Unique 1982 EPCOT Center Park Map

[EricsBiscuit]

For your enjoyment: My father was fortunate enough to be at EPCOT Center on opening day back in 1982. He recently gave to me this wonderful park map sponsored by Kodak from 1982. What makes this park map so unique is that you spin the wheel and it tells you about the different pavilions around the park. I will put a few pictures as examples, and if there is more interest, then I will post the rest.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Wow, that is a unique collectable map. And in pretty good shape too after all these years. Ive never seen one of these before. Those were the days when Disney produced some more interesting things. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Wow, that is a unique collectable map. And in pretty good shape too after all these years. Ive never seen one of these before. Those were the days when Disney produced some more interesting things. Thanks for sharing this.

You’re welcome! The park maps used to be so beautiful and creative. Even just 20 years ago, the park maps used to be much physically larger than they are now.

 

[marni1971]

Still have mine. Interestingly most of the art and copy was taken verbatim into the park guidebooks in the following years. Also of note is all the attraction art; these were produced before actual photos were available.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Still have mine. Interestingly most of the art and copy was taken verbatim into the park guidebooks in the following years. Also of note is all the attraction art; these were produced before actual photos were available.

Great insight! When did you first visit EC?

 

[Goofyernmost]

I originally went (1st time) in February 1983. Someplace I have stashed away the maps from that year. Sadly, I don't have a clue about where they might be. I'll have to do some digging. I do have the very first actual Steve Birnbaum, Walt Disney World touring Book/Magazine. I have published here, pictures of the cover and snippets from inside.

It is a complete guide to everything that was happening at WDW in 1983. I believe he continued to publish them for years after although I have only seen copies in library's.

It has both parks and the Hotels, roads, camp ground and literally everything that was open or planned at the time. How to make reservations and cost to stay. $115.00 for a room facing MK, at the Contemporary. $35.00 for a three day Passport to both parks, (MK and EPCOT). It contains bus routes, park layouts, restaurants, Golf course and on and on. Basically it has absolutely everything you would need to visit including what airlines fly to Orlando and from what cities in the U.S, sorry @marni1971 nothing shown from Europe. I look at this book/magazine many times but I am ultra careful with it and except of a single line indicating where the cover creased when opened, it is in perfect condition.

Unfortunately, the computer based pictures of the cover and other things were lost when my last computer decided that life was not worth living and somehow managed to lose everything that was on it. At my age I don't think I can live long enough to find it out of my 36,500 posts I have made on this site.

 

[marni1971]

Great insight! When did you first visit EC?

87. Being a Brit and young it was up to my parents. But I’d followed it as much as a foreigner could pre internet since before opening.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

87. Being a Brit and young it was up to my parents. But I’d followed it as much as a foreigner could pre internet since before opening.

Wow! How did the park get your attention in the UK? Were they advertising in the UK at the time?

 

[Goofyernmost]

87. Being a Brit and young it was up to my parents. But I’d followed it as much as a foreigner could pre internet since before opening.

And it seems like you probably made the first Disney video's a few years later.

 

[FettFan]

For your enjoyment: My father was fortunate enough to be at EPCOT Center on opening day back in 1982. He recently gave to me this wonderful park map sponsored by Kodak from 1982. What makes this park map so unique is that you spin the wheel and it tells you about the different pavilions around the park. I will put a few pictures as examples, and if there is more interest, then I will post the rest. View attachment 914815View attachment 914816View attachment 914817View attachment 914818View attachment 914819View attachment 914820View attachment 914821View attachment 914822View attachment 914823View attachment 914824

BEAUTIFUL!!

 

[FettFan]

Wow! How did the park get your attention in the UK? Were they advertising in the UK at the time?

I’m curious about this too!

 

[marni1971]

Wow! How did the park get your attention in the UK? Were they advertising in the UK at the time?

I was a fan of space and sci fi from an early age. I was lucky we had been to the MK twice already and that was like magic to us. When I heard they were building a city / park of the future it grabbed my attention. So I hunted out every newspaper and magazine article I could. Readers Digest did a great article probably in early 1982 with a double page photo of the park model. That was like gold dust to me. There was an occasional TV news item. And I recall my dad flew Eastern with work and brought back an official pre opening magazine that was in his seat pocket. I still have it

My aunt lived in West Palm Beach in 1982 so that summer when we visited I got all the material I could find.

BBC radio did a 60 minute preview broadcast with ride snippets and interviews. First time I heard some of the music (and Perrins SSE)

Once it opened more material was available but obviously it was still limited. By the time we first visited I felt I already knew the park intimately. I also started badgering public relations by writing snail mail to them and receiving press releases and vacation brochures in return.

When we visited in August 1987 I was in heaven. I really was living like Buck Rogers for a few days. The park was unbelievable - like nowhere else on earth. It was also when I started noting how the park and attractions were designed and operated, sound and lighting design, how ride systems worked etc. and thus began my slippery slope.

 

[marni1971]

By January 1983 the wheel-guide was available in a same sized square fold out non-wheel version:

And by August 1983 the information had been transferred into the stapled individual paged guide books we became familiar with: