Another Find for Well and Goods section!

Welcome back, readers, and in another find for the Well and Goods section of the site (interesting curios and long lost merchandise, give or take its existence) we have found one item that proves spectacularly of interest amongst curio hunters. The auctioneers that brought the Cranium Command sign to a new home have also brought out an interesting find, this time, something smaller...

You guessed it, a prop certificate from the crew at MET Biotech, as seen on eBay

A Tale of a Few Old-Time Films

Welcome again, readers, and in today's article, we are looking back at a few films that somehow have inspired parts of the Wonders of Life pavilion, their attractions, and even the revolutionizing of health and lifestyle education as we know today. What made me write out this little article was due to a memory of when Extinct Attractions was once online (I know, don't ask, don't tell...), they had a preview of the Wonders of Life history documentary, about some of the health oriented films produced by Walt Disney (some of which as part of the war effort) and how they influenced the development and homage of some of its attractions. Silly old myself was meant to write the historical lookback of those films, but for some apparent reason, it was until now that I decide to write this up as of now.

Looking out for Number - Whaaaat?!

From a screenshot malfunction I picked out the other day...




...this reminded me at this time that when it comes to being alive, there are some tasks on the 'to do' list that aren't really glamorous. Elimination being one of them, and yet, we do it. This sounds TMI to freely admit in a society like this, but what boggles and raises my eyebrows out of humor is, well... Let's look at Bobby's black box and recall a quote from there...

Left Brain: Aren't you forgetting some... functions?
Buzzy: Uhm, Elimination, give me a reading!
Elimination: (checks reading) Bladder reading at 9.9, sir!
Buzzy: We can hold it. Full speed ahead!
Elimination: No! NO!

And yet, we reveal a plothole, primarily done to cleanly cut to the chase. But seriously?! They say if life gives one lemons, they would have to make lemonade. Though speaking of making lemonade from lemons (please don't take it as an euphemism), it would only be wise to mention that of whatever leaves us, somehow, there is always another mind out there willing to take advantage of what we take for granted...
...wait, they did? You mean those video game systems for urinals? Okay, so this is insanity for the average person, but add to the reduction of having to wipe up spilled puddles as a result of failed aim, some would say it could be a good idea, but waking up, this is a life and health focused blog, so what if there was something testing the health of...
...wait, such a thing exists too? Apparently, technology is developing that could, well, hook you up to a medical database during your ten minutes off, which could spell less awkward encounters at the doctors office.
And surely having one as part of the medical oddities showcase exhibit (if we were to be including one) could be a neutral idea (love it or loathe it). But a fully functioning one, I bet, could be the equivalent of, well, spilling and admitting your humiliating secrets to other people in earshot. But apparently, it could give someone something to think about... uhm... it's a long story.
So before the day bursts for all sorts of humiliating information, I'd rather leave that up to you readers to think it over, and express how you stand. And to close this off, let me ask you a question now this topic's dealt with: feeling better now?

Potential WOL Resurrection Ideas, part 5

To the readers staving off their post-holiday blues, here I am again, ready to delve into some more possibilities for bringing back Wonders to a whole new generation. I'm sure you've cried off the tears (or hopefully some steam) with regards to your views on things the way they were. Since the last update, here's the list of things that you may have missed prior to the last update:

1. The Interior (Design, Structure at a Glance)
2. Music Playlist
3. Floorplan, Attraction Categories
4. Colour and Design Schemes 

Now, to start the new year, we might as well suck in that gut and hit two little issues with the same stress ball in one throw...and trust me, they're a lot more controversial than you would think.

Battle of the Cortexes

This post has been edited due to more research found to supplement this article. If anyone has some clarifications, or just a few brainwaves to help, please comment. It would be of big help.

Welcome again, readers. A week after the birthday celebration season for the Magic Kingdom slows down to normal, it's also birthday season to the blogmaster (that's me!), so on behalf of the visitors entering or passing by this blog, thanks. And now to another 'bet you didn't know' post, centered on one of the Wonders' iconic attractions residing in the majority of visitor's hearts to this day...

The Unluckiest Post in the Blog...

... well, make that the most fortunate post in the blog, because, this week, another piece of Wonders of Life history, albeit bitesized, has been posted on YouTube. For all of you subscribers, sit back and relive those good old Wonders of Life.

Hopefully, the video will also be placed on the right side of the blog's page so you can easily refer to it (but it's just not the same as watching it here in its nostalgic glory).

