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:
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
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:
DLNT Reporter Tim Alcoser went to a media preview of D23’s Treasures Of The Walt Disney Archives exhibit at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley and captured tons of photos of all the displays and exhibits to share. The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, July 6, and is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Â The exhibit is scheduled to run through April 2013.
These Haunted Mansion props are from Walt Disney World
Maleficent dragon head from Disneyland’s Fantasmic!
This photo report is a little late as we have been preparing for our fifth anniversary festivities here at WDW News Today, but better late than never. WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Animal Kingdom on June 30th to catch one of the last Sundowner Celebrations held at the park. The celebration only lasted a month but was a unique offering, almost like the food and wine festival at Epcot. Let’s take a look:
A truck is used as an information board at the front of the park
Things going on in 3 lands
It is Animal Kingdom after all…
Wow… not very crowded…
Some fairly new Animal Kingdom merchandise available
Cool ear hat
Carnotaurus knit cap
Russel and Dug from UP meeting in the old “It’s Tough to be a Bug” FASTPASS area
Work continues on some of the side paths near the Tree of Life after the branch falling of a few weeks back
You can still get plenty of good photos of this…
On to Camp Minnie-Mickey
The dragon waterfall is still there
Hey, Meeko is out and doesn’t have a line!
It’s pretty empty
Word is the greeting trails are going away and these characters are moving to the former Beastly Bazaar in a few weeks
It wouldn’t be a trip to Animal Kingdom if we didn’t stop at Pizzafari to visit the greatest mural ever…
Psycho lion and incredibly nervous Zebra!
On to Harambe
Temporary signs inform guests of the festivities
There’s a wine walk
Beer
There are also some cultural demonstrations
The Henna booth was about the only one that wasn’t free
All kinds of special treats available
Fruit salads available as well
Let’s take a walk to Asia
You can learn how to play this instrument
The carts leading to Asia had special menus for the event
You can learn how to make summer rolls
Ta-da!
You can take home a recipe card
The boneless chicken wings are back!
I guess you can just call this place Anandapur Wild Wings! GET IT?
Huh?
I think I’m gonna be sick…
Live music
What is your Asian language?
Plenty of specialty drinks
Learn how to make fried rice!
They had dancers teaching dance moves to guests as Bollywood style music played in the area
I love the DJ’s decorated computer
Dragon Hollow? Now you’re just rubbing it in…
The water play area in Asia is being refurbished
Another Henna booth
Adam got a drink and decided to hang out in a secluded spot
Let’s see what’s going on at Kilimanjaro Safaris
Wilson is still featured in the queue even though his narration and story is gone from the ride
“WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE”
JUMPING GAZELLES!
Oh, it’s poachers…
It was…
Hiding, Hiding Hippos
“NOM-NOM-NOM”
Holy giraffes!
Here’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the backside of giraffe!
No, the bridge doesn’t collapse right now
Hidden Mickey
Awwww, sleepy cheetahs…
That turtle was moving so fast Adam couldn’t get a picture of him
Blurry, but some work was being done on the bridge
Work on the new finale scenes is visible
This is where Little Red once stood, but soon it will be a home to Zebras
A natural barrier being dug-out
Back to Harambe
The dance party is in full swing
Unlike the hated dance parties at the Magic Kingdom, this band performs music from their culture and teaches you their dances, a much better fit for a Disney park
Here’s a video of the dance party:
There is podium where guests can find out more about Wild Africa Trek
Some people seem to believe this will be the new entrance to Festival of the Lion King once it is forced to move out of Camp Minnie-Mickey
Popcone?
It’s the Enchantment in the Jungle Dance!
Gotta love intricate details…
Let’s take a look at the Tree of Life trails
You can still get some great photos of the Tree of Life
Some work continues
The exit of It’s Tough to be a Bug
Over at Expedition Everest, they have been chopping down some of the bamboo
Beautiful
Still no bird…
Still no movement… and no, there are not two of them…
New Everest shirts
More chopped bamboo
This old map of Dinoland U.S.A. is still up. It still includes Dinosaur Jubilee… look it up kids…
No, you won’t…
It’s time to leave
Not sure if Disney did anything, but the water isn’t bright green anymore!
