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The Land (Epcot)

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File:Land1.png
The Land Pavilion
Plants Growing in the greenhouse, as seen from Living with the Land.
A Mickey shaped pumpkin
A tomato tree
Pepper trees
Entrance to Soarin

The Land is the name of a pavilion that sits on the western side of "Future World", one of two themed areas of Epcot, a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida USA. It opened on October 1, 1982 as part of the Phase I features for the grand opening of what was then known as EPCOT Center. "The Land" is a 24 hectare (2.5 million square foot)[1] facility dedicated to human interaction with the land itself. It explores both how humans can use the land for their benefit, and also how they can destroy it. Future Technology in better preserving the land is also explored in the pavilion, along with a focus on the celebration of the land itself.

Attraction history

While The Land pavilion has existed since 1982, it has gone through three significant phases. The pavilion's first incarnation involved a ten year sponsorship under Kraft Foods Inc. from 1982–1992. Kraft played a vital role in co-financing the everyday functions of the attractions, restaurants, and shops inside the pavilion. The pavilion's interior and exterior design featured earth tone colors and exotic plant life.

In 1993, plans were made to update and modernize the overall tone of EPCOT Center, including a major refurbishment of The Land pavilion. Kraft withdrew its sponsorship on September 26, 1993, with Nestle taking its place. Co-financed by Nestle and the Walt Disney World Resort, a gradual refurbishment of the pavilion began on September 27, 1993.

The pavilion itself was cosmetically freshened. While some of the original design elements remained, the addition of more vibrant colors and fabrics to the various restaurants and shops gave the pavilion a more modern and refreshed look. The names of certain shops, restaurants, and attractions also changed during this time. The pavilion's main attraction, Listen to the Land, which took guests on connected boats through various exhibits within the pavilion, reopened mostly unchanged as Living with the Land on December 10, 1993.

The Kitchen Kabaret Revue, another of the pavilion's original attractions featuring an Audio-Animatronics presentation about nutrition, closed on January 3, 1994. It was replaced with new show titled Food Rocks, which featured some of the elements from the original show with an updated presentation intended to be more modern and appealing to younger audiences. Food Rocks has since closed down to make room for the Land's newest attraction, Soarin'.

Symbiosis, the last of The Land's three original attractions, was closed on January 1, 1995. This attraction, which was a cinematic presentation that discussed both the positive and negative aspects of human relationship with the land, eventually reopened as Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable, a new film featuring characters from The Lion King. Like the Food Rocks show, this new attraction recycled some of the elements of its predecessor, and was intended to be another refreshed and modernized feature of The Land that would better appeal to younger audiences.

In 2003, Nestle renewed its sponsorship of The Land; however, it was under agreement that Nestle would oversee its own refurbishment to both the interior and exterior of the pavilion. Between 2004 and 2005, the pavilion underwent its second major refurbishment. It received a new color scheme featuring a vibrant selection of white, yellow, and green. New foliage was added to compliment the existing greenery. The walkways and stroller parking to the pavilion's entrance were redefined and widened. All of the carpeting in the pavilion was replaced, and the main food court was completely redesigned. The pavilion's signage was updated, incorporating the new color scheme, new typography, and a modernized logotype. The Land's original logo, which was consistent with the other original Future World pavilion logos and featured a stylized leaf within a circle, was finally retired. The pavilion's original dedication plaque remained unchanged.

The most significant change to The Land during its 2004–2005 refurbishment was the closure and entire demolition of Food Rocks, which initially occurred on January 3, 2004. Taking its place would be Soarin', a major E ticket attraction that was originally designed and built for Disney's California Adventure. Simulating the experience of hang gliding over various landscapes, Soarin's massive movie screens and ride mechanics required the construction of large a physical addition to the pavilion itself.

The Land officially reopened on May 5, 2005, which coincided with the start of Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth Campaign. While "The Land" as a pavilion has somewhat changed, its purpose has not, and it remains a positive and serious experience featuring elements from all three of its phases, allowing today's guests to experience all that "The Land" has to offer.

Horticulture research

In addition to being an entertainment venue, The Land is also a demonstration, production, and research facility. 43,000 ft² (0.4 hectares) of the pavilion are dedicated to experimental horticulture techniques in hydroponics, irrigation methods, and integrated pest management.[1]

Current attractions and services

Current dining

  • The Garden Grill - Family restaurant with a farm house atmosphere, rotates and offers a view of the dark ride section of Living with the Land. The food is simple, family fare with costumed characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Chip 'n' Dale, and Pluto.Please note that lunch here ended September 2008.
  • Sunshine Seasons - A food court
    • Asian Shop - A variety of noodle bowls and stir-fries.
    • Sandwich Shop - A variety of made to order sandwiches.
    • Soup/Salad Shop - A variety of soups and salads.
    • Wood-Fired Grill Shop - Rotisserie chicken, beef and fish.
    • Bakery - Nestle Toll House cookies, ice cream, among others.
    • BreakfastBreakfast here offers pasteries,and combos that include eggs, one choice of bacon,or sausage, and a drink.

Current shopping

  • Soarin' Tour Desk - A desk, located to the left of the entrance to Soarin', where Guests may sign up for the Behind the Seeds Greenhouse Tour,wich takes place in the greenhouse section of the Living With The Land attraction. Guests may also purchase Mickey's Mini Gardens, tiny plants produced through tissue culture in nutrient gel and packaged in sterile tubes.
  • Green Thumb Emporium - A small merchandise area, located across from the Soarin' Tour Desk. A small assortment of Soarin' T-shirts and pins, along with disposable cameras and Mickey's Mini Gardens are available for purchase. Note that this shop has taken on the name of the former, much larger, shop at The Land which occupied the same approximate area.

Former attractions and services

File:Epcot The Land Logo.png
The Land's logo, removed in 2005. Still used on Fastpass machines for Living with the Land.

Former dining

  • The Good Turn Restaurant (October 1, 1982 - May 1, 1986) - The original name of the present Garden Grill Restaurant.
  • The Land Grille Room (May 2, 1986 - November 15, 1993) - The second name given to the present Garden Grill Restaurant.
  • Farmer's Market (October 1, 1982 - October 25, 1993) - The name of "The Land's" original food court.
  • The Sunshine Season Food Fair (1994 - 2004) - The second name given to the "The Land's" food court.
    • Ice Cream - Nestle Toll House cookies, ice cream, among others.
    • Potato Store - A variety of potato dishes.
    • Pasta - A variety of pasta dishes.
    • Soup/Salad - A variety of soups and salads.
    • Barbecue - BBQ chicken and beef.

Former shopping

  • The Green Thumb Emporium - A small gift shop, focusing on food and gardening.

Pavilion facts and figures

  • Pavilion capacity: 3,600 persons
  • Pavilion size: 253,780 square feet (24,000 m²) Roughly the size of Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World.
  • Pavilion sponsor(s): Kraft Foods Inc. (October 1, 1982 - September 26, 1993), and Nestle [2] (September 27,1993 - Present)
  • There is a VIP room at the top of the Pavilion accessible by pressing the elevator buttons in a certain sequence. The meeting room looks down on parts of the Living with the Land attraction.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Fan, Y. Q. (2004). "Food crop culture in The Land greenhouses at Epcot" (abstract). Acta Horticulturae. 659 (1): 161–169. Retrieved 2007-02-21. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Nestlé sponsorship, page 35. "Nestlé USA sponsors the Land Pavilion at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. " http://www.nestle.com/NR/rdonlyres/EBE8996B-602E-4D86-B781-61B550B78F8E/0/2000_EnvironmentProgressReport_English.pdf
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