Not so long ago, fans were discussing what Walt Disney World would do to celebrate EPCOT Center's 25th Anniversary. Some speculated a year-long celebration, others a more modest approach involving a few refurbishments of select attractions. Time passed, and it became apparent that nothing would happen. A few emboldened fans here took it upon themselves to embrace the day that Walt Disney World's management clearly would have just as easily forgotten. Suffice to say, management heard of the momentum these fans had gained, and decided to join the celebration with a day of activities, and a year-plus exhibit looking back at EPCOT.
Continuing the trend, not so long ago, fans speculated that Walt Disney World's 40th Anniversary in 2011 would be a grand celebration, including refurbishments and restorations of many prominent attractions. Time has passed, the economy's outlook has worsened, and these plans—if they ever existed—appear to have been shelved.
What management will do to celebrate the Resort's 40th Anniversary, at this point, is anyone's guess. Shortsighted although they are, one would think they have at least learned enough from EPCOT's 25th to realize that the company minimally must pay face to the anniversary. However, the dictates of common sense don't always seem to govern management, and perhaps a little prodding or a helpful reminder is in order. Thus, we have this Call to Arms.
We fans will be celebrating the Walt Disney World Resort's 40th Anniversary whether management recognizes it, or not.
In an effort to maximize the chances that management will similarly celebrate the 40th, we will:
- Visit, call, email, and mail guest relations, and express the importance of celebrating the resort's 40th anniversary
- Promote the resort's 40th anniversary through the electronic means of Disney fan forums, blogs, social networking sites, etc.
- Acknowledge the 40th anniversary while at Walt Disney World with fan-created clothing
- Organize private and public celebrations in honor of Walt Disney World's 40th anniversary.
This unexhaustive list is not the only ways in which we will celebrate—keep the ideas coming, everyone.
We all throw birthday parties for our less-than-favorite in-laws. We actually
like Walt Disney World (perhaps a bit too much), so it goes without saying that we'll be celebrating its monumental birthday in similar fashion. Please post your ideas and plans for mobilizing the fan community here.
We will not allow this historic occasion to go ignored. This will not be a rehash of the 35th--a pin will not suffice to appease us.
and couldn't get into EPCOT then call into work
