Universe of Energy | Disney World

Last Updated on: March 26th, 2024

Here is everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s Epcot’s extinct Universe of Energy attraction including history, fun facts, photos and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

About Universe of Energy

Universe of Energy | Extinct Disney World AttractionsThe Universe of Energy was an iconic attraction located in Epcot’s Future World at Disney World. It opened on October 1, 1982, with the debut of Epcot itself and was one of the park’s original attractions. The attraction was sponsored by Exxon, and its primary focus was on energy education and conservation.

Here’s a description of the original Universe of Energy attraction:

Pre-Show: Kinetic Mosaic – The experience began with a pre-show featuring the “Kinetic Mosaic,” a moving art installation that showcased various forms of energy. Guests watched as colorful tiles formed patterns and images, highlighting the theme of energy in its many forms.

Main Attraction: Travel Through Time – After the pre-show, visitors boarded large, theater-like vehicles known as “traveling theatre cars.” These cars were designed to resemble large, moving seating areas. The journey through the attraction took guests on a time-travel adventure through the history of the universe and the Earth, emphasizing the role of energy in shaping our planet.

Dinosaurs and Primeval World – One of the standout sections of the attraction was the “Primeval World” diorama, where guests encountered lifelike audio-animatronic dinosaurs in a prehistoric setting. This portion of the attraction was a fan favorite and featured impressive audio-animatronic technology.

Ellen’s Energy Adventure – In 1996, the Universe of Energy underwent a significant update, becoming “Ellen’s Energy Adventure.” The attraction now featured Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye the Science Guy as hosts, with Ellen experiencing a dream about the importance of energy conservation. The ride’s format remained largely the same, but the addition of live-action segments and humor made it more engaging for audiences.

The Universe of Energy was known for its innovative ride system, which combined slow-moving ride vehicles with large, high-definition screens to create a unique and educational experience. It aimed to teach visitors about the different forms of energy, the history of our planet, and the importance of energy conservation in an entertaining way.

In August 2017, Ellen’s Energy Adventure closed permanently, making way for future attractions in Epcot’s ongoing transformation. While the original Universe of Energy is no longer part of the park, it remains a nostalgic and fondly remembered part of Disney World’s history, particularly for guests who experienced its unique blend of entertainment and education during their visits.

Fun Facts

  1. The pavilion was sponsored by ExxonMobil and showcased the history of energy production and conservation, with an emphasis on renewable energy sources.
  2. The Universe of Energy ride was a slow-moving omnimover attraction that took guests on a journey through the history of energy production and conservation, and demonstrated the importance of using renewable energy sources.
  3. The ride was known for its use of Audio-Animatronics technology, which brought to life a variety of characters and scenes, including a prehistoric landscape, a futuristic city, and a solar-powered house.
  4. Universe of Energy was also home to the Energy Conservation exhibit, which showcased the latest technology and innovations in energy production and conservation and offered interactive experiences for guests.
  5. The pavilion was designed to resemble a futuristic energy production facility and was known for its innovative architecture and cutting-edge technology.

Important Universe of Energy Details


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About the Author

Craig Smith
I am founder and editor of DisneyNews.us. My passion for all things Disney goes pretty far back to my first trip to Walt Disney World in the mid-80's. I have since returned to the magical place more than 20 times. I started this site when I came to the realization that I spent a significant portion of my day reading articles about Disney and watching Disney content with my 8-year old, so it made sense that I would start sharing some of what I read and see and building a little community around it. Other interests include 80's nostalgia, vintage toys, video games, LEGO, Star Wars and tech gadgets. Other sites include DMR and VideoGamesStats.com.