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...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 49: Horizons – Part 1: The Prologue

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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 1 - The Prologue, we get into quite a bit of the origins of EPCOT, going over mission statements, concepts and much more. This is all important and leads up to…Read More...

Restored Films

Restored Home Movie: Magic Kingdom Visit – 1970s

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It’s a sunny start to this family’s day as they enter the Vacation Kingdom via the Ticket and Transportation Center and prepare to queue for the monorail. En route to the Magic Kingdom we get a nice aerial shot of the topiaries between the Contemporary Resort and the park. We then open to a generous 360 degree pan of Main Street before the parade makes its way through the crowd. There’s some great footage of Mickey...Read More...

LBVHS, Retro Disney World

Save the Date – RetroWDW’s 5th Anniversary Celebration!

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Traveling to WDW this fall? RetroWDW’s 5th Anniversary event benefiting the Lake Buena Vista Historical Society is coming Columbus Day weekend 2019! Disney’s Contemporary Resort Historic Location Exclusive interviews and appearances with Disney Legends Multiple Panel Presentations Exclusive never before seen footage Rare Artifacts Topics including Disney-MGM’s 30th and all the October birthdays; Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Center Additional special topics in the planning stages! Exclusive Gift VIP Meet and Greet Event Details...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 48.5: A Chat With Jeff Blyth – Director of The Timekeeper

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Jeff Blythe joins us on this bonus episode, which is a follow-up to Episode 48, which is all about The Timekeeper. Jeff has been a film director for many years, getting his start in Circlevision with the original China film at EPCOT Center. We take a massively deep dive into what it takes to make these types of films. As you listen, your mind is going to be blown and you are in for a few…Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 48: The Timekeeper

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Welcome to Circlevision and The Timekeeper. This super unique format was used throughout Disney properties and this episode we dive into one of the last productions, The Timekeeper. Our entire crew has a great recollection of this film and animatronic show, starring Robin Williams. The show itself, featured a unique character based on the actual camera system and they called her, Nine Eyes. With this episode, we go scene by scene, discussing the stars, filming, production…Read More...

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...