Welcome back, one and all, to our 30 day countdown to Epcot’s 30th Anniversary. My co-host, Beth (Pursuing the Magic and The Magical Blogorail) and I are so appreciative of our authors, and all who stop in daily to get a dose of magical nostalgia! Today’s guest blogger, Estelle from This Happy Place Blog, will take us back to 1987; and a happy 5th birthday for this park!
In 1987, I was a darling 3-year old. Walt Disney World was celebrating its 15th birthday, and that second theme park called EPCOT Center was celebrating 5 years of operation.
 |
| From Disney Parks Blog |
While it would be another 9 years before I stepped foot on Walt Disney World property at all, this span of years brought a good amount of change to Epcot, even while much would remain the same. Still searching for its true identity even then, Epcot has never stopped being an “experimental prototype.”
 |
| Jermiah Good |
It seems the safaris at Animal Kingdom weren’t the only place to find real elephants in Walt Disney World’s vast history…
In this 25-minute program, Mickey Mouse served as the ringmaster of a thrill show full of stunts (motorcycles, trapezes, sway poles, oh my!), live music from The Future Corps., four huge elephants, and more. The Fountain of Nations transformed into a stage, as “space cycles” glided along wires run from the Communicore buildings to the center of Spaceship Earth. Also featured was a sky walker’s treacherous journey 180-feet above the Odyssey Lagoon on nothing but a steel wire.
 |
| Fiesta Fun Center |
 |
| Fiesta Fun Center |
If there weren’t pictures or videos of this spectacular, I would never believe it even existed. For further proof, here’s a video from the 1987 Merry Christmas Parade with a feature on the Daredevil Circus Spectacular.
1987 also marked the ending of Skyleidoscope, a daytime extravaganza of boats on the lagoon and high flying planes in the sky. The show had been around since 1985 and went through three incarnations, ending with a special Walt Disney World 15th anniversary show that included bright colors and dragon boats on the water.
 |
| Burnsland |
 |
| Burnsland |
We can’t thank Estelle for returning for another series!
Tomorrow, Heidi of Heidi’s Head gives us a review of 1988; including a listing of attractions that no longer grace the Epcot landscape…
In 1987 I took a youth group to WDW for the first time. Many great memories, but I still think the 15th anniversary EPCOT celebration was my favorite anniversary WDW has ever put together! Thanks for the wonderful reminders!
Looking forward to the 15th anniversary report too!!
What a terrific snapshot of 1987- I can't even imagine seeing elephants at Epcot!! From your post, it seems that this park's identity has come a long way in the 30 years. Thanks so much Stelle!!
I wish I'd been to WDW that year to see all of this! I love that quirky Dragon Boat!
My First Year At Epcot Was 1987 ! I Always Wondered…Did They Have A 5 Or A 15 In Fron Of Spaceship Earth…Now I Know ! This Park In 1987 Changed My Life Forever !
Isn't it incredible the impact that these parks have had on so many?? Thanks for stopping in!
I wan in the WDW College Program in 1987. I was a Friendship boat captain. It was amazing! Thanks for the memories!!!