EpcotServo's Updates #3.6: Springtime Across Spacetime

Hello everybody~! Sorry for the long Updatelessness, I was sort of busy writing a book. Like, with words. Lots of them. And less pictures. But the pictures roll on, and without really knowing why, they always say, WE MUST UPDATE!

ANIMAL KINGDOM


-I sort of forgot about taking pictures of Animal Kingdom in February. Yeeeaah. Sorry about that.

-I remember it being cold...And there were Animals.

-The new FOTLK theater is nice, show...enh. The same.

STUDIOS


-Hat is down. Well, not in the pictures. But in general, yeah.

-Other stuff, which I totally remember.

EPCOT


-Weather mild and pleasant, to stinky hot and rainy. Pretty much Florida in spring. And summer.

-Crowds medium

-Universe of Energy is really in a sad state. All environmental effects are broken. Two of four show doors not working. Curtains still broke. Ellen and dinosaur, missing.  Essentially an entire scene, empty. This is not only bad show, but a new level of ineptitude in quality control. They're letting energy, rot-and for what reason I can only assume MUST be stupidity or some malice and forethought.

-Another weird thing, in Theater 2 they've replaced the center screen with a digital projector. People won't be inclined to notice, but if you're a weirdo like me you'll find seeing the same movie being displayed in Digital AND film at the same time is a weird experience, much like Philharmagic-unless they've changed that since opening.

-Innoventions walls everywhere. EVVEEERRRYWHHEERRREEEEE

-So why the heck is Living with the Land closing after seven again? There's literally hundreds of people waiting for fastpasses or reservations to come in, and lots of rider swaps going on. Not to mention closed seating areas, this kind of cheapness is crazy.

-The Tomorrowland Preview is amazing. I just wish the people who run Epcot would take a look at it, and I don't know, throw some money into the ring for making Epcot an optimistic experience again. Just sayin'.

-Frozen coke slushees at the Outpost are still magic. 

-EPCOT!

YES, that's all for the words. On to the pictures!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates36SpringtimeAcrossSpacetime?noredirect=1#6142891867353421858

EpcotServo's Updates #3.5- Train Man

Hello everybody and welcome to the first Update on the fresh new UpdatePage! Lots of captions and pictures to take in, so click on friends!

UNIVERSAL

-New Universal entry sign, very nice.

-Weather cold and windy, crowds not very bad.

-Had more amazing experiences with Team Members than usual on this day, had loads of amazing interactions and even had a magic moment at Transformers where we got express'ed on just for bein' around, so super amazing thanks to the loads of great Team Members out there that made a usual parkvisit just a little extra special.

MAGIC KINGDOM


-Hub is super torn up. Castle Crane up as well.

-Tiki, Country Bears, Progress, Peoplemover!

-Mine Train is still Mine Trainey

-Got stuck for nearly twenty minutes on Pirates right before Unload, which was the fun part of an interesting Pirates experience-Including a grouper who wanted to stuff four large adults into the FIRST row, which we the guests had to instruct isn't humanly possible. And to top it off, we got SOAKED at the bottom of the drop. I don't mean the "Ha, Pirates was a little splashy today!" wet, I mean drenched. Only getting stuck at the end helped to dry my jeans out before leaving. Thankfully we got a re-ad, but either Pirates was having a terrible night or George the ghost was having a laugh. Yeah, interesting ride on Pirates.

-Got FerstPassesPlus online this time, worked out really well. Got on Mansion, Pirates, and Big Thunder with them.

-As an aside, the beach shacks along the Polynesian waterfront are pretty visually appalling from around Bay Lake. Blergh.

-It was still a great night for Kingdom though.

-Huzzah!

OK, that's about all there is for that. On to the Pictures!

ENJOY!^^

 https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates35TrainMan?noredirect=1#6112815164761565074

EpcotServo's Updates #200- Living Inside The Shell

Hello there everybody, and welcome to a super special Update! Without further lines of code, read on!

EPCOT


-Weather extremely good, crowds very, very crowded.

-Fastpass Plus entirely useless.

-Imagination had issues 3,4, and 5 of Figment.

