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The Lost Forests Of EPCOT Center

In his recent Imaginerding review of Steve Alcorn’s excellent Building A Better Mouse: The Story Of The Electronic Imagineers Who Designed Epcot, George Taylor linked a number of fantastic snapshots on Alcorn’s site that depict the creation of EPCOT Center.

You should head over to Alcorn’s site posthaste to investigate, but I’m going to reprint a couple of the photos here because one of them depicts something that I never, ever thought I’d see.

EPCOT’s construction is full of intriguing details, as the inner workings of the park are so massive and elaborate and hidden from the public. Everyone knows about the Magic Kingdom’s Utilidors, but few have seen EPCOT’s Utilidor that runs beneath Communicore:

EPCOT's sole Utilidor, under construction...

Also hidden is the massive carriage that contains all the show scenes and animatronics for the American Adventure; this picture just shows a small part of the machine – it’s a wonder they ever got it to work!

I see Chief Joseph!

Of course back in the day the commands that ran that show came streaming from EPCOT Computer Central in Communicore. Here’s a picture of the very first equipment being installed in Computer Central; the large box you see on the left is one of the binloop machines that used to stream audio in an endless loop to the far corners of the park.

Not depicted: Dancing Cockney guy

But what really caught my eye was this picture. See what you think:

Circle Pines.

What do you see? Well, it’s obviously large trees under construction, and if you read Alcorn’s caption you’ll realize it’s at the Canada pavilion. So what? “But wait,” you might say in a moment of quiet reflection, “where are the giant fake trees in the Canada pavilion?” That’s the thing – there aren’t any. But there were supposed to be. Look at this early concept art for the pavilion, which I appropriated from the fantastic Imagineering Disney:

How Not to Be Seen starring Martin Short

I always thought those towering pines were just artistic license, but there were actually plans to partially conceal the pavilion in a grove of lofty, artificial timber. As you can see in Alcorn’s photo, the trees were even built. But the issue of scale – as you can tell, they were designed to use forced perspective to fit in with their scaled-down surroundings – proved a problem, and they never looked quite right in the eyes of the project’s managers. Eventually Dick Nunis called for the metaphorical and literal axe, and the fake trees of Canada were removed before the park even opened. This makes them an even more ephemeral relic of EPCOTology than the fabled Danish bathrooms.

Looking for some real trees? Well check out this picture, which shows what a cabin at Fort Wilderness looked like circa 1982. Fleetwood!

Country living the Disney way

Be sure to drop in and check out the rest.

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And Now, In Glorious Cinemascope

Or in other words, now we’re blogging in widescreen…

So yes, changes. At last. At long, long last. This has taken me forever but there’s still a good chance that lots of things are broken so for pete’s sake, if you see something say something! Email me with any issues.

There are some other changes on the way, some cosmetic (I still want to style the look to be more appealing) and some more fundamental (I want to make content easier to find, and to bring in some of the better aspects of a hard-coded, more traditional site). And, naturally, more non-stop blathering from yours truly. Blathering… in widescreen!

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A Visit To EPCOT Center, 1984

A recent post on the always-entertaining Retroist blog directed us to a number of home movies that have recently been posted to YouTube as part of something called the “Elmer Gerlock Film Project.” There are several fascinating films dating from the 1950s-80s, with lots of footage of now-extinct sights from Las Vegas’s Strip, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and other notable attractions in Southern California and Florida. Lucky for us, there’s also EPCOT footage!

This clip comes from 1984, when EPCOT Center was still fresh and new. It’s remarkable to see how different the park looked with its not-yet-grown trees and shrubs; the scale of the buildings appear so much larger and more prominent. World Showcase looks completely different from across the lagoon without all the foliage, and without the awful Swan and Dolphin and the over-sized Tower of Terror looming on the horizon and thus destroying the sightlines. The pavilions themselves have changed very little in all these years, but their effect is totally different in those early surroundings. There’s no International Gateway, either!

Speaking of the park environment, it’s always bittersweet to see the clean, welcoming entrance plaza from the days before Leave a Legacy. And speaking of bittersweet, it really does tug at the heartstrings to see Horizons, World of Motion, and Journey into Imagination in all their original glory.

In World Showcase we first catch a glimpse of the long-lost and much missed double decker buses that transported guests around the promenade. We even get a peek of the fabled Danish bathrooms (at 2:55), which you might remember from our own groundbreaking expose. For a little entertainment, there’s Il Teatro di Bologna in Italy, and the rather campy looking show at the America Gardens theater. Give it up for the performers, though – this was before the theater was covered or shaded, and they were most likely staring directly into the sun!

A last point of interest is the Morocco pavilion, which is still under construction and would open later that year.

So let’s pile in the car, taking a moment to remember the great old brown “national park” style road signs on property, and head for EPCOT Center:

Don’t forget to check out the other related videos, including a stop at the Magic Kingdom. And if you’re looking for more vintage footage, don’t miss these classic home videos from EPCOT in 1983.

