Tonight, on a very special Imagineering After Dark…
“Relaxing for a moment on the huge model of EPCOT at WED Enterprises in Burbank, California, are vice-presidents Marty Sklar (left) and John Hench. WED “imagineers” are paid to tinker with the mechanics of fantasy in order to create the future according to Disney.”Boom chicka wah wah…
“Hey baby, wanna tinker with the mechanics of fantasy?”
Those sly guys from Glendale… I think half the creative problems WDI faces today could be solved by more polyester and larger lapels.
Notes for EPCOT nerds: This is from 1980. Note the different design for The Seas (the earlier version had a large dome on the top) and all the extra add-ons to Communicore that would never be built. In World Showcase we have Mexico, Germany, Italy, America, Japan, France, and the U.K. – they’re all in the proper place and look pretty much exactly as they were built.
Now if only Yale Gracey had built a clapper that would make a disco ball come down from the ceiling and a Barry White album start playing.
And now, Mr. June – Claude Coates!
Priceless. Thanks, Michael.
Awwww, this just made my morning! Hahaha
It looks like Mr. Sklar is showing how Imagineers “germinate” a project!
This pic brings several thoughts to mind. First, now I see why they changed the name to Horizons (when it was built) from its second naming of “Futureprobe”. Second, I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy eating in the food court in The Land now thinking about Hench’s feet (and who knows what else) plopped down squarely in it.
HAHA zing!! We have a winner.
Seriously, though, I would have LOVED to have been a fly on the wall at this photo shoot to see how this particular picture came about. My guess is that a pitcher of Old Fashioneds was involved…