[TaraRae82]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

That has to be the lamest excuse I've ever heard! Cedar Point doesn't need to have "sponsors" for their marquee attractions and they don't need sponsorship money to maintain them. The very concept that Walt Disney world, and the Walt Disney Company have to wait for some other corporation to open it's wallet to update Disney's attractions is bogus on multiple levels! It's more likely that the pavilion itself has become less popular as time has gone on and Disney just hasn't known what to do with it, especially after dropping about $130 million between MS and Soarin' and the current refurb of Spaceship Earth (again with funding from a "sponsor"). Or is Disney carrying the "world's fair" vibe too far with each pavilion being controlled by it's own corporate entity like NY 64-65 with Pepsi, Coke, Ford, the countries of Sweden, Japan, Norway, the states of NY, NJ, Florida, Illinois?

Sorry if it's lame but that's the way it is. All the other pavilions have sponser corporations and they just can't find a company that's willing to fork over the money to sponser Wonders of Life because it needs updating. As I understand it, they're looking for a pharmaceutical (sp?) company and haven't had any luck.

[Spectro is #1]

Sponsorship goes back to Disneyland 1955. It goes beyond Epcot. Whether a ride is open or closed does not seem to be based on sponsorship alone.
At one point the TIKI room was sponsored by the Florida Citrus Growers.
COP by GE.
Disney will also build non sponsored rides. is TOT sponsored?
Can someone tell me who sponsors The Living Seas with Nemo and Friends?
Universe of Energy?

Remember any restaurants that were closed after sponsorship ran out. Kikkoman once sponsored the now closed Adventureland Veranda.
Tony's is sponsored and I suspect would stay open if it went unsponsored.

This is a list of some past and present sponsors that help keep the Magic cheaper for the Mouse. Some are no longer with Disney but it will illustrate some of the things you may not have thought about that are sponsored.

AAA - American Automobile Association
Hospitality Desk in the Magic Kingdom at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Also, has an office at the Car Care Center.

Acushnet Company
Provides golf balls to Walt Disney World.

American Farm Bureau
Exhibitor at the Innovention's attraction at Epcot.

Alamo/National Car Rental
Sponsors Main Street Vehicles at the Magic Kingdom at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Also, has a rental office located at the Car Care Center. National provides all the fleet and company vehicles for Walt Disney World.

Bally Retail
Bally of Swizerland is located in the Grand Floridian carrying fine men's and women's accessories: Handbags, scarves, wallets, luggage, briefcases, shoes, belts, neckties, and a wide variety of gift items.

Banfi S.p.A
Almond Garden Shop located in the Italy pavilion carries Italian chocolates, candies, wine tasting, and accessories.

Bass Beer
Pub in the United Kingdom Pavilion

Brauerei Beck GMBH & Co.
Beer Garden in the Germany Pavilion

Brunswick Marine Power
Provides boats and motors, Roadmaster bikes, and Zebco fishing gear

Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma
Malt Beverage in the Mexico Pavilion

Coachmen
"Official Recreational Vehicle of Fort Wilderness Resort and Disney Wide World of Sports".

Coca Cola
Provides soft drinks, water and juices to Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort. Also hosts Electric Umbrella, Cosmic Rays, Casey's Corner, Backlot Epxress, and Studio Catering. Dasani water also sponsors the Full and Half Marathon.

Dole Fresh Fruit Company
Hosts Aloha Isle Juice Bar at Magic Kingdom, Tiki Room and Juice Bar at Disneyland.

Energizer
"The Official Batteries/Flashlights of the Walt Disney World Resort". Also, sponsors Star Tours at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.

First USA Bank
Exclusive issuer of the Disney Co-branded credit card. Includes all of the Bank One ATM machines across the Walt Disney World property.

Florida Hospital
Operates the Centre Care facility in Lake Buena Vista and provides health information to cast members.

Footlocker
Sponsors the Walt Disney World Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, Family Fun Run, 10K Classic, and the Cross Country Classic.

Frito Lay
Provides all salty snacks at both the Walt Disney Resort and the Disneyland Resort. Also, sponsors Typhoon Lagoon and named the baseball stadium at the Walt Disney Wide World Sports Complex, Cracker Jack Field.

General Motors
"The Official Vehicle of the Walt Disney World Resort". Also, sponsors the Epcot attraction, Test Track.

Georges Duboeuf
Les Vins de France shop in the France pavilion carries wines and accessories. Wine tasting is also available.

Guerlain, Inc.
La Signature shop located in the France pavilion carries personal accessories, make-up and perfumes.

Edy's Grand
Provides various ice cream products across Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.

Hasbro
"Official Toy & Game Company at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort." This includes a Hasbro Toy Store, "Once Upon a Toy", located at Downtown Disney. Also, sponsors all of the children's centers across Walt Disney World property and is represented with giant icons at the new Disney's Pop Century Resort.

Hewlett-Packard
Sponsors Mission: Space at Epcot and the Fireworks display at Disneyland.

Hunt-Wesson
"The Official Popcorn of Walt Disney World and Disneyland."

International Business Machines (IBM)
Exhibitor, "Networked Living", at Innoventions West at Epcot.

International Motor Speedway (IMS)
Sponsors the Tomorrowland Speedway at the Magic Kingdom.

J.M. Smucker Company
Displayes product in the windows of the Yankee Trader and in the Main Street Merchandise windows. Sponsors the Breakfast at Cape May Restaurant at the Beach Club Resort.

Kellogg's
"The Official Sponsor of breakfast at the WDW Resort" Only cereal sold in Disney owned stores.

Kirin Brewery Company
Provides the malt beverage in the Japan Pavilion.

Kodak
Official Imaging Sponsor of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Also, sponsors the Imagination Pavilion, the Fantasyland Theater at Disneyland and all the camera shops and kiosks throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, including the Theme Park guidebooks.

Lutron
Exhibitor, "The Ultimate Home Theater Experience" at Innoventions West at Epcot.

McDonald's
Sponsors DinoLand at the Animal Kingdom and hosts fry cart throughout the parks at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort. Also, operates restaurants at Downtown Disney and near the All - Star Resorts.

Miller Imports (Giuseppe Armani)
Sponsors merchandise shop, Sculpture D'Arte, in the Italy Pavilion.

National Fluid Milk "Got Milk?"
Sponsors the field house, "Milk House" at the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)
Sponsors Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon.

Nestle
Sponsors the Land Pavilion at Epcot and the stroller, pet care and baby care locations throughout the Walt Disney World property and Disneyland. Nestle also has presence in many of the food and beverage locations throughout those properties.

P.J. Valkenberg
Hosts the wine shop, Weinkeller, in the Germany Pavilion.

Roots Canada
Provides Roots brand Canadian clothing, headwear, accessoriesn and cologne in Northwest Merchantile Store in Canada Pavilion.

R. Twinings & Company Limited
The Tea Caddy shop in the United Kingdom pavilion carries specialty tea items, china, candy and snacks.

Schering Plough Healthcare Products (Coppertone)
Sponsors Mickey's Mart at the Magic Kingdom and Singapore Sal's at Typhoon Lagoon.

Society of Plastics Industry
Exhibitor at the Innoventions attraction at Epcot.

Tappi
Exhibitor, "Forests for our Future", at Innoventions East at Epcot.

Toro
Sponsors "The Towne Green" special events area at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

Underwriters Laboratories
Exhibitor at the Innoventions attraction at Epcot.

Visa USA
The Official credit card of Disney.

Whirlpool
Exhibitor at the Innoventions attraction at Epcot.