EPCOT Center Construction Photos: Future World

As D23's Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th at the Walt Disney World Resort kicks off today, and since we are (sadly) not in attendance, we bring you these rare EPCOT Center construction photos.

Destination D celebrates WDW's 40th anniversary this year. These pics were taken only some 30 years ago but they feature what we consider the second-most important milestone in WDW history.

Related posts:

EPCOT Construction from the Air
THEN AND NOW: Epcot Future World [Part 1]
EPCOT Center Poster Art
Daredevil Circus Spectaculars at Epcot Are Just Not What They Used To Be
Disneyland Meets EPCOT Center
Walt's Wife Talks About EPCOT Center

Bin Laden Mansion Minutes From Walt Disney World

Khalil bin Laden, brother of Osama bin Laden, purchased this mansion in 1980 as a wedding present to his wife. Yep, and it's a few short miles north of Magic Kingdom. 

The home was built in 1928, boasts 5 bedrooms and is located on 17 acres of land on the shores of Johns Lake. You may be familiar with the area if you've driven through Winter Gardens along Highway 50. Crazy thing as I put together this map... I realize a house I lived in for 2+ years is on this map and down the street, literally, from the Bin Laden mansion. Who knew?? I didn't. I do remember seeing the property on the way to Target every week, but I sure didn't know its spooky story.

The brother of (now dead) terrorist Osama bin Laden was escorted out of the United States shortly after 9/11 along with other relatives. They reportedly left on a chartered flight accompanied by bodyguards and associates.

AbandonedFL reports:

"Since then, house laid vacant, attracting many vandals who caused damages including a safe thrown down a stairway and bullet holes in the walls. In February 2006, the property was sold to PYC Development IV for $4,043,800. It would only be a little after a year later, when the property would be sold off again to John S Lake Investment Group for only $1,725,800.

The property has been on the open market for years now for a mere $2 million. Why so little you ask? Potential buyers are scared off by the bin Laden connection and it is thought that Osama Bin Laden himself stayed here at some point to visit his brother."

Bin Laden Florida Mansion address: 17920 W Colonial Drive, Oakland, FL

So the question we are all asking... Did the Bin Laden family have annual passes to Walt Disney World?? Or were they Universal Studios people? ------ Or Holy Land??

Photos by Nomeus from www.flurbex.com. Also, thanks to ABANDONEDFL.

Related posts:

ABANDONED DISNEY: River Country [Part 1]
ABANDONED DISNEY: Country Bear- Max
ABANDONED DISNEY: MK Fantasyland Skyway Tower
ABANDONED DISNEY Series

THEN AND NOW: Epcot World Showcase [Part 2]

World Showcase, Epcot

Canada

United Kingdom

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Sometimes when you hit a home run the first time at bat, there is no reason to reinvent your swing. With very few changes, World Showcase is just about as pleasant as it was in the early years. 

And luckily Future World is just as fantastic as it was in the early years. I kid, I kid. It's really not even close, so let's think about WS for a bit.

Related posts:

THEN AND NOW: Epcot World Showcase [Part 1]
THEN AND NOW: Epcot Future World [Part 1]
THEN AND NOW: Liberty Square [Part 1]
THEN AND NOW: MK Fantasyland [Part 1]
THEN AND NOW: MK Tomorrowland [Part 1]
THEN AND NOW: MK Adventureland [Part 1]