Retro Disney World

I’m Going To Disney World! Retro Super Bowl Edition

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We've all seen the ads and heard that famous saying. With the Super Bowl being last night, what better time than to look back at the original ad. The first time this was proclaimed was in 1987, right in the sweet spot of our favorite retro years. Phil Sims was reportedly paid $75,000 to say that simple phrase. In recent years, it is reported that athletes and other celebrities are given $30,000. Either way, that is…Read More...

It’s Always Fun to be Free

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When EPCOT Center opened on October 1, 1982, one of the original attractions that day was World of Motion.  In my opinion, World of Motion was good.  It wasn’t Horizons, but as far as favorites go it was up there.  World of Motion was sponsored by GM, the first corporation to sign with Disney to sponsor an EPCOT pavilion.  World of Motion was located in Future World East, next to Horizons.  It was a large, stainless...Read More...

Willard Scott Previews Maelstrom – 1988

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In 1988 there was much buzz about Norway opening... little did we know that would the last country added to World Showcase until, oh wait.. no other country has been added yet... Willard Scott, King of Smuckers jams and jellies and spokesperson for all people over the age of 100, co-hosted the 1988 WDW 4th of July Spectacular. I've never been fond of the word spectacular, especially when it is used as a noun... But I…Read More...

EPCOT Center, 30 Years…A bittersweet life lesson…

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Having just arrived back 2 nights ago from a quick trip to WDW, any of our faithful followers will with out a doubt ask “What? You didn’t stay for the D23 event, the merchandise and hoopla?”. No I didn’t, and in a way I’m kind of glad. Let me explain… This is part rant, part brain dump, and part nostalgia, so hang on! My first trip to EPCOT Center was in 1986, just after the Living...Read More...

Kitchen Kabaret Reincarnated…well, sort of…

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Our story comes from Storyland in Glen, NH...it is a bit on the frightening side and a blatant rip-off of our beloved Kitchen Kabaret. I'm not sure if I can classify this as an attempt to be cute with food or a good representation of what happens if you had a nightmare where you were trapped in an evil 1986 EPCOT...Read More...

If We Can Dream It, Then We Can Do It…

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I listened to the full audio version of Horizons today.  I have to admit, that is hands down my all-time favorite Walt Disney World attraction.  I have a feeling I have painted it better in my memories than it actually was, but that’s okay.  We all have an attraction that is or was near and dear to our hearts and this one is mine.  I can honestly say I rode Horizons over 100 times and was...Read More...

WDW Pictorial Souvenir Timeline – History Through Photos

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At one time I had most of the Pictorial souvenirs from 1971 up to 1986 in my possesion. One day several years ago I came to the realization that from year to year only minor changes were made to the books and I really had no need to keep multiple copies of essentially the same thing.  The differences inside were minor, a changed picture here or there so I wound up selling them and keeping those...Read More...

Rare Personal WDW Construction Photos by “Bud” Benedum

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Kelly Gallagher, granddaughter of the late Wilbert Charles "Bud" Benedum (pictured to the left) has given us permission to showcase the photos that her grandfather personally took during the construction of WDW. Mr. Benedum was the Chief Engineer of construction for the monorail at the time and he documented the construction of WDW through many wonderful photos. This is just the first photos that Kelly will be sharing with us over the next few weeks.Read More...

Rediscovering River Country

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When I was young, Fort Wilderness was the place for me.  We always stayed there, no matter what, whenever we visited Walt Disney World.  We would load up the Pop-Up Trailer, and drive the twelve hours to Disney World.  This was a Spring Break ritual throughout my whole childhood.  Being young at the resort, we would do everything they had to offer –  Play on the playgrounds, use the free basketball in the wooden boxes, swim...Read More...