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...

Disney World Home Movies, Restored Films

Magic Kingdom Fun – Home Movie from 1979

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This film, shot in 1979 on silent Super8 is all Magic Kingdom. We start off on Main Street, like almost every film we seem to find. You will be stunned by how empty the street actually is - you could easily drive two cars side by side. We see some great shots in Adventureland, which is more barren than Main Street. Most people you see are in pants and coats, showing a somewhat cooler day. Our...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 43: MGM-Studios Game Shows

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This month is somewhat unique, as we take you back to the studios and give you a taste of the old, working studio. How takes the lead and the main topic relates to how game shows used to be filmed on site, you could visit the sets and even play with a live studio audience! As a group, we join How with a game show styled game where we answer trivia questions and discuss this history.Read More...

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...