2/21/2010
World of Motion Section Updates
"It's fun to be free!" Our World of Motion section has been fueled up with more pictures and information, including more details on Transcenter.
Dedication of World of Motion TV Spot
Watch "The Dedication of the World of Motion: An EPCOT Moment" now in our video section. It's a short TV spot that aired on the Disney Channel in the 1980s.
1/29/2010
IMB's SmarterPlanet Now Open
IMB's new exhibit called SmarterPlanet is now fully open at Innoventions.
The exhibit allows guests to use computer kiosks to play games and participate in a poll.
The exhibit is themed around using smarter technology to solve planet-wide problems such as high energy usage, traffic, food spoilage, and more.
Another part of the new exhibit is a computer game called Runtime.
Runtime allows guests to become characters who can move through IBM's history.
The entire exhibit is also a showcase for IBM's Smarter Data Center, a module which runs the exhibit.
To read IMB's press release for SmarterPlanet, go to their site here.
1/26/2010
Italy to Receive Fast-Food Eatery
According to the official Disney Parks Blog, the Italy pavilion will be receiving a brand new quick-service pizzeria this fall.
The pizzeria will be presented by the Patina Restaurant Group - the same group behind Tutto Italia, the pavilion's table-service restaurant.
The fare will include pizza and other Italian dishes.
For the full article, go to the Disney Parks Blog here.
Mexico Cantina Expansion
According to the Orlando Business Journal website, Mexico's outdoor eatery, Cantina de San Angel, will be reopening with a new bigger area this fall.
The eatery is already closed and under reconstruction.
The new restaurant will be almost three and a half times larger than the old one, accommodating many more guests.
The restaurant will feature table-service dining, while also continuing quick-service dining.
For the full article, go the the Orlando Business Journal site here.
1/3/2010
More Tattoo Fun: Symbols on the Back
A huge Epcot fan since it opened, Suzanne Barrett can now show off five of the symbols tattooed vertically down her back.
Starting from the top, they go: The Living Seas, Horizons, World of Motion, Imagination, and CommuniCore - all bold in black.
Click here to see some pictures.
The tattoos were done by Jeremy Blaze of Blaze Ink in Winnipeg, Canada. Thank you for sending it in, Suzanne!
12/18/2009
Symbols Tattooed in Unique Colors
Epcot fan, Erica Erkkila, now has a tattoo of the Epcot symbols linked around her arm -
each in a unique color scheme inspired by its pavilion.
Click here to see a picture.
Spaceship Earth is lit in purples and pinks like the pavilion at night.
Energy is powered with sun colors.
The Living Seas contains an ocean scheme.
The Land is made up of greens and golds, and
Imagination is Figment-colored with the Mind's Eye at the center.
Imagination also lends its Rainbow Tunnel scheme to World of Motion.
The Horizons, CommuniCore, and EPCOT Center symbols are also part of the tattoo.
The tattoo was done by artist Jana Simpson.
Thanks for sending it in, Erica!
Captain EO at Disneyland in 2010
The official Disney Parks Blog stated today that Captain EO will return to Disneyland in February 2010.
According to the article, it will return for an "exclusive, limited engagement" at the California park.
To read the full article, go to the Disney Parks Blog here.
There's still no word yet on whether or not EO will return to the Imagination pavilion at Epcot.
10/19/2009
Wonders of Life Section Updates
Wonders of Life opened 20 years ago today on October 19, 1989. To celebrate, we've added in more info and pictures to our Wonders of Life section, including Body Wars, Cranium Command, and Pure & Simple.
10/14/2009
Fan's "Century 3" Horizons Guitar
Named after Horizons' initial working name, Century 3 is Kyle Bodshaug's guitar that just got adorned with its name and the Horizons symbol. Click here to see a picture.
The symbol also decorates the amplifier. All of his customization is done Awesome Brown, an artist who's also into EPCOT Center.
Kyle is part of Hadley's Hope, a band in Orlando. EPCOT Center is a huge influence on the band. Kyle even wears his Horizons memorial hat to all of their shows for good luck.
Thank you for sending it in, Kyle!
Sum of all Thrills Now Open
Raytheon's Sum of all Thrills opened today at Innoventions. Guests get to design their own thrill ride with a roller coaster, bobsled, or jet plane theme. They then get to ride their creation in a KUKA RoboSim 4-D simulator. Find out more at Raytheon's website here.
Sum of all Thrills follows in the footsteps of Compute-a-Coaster, Epcot's original create-your-own-coaster exhibit, once part of Computer Central at CommuniCore.
10/7/2009
Odyssey Cast Member Interview
Find out all about the Odyssey Restaurant in this interview with John Maimone, a former Cast Member who worked there from 1982 to 1985. Find out what the crowds were like those first few years, what was on the menu, and much more. Thanks John, for all your info!