-Maelstrom has been compromised

-Don't lose your way

-The International Food and Boozestufs festival is ongoing.

-Words illuminate pictures.

-Epcot stuff.

OK, that's about all for this and that. Now on to bigger, and bolder ideas!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates200LivingInsideTheShell?noredirect=1#6069572520202513794

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 Updates #2.96- Central and Universal

 

Hello everybody and welcome to the time of the Update! Lots to think on, so get thinking on it!

UNIVERSAL

-Crowds mild, weather hot but windy!

-Hogwarts Express soft opening!

-So in the realm of operational fact, the ride runs great and the crew really worked wonderfully in getting people on and out, the waits were short and flew by. I foresee this being how most everyone will parkhop.

-In the realm of opinion, I personally loved it. I'm not really a big Harry Potter fan at all, I have many a peeve about almost everything that isn't contained in books 3 and 4, but I got goosebumps seeing the train pull up for the first time! It's really cool, and what's best/most interesting is that the experience itself is calm, sedate, and enjoyable. It's not loud and brash like every single other Universal thing, as I have come to love them for. It's really amazing, and I can't recommend it enough.  Second favorite Universal ride still in operation, right after....

-Men in Black! Still could use a rehab, had some synching and AV problems. But still, I love it.

-Frozen Butterbeer still the drink of choice.

-Once again I find my opinion steadfast that they ruined Spiderman. The pace of the ride is all bjorked up, and it's not the beat-for-beat perfection it used to be. The graphics looking better doesn't save it for me, I really loved the original's rhythm.

-Yep, that's about it.

-Except for the pictures!

OK, that's about all-now on to said pictures!

ENJOY!^^

  https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates296CentralAndUniversal?noredirect=1#6031588110985941346

EpcotServo's Updates #2.95- Center Nova

Hey everybody, it's update-time-EPCOT-time! Let's get on with it, if we're planning too!

EPCOT


-Crowds and weather both mild!

-Journey cover band at Sounds Like Summer was awesome to the max.

-So much stuff at Energy needs fixing. So much.

-NewTestTrack is still so good, but TruckLasers weren't working.

-You can watch the World Cup Thingie at the Odyssey if that's your GOOOOOOOOAAAALLLLL

-Impressions De Fronce is still just the best!

-If you follow my tweetings, then you may remember my posts about "Hako Vision", which is a little box with a Pepper's Ghost effect using  projection mapping that you get by scanning a QR code on the side. It turns your phone into a projection mapping, Pepper's Ghost Gundam show and is like the best! Well now they have them at Japan pavilion! Go, go buy them!

-Great new Soarin' merch at Soarin'

-Fun things are fun!

OK, that's all for this and that, now on to the pictures!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates295CenterNova?noredirect=1#6028222702318911154

EpcotServo's Updates #2.94- Gem and the Holograms

Hey everybody and welcome to another Update! As always, we start with the words and whatnot!

STUDIOS


-Weather hot, crowds medium.

-Star Wars Weekends! Organized pretty well this year from what I could tell, though the merch was better in the tent than the soundstage. Met Steve Blum, the voice actor of Spike Spiegel which was amazing!

-Student film groups were filming on the Streets of America which was interesting!

-Also they were filming Rebels B-Roll.

KINGDOM


-Crowds medium, weather was night. Night weather.

-Fastpass still working alright, came in around 8 and got Fastpasses for Mansion at 9 and Big Thunder at 10:45-11:45.

-Astro Orbiter is Astro-gone.

-Mine Train! Really fun. Got two rides in, and best of all two people jumped out of our car at load on the second ride, so we got to just really get it swinging side to side (yo) which was alot of fun. My only gripe is the interactive portions of the queue, which are nice but feel like an inescapable playground. The outdoor queue is really nice though, so there's that. It ain't no 20K, but I guess it's my favorite thing in the whole expansion.

-Got to ride Mine Train twice, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Big Thunder, Pooh, and Mad Tea Party twice. Nine rides in two hours, whichisnotbadifIdosaymyself!

-Oh, nice things are nice

-No flash pictures in the mine thankfully, but one or two people drinking from the musical thing. THERE'S A DRINKING FOUNTAIN RIGHT NEXT TO IT!@   -   @

-Peoplemover is under rehab. Meh.

