Cartography

The Pre-Disney History of Discovery Island

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Discovery Island holds a fond place in the hearts of many Walt Disney World visitors from years past, but what's the history of the island before Disney took ownership? There are currently five islands in the waters around the Magic Kingdom, but most of them were made by Disney when carving out the landscape during early development. Discovery Island is the only one that existed naturally, before Disney got involved.Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 51: Horizons – Part 3: The Legacy

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We finalize the ride this month, as the last episode was just insanely long and had to be cut off. Todd gets us back in the ride vehicles and we talk about choosing your own ending. How has everything worked out in detail, as to how this worked as a ride.... Ted even chimes in with some official wording on how all of this funtioned day in and day out, using the Horizons Ride Control System…Read More...

Disney World Home Movies, Restored Films

Home Movie: America on Parade – March 1976

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This silent film presents about nine minutes of America On Parade, which ran at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom from June 1975 through September 1976. The parade celebrated the United States Bicentennial. Tall doll-like characters representing the “People of America” accompany the many floats depicting American history, spanning eras from the voyage of Columbus through the 20th Century. Our vantage point for the parade is in Liberty Square near the end of the bridge leading from the...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 50: Horizons – Part 2: The Promise

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The moment you have been waiting for is finally here. The classic attraction from EPCOT Center is finally getting time on our podcast and we couldn't be more excited. Horizons is here and get ready: this is going to take more than one episode! For Part 2 - The Promise, this is the meat and potatoes episode, ride throughs, scene discussions and so much more. Our discussion starts though with a simple questions: Was Horizons under…Read More...

Kingdom of Memories

Eat up this live recording of “Food Rocks” from Epcot’s The Land pavilion.

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When Nestle took over sponsorship of Epcot’s The Land from Kraft in 1993, changes were made in the pavilions attractions to better align with the new sponsor and more current ideas about food science and nutrition. The U.S.D.A. officially adopted The Food Pyramid in 1992, so Kitchen Kabaret’s show focusing on the four basic food groups was no longer relevant. In its place, WDI created a new show, “Food Rocks,” which addressed not only nutrition but…Read More...

Disney World Home Movies, Restored Films

Home Movie: A Patriotic Day at the Magic Kingdom – March 1976

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This film captures a family’s visit to the Magic Kingdom March 1976, during the festive United States Bicentennial. A sampling of Walt Disney World’s patriotic decorations can be seen throughout the park. In the first couple of minutes we see the vacationing family posing in a variety of park scenes. Views of vehicles, flowers and shops along Main Street give way to a close-up of the castle main entrance. Attractions such as the Haunted Mansion and...Read More...

Kingdom of Memories

Listen to the 1990s Adventureland Entrance Area Loop

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This is one of the most well-known and well-documented music loops in The Magic Kingdom’s History. It is, quite literally, the entire contents of the The Balafon Marimba Ensemble’s self-titled 1990 album played in order from start to finish. Prevailing thought is that this music was brought to the Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland via its inclusion at EuroDisney’s Adventureland (now known as Disneyland Paris). This recording was made in a garden speaker between The Crystal Palace and…Read More...

Restored Films

Home Movie: A Fun Filled Day At The Magic Kingdom March 1973

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Our film opens traveling up World Drive towards the Magic Kingdom tolls and into the parking lot. Hopping aboard the tram we make our way to the Ticket and Transportation Center with monorails rolling by overhead. Aboard the Highway in the Sky we can see the topiaries lining World Drive en route to the Contemporary Resort. After passing a pristine and serene Bay Lake we find ourselves past the Contemporary and finally arriving at the Magic...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 49.5 – RetroMagic Event Details and Tickets!

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The Lake Buena Vista Historical Society cordially invites you to our 5th Anniversary Celebration: Tickets Tickets will go on sale May 18th at 1pm EST at this link: Event Details EPCOT Forever VIP Reception and Viewing* (Saturday October 12th) – Approx 8:30p-10:30p – Enjoy a beverage and selection of snacks on the shore of the World Showcase Lagoon for a once in a lifetime chance to watch the new nightime show alongside all of our RetroMagic...Read More...

Restored Films

Home Movie: The Magic Kingdom as seen in 1974

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This film, shot in 1974, opens on what appears to be a sunny and quiet day in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. Our family in this film have brought their grandson to explore the park and start with a ride on Cinderella’s Golden Carousel followed by a meeting with Prince John from Robin Hood – though the grandson is clearly frightened. Next we hop aboard the WDW Railroad and make our way around the park with...Read More...