Castle Cake Apologist
Well-Known Member
There is other work being done, even if it's not visible. Like I said, work on the model goes in spurts as they can. Here's an overview of what goes into rehabbing this, including the thought and research that goes into it:
https://sites.google.com/site/theoriginalepcot/2013-restoration
The PeopleMover needs a ton of work, which should come in the next major overhaul of TL.
That was an amazing read. It's so saddening to me to read things like this, though. The fact that it had only been touched twice in 38 years is mind boggling.
A couple observations:
1. Holy heck, I had no idea how bad they had let it get by the 2013 restoration. The before and after pictures are insane.
2. Who is Jeff Williams and why is he not in charge of WDI? This man 100% gets it and his obvious and legitimate respect for Walt's legacy is such a breath of fresh air from the usual corporate babble of modern Disney.
3. I used to work in Tomorrowland Ops and even I wasn't aware of the Star Wars figures that were hidden in the model. Removing them was absolutely the right decision. The thought that Dave Ward was given the rare opportunity to restore the model in 2003 and knowing that he instead used the budget (which he was very fortunate to get) to hide Star Wars toys throughout one of the most important pieces of Disney history is just ridiculous. How disappointing to learn that.
Is the rest of Progress City kept in the Archives, or was it destroyed when this portion was moved to WDW? Perhaps this piece should be in the hands of the Archives where it can be preserved and respected. I'd hate to see it removed from public view, but I'd hate more to see it be given the Spectro Treatment and just be left to rot until it must be trashed.
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful article.
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