Plus…Opening of Little Mermaid Wing brings Art of Animation to fully operational status, Update on Bistro de Paris, and more!

Walt Disney World’s second Park is turning 30 years old next week, and to celebrate, we’ll be taking a look back at the Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow! So let’s waste no time and dive right into the latest edition of the WDW Radio Newswire…..

EPCOT turns 30. Back in 1986, when I was a four year old child experiencing the magic that is Walt Disney World for the first time, who would have ever thought I’d be here today covering Epcot’s 30th. It’s like a dream come true, just as the vision and planning of EPCOT was to Walt. EPCOT is one of the primary reasons (and arguably the driving force) behind The Florida Project. In Walt’s own words: “The most exciting, and by far the most important part of our Florida Project…in fact the heart of everything we’ll be doing at Disney World, will be our Experimental Prototype City Of Tomorrow. We call it EPCOT.” Reading those words, there’s no doubt that EPCOT was Walt’s ultimate dream. He may not have lived long enough to see that dream come to fruition before his own eyes, but the dream of EPCOT did become a reality, thanks to the tireless efforts of Walt’s dedicated Imagineers. Through the darkest hour, they forged on, undaunted by the massive task at hand. And finally, on October 1, 1982, after years of planning and construction, Epcot Center opened its gates. Walt’s final dream had finally been realized. It may not be an “exact replica” of what he had envisioned, but I believe EPCOT has and still does contain some of those special fibers.

But the EPCOT of today is vastly different from the Epcot Center we saw back in the early 80s. Instead of Dame Judi Dench, our trip though time on the grand, miraculous Spaceship Earth was narrated by Lawrence Dobkin (and of course there was Walter Cronkite’s narration as well, which began in 1986). We had yet to learn the term Innoventions, but we were all getting quite acquainted with the technological advances of the computer age over at CommuniCore. Instead of banking turns at 65 mph on Test Track, an omnimover took us through the history of transportation on World of Motion. At The Living Seas, you could look high and low, but Nemo was nowhere to be found. Over at Mission: SPACE, Gary Sinise was nowhere to be found either, as we were still two decades away from our first launch. You could however catch a transport from the FuturePort to Brava Centauri, Sea Castle, or Mesa Verde at Horizons. Over at The Land, hang gliding over the California landscape was just a tiny spark in the imagination of a young Imagineer. But you could catch a swingin’ show on the benefits of good nutrition at the Kitchen Kabaret. And since I mentioned “tiny sparks in the imagination,” sounds like a perfect segue to Figment! We were introduced to the beloved creature back in 1983. And while we’ve seen some changes to the attraction over the years (including Figment’s temporary removal from 1999-2001), Figment still reigns supreme over at Journey Into imagination. But back then, there was no Institute, nor was there any mention of Dr. Nigel Channing. Instead, Figment was joined by his loyal companion Dreamfinder. You may have already been aware, but after reading this you can certainly see that EPCOT has gone through some major changes throughout its thirty year existence. You might love some of the changes, and you might hate them. Experiencing Soarin’ may be your new favorite thrill, and seeing Horizons close may have brought tears to your eyes. But through it all, one thing is certain. And that’s the fact that for three decades, EPCOT has carried on several of those familiar aspects of Walt’s original dream, and continues to do so today. So here’s to the next 30 years!

Now it’s time to fast forward back to 2012 as we make our way over to World Showcase for a quick update on Bistro de Paris. The France pavilion has been without the services of the Bistro for the majority of the summer, and the closure will continue throughout the duration of the fall months as well. The restaurant is set to re-open on Saturday December 1st, and when it does, Guests will be able to indulge their taste buds with a completely revamped menu. New decor will also be a part of the Bistro’s immense upgrade. This will be quite a lengthy closure when all is said and done (over four months),  so it will be very interesting to see the changes once the restaurant re-emerges this December.

