Epcot has seen some changes since it first opened October 1, 1982 including the name. When it first opened, it was EPCOT Center and the word "EPCOT" was all capitalized to represent the acronym for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. The name remained EPCOT Center until 1994 when it changed to Epcot '94 and then Epcot '95 and finally to Epcot where it has remained.
It is hard to believe that it has been 35 years now since EPCOT Center first opened. To honor that, Disney is creating special 35th Anniversary merchandise including shot glasses, coffee mugs, tumblers, and clothing to name a few. There will also be "through-back" pins for those that are pin collectors. They will be available as "Mystery Pin Collection" and there will be a total of 9 pins offered in this collection representing the original opening day Future World pavilion logos (see below). According to what I have been able to find out, the 35th Anniversary merchandise won't go on sale until October 1, 2017.
Prior: Offsite most every other years from 1972 - 2000
Most recent: Offsite 2001 & 2003 / ASM 2006 / Offsite 2009 / Poly 2011 / POR 2013 / CR 2014 / GF 2015 / DS Hotel 2017 / BC 2017 / POR 2018
Epcot has seen some changes since it first opened October 1, 1982 including the name. When it first opened, it was EPCOT Center and the word "EPCOT" was all capitalized to represent the acronym for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. The name remained EPCOT Center until 1994 when it changed to Epcot '94 and then Epcot '95 and finally to Epcot where it has remained.
It is hard to believe that it has been 35 years now since EPCOT Center first opened. To honor that, Disney is creating special 35th Anniversary merchandise including shot glasses, coffee mugs, tumblers, and clothing to name a few. There will also be "through-back" pins for those that are pin collectors. They will be available as "Mystery Pin Collection" and there will be a total of 9 pins offered in this collection representing the original opening day Future World pavilion logos (see below). According to what I have been able to find out, the 35th Anniversary merchandise won't go on sale until October 1, 2017.
It is amazing to think EPCOT has been open 35 years now, WOW. I look back and still see my children enjoying the parks and at times forget they are now adults.
I will try to find some old EPCOT merchandise or advertisements and put them on this thread.
Post by mackflavabryan on Jun 12, 2017 19:01:21 GMT
35 years? It seems like yesterday Wow I have a Day 1 ticket that my sister in law gave me I have it framed in my basement. , I was there on day 4
It is interesting because the original premise of EPCOT didn't actually happen (no one lives there) but to me it always had the World's fair theme when entering from the front entrance. As much as I love Magic Kingdom, I have always had a soft spot for Epcot. I hate when folks say it isn't for kids, because my kids have always loved it.
I miss -I do miss Horizons -I do miss Innovations, my kids and I had so many great adventures there, it was never crowded and allowed everyone to interact. -I miss Maelstrom, but I don't hate Frozen so I am ok with it. Maelstrom needed an update. -I miss Honey I shrunk the kids - while it was outdated, it was such a cool concept. Much better than Captain Eo.. -And I will miss Ellen's energy Adventure.."Stupid Judy" -and I REALLY miss Off-kilter - that still pisses me off...
I cherish - -Candlelight Processional -Turtle Talk -Spaceship Earth -Being able to scuba dive in the living seas ( done it 3 times) -World Showcase -The great food options -Club Cool ( except Beverly) -Illuminations -The Land -Soarin -The American Adventure show -I am one of the few who like Mission Space- but I also love the Aftershow video games - we spend hours there -I also love that you can drink around the world -and I LOVE the side entrance to the boardwalk... such a game changer
Epcot is a special place for me and my family , I really wish others didn't put it down so much. ( Folks i know in another disney facebook group)
35 years? It seems like yesterday Wow I have a Day 1 ticket that my sister in law gave me I have it framed in my basement. , I was there on day 4
It is interesting because the original premise of EPCOT didn't actually happen (no one lives there) but to me it always had the World's fair theme when entering from the front entrance. As much as I love Magic Kingdom, I have always had a soft spot for Epcot. I hate when folks say it isn't for kids, because my kids have always loved it.
I miss -I do miss Horizons -I do miss Innovations, my kids and I had so many great adventures there, it was never crowded and allowed everyone to interact. -I miss Maelstrom, but I don't hate Frozen so I am ok with it. Maelstrom needed an update. -I miss Honey I shrunk the kids - while it was outdated, it was such a cool concept. Much better than Captain Eo.. -And I will miss Ellen's energy Adventure.."Stupid Judy" -and I REALLY miss Off-kilter - that still pisses me off...
I cherish - -Candlelight Processional -Turtle Talk -Spaceship Earth -Being able to scuba dive in the living seas ( done it 3 times) -World Showcase -The great food options -Club Cool ( except Beverly) -Illuminations -The Land -Soarin -The American Adventure show -I am one of the few who like Mission Space- but I also love the Aftershow video games - we spend hours there -I also love that you can drink around the world -and I LOVE the side entrance to the boardwalk... such a game changer
Epcot is a special place for me and my family , I really wish others didn't put it down so much. ( Folks i know in another disney facebook group)
True...so True....The park NEVER became what Walt had wanted it to become. He had the idea when he was first designing Walt Disney World but the state of Florida made him build Magic Kingdom before they would grant him permission to build E.P.C.O.T.. Disney built Celebration and tried to make it into a modern day E.P.C.O.T. with schools, work, parks, hospital, homes, etc but it just never became that.
I do SO love Epcot and it reminds a little of the World's Fair as I had been to two of them (so far). At a World's Fair, there are obviously pavilions from different nations. As a kid, the program book was also a passport and I would go to the different countries to watch a very short kids-friendly video and the people would then stamp the program book on the page with their country. Also, the World's Fair was a chance for the world inventors and industry to displace new technology. I think both are done at Epcot. Now, you can buy passports for the countries to stamp for the kids but that wasn't in place 35 years ago. You also get to learn about new technologies with some of the new designs in cars, the way to change we live with the land, and new ideas around the house (things that used to be in the original Innovention) along with learning from the past. The Land, World of Motion, Imaginations, Innoventions (originally called CommuniCore), Spaceship Earth, Wonder of Life and Horizons would have fit in with any World's Fair. Unfortunately, things change and World's Fair-theme is not what draws in people which leads to Test Track, Nemo and Friends and Mission:SPACE.
I like your lists and agree with you on multiple levels...
I miss: World of Life, Horizons, Innoventions Maelstrom --- I guess I am just old fashion and believe that the characters should be left out of Epcot. Therefore, for me (and my wife) NO Frozen but with that being said (and that things change as mentioned prior) there are rumors that Ratatouille-theme attraction might be coming to Epcot. I also miss Off-Kilter and the British Invasion
I really like: The Land, Spaceship Earth, Soarin', The American Adventure, Candlelight Processional The World Showcase ---- EVERYTHING about it (but Frozen)....the food, the drinks, talking to CM's from the different countries
I am so jealous as my wife and I want to dive in the Living Seas but just haven't done it yet.
Prior: Offsite most every other years from 1972 - 2000
Most recent: Offsite 2001 & 2003 / ASM 2006 / Offsite 2009 / Poly 2011 / POR 2013 / CR 2014 / GF 2015 / DS Hotel 2017 / BC 2017 / POR 2018
35 years? It seems like yesterday Wow I have a Day 1 ticket that my sister in law gave me I have it framed in my basement. , I was there on day 4
It is interesting because the original premise of EPCOT didn't actually happen (no one lives there) but to me it always had the World's fair theme when entering from the front entrance. As much as I love Magic Kingdom, I have always had a soft spot for Epcot. I hate when folks say it isn't for kids, because my kids have always loved it.
I miss -I do miss Horizons -I do miss Innovations, my kids and I had so many great adventures there, it was never crowded and allowed everyone to interact. -I miss Maelstrom, but I don't hate Frozen so I am ok with it. Maelstrom needed an update. -I miss Honey I shrunk the kids - while it was outdated, it was such a cool concept. Much better than Captain Eo.. -And I will miss Ellen's energy Adventure.."Stupid Judy" -and I REALLY miss Off-kilter - that still pisses me off...