10/1/2009
30th Anniversary of Groundbreaking
Today marks 30 years since the official groundbreaking of EPCOT Center began on October 1, 1979. The park would officially open three years later on October 1, 1982. For some construction footage, check out the Souvenir Program video at about 13:26.
9/21/2009
Fan gets Epcot Symbol Tattoos
Epcot fan, Keith Di Giannantonio, now sports six tattoos of EPCOT Center symbols on his forearms.
Click here to see a picture of his symbol tattoos for Spaceship Earth, The Land, Imagination, Horizons, The Living Seas, and CommuniCore.
For lack of space on his arms, he chose to omit Energy and World of Motion. Thanks for sending it in, Keith!
9/11/2009
Captain EO Returns to Disneyland?
An article from the L.A. Times stated that Disney CEO Bob Iger and other Disney officials watched Captain EO at its old Disneyland theater this week to determine whether or not it could be re-released for the public.
Iger said, "There aren't plans to bring back Captain EO at this time," but also said, "We are looking at it."
A possible return to Epcot wasn't mentioned.
For the full L.A. Times article, click here. For more info on Captain EO, go to our Imagination section.
8/26/2009
New Horizons & Motion Pins
A series of "Then and Now" flip-spinner pins will be released monthly starting in Jan. 2010. Included in the series will be a pin for Mission:SPACE/Horizons and Test Track/World of Motion. For more info and a picture of the SPACE/Horizons pin, go to the Disney Pin site here and scroll to "August 11."
Food & Wine '09 Pin has 1982 Look
The logo pin for the upcoming Food and Wine Festival looks like Spaceship Earth as it did on the first guide map from 1982, but decorated as an apple. For more info and a picture, go to the Disney Pin site here.
7/18/2009
"And now your host, Walter Cronkite"
The iconic news anchor Walter Cronkite died today at 92. Disney fans will remember him as the narrator for the "Tomorrow's Child" version of Spaceship Earth, along with his role alongside Robin Williams in "Back to Neverland" (once part of the Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios).
7/7/2009
Michael Jackson was "Captain EO"
In memory of Michael Jackson, we've added in more Captain EO info and pictures. More Magic Journeys info and a new picture has also been added.
6/29/2009
World Showcase Section Updates
Our World Showcase section has been amped up with more details on each Showcase pavilion, the fireworks and laser shows, the Odyssey, and more. A new picture section on the lost Norway Viking Ship has also been added.
6/14/2009
Donald Duck's Birthday!
Donald Duck celebrated his 75th birthday on June 9 of this year. To commemorate the Duck's milestone, a section all on Donald's 50th Birthday celebration and parade at Disney World has been added to our More WDW section.
6/29 Update: Watch pictures added.
5/1/2009
New Retro Pin Sets
Later this year, an Epcot retro box set will be released with six pins: Future World, EPCOT Center logo, World Showcase, Figment and Dreamfinder, opening day ticket, and Spaceship Earth. Also to be released is a separate Figment and Dreamfinder set. For pictures, go to the Disney Pin Trading site and scroll to "April 12, 2009" or "April 10."
4/20/2009
Spaceship Earth Video
A new video showing Spaceship Earth as it was when Jeremy Irons narrated it is now in our video section.
4/5/2009
Energy Section Updates
Our Universe of Energy section has been refurbished with more info and more pictures.
Energy Back to Original Color Scheme
The Universe of Energy's stripes that run vertically down the sides of the building are being repainted back to the original red, orange, and yellow color scheme, after being rainbow colored since 1996. For some pictures of the overhaul, go to this gallery at WDWMagic.com.
3/29/2009
Space Suit Figment Sculpture
A new sculpted figure called Space Suit Figment: Journey into Imagination will be released on April 25 at the Art of Disney, Epcot.
CommuniCore Symbol on New Pin
In early March, a new Epcot passport pin (part of a series of 5) was released with a CommuniCore symbol stamped on its entries.
3/15/2009
Retro Gear Still Selling
Retro shirts and hats are still selling at Epcot, including the Dreamfinder shirt at the Imagination shop.
Over in the Magic Kingdom, a new shirt with Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is on sale.
Kim Possible Adventure
A new attraction for Epcot this year is the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, where you get to use a phone to solve clues and interact with certain objects at seven World Showcase pavilions.
Expanded Message Boards
We've expanded our Message Boards to include a few more generalized WDW forums, including one on dining and one on resorts. Drop by and become a member!
2/21/2009
New Video is Up
Check out the 1991 "A Day at EPCOT Center" - a 27 min. VHS tape with all of the original pavilions.
1/11/2009
The Land Section Updates
We've expanded our Land history section and added in more pictures to the various sub-sections.
1/3/2009
Regis, Skyleidoscope, & More
If you didn't catch the WDW Christmas Parade on TV, then you missed out on some cool clips of Epcot past - but don't worry. We have the clips of Regis Philbin with the old World Showcase Lagoon show "Skyleidoscope" and more, posted right here.
