Wonders of Life Pavilion opened in October 1989 in the Future World section of Epcot Center (now the World Discovery neighborhood of EPCOT).
📍 EPCOT | World Discovery
This pavilion was devoted to all aspects of health, wellness, and fitness.
But today, you’ll see almost no trace of this pavilion, just construction walls with its curved, golden roof beyond. Read on to learn more about this pavilion and what happened to it.
See my EPCOT page for more on all the different name changes of this theme park over the years.
The Ambiance of The Wonders of Life Pavilion
The Wonders of Life Pavilion was located between The Universe of Energy (later Ellen’s Energy Adventure and now Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind) and Horizons (now Mission Space).
At the beginning of the path leading to the pavilion you’d encounter a large sculpture of a double helix representing a strand of DNA.
There was a long sloping ramp that you needed to ascend it order to enter the pavilion which was entirely housed inside the air-conditioned pavilion building. The entrance was on a level above the main floor of the building, from the entrance ramps sloped down to the pavilion floor.
The building itself was round in shape with a golden spherical dome for the roof. Inside the high ceiling was the underside of the dome very far above the floor.
The pavilion had a “Health Fair” feel with the attractions distributed around the floor space.
Attractions in The Wonders of Life Pavilion
The Wonders of Life had a couple of big attractions and several lesser ones.
Body Wars – A motion simulator ride taking guests on a Fantastic Voyage-like trip through the heart, lungs, and brain. The film shown was directed by Leonard Nimoy, and starred actors Tim Matheson, Elisabeth Shue, and Dakin Matthews. This ride was the first thrill ride at Epcot Center and used the same motion simulator as Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Cranium Command – A theater show with audio-animatronic actors and a movie. The show explained the functions of the brain and its interaction with the human body.
Frontiers of Medicine – Played stories about medicine and the brain on small televisions.
Coach’s Corner – Guests could swing a bat while a professional player gave tips.
Goofy About Health – A multimedia show about healthy living hosted by Goofy, using clips from his cartoons.
Fitness Fairgrounds – Tested guests’ athletic abilities.
Sensory Funhouse – An interactive playground which tested guest’s sensory abilities, including an Ames roomAudio Antics – A listening skill game which involved regular sounds and sounds that were out of place, which the listener had to figure out.
The Making of Me – A short movie about birth and life starring Martin Short.
Wonder Cycles – Stationary bicycles with a television attached. The faster riders pedaled, the faster the video played. The bicycles would take the rider on a short tour, with a selection of:
- 100th Anniversary Rose Parade Pasadena, California
- Disneyland in California – The rider could see that day’s park patrons watching the camera pass and moving out of the way for the rider.
- Take a Little Ride: Microworld Bigtown, U.S.A.
Anacomical Players – A live show that featured improvisational skits on health and nutrition.
Dining in The Wonders of Life Pavilion
There was only one dining location in The Wonders of life called Pure & Simple that offered “Guilt-Free Goodies” such as oat-bran waffles with fruit toppings. frozen yogurt, smoothies, muffins, and fruit juice. The lunch menu featured things like veggie pizza, soup, Caesar salad, and chicken wraps.
Shopping in The Wonders of Life Pavilion
There was one merch location as well called Well and Goods Limited. There is not much info available now about this shop, but it’s safe to assume that it offered items geared towards good health and healthy cooking.
History of The Wonders of Life Pavilion
Back in the day, Disney did not foot the bill themselves for new theme park construction, they got sponsors to cover or help with the cost. In return the sponsoring corporation got billing as the sponsor, typically a corporate discount on tickets for their employees, and often a private lounge for their employees in the pavilion/attraction.
The construction and first 11 years of operation of and Wonders of Life was sponsored by Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. (MetLife).
However, MetLife dropped its sponsorship of Wonders of Life in June of 2001. Disney continued to operate the pavilion and it remained open until 2004 when the pavilion became seasonal, opening only during high attendance periods of the year when EPCOT needed additional guest capacity.
After the 2006 Christmas season, The Wonders of Life closed its doors permanently.
In the years that followed, The pavilion began operating seasonally in 2007 as the Welcome Center for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
For these very popular events, it hosted seminars, videos, and presentations. It was the main Festival merchandise location during the two festivals yearly. One or two of the festival food and wine booths were located here.
The last Festivals housed here were in 2019. Since the Welcome Centers have been housed in Communicore East, the Odyssey Pavilion, the World Showplace Pavilion, or nowhere.
What Then?
Walt Disney Imagineering filed a notice of commencement with the Orange County Comptroller’s office to begin major reconstruction in the pavilion. This was part of the major renovation of EPCOT for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.
The new concept for the pavilion was a Play Pavilion, a space devoted to fun that would feature an innovative city that will come to life under the dome of the former Wonders of Life pavilion. The pavilion’s city will be filled with interactive experiences featuring your favorite Disney characters, hands-on activities, and other entertainment.
“This innovative, new pavilion is beyond anything we’ve ever created and is completely unique to EPCOT,” said Zach Riddley, of Walt Disney Imagineering. “Built on the power of play, it introduces an immersive and interactive ‘city’ where you can explore, create, and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters. This is an experience worthy of our bold vision for EPCOT – and another signature element of our transformation.”
The Wonders of Life Pavilion Today
However, the 2020 shutdown hit and unlike other Orlando theme parks that went all in on construction, taking advantage of no guests in their parks, Disney decided to totally stop construction.
The ambitious re-themeing of EPCOT was drastically scaled back with World Celebration becoming a shell of what it was to be and plans for the Play Pavilion cancelled!
Today, The Wonders of Life Pavilion still sits empty behind its construction walls. Who knows if the building is even in a usable condition any more so that it could return to hosting Festival Welcome Centers.
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