EPCOT 30TH: A Photo Tour of the Past [Part 3]

Happy 30th Anniversary, EPCOT Center! Right now fans at the park are celebrating the occasion with lots of anniversary-related activities. 30 years ago this month guest participated in a number of ceremonies and dedications. Even Walt Disney's widow, Lillian Disney, attended some of the festivities. We present some extremely rare (possibly never-before-shared) event photos and more never-before-posted guest photos from our Photo Hunt.

Opening Day Ceremonies, October 1, 1982

Card Walker conducted the ceremony. EPCOT Center's "First Family" was recognized. The Winter Park, FL residents got up that morning at 4 a.m. and dodged park security until the parking lot was finally open at 7 a.m. As soon as they drove in Dick and Paula Cason told their kids to run to the gate so they'd be the first family to enter. Card Walker presented lifetime Walt Disney World passes to the family.

Watch it here.

Later that month on October 24 Card Walker welcomed Lillian Disney to a stage on the other side of Spaceship Earth in front of the fountain.

Did any of you out there happen to be in either of these crowds??

The day before a ceremony took place that officially dedicated World Showcase. The large "People of the World" dolls paraded around. Disney characters weren't a part of EPCOT Center until later on. These costumed people met with guests in World Showcase instead.

The "People of the World" or "EPCOT Pageant Dolls" were eventually retired. Here we see a rare group shot on their very last day of appearance.

Michael Eisner and others made way for more recognizable characters to appear.

Remember to old World Showcase omnibus?? It was later painted blue. Then this happened.

And finally, a real treat for you seekers of the super rare, super obscure, and perhaps super mundane. There are only five or so photos of this known to exist online. "The Lost Potties of Denmark"! I borrow this term from our friend Michael Crawford of Progress City, U.S.A. who has extensively researched to topic. The full Denmark Pavilion never happened but restrooms with Danish architecture were built. Here we see them behind the construction wall as the Norway Pavilion is being built. You can see construction of the Stave Church.

Related posts:

EPCOT 30TH: A Photo Tour of the Past [Part 1]
EPCOT 30TH: A Photo Tour of the Past [Part 2]
Rhine River Cruise Mysteries
EPCOT Construction from the Air
THEN AND NOW: Epcot World Showcase [Part 1]
THEN AND NOW: Epcot World Showcase [Part 2]
World Showcase Lagoon- 1983 

EPCOT 30TH: A Photo Tour of the Past [Part 2]

Let's explore Future World. There's so much to do. The following are never-before-posted vintage photos sent to us by our readers. Thanks readers! Enjoy Part 1 here.

Super stylish G.E. Horizons cast member costumes.

A nice view of both Horizons and Universe of Energy. 

Step back in time a bit to see Horizons being built. Construction walls are definitely not a new thing.

Let's go back to the future, post 1983, and behold the beauty of the very grand Horizons entrance.

The old strollers.

Is that guy watering the plants? Is that his horticulture cart? Or was someone else selling something from that cart?

World of Motion. We've received countless World of Motion photos. People must have liked the place. Hmm.

A thing of beauty. Is that person standing while the vehicle was in motion??

A great view that has definitely changed over the years.

A classic zany show scene inside the ride.

World of Motion post show. A great fit for Future World. With displays that actually drew crowds.

Prototype models and renderings of futuristic ride systems.

On over to the west side. Imagination!

Over at the land we get a look at Kitchen Kabaret.

And its Kraft curtain!

Next door we see the future site of The Living Seas. Notice the rendering on the construction wall 

And some fun-loving EPCOT Center cast members. 

It's weird to think of the 80s as "vintage" but when looking at these photos, we see that the 80s happened quite some time ago. Enjoy.

Related posts:

EPCOT 30TH: A Photo Tour of the Past [Part 1]
EPCOT Center Graphics
Daredevil Circus Spectacular at EPCOT Center
EPCOT Construction from the Air
THEN AND NOW: Epcot Future World [Part 1]

EPCOT 30TH: A Photo Tour of the Past [Part 1]

As we approach EPCOT's 30th Anniversary we take a moment to look back on the early days of EPCOT Center through lots of old photos. We share photos taken by guests and photos taken by cast members working at EPCOT Center in the early years. These have never been posted online until now!

Team PICO (Project Installation and Coordination Office)

Projection guys. Remember, early EPCOT Center had many many projectors. 

Communicore costumes.

WDW Fan Boy Brett is seen here sporting some nice 80s fashion. Tall socks and short shorts!

Ahh the old fountain.

Fountain with the beautiful spires and beautiful blue subway tile.

More socks.

Communicore's elaborate Age of Information.

Communicore's Fountain of Information.

Communicore's Energy Exchange located near Universe of Energy.

Universe of Energy.

A band with a backdrop. Horizons when Horizons still existed.

We've made our way to only a small portion of EPCOT Center. In the next post we make our way around the park a little more to see what fun edutainment and excellent design we come across. 

Related posts:

EPCOT Construction from the Air
EPCOT Center Construction Photos: Future World
Disneyland Meets EPCOT Center
THEN AND NOW: Epcot Future World [Part 1]
EPCOT Center Graphics