Tip Tuesday: The Great Piggy Bank Adventure

Welcome to another Tip Tuesday!

This week I wanted to highlight another great interactive activity for kids -- the Great Piggy Bank Adventure.

Located in Innoventions in Epcot, the Great Piggy Bank Adventure sponsored by T. Rowe Price, helps kids understand the importance of setting savings goals, the importance of saving versus spending, inflation and how (and why) to diversify investments.  While these financial lessons are fairly simplistic, they're important lessons for kids to learn.

The Great Piggy Bank Adventure consists of three stages.  Each stage includes an interactive game for up to four players.  Each game requires players to work in teams to save as much money as possible towards their overall savings goal. 

All the while, your "savings" are stored in a piggy bank that players carry from station to station.

What I like about the Great Piggy Bank Adventure is the way Disney has combined a financial lesson with interactive fun.  Best of all, the adventure doesn't stop at Innoventions.  You can play at home here:  http://piggybank.disney.go.com/media/ap/piggybank/index.html.

There are several new exhibits coming soon to Innoventions.  As more information is announced, I'll have updates here on DisneyDaddy.

Until next time!

Sum of All Thrills to open Oct. 14

The Sum of All Thrills, an interactive robotic roller coaster simulator will be opening at Innoventions in Epcot on Oct. 14.

Sponsored by Raytheon, The Sum of all Thrills is the latest initiative in the company's MathMovesU(R) program, which is committed to increasing U.S. students' interest in math and engineering by engaging them with activities they enjoy most, such as sports, fashion and music. The Sum of all Thrills joins Raytheon's other MathMovesU programs including the "In the Numbers" game and partnership with the New England Patriots; the company's three-year sponsorship of the National MATHCOUNTS competition; a robust volunteer program; and the MathMovesU scholarship and grant program.

In addition, KUKA Robotics, the company that created the robotic arm issued their own news release:

KUKA Robotics Corporation is pleased to announce the usage of the RoboSim 4-DSimulator ride system as part of a new exhibit at INNOVENTIONS in Epcot® at theWalt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The addition of theRoboSim 4-D Simulator is an expansion of KUKA`s current presence at INNOVENTIONSat Epcot®. KUKA currently sponsors Rockin` Robots - a 2,000 plus square foot interactive exhibit allowing guests to conduct a robotic band located in the INNOVENTIONS West building.

"The popularity and expansion of INNOVENTIONS coupled with KUKA`s unique and innovative robotic and educational solutions in this exciting entertainment and education project will enhance the KUKA brand presence while strengthening our continued growth in the North American market."stated Stu Shepherd, President of KUKA Robotics Corporation. "We are excited for the opportunity to demonstrate KUKA`s unique capabilities in a market that drives progress and interest in learning."

The KUKA RoboSim 4-D Simulator creates a 4-dimensional experience through 3-D robotic motion and "wind", by controlling air movements to stimulate the senses providing a more realistic simulation experience involving high speeds, quick direction changes and different climates for a unique sensation. The appeal of the 2-seat simulator is that it does not fully enclose the rider, but allows the rider`s legs and feet to be suspended.

The spherical carbon-fiber hood, which is integrated as part of the unique KUKA RoboCoaster® ride system, immerses the rider into a true sensory experience by using high definition video combined with stereo sound and controlled air motion. "The KUKA RoboCoaster® programmable robotic ride system utilizes 6 axes and 6 degrees of total directional freedom with synchronized "under the hood" entertainment provides a thrilling experience like no other." commented Stu Shepherd. The RoboSim 4-D Simulator is TÜV certified and includes safety devices such as smoke alarms and temperature monitoring. Video cameras and microphones allowRoboSim operators to monitor passengers at all times.

Prime venues for use of the RoboCoaster® and RoboSim versions include theme parks, science centers, shopping malls, family entertainment centers (FEC),amusement parks, leisure parks, and other motion-enhanced, virtual reality applications. KUKA Robotics offers a wide range of industrial robots and robot systems, which includes the RoboCoaster®. The RoboCoaster® operates with a service-proven PC-based control platform. This PC-based robot controller (KR C) benefits from all the advantages of PC technology, such as remote diagnosis, Microsoft Windows interface, field bus, Soft PLC, OPC Server and much more.

Tip Tuesday: Innoventions

Welcome to another Tip Tuesday!

This week, I'm returning to Epcot for another tip. All too often guests visiting Epcot enter the park in the morning, glance up at Spaceship Earth as they hustle underneath, and perhaps take slight notice of either Innoventions East or West as they rush to either Soarin' or Test Track. Throughout the day, Innoventions serves as a cut-thru or a place to seek shelter during those famous Florida storms (which, I agree is a good place to go in the rain).

So here's the tip -- don't skip Innoventions -- you might be surprised at what you can find, and keep there.

