Epcot’s Circle of Life Closing Permanently in February
Per WDWMagic, the “Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable” attraction at The Land pavilion in Epcot will be shuttering next month. The theater will be not be re-purposed for guest use, but instead utilized for the Disney Performing Arts youth program. Classes and various performances will be held inside the theater.
In 1982, the still-named Harvest Theater presented “Symbiosis”, an 18-minute long film shot in 70MM at a speed of 30 frames per second, allowing for a high resolution, clean image of nature. It mostly consisted of a documentary detailing about man’s relationship with the Earth and how we can do better to treat it. Many cited the film as being the driest in the park, which is saying something considering the original Universe of Energy was also playing at the same time. There was also some concern about its dour and preachy tone, offsetting those on their otherwise cheerful vacations.
Disney, however, sided with guests and in 1995, thanks to the popularity of the 1994 film “The Lion King”, opened a brand-new, shortened presentation that both updated and lightened-up aspects of “Symbiosis”. This of course being the current film shown today. The plot is simple: Timon and Pumbaa approach Simba with their plans to dam up a river in order to create a resort-destination, but Simba informs the duo of the consequences that their dreams may cause to the environment. During these lectures, the animation would drop and cut to live-action, many of them already from the previous “Symbiosis” film.
Although this helped the attraction gain further popularity, it did not exactly return on guest satisfaction. Despite the sparse moments of light humor and (admittedly rather wonderful) animation, tourists were still subjected to a treacly, upsetting lecture on man’s footprint on mother nature. Having a Matthew Broderick-soundalike didn’t improve this whatsoever. In fact, this is a rare designation for having a pre-show room more popular than the attraction itself.
Many ardent Walt Disney World fans and Epcot purists adore the Harvest Theater holding lobby for its gorgeous wall carpet murals, still intact from its original 1982 installation… just ignore the flatscreens. These are some of the rare examples of wall carpet left in the park, unless you can get backstage at Wonders of Life. Sadly with the attraction’s closure, it may join in on being an exclusive for the lucky few. However, it’s unlikely many will miss the main show itself, a dated mainstay from the mid-90s complete with a deteriorating, dirty film print and ancient footage from well over thirty-five years ago.
The attraction had gone into seasonal status before, so Disney is seeming to not hold it in high regard for capacity. (despite its uniquely massive, two-story tall seating space) However, the reason why it’s moving is very interesting… the Disney Performing Arts program is being vaulted out of World Showcase, where it languished behind the scenes in an expansion pad. Maybe Timon and Pumbaa should seek building their resort in the Amazons, perhaps? Only time will tell.
Traveling Salesman is a Columnist for the Boardwalk Times.
