An In-Depth Look at the Brand New Vision House at Epcot

This weekend, WDW News Today was invited to take part in a special two day launch event for the VISION House presented by Green Builder Media, a new exhibit inside Innoventions at Epcot. WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth was sent to cover the festivities:

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The exhibit’s facade is far more realistic than its predecessor, featuring the exterior look and feel of a green household.

The attraction’s marquee is prominently featured above the entrance, most directly facing The Sum of all Thrills.

Pella, one of the many sponsors of the new exhibit, provided the windows for the exhibit, all of which feature their automated blinds system.

The first night of the special event featured a formal reception inside of Innoventions…

Sara Gutterman, Co-Founder and CEO of Green Builder Media led the event with thanks to all of the participating sponsors as well as all others in attendance.

Part of the facade is left unfinished to illustrate the unique design of the green building, including insulation within the walls.

The Vision House is officially on the roster of Innoventions East exhibits!

The evening included an unscripted tour of the Vision House to allow those present to see the extra layers of detail and ask as many questions as they wanted.

Outside of the exhibit, several touch screen kiosks will eventually offer guests the ability to connect with addition Vision House characters, all of whom are featured in the online Vision Tales extension of the Vision House/Green Builder Media brand.

It’s time for the tour to begin!

Each of the “zones” within the exhibit feature AMX panels which let the guiding cast member know where the other tour groups are in the Vision House.

The Vision House is designed with a far more realistic tone in mind, contrary to the futuristic push being the House of Innoventions.

The new layout of the exhibit is spacious and almost entirely open to guest exploration. All barricades and blocks within the former exhibit were removed and everything within the attraction is “touch friendly” for the guests.

The Vision House’s kitchen features Armstrong flooring and Bosch kitchen appliances, all of which can be purchased today. The entire exhibit uses the Nexia Home Intelligence System, which can be controlled via portable and wall-mounted touchscreen panels throughout the house.

The AMX controllers allow home owners to control the temperature of their homes, look up recipes, access the internet and much more.

Ron Jones, Founder and President of Green Builder Media took a few moments to give us his thoughts on the Vision House.

This is the first Vision House to be installed in a theme park, but he hopes it will not be the last!

This Bosch oven retains extra heat, requiring less time and energy to properly cook food items.

One of the very few areas within the exhibit that guests are not allowed to enter.

A section of the house’s wall has been cut away to show off a special insulation that helps to retain a house’s internal temperature, thus decreasing the need for temperature changes in the house’s air conditioning.

Believe it or not, this is a remote controlled toilet. The lid opens automatically at the touch of a button.

Bosch also provided the washer and dryer for the Vision House.

The Vision House belongs to the fictional Monteverde family, who are clearly Disney fans.

Moving into the baby’s room…

Notice how many of the decorations are made from recycled items.

Moving into the backyard, we get to see the garage…

As well as the greenhouse

Trane has provided the HVAC system for the Vision House

Lisa Monteverde converted the garage into her personal office according the story of the Vision House.

With so many sponsors involved, you’ve got lots of products to notice…

The exit of the exhibit features handouts for those interested.

Kohler provided the power management system for the Vision House

Is this a hidden detail?

It seems that Lisa Monteverde actually designed her family’s Vision House herself!

Shameless plug!

M for Monteverde!

Truly living with the land

In the interest of full disclosure, we were offered some wonderful treats a the event…

Back inside of the Vision House, we had the chance to walk around at our own pace to see other aspects of the house we may have missed during our first tour

Lots to see!

Here’s the real-life picture of the Monteverde family’s dog, Rounder

One lamp in the children’s room is made of an old laundry detergent bottle

The AMX touch screens feature images of the Monteverde Family during one of their recent visits to Walt Disney World

Hanwha Solar provided the solar panels featured atop the garage at the end of the exhibit

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The Vision House event continued the following morning with the opening of the attraction for all guests

The space in front of the exhibit was used to offer presentations from several of the sponsors who played a part in creating the Vision House

Vision House has several extensions of the concept that take place outside of the physical exhibit. Vision Tales is one of these concepts.

Matt Power of GreenBuilderMag.com created the cast of characters affiliated with the Vision House/Vision House brand. He gave a great preview presentation of the online efforts associated with the Vision House that should continue guests’ interests in sustainability beyond their visit to Epcot.

Matt also showed us an early preview of the mobile app that will be released in the near future to further tie in with the brand.

A Chevy Volt is featured outside of the exit of the Vision House

Siemens is responsible for the charging system in place for the Volt

Special thanks to Green Builder Media for including WDW News Today in this very special event. We had an incredible time and we highly recommend a visit to the awesome Innoventions East exhibit, the Vision House presented by Green Builder Media!