I cherish - -Candlelight Processional -Turtle Talk -Spaceship Earth -Being able to scuba dive in the living seas ( done it 3 times) -World Showcase -The great food options -Club Cool ( except Beverly) -Illuminations -The Land -Soarin -The American Adventure show -I am one of the few who like Mission Space- but I also love the Aftershow video games - we spend hours there -I also love that you can drink around the world -and I LOVE the side entrance to the boardwalk... such a game changer
Epcot is a special place for me and my family , I really wish others didn't put it down so much. ( Folks i know in another disney facebook group)
True...so True....The park NEVER became what Walt had wanted it to become. He had the idea when he was first designing Walt Disney World but the state of Florida made him build Magic Kingdom before they would grant him permission to build E.P.C.O.T.. Disney built Celebration and tried to make it into a modern day E.P.C.O.T. with schools, work, parks, hospital, homes, etc but it just never became that.
I do SO love Epcot and it reminds a little of the World's Fair as I had been to two of them (so far). At a World's Fair, there are obviously pavilions from different nations. As a kid, the program book was also a passport and I would go to the different countries to watch a very short kids-friendly video and the people would then stamp the program book on the page with their country. Also, the World's Fair was a chance for the world inventors and industry to displace new technology. I think both are done at Epcot. Now, you can buy passports for the countries to stamp for the kids but that wasn't in place 35 years ago. You also get to learn about new technologies with some of the new designs in cars, the way to change we live with the land, and new ideas around the house (things that used to be in the original Innovention) along with learning from the past. The Land, World of Motion, Imaginations, Innoventions (originally called CommuniCore), Spaceship Earth, Wonder of Life and Horizons would have fit in with any World's Fair. Unfortunately, things change and World's Fair-theme is not what draws in people which leads to Test Track, Nemo and Friends and Mission:SPACE.
I like your lists and agree with you on multiple levels...
I miss: World of Life, Horizons, Innoventions Maelstrom --- I guess I am just old fashion and believe that the characters should be left out of Epcot. Therefore, for me (and my wife) NO Frozen but with that being said (and that things change as mentioned prior) there are rumors that Ratatouille-theme attraction might be coming to Epcot. I also miss Off-Kilter and the British Invasion
I really like: The Land, Spaceship Earth, Soarin', The American Adventure, Candlelight Processional The World Showcase ---- EVERYTHING about it (but Frozen)....the food, the drinks, talking to CM's from the different countries
I am so jealous as my wife and I want to dive in the Living Seas but just haven't done it yet.
I miss most of what the two of you miss, never did get the chance to enjoy off-kilter the few benches were always full, the walkway was always full and stopping was not an option. scuba diving, that is something I thought my son in law would enjoy since he is an emergency scuba diver for the state of NY.
just to mention a good time we had, it was very hot and we decided to enjoy the overspray from the fountain of nations. Well, we miss calculated the wind and volume of water being shot into the air. All of a sudden the water cannons shot the water up and with wind blew it above us. Our daughter being young took off, my wife was faster than me and I tried to just shrink between the falling water. Well, you cannot shrink between the falling water, I was soaked, everyone was laughing including me and I didn't dry off until we got to Japan (walking clock wise).
Epcot has seen some changes since it first opened October 1, 1982 including the name. When it first opened, it was EPCOT Center and the word "EPCOT" was all capitalized to represent the acronym for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. The name remained EPCOT Center until 1994 when it changed to Epcot '94 and then Epcot '95 and finally to Epcot where it has remained.
It is hard to believe that it has been 35 years now since EPCOT Center first opened. To honor that, Disney is creating special 35th Anniversary merchandise including shot glasses, coffee mugs, tumblers, and clothing to name a few. There will also be "through-back" pins for those that are pin collectors. They will be available as "Mystery Pin Collection" and there will be a total of 9 pins offered in this collection representing the original opening day Future World pavilion logos (see below). According to what I have been able to find out, the 35th Anniversary merchandise won't go on sale until October 1, 2017.
Just finished reading Building a Better Mouse: The Story of the Electronic Imagineers that Designed EPCOT. That was a fascinating "backstage" look at how the park came together. A fun read for the anniversary. Looking forward to what you can dig up in your treasure trove disneymike!!!!
