Basic CommuniCore was located in two crescent shaped buildings behind Spaceship Earth, and opened in 1982 with the rest of Epcot Center. CommuniCore stood for "Community Core". Hands-on experience with new innovations along with new electronics were available here for guests. CommuniCore was rebuilt into Innoventions in 1994, which still featured hands-on experiences. Attraction Breakdown The following is a breakdown of the many CommuniCore attractions. The sponsors are listed in brackets []. CommuniCore East Attractions Exhibits EPCOT Computer Central [Sperry/UNISYS] - Epcot's backstage computer area had many exhibits including two different shows:
Travelport [American Express] - Here, guests could see slide shows of various vacation destinations with touch-screens. The touch-screen booths (called "vacation stations") were near an American Express travel service office and agent. Electronic Forum - Electronic Forum was the central news area of CommuniCore. Here guests could watch TV screens and participate in the Future Choice Theater.
Energy Exchange [Exxon] - The CommuniCore counterpart to Universe of Energy, Energy Exchange was accessible after walking down a ramp circling a mobile of interlocking wheels and gears called "Energy in Motion". Many machines, games, demonstrations, films, and hands-on areas were at Energy Exchange.
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Energy Exchange (cont.)
Restaurants Stargate Restuarant (1982-1994) - Served breakfast items, including omelettes. Lunch and dinner items included hamburgers, pizza, and salad. The Stargate would later become the Electric Umbrella. Beverage Base - Located near the Stargate, Beverage Base featured popcorn, fresh fruit, dessert cups, and of course beverages. Shops Centorium (1982-1999) - The Centorium was Epcot's largest shop, containing two levels. In 1999 it was temporaily moved to Innoventions West while Mouse Gear was being built in its original location.
CommuniCore West Attractions Exhibits FutureCom [Bell System, then AT&T] - FutureCom was a vast communications themed area with a small sales area in the back left.
Expo Robotics - Expo Robotics was a show featuring industrial robot arms performing many stunts. Many stunts included precision top spinning (such as spinning a top on the edge of a sword and along strands of wire). The star robot arm was named Pixel, and the act was accompanied by circus music. Services EPCOT Outreach - This display featured plans and concept art for future pavilions and exhibits. Also here were posters and photos of the various Future World themes - energy, agriculture, transportation, etc. At a counter in the back of Outreach were pamphlets and fact sheets. You could also buy guest convenience items and Epcot Center and general Disney merchandise.
Teacher Center - Study guides and EPCOT educational materials were sold here. One such item was a film about agriculture called "Harold and his Amazing Green Plants."
Restaurants Sunrise Terrace Restaurant - This eatery featured fried chicken, seafood, and salads. It would later become Pasta Piazza and Fountainview Expresso & Bakery. Both of these would close, with the Fountainview turning into an ice cream shop. Mouse Gear, Innoventions, & Pasta Piazza Ice Station Cool Ice Station Cool was an arctic themed Coca-Cola shop and soda fountain that opened around the year 1998 in the Innoventions area. The soda fountain offered free samples of Coke from around the world. The entrance to Ice Station Cool appeared to be carved out of ice with a snow-cat standing to the side. After entering you would travel through an ice tunnel with real snow swirling down to the ground. It closed down for 2005 and reopened as Club Cool. Club Cool still offers free Coke samples but with a different atmosphere. Instead of snow and ice, Club Cool has tall tables and music. |