If you want to take a full walkthorugh and hear more from those involved in the project, we have included a video below:

Adam Roth’s 7/6/12 Epcot Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot on Friday and has some great photos to share with us from his trip:

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Phineas and Ferb topiary went up as part of the “Summer to Remember”

I had no idea there was a summer promotion… I imagine guests had no idea either…

Large patches of grass back after Flower and Garden clean-up

The Test Track pizza truck and many props from the area are gone, but the tool sheds remain

Test Track is still closed of course

The signage from Inside Track is gone

A pretty bare exterior right now

I love the people checking out the car while Test Track All-Stars are performing…

Looks liek they are surveying guests about their experience with the new World Showcase Adventure

It’s themed too

The old Kim Possible carts are unrecognizable with the Perry the Platypus layover

Brave Highland Games was in its final days at this point, it closed on Sunday

The Flower and Garden play area looked really out of place…

Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure does use a lot of existing game scenes from the old attraction

Don’t be scared, this is actually the olympic mascot

London 2012 olympics merchandise available in the U.K. pavilion

More props that stuck around

Still spells Kim Possible

A new logo on the phone drop locations

I’m sorry, but this attraction is already funnier and all I have seen is this sign…

The new zip-line for Agent P over the U.K.

That’s neat…

The bakery in France is being expanded due to high guest demand

So, they kept the strange baby robot in Japan?

I hope it fits well into the storyline

Have they always offered American Stripes ice cream with the funnel cake?

This seems new…

FLAG FESTIVAL!

FLAGS!

So, there’s something over here people are upset about?

Oh yeah… apparently the American Adventure cast members are getting new costumes that are a bit more modern

A cool new addition for the game

Work continues on the exterior of Maelstrom

The Organization With A Cool Acronym

The water feature outside of La Hacienda is being reapired

For what i recall as the last 8 years or so, the cultural exhibit in Mexico has been Animales Fantasticos. Finally, a new exhibit has opened!

Some displays aren’t quite finished

Some of the animals stayed as part of the new exhibit

They aren’t selling them up here anymore

The parrot people dancing is freaking me out…

OK, that freaks me out even more…

Same props in here

This freaks me out the most…

Work continues on the exterior of the Seas with Nemo and Friends and the new entrance for Turtle Talk

Innoventions is a mess right now…

Innoventions West is practically empty

The old Kim Possible stations are still walled-up

On the East side, Habit heroes is still covered

At least something new just opened to keep it going

A neat little play area for kids was added to the exterior

Lave a Legacy getting some TLC

Soarin’ is now on the cover of the map,but this time it has a logo. I guess people thought it was Test Track or something…

Goodbye Epcot!

Jose Castillo’s 5/29/12 Epcot Photo Report

Contrary to popular belief, there is some newsworthy stuff going on at Epcot right now. Our good friend Jose Castillo has some photos to share from our journey to the park on Tuesday:

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Removal of Kim Possible has begun for the installation of Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure

Habit Heroes is still closed

Test Track closed too, but not a surprise…

The Test Track All-Stars entertaining guests

Work continues on the exterior of Maelstrom in Norway

Brave sand artwork in progress at the time

So, one of the Universe of Energy ride vehicles got a new plastic body with a light and dark blue color scheme

It definitely wasn’t painted as it felt like brand new plastic

Not only is the Pizza truck gone, but the tables and props are gone too

Jose got a new camera, so he took some artsy shots…

Youy can clearly see the new automated door that will act as the Turtle Talk entrance

A new sign at the exit of the Seas with Nemo and Friends ride

We haven’t had this photo yet, but Chiquita has been sponsor for a few months now

Perry the Platypus ear hat!

Dirk Wallen’s 10/9/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Tuesday and he has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

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A strange large canopy has appeared near the Magic Kingdom turnstiles… Not sure if it is RFID related or for something else…

Magic Carpets of Aladdin is open while some exterior work is being done

The Yankee Trader is still behind tarps

A view of the new walkway and restroom area from the front of the Haunted Mansion

A look at the former Skyway site

Princess Fairytale Hall construction

The Crow’s Nest is still behind walls

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom shirts are now available and they offer aid in the playing of the game!

