Disney World Home Movies, Restored Films

Happy Canada Day via EPCOT Center ’85 Home Movie

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In honor of Canada Day we take a brief 1985 visit to the Canada pavilion in EPCOT Center. Amateur movie film is semi-rare by this point in favor of videotape and it is uncommon to find guest-shot park footage on film at this stage of the 1980’s.   Our film opens with a very brief glimpse of the EPCOT Center parking plaza and then a pan of Future World from the bridge to World Showcase. The...Read More...

Disney World Home Movies, Restored Films

Home Movie: Jack and Elliot Gottlieb at the Magic Kingdom – Sept 1972

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Arthur Gottlieb filmed a few minutes of the family vacation back in September 1972…just as the Magic Kingdom was to celebrate it’s first birthday. The film opens with Tomorrowland’s majestic spires. Our subjects, the Gottlieb Boys, take a spin on the not-yet-covered-by-a-canopy teacups. They then head over to 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea where we’re treated to a glimpse of the signage before shots of the sub traversing the lagoon.  A nighttime view of the castle...Read More...

Videos

The Muppets at Walt Disney World Video – NBC Special from May 1990

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This NBC special, which aired on May 5, 1990 is one of the four prime time shows we discuss in episode 30 of the RetroWDW Podcast. This program turned out to be the last Muppets special that Henson would work on as he passed away just 10 after its airing on May 16. We stumbled upon a relatively clean copy of the special and decided to improve it bit by removing the interlacing, repair the chroma…Read More...

Disney World Home Movies, Restored Films

Jungle Cruise Frogs Take 3 – 1972 Home Movie

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We visit the Magic Kingdom again in its infancy, just a few weeks-old baby, starting in Adventureland with shots of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.  Chip ‘n Dale meet our young protagonists in Adventureland Plaza outside the Enchanted Tiki Room. They seem to be the only two people (and two Chipmunks) in the park. We walk through the Treehouse (note the glimpse at 2:15 of a piece of construction equipment!) before we board the Jungle Cruise...Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 29.35 – Planning for EPCOT35

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In November 2016 the RetroWDW podcast held a special event at WDW, specifically our Lake and Lagoon Tour was centered around DestinationD. We had limited spots and always wanted to do something that more of our listeners could attend. With the recent announcements and ticket sales of official EPCOT35 events we decided to begin the research to plan our own event to coincide with the anniversary. We're working on putting together a special character meet and…Read More...

Disney World Home Movies, Restored Films

Art and Linda go to Fort Wilderness; Including FW Railroad! – Restored Super8 Film

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We have a good one for you today. Art & Linda are at The Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground in December of 1976. The great thing about this footage is the sound! You can actually hear some things that have been lost in time. I couldn't believe the ferry boats still have a nearly identical sound as they do today! Bay Lake has a different look as well. The trees, vegetation and foliage all look shorter;…Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 28: Whoop-N-Holler – River Country

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This month, we discuss the old swimmin' hole in Walt Disney World: River Country. The original themed water park from 1976 is discussed in detail, taking you back with Birnbaum quotes and original guest testimony. If you didn't get to visit this 5 acre park, you are in luck because we walk through each experience and attraction. We even managed to lock down some original cast members who worked the park and their interviews are included…Read More...

Podcast

Podcast Episode 27: Tomorrow’s Child – Spaceship Earth

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This month, we rejoin at the gates of EPCOT Center, to take a ride on Spaceship Earth. An opening day attraction that has changed a few times but lots of aspects remain the same. EPCOT was an amazing achievement and still is, so join us as we take you back to construction, opening day and the ride itself. Guided by the retro master himself, How goes into great detail taking you through the geodesic sphere.Read More...