Time to Park Hop out of EPCOT and make our way over to Animal Kingdom now, where there was a brief attraction closure last week. Dinoland’s popular kids spot The Boneyard was closed down on Tuesday September 18th and Wednesday September 19th for a minor two-day refurbishment. The pint-sized friendly digsite is currently back in action however, as the attraction re-opened to Guests on Thursday September 20th.

Time to make our way out of the Parks and into the Resorts now, as there is news to report on WDW’s newest Resort: Art of Animation. Last weekend, the fourth and final Phase of Art of Animation made its grand debut. I’m referring to The Little Mermaid wing, which opened up for business on Saturday September 15th. The debut of the Mermaid section officially rounds out the quartet of themed areas at the Resort, which also includes the Cars, Finding Nemo, and Lion King sections as well. Also located in The Little Mermaid wing is The Flippin’ Fins Pool, which opened up on September 15th as well. The Flippin’ Fins Pool is the third and final themed swimming area in the Resort’s “aquatic trio,” which also includes The Big Blue Pool and the Cozy Cone Pool. The Big Blue Pool is located in the Finding Nemo section, and The Cozy Cone Pool can be found in the Cars wing of the Resort.

Well, that’s gonna do it for today’s update. But before we call it a wrap, let’s take a look back at the results of our previous poll. The question was:

Which aspect of the next Phase of the Fantasyland Expansion are you looking forward to the most?

. Under the Sea- Journey of The Little Mermaid

. Enchanted Tales with Belle

. Gaston’s Tavern

. Be Our Guest Restaurant

And the winner is…..

Under the Sea- Journey of The Little Mermaid with 55% of the total vote! Be Our Guest Restaurant finished 2nd, bringing home 25% of the total vote. The two previous polls were very close, this one however was a landslide for the Mermaid! Once again, thank you to everyone that took the time to vote, and now on to this week’s question:

Don Myers covers news and recent events in Walt Disney World.  He has been enamored with the World of Disney since his first trip to WDW in 1986. As they say, the rest is history!  Don also has been a contributing writer for Celebrations magazine since 2009.

The post WDW Radio Newswire: Happy Birthday Epcot Center and Vintage EPCOT POLL!!! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

as the 21st Century Begins Again With the Most Comprehensive Retrospective Ever Mounted

BURBANK, Calif. – June 7, 2012 – Hailed as the most groundbreaking theme park of its time, Epcot marks its 30th anniversary on Oct. 1, 2012, and D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is preparing a unique celebration of one of Disney’s crowning achievements.

On Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, D23’s Epcot 30th Anniversary Celebration will whisk D23 Members back to a time touted as when “the 21st century begins”—those early Epcot years when guests first marveled at “Astuter Computers,” “Smellitzers,” and the novelty of “riding on sunshine,” and were awed by a massive geodesic sphere called Spaceship Earth.

This journey to yesteryear, the future, and around the world takes place one day only: on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. inside Epcot (Park admission is required and not included in the event ticket price). Each D23 Member may bring up to three guests.

“When Epcot opened in 1982 it was a monumental achievement and its opening was an unforgettable moment for Disney fans everywhere,” says Steven Clark, head of D23. “We know our members have a deep passion for this park, and we’re producing a memorable experience that lets our members relive some of their favorite Epcot shows and attractions of the past while experiencing the incredible Epcot legacy that continues today.”

D23’s Epcot 30th Anniversary Celebration will offer the most detailed look at the design, development, and evolution of Epcot ever presented by The Walt Disney Company and will include rare and never-before-seen artwork; film and video footage and photos; along with a number of pioneers of Epcot, including such Disney Imagineers, Legends, and Epcot luminaries as Marty Sklar (exclusive pre-taped presentation), Tony Baxter, Ron Schneider, Charlie Ridgway, Ron Logan, Bill Sullivan, Bob Garner, Jason Surrell, Jason Grandt, Alex Wright, Duncan Dickson, and Steve Taylor.

