Films from the Living Seas

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Many people remember the Living Seas for the hydrolators and the preshow film “The Seas”. However, the pavilion featured a few other films throughout Seabase Alpha. An Animated Atlas of the World educated guests on the effect of weather on the ocean, as well as the geology of Earth’s oceans. Jason of the Deep was a series of video clips about the Jason ROV, which was under development at the time to allow exploration of the...Read More...

Restored Videos: The Walt Disney World Monorail System

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The “highway in the sky”, Walt Disney World’s monorail system, spans 3 separate lines and nearly 15 miles of track. Until the late 2000’s, guests could sit with the pilot in the front cab for a unique view around the resort. First up is a ride around the express beam, starting at the Magic Kingdom, passing by the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Resorts before arriving at Transportation & Ticket Center.   Next, a longer ride, again...Read More...

Restored videos: A Look Back at Nighttime Entertainment

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After the sun goes down, Walt Disney World has a long history of night time entertainment. Our first video this week is a press reel about the preparations for bicentennial fireworks displays with Bob Jani, VP of Entertainment for Walt Disney Productions. Of course, aside from fireworks, Walt Disney World is well known for its parades. The Main Street Electrical Parade has had more final performances than most others, but here it is before closing in...Read More...

Videos from Pleasure Island

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To go along with our recent series of podcasts about Pleasure Island, here are several home videos from our collection. The first, from Christmas Eve 1992, features a look at some of the outdoor entertainment and activities including a velcro wall and a human gyroscope. There is also footage of a number of dance performances and a Billy Joel cover band. Also shot the same evening is this tour of Mannequins Dance Palace. And finally, a...Read More...

EPCOT Film Tour

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Many EPCOT Center attractions featured original films. This week, we are pleased to share a few of these from around the park! The main attraction in the Canadian World Showcase Pavilion is the Circle-Vision theater. The film “O Canada” was a 360 degree tour of Canada and its history. Our recording is of the “front” screen as seen in 1992.   Headed back into Future World, a film called “Symbiosis” played in the Harvest Theater. This...Read More...

Restored Home Movies: Yacht & Beach Club

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Today we are pleased to share several videos from 1993 and 1994 at the Yacht & Beach Club resorts. First up is this tour of the Beach Club, starting with some shots of Epcot followed by inside a guest room and the lobby of the resort. Keep an eye out for the Murphy Bed demonstration! Next, also from 1993, is this walk around video of a very empty Stormalong Bay and outside walkways around the Yacht...Read More...

Celebrate Christmas in July

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Welcome to Christmas in July from RetroWDW! To celebrate, today we have three videos from our archives to share. First, from Walt Disney World in 1978, is this TV special featuring Shields & Yarnell making their way from Los Angeles to Orlando for a visit to Walt Disney World. A performance by band Pablo Cruise on Bay Lake follows and appearances by Phyllis Diller, Andrea McArdle, and Danielle Spencer are made in this one hour special....Read More...

Restored film: Traveling to & Visiting Walt Disney World (early 1970’s)

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This great film from the early days of Walt Disney World’s existence starts with the road trip from Georgia to Clearwater, Florida and then onto Orlando. Once in Walt Disney World, the film continues on the monorail through the Grand Canyon Concourse in the Contemporary Hotel before pulling into the station at the Magic Kingdom – note the great shot through an empty Tomorrowland because it hasn’t been built out yet! The film includes a musical...Read More...

Restored film: Woody, Bea, Gail and Bertha visit Walt Disney World (March 1974)

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This film contains nicely composed shots of the Magic Kingdom from a visit in 1974. Included are views of the Enhanted Tiki Room Preshow, Main Street, Cinderella Castle, and Fantasyland. Next up is a great segment of the Fort Wilderness Railroad, including a great close up of the locomotive taking on water! Finally, the film wraps up back at the Magic Kingdom after a quick ride on the monorail.Read More...

Restored 16mm film: Cloudy Day at the Magic Kingdom

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Take a 7 minute silent tour of the Magic Kingdom. The film starts at the TTC where there appears to be a healthy wait for the monorail. Moving on to Main Street USA, of course and a horse-drawn streetcar ride. After some shots around the hub, the film moves to Adventureland and the Swiss Family Treehouse, followed by the Keel Boats making their way around the Rivers of America. In Fantasyland, there are some great shots...Read More...