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...

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...