Until next time, readers!

Buzzy's final salute? Or next mission?

So far, you would have expected the blog to gather any dust and cobwebs without any fresh posts... well, ironically like the props and signage once present for the Wonders of Life pavilion, currently locked away out of public eye, never to be seen again. 

So the other day prior to this post, I decided to search for some random things on eBay (for example, god forbid, Stitch merchandise sold in Japan thanks to the booming anime stardom and reception amongst Japanese adorers), and that fateful moment, I decided to figure out what was selling under "wonders of life epcot", or "cranium command"...

...guess what? The latter actually revealed a goldmine! A user, who we'll refer to as 'sellandship' specialises in goods from the Magic Kingdom, as well as EPCOT. I was quick to take a screenshot image, as well as the product details, and if you're interested in saving a piece of WOL history, it links to the actual eBay page:

So, in the instances of six-feet-under attractions (remember Horizons, please), some of the props and models (the model 'mulapples' and 'flavor grapes', if you quite recall) actually get sold to interested collectors. Of course, many opportunities to grab the slice of that pie have come and gone, but for those looking forward to put aside a spare room as a personal shrine to what once was the Wonders of Life, get your wallets ready.

Of course, I have stumbled across a few forum posts determining Buzzy's current fate. One, which would have been dated recently, was found at Subsonic Radio, under the title "Wonders of Life Memories UPDATE - Buzzy Lives!", with the money shots at page 2 of the forum topic. However, because of the legal boundaries dedicated 'spelunkers' have crossed to get a monitoring glimpse of what once was Buzzy's demonstration arena, I suggest you visit the link at your own risk.

Speaking of which, there's another blog post of the 'Then and Now' of EPCOT Center between the past and the present, showing the changes done to each pavilion, as well as what's become of the now-forgoten brain-pilot-recruit, alone and lonely, and sadly a little worse for wear. :c


Of course, even though there's nothing the majority of us can do about poor Buzzy since his final salute in 2006, all I can say is that rather than being destined for a six-foot-burial-plot, perhaps Buzzy would likely be sold off to a good home. Or perhaps restored and retained in a museum, for the next generation to find out what a great recruit Buzzy was.

"BUZZY"

1989 - 2007. We miss you.

PS: Of course, the news is hopefully not all bad... perhaps, Buzzy could have a second chance at one point or another. Given that the Wonders of Life is slowly being turned into a general purpose convention center (for the "Food and Wine", as well as the "Flower and Garden" festivals respectively), there could be one more convention event that could hopefuly bring the Wonders of Life back on its feet...

...although not intended to be a park-wide festival, perhaps the 'Health and Life' convention could be adopted. Not only would there be potential for the rides to be restored, or perhaps updated to today's standards, then maybe the convention space could invite another health-exhibit for others to enjoy. And just like the 'Making of the Flower and Garden festival' and 'Seasons of the Vine' films have played in there, perhaps there could be a 'Health Film Festival'. But of course, not everyone would appreciate the idea. So, if the Wonders of Life pavilion were to be revived one way or another, what do you think could be done?

Until the next post, I wish you all the best this holiday season! :3

STOP PRESS: Another Interruption To Bring You...

...oh, I'm sorry for the monthlong absence, and I'm still stuck on wondering what to write on this blog. Of course, there are those searching the information highway who may, or may not, have heard of Goofy About Health, as I basically have mentioned in my last blog post^. I've been searching around the Internet and found the lyrics to this musical number, sung by none other than Kal David (more on him at the end of the post)

So without further ado, let us delve into... those Unhealthy Living Blues! XC

Health is your responsibility. 
Your doctor's your friend, so listen to me. 
Running around town is what made you crack.
Blood pressure's up near a heart attack! 
You got those unhealthy living blues. 
Oh, yeah.

Overeating has added those extra calories 
and cholesterol clog up your arteries.
Your body ain't used to those dangerous drugs.
You just can't survive on coffee slugs.
You got those unhealthy living blues.

And if you keep inhaling that cigarette smoke, 
you could get emphazema or cancer or stroke!
Drinking too much just ain't that much smart. 
It hurts your liver, your brain and your heart. 
You got those blues, baby. 
You got those unhealthy living blues. 

And that's the unhealthy living (high-pitched) blues!



