[Idea] Innoventions, AA's and the future

[techskip]

A lot of complaints I hear about Tomorrowland are based on the lack of "future". Just about everything you see is something you can currently get in a local store. A lot of the resentment is because many from WED showed you what you couldn't do... let you imagine being in space or being the size of an atom. Now WDI shows you what we've already done... or what we're doing now... which really isn't futuristic.

So here's a thought. What about turning a portion of Innoventions into an AA repair facility. Obviously not the grimy, dark, somewhat uninviting backstage shops... I'm talking about a clean room. Something we would imagine the future to look like. Imagine a room behind glass windows that we could look down into and watch what is happening. Let them repair robotic birds, animals, humans... To little kids it would be eye-popping... to adults it would be an amazing experience. You could add all sorts of smoke and mirrors, high tech displays that actually do nothing or various future tools that look weird. But the basic premise is the same. Get a few guys from facilities in simple futuristic tech uniforms, behind glass, in a "clean room" and let them repair AA's in front of us. To demonstrate my point...

think of this I found this kind of awesome. The original 1964 World's Fair ... on Twitpic (not mine but best pic I could find)
as something similar to this Scientists say movie androids not as far-fetched as they seem - CNN.com

The amazing thing is it doesn't need to be cutting edge and high-tech AA's. I realize there is the "trade secrets" argument which is why I would encourage somewhat "outdated" technology and not the latest greatest things. Some of the old Tiki birds minus the skin would AMAZE people, let alone the more complex AA's. And without the skin things look alien (think about what is in Star Tours). The skins would be removed backstage. Refurb repairs would be made onstage behind glass and tested in front of individuals. Then skin would be replaced offstage.

It's just a thought but it would conserve backstage area while inspiring "future" in a small portion of Tomorrowland. Obviously never going to happen but something to think about.

[sleepyjeff]

Re: Innoventions, AA's and the future

Not a bad idea......:thumbup:

[AcmePunched]

Re: Innoventions, AA's and the future

That would be a cool thing to add to Innoventions. I'm not sure it would really address the problem you presented, though.. What's "in the future" about fixing current AAs? I mean sure, AAs are at the cutting edge... of current technology. But from what I gathered from your original post, the ideal of Tomorrowland should be to showcase things that haven't been done yet, right?

Not that this means your idea is bad. I like it. I do really like Innoventions and the House of the Future exhibit the way it is now, showcasing current technology. Even though the technology's current, it's not widely available yet, so it's still something that people can look forward to. And it's so awesome to actually be able to interact and use all of this brand spankin' new home technology (even if the computer panels wig out every once in a while.. Lawl Windows Vista xD). It was also pretty cool to see Asimo in the upstairs exhibit - now that's a pretty cool robot!

[SnorkletsMom]

Re: Innoventions, AA's and the future

Interesting idea. Two problems: it isn't 'the future' either, and it seems like it would be a giant traffic jam. Would you carry people through like a ride? or let them stand there for hours observing?

I still like the idea, though.

[WDITrent]

Re: Innoventions, AA's and the future

I like the premise. I would almost prefer a high tech vehicle factory where you can see demonstrations and displays similar to the ones you mentioned for Rocket Rods, Peoplemovers, Astro Orbitors, Space Mountain rockets, subs, Autopia Cars (assuming they are a bit more futuristic) and the sort. It would make a great transition from the more "spacey" Tomorrowland to the more Earth-oriented area of the Autopia and sub lagoon.

[techskip]

Re: Innoventions, AA's and the future

Interesting idea. Two problems: it isn't 'the future' either, and it seems like it would be a giant traffic jam. Would you carry people through like a ride? or let them stand there for hours observing?

I still like the idea, though.

Depending on who's future you believe in robotics will be a part of daily life. While these AA's may not be "cutting edge" they are the robotics we imagine and provide a real element to the standard smoke and mirrors.

As to the traffic jam... it depends on the size of the room and the size of the viewing area but I personally would not like to rush anyone specifically.

On a side note I would prefer if Innoventions in general were more of a Science Foundation/Laboratory tour.

[bfdf55]

Re: Innoventions, AA's and the future

Depending on who's future you believe in robotics will be a part of daily life. While these AA's may not be "cutting edge" they are the robotics we imagine and provide a real element to the standard smoke and mirrors..

West World, I Robot, AI

[The Forbidden Eye]

Re: Innoventions, AA's and the future

The idea sounds good. Helps reducing the cost of any ride AA being transported and would actually give a sneak peek at future AA's. Would help WDI somewhat with Imagineers being on site and fixing them instead of having to do it at Glendale at their headquaters.

It sounds like if we were to make the inside of the Opera House on Main Street into the lumber mill again, but with people seeing it as part of a backstage tour.

[techskip]

Re: Innoventions, AA's and the future

I like the premise. I would almost prefer a high tech vehicle factory where you can see demonstrations and displays similar to the ones you mentioned for Rocket Rods, Peoplemovers, Astro Orbitors, Space Mountain rockets, subs, Autopia Cars (assuming they are a bit more futuristic) and the sort. It would make a great transition from the more "spacey" Tomorrowland to the more Earth-oriented area of the Autopia and sub lagoon.

A while back I had a concept that basically merged Subs, Autopia, and Innoventions. Essentially Sub Lagoon would be for studying aquatic alien life and Autopia would be for the land based forms along with test vehicle development. Innoventions would be the main R&D where the data was collected, analyzed, and improved. Victoria came up with an amazing observatry concept, and with minor "real time" tweaks it would likely be a show stopper. The various "animal" AA's being repaired would essentially be explained as probes allowing us to study alien life without disrupting their natural behavior. Human AA's would quickly be explained as workers... there would also be an area for the 7 different Autopia vehicles and the unique specifications of each. Along with a Colony simulation explaining the development of the Star Tours shuttles and their colonizing elements shaped similar to Space Mountain. In short I'd make Innoventions (with a MAJOR name change) the anchor of Tomorrowland.

West World, I Robot, AI

The very concept of machines resembling humans pretty much dates all the way back to the invention of machinery itself. The main purpose has always been to improve man's life by letting machines do the work previously done by hand.

Robotics is an amazing field. The various AA's of Disneyland are very outdated. But if you strip down the skin and shine up the metal most people stand there and stare... it's like Terminator's arm... not really "complex" but advanced by modern day standards. 30-40 years ahead... that is my "time period". I come to that mainly from Walt's beloved House of the Future which was essentially the same time period.

[techskip]

Re: Innoventions, AA's and the future

The idea sounds good. Helps reducing the cost of any ride AA being transported and would actually give a sneak peek at future AA's. Would help WDI somewhat with Imagineers being on site and fixing them instead of having to do it at Glendale at their headquaters.

It sounds like if we were to make the inside of the Opera House on Main Street into the lumber mill again, but with people seeing it as part of a backstage tour.

A lot of your day to day repairs are actually onsite... with only a few "high tech" exceptions. This "concept" dates back to Tiki's overhaul when they added the bird AA repair shop next to it. There are times when I would come in early or stay late simply because I was fascinated watching them repair the birds...

In this concept the various AA's would be "spares" used to trade out with exsisting attraction AA's or AA's that have been removed for specific refurbishment (some of Splash's AA's do that from time to time). With the skin on most people would immediately pick out what AA it is... without the skin it's a bit more challenging and adds to the "future" feeling of actual robotic AI.