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Fantasyland 2.5

Now officially known as New Fantasyland, the expansion has seen many changes

Ending months of online speculation, Disney took the opportunity of a recent Parks and Resorts press event to reveal a number of changes to the previously-announced expansion of the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland area. Prompted by criticism of the earlier plan’s heavy focus on character “meet-and-greets”, the so-called “New Fantasyland” unveiled last week will incorporate a new attraction that hearkens back to Imagineering proposals predating the expansion’s announcement in September of 2009.

Continue reading Fantasyland 2.5

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D23 In 2011

Now that the new year has arrived, we can start looking forward to a new slate of events and activities from D23. We already knew that 2011 would mark the return of the D23 Expo after last year’s absence, and that a Destination D event would be held in Orlando this spring for those of us who desperately hope for some corporate recognition of Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary.

Thankfully the “word on the street” is that some of the folks who share our love of the eastern Disney resort are toiling to ensure that the event actually brings the love for the oft-overlooked history of Walt Disney World. We can only hope that the events and perspectives presented are more diverse than last fall’s Destination D in Anaheim. Walt Disney World has its own unique history and it would nice to see it get the attention it deserves.

The D23 slate for 2011, as it stands now:

January 29

Preview screening of Jake and the Never Land Pirates featuring David Arquette

D23 is partnering with Disney Junior – Disney Channel’s new broadcast initiative designed for kids ages 2 through 7 – inviting D23 Members to bring their young swashbucklers for an advance screening of two episodes of Jake and the Never Land Pirates, a new animated series coming to television this February.

David Arquette is the voice of Skully, the parrot who keeps an eye out for Jake and his crew of kid pirates as they navigate the familiar waters of Never Land while dodging the devious Captain Hook and Mr. Smee.

Following the screening of the two 11-minute episodes, Arquette will sit down for a Q&A with D23’s Disney Geek, Jeffrey Epstein, and will also take questions from the audience. Afterwards, the villainous Captain Hook will be available for photos and autographs in front of the Studio Theatre.

May 12-13

D23’s Great Disney Scavenger Hunt: Walt Disney World

In spring 2011, for the first time in the 40-year history of Walt Disney World, guests will have the chance to scour all four Florida theme parks to win incredible prizes in this official Disney scavenger hunt. Each team will consist of 2-4 participants, and additional rules and registration information will be available soon at the D23 Web site.

May 14-15

Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th

Following the rave reviews of Destination D: Disneyland ’55, this event will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Orlando resort, commemorating its history and heritage. Panels will include all-new presentations that build upon the successful panels at the Anaheim event, including:

  • Walt Disney World: The Way We Were,” hosted by Disney Legend Dave Smith
  • “Weird Disney World” with Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline
  • “Walt Disney World Through the Eye of Television”
  • A special evening event featuring musical memories from throughout the history of Walt Disney World

Other panels, featured speakers and details will be announced soon on the D23 Web site.

August 19-21

D23 Expo 2011 in Anaheim, California

Affectionately dubbed “The Ultimate Fan Event” by Disney enthusiasts [Actually, by Disney marketing – Ed.], the D23 Expo brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing attendees with unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks as never before. An event that only occurs every other year, this is the first D23 Expo since the premiere event in 2009.

Highlights of D23 Expo 2011’s weekend activities will include:

  • 2011 Disney Legends. Paying tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to Disney entertainment
  • Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives. Featuring dozen of props, artifacts and costumes, accessible to the public for the first time in Disney’s history
  • Collector’s Forum. Where attendees can buy, sell and trade precious memorabilia and merchandise
  • Fan Art Contest. Themed to 101 Dalmatians in honor of the 50th anniversary of the animated classic
  • The Ultimate Disney Trivia Tournament will allow participants to demonstrate their Disney knowledge as they compete for outstanding prizes
  • Many more one-of-a-kind D23 Expo panels, presentations and experiences which will be announced in the coming months.

October 14-15

Sip & Stroll at Epcot in Orlando

As part of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, D23 is once again hosting their annual Sip & Stroll event exclusive to D23 Members. More details will be announced in 2011.

December 17-18

Magic and Merriment at Walt Disney World in Orlando

D23 brings back its annual holiday tradition celebrating the spirit of the season, exclusive for D23 Members. More details will be announced in 2011.

In addition to the weekend events, D23 is continuing its tradition of 50 and Fabulous screenings at the company’s Burbank lot. Taking place in the Disney Studio’s recently refurbished 400-seat Studio Theatre, the screenings celebrate various beloved Disney films that are observing their golden anniversaries this year. The screenings are “free” – except for the $5 “processing” fee – and are good for D23 members and one guest.

January 22

101 Dalmatians

March 12

The Absent-Minded Professor

June 18

The Parent Trap

November 19

Babes in Toyland

D23 is continuing to offer tours of the Walt Disney Studios and the Walt Disney Archives; the two-and-a-half hour tours are available on a limited basis and will be held on the following dates:

February 5

April 30

July 23

November 5

D23 has also announced an expanded slate of member discounts for 2011; they’ve added a page to their website that will allow them to regularly update the list of benefits.

So that’s the schedule so far. Combine it with the incredible TCM event in April, which is D23 affiliated, and any number of unofficial events, and it’s going to be a busy year. Now let’s see if I can afford to go to any of them…

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