Disney Dish: Epcot's 'Kaleidoscope' Show, Universal's Surfside Inn, and Future Pin Trading

Epcot's 'Kaleidoscope' Show

• 💡 The show "Kaleidoscope" was a complex and expensive daytime Epcot lagoon show launched in 1985, featuring ultralights, jet skis, and colored smoke.
• ⚠️ The show was initially intended to boost attendance, especially among Florida residents, and was a favorite of Disney president Frank Wells.
• 💔 "Kaleidoscope" was discontinued in August 1987 after a tragic accident where a performer, Rick Harper, died when his ultralight craft nosedived.

Universal's Surfside Inn & Suites Review

• 🏨 Len Testa reviews Universal Orlando's Surfside Inn & Suites, the first phase of the Endless Summer Resort, highlighting its well-designed rooms and clever use of space.
• 🔊 The resort boasts excellent soundproofing, even with external noise like industrial blowers.
• ⚠️ Downsides include a tiny food court, abrasive towels, and very slow Wi-Fi speeds (0.2 Mbps).
• 💰 Room prices are competitive, with two-bedroom suites around $140 and standard rooms starting at $85, with prices expected to remain low for years.
• 🚌 Transportation to CityWalk takes about 17 minutes, with potential traffic delays at intersections.

Disney's Future Pin Trading Concept

• 📌 Disney has patented a concept for customizable electronic tiles that could electronically replicate the experience of pin trading.
• 🚀 This technology is seen as a potential reset button for the pin trading market, which was a significant revenue stream in the late 90s and early 2000s.
• 🎯 Disney has high hopes for rolling this out, potentially for the 50th anniversary celebration in 2021, and is exploring various names for the product.

Epcot's Past Makeover Attempts

• 🗺️ In the mid-80s, under Michael Eisner, Epcot underwent changes including the introduction of Disney characters in Future World and World Showcase.
• 🎭 The "World Fest" initiative aimed to attract locals with monthly celebrations at different World Showcase pavilions.
• 🎬 Eisner also pushed for a Walt Disney Studio Tour attraction in Epcot, which eventually evolved into plans for a standalone park.
• 🐉 An early Epcot show concept called "Magical Rainbows" involved a blimp launching colored smoke that turned into dragons, later evolving into the "Kaleidoscope" show.