Scott Keating was once again nice enough to provide some aerial shots of the current New Fantasyland construction site after a few month absence, so let’s see all that has changed:
As you can see, everything but the Mine Train is nearing completion
If there was any doubts that the Skyway Station was going to become a Tangled meet-and-greet, the appearance of a tower frame has just about confirmed it…
The framework for Mine Train looks to be just about complete
The castle walls are taking shape
Just the three tent-like structures left to go in Storybook Circus, we expect these to open in the Fall/Winter
A look at Mine Train
As you can see, the beauty and the Beast realm is almost complete as paths and trees are already installed and all scaffolding is down. Trees are up in the Mermaid queue as well.
A closer look at the tents that will be Big Top Souvenirs, Pete’s Silly Sideshow, and a Humphrey the Bear-themed counter-service location
The concept art we say in 2009 is finally coming to life… Stay tuned…
The lobby at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside reopened this summer following a two-month renovation. The fresh new look includes new tile, colorful rugs, decorative period lighting and new furniture. This 2,048-room resort depicts the lifestyle of the great Old South with wandering paths, picturesque waterways and the sounds of Cajun music, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside includes mansion-style accommodations and rustic retreats. (Kent Phillips, photographer)
Two colorful new rugs decorate the lobby at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. The design is part of a recent lobby renovation that included a new check-in, new tile, furniture and decorative fixtures evocative of the period. The new design scheme showcases the essence of the South. (Kent Phillips, photographer)
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside showcases new lighting fixtures, reflecting the romance of the South, as part of its recent lobby renovation. The moderate resort has a fresh new look in its expansive lobby. (Kent Phillips, photographer)
I don’t often get to contribute with a photo report, but I took a short two day trip to Walt Disney World stopping at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom so I took some photos. Let’s take a look at a rare Tom Corless photo report:
Work continues on the separate entrance to Turtle Talk
One of the exhibits in the Turtle Talk pre-show is being fixed up
Some work happening between the Refreshment Port and the Canada pavilion in World Showcase
On to the Magic Kingdom, work continues on the former Skyway site, expected to soon be home to restrooms, a new pathway, and the Tangled meet and greet
The castle walls are coming along nicely
This section looks nearly complete
A beautiful lighting fixture has been installed in the passageway
If you were worried about being able to see the corner of the show building for Enchanted Tales with Belle, don’t be, they have covered it with rock-work
More castle wall work
The work to remove a planter in back of the Carousel is complete
The walls have expanded and scaffolding has gone up on the former Snow White’s Scary Adventures, soon to be Princess Fairytale Hall in late-2013
Despite 101-degree temperatures, construction workers are out and about
Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train
Be Our Guest Restaurant off in the distance
More Mine Train
Heading into Storybook Circus, you get plenty of notice that Dumbo FASTPASS is available near Philharmagic
With a little paint, the facade for Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid will be complete
The backstage entrance is pretty much done
Big Top Souvenirs
I decided to check out the Dumbo queue
Pictures don’t do it justice, it’s really nice inside
Pull the string and it sets off LED fireworks!
This lights up above the box
Your “ticket”
Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak was awesome!
I took these photos early on Wednesday, but on Tuesday afternoon there was at least 100 guests playing in here
Even the little merchandise cart is intricately themed
These work walls have been here since Storybook Circus opened
I don’t think it is anything of substance as it is simply on the back of the storage shed for the Barnstormer trains
WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen took a trip around some of the resort hotels and Downtown Disney yesterday and he was nice enough to share some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:
Wow, that looks like it would kill me…
Yep
Halloween merchandise is out
They now have color changing lanyards which turn colors in the sunlight
The Casitas building at Coronado Springs is getting a refurbishment
The pictures on the large wall at All-Star Music are gone, probably to be replaced after fading in the sunlight
Moving to Downtown Disney, Characters in Flight is still down for replacement
The balloon is being re-engineered after an accident overseas a few weeks ago
Work continues on Splitsville, but it honestly doesn’t look like much has changed here…
Now I know nothing has changed over here…
Disney does their best to keep guests entertained on Pleasure Island as they move between districts
The Mickey and Minnie statue at Disney’s Pin Traders has been removed
A quick trip to the LEGO Imagination Center
Lord of the Rings? Man, that is creepy…
Mavericks of Mayhem merchandise by Noah has landed at WDW
Plenty of Grumpy merchandise
The new mouse ear ornaments come in a wide variety
