Guest Relations

Originally located in the absolute center of Earth Station (now Project Tomorrow), EPCOT Center’s Guest Relations was predictability prototype in both design and function. Depending on your perspective, the park’s customer service facility was ether a (then) revolutionary 360° desk or (even more prophetically) a large bank of WorldKey touchscreen kiosks where one could engage in a live-video conference with a professional in plaid. 12 years later, Guest Relations lobby (and World Key) was moved into a more tradition setting on the former site of CommuniCore’s Backstage Magic inside the newly christened Innoventions.

Making its debut in 1999 shortly before the Millennium Celebration, this fanciful custom created carpet exemplifies the aesthetic of the times and most probably was designed in counterpoint to traditional function of the facility. For it is safe to presume that, unlike the rest of the park, one always visits this location out of necessity instead of pleasure — a condition that is subconsciously eased by the whimsical patterns found just below your feet.  

Designer’s Note:
This edition of the Texture Series is most appropriately dedicated to My Fellow Futurist, EPCOT Evangelist, & Friend Kyle Smith:
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Electric Umbrella

Certainly the most unusually themed restaurant in Epcot (if not all of Walt Disney World) is the Electric Umbrella. Beginning its life as the awesomely titled (and yet completely irrelevant) “Stargate Restaurant” the quick service facility was re-themed in 1994 by Disney Legend Rolly Crump based on a literal merchandise item sold at Centorium during the time.

Although not original to the restaurant, these relatively new carpet titles continue Rolly’s characteristically kooky theme by complimenting the venue’s over-scaled umbrellas above with giant rings of multi-colored water droplets below. 

Personal Note:
I’ve recently heard that I’m becoming infamous in Epcot circles as “the guy that’s been doing all the carpets!” And although that’s funny, it’s not exactly what I’d like people to know E82 for. Fortunately, there are only a few (3) custom carpets left in the park to “get out of my system”. Especially ones like this of such exacting detail…

Designer’s Note:
In this specific case, the Electric Umbrella has a few unique properties that were difficult to master, including a seemingly random tile pattern and alternating seam lines/groves consumed over 60% of my in recreating the piece. For while the circular forms themselves were quite easy to make, figuring-out the right thickness and application of lines that would scale correctly for the computer screen took an considerable amount of trial & error to achieve.