Brian's Corner, Slides

WDW Restaurants Photo Gallery – April 1975

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A remarkable set of slides dated April 1975 capture a necessary and notable part of any theme park: The dining establishments. When we get a set of slides like this with no context as to their origin we are left to speculate or create our own backstory. At RetroWDW we choose to believe this set of slides was taken by a person doing research on how Disney does counter service and buffeteria-style dining. You’ll notice photos...Read More...

Disney World Home Movies, Restored Films

Home Movie: Touring the Magic Kingdom – 1976

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An early morning rise and we see the gardeners trimming topiaries and then a quick view over bay lake and the Contemporary lends to the spires of Space Mountain and Cinderellas Castle. After the obligatory castle and flower shop shots we find ourselves in Fantasyland and we are soon transported 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. Fantasyland, the Rivers of America give way to some quality time on Tom Sawyer Island and the Swiss Family Treehouse. Our...Read More...

Retro Disney World, Videos

Video: @RetroWDW Lake and Lagoon Tour: Discovery Edition & EPCOT Walking Tour

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In 2016 we held the Lake and Lagoon Tour where we commandeered a number of pontoon boats and sailed with our listeners on a tour of Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. Due to the small size of the boats we had a limited number of tickets to sell, as a result the event sold out in 9 minutes! We always knew we could do better, and in 2018 we held the tour again, only this...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 46: Snow White’s Scary Adventure

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This month, we take you back to one of the opening day attractions and one of the more recently closed dark rides at the Magic Kingdom. How takes the lead to go through the various versions of this ride and also takes a deep dive into the word 'scary', relating to this ride. The comparisons to Mr. Toad appear in this episode as well as the vintage origins of this type of ride. Dark undertones are brought…Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 45: Holiday Potluck

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In this episode we talk about Christmas time in the Vacation Kingdom of the World. Starting us off, Brian takes us through this vintage VHS. This was sold alongside the other VHS tapes - A Day at The Magic Kingdom, A Day at EPCOT Center, and A Day at Disney MGM Studios. We discuss how Santa takes us on a journey, throughout the resort, about what is done for Christmas at WDW. There are some hidden…Read More...

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...