Disney World Home Movies, Restored Films

Home Movie of the Magic Kingdom in 1981

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A 1981 visit to the Magic Kingdom and the Polynesian Resort show off the Vacation Kingdom looking swell at 10 years old. The film opens in Town Square and the entrance plaza before cutting to an omnibus rolling down Main Street USA.  Cinderella Castle and the hub have held up well in their first decade and Tomorrowland sports a very different look than it did in 1971 (chiefly half of it didn’t exist!). We see the...Read More...

Slides

Slides of the Magic Kingdom from November 1979

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This slide set from November 1979 features the Magic Kingdom in all its autumn splendor. As always we're treated to lots of pictures of the afternoon parade. Back then each year ushered in a new parade and "Dumbo's Circus Parade" was the 1979 theme. It features scary clowns in a miniature fire engine, Donald Duck in his fortune telling getup, Dumbo in a burning firehouse and plenty of other interesting and unique parade floats not seen...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 42: Communicore West

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A little while back, we dedicated some time to CommuniCore East on Episode 38. This month, we veer right (If you are going through the main entrance) and take you to CommuniCore West. Todd gets us started with some information on Earth Station and where it was originally planned for. The Fountain of Information is discussed, which included road signs, neon, and anything connected to communication in a fountain type of sculpture. Touchscreens are brought up…Read More...

Restored Video, Videos

Einsel Theater: The Age of Information – Complete Video, Song and Lyrics

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The Display Closed in the early 1990s, one area of Communicore West can easily be crowned as the definitive definition of a prophecy that came true. Nestled along a huge wall in Futurecom, this 40 foot kinetic sculpture included fifty-five automaton figures and countless animated devices, props and displays; all timed to react and move in perfect synchronyy with the song that shared its name with the display: The Age of Information. Walter Einsel, an American...Read More...

Restored Films

Project Florida – Like you’ve never seen it before! – Restored 16mm Film

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This is one of the rare films we've all been waiting for...Project Florida. Produced in 1970 the film was presented on NBC's The Wonderful World of Disney, following the conclusion of The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin Part 3 on January 31, 1971. Its primary goal was to educate and excite the public about the construction and soon-to-open Walt Disney World. Since then, aside from a portion of the film released the DVD Magic Kingdom: Imagineering the Magic, the…Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 41.75 – Lake and Lagoon Tour: Discovery Edition

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  The Lake and Lagoon Tour is back! Our popular Lake and Lagoon Tour of 2016 is back, and this time we've got a bigger boat! Set sail on Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake in true retro style! After boarding a boat previously used for the Animal Kingdom Discovery River Cruise attraction your knowledgeable RetroWDW crew will take you to some of the famed but not forgotten sights and and landmarks including Roy's Cabin, Rile's Island,...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 41.5 – A Chat With Author Chris Smith

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Chris comes to us as an author of two titles: The Walt Disney World That Never Was and his second book, The Backstories & Magical Secrets of Walt Disney World. We start off the episode with a little bit of history, all about Chris and his connections to Disney. Past trips, The Disney Channel and how often he visits nowadays. Chris also gives us a little background on how he got started. This includes old documents,…Read More...

Official Films, Restored Films

Rare 16mm Walt Disney World Promotional Film

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A series of clips issued by Disney in the 1970's on 16mm film for promotional purposes. It starts outside the entrance to the park with footage of the entrance plaza and Seven Seas Lagoon. A quick eye at the 0:43 mark will realize that guests are exiting the MK monorail station on the side where you now board, this was the original design [until rains came and unloading guests into a smaller area presented a problem,...Read More...