More Walt Disney World Resort Stories

Vintage Epcot: Welcoming Epcot on October 1, 1982

Nate Rasmussen

by , Librarian, Walt Disney Archives

“The

On October 1, 1982, the 21st Century came to life when Walt Disney World Resort welcomed guests to EPCOT Center.

“The

Opening Day involved honoring the first official family to EPCOT Center and the official dedication ceremony for Spaceship Earth.

“The

Plans to move forward with Walt Disney’s vision for an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT) were first announced in 1974 by Card Walker (pictured above on opening day), then president of Walt Disney Productions. EPCOT Center was one of Walt Disney’s original ideas for the “Florida Project.”

“The

Thirty years later, Epcot still stays true to the words inscribed on its dedication plaque, “May Epcot Center entertain, inform, and inspire.”

For more of the “Vintage Epcot” series, check out the posts below:

Comments

  • My dad was there! Such great shots. I can’t believe it’s been 30 years!

  • Love the pics! They need to bring back the dancers in their awesomely 80s jumpsuits for the 30th! This park will always be EPCOT *Center* to me! Happy to see Disney recognizing this big birthday.

  • Is there any way we could get a maximum-resolution version of that first image? I’d love it as my desktop wallpaper.

  • I want one of those white jumpsuits! Those things are snazzy!

    Nate–Am I seeing this correctly? Are those things flying overhead doves with ribbons on them?

  • My brother and I were there for opening day, though we were in line and didn’t see much of the opening celebration. We had a great time seeing the future!

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