Epcot is an Island? Who Knew?

[Hoop Raeb]

Just discovered a blog (which is amazing) this morning which shows early Epcot photos. http://www.imagineeringdisney.com/blog/2010/6/25/epcot-construction-from-the-air.html

In looking at it without much of the overgrowth as shown in Google Maps today, it became painfully obvious that Epcot is an island (moats all around it). Learn something new every day. :wave:

 

[Walt Disney1955]

I never knew about the moat around the outer part. But I don't think I'd classify it as an island. That was all man made. Even Magic Kingdom is a man made island and much more of an island as well. Epcot just looks like it has a creek going around part of it

 

[unkadug]

I never knew about the moat around the outer part. But I don't think I'd classify it as an island. That was all man made. Even Magic Kingdom is a man made island and much more of an island as well. Epcot just looks like it has a creek going around part of it

Well, not really.

Perhaps you could consider the hub an island, but certainly not all of the Magic Kingdom.

It's drainage ditches never rejoin each other.

 

[invader]

Eh, depends on how loosely you define an island. :lol:

 

[menamechris]

Well, the Magic Kingdom was designed to "look" like an island from the TTC. It's a pretty amazing accomplishment given when it was constructed

 

[marni1971]

Loose term

 

[unkadug]

Well, the Magic Kingdom was designed to "look" like an island from the TTC. It's a pretty amazing accomplishment given when it was constructed

Really...how so? I've never heard that before. Please elaborate.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Really...how so? I've never heard that before. Please elaborate.

Yep. Never heard that either. Interesting to hear where that originated.

 

[Rinx]

Looking at those pictures, I never realized just how much land and trees they had to clear for the Y & B Clubs and Boardwalk.

 

[freediverdude]

The area where the Boardwalk is now used to be swampland. I remember staying at the Beach Club shortly after it opened, and one of the CMs told me that they were going to build a hotel "over there" (pointing to where the Boardwalk is now). It was just plants sticking up out of marshy area. I remember asking him how could they build a hotel there, it's just swamp!

 

[marni1971]

Looking at those pictures, I never realized just how much land and trees they had to clear for the Y & B Clubs and Boardwalk.

Originally, that area and much more was to have become "Disney Center"

But the Epcot resorts took over. Even so, between 1986 and 1992 the whole area was one huge phased development area, from the Buena Vista Drive extension and Bonnet Creek Parkway, to the DMGM studios, CBR, Y&B complex, crescent lake, Swan and Dolphin.... The skyline was full of cranes.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Yep. Never heard that either. Interesting to hear where that originated.

And in all the reading I have done I've never heard anyone from Disney describe it in that way either.

 

[Hoop Raeb]

OK, a really big island surrounded by a little body of water.

 

[marni1971]

Disney Center??? What exactly was Disney Center supposed to be?

An alternative resort and entertainment district. You could say the Epcot Resorts and possibly WWOS and PI developed from it.