So if you grew up in the 80's or early 90's like myself and visited Walt Disney World, you'll probably remember Epcot Center. No, not the Epcot we have today, not even the EPCOT Walt Disney had envisioned. We experienced a theme park/world's fair hybrid that as a child blew me away. I first visited Epcot Center and Walt Disney World during the early and mid 90's when I was a young kid, and I immediately fell in love with the notion that learning and thinking was just as interesting and exciting as thrill rides. I didn't really understand why my favorite attractions were being replaced in the late 90's, for thrill rides.
Obviously, Epcot has always been my favorite theme park; It's in the name of my blog!
Anyways, Epcot (in all it's forms) has always intrigued me. Over the past 34 years Epcot has gone through many changes, even name changes ( Epcot Center 1982-1994, Epcot 94', Epcot 95', Epcot 1996- present), and interestingly enough there is a lot that still remains today or has a nod to a former attraction or thing of the past.
This post will be an ongoing one so it will be split into parts. Here few of my favorites nods.
The original Epcot Center logo
I had no Idea what the meaning or significance of this logo was when I was younger, all I knew is that it is used to identify Epcot and looks really really cool!
"The EPCOT Center Logo is a graphic representation of the park’s philosophy. It symbolizes unity, fellowship and harmony around the world. The five outer rings form the shape of a flower – a celebration of life. The heart of the logo is Earth embraced by a star, symbolizing hope – the hope that with imagination, commitment, and dedication we can create a new tomorrow."
This logo was used when the park first opened in 1982, and was used on park maps and souvenirs until mid 1996 or so.
Epcot then switched to its current logo. (pictured below)
Occasionally they will use the original logos for "retro" merchandise or special events, but some of the original logos remain in the park today.
When you enter the park from the monorail, you can see the original logo on the gates.
You can also see it on the dedication plaque in front of the ticket booths.
However the largest original logo is somewhat overlooked. It is in between Club Cool and Mouse Gears, in front of the Fountain of Nations. You'll actually have to take a step back and look at the ground. You have to be looking for it, but the logo is sure enough in the pavement. excuse the picture, I will try and take a better one! In the mean time you can go on google earth and zoom in, and it will be there!
The Future World pavilion logos
Just like Epcot Center, the pavilions in Future World had their own logos that represented the theme of each attraction. There are actually a lot of nods to these in the park currently. I haven't been able to find any nods logo nods in Journey Into Imagination.
(Photo by ForwardProgress; Pictured left to right: Epcot Center, Universe of Energy, Spaceship Earth, Wonders of Life, The Land, The Living Seas, Horizons, World of Motion, Communicore, Journey Into Imagination)
One of the easiest spots you can see one of these logos is at Test Track. When Test Track went into Rehab in 2012, they pretty much re themed everything about this area, including the trash bins! take a look at the trash bins when entering the ride building, you can even spot the logo on the Test Track scrim that hangs over the queue line
This was the most surprising find on my last visit. My girlfriend loves Starbucks, so of course we went to the Fountain View Cafe near Innoventions; When we were leaving Starbucks I spotted a little Communicore on the sign for Starbucks.
Also as a bonus, it looks as if Eve's plat scanner image thing (that is the official name I'm giving it) from the Disney/Pixar film Wall-E had some influence from the land pavilions logo. Nothing official, and could be a happy coincidence, but they do look similar.
(to be continued in pt. 2)
Thank for checking my blog out! stay tuned for my next post, hopefully it will be weekly!
