Disney World Home Movies, Restored Films

The Shiny New Polynesian & Magic Kingdom – 1978

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This film was shot on a silent roll of 16mm. We get an early shot of the Polynesian beach, adorned with sailboats and white sand. This feeling of go anywhere and boat all over is long gone. The day this was shot, it looks overcast and breezy; but the color correction is amazing. For me, I always seem to expect the look of an old VHS, no matter what the footage is or when it was...Read More...

Retro Disney World

Enter @RetroWDWs Hidden Kingdom Map Contest

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For all of those that donate the Lake Buena Vista Historical Society between now and January 15th, 2019 you'll have a chance to enter our "Hidden Kingdom Contest". Once you have your map, study it hard and then email us a list of as many of the 71 hidden features you can find! In the February 2019 podcast episode we'll pick a winner based on those that sent in the most correct items on the list.…Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 44: Mickey’s Birthdayland

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This month we honor our good friend Mickey Mouse by taking a trip back to Birthdayland. We start off in 1988, discussing some of the special events to commemorate his 60th birthday. We examine some old artifacts and events that were done during this era. How moves into the way Birthdayland came to be and also tells us about a hidden gem in the book Todd is holding...Mickey is 60!Read More...

Retro Disney World

Get your own copy of RetroWDW’s Vacation Kingdom of the World Map!

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A special map has been created by RetroWDW's own artist, Jason Bartel. This map celebrates the Vacation Kingdom of the World, and more specifically, "The way it was, and the way it is in your memories". Taking the style and cues of the 1975 map (and the updated version from the 1976 edition of The Story of Walt Disney World) our version of the encompasses a world that used to be as well as some things…Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 43.75: A Chat With Jim Sarno

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We are still plugging along in the Episode 43 series, this time with 43.75. The crew welcomes Jim Sarno, an artist who has been all over the entertainment industry. Jim spent some time with The Muppets, Hannah-Barbera and beyond. He moved into the Disney realm, getting his first gig with MAPO, making body parts out of fiberglass.  As you listen to this episode, you will hear Jim drop so many names of his former friends &...Read More...

Podcast

Special Announcements Podcast Episode: News & Updates

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We interrupt your normal podcast, for a special edition of the podcast. This episode is filled with lots of news, updates and tour info; so here we go! Our Lake & Lagoon Tour: Discovery Edition is getting closer and closer each day. We have less than one month to go and we are so pumped for this. The old Animal Kingdom boats are being fueled up and float tested as we speak, just for you! Right...Read More...

Photography, Slides

Oldman Slide Collection Returns! – 1980 slides of WDW

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Today we return to the Oldman Collection - A set of slides chronicling 5 visits to Walt Disney World of a couple in 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983 and 1985. You can see the previously released 1978 visit here: https://www.retrowdw.com/pictorial-souvenir/brians-slide-carousel/wdw-september-1978-gallery-brian/ Some things you'll see in this December 1980 visit: Lake Buena Vista & the Empress Lily decked out for the Holidays Brer Fox violating OSHA regulations A series of photos of Big Thunder Mountain because it had...Read More...

Retro Disney World

FREE EPCOT Center Walking Tour – November 18, 2018 11:30a

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On Sunday, November 18th we will be in EPCOT! We have an 11 AM Fastpass for Spaceship Earth and we encourage interested parties to ride along with us. When our ride is finished we will assemble at the entrance fountain (See red X on map on right) at 11:30 AM to begin our ever-popular free EPCOT Center walking tour.  We spend about an hour touring Future World and its pavilions pointing out things that used to...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 43.5 – A Chat With Chris Debiec

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Welcome to Episode 43.5! We are here tonight to chat with Chris Debiec, who plays a key role in the early days of Disney-MGM Studios.  Todd, Brian & How are in attendance tonight and we start you off with some information about the upcoming Lake & Lagoon tour.  Some information is also revealed about the gift for this upcoming event and also some key information if you would like to meet any of us.  For more...Read More...