Birt Family Focus

Innoventions East -- 6/26/02

Today we are going to Innoventions East. Like the west side, this used to be a part of Communicore, but now showcases new developments in various techno industries with displays on how they will directly affect the consumer once available. These displays are pretty neat and for the most part hands on.

Once again, as we enter, Tom Morrow greets us and points out our way down the road of Tomorrow. Our first stop is called "Forests For Our Future". Set up as a field research outpost, this area shows how the latest technology is being used to sustain our forests. An interactive game is available called "Forest Treevia". It is sponsored by the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry. Somehow, I have a bit of a problem with the paper industry providing information on forest conservation, but my DH says I'm paranoid. I guess it's just all those slash pines where old growth forests used to be here in Florida that turn my head. I always skip this spot.

The next stop along the way is the Innoventions Internet Zone. This area provides a glimpse into the future of the internet for kids. Interactive shows and play stations let children explore tomorrow's versions of online games. They can even play virtual tag with a Disney character. Here is another of the places in "the world" where one can send a video email card to friends and family. This area is sponsored by Disney.com and our family has a hard time leaving it to move on!

Next stop is the Communications Dream Forum. This is presented by Motorola and hosted by a robot called Starnac who can see into the future. Us older folks will get the pun. ;-) After Starnac presents his information, you are sent into the Reality Lab to invent something of your own.

Leaving Starnac, we come to the most popular attraction at Innoventions- The House of the Future by Panja. Except for the really neat wheel chair at the end, though, there is nothing here I haven't at least seen before, if I don't already have it in my house. It is definitely time for an update here. The cool part, IMO , is that all these neat electrical gadgets are wired to the house and controllable by one pad so you can program your outside lights and start your coffee pot from one area. I would be deathly afraid of thunderstorms, though- is there a surge protector big enough to cover a whole house? Those who are wheelchair confined or live with such a person will just love the motorized wheel chair at the end of the presentation - it can go up and down stairs and can sit up on it's hind wheels so that the user can reach higher places. It is very nifty.

The next stop will interest future webmasters- the Web Site construction zone allows the user to construct their own website at Go.com. One can also surf the web here- if there is no line for users- otherwise they will shoo you out to keep things moving.

After we all make out TheMouseForLess web sites, we head over to the General Motors display- Future Cars. There we will dream about the all electric car and a future without smog. Not in our lifetimes (no smog that is), but possibly in our grandchildren's! A hybrid electric car has recently come out and there are limited all electric cars on the road, but the one displayed here gets better mileage and goes faster than any so far. There is also a prototype fuel cell car to see here.

The last stop on our trip through the road to the future is at "A Look Into the Future". Here is a display with design prototypes of all sorts of gadgets and doodads to improve out everyday lives. Be sure to check out Baby TV and MacBeam Fiber Optics here.

Well, that ends today's tour. My family end up spending a great deal of time in Innoventions which is one of the reasons I recommend giving Epcot more than one day in your itinerary if possible. It is fun and interactive and the kids will love it (everyone over about 5).