Tickets will be available for purchase on June 21 at 10 a.m. on D23.com. There are two levels of D23 Member participation:

World Passport general admission is $65 per guest and includes:

-          Access to all presentations

-          A commemorative gift

-          Access to exclusive D23 merchandise

World Key level admission is $185 per guest and includes:

-          All features of the World Passport admission

-          Reserved seating for all presentations

-          A special dessert reception at 8 p.m. inside an exclusive Future World lounge

-          Exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity with Disney Legends and Epcot luminaries

-          Reception will also include screenings of rare film footage of Epcot’s early days

Presentations Include:

• Hooray for the 21st Century – Disney Legend and former Walt Disney Imagineering Principal Creative Executive Marty Sklar joins D23 guests via a virtual presentation, where we see and hear what it was like to work with Walt Disney on his original vision for an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Along the way, learn about Marty’s favorite memories working on the EPCOT Center project with a team of passionate Imagineers.

• The Music of EPCOT Center – Some of Epcot’s most passionate fans agree that the park’s soundtrack has created one of its most lasting legacies that continue to help “makin’ memories” around the world. Join Disney historians and songwriters as we explore the incredible world of Epcot music, celebrating the talents of such Epcot songwriters and composers as Bob Moline, Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, George Wilkins, Buddy Baker, X. Atencio, Peter Stougaard, Russell Brower, Edo Guidotti and others who have left a permanent musical mark on the park’s creative legacy. Along the way, hear stories about the recording sessions, learn about some fascinating alternate versions of some of your favorite melodies, and sing along to your favorite Epcot tunes!

• “We Can Do It!” – Disney Legends and EPCOT Center creators review the immense challenge that loomed ahead of them when bringing Epcot to reality in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Guests will hear stories of trips to foreign countries to secure participants in the World Showcase concept, what life was like inside the largest private construction project in the world, and how they readied its highly anticipated opening day.

• “We’ve Just Begun to Dream” – Join Disney Legend Ron Logan and other key Disney entertainment veterans as they reminisce about the official EPCOT Center opening festivities that remain among the most elaborate Disney has ever staged. This presentation will include rare footage from the grand openings of various Future World and World Showcase pavilions, which were held throughout October 1982.

• “Makin’ Memories: Epcot on Film” – Join former Disney Imagineer Bob Garner and Disney author and historian Tim O’Day as they cast a “Magic Eye” on the marvelous world of Epcot on film. Bob was closely involved in the creation of film documentation and production at Epcot, including special video elements of Future World and World Showcase pavilions and such promotional films as EPCOT Center: The Opening Celebration.

• “Looking Back at Tomorrow” – Few Epcot visitors, even its most avid fans, realize The Land pavilion was almost called “Harvest Tomorrow” or that Figment was slated to co-host an “Images & Imagination” pavilion with “Professor Marvel.” With recently discovered materials from the Walt Disney Archives, join Disney archivists as they examine how the “dreamers and doers” developed favorite Epcot attractions of the past including Horizons, Journey into Imagination, Kitchen Kabaret, World of Motion, the Astuter Computer Revue, and the original Universe of Energy.

• “The EPCOT Center That Never Was” – Using rare concept artwork, guests will glimpse what it was like to design Epcot with Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Vice President Tony Baxter, designer and producer for several beloved Epcot pavilions, and explore early versions of Epcot attractions that never made it off the drawing board.

•  “Imagineering Epcot: An Extra Perceptive Close-up Of Things” – Fans of wall-to-wall carpeting and leapfrog fountains unite! Disney Imagineers Jason Surrell, Jason Grandt, and Alex Wright return with a humorous exploration of the details that make Epcot so unique. From miniature gardens to massive buildings (and every international food and beverage offering in between), they’ll show what makes Future World and World Showcase like no place else on earth.

Which presentation would you most want to attend?  Share your thoughts below!!

The post D23’s EPCOT 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.