Constructing... Ceremonies

Commentary

When observed through the prism of today’s multi-day attraction openings it’s almost inconceivable to imagine a multi-month press event with 14 dedication ceremonies during the first month alone. It’s also a little perplexing that the televised Smith-Hemion “Opening Celebration” did not contain a single frame of any those openings. I personally would have been happy with sacrificing one or two (or five) of Danny Kaye’s songs for a well-edited montage of the festivities. Nevertheless, while the Disney Park’s Blog explodes with several posts chronicling the opening of Disney’s latest coffee vendor, the size and scope of EPCOT Center’s creation continues to impress over 30 years later. 

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Taken at approximately 10:01am on October 1st 1982, this is one my favorite photos of Spaceship Earth’s Official Dedication if for no other reason than its completely unconventional composition. Practically a “back-view” of the ceremonies, from here we see the back of the banner carriers with American Flags flying over head. We can also see the as yet unfinished accent lighting of Entrance Plaza that would not be installed until late November. Finally, and most intriguingly, is the serene in appearance of the photo – unusual in that just outside of this shot are massive crowns witnessing the birth of the 21st Century.

Constructing... Prophetic Technologies

Commentary

 Is anyone else as jazzed about spending six hours in one of the world’s most elaborate omnimover attractions!? And there’s dinner too! But, before you jump up and try to call the extension, I think we are all about 30 years too late to volunteer.

The statistics listed on this sheet are only a small sampling of the deluge of record-breaking, mind-blowing, and awe-inspiring facts that comprise the EPCOT Center construction project. Even in today’s standards, this three-year construction/production period is unparalleled in scale and complexity. To help bring this plan to fruition, new technologies were developed that were so advanced it was simply impractical to explain them to a 1982 audience.

One of these advancements was the utilization of wireless modems to control figure movements for “Journey into Imagination”. The opening scene turntable, which contained five continuously-rotating Dreamcatchers with multiple moving parts and two Audio-Animatronics for each, necessitated as much off-board control as possible. As a result, the computer-controlled/executed systems were kept off the turntable, with each of the identical scenes receiving electronic relays to perform the three-minute show.  This means that Figment and Dreamfinder were among the first Wi-Fi devices created  - three years before the term was invented in 1985! Yet another example that the 21st Century really did begin in 1982. 

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Dated “June 1st 1982”, this photo commemorates the opening of the EPCOT Center Line to the WDW Monorail System. You might be thinking opening the monorail four months before opening would create a “beam to nowhere”, but the system was immediately pressed into service.  The ‘EPCOT Center Monorail Preview’ became a wonderful opportunity for regular guest to visit the construction site. The visit included a slow-speed trip through Future World and the chance to depart the train at the EPCOT Station.  Upon arrival, guests could view the 300-acre expansion from the (still) massive exit ramp. Here, tour guides were on hand to answer questions aided by large concept renderings and maps of what was quickly becoming the “eighth wonder of the world”. 

Constructing... The Land

Commentary

Considering that the Labor Day preview was only open to construction crews and families, the 26k turn-out is pretty impressive, but is does speak the immensity of what was the largest privately funded construction project in the world. (1) It is also interesting to note that Tomorrowland (not Fantasyland) is used as a size comparison for The Land.

In every incarnation of Future World, The Land was intended to be massive and (although never realized) the Tony Baxter interpretation with its crystalline bio-domes and outlandish plethora of attractions did provide the groundwork for the basic structure of the pavilion. This News Brief concludes with a spotlight on the creation of the Land’s impressive entrance title murals. However, what is not mentioned is the interconnectedness of the mural with another WDW landmark – Cinderella Castle.
The original design was by Walt Peregoy as an illustration of the diverse strata below the Earth’s surface. The “Mural-ization” process provided by the extremely well qualified Dorothea Redmond, whose last project for the company was the five-panel depiction of the Little Cinder Girl’s story that graces the breezeway of Cinderella Castle. Additionally, at this time Dorothea wasn’t only supervising the creation of The Land mural but also recreating her original Cinderella masterpiece for Tokyo Disneyland’s castle as well – quite a busy few years for the production designer/artist who's also credits also include seven films for Alfred Hitchcock and a little Civil War epic titled Gone with the Wind.
Fortunately, The Land’s Entrance Mural has remained untouched in a sea of changes at the Land. This when combined with its Background Music, is the least changed public space in Future World.