-For fun.

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

ENJOY!^^

 https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates294GemAndTheHolograms?noredirect=1#6026380522872602386

EpcotServo's Updates #2.92- Shindig for Studios

Hey everybody, long time no Updatin'! So let's Update, now!

STUDIOS


-Crowds medium, weather was almost rain but never rained.

-Studios 25th was alot of fun, and much better organized and handled than either Epcot Anniversaries. Plus not to mention I got WAY more interaction with Cast Members wishing a Happy StudiosDay to me than any interaction I had on Epcot's 30th. Nice to see the love!

-Second interaction with FastpassUltimateForm, and it still worked well enough for me.

-Mulch, Sweat, and Sheers has gotten REALLY good. I mean, they've always been good, but darn are they rockin'! Give them a listen.

-No broken effects anywhere to report.

EPCOT


-Crowds light.


-Go see the Flamboyant Cuddlefish at Living Seas.

-Spaceship Earth and Japan Pavilion forever

-The Communicore Paint scheme. Not a fan.

-Flowers and Gardens is still pretty and fun.

OK, that's all for that and stuff, so here's the rest!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates292ShindigForStudios?noredirect=1#6010504375611115042

EpcotServo's Updates #2.91- Black Lagoon

Updatetime is here again, so dive in!

UNIVERSAL


-Weather fine

-Crowds medium to heavy

-Spring has Sprung

-Pottertowne coming along

-Men in Black was down

-all other rides operating nominally

-And pictures were taken!

OK, that's about all for words. Now for Main Screen Turn On!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates291BlackLagoon?noredirect=1#6002400152476359682

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates: Part 2- Beyond The DCA

Hey everybody and welcome to the PART 2 of the CALIFORNIA UPDATES Q: You can (Re) Ride...Click on, and continue the journey of a thousand clicks!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdatesPart2BeyondTheDCA?noredirect=1#5938026999577758770

EpcotServo's Updates #2.77- Return Of The FunGuy

Hello everyone and let's do a Studios Update! There's no place like HomeParks, so let's get right to it!

STUDIOS


-Star Wars Weekends! Pretty good this year, they've improved the merch and merch area, and traffic was handled smoothly. The stormtroopers no longer on the roof is a bummer, but let's hope with new movies comes new stuff and events as well.

-Midway Mania 5th Anniversary! Happy!

-They added two new Etch-A-Sketches to the queue

-RNR and Tower still great

-Fastpasses Boopers still in place everywhere, and uncovered

-All the effects in Muppets were working

-STAR TOURS!

-Yep, still great.

-Love each other!

OK That's about all for WORDS-Now the VisualCaptures! Main Screen, Turn On!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates277ReturnOfTheFunGuy?noredirect=1#5885835832936166082

EpcotServo's CALIFORNIA Updates: Part 4-Hollyweird

Hey everyone and welcome to PART 4 in the continuing saga of Californianess! Continue on, Clicking-Travelers!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSCALIFORNIAUpdatesPart4Hollyweird?noredirect=1#5884667974325332050

EpcotServo's Updates #2.69-The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

IT'S THE MOST...WONDERFULLLL TIMEEE OF THE YEAAARRRR! And Merry Holidays to you all, we got a short and sweet Kingdom stuff for you, so click on!

KINGDOM


-OK, so you never really have to click on, just keep reading. Doesn't sound as cool, does it?

-Crowds were low, weather windy

-Parade Taping was fun. Of course, it's all live...in your region.

-Peoplemover seemed to be a little bjorked, with a large gap and the trains at Load rushing up and bumping on to the next train with a jolt. Strange.

-They've made the Mermaids at Pirates show up on the right side of the flume a little more. It's still really cool, but I'm not sure if it was better when it projected less. But then again, there was one whole ride last time I didn't even see any, so it was needed. And is still really cool.

-Little Mermaid is still going fine

-It's a tiny world, it seems

-Finally saw Country Bears. Really didn't like. It's like the reader's digest version, there's just a whole lotta' charm and wit lost in those five minutes they edited out and the show doesn't hold up as well ironically, being the reverse effect as intended.

