time.

EPCOT

-Crowds were medium.

-Flower and Garden this year features flowers, as well as gardens.

-Do they have enough playgrounds?

-Off Kilter was "really on" that night, IMHO.

-Yakitori House is Yummy

-The trees on the right side of Mexico are desolated. Was this the freeze, or just cutting back?

-Tronorail looks great, and as one train, is surprisingly hard to find. You don't see it very often. And when you do, it looks shiny.

KINGDOM

-Crowds heavy to light.

-Got stuck on the peoplemover for a good twenty minutes. But it was REALLY crowded before the parade and got to watch the sun go down over the hub, so no complaints.

-Except for one complaint: Too many Teenagers in the park. Calm down and talk quietly, ya' noisy teeners.

-Space Mountain was down for awhile too. Not surprising, it still looks pretty beat up on the outside AND the inside. (Especially the star projectors. They still look lousy.)

-Walls are all up around the back half of Fantasyland.

-Hatless pirate is hatless once again. It must be cold without all his hats...so cold...

OK, that's all for that then. On to this now!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSer...00221760248866

EpcotServo's Interim Update #6- Ten in 2010

2010-02-06T17:44:00.000-05:00

Are you there Internet? It's me, Servo.

Oh, hey! Didn't see you come in! Well, looks like everything's still stuck in Update limbo. A Limbo lower than as low as a Limbo stick gets. But let's cut the limbo and get straight to the rumba with another interim Update! LET'S GO!

STUDIOS

-Crowds were crazy because it was a Fantasmic night.

-Some cool new "Since 89" Studios merch with Tower and the hat on it.

-Audio was a bit off in the unload scene of Tower.

-Also one side of Tower was down, causing long lines of course.

-Coaster and Midway Mania were great as always!

-No Luxo out and about.

-Arrows on the balcony box in Muppets were working.

-Star Tours is still great. Starting to get the rehab blues!

-That is all!

-Or is it?

-Yes.

-Yes it is.

EPCOT

-very uncrowded at Epcot. Waited only like 20 minutes for Soarin', less than 10 for Test Track and Mission Space. Sum of all Thrills was a walk on!

-Speaking of which, Tom Clancy's Sum of all Thrills is still great. Seriously long air time in the crazy inversions. Really underrated ride!

-Burning Tire effect was working at Test Track, Cone effect was not. Shocking as it is though, the ABS Test review screens ARE working, and look great!

-Japan still stocked with great stuff. They've added the english DVDs of the Ghibli films, for those unbeknowst the greatness of these films can buy them.

-Nothing new to report on the Spaceship Earth.

-Curtains in Theater B of Energy still MIA.

-Weather was cool and, good times were had!

Ok, that's about it!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSInterimUpdate6TenIn2010#5435254816142374818

EpcotServo's Interim Updates #5- The Sound of Walking in Winter

2009-12-21T22:56:00.000-05:00

MMEEERRRRRRYYYYY Hollandaise Everyone! Time for the final Interim Update of the year, as the Interim Updates season will resume again after the New Year, with a BRAND NEW UPDATEPAGE even! Maybe. You know the standards of this show. Alright, let's get to Epcot again for some merriment before the new year!

And Listen to the Gospel people and be JOYFUL darn it!

EPCOT

-Rode Sum of All Thrills again, this time got all four maneuvers in! Went upside down four times with a thrill rating in the thousands. So much fun!

-REALLY Crowded.

-Was happy to see Japan packed with Holiday shoppers. The Studio Ghibli stuff is really generating lots of excitement! (Ok, a few stupid "Look at the Disney Anime!" ditzes, but that'll happen.) And a lot of people recognizing Totoro and Ponyo.

-Candlelight was packed. The Dinner Packages don't help of course, the line just for them was back to Morocco at one point.

-Hey! I see you over there thinking about opening your presents early! Yeahhh...You just get back here. Nice try Admiral Perry.

-Did I mention the Crowds?

-Didn't look like any tree lights were missing.

-Here's a Christmas Fun Maze for Holiday fun! Can you help Santa get the Healthcare bill to Epcot before Xmas? Watch out for Trouble along the way!

-The fake boxes are hilarious.

-Show doors into the finale scene of Imagination weren't working.

-There are Two Pictures of Canada in this Update. I do not know why.

Ok, On to the Pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSer...85020139806370

EpcotServo's Interim Updates #4- Up In The Air

2009-12-19T00:57:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody! Time for another Interim Update-Comin'atcha like some kind of middling one-off update that it is! Comin'atcha! Think fast!

EPCOT

-Medium to Heavy Crowds.

-I really wasn't paying attention.

-That's about it.

-Um, yeah. Ask Again Later.

-Oh yeah, one thing: Cinderella was meet and greeting out in Future World. I grumped about that for a few minutes then moved on.

-Ok, now you can go.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

-Heavy Crowds as well.

-Steam, and Vulture both working again.

-Again, that's about it.

-There are only 4 more Jesus-approved Shopping days until Christmas

-What'da get me?

-Nothing?

-No, it's alright.

-What?

-Oh, yeah. No. I'm just killin' time cause I didn't spend that much time there.

-Happy Holidays!

-...

-Wait for it...

-Sooonnn....

-You're not gonna' make it! You're not gonna' make it!

-Almost...there...

-Now!

OK, on to the Pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSInterimUpdate4UpInTheAir#5416806734866890786

EpcotServo's Interim Updates #3 - Three is a Magic Number

2009-12-09T19:45:00.000-05:00

Hey there everyone!

It's been too long.

Way too long.

Long, empty, updateless days.

LET'S GET TOO IT!

KINGDOM

-So Space Mountain was more than a little disappointing, even with low expectations. The ride itself is just still so rough and undramatic it really overshadows the positive changes at Load. It's just...Dissapointing. The outside still looks awful, the Photo Op is laughable (I loved my first photo in which I was facing the black dirty wall it's pointed at and pointing at the electrical wiring and patchy paint blots. )

Just disappointing. The whole thing.

-Mansion looked great.

-Same with Big Thunder.

-Pirate hats still missing, still sad

-I really don't get the hub bub about the Peoplemover narration. I thought it was fine, hardly anything to get worked up over. The Space Mountain part is disappointing though too. Not cause you can't see load or the rockets, but because they don't have half the stars of Disneyland and no cool projections or lighting to look at. Disneyland's looks like vast space, ours still just looks like a dark room.

EPCOT

-Sum of all thrills was GREAT! I loved it. It was a hoot! The inversions were amazing and the ride smooth and thrilling. Only wish you got more time to design the ride. Other than that, I can't WAIT to do it some more. Too much fun. Also look for a wind up toy GORT from Day the Earth Stood Still on one of the too-awesome Microsoft Surface tables!

-Mexico had some really cool Day of the Dead shirts and assorted merch. Dio De Los Muertos!

-Mitsukoshi has finally returned to old quality practices, by stocking not just mainstream American Made merchindise, to returning to ACTUAL Imported goods from more recent and obscure things! Gundam, Evangelion, and an entire section of Ghibli. Makes me wonder if maybe John Lasseter stoped by and wanted more Totoro?

-Also have I have been reporting SOS Brigade related news, Haruhism goods have been selling VERY well, so much so, that they are now selling an excellent and brand new Haruhi T-Shirt! Another huge step up and a clear sign that the SOS Brigade WDW Divison will invade Disney because it's no doubt a source of Aliens, Time Travel, and ESPers.

-New Japan Photography exhbit is pretty cool.

-Whoopi Goldburg is doing Candlelight this year? Wow. Hey, this was just news to me.

-The Christmas tree without the stage or Lights of Winter is very sad and pathetic.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

-Hopper was not working on It's Tough to Be a Bug. Don't knock B-Show, I'd rather have a B show than none at all. Case in point, Hopper.

-Speaking of which, Yeti was in B, No Vulture, No steam (As I reported, It shouldn't have been steaming the way it was...) but the new Broken Trestle misters were working, and looked REALLY cool at night.

-As I was really read the riot act about when I first reported this, but they were running the Five Train Profile, and it's defintly the worst thing to happen to Everest. Not only does it ruin the show timing by cascading all the time, those of us in the know don't feel too comfortable hearing the track switch just a few seconds before the train clears Lift B. STOP RUNNING FIVE TRAINS DISNEY.

-Countdown, aside from being empty and the usual stuff not working, had the running Carnotaurus and all the smoke effects working. Neato!

-I love the tacky Dino Christamas lights in Dinoland.

-Animal Kingdom looks so great at night. Nuff' Said.

Ok, On to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSInterimUpdate3ThreeIsAMagicNumber#5413345544948907666

EpcotServo's Interim Updates #2- Remember Remember the Fifth of November

2009-11-07T22:08:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody, It's time for the chilling second installment of our continuing stooooooOOOORRRyyy of the Interim Updates! Yes, like the half dead zombies between the Grey zone of life and death, let's shamble our way back into the Parks for some Fun times!

Oh, and the Weather was cool.

...But it's going to get hot again.

Also there's a storm out in the gulf...

...so there.

STUDIOS

-Crowds were light in the first hour, then quickly became very crowded soon after.

-So good news, Not all of the GOOD Muppet Posters are down. This is a huge relief.

However, the new posters are just as horrible in person. Pirates is alright, but the rest are just plain awful and feel out of place. It's squeaky clean dry humor in a queue that's brimming with rich subversive comedy that doesn't pander to only one audience. I've photographed the heck out of the remaining posters in case they too fall victim to the new posters, but I'm confident they'll stay.

-No new or good Star Tours merch. All just Jedi Academy and Clone Wars stuff. I'm really hoping that they celebrate the final year of one of the best attractions in Disney history in style.

In short, more orange, blue, rex, and Starspeeders. Collectable stuff too, retro and modern.

Less Jedi Training Academy junk.

-Tower and Coaster both still great.

-Midway Mania looked fine, it's been mentioned, but they've recogfigured the Tin Toy book at the exit, and it works much better. Now they see the door and head straight for it-Less clumping up the unload.

-Muppets Fountain was walled one day, back to usual the next.

-Spectacle Of Lights Preview was a blast, and the lights are great this year. They've added and tucked away some cool secrets, look for them!

-Speaking of Xmas, this is a tip off to all Tower fans, there's a Hallmark Ornament in Hallmark stores of an Old TV with the lenticular Twilight Zone opening, and it plays TV static followed by the opening. It's like the Tower of Terror ornament.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

-Everything looked great, no noticeable thingsthatneedfixin'.

-Crowds were light.

-Everest's Steam was working well, and the vulture was working. Yeti was in B-Show however.

Alright, that's about it. Now on to many many many pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSInterimUpdates2RememberRememberTheFifthOfNovember#5401542943642718818

EpcotServo's Interim Updates - #1: Get Back

2009-09-29T15:39:00.000-04:00

Hey there everyone! You know how in between The big first and second seasons of TV shows, they'll do a few "in between" Episodes to bridge the gap of what happens after the last episode of the last season and the first episode of the next season for an indefinite period of time until they can start airing Season 2?

Don't you hate it when they do that, and just wish they'd work harder to get Season 2 started quicker?

Ummmmm.....Errrr....Distraction!

Anyways, since it'll be awhile before the next season of Updates, and I can't be out of Theme parks for too long (Court Order) Let's take a visit to EPCOT!

EPCOT

-So as you've been informed by the actually informative updates by one Mr. Epcot, They've painted the Inner Legs of Spaceship Earth Blue, adding "Blueberry Blue" to Epcot's growing collection of cereal Flavor/Colors.

-Railings! They are shiny! And cool!

-Fountain of Nations was working fine.

-Food and Whine has started, meaning Wonders of life, Park Decorations, and best of all Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

-The faceomatron wasn't working right, and it wasn't taking pictures at the right rate. As someone who likes the new ending, it's totally a ripoff.

OK, on to the Pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSInterimUpdates1GetBack#5386956428765831282

EpcotServo's 100th UPDATE: Ask DNA

2009-08-31T18:52:00.000-04:00

Hey there everyone, and welcome to the 100th, and last Update for awhile! In honor of the occasion, the trip was made to Magic Kingdom, where it all started! Rain, Walk-Ons, and even fireworks made a great visit with some great pictures, so let's get right too it!

KINGDOM

-Crowds were medium to light, walked on everything due to spectromagic and wishes.

-Moychandise! Haunted Mansion and Main street Cinema have some of Disneyland's Mansion 40th SHAG stuff. Shirt, bowling shirt, Postcards, Glasses etc. The glasses are my favorite, as each one has a different Mansion portrait in the classic Shag style. Got one with my Birthday Card. Yay for Disneyland Moychandise! The rest I spent on an awesome "Discover the land of Adventure!" Adventureland shirt. Retro Tikis on the back very much in the Tiki polynesian 70's stylings of early WDW. Great stuff! They also have a retro Frontierland and Jungle Cruise shirt, but I didn't care much for the fabric/colors.

-Splash Mountain! Haven't been on this on ages and it was a rare treat: EVERY EFFECT WAS WORKING. This has never happened except for this night for me. Everything! Even hopping Brer Rabbit and all the projections!

-PeopleMover Lights are indeed color changing, and here is my video of said shenanigans...

WATCH IN HIGH QUALITY

-Halloween Decorations are going up all over Main Street.

-Saw wishes from between the two launch sites in Fantasyland. That was cool!

-Hat Pirate is still hatless. How can you be so hatless!

-Like I said, it was drizzly all night, so pardon the noir-ettic raindrops on the lens in some shots.

OK, that's about it. On to the pictures.

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoS100thUPDATEAskDNA#5376203258339278978

________________________________________________

WATCH IN HIGH QUALITY

EpcotServo's Aug.24th EPCOT Update: The Scenery's Forever

2009-08-26T22:17:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody, last EPCOT Update before the Hiatus. So Let's get right to the right stuff, right?

EPCOT

-Crowds light, nary a line for anything.

-No visible hullabaloo around the Robocoaster thing in Innoventions other than a big wall and some construction noises.

-At Japan for the first time in YEARS, ART OF and Picturebooks, both Japanese and English, for Studio Ghibli movies have returned, such as Castle in the Sky, Porco Rosso, Kiki's Delivery Service, Totoro, and prominently featured: Ponyo. Observers will note that Japan used to be filled with a wide variety of wonderful statues, books, plush, and other goods from these films, but in the past few years replaced with hackey American goods that sell better (COUGH-HACK-transformers-HACKcough-) Excuse me. Hopefully this signals a return to the more authentic stuff for sale in the collectable portion of the store.

-Other notes from the Japan store: In celebration of the American release of Ponyo, they are giving away the US Poster for free! That's right: Free! Stop by and pick one up, how can you pass up a free poster from an amazing movie?

-Impressions De France is still a great movie, I don't care who you are.

OK, that's about it. On to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSAug24thEPCOTUpdateTheScenerySForever#5374451591740252322

EpcotServo's Aug.20th STUDIOS Update: Inglourious Passholders

2009-08-21T18:43:00.000-04:00

Hey there everyone! Before we get down to the business I'd like to make a note that after the very very special 100th Update (Coming this upcoming week) I'm afraid there will be a Hiatus for a period of time as my pass expires and I have to begin slave labor for the Disney corporation in the near feature. Hopefully I'll have a few special updates then be back up and running with weekly constant Updates in the later part of October and for the rest of the year. Alright, now let's get right to the cheeze!

STUDIOS

-It's surprisingly more crowded than usual, I think all those deals and coupon "Parade Of Savings" attitude is doing Disney well.

-Audio on Tower was skippy and patchy and the Star Doors WERE NOT WORKING on the Side I went on. A Maintenance worker was around though, so I think they were aware of the problems.

-Everything on Midway Mania was working fine as usual, good to see things holding up.

-Luxo is still resting, though I think he'll be back out and about sooner rather than later at this point thankfully.

-Saw some Tenth Anniversary Pin Trading stuff for sale, if that's what you're in too.

OK that's about it. On to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSAug20thSTUDIOSUpdateInglouriousPassholders#5372544763669834594

EpcotServo's Aug.8th DAK Update: Strangers on this Road

2009-08-09T19:33:00.000-04:00

Blah de blahblah blahhblh blah blather blah de blah blahComplain Complain JOKE, blah blah blahMORE COMPLAINING, blah blah blah blah obscure movie refrence, blah blah. OK on to the news things there!

ANIMAL KINGDOM

-The Maps stand had little flyers about the Picnic in the Park thing.

-Park Crowds were medium to light, pretty crowded before the Parade, but vanished shortly after.

-Safaris was actually open until park closing (7PM). Don't see that every day!

-So while you guys like to talk Yeti (He was in B-show, with several Red Spots on him making him more visible, added for this downtime) I finally got to experience the very expensive "Added Capacity" mode for the summer I tried to warn about last summer, but was defended staunchly and it's just as bad as I thought. It may look and feel the same for guests, but I hate this "Summer" mode that let's them run 5 trains by having Lift B slow down in the second half of carrying the train up, and holding the trains at Broken Trestle and Shadow of the Yeti for a few extra seconds, ending in a forced cascade at Unload. The added capacity of one extra train really isn't worth the cascading and slightly altering the careful timing of the show. I hate it. Please turn it off immediately. When some around here were saying "Oh, it's a plus! They'll only use it in the summer!", I was right when I said that money SHOULD BE spent on getting those parts for Waterfall 2 they cannibalized to keep Waterfall 1 running. I can't wait until Winter, Everything at Everest gets fixed and runs better in Winter...

-Steam was working, though the side fan vents still aren't. See above.

-In Good Himalayan Escapes news though, some of the strands of Prayer Flags that had been taking a beating at Broken Trestle have been replaced. Thanks!

-Wait at Countdown actually said "0 Minutes." Nice! (Course, it wasn't. It actually was quite longer than usual, maybe 15 minutes.)

-Rode in the newly added back row of Kilimanjaro Safaris. You get wicked air time on that thing!

-Safaris was also a walk on at 6. Love it!

Alright, on to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSAug8thDAKUpdateStrangersOnThisRoad#5368098154659970434

EpcotServo's Aug.2nd EPCOT Update: Endless Eight

2009-08-03T19:41:00.000-04:00

Hello everybody! Once again time for the Update time! Let's get right down too it.

EPCOT

-The ticket price increase indeed applies to the Birthday Card. Funny how it changes ON the day of my Birthday. I apologize Disney wants to give me more money at your expense.

-Crowds were medium to light.

-Noticed "Flash Plate" keychains on sale at the Africa stand, with your name on it. They're really cool, it's a plastic keychain that's solar powered. As long as it's in a room or outside where there is decent light, the image flashes on and off! They're $8 and really neat. (I only mention this because I got a much better Haruhi one at the Anime Convention the day prior for $5.) Japanese Keychain/Cell Phone strap technology is YEARS ahead of ours!

-The Friendship boat was running the Morroco-to-Germany-THEN to the Mexico dock route, which is unusual. My guess it's staffing, as this was at noon, showcase had only been opened for an hour.

Ok, that's it, on to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSAug2ndEPCOTUpdateEndlessEight#5365872025123138482

EpcotServo's July 24th EPCOT Update: Gimme Shelter

2009-07-24T21:56:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone! Spent the afternoon at the parks, but I bring you back a very short Update, as I found very little things to Photograph, so I didn't.

What? It was all hot and the camera is hard and stuff.

KINGDOM

-Hall of Presidents, still good

-Crowds, still stinky

-Pirate hats, still missing

-Space Mountain. No visible work from the back side, aside from the dumpster. Where is the Crane? Where is the track? Where is the Ladders? This is not my beautiful wife! This is not my beautiful house!

EPCOT

-Few Kim Possible notes, Finally got to do Japan's mission. It has by far the best effect in the whole game! Also you now get to choose another mission instead of always dropping it off. This is GREAT! You can do all the countries without going back to the kiosk for a ticket. Very nice!

-Crowds medium.

-Nothing to Report on Spaceship Earth.

So that's all really.

On to the Picture! (pictures?)

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSJuly24thEPCOTUpdateGimmeShelter#5362206622934247058

EpcotServo's July 9th Update: Sight President

2009-07-10T17:01:00.000-04:00

EpcotServo's July 9th Update: Sight President

Heya everyone! Long time no Update, so let's put the Ki-bosh on the moping about and get straight to the stuff!

MAGIC KINGDOM

-Crowds medium, but smellier and annoyinger than usual, at Kingdom at least.

-Everything fine on Mansion (Save for above mentioned Smelly and Annoying Guests)

-Toppling Hat Pirate is still sans X4 Headgear. Simply one hat still.

-Hall of Presidents! Awesome! Loved the rehab. The film is overall much stronger and the show feels "tight" now. Everything done just perfectly. The Audio, The Lighting, The AMAZING Digital projection, it's just Great. My favorite part is how they worked the ORIGINAL Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show and audio into the Hall of Presidents. Disneylandia at WDW! I love it! Like I said, go down and see it, they did a really great job. George Washington's speaking part was great, and Obama was amazing to see in Person. Two thumbs way up on this Rehab!

EPCOT

-Not much going on, crowds medium, weather rainy and drizzily.

-Nothing mention-worthy on the topic of Spaceship Earth as well.

ALLLLLLRight, that's all for that. On to the Pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSJuly9thUpdateSightPresident#5356925706500315378

EpcotServo's June 23rd STUDIOS Update: I love...Lamp.

2009-06-23T02:30:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! Big show, so let's get too it already!

STUDIOS

-Crowds heavy, everything packed.

-New sign at Little Mermaid.

-The real news of course, it's the long delayed, eagerly awaited debut of Luxo Jr. What can I say? It's just as amazing as I thought It'd be, and the two entirely different nighttime shows it manged to do left me breathless. It's awesome during the day, but like everything at Disney, it becomes an entirely different, and unmissable experience after dark.

Now here is my video for you, edited to give you the best feeling of the nature of the amazingness. It's not any of the ENTIRE shows, which others will post no doubt and I say you avoid, but more of a general overview of the experience and first day in public and to present in the spirit intended rather than second by second.

If you want to stay fully unspoiled (As I recommend.), please skip it.

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSJune23rdSTUDIOSUpdateILoveLamp#5350383702968242018

EpcotServo's June 19th UNIVERSAL Update: Alternate Universe

2009-06-20T16:56:00.000-04:00

So had a HUGE day at Universal yesterday, and I bring you back all the pictures and the Scoop! (No, not that Scoop)

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

-Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket is BIG. REALLY BIG. I do think it's a way's off from opening, it looks like elements are being installed but they still have to integrate all the many elements and do ALOT of testing.

-Mummy is still great, save for still non-working Mummy. Lot of people get Everest down, but I still attest that at least Everest's B-Show is WAYYYY better than the creepy face of doom. They must be having problems too, because he wasn't working in September either. I wanna' see him again, he's awesome!

-Men In Black, also still great.

-Enjoyed second ride on Simpsons alot. Really fun ride!

IOA

-Potter building still looks far from down.

-Everything working well on Spiderman.

-Found out that they have offboard cameras at Hulk and you can buy the video as well as your picture. Clearly field testing for Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket's offboard cameras!

GENERAL

-Had dinner at the Whopper Bar. It's really just a Burger King, but it's still a great idea and much needed. It's great to see such an improvement in the right direction! You could tell Pleasure Island shot itself in the foot...LOTS MORE PEOPLE coming into Citywalk late at night than usual.

-Overall the parks were really clean. I saw more people cleaning the bathrooms than I have at Disney in the past few weeks. This is just sad, but anyways, well done Universal.

-Also a real treat, actually saw a LOT of great Team Members. Talking to people, smiling, helping us. Really great to see at Universal!

-Crowds were medium, we got on everything really quickly. Should be much more crowded at this time of year though, I wish them the best attendance wise.

OK, that's it for words. On to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSJune19thUNIVERSALUpdateAlternateUniverse#5349502788069737426

EpcotServo's Jun.9th STUDIOS Update: Land of the Lost

2009-06-10T18:30:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody! Went to Studios yesterday evening, and bring you back all the gory details and newsofacts!

STUDIOS

-Crowds were medium to light. Not horrible.

-They are building a new waiting structure for RNR, by the KRNR food booth.

-A word to the wise, watch where you step. As I was trying to get a good picture of the thing above, I unknowingly stepped in human excrement, conveniently left in the middle of the busy RNR plaza. Nice. Even better were the ones I heard laughing, as if it were funny. (If you were one of those people reading this, watch out. I think Karma is dangerous, and I suppose your friends would find it HYSTERICAL if you came down with explosive diarrhea in a crowded bus! Just sayin', Karma works like that...) Anyhoo, just remember that most guests are animals, and never take for granted the social skills of those around you on your Disney vacation. You'll never believe the things you see if you go out to the parks enough.

-Midway Mania was down for a good portion of the day.

-Saw a tiny peek of Luxo behind the curtains. Great to finally see the thing after waiting so long! There are tons of new hidden speakers around, and I'm so excited to see him in action.

-More great news for Pixar fans, the previously Pixar-Studio-Shop-Exclusive plush squeaky Bird from the short "For The Birds" is available to buy at the Pixar Place shop!

-Finally saw the finished Idol finale show, it was packed. Full house, popular show. As for the talent, they were pretty good. Two were GREAT, but in the end they were both robbed because the horrible whining sound is popular in music these days.

OK, that's about it. On to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSJun9thSTUDIOSUpdateLandOfTheLost#5345819410910100546

EpcotServo's June 2nd EPCOT Update: EPCOT Park Rhapsody

2009-06-03T20:57:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone! Spent the afternoon at EPCOT, and bring ye back all the informations! Please to Hastily read on!

EPCOT

-First of all, the Entrance Loop is changed. Unless this is some sort of temporary music track or leftover from Flower and Garden, which is unlikely, I believe you should prepare yourselves for not hearing the familiar EPCOT music that's welcomed you for years.

I really hate to break the news, but this may be a big disaster for most of you.

I wandered in listening to every note trying to place my best guess on this music. At first it sounds like classical music. Heavy classical influence, but nothing in particular. Towards the end of the sweeping classic score, I realized that I've heard this song in a different tune before.

It was Bippity Boppity Boo from Cinderella. Before I could catch my breath, a new classical-style rendition of "This is Love" began to play.

In short, no EPCOT music. Just classical-style renditions of Disney Tunes. I really hope this is just temporary, but...I have a feeling that this will be "EPCOT Entrance Loop 2009".

As for what I think? Until I hear some real EPCOT tunes in the plaza again, consider it ON NOTICE.

-No news from inside Spaceship Earth, all normal.

-Crowds were Medium to Light, nothing major except the lines for Soarin' and such.

-Paltry selection of UP plush and books at MouseGear.

-New retro shirts are awesome.

-Lots of missing audio in my Mission Space capsule.

-First ride on Energy since the rehab, looks nice but pre-show projectors were really fuzzy.

-KUKA Fish working on Nemo.

-Reflections of Earth was going good, until Celebration...when the LED's on Earth broke and the globe stopped. Bless their hearts they turned on the interior lights and set them to the music. Thankfully it opened and the fire worked too.

-After the show ends and the full We Go On song plays, they now play the wonderfully atrocious "Celebrate You" song. No thank you.

OK, got tons of pictures, so let's get too it!

ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSJune2ndEPCOTUpdateEPCOTParkRhapsody#5343241335776326274

EpcotServo's May 1st STUDIOS Update: Twenty-something

2009-05-01T23:15:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone! As you may have heard around here lately, Studios turned 20 today, and I bring ye back pictures from this morning's festivities! Lots of pictures to get to tonight, so let's get started!

STUDIOS

-20th Anniversary Celebration was much more involved thankfully, and was great. Banners, Pins, Shirts, and a temporary Studios anniversary showcase at the end of One Man's Dream, with lots of great art and a video showing some great construction footage. Be sure to stop by One Man's Dream and see it!

-The Imagineer presentation was fantastic, the real highlight being getting to see old footage from the Studio Tour, I haven't seen in SUCH a long time, such as the Celebrity Cameos, "The Lottery", and the beginning of the "Mickey & Michael" film that showed with new film trailers. That was really great! Also spurring many a new rumor, they did make a few hilarious jabs at the hat.

-Crowds were medium to light.

-Club Penguin Meet Test is set up, who knows if it will do well.

-20th Anniversary drawings and such for sale at Art of Disney

-Just one T-Shirt on sale for guests, nice. Nothing retro because of the name change of course. Shame...

-All in all I'm SO glad they went all out and celebrated it, Thanks go out to all those involved.

Ok, that's about it. On to the Picture Section of the Tour!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSMay1stSTUDIOSUpdateTwentySomething#5331018952532352018

EpcotServo's Apr.27th STUDIOS Update: Observe & Report

2009-04-27T21:16:00.001-04:00

Hello! Time for yet another Update, back to the Studios. Lots to see, so let's get right to seein' it!

STUDIOS

-First of all, now they blast out announcements every few minutes before park opening pleading for auditions for American Idol. It's not because there will be a huge line later because...well. There's never a line. They need to scale it back, the frequency of the announcements-even though the spiel is pre-recorded, it seems like I started laughing because the magic voice begins to sound more and more desperate in my mind.

-Crowds were Light to Medium, Walked on Single Riders RNR four times, and walked on Standby once. Even Midway Mania had a short wait in the morning with plenty of Fastpasses until around noon!

-Speaking of Idol, had a 19-Minute 11' o clock show. A singer dropped out either by not showing up or opting out at the last minute.

-Up display has been updated.

-D23 has added more signage to One Man's Dream. I'm sorry, but the billboard added to the exit seems like...well. Almost takes away from the value of the presentation if people think it's an advertisement.

-Audio sounded great on all four (different) trains I rode on at RNR.

-Horticulture was working on Tower's gardens. The vine overhang is gone for now, until it grows back.

-Lots of rigs set up near the hat, hopefully for the 20th!

Alright, that's it for that. On to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSApr27thSTUDIOSUpdateObserveReport#5329517596947691426

EpcotServo's Apr.23rd DAK Update: Lost Horizon

2009-04-24T16:18:00.001-04:00

Hello there my Friends! Went down to Animal Kingdom for a bit yesterday. I know, it's been awhile, right? Well some cool stuff to get too, so let's get too it!

ANIMAL KINGDOM

-There were "Earth" Ads/Stations infront of the park and in Asia.

-Crowds were Medium to Light, Everest was maybe a 10-15 Minute wait, Countdown a walk on.

-Effects status on Everest! Under-carriage Steam Working, but side vents were not.Waterfall A working, Waterfall B not.Mist on Peak was WORKING, but because of the wind direction only the most observant eyes could see it from the bottom. The only surefire way to know is to check from Broken Trestle by looking back at the peak. They've added several misters to the RIGHT of Broken Trestle's back area, almost making a U shape now, hopefully catching breezes and pumping it down to the scene on winder/more humid days. Yeti, as always, in B-Show. Someone mentioned some kind of difference in some Brake Zone, not today. System running as smooth as it should be.

-So the famous Yeti cast has been put on display in the Yeti Museum! A great addition to the collection. Here's how the display reads.

"This is a casting of a mysterious footprint discovered in December of 2007 by explorer Joshua Gates and his team in the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal. This is the best preserved of three prints, which were found in sequence near a river in the Khumbu Valley, at an altitude of about 10,000 ft.

U.S. Experts have scanned each of the prints and have concluded that they are anatomically legitimate and represent a significant find. This scan shows the heel from one partial footprint (In blue) superimposed on the larger print (In grey). The two match almost exactly which indicates that they are real footprints left by an unknown bipedal animal in the wild.

Joshua Gates is an American explorer and photographer and donated this footprint to The Yeti Museum in April of 2008. One of only three castings, this footprint represents the first 21st Century evidence of the Yeti."

-For those looking for figures of say, Figment, or Big Al, there's a new set of plastic "Theme Park Characters" that may interest you.

-Nothing working right on Countdown...ever. Sad, really.

-Happy Belated Birthday Animal Kingdom!

OK, that's about it.

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSer...43989918473426

EpcotServo's Apr. 17th KINGDOM/EPCOT Update: Sayonara Space-Sensei

2009-04-18T14:13:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody, ran into the parks yesterday and come back with THIS!

MAGIC KINGDOM

-Heavy Crowds, but not Extreme.

-Peoplemover, just one day away from closing, was REALLY broken. Saw some cars moving while others didn't, saw the Load chain going REALLY fast and all other trains crawling, and at one point all the cars were rolling backwards. I underestimated how much it needs this rehab!

-Space Mountain was really busy in it's second to last day, and noticed from the Monorail that they added a security booth at the back of the mountain for the soon-to-be-construction area!

EPCOT

-Not as crowded at Epcot, but still heavy.

-Nothing to report from SPACESHIP EARTH

-Universe of Energy was down.

-The new/old Paint Scheme looks great!

OK, that's it for the talking. On to the Pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSApr17thKINGDOMEPCOTUpdateSayonaraSpaceSensei#5326084858149135874

EpcotServo's Mar. 26th KINGDOM Update: Night Rider

2009-03-27T19:24:00.001-04:00

Ohellooo! How's it going? Spent a nice late evening during Kingdom's extended hours last night, and I bring you back dark photographs and worded reports! Gonna' get right too it.

MAGIC KINGDOM

-Crowds were medium, then dropped to light after the Fireworks at 9.

-Space Mountain is still rough and clunky. ALOT of work to be done, that's for sure.

-At Big Thunder, the Family and MAGIC favorite POSSUMS are back, and now SPIN! Yes, they're motorized and spin around, making them impossible to hit, but feel closer then they are. Really cool, thanks Disney!

-Also at Big Thunder, our ride timing was SO perfect: we went right into the last helix JUST as Wishes had it's grand finale, as if it was timed to the Fireworks. The whole train started screaming and clapping, and it was great!

-Overall, the rides and park looked pretty good. Most everything seemed to be in working order and looked fine, save for rickety Space Mountain and the still-missing hats on the Hat Pirate at the end of Pirates of the Caribbean.

OK, that's all. On to the Pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSer...03243032924802

FOLLOWTISEMENT: If you want to be annoyed by my random thoughts on an up-to-the-minute-basis, you're in luck! Follow me over on my TwitterPage, right after the Jump!

http://twitter.com/EpcotServo

Thanks again for spacing out and tuning in my Friends!

EpcotServo's Mar. 12th EPCOT/Studios Update: These are your Friends now

2009-03-13T15:38:00.001-04:00

Hey there! Time for another one. This time we got a little EPCOT and a little Studios, so let's right down to business!

EPCOT

-Crowds were light. Posted wait times were SPACE at 10, Test at 40, and Soarin' unverified. Really very pleasant!

-Test Track as a bit of "OnStar" audio tacked in after the Thermal Image, not sure how long that's been there.

-Flower and Garden preparation all around.

-Universe of Energy is still closed, quite a lengthy rehab for one of the most reliable of the complicated rides.

STUDIOS

-Crowds were heavy, park hours extended from 9 to 10. PLEASE return Fantasmic to daily shows, this one day packing is killer!

-Like it or not, I hate to say that Idol seems to be a hit. Hundreds of people sitting outside on the ground watching the Finale Show from outside. Needless to say, it's kind of a testament to the power of Americans to watch reality television when they're willing to waste 45 minutes of their vacation watching it on a big screen TV. Sad really.

-23 is now featured in One Man's Dream.

OK, that's about it. On to the Pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSMar12thEPCOTStudiosUpdateTheseAreYourFriendsNow#5312743791816236418

EpcotServo's March 3rd STUDIOS Update: AROUND

2009-03-04T20:03:00.001-05:00

Greetings Programs! Got WAY too many pictures and some news from yesterday, so let's jump right too it!

STUDIOS

-Crowds were light! Around peak time, 1:00, Coaster was a walk on in the Single Riders line, and Tower was a walk on as well. Even Midway Mania was only around a 40 to 50 Minute wait, much shorter depending on how many Fastpasses were coming in from time to time.

-UP has been added to the Animation Gallery, very cool.

-Great news, the Mickey Ave. sign is back! Now it can be said that Midway Mania took away nothing of great value.

-The droid that's being worked on in the Droid Room was SMOKING a great deal. I mean just bellowing out every crack it has. It worried me, I've never seen it do that. After some digging, it turns out it IS an actual effect though it never works, and it's only supposed to come out at one part of him. So they must've fixed it, only to miss a crack in the line meaning that the entire droid filled with smoke instead of just coming out of one part.

-They've replaced the Wall gobos at Muppets so they look like walls again, and not not burn marks. Thank you!

-Had spotty Audio in one of the Limotrains on RNR.

-In the RNR Fastpass/Singles lobby they've added some LED lights to give the room some changing color. Nice!

-In the Waiting area after that, all of the new HANES shirts shadowboxes are MIA. Interesting.

-The Tower's new lighting, as discussed in the Minor TOT news thread, looks great! Still creepy but you can see it clearer now.

OK, that's it. On to ALL the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSMarch3rdSTUDIOSUpdateAROUND#5309491480136657122

EpcotServo's FEB. 20th EPCOT Update: Centerville, USA

2009-02-20T20:31:00.000-05:00

Hey all! Ran in to EPCOT for the afternoon and bring back the power of THIS!

EPCOT

-SUPER crowded, 1:00 and no Fastpasses at Test Track or Soarin'.

-Did Germany's Kim Possible Adventure for the first, still "the awesome".

-The KP Phones have received new custom plastic cases for their protection.

-Fountain of Nations walled off for the workings and the refurbings

-The Bathroom on the Right side of SSE is under rehab, be forewarned.

OK, that's it for that. On to the rest!

ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSFEB20thEPCOTUpdateCentervilleUSA#5305052196957704386

EpcotServo's Feb. 15th STUDIOS Update: Celebrate Already!

2009-02-16T15:06:00.001-05:00

Hey there everybodys! Went to Studios, and amongst the fighting of the crowds I bring back reportages! Let's get right down to it.

STUDIOS

-Crowds were Heavy to Extreme. Long Lines, Big Crowds, the works. Didn't even get near Sunset Blvd.

-Everything was working fine on Midway Mania, had a 150 Min. wait before noon.

-IDOL is on the maps.

-So last time I saw Idol was the first Finale Show with guests. This was the first time I saw one of the normal day shows, and now that I've seen them I can attest to liking the Finale show way better. Mostly because you don't have to endure the incredibly cheezy Sing Along feel good 80's style music montage towards the end of the show. Most people sang and danced along. Me?

You know that scene in Hot Fuzz when Angel and Danny watch the play?

-Another unapproved addition is a fake Entertainment Tonight-esque pre show called "American Idol Today". It's completely fake, and it completely takes away the fun of the Live Host's pre show warm up that I enjoyed. Show up late now, says I!

-As for the actual show, the Lighting and the Judges are still the most enjoyable part of the show for me. The singers ranged from "Eh" to "Not that Bad" mostly. Again, the lighting and the excitement of the Cast is the only thing that makes the show enjoyable for me. Generally the auedience overall reaction seems to range from "Had a good time" too "That was a little odd".

-They've added an "Amazing Photos" booth to the Idol store, hawking oppertunitines to photoshop yourself on stage. Hurmm.

-The arrows that stick out of Bean Bunny's box in the end of Muppets were actually working, they've been turned off for a few years! Thanks for Fixing!

OK, that seems to be all. On to the Photos!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSFeb15thSTUDIOSUpdateCelebrateAlready#5303476483409124930

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-09T14:13:00.001-05:00

Dark Shadows

2009-02-01T13:38:00.000-05:00

EpcotServo's Jan. 23rd Studios/EPCOT Update: Friday Flashback

2009-01-25T14:52:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! Had a great day at the parks on Friday and thought I'd share in some of the photography update-like. Let's get right down to it!

STUDIOS

-American Idol was Idol-ing at full force, with many showtimes and a BIG PUSH on auditioning. I can't say they were meeting their goals, but they were giving call time tickets for auditioning at Park Entrance, Hollywood Junction (Tip Board, Fountain) and back at the Audition Center.

-Sci-fi Drive In is still "the awesome"

-Midway Mania was running smooth.

-Crowds were Medium to Light. Not too bad!

-Hat Painting is continung and is looking bright and cleaner.

EPCOT

-Crowds Medium to Heavy. Soarin' was at 180 Mins., Didn't check the rest.

-Celebrate Today banners outside park, didn't see anything else major.

-Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure was running ENTIRELY yesterday! (That means it was going full force, all Countries, all sign up Centers, everything in operation) and it is SMOOTH. It's extremely easy to do multiple different countries with large groups, small groups, alone, what have you. The technology was packing them in the countries, but still managed to time it so you never came upon another team doing exactly what you are doing. With World Showcase PACKED, you did come across teams more often, but it's still perfection. The big new country for me was China, and even though I did this kind of thing three times during the R&D days, and had done Mexico recently, they managed to surprise with unique applications on this adventure, and a surprising Finale. As I've said before, this is one of WDI's best new offerings, and if you aren't in on it, you may just pass it right by. My congratulations to the entire team of Imagineers and Cast Members who brought this from a simple Research and Development Project to do something unique and cool, to a full-fledged Walt Disney World offering, and best wishes as they finish the last few days from full on Grand Opening!

-Spaceship Earth seemed fine, nothing new to report on the way down. Like others have said, you now get to E-Mail your entire video to yourself. I hit a small bug in that it didn't capture the AUDIO, but I'm sure they'll work the little kinks out.

-As I'm sure you know: Fountain of Nations is all walled off.

OK, that's it for the words. On to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSJan23rdStudiosEPCOTUpdateFridayFlashback#5295310547042753778

EpcotServo's Jan. 15th UPDATE EXTRA: Throw me the Idol

2009-01-16T13:48:00.001-05:00

Hey there everyone! Went to the Studios last night for a short while, to take in the cold and the First American Idol Finale Show (with guests). I bring ye back pictures!

STUDIOS

-So....American Idol.

Yea.

Ok, so it wasn't horrible. Honestly only one of the singers made me want to smash my head with a hammer, and the Judge's banter helped bring be back from being tone-deaf. The pre-show "warm up" host was awesome, and the quality of the Cast Members (not the contestants) is what made it so exciting. The singers chosen, did actually step up and sing pretty good, and again, the Judges made up for any flat spots. What was weird though is that I think the general audience was more "Ehhhh..." about it during the actual singing than I was. Maybe it's because I was coming in thinking the singers would be lackluster, and the majority thought otherwise? Odd, Odd attraction. Anyways, the Cast Members are awesome, and the excitement they pitch really sells it. But once THAT wears off, and as long as the crowd is lukewarm to a show that's exceeding MY expectations...It might be dead in the water.

In terms of how the show went, for the First real Finale show, pretty good. There was a hiccup in the doors opening early, and the results being given to the host, but other than that it went smoothly. They didn't do the confetti, but the fans went off and I saw some drop. The Finale show is definitely the one to attended, although it might not be so well attended because 7 to 8 is like the PRIME TIME for getting on rides and queuing for Fantasmic.

OK, that's about it. On to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotSer...57246587786066

(A NOTE: Picasa's incredible storage as allowed me to keep Updates for a MUCH longer time than ever, but it's starting to run low! By the next update a few older ones will start to be removed, so if you're looking to do some catching up, do it soon! http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo )

EpcotServo's Jan. 10th EPCOT Update: Ah, See the Moon

2009-01-11T15:03:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! Had a great night at EPCOT last night, cold weather, no crowds, and an extremely full Moon! Even got to see Illuminations for a change! Lots of pictures, so let's get right down to it!

EPCOT

-As I said, Crowds were light and lines were mostly walk-ons save for Soarin' (50 Minutes) and Test Track. (40 Minutes)

-No signs of any Kim Possible testing today, though the sign up areas in Future World are being built and have added details.

-There is indeed a new display in the final Living with the Land Greenhouse, very neat to see.

-All signs of Christmas were gone, except for Napkins and Cups and such.

-Illuminations went great, I didn't notice anything wrong with it.

OK, that's it for that. On to the many Pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSJan10thEPCOTUpdateAhSeeTheMoon#5290110859718287282

EpcotServo's Jan. 8th STUDIOS Update: Idolocalypse Now

2009-01-09T14:33:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone, and welcome to the first Update of the NEW YEAR! Seeing as how it's a brand new year, I figure this is worth a might bit of celebration, so I made a Video to get the ball rolling! Please do enjoy!

So yesterday was a quick morning jont to Studios, and here is the resulting Update!

STUDIOS

- Despite rumblings of Idol Soft Openings, none was to be had. Though they were cycling the preshow throughout the day.

-Golden Age Souvenirs is now completely devoted to Idol, and is scary. As someone who was a miffed about the lack of Midway Mania merchandise, I actually became offended at the amount of Idol-branded Disney wares. Even more original items than Expedition Everest! Since the main argument of SGE is that it was created to sell Stitch merch, and they easily have FIVE TIMES more attraction-related items than SGE had, I can see it being used as a "This show was made to cash in" conspiracy for a long time to come. Again, I'm not the show's biggest detractor, but it's darn hard not to stand in the middle of all this stuff and not say that it was made to sell novelty stuff to the contestants of the day's shows.

-The Hat is being Painted/Refurb'ed.

-Backlot Tour is aclose-ed.

-Everything inside Midway Mania was working good and looked fine.

-YOMD banners outside (and some inside) were still up.

-Crowds were medium to light, not too bad.

OK, that's about it for that. On to the photo-tour!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSJan8thSTUDIOSUpdateIdolocalypseNow#5289365463685255634

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T14:02:00.001-05:00

From all of us (ME), have a Happy New Year!

Happy Holidaze from EpcotServo

2008-12-24T12:27:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, everyone!

EpcotServo's Dec. 18th EPCOT Update: EPCOT soup for the Soul

2008-12-19T15:57:00.000-05:00

Hi there everyone! As you may have realized by now, the Holidays are upon us, and yesterday brought a quick but eventful shopping trip to EPCOT, and I bring back some updates and pictures! Before the quick picture Update, let's start with a little talkyness.

EPCOT

-Crowds were medium to light. Space was posted at 30 Mins., Test Track at 40, and Soarin' at 50. (However I can't confirm lines were like that, seeing as I did not go to them.)

-MouseGear wasa packed with tons of the Christmas Figment Plush, and so was the ImageWorks shoppe.

-KIM POSSIBLE RUNDOWN: Yesterday they were testing one of the Kim Possible World Showcase portions of WS, from Mexico to China. I didn't take pictures because if there is ONE attraction you shouldn't read Spoilers about, it's this one. So here's is the Non Spoiler Rundown...

Ok, so now that I've tested the Kim Possible World Showcase when it was just a crazy experiment from the talents at WDI Research and Development, to now in it's implemented final form, I stand by what I've always said: You are in for a REAL TREAT. Not only is it a fantastic idea, but one of the most original attractions ever offered by Disney in recent years. Technologically amazing, Stories that are not only interesting but keep in the theme of World Showcase, and a overall fun time for everyone. The effects were all Grade A stuff, and unless you knew they were there, normal guests wouldn't know anything unusual is happening. Blending modern special effects into the old-world streets of the World Showcase Pavilions is quite a trick, and WDI delivers. Not to mention the astounding control systems that take you from Mission to Mission without coming into contact with other players. The entire time playing the game I never encountered another player, even though a good many people were playing. We've gone a LONG way from the "Sensor Maze" my friends. Now they REALLY know you're there. From effects-driven "events" hidden into the fabric of each country, to educational questions, it's got it all. Entertaining characters, engaging storylines, and a brand new way of thinking what a Disney Attraction can be, THIS is one of the ideas that really shows to me that Walt Disney Imagineering still has that bold ambition that no other park can hope to replicate. Years in the future I can still picture people like me having fun sneaking around the Mexico Pavilion, or triggering hidden devices in France. In summary, while others may be paying attention to "American Idol", you really don't want to pass by the unassuming wood-work carts and Cast Members with baggy cargo pants hidden in the corners between Pavilions. Because I guarantee you'll have the time of your life Saving the World. (Showcase)

-Spaceship Earth looked fine, nothing new to report on the way down.

OK, that's all for that. Now on to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSDec18thEPCOTUpdateEPCOTSoupForTheSoul#5281598237278563522

EpcotServo's NOV. 28th STUDIOS Update: COLORS

2008-11-29T16:37:00.000-05:00

Hey there, and welcome back! Finally time for another Update, and this time it's an extra-long-SPECTACLE-special! Lots to get too, so let's get the ball rolling!

STUDIOS

-Crowds were HEAVY. And I mean, HEAVY. (Midway Mania at 120 Mins., Coaster 100, Tower 70.)

-Spectacle of Lights has returned! All the lights went off without a hitch, and aside from the outrageous crowds during the first hour, everything went just fine.

-The glasses have somewhat returned, although they AREN'T snowflakes you see now, just a different rainbow-reflective pattern from this line of American Paper Optics light-pattern glasses. (As they said during the last few years, they don't work with the immensely better Streets of America show, and they honestly never worked for the Spectacle ever. Just a nice novelty freebie they gave out to calm the unnatural neverending line from the Residential Street show. ) Anyways, if you want a pair show your Annual Pass at Package Pick Up or at Youse Guys Merchandise for a free pair, or you can buy them for $1 at any Studios shop or street vendor walking around with them.

-Midway Mania was working just fine, and the wall from previous updates has been repainted, and the wallpaper stripes from the staircase are now PAINTED on, and look really good!

VIDEOS

American Idol Jumbotron

First Dancing Lights Show of the Year

OK, on to all the pictures.

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSNOV28thSTUDIOSUpdateCOLORS#5274182531068752690

A Fire-Side chat with EPCOTSERVO

2008-11-27T21:04:00.000-05:00

Oh, Hi. I didn't see you there. Having a good Thanksgiving? Mashed food ingested? Turkey spliced and served? As you may well have assumed, that old jerk Jack Frost is on his way and now is the time for rampant consumerism. So take a moment and help the economic downturn and keep warm with nice, cozy, EPCOTSERVO LICENSED MERCHANDISE. They make a perfect gift for that co-worker or estranged family member that you think needs a nice confusing item they don't understand.

Won't you? Thank you.

http://www.zazzle.com/epcotservos_2009_updates_tee_black_shirt-235033634250037700

http://www.zazzle.com/epcotservos_2009_updates_tee_shirt-235159727585664619

http://www.zazzle.com/epcotservo/gifts

Now over to the Cutlery Corner with a wonderful SAMURAI SWORD set!

Happy Thanksgiving from EpcotServo

2008-11-27T12:54:00.001-05:00

JOIN THE CULT OF THE UPDATE

2008-11-06T15:43:00.000-05:00

Join us! JOIN US!!!

Become a follower in the CULT OF THE UPDATE box to the right.

You can not resist!

EpcotServo's NOV. 5th EPCOT Update: Night Updating

2008-11-06T15:26:00.001-05:00

ey there everyone! Paid a quick late-night visit to EPCOT last night, and I bring back pictures and such!

EPCOT

-No new Decent news to report. Spaceship Earth was running great, everything looked just fine.

-There's some new 2009 EPCOT merchandise. Nothing retro, just Spaceship Earth with characters on rides, same old, same old.

-I noticed a "Kim Possible World Adventure" sign was added to the screens in Innoventions.

-Future World has a ton of new Recycling Bins shaped in the shape of a Coke Bottle. Yea.

-I found the two Kim Possible carts in World Showcase. One is between the UK and the International Gateway, and the other is between Italy and America. They just look like regular World Showcase carts and don't stand out at all. Can't wait!

OK, that's just about all for the news. Now on to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSNOV5thEPCOTUpdateNightUpdating#5265635225292420866

2008-10-31T12:01:00.000-04:00

EpcotServo's OCT. 27th STUDIOS Update: ParkHOLIC

2008-10-28T14:37:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone! I naturally couldn't resist a quick morning trip to Studios on such a chilly and beautiful morning such as yesterday, so without further stalling for time, here is the Update!

STUDIOS

-Weather was great, and crowds (except for Pixar Place) were light.

-Midway Mania was having one of those days where everything decides to break, and went completely down for many hours of the day. Thanks to that, I was able to get on twice after it would reopen, and due to low scores I was able to get to the top of the Leaderboard!

-Many construction workers and Imagineers were busy working on Idol. In addition, the ring lights around the buildings pillars were on and look pretty good.

-Spectacle of Lights is all covering the Streets of America now.

-Snow White is now featured in the Animation Gallery

-The Fantasia statue from Contemporary that was placed in the Animation Gallery is now gone.

-BOLT is featured in the preview area, replacing WALL-E.

-The small building built for the Prince Caspian is already being deconstructed becuase of lack of interest and messing up the queue. If Prince Caspian comes back to Meet & Greet, it will be outside again.

OK, that's it for the news. On to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSOCT27thSTUDIOSUpdateParkHOLIC#5262265118425199074

EpcotServo's OCT. 20th STUDIOS Update: Speak Softly, And Carry A Big Camera

2008-10-22T14:48:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone, went to Studios yesterday, and here's the Update!

STUDIOS

-Weather was great, and crowds were light

-The wall in Midway Mania I mentioned last time is still unpainted.

-Mr. Spell at Pixar Place is back spelling, and now talks!

-Also, the lighting on the trees at Pixar Place are now on and changing colors. It looks fantastic in person!

-The Cars meet & greet is open.

-The Balloon is back on top of Muppets.

-Tower's audio sounded perfect.

-American Idol has TVs installed in the Pre-Show area.

OK, on to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSOCT20thSTUDIOSUpdateSpeakSoftlyAndCarryABigCamera#5259759583822438642

Video of Mr. Spell:
http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/VideoFilms#5259772996776014962

Video of Pixar Place at night:
http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/VideoFilms#5259787871036905266

Thanks for watching!

EpcotServo's OCT. 6th EPCOT/STUDIOS Update: Park Walking

2008-10-07T15:48:00.001-04:00

Hey everybody! Took a morning trip to EPCOT and Studios, and henceforth bring said Update! First, some of the talky-word-stuffs first.

EPCOT

-The sets of screens having to do with Kim Possible I showed in the last Update were on yesterday, showing a Kim Possible screensaver.

-As reported elsewhere, the 25th Gallery is closed for good. Some signage still remains.

-Crowds were light to medium, and waits were short. Waited maybe 15 minutes for Soarin', and walked on both Imagination and Mission SPACE. (The green side was a pretty long wait compared to the empty-ness of the REAL ride's side.

STUDIOS

-Crowds were also light to medium. Tower maybe 5 minutes at most, Coaster was maybe 20 to 30 in Standby, and a walk on in Single Riders. Midway Mania was down, and when it came back up & running we walked right on, afterwards it looked like a 50 to 60 minute wait. Fastpasses were gone when we got there. (Around 2:00)

-They are still working on the Sunset Blvd. stores.

-The refurbished waiting area near Tower and Coaster is done.

-In Midway Mania, the entire wall on the righthand side of Mr. Potato Head is completely blank, all the way up til' merge. This wall used to be covered with drawings and such, including the "hidden nemo". My guess is that they are repainting/remaking the theming on the wall. Very odd.

-No new real TSMM merch, though they have a new Toy Story Mania beach towel.

OK, that's all for the news. Now on to the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSOCT6thEPCOTSTUDIOSUpdateParkWalking#5254485124494563202

EXTRA:
I have the new (Well, still in Beta) Picsa 3, and wanted to try out it's movie making function, and I thought I'd make a montage/commercial. Enjoy!
http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSUpdatesAd#525419195254660030

EpcotServo's Sep. 27th EPCOT Update: You & Me, plus the camera makes 3

2008-09-28T16:04:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone! Time for a (gasp) EPCOT Update! Let's get on goings before the goings gets!

EPCOT Center

-Spaceship Earth was in great shape, no missing or broken effects to speak of.

-So I finally got around to seeing STORMSTRUCK. Meh. I think it's a very old-style-Futurechoice-theatre-style attraction, and it's great for EPCOT, but the LONG wait time really keeps it from being a must-see.

-I have two Kim Possible pictures of mysterious goings on. The screens in innoventions is beyond me, I'm excited to see just how it'll work. While waiting for StormStruck, I heard the unmistakable sound of the ringtone you hear on your phone in the game, but it was too loud for a phone though, and I never heard it again. Odd! We should be getting to do it October I believe.

-Innoventions has maps of the buildings again.

-World Showcase was packed with the Food & Wine goings ons.

-The lead singer of Big Bad Vodoo Daddy called it EPCOT Center during the second set. Way to go!

-Fellow Anime fans should note that Japan is now selling the Rae (Evangelion) Revoltech figure now, for $35.95.

OK, that's it for the talkingwords. On to the PicturePixels!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSSep27thEPCOTUpdateYouMePlusTheCameraMakes3?authkey=QIfUGVI2MlU#5251154760644234466

EpcotServo's Sep. 19th DAK Update: Nautazu Revue

2008-09-19T19:29:00.001-04:00

Hello everybody, time foanotherupdate! To Animal Kingdom! Away!

ANIMAL KINGDOM

-Crowds light, weather good. Waits short.-A few new Everest T-Shirts.

-Yeti in B, However, the SECOND time I rode the ride in the afternoon, a worklight was on in the caverns behind the Yeti, proof that they ARE working on the Yeti. Those lights would not be on unless someone was inside the Yeti's tech area and structure. The steam was also working.

-The Himalayan Escapes Disclaimer sign were missing from both the Standby and Fastpass Queues.

-Really great Safari, animals out and Terry (Our Driver) was the best I've seen in years riding the Safaris. Kudos!

-Primevil Whirl is all torn up, with MAJOR sections of the ride gone now. It's amazing!

OK, on the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSSep19thDAKUpdateNautazuRevue#5247861922436906290

EpcotServo's Sep. 13th UNIVERSAL Update: Not Disney

2008-09-14T17:21:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! Went back to Universal for a day, and I bring you pictures! First the notes!

ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

-Not very crowded. Waits around 10 to 30 Minutes.

-The Enchated Oak is long gone, as I'm sure you know.

-Pretty much all effects on Spiderman were working, though a few of the screen's were fuzzy.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

-The Simpsons Ride was great! I had high expections, and they were met. The outside of the ride is a bit busy, but it makes up for it in funny signage. The pre-shows are fantastic, and I REALLY loved the ride film/lighting/effects/projectors in the main dome. I actually think it's overall a better ride than Back To The Future. (Only because the actual BTTF Ride Film was very dissapointing. This one lived up the hype of all the Pre-Shows you have to watch. Plus, it's not nearly as rough!)

-Mummy was great as always, but the first Imhotep wasn't working.

OK, on the pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSSep13thUNIVERSALUpdateNotDisney#5245969514806156178

EpcotServo's Sep. 9th STUDIOS Update: Someday at the Studios

2008-09-10T17:16:00.001-04:00

Hello united people of the internets! Went to the Studios yesterday afternoon, and I bring ye news and photos! Let's get rolling, shall we?

STUDIOS

-The parks are a lot less crowded now thankfully. Aside from Midway Mania, all other rides ranged from walks ons, to 15/20 minute waits.

-There is a new Toy Story Midway Mania shirt, although it appears to only come in children's sizes.

-They've installed bright lights in the track bed of the Load area at Midway Mania, to keep guests aware that they shouldn't go towards the large pit in the ground, and not to let their kids dash into it.

-Got a new personal best score on the ride: 210,700!

-For some of you who haven't heard Mr. Potato Head's third and newest song, I got it on film. Hit it, Mr. Potato Head!

-It seemed to me like one of the trains on RNR was running awfully fast. It was even more of a blast than usual!

-TOWER AUDIO UPDATE: I was in the right side Tower shaft (Foxtrot, I think. I always get my side names mixed up!) and the audio in the first shaft was OK (Except once the word "Zone" was missing, so he just said "In the Twilight". In the actual drop shaft, the audio was VERY loud and sounded a bit tin-ey.

-Much of the Sounds Dangerous/ABC Theatre building is painted blue. Not great, but not as bad as the blue paint they put on The Seas building.

OK, that's it for the newsparts. On to the visual medium!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSSep9thSTUDIOSUpdateSomedayAtTheStudios#5244480960793458546

EXTRA: STATE OF THE UPDATE NEWS

-Thanks to a nifty new feature, you can track the locations of the Update via Map! You can even open it up in Google Earth in tandem with the 3-D Disney Buildings to create an ULTIMATE EPCOTSERVO VIRTU-TRACK HD REALTIME 3-D EARTHSCAN UPDATE 3000, bringing the randomness into frightning real life. Check it out!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSSep9thSTUDIOSUpdateSomedayAtTheStudios/photo#map

-If all goes according to plan, look for another UNIVERSAL Update in the not too-distant future!*

-If you're just joining us on our 17-mile journey to the Magic Kingdom, welcome aboard! And have you checked out the Gift Shoppe?
http://www.zazzle.com/epcotservo/products

And as usual, EpcotServo's Updates are made possible thanks to viewers, like you.

"What do you think, Sirs?"
-Joel, MST3K

EpcotServo's Aug. 30th MK Update: Burn After Riding

2008-08-30T20:47:00.001-04:00

Heyaeverybody! Time for a Magic Kingdom Update! Lots of newsbits and phototrons to get too, so let's get started!

MAGIC KINGDOM

-Firstup, the WDWMagic Magic Kingdom meet was lots of fun! Kudos to SweetMagic and EPCOT.nut for a great meet and ultra-fun Trivia Contest! (And big thanks to whomever bought/gave the old WDW Souvenir book that I won! My family has three big shelves of old WDW souvenir books and we don't have this one! That's pretty hard to do when we have so many!)Anyways, it was tons of fun and I can't wait to do it again sometime!

-The New Liberty Square Bridge is open now, though they are still working under and around it. It's totally flat now, and is a much lighter color. (Sorry, only one picture. The rain came and made it impossible to take pictures of due to the fact I was umbrella-less!)

-I spotted an interesting new tall streetlight in Tomorrowland.

-Weather was nice in the morning, but rainy in the afternoon.

-Crowds were light in the morning, but it was packed by the time I left.

-The crane is back working on the castle.

-The Pirate trying to get on the boat is missing his toppeling hats.

-Space Mountain broke down, and I have lights-on shots from the Peoplemover!

OK, that's it for that.

And now: More of this!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSAug30thMKUpdateBurnAfterRiding/photo#5240464394714347362

EpcotServo's Aug. 5th STUDIOS Update: New Camera Meets World

2008-08-06T17:51:00.000-04:00

Studios...

The much-explored frontier...

These are the voyages of the PowerShot NEWCAMERA...

It's five year mission to explore strange new parks, take pictures of walls and trash cans...

and to boldly go where only one camera has gone before!

SERVO TREK

Dun-naaaa! Na na na na naaaaa!

Sorry. Just wanted to show an example right off the bat that is a Update is a tad un-usual. Why? A BRAND NEW CAMERA!

Yes, this is the first update with the high-tech-super-powerfull-fancyfied-HIGH DEFINITION-Canon PowerShot S5 IS!

So 475 pictures (And 1 video) later, here we are! So let's get started with the news!

STUDIOS

-Crowds were medium. Crazy, but not that bad.

-Toy Story Midway Mania was packed all day long. Fastpasses were gone by 1 o' clock, I overheard a guest say.

-All of the TSM shirts (With the exception of the Jessie one) are gone. So if you didn't buy the Extremely-Overpriced Potato Head shirt, or the Rex, or Woody Shirts (-cough-me-cough-) Disney's basicly shortchanged you on good Midway Mania shirts. Instead they've been replaced by EXTREMELY cheap and tacky Potato Head shirts that A: Look nothing like the actual Mr. Potato Head in the ride and B: Aren't funny in any way. For some reason they have "Toy Story Midway Mania" on them, even though they have nothing to do with Midway Mania.

-The toy Spring-Action-Shooters are here now, they're great even though the shirt situation above stinks.

-As mentioned elsewhere, both the outdoor Limo at RNR and the Balloon at Muppets are gone for painting/repair.

-Wall-E is astoundingly popular, since there was actually a five-deep line to get their pictures taken with the small cardboard-like cutout the entire time I was in the animation building. We need that AA meet and greet NOW!

OK, that's it for the words. Now on all the brand-new-HD-pictures!

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/EpcotServo/EpcotServoSAug5thSTUDIOSUpdateNewCameraMeetsWorld/photo#5231511727361048066