Back to the Future- Epcot’s 30th Anniversary

1964 New York World’s Fair

… where it all began for me, and in many ways, for Walt too.  My first steps into EPCOT Center in late 1983 were footsteps into deja vu; I had been here before.

Photo by Roger Wollstadt

1965 New York World’s Fair

“The World of Tomorrow” (I saw my first computer there), a theme for the New York World’s Fair, was evident in EPCOT Center’s Future World, and the trademark pavilions spotlighting international trade and tourism (I had my first Belgian Waffle at the Belgium Pavilion) were again present in the World Showcase.

Walt Disney’s Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow was undeniably the impetus for the Florida Project.  Though the utopian city that he envisioned is not quite what we visit today, the concepts of highlighting recent technology and world culture and commerce are. This permanent Worlds Fair if you will, continued the successful model of utilizing corporate sponsors (after all, all 4 Disney exhibits at the Fair were sponsored by American companies: Ford, General Electric, the State of Illinois and Pepsi-Cola).  Frankly, it just feels so similar.  Disney legend Marty Sklar has been quoted as saying that there were three reasons that Walt agreed to particpate in the World’s Fair:  1.  To perfect attractions (especially Audio-Animatronics) and bring them back to Disneyland  2.  Prove that the Disney concept could work on the East Coast.  3.  EPCOT.

On  October 1, 1982, EPCOT Center opened to the world.  So, it must be time for- you guessed it-  30 Days to 30 Years; another blogger series dedicated to the upcoming Disney Parks milestone.  My co-host, Beth Doda (The Magical Blogorail creator) and I are looking for 30 writers to begin a proper countdown to the 30th Anniversary of Epcot.  Are you interested in paying homage to Walt’s dream?  If so, please contact me here.

Starting September 1st, it’s 30 Days to 30 Years…