OK… if you are buying more than that for Ebay, you are pretty dumb as they are not a limited edition item…

Frankenweenie flopped at the box office, but the shops at the parks are full of movie merchandise

It’s like they knew what the box office would be like…

I would expect to see all this stuff at the outlets and Cast Connection very soon…

Work continues on the Grand Floridian Disney Vacation Club wing

It is now set for a late-2013 opening

The parking lot is almost done

Moving over to Epcot, work is being done on Innoventions Plaza and the Electric Umbrella exterior

Test Track is now set to open December 6th

I expect these signs to vanish soon…

Adam Roth’s 10/7/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot and the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Great chocolate art at the Festival Center at Epcot

It’s dark, but nice to see them use more of the pavilion space

Work continues on Test Track as we race towards December 6th

The IBM Runtime game is now closed inside Innoventions, it opened back in 2008

Rumor is that IBM Smarter Planet is getting some updates

I hope so because it wasn’t really working…

The seating area that was formerly Rockin’ Robots is now walled off as well

Some scaffolding inside

Still nothing going on at the former Segway Central

Habit Heroes is still closed…

The Epcot 30th display remains at MouseGear

What remains of the merchandise is on display

A lot of generic Epcot merchandise has filled in some space

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train construction is picking up

An Orioles hat… how cute… 😉

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The now completed Storybook Circus

I love these seats…

That is some fancy lighting for an outside tent…

Let’s go to Pete’s Silly Sideshow!

The calliope is from Disneyland PAris’ Main Street U.S.A.

Reference to a classic Disney animated film by the same name

Into Pete’s mouth!

Meeting Minnie and Daisy

The theming is insane… the walls are labeled for easy construction, insinuating that the Circus moves from town to town

Goofy and Donald

A look up at the ceiling

It’s a tent

PANORAMA!

ANOTHER PANORAMA! AMAZING!

Minnie trains trick Poodles…

It looks much better when Adam doesn’t use the world’s brightest flash…

Awwww…

Daisy

Daisy will see you now!

Looks very “Museum of the Weird” like the Madame Leota cart

Exit

Into Big Top Souvenirs

Very fitting that they sell Popcorns Vinylmation here

Everyone loves this carpet!

The “Under the Big Top” series is also available

My favorite display

A close second is the Penguins cage holding the cold drinks

The strange tiny MousekeEars are also available here

A look at the new food carts in the area

I’m in love with a food cart…

Usual cart food though

So much time and energy spent on such little details

I love the striped curtain for when they are closed

Let’s go back in

Those random doors look themed…

THEY ARE!

GOOFY!

He crashed his motorcycle

Donald is a snake charmer

ANOTHER PANORAMA! ASTOUNDING!

Could have been a sign, but it is a material banner

I wonder if someone could go in that booth…

I hate to say this so soon, but I love Storybook Circus. It is simply 2 small rides, meet and greets, and shopping, but it is so well done. Kudos to Disney on delivering with a land that was rushed in as a replacement in the expansion.

If Storybook Circus is that cool, I can’t wait to see this…

Another new cart near the entrance

Not listed, but they have roasted almonds too

Another look at Mine Train

A look at what will be Princess Fairytale Hall

The former Skyway site which will now be restrooms and maybe something more…

They are still working on Village Haus

Another piece of track should be lowered into place shortly

FastPass+ equipment was simply covered after the tests ended, so it might just be permanent now

Cool popcorn bucket, but it must be pretty easy to spill…

Going back to Epcot, we take a look at Test Track through a rainy monorail window

Well, that was neat… I guess…

Adam got to stuff his face at the Disney Dessert Discovery event as part of the Food and Wine Festival

So much to eat and drink

Live entertainment

FLAMING DOUGHNUTS!

IN 3D!

WOOOOOOOAH!

Fruit? We didn’t come to a dessert event for fruit!

We came for flaming doughnuts!

Gross…

Thank you for the flaming doughnuts! Oh, and all these photos Adam…

Robert Ashburn’s 3/9/12 Epcot Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn visited Epcot a few days ago and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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I LOVE this topiary

This needs Xpass…

Whatever queue modifications were done in the middle are complete

PEACOCK

See ya’ later Kim…

Still closed…

They are still testing with some guests though…

The VISION House is coming in April to replace the former House of Innoventions

The Festival Center is open once again

I don’t think you can call most of those anymore…

Another Disney Vacation Club booth sporting new signage

Some awesome new shirts available at Mouse Gear

They are still finishing up this sculpture

The remodeling of Tutto Italia continues

A temporary booth open while Tutto Italia is closed

A Haiti exhibit open for Flower and Garden… doesn’t fit the festival very well

It’s more of a Food and Wine booth that a Flower and Garden exhibit

The Toy Story characters are at the American Adventure

When was this menu changed? Southwest Blackbean Flatbread?

Flowers being projected on to the monorail station

Adam Roth’s 3/23/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Magic Kingdom on Friday and has a TON of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Flower and Garden Festival in bloom at Epcot

IF ONLY WE HAD XPASS!!!!

