EpcotServo's Updates #3.15: Eye of the Tiger

   Hey everybody, and welcome to a very much overdue Update! Things have been incredibly busy what with my whole novel finished and now avaible for the low, low price of 99 cents-(Anymart Six Check it out) I haven't had much time for Updates! And since Picasa has been merged and folded in with Google Photos, getting the venue right has been taxing. But now that I have a break, and some fun photos and captions, we boldly continue the saga of Updates! Read on, and ENJOY!^^

Engage Update #3.15

EpcotServo's Updates #3.7: The Update Awakens

Hello everyone, and welcome to another all-around time, Update time! Get ready to grow the brand and shift your paradigm, because it's time to click on for action!

STUDIOS


-Weather hot but breezy, storms avoided, and crowds crowded but not overtly insane crazy.

-Star Wars Weekends 2015 is here! Below are thoughts.

-Start of the day was a bit of a hot mess, with wristbands being distributed for Merch and Autographs, but not both. And since the autographs are for later and the merch is for now, there was some chaos at least amongst the voices in my head.

-Merch this year takes up Prop Warehouse/Old AFI Building/and Backlot Tour prop shop. The latter has completely been stripped of all props, so as to wherever all the World of Motion pieces have been taken, I know not.

-Merch is pretty solid this year, but the standout is the awesome Force Awakens T-Shirt, and 25% of the cost goes to UNICEF and Force for Change, which makes it even more awesome.

-The waits to get into the store ranged from pretty bad, to walk right in. Waited for it a few times and it wasn't too bad. I still think I prefer the giant tent, but it's a better use for the building than Frozen, that's for sure.

-In the prop warehouse they have a LEGO building table, where you can build and keep an great Mini-Build. It's free lego so I shouldn't have to say much more to convince you that's awesome.

-Also there's a neat poster for Passholders and DVC members below the tour corridor near the Pixar Place gate, FYI.

-The autographs this year use the American Idol audition rooms, which is kind of a mixed bag. It makes it much more enjoyable if you have a fastpass, but the days of walking by and just seeing the celebrities aren't possible with this setup. I heard you can still get their fakesigned cards at the info booths, but I wasn't able to verify that. I think I'm more on the side of using the audition rooms though, since I always felt bad if your meet and greet ran long, seeing the faces out in the heat behind you in line. So I'm more on the improvement side on this one, reluctantly. 

-Probably my biggest complaint with SWW this year is the one I volley across all of WDW, the relentless upcharging. The upcharged gathering event, the dining events, the hangar thing downsizing backlot express. There's so much great stuff to offer the normal guest there should be no need for such things. Not so much a problem yet, but I can see it getting annoying.

-The Boba Fett mug looked great, but was nowhere to be seen. Not in yet maybe?

-The Stormtrooper intro show is better this year with some added pizzazz. It'll never replace the amazing sight of them on the gate roof, but it's getting there.

-Inside GMR, they've added BADLY out of place chain stanchions on the Anubis statue where the gangster/cowboy grabs the gem. It's OSHA fall protection ruling same as above, and annoyingly bad looking.

-The themed overhang at the exit of GMR is done, but nothing below it yet.

-The Chinese Theater still needs some details back, but the central roof has been cleaned.

-At Star Tours...I WAS FINALLY THE REBEL SPY! Leia told me so...Heh heh heh

-In Sounds Dangerous there's a great 30 Minute recap of Star Wars Rebels to check out, though spoilers if you're already planning to watch it all. If you weren't interested or want to cool down, go see it. Pretty good for a recap episode, plus life-size Ezra and Sabine inside. 

-The Echo Lake ducklings were invading the Indy outdoor cart near Backlot Express, and it was adorable.

-First time seeing the new Star Wars fireworks, and it was AMAZING. WDW Pyro pulls out all the stops. Not to mention...New Troopers. That's right...NEW TROOPERS!

OK, that's about all for the many words. Now on to the many pictures.

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates37TheUpdateAwakens?noredirect=1#6150034499719180258

EpcotServo's Updates #2.98- Endless VIII

Hello everybody and how does it go? Goes well? Then click onwards for Update! Yes, have some!

EPCOT


-Crowds mild, Weather muggy and stormy in the distance.

-Mexican projection effect is really cool inside the main chamber.

-No No Norway I waited for Norway with the line sticking out the door.

-Illuminations still Illuminating.

-New vertical farming at Living with the Land!

-EPCOT!

OK, that's about all for that kind of thing, and now on to the main kind of thing!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates298EndlessVIII?noredirect=1#6049049875448253378

EpcotServo's Updates #2.97- Dragone with the Wind

 Hey everybody, it's that Updatetime again! Let's get on with the Dragone. Dragon. Whatever.

UNIVERSAL


-Crowds lots and many.

-Heat mostly and very hotly.

-Diagon Alley! So great. Much better than the first Potterlands, and needless to say exceedingly great in many things.

-Only complaints are that there's only like 3 benches in the whole land, and still isn't my Jaws.

-Knockturn Alley, Butterbeer Icecream, and the GlowSnails. Best.

-On first day we went at park opening and had to get a return ticket, last time was around 5 and walked right in.

