It’s WDW’s 40th anniversary this year, and there have been so many great moments during that time. But for me, the best thing that’s happened to Walt Disney World in 40 years would have to be the opening of EPCOT Center on October 1, 1982.
Walt Disney dreamed of a city that would become a showcase for innovation, exploration, and design. After Walt’s death, Imagineers sought to realize his vision of a futuristic city that would inspire visitors and celebrate the spirit of invention. From the dedication speech:
To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship—welcome. EPCOT is inspired by Walt Disney's creative vision. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, wonders of enterprise and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all. May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire and above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere in the world. - E. Cardon Walker
When EPCOT Center first opened, it didn’t have all the bells and whistles and E-ticket attractions it has today. Future World contained only four pavilions (The Land, Universe of Energy, Spaceship Earth, and World of Motion) and the World Showcase had nine (Mexico, Germany, Italy, China, Japan, United States, United Kingdom, France, and Canada). Over time, more pavilions would be added, some would be taken away, some would be replaced, big attractions would move in, we’d meet a little purple dragon named Figment, and EPCOT Center would become Epcot.
I write about Epcot a lot on this blog, and it’s always been my favorite piece of WDW. And even though Walt Disney World contains all kinds of magic and princesses and castles and roller coasters and Yetis, my favorite part of any WDW trip is always that first stroll through Innoventions Plaza. Epcot, more than any other park, captures the spirit of Walt Disney’s vision for the future, even though he never got to see it. And yeah, the Epcot of today sometimes deviates from the original mission (adding Nemo and Co. to Seabase Alpha and letting Kim Possible infiltrate the World Showcase are both tragedies). But more often than not - when I see the monorail glide past, or when I watch the Segway tour roll by, or when I experience that moment of awe when you reach the top of Spaceship Earth – I think, Walt would have liked this.
Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Manda’s Disney Blog.
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ The Magical Mouse Pad
2nd Stop ~ The Disney Chick
3rd Stop ~ Manda’s Disney Blog
4th Stop ~ Mommy Mouseketeer
Final Stop ~ Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World
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Related Links:
* Beep! Beep! The Magical Blogorail is Here!
* WDW Things That Never Cease to Amaze Me
* Book Review: The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia
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4 comments:
Agreed - I'm sure Walt would be very pleased. Epcot is my favorite park.
I agree that Nemo isn't quite what Walt would have wanted.. and most people hate the addition, but when I saw the joy that it brought to my son, I finally appreciated it. We rode it 4 times in June and everytime he applauded and asked to ride it again.. so, now I'm a fan.
I'm with Jenn about Nemo. My kids love it and we could spend an entire day watching the activity in the aquarium. I love Epcot, though we don't spend as much time there now as we used to with three little ones. Hopefully as they get older that will change! Great post!
Great post!I think Walt would be pleased with the progress and improvements. I love Epcot!
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