-BUT...AHolycrap, new Test Track is AWESOME.

-I mean, really, REALLY AWESOME.

-I hope to have pictures and further words on how fantastic it is, later.

-More then.

-Hello!

-Pictures now.

OK, that's about it for that-Continue onwards!

And ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates269TheMostWonderfulTimeOfTheYear?noredirect=1#5817551854421906994


EpcotServo's Updates are made possible thanks to viewers LIKE YOU! 

EpcotServo's Updates #2.66-Attack The Block

Hellos FolkPeoples, and welcome to the first of Three Updates this week,. the MEGA look at the little park known as LEGOLAND! Lots of pictures, so Quickly! There's No Time! Read words!

LEGOLAND, FLORIDA


-First time visiting Cypress Gardens and a Legoland for that matter!

-The park is really nice. Great guest service, clean, very pretty, acouplea good little coasters, and the excellent Cypress Gardens. The price of tickets are pretty pricey though for so many small rides and a park geared to the 3-10 set. That audience should be worth that price, but-as much as I love LEGO-I wouldn't see the price being worth it. But definitely go if you've been invited, with comps or such.

-Who doesn't love LEGO?

-It was also the opening of the Star Wars section, which was very cool.

-Great weather, no crowds, pleasant even

-THEY HAVE AUTOPIA BUT WITH BOATS

-I KNOW

-4 pretty fun little coasters

-The Cypress Gardens are REALLY pretty.

-Stuff

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

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates266AttackTheBlock?noredirect=1#5810813578773540482

EpcotServo's Updates #2.63- Cloudy Kingdom Atlas

Greetings peoples. and welcome to an overdue Update with some Kingdom stuff you can click right on to.

KINGDOM





-Crowds medium to light, overcast and windy, chance of Servo 10AM-3PM

-MOYMAIDS! The Mermaids have the Pirates of the Caribbean, and they are very cool. A great series of subtle effects and an overall spookier beach scene that works much better. Really, really like it.

-MOYMAIDS! Under the Sea is still solid with a pretty spectacular queue.

-MOYMAIDS! Wreck-It-Ralph has some merch in Emporium. Please to see it Nov.2nd, it's very excellent.

-MOYMAIDS! The CGI MansionGhosts are still just terrible.

-MOYMAIDS! Peoplemover is still movin' people.

OK, that's about all. Please click on!

ENJOY!^^

 https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates263CloudyKingdomAtlas?noredirect=1#5804843590040482882

EpcotServo's Updates #2.62- Transformers Maybe?

Tuturuuuu~and welcome to yet another installation in the ongoing Update Instrumentality Project. Let's NOT cut the chit-chat and continue onwards and Updatewards!

UNIVERSAL


-There ain't not no such thing as Transformers, ain't no way, ain't no how! Go away!

-The giant show buildings and cranes can easily be described as Pelican farts reflecting a lighthouse off of swamp gas.

-After three rides I'd just like to log the actual Simulator portion of Despicable Me as the worst Simulator in Universal's lineage. (The entire show package is good, but as a standalone ridefilm I mean) The film has too straight forward a motion, and way too much Body Wars pitch forward/back motion. Having been on all of Universal's simulator types/Single shot ridefilms I'd just like to put that on record. 

-Men In Black could probably use some of that fancy ComCash(TM) to clean up the roof of the Load area, maybe the whole ride.

-I like seeing entertainment out, especially the animals they have. (But mostly the owl)

-STILL THE LOUDEST PLACE ON EARTH

-They've changed the Fireplace Teleportaion effect in Forbidden Journey, instead of shifting Inception walls as before, it's now just a green floaty light that follows you. It's smoother and a little better really.

-Frozen Butterbeer is still the best HarryPotters anything

-It's nice to see some bits of Suess Landing and Port of Entry getting a good refresh

- =  ___ =zzzzzzz

-0-0!

-Oh yeah, the weather was spectacular and the crowds weren't half bad either.

OK, that's about it!

ENJOY!^^

https://picasaweb.google.com/116649166152221553706/EpcotServoSUpdates262TransformersMaybe?noredirect=1#5802592332667192946