35 years? It seems like yesterday Wow I have a Day 1 ticket that my sister in law gave me I have it framed in my basement. , I was there on day 4
It is interesting because the original premise of EPCOT didn't actually happen (no one lives there) but to me it always had the World's fair theme when entering from the front entrance. As much as I love Magic Kingdom, I have always had a soft spot for Epcot. I hate when folks say it isn't for kids, because my kids have always loved it.
I miss -I do miss Horizons -I do miss Innovations, my kids and I had so many great adventures there, it was never crowded and allowed everyone to interact. -I miss Maelstrom, but I don't hate Frozen so I am ok with it. Maelstrom needed an update. -I miss Honey I shrunk the kids - while it was outdated, it was such a cool concept. Much better than Captain Eo.. -And I will miss Ellen's energy Adventure.."Stupid Judy" -and I REALLY miss Off-kilter - that still pisses me off...
I cherish - -Candlelight Processional -Turtle Talk -Spaceship Earth -Being able to scuba dive in the living seas ( done it 3 times) -World Showcase -The great food options -Club Cool ( except Beverly) -Illuminations -The Land -Soarin -The American Adventure show -I am one of the few who like Mission Space- but I also love the Aftershow video games - we spend hours there -I also love that you can drink around the world -and I LOVE the side entrance to the boardwalk... such a game changer
Epcot is a special place for me and my family , I really wish others didn't put it down so much. ( Folks i know in another disney facebook group)
True...so True....The park NEVER became what Walt had wanted it to become. He had the idea when he was first designing Walt Disney World but the state of Florida made him build Magic Kingdom before they would grant him permission to build E.P.C.O.T.. Disney built Celebration and tried to make it into a modern day E.P.C.O.T. with schools, work, parks, hospital, homes, etc but it just never became that.
I do SO love Epcot and it reminds a little of the World's Fair as I had been to two of them (so far). At a World's Fair, there are obviously pavilions from different nations. As a kid, the program book was also a passport and I would go to the different countries to watch a very short kids-friendly video and the people would then stamp the program book on the page with their country. Also, the World's Fair was a chance for the world inventors and industry to displace new technology. I think both are done at Epcot. Now, you can buy passports for the countries to stamp for the kids but that wasn't in place 35 years ago. You also get to learn about new technologies with some of the new designs in cars, the way to change we live with the land, and new ideas around the house (things that used to be in the original Innovention) along with learning from the past. The Land, World of Motion, Imaginations, Innoventions (originally called CommuniCore), Spaceship Earth, Wonder of Life and Horizons would have fit in with any World's Fair. Unfortunately, things change and World's Fair-theme is not what draws in people which leads to Test Track, Nemo and Friends and Mission:SPACE.
I like your lists and agree with you on multiple levels...
I miss: World of Life, Horizons, Innoventions Maelstrom --- I guess I am just old fashion and believe that the characters should be left out of Epcot. Therefore, for me (and my wife) NO Frozen but with that being said (and that things change as mentioned prior) there are rumors that Ratatouille-theme attraction might be coming to Epcot. I also miss Off-Kilter and the British Invasion
I really like: The Land, Spaceship Earth, Soarin', The American Adventure, Candlelight Processional The World Showcase ---- EVERYTHING about it (but Frozen)....the food, the drinks, talking to CM's from the different countries
I am so jealous as my wife and I want to dive in the Living Seas but just haven't done it yet.
It definitely has a World's Fair feel to me. EPCOT has become my favorite park. I agree with your lists. I also miss Maelstrom and Off-Kilter. I love The Land, Spaceship Earth (my favorite) and The American Adventure. I can't get enough of World Showcase...the atmosphere and food really makes you feel like you're in another country. Hopefully one day we can experience The Living Seas. When we park hop, the park we usually hop back to at night is EPCOT. It's so beautiful.
WDW Sept 1995 Contemporary - WDW July 1997 Polynesian - WDW July 1998 Polynesian - WDW July 2000 Grand Floridian - WDW July 2003 Grand Floridian
I am so jealous as my wife and I want to dive in the Living Seas but just haven't done it yet.
