30 Days to 30 Years- 1983

Welcome back to 30 Days to 30 Years.  Today, co-host Beth (@disneymom2jhe of Pursuing the Magic and The Magical Blogorail founder) and I look back to the year 1983 with guest blogger Mike of My Dreams of Disney fame.

1983 was the first year that I went to EPCOT Center, and I have some memories from that trip that I don’t think I will ever forget!  My Grandma and Grandpa took me, along with two of their friends and their Grandson, Chris.  It was the first time I had been to Walt Disney World with anyone outside of my family, and by that time, I was old enough that Chris and I were able to go do things and see things ourselves while our Grandparents just relaxed and enjoyed the day.

When we visited in 1983, EPCOT Center was just a few months old, and while many of the things that we enjoy today were there then, there are some things that did not exist yet in 1983.  Among them are the countries Norway and Morocco.  Norway opened it’s doors in 1988, and Morocco in 1984.

However, EPCOT Center did see some new arrivals at the park, particularly in Future World.  Journey Into Imagination and Horizons pavilions both opened, although with Journey Into Imagination the information is a little confusing.  According to Wikipedia, in the EPCOT Timeline, it shows Journey Into Imagination opening on both October 1, 1982, and March 5, 1983, so which was it?  I don’t remember, to tell you the truth.  Any detectives out there that want to refresh my memory?

As I look back at the Wikipedia article, I guess what I deduce from that is that Journey Into Imagination opened as reported on October 1st, but that it only had some things operational at the time.  The March 5th opening may have been for the rest of the pavilion.

What I remember most about EPCOT Center isn’t so much the memories from my 1983 trip there, it is more the memories I have made since then.  Sure, I remember my buddy Chris and hanging out with him, and I remember when we met our Grandparents back by the entrance to World Showcase for the fireworks — which, by the way, wasn’t Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.  That didn’t arrive on the scene until the Millenium Celebration in 2000.  However, my most vivid memories of EPCOT revolve around my later trips, when we would spend much more time in the Park and have longer visits.  Memories such as meeting my wonderful friend’s Brenda and Susan over by Germany; getting a great picture of Sophie and Stephanie with Snow White; Sophie sharing a secret with Princess Jasmine in Morocco; the Food & Wine Festival from last year; and dashing through a torrential downpour with Cindy as we were meeting up with the rest of our group for our closing dinner at The Garden Grill!

I’m excited that EPCOT has reached it’s 30th birthday, and I look forward to many more special moments at the park.  For me, Epcot (as it is now known) is more about taking a stroll as you explore all of the incredible details that makes the park special, and I look forward to the next time that I will be able to visit.  Until then, though, Happy Birthday Epcot!  Thanks for all the great times I’ve had there!

To see the rest of the incredible Epcot stories, check out the 30 Days to 30 Years section of DISTherapy today! Thanks!

No matter where you look on the net, Mike is there!  Not only is he a consummate professional in every social media endeavor, he is always so supportive to his fellow Disney bloggers. We’re so happy you’ve come back for a series encore Mike.  Don’t forget to tune into Mike’s blog on Sundays for the Disney in Pictures segment.  You may even want to make a contribution!


Return tomorrow and read fellow Magical Blogorailer Rosanne’s version of 1984.

My Dreams of Disney is just that…My Dreams of my absolute favorite place in the World! Stop by and share your Dreams too! Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, and check out our special pages on the Lands of the Magic Kingdom, the countries of Epcot’s World Showcase, and our Disney Planning Resource pages!