But Innoventions (East and West) are separate attractions, dare I say, pavilions in their own rights. Each side has several exhibits featuring some very interesting (and sometimes competitive) topics.

For instance, did you know that, at one time, you could build your own virtual robot and then race it against other guests at the Fantastic Plastics Works exhibit in Innoventions East? This race was very physical (I was huffing and puffing after running it with my son - we ended up winning, but it was quite a challenge). Afterward, you got to build your own plastic robot that you could take with you -- free. Sadly, this exhibit was replaced in 2008.

What came in it's place, however, was every bit as amazing, though possibly a little scarier for small children. Storm Struck simulates what's it's like to be inside a house during a hurricane in Florida. For those of you in the Midwest - you could equate this to being inside a house during a tornado. Kids get to build their own storm safety kit. This is a thrilling attraction and it's not to be missed.

While you're in Innoventions East, be sure to visit the "Don't Waste It" exhibit. I know, I know, it's all about recycling and trash, and that's doesn't seem like it's very interesting, but give this a try, you'll be pleasantly surprised. With the heavy emphasis on "green living" these days, it's very interesting to find out just how much recycling is taking place, even if you don't recycle.

Over in Innoventions West is another very neat exhibit, again demonstrating technology that pre-dated the Wii. The "Where's the Fire" exhibit allows parents and children to go into a virtual house to help identify potential fire hazards and put them out. This is a team-based exhibit with two teams competing against each other. The neat thing here is the interactive nature of the exhibit, similar to Toy Story Mania. As the guest interacts with these huge screens, the images and action change in real time. The lesson is an important one as well.

You Segway fans (or wannabe fans) can take a short spin at Segway Central. Here you'll learn more about the Segway and have the chance for a short (1-2 minutes) ride. This is one exhibit that gets popular, so you might see some lines (but nothing like the standby line over at Soarin'). Also check out the SlapStick Studios. Here (like over in Innoventions East) you can solve problems and take home your own Velcro frog.

Coming late this year to Innoventions West is a new exhibit by Raytheon that is similar to Cyberspace Mountain at DisneyQuest. See more on this from an Orlando Attractions Magazine blog post.

Here's one more tip for you. You can see a preview of all the exhibits in Innoventions, East and West, by visiting the Innoventions special Web site at http://innoventions.disney.com. There you can see a few videos, see some photos from exhibits and download maps of Innoventions East and West.

The next time you're racing to get that FastPass and then wondering what to do next - head over to Innoventions. It's what Epcot was originally all about -- learning and exploration.

Raython exhibit to bring some thrills to Innoventions?

The folks over at Orlando Attractions Magazine and Touring Plans.com are both reporting that the new Raytheon exhibit planned for Innoventions. Called the "Sum of all Thrills," guests will be able to create their own roller-coaster, jet place or bobsled. The intent is to help guests understand some of the challenges of real-life physics and engineering.

Best of all, according to these blog posts, guests will be able to then ride their invention, similar to the Cyber-Space Mountain attraction at DisneyQuest.

What makes this possible is a huge robotic arm that can simulate the movements programmed by the guest while designing their particular experience.

This arm, created by the KUKA Robot Group, is similar to the one used in the Seas with Nemo and Friends attraction where the deep-sea fish is trying catch Marlin and Dory (although I've noticed that this arm wasn't in operation when I was last at Disney in Dec. 2008 - hopefully it's been fixed by now).

The "Sum of all Thrills" is set to open in Innoventions by the end of this year.

Raytheon confirms new exhibit for Innoventions, opens new center at Shades of Green Resort

From CNBC:

The Raytheon Company recently announced plans to unveil an interactive, math-based experience called "The Sum of All Thrills" in the Innoventions pavilion at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The exhibit, set to open fall 2009, will engage children through a fun, interactive and educational experience that helps instill a lifelong passion for math, science and technology.

The Raytheon Company also announced the grand opening of The Family Technology Center at the Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort. Shades of Green is a U.S. Armed Forces Recreation Center used exclusively by active and retired military personnel and their families and Department of Defense civilians. The Family Technology Center, donated by Raytheon, will serve as guests' "home away from home" game room. The Center, equipped with plush couches, plasma televisions, personal computers, Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox systems, offers guests an on-site extension of their entertainment experience where they can relax, connect and enjoy each other.

"Raytheon's donation of the Family Technology Center is a way of showing support to our active and retired military and their families," said William H. Swanson, Chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company. "It is our hope this gesture will show our deepest appreciation for all they do to support and protect our country." "We very much appreciate Raytheon's generosity in providing this unique gift as a tribute to our servicemen and women and their families," said Brian Japak, director of Shades of Green. "The Family Technology Center combines the best of both worlds -- the latest in entertainment technology with a touch of 'home,' making it the perfect way for guests to stay connected to each other and loved ones while on vacation."

It will be interesting to see what this new exhibit will look like when it opens later this fall.