Epcot Center Entrance Fountain

Thorphin

Thorphin

Member
Original Poster
I had the privilege of watching Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) on the big screen this weekend, and I noticed that the logos on the scientists' uniforms looked very similar in style to the original Epcot entrance fountain (or possibly even the Star Tours logo). I'd be interested if anyone has any info on that original fountain, and any symbolic information about its creation/design. Namely, of course, it would be neat to find a connection between CEotTK and this fountain, which would have been in development shortly after the film's release.

Thinking about it, the ideas in CEotTK about exploration and working together to learn from each other really mirror the original intent of Epcot Center at opening.

Any info?
Thanks!
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
Wow.. CE3K on a big screen. Bet that was great!

I agree, there is a resembelance between all 3, though I suggest it`s just a coincidence. CE3K was shot during 1976, and if I`m not mistaken the logos in question bore some resembelence to the 1970`s Coloumbia Pictures logo, and was also based on the nighttime road towards the horizons trailer segment that was made whilst the film was in production. The EPCOT fountain design was finalised around the middle of 1981, a good 5 years after.

If anything, now you mention it, the fountain looks like an upturned CE3K mothership!
 

Attachments

  • Untitled-1 copy.jpg
    Untitled-1 copy.jpg
    60.4 KB · Views: 111
jmvd20

jmvd20

Well-Known Member
DigitalDisney said:
Siemens needs to bring back that old fountain! The current fountain isn't bad, but it pales in comparison to its predecessor.
Click to expand...

Wasn't the fountain Marni is referring to in front of SSE where the Legacy stuff is now? I don't recall a fountain being there now - just the stones. :veryconfu
 
Slipknot

Slipknot

Well-Known Member
Thorphin said:
I had the privilege of watching Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) on the big screen this weekend, and I noticed that the logos on the scientists' uniforms looked very similar in style to the original Epcot entrance fountain (or possibly even the Star Tours logo). I'd be interested if anyone has any info on that original fountain, and any symbolic information about its creation/design. Namely, of course, it would be neat to find a connection between CEotTK and this fountain, which would have been in development shortly after the film's release.

Thinking about it, the ideas in CEotTK about exploration and working together to learn from each other really mirror the original intent of Epcot Center at opening.

Any info?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

First: Close Encounters on the big screen???? I'm Jealous!!!! And where did you see it?

Second: I haven't seen CEotTK since early-mid October last year on Sci-Fi Channel and besides that one time it has been over 4 years so I don't remember the designs much. Sorry I couldn't be of help, but I am planning on buying the DVD when the new Best Buy closer to where I live opens this month.
 
Slipknot

Slipknot

Well-Known Member
jmvd20 said:
Wasn't the fountain Marni is referring to in front of SSE where the Legacy stuff is now? I don't recall a fountain being there now - just the stones. :veryconfu
Click to expand...

Still a fountain. At least from what I remember 3 weeks ago water still runs down the stones.
 
jmvd20

jmvd20

Well-Known Member
Slade said:
Still a fountain. At least from what I remember 3 weeks ago water still runs down the stones.
Click to expand...

I honestly do not remember seeing that. I must admit I do not care for that section of the park very much anymore and I usually walk through it quickly. Thanks for the info.
 
jedimaster1227

jedimaster1227

Active Member
jmvd20 said:
Wasn't the fountain Marni is referring to in front of SSE where the Legacy stuff is now? I don't recall a fountain being there now - just the stones. :veryconfu
Click to expand...

The fountain is still there (half of it at least)... Just picture the former fountain without the crystal-like spires... Because thats all that was removed... The fountain base still exists and continues to act as the fountain it was before- with or without the spires...
 
WDWRLD

WDWRLD

Active Member
Yea its still there but it will always look like its missing something to me. Bring back the acrylic spires.
 
Thorphin

Thorphin

Member
Original Poster
Martin- interesting connections you make - at first I was confused on your horizons comment, but I assume now that you are referring to something similar to the poster design that's currently available on the wikipedia entry for CE3K. I can sort of see it, but I surely hoped for a more interesting connection! Funny what the eye sees when it wants to see something, such as in your overturned fountain blueprint.

While there's no meaning to water coming out of a pile of brown rocks, I still feel like there ought to be some info out there as to the design of the original acryllic fountain. Although, if Martin doesn't know about it, maybe it's lost for all time!

As for the theater, I saw it at the Virginia Theater in Champaign, IL. It's the theater where Robert Ebert has his annual Overlooked Film Festival every April. The city owns the theater and randomly shows films in it, such as CE3K, for $5. Good deal, if I say so!

As a matter of illustration, here are examples of the designs from CE3K (Hope photobucket is ok!):

ce3k_2.jpg


ce3k_1.jpg
 
CThaddeus

CThaddeus

New Member
Also reminds me of the structure at the entrance to Space Mountain and the Atari logo. Maybe everyone in the late 70s/early 80s just thought that was somehow a futuristic design...
 
C

Craig & Lisa

Active Member
The one thing they should do is put