Of course, what's not to like about explaining the shock-horrors of unhealthy living than breaking into song? Anyways, let me get into some more detail about the song's artist. You see, Kal David is well known as a US blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. During his teenage years, his singing career began in 1962 in the form of frontman of his local band Kal David and the Exceptions (he left the band in 1965)
At the late half of the 60's, he formed a duo with another guitarist Paul Cotton, and they recorded two albums - Illinois Speed Press (the name of the duo) and Duet.After David and Cotton went their separate ways, David formed a new group, called the Fabulous Rhinestones, and throughout the 70's, recorded three more albums: Fabulous Rhinestones, Freewheelin', and Rhinestones.

But enough with the history lesson... triviawise, David is responsible for the voice of Sonny Eclipse, one of the singing alien audio-animatronics at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe at the Magic Kingdom, as seen here:

. I bet you blogreaders didn't know that, did you?

Anyways, this week marks (surprise) my birthday (I won't go into all details, hopefully), but unfortunately it'll sound like a busy one. So blogreaders, I'm wishing you all the best, till next time!

---

^ - (Out of the loop? The last blog post covered a few of the attractions that placed Wonders of Life on the map in its heyday).

The "Wonders of Life" that Never Was...

Twenty eight years. Twenty eight long years since EPCOT Center opened its doors to the public.

A panorama of inside the pavillion during the brink of the '90s

And twenty one years since the Wonders of Life pavillion opened its doors to greet a generation of park visitors, with almost $90 million spent on construction since 1988. But you see, the Wonders of Life hasn't always been what it was at its prime, believe it or not.

In fact, let's flash backward to 1975, at least four years before EPCOT's birth as an attraction park. There were so many ideas generated for the park, especially one for a life and health themed pavillion. Then in 1978, the pencils were sharpened, and some prototypes were made, showcasing how the pavillion would have been constructed... like this:

[above image links to http://progresscityusa.com/2010/04/20/epcot-origins-1977-master-plan-5/]

There would be a lot of history to do with the pavillion, when it was during its early stages, but here are the attractions that would have been included, and their equivalent niches:

• The Joy of Living (a presentation which explains and shows the beauty, the dignity and strength of man and woman, from birth and growing up to adulthood and the golden years),
• The Sensory Funhouse (which strangely was included but as an open space exhibit)
• the Tooth Follies (which unfortunately was not included),
• The Head Trip (early equivalent of Cranium Command),
• Good Health Habits (non-Disney equivalent of Goofy About Health),
• The Incredible Journey Within (which was the OmniMover equivalent of Body Wars)

Although I do not have access to actual images or research, I can happily say that someone else has done some research, and put it together in video form. This is why I have put this video here:

It contains practically some of the concept images, as well as the blueprints that would have been part of the pavillion, plus the official WED Promotional Video for the Life and Health pavillion at the time. It even shows exactly, and I mean EXACTLY, where the exhibits were, both then and currently. (It starts at the 1:50 mark)

The video was made by Martin Smith, in which his videos were made for the purpose of preserving this fantastic attraction.


Wonders of Life – Ultimate Tribute - Part 1 of 2 from Martins Videos on Vimeo.
So, proof that there's a lot of history behind such a formidable pavillion, now long lost (but hopefully never forgotten). It's very wonderful how many people would choose to hang onto relics of past events, to one day share with others close to them (or even the world).
In the next coming posts, I would get started with researching and reviewing some of the attractions that once lived in this very golden dome.
Peace for the Future!
RabidLeroy

---

PS: Honestly I would not close off this blog article with a few others some articles from the news, as well as other weblogs that may capture your interest...

• "Met Life and Walt Disney officials preside at Wonders of Life groundbreaking in EPCOT Center. [Web Transcript of News Article, written on January 29, 1988; SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED for FULL ACCESS]
• The Neverland Files - EPCOT Center/Epcot [Website Portal]
• Earning My Ears: EPCOT 1978 - Life and Health Pavilion [Blog Article, written in May 21, 2008]
• New Epcot exhibit (now) healthy Disney's $90 million Wonders of Life pavilion almost died at birth [Orlando Sentinel News Article, written on Nov 12, 1989; SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED for FULL ACCESS]
• Unrealized Epcot: Rides, shows & entire pavilions that never quite made it off the drawing board - Jim Hill - Editor In Chief - JimHillMedia [Blog Article, written on June 5th, 2006]
• Disney's latest wonders frighteningly real/Now you can 'shrink' to go inside a body or a young boy's brain [News Article from the Toronto Star, written on November 11, 1989]
• PLUS a Newspaper Review Article of the Pavillion held on Google News, which you can view here.