The dive experience is very well done- since the experience has no weather impact, the dive is almost flawless. The staff is very helpful and I just love doing it. You do have to plan it well based on your plane flights because you really shouldn't fly too close to your dive.
They also give you a dvd of your dive which is a great keepsake.
The price is decent , but I will say it takes up almost an entire day- they have a workshop before for an hour or two- then a post dive discussion too- the experience is about 5 hours in totality. Either way I enjoyed it or I would not have returned multiple times...
Post by mackflavabryan on Jun 14, 2017 15:35:25 GMT
One note- its funny how much of a Cult following Off-Kilter got- It was always packed. I was shocked that Disney got rid of them. Besides being very talented, the people in the group were very approachable and really cared about what they were doing.
It was a must-do for me every trip, I miss it- But I think they appeared at Disney Springs recently, so you never know if they will return..
I also agree - British Invasion was excellent too!!
Just finished reading Building a Better Mouse: The Story of the Electronic Imagineers that Designed EPCOT. That was a fascinating "backstage" look at how the park came together. A fun read for the anniversary. Looking forward to what you can dig up in your treasure trove disneymike!!!!
pvtim, you make me feel bad that I can not get into my attic, the temps are too hot up there now. I did go into my basement to start cleaning but need my son to lift things. The first bin I opened was all Disney cups, glasses, salt and pepper shakers and a couple of items purchased in France. Then came across old soap they gave out at the resorts.
I am adding a picture that I sent to the thread of merchandise a few months ago. It's an original shopping bag they gave out when it was EPCOT Center. no idea when the Mickey and Minnie bag was offered.
Last Edit: Jun 14, 2017 20:41:23 GMT by disneymike
Just finished reading Building a Better Mouse: The Story of the Electronic Imagineers that Designed EPCOT. That was a fascinating "backstage" look at how the park came together. A fun read for the anniversary. Looking forward to what you can dig up in your treasure trove disneymike!!!!
pvtim, you make me feel bad that I can not get into my attic, the temps are too hot up there now. I did go into my basement to start cleaning but need my son to lift things. The first bin I opened was all Disney cups, glasses, salt and pepper shakers and a couple of items purchased in France. Then came across old soap they gave out at the resorts.
I am adding a picture that I sent to the thread of merchandise a few months ago. It's an original shopping bag they gave out when it was EPCOT Center. no idea when the Mickey and Minnie bag was offered.
pvtim, you make me feel bad that I can not get into my attic, the temps are too hot up there now. I did go into my basement to start cleaning but need my son to lift things. The first bin I opened was all Disney cups, glasses, salt and pepper shakers and a couple of items purchased in France. Then came across old soap they gave out at the resorts.
I am adding a picture that I sent to the thread of merchandise a few months ago. It's an original shopping bag they gave out when it was EPCOT Center. no idea when the Mickey and Minnie bag was offered.
That Epcot bag is cool- you need to keep that !!!
I believe that is the only one I have and it's back in the attic with all the other Disney merchandise I have gone through so far. Still so much more to go through, who knows what I'll find that I forgot we had. LOL
It's actually nice coming across our old treasures.
I enjoyed everyone's comments....I have been fortunate to be at all 4 parks the YEAR that park opened.....but am not sure of my dates any more....apparently a while ago when I quoted something I wrote in my diary it was wrong so I'm not going through them again.....but one thing I do miss about Epcot was Cranium Command....don't think I laughed any harder anywhere else in Epcot.
second star to the right and straight on till morning
I enjoyed everyone's comments....I have been fortunate to be at all 4 parks the YEAR that park opened.....but am not sure of my dates any more....apparently a while ago when I quoted something I wrote in my diary it was wrong so I'm not going through them again.....but one thing I do miss about Epcot was Cranium Command....don't think I laughed any harder anywhere else in Epcot.
I loved Cranium Command!
WDW Sept 1995 Contemporary - WDW July 1997 Polynesian - WDW July 1998 Polynesian - WDW July 2000 Grand Floridian - WDW July 2003 Grand Floridian