If you joined us for RetroWDW’s Home Movie Night #4, you’ll recognize this film as the star of the show. Harold and Yvonne Jenkins of Savannah, GA documented their trip to EPCOT Center not only on film, but they dubbed over their film with their own narration. From the opening line, “Home of the big silver ball”, you’ll be immediately drawn in as their southern charm and not so subtle descriptions provide a dialogue that is equally entertaining as it is informative. That first quote also inspired our latest tee shirt design by How Bowers!
Get your “Home of the Big Silver Ball” T-shirt, sticker, phone case and more!
Guys, Just finished watching your live stream of my grandparents’ film of their first trip to Epcot in 1982. I texted the whole family and we were in tears by the time it was over getting to hear their voices again. We are all native Savannahians and traveled to Disney frequently (still do) but they took this one solo trip to visit Epcot after it first opened and we were very jealous. The grandkids called Harold “Fodd” because I, as the eldest, couldn’t say anything approaching grandfather and my grandmother said she had too much life to live to be called a grandmother so she was Yvonnie. As the film makes clear, they especially loved the Italian and French pavilions In Epcot because my grandmother’s parents were Italian (DeNitto) and French (Houdin). Beginning in the early 70s they took numerous trips to Europe to visit family in the old county (hence the film canister labeled Pompeii). It was during those trips that my grandfather took up filming and he bought his first sound camera in the late 70’s. We watched hours of their travel films exactly as Brian described with sweet tea in hand. They were madly in love with one another for over 65 years having met after my grandfather returned from fighting as a Marine in the Pacific in WWII . They loved their family, good food, friends and dancing. They died within one year of each other. We had to put my grandmother, Yvonne, in a facility for dementia care in 2006 and when I’d ask my grandfather how he was doing after she’d left the house, he would reply that, “Any day I don’t get to see my girl is not a good day.” He died within a week of being separated from her and she lingered in a nursing home for one year after his death. We love to remember them during these happier times, especially at Disney. We will all be placing our orders for Big Silver Ball t-shirts soon! Love what you guys do and the passion that you bring to helping us remember some of life’s most special moments. Thanks for sharing my grandparents’ memories with the world!
Wow, that must be great for you and your family!!! I’m so happy to hear you got to listen to familiar comforting voices from the past from cherished loved ones. How special that must have been for your entire family. We all got to enjoy their soothing voices as they described their wonderful trip together. I TrueType hope the memory of your grandparents last a lifetime for you all
Linking the videos with the families is very touching. |So glad these are now part of the archives.
Well done