12/23/2008
More Pins in 2009
Dizpins.com has posted some pin concept art for the Disney Pin Celebration 2009. Among the group is a large Dreamcatcher machine with Figment and Dreamfinder. Another cool lost attraction shown here is the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, complete with squid tentacles and Captain Stitch. Be sure to check out the pictures here.
12/7/2008
Tasty Holiday Horizons
Hungry for a Horizons pavilion made entirely out of candy? Check out the post over on our message boards.
11/18/2008
Mickey's Birthdayland!
In honor of the Mouse's 80th birthday today, we've opened up our More WDW section with its first sub-section Birthdayland/Starland. For an extra super birthday bonus, we've also added in some Mickey's 60th omnibus pictures from World Showcase.
11/11/2008
New SMRT-1 Toy
WDW will be releasing a mystery Mickey figurine set in January, with one of the Mickey's painted to look just like SMRT-1. For full info and a picture of the upcoming release go over to this member's post at WDWMagic.com.
Recent Imagination Pin Release
An Imagination CD pin has been released as part of a cast exclusive WDI set. The pin features Figment and the words "Journey into Imagination" done in the old Future World font with the Imagination symbol. For full info and a picture of the pin go to Dizpins.com.
10/30/2008
Magic Journeys Sign
New picture has been added here.
10/25/2008
Imagination Section Updates
Our Imagination section has been revamped with more info and more pictures, incuding pictures of recent jumbo pins.
Upcoming Pin Release
WDW will be releasing the pin "Where Dreams Come True - Figment" on Oct. 30. The pin is of Figment dreaming of being with Dreamfinder again. Go here for details and an image of the new pin.
10/7/2008
"The Deluge..."
An MP3 of The Living Seas Movie audio is now available in Downloads.
9/15/2008
New Video is Up
Watch the 22 min. 1983 "EPCOT Center: A Souvenir Program."
8/10/2008
"StormStruck" Now Open
"StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes" is now open at Innoventions East. With 3-D glasses and interactive technology, the attraction allows guests to feel what it's like to be caught in severe weather, such as hurricanes.
7/27/2008
New Dreamfinder Shirts on Sale
A new t-shirt featuring Dreamfinder, Figment, and the Imagination symbol is now on sale at Epcot shops such as Mouse Gear. For a picture of the shirt, click here.
7/16/2008
CommuniCore Section Updates
We now have extensive entries for each of the CommuniCore attractions, along with many new pictures.
6/21/2008
Splash into River Country!
It's an All-American Water Party as we branch off from Epcot and introduce our new expansion pack River Country!
6/13/2008
Living Seas Section Updates
We've updated our Living Seas history and pictures, and we've also added a brand new sub-section, The Living Seas Cast Member Guide.
6/7/2008
Upcoming Pin Releases
Five limited edition White Glove EPCOT Center pins will be released at Epcot on July 1. The five pins are: CommuniCore, Horizons, Imagination, Spaceship Earth, and The Land. LE 750 each. $15 each. Go over to Dizpins.com for full info and pictures on the releases.
5/29/2008
New Smilies in Forums
Become a member of our Message Boards and use our new Epcot-themed smiley icons!
5/26/2008
Spaceship Earth Section Updates
Taking into account all of the changes that took place between the Jeremy Irons-era Spaceship Earth and the current Siemens version, we've updated our Spaceship Earth history, ride pictures, exterior pictures, and post ride pictures.
5/22/2008
Video is Up
Visit our video section and check out 9 different commercials and clips of past EPCOT.
Recent Pin Release
At WDW: Jumbo "Magical Monorail Collection" Figment pin with Dreamfinder's machine and purple colors reminiscent of the original Imagination queue murals. Has sliding doors that reveal Dreamfinder with Figment in the rainbow tunnel at Image Works. Has 3 pin backs. LE 750. $25.
Retro Shirts and Hats still on Sale
A few different t-shirts with ye ol' EPCOT Center designs are still on sale at Epcot, including the classic 3/4-sleeved rainbow symbol shirt. Check out the shops at Showcase Plaza. Also still on sale are black baseball caps with the EPCOT symbol. Check out the Mission: SPACE shop for the hats.
25th Exhibit still Going
If you haven't been there yet, be sure to check out the Epcot 25th Anniversary Gallery in Innoventions West. You can look at displays and memorabilia from years past. The entrance is accessible from the outside and is located adjacent to the Character Spot.
5/8/2008
4/28/2008
Recent Pin Releases
At WDW: Jumbo Dreamfinder and Figment pin, set against a pair of mouse ears with the pavilion's pyramids and Dreamfinder's machine in the background - limited edition
At Disneyland, CA, and WDW: Figment (dressed as Hamilton) $10 bill pin - open stock
For full information and pictures on the releases, go on over to Dizpins.com.
4/20/2008
LOST EPCOT.com is now fully operational. All the content from our previous domain has been brought over. However, the video section is still being built.