Queue modifications are done… it’s a completely different queue experience now…

Peacock

Cool graphics on the Epcot tip board

Enjoy Kim Possible while it lasts

Habit Heroes and the VISION House now on the list inside Innoventions East

Habit Heroes is still closed

I’m offended…

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Work continues on the VISION House

Habit Heroes now has a sign on the entry wall

Goodbye

VISION House will be added soon as it opens in April

Phineas and Ferb now have an entire section at MouseGear

AGENT P!

The light-up Vinylmation lamps and Baseball figures now available

Let’s Go Yankees! (Personal bias)

These are buy 1, get 1 50% off

Shouldn’t the Knicks be on the bottom? (I actually am a fan… but I’m realistic)

Let’s go Dolphins! (Please pity me)

2012 dated Vinylmation

Zodiac series

Flower and Garden merchandise

Cool magnets

This is too cool…

If your imagination features Captain EO, seek help

Bambi’s Butterfly House is back

The play area for this year’s festival is called “Let’s Get Moving”

Chimpanzee is coming… before Earth Day?

Can’t imagine why they are changing this…

Exterior work continues at the Seas with Nemo and Friends

A new entrance being worked on, possibly for Turtle Talk

There’s a new path in the queue…

It leads to Seabase

The mural is surviving the work

A new company has taken over the chromakey photo area at Imageworks

It’s pretty empty right now

Amazing Pictures (who you may have seen at Universal Studios) is now here

Hey, why don’t we just start the demolition…

On to the Festival Center

The Flower and Garden, Food and Wine Festival?

A touch-screen map of the Festival available

Body Wars is back there somewhere

The Odyssey has been painted blue

Well, at least the roof

This exhibit is weird…

Tarps are now up for the Tutto Italia refurbishment

FREE SAMPLES!

Another play area

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Let’s take a boat over to Studios

We can’t get enough of these

The outline of Roger Rabbit has seen better days

The entrance at Tower of Terror had some pavement replaced

The Star Tours name is on some of the merchandise tags now

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On to the Magic Kingdom, Skyway demolition continues in Fantasyland

The Tigger Bounce area being removed from the Pooh queue

Yes, more Dumbo photos…

Storybook Circus sure is something at night

HA!

I love restrooms… there, I said it…

I’ll tell you what I don’t love… the Club 626 Dance Party

A sad not to end on…

Jeff Lukas’ 3/25/12 WDW Photo Report

We welcome Jeff Lukas to the WDWNT team with his first photo report, taking us to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot:

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Work continues on the Bakery facade

Dapper Dans

Fantasyland Woodwind Society

The roof on Prince Eric’s Castle is almost complete

More scaffolding came down at Be Our Guest Restaurant

The Fantasyland Skyway station is completely gone

The queue building at Big Thunder Mountain has been rebuilt for the most part

Work continues on the track

Site looks completely cleared for the Grand Floridian DVC

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On to Epcot

Story Time is still occupying the former Velcro exhibit in Innoventions

Still closed…

Work continues on the VISION House

Welcome to the Wonders of Flower and Garden Festival Stages and Shopping

Kind of cute…

Still cool

Welcome aboard Jeff!

Conner Purzycki’s 7/7/12 DLR Photo Report

I was a the Disneyland Resort few days ago and captured some newsworthy items including the new Disney Gallery exhibit. On to the photos…

When I walked by Luigi’s Flying Tires, the ride was down but cast members set up a little play area with the chains in front of the ride and had some of the balls from the attraction for kids to throw around. AWESOME!!!!

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In Pacific Wharf Cafe, they now how Lighting McQueen bread to go with the Mater bread… Want.

Over in Disneyland, the new exhibit Crowing Achievements has opened in the Disney Gallery

The exhibit’s theme is Disney castles

Artist David Avanzino doing a signing in the gallery

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Over in Innoventions, because you enter through the top floor now, the pre-show with Tom Morrow is turned off. So I wanted to see if he was still here.

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Yup. Tom Morrow is still behind the curtain. It’s a real shame because he is a fantastic animatronic.

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Thanks for Reading

Disney Gives First Look at Innoventions’ Habit Heroes

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

A new interactive exhibit, Habit Heroes presented by Florida Blue and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, debuted at Innoventions at Epcot today.

This new experience encourages children of all ages to learn healthy lifestyle habits and become more active. Guests can join forces with Habit Heroes Will Power and Callie Stenics to fight off villains like Sweet Tooth and The Snacker.

Two Habit Heroes even made a special in-person appearance today for the kick-off of the exhibit.

Can’t make it to Epcot? Kids can visit www.HabitHeroes.com to create their own avatar and learn how to fight bad habits.