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Dated June 1st, this photo was taken shortly after the extensive scaffolding was removed.  The shell of the pavilion is basically complete, but one would also notice that the pavilion is substantially brighter than you would ever find it today. Two reasons for this are the yet-to-be-installed tinted/tempered windows and beautifully executed Atrium mural depicting an abstract sky. The original intent of this masterpiece is to act as substitute for the opposing skylights and, with its bright/cool colors, reflect as much light (but not heat) into the expanse below. In the subsequent makeover of 1993, it was decided that the mural was too large and impractical to maintain and a much dark color scheme was adopted. With the 2005 re-design, more light reflecting colors were adopted returning much of the original light. Still, one cannot help but lament the loss of such a magnificent work of art.    

FOOTNOTE

1. Before EPCOT, the record was held by the original construction of the Magic Kingdom (with WDW infrastructure).     

Constructing... PALS

COMMENTARY

In the hindsight of almost 30 years later, the title of this New Brief is outright comical in comparison to other (more historically intriguing) information found further on. However, I suppose having a nice place to eat lunch while on the job site would be more pressing news than developing the world’s first Universal Translator.

As has been (and will continue be) stated many times before, the technological advances of EPCOT Center were simply astounding. The park’s super-cool tagline “The 21st Century Begins October 1st 1982”, wasn’t as much a slogan as it was a statement of fact. From the near iPhone-like functionality of World Key, to Wi-Fi for Figments, the multitude of completely new and wondrous devices developed for the park would (in many instances) not be used practically for decades after their debut in EPCOT Center.

One of the many amazing aspects of the park was not only its displays on world culture and triumphant achievements, but a commitment on all levels to make it accessible to as many people as possible. The PALS system is a prime example. Because of this device, Epcot’s attractions had the ability to reach a much wider audience than any theme park ever had before. Additionally, the attractions of Epcot’s Future World, although visually spectacular, were dealing with abstract concepts that simply could not have been told in completely visual terms. The apparentness of singing birds, pirates and ghosts can be enjoyed with little understanding of the English language. But without language how can one understand the complex story of Energy, the narrative prose of Spaceship Earth, or the completely abstract Journey into Imagination. In short and just as Walt predicted…

…when EPCOT has become a reality and we find the need for technologies that don’t even exist today, it’s our hope that EPCOT will stimulate American industry to develop new solutions that will meet the needs of people expressed right here in this experimental community.

With PALS available for guests of four languages and with hearing difficulties, pictographic signage, and a well designed park layout, it should come as no surprise that Epcot was (and still is) a very close second (and sometimes a first) with international guests. As the ancestor to Epcot, the 1964 New York World’s Fair’s theme was “Peace through Understanding” - technologies like this help to make that plausible!

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Ah! The hexagonal masterpiece of design that is Odyssey. Although no longer a restaurant, the backside of the building (that opened on the day of the News Brief) does still operate as The Discovery Dinner. In this picture (from 1983) one can see such futuristically themed items like the “Odyssey hamburger” or “The Voyage hot dog” or even the really fancy salad trio simply titled “The Discovery” which is the most expensive thing on the menu at $2.50!              

Construcing... World Entertainment

COMMENTARY

Apparently a slow news day on September 5, but it is interesting to note the countries that were represented as the entertainment line-up giving EPCOT Center a very global presence for its debut. In a world where there are 11 Disney Theme Parks, a 12th on the way and a 13th in feasibility (1), it is hard to put the opening of EPCOT Center into its proper/grandiose perspective.  From a financial standpoint, the park was 50% of Walt Disney Productions assets. And with so much riding on EPCOT’s highly experimental shoulders, pulling together as much world entertainment as possible was crucial and evidently highly effective.  

To spite the multitude of changes in attractions, exhibits, architecture, music (and pretty much everything else), Epcot Entertainment has always maintained a strong presence in the park. In almost 30 years, the park (quite remarkably) has maintained a nearly unchanged level of live entertainment. The first group on this line-up, the Cosaan African Dance Company, evokes the specter of the ambitious Equatorial Africa Pavilion. Introduced by none other Alex Haley himself, on EPCOT Center’s “Opening Celebration” broadcast, the pavilion is also featured prominently in Richard R. Beard’s “…Creating the New World of Tomorrow” as the final chapter of the book describing not one but three immersive attractions within the pavilion. (2) The remainder of the groups were either from established nations of the World Showcase or those that were in serious consideration for inclusion. The Demark group from Tivoli Gardens brings the Disney theme park full circle as Tivoli, with it stately gardens and impeccable maintenance, served as the primary inspiration for Disneyland. 

FOOTNOTES

(1) A Disney theme park in India is seriously being thought of, but by the time the project is approved through that nations government it might be the 14^th park and not 13^th, but that’s a discussion for another website.

 (2) Until I implement a new column on “The Un-built Epcot” Michael Crawford’s exceptional coverage of Equatorial Africa will have to suffice.    

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As was stated in the News Brief, this beautifully composed shot from Opening Day features the Canadian Royal Mounted Police making there way to World Showcase Plaza.