-Gringott's! Lucked out and got on rested and ready for waiting with a posted wait of 120, only waited an hour and a half. This ride is SPECTACULAR. It may not be my favorite ride ever, but it's without a doubt one of the best rides ever made. It's Universal's least jarring thrill ride that's still scary and cool. It doesn't beat you up and assault your senses like most Universal thrill rides, it's more smooth and controlled and all around thrilling. It's one of the most perfect Dark Rides, and is in the rare caliber of ride with Indiana Jones Adventure, Tower of Terror, and other amazing rides.

-ALL HAIL THE GLOWSNAILS.

-Lots of fun.

-Lots.

OK, that's about all-Now on to the many pictures, and ENJOY!^^

 https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates297DragoneWithTheWind?noredirect=1#6037667113491208370

EpcotServo's Update #2.84- The Epdays Are Just PACKED

Heya everyone and welcome to more Update! Please follow the words to the picturezone making room available to the internets visitors coming in behind you.

EPCOT


-Great weather and low crowds!

-First time using the turnstyle-free entry boopers. It's pretty nice, albeit very Doctor Who Cyber-Monster Creepy. It's fast and easy though.

-Starbucking

-Test Track exterior loop has gotten some exterior signage along the exterior loop, including a nice Progress City tribute right after exiting into the outside.

-NewTrack is still great and all the effects were working.

-Illuminations does have a new alternating blink effect with all the countries popcorn lights.

-It's also still such a perfect show.

-Japan has some cheap Totoro fans perfect for the Ghibli fan on a hot day! Instabuy for lots including me.

-Eperfection

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

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates284TheEpdaysAreJustPACKED?noredirect=1#5926695311705408226

EpcotServo's Updates #2.83- The Midnight Sun

Hello and welcome to the Update! Please step all the way inside making room for the internet behind you.

UNIVERSAL


-Construction is underway

-SimpsonsLand is pretty much done

-Hot. Not too crowded. But really, really hot.

-The World's End is in theaters now. See it.

-Get out of the heat.

-It took me awhile to get this Update up, even though it's short.

-Sorry.

OK, that's about all for this biz, now on to the Picturefest!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates283TheMidnightSun?noredirect=1#5917616544850910114

EpcotServo's Updates #2.81- Wild Horses

HELLO everybodyaa and welcome to another Update, back at KSC again-Why so soon? BECAUSE NEW ATTRACTION IS WHY! On to it, then!

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER


-Weather Hot to Rainy, Crowds more crowded than usual

-Grand Opening of Atlantis was great and open to the Public instead of only MediaTypes, meaning UpdateCoverage which is special.

-Not only that, all guests got special opening weekend programs commemorating the goings ons.

-One such goings ons was all the Private Sector space companies giving out freebies and showcasing all the new systems going in place. This was really cool and much appreciated!

-So ATLANTIS is without a doubt *THE* Florida attraction of the year. Fantasyland and Transformers are nice, Penguinland I'm sure has nice things about it (Penguins), but Atlantis is one DARN fine attraction by any standard. Not only is it something worth seeing, it's a giant pavilion with hours of content to see and do, ASIDE from the near 20 minute show leadup, the GREAT ride that is Shuttle Launch Experience inside, and the main attraction of seeing the Shuttle itself. So wrap all that up with a tidy EPCOT-esque narrative and mission, really incredible new music and lighting throughout every stage of it, and mix in the bundle of emotions you carry into it from years of watching the Shuttles in action, plus top it off with a giant new marquee exterior, and there's just no way anything opening this year in Orlando can top it. KSC may not be your first thought in themed entertainment, but you owe yourself a visit to this show, because this and the Saturn V Center are actually two of the best attractions we have in Florida.

OK, on to the Pictures and such stuff!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates281WildHorses?noredirect=1#5895411013004614658

EpcotServo's Updates #2.79-Bigger, Badder, Botter

Hey everybody, it's summer! There's a park! Let's visit!

UNIVERSAL

-Transformers Passholder Preview Hour was a bit of a cluster, but they did their best to keep it together. Kudos to the event staff and ride crew for keeping calm under pressure!

-The ride is still awesome, but after getting one perfect ride in, both other rides were pretty majorly wonky. The best of which, bad block timing and sound dropping out, but then in the Lift down it rotated backwards from the screen (Forward position since the ride vehicle itself is traveling backwards for the entirety of the second floor) so basically getting to see both levels as you travel downwards, as well as the AMAZING lift mechanisms in the center. Yeah, it was really cool. I love that stuff.

-Universal rides without sound are hilarious, because you can tell how loud they are normally. It's like bobbing and rocking in a big quiet empty room.

-The crew was really superb keeping their calm even when everything went Fubar with the ride. Some bad quick saves were upsetting people, but offering rerides to everyone will do that, and that was a nice gesture but really gunks up the works.

-Men In Black is still my favorite Universal ride since Jaws closed.

-Hot. Stinky. Crowded.

-Mummy and MIB walk-ons are best. Then leave, quickly!

-I don't usually advertise, but seeing as this is the last Update for awhile most likely with the crowds descending, please check out my RedBubble designs, including a new Universe and You one for fellow Alien Attack fans! http://www.redbubble.com/people/epcotservo

-Words.

OK. that's all for words-now the pictures!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates279BiggerBadderBotter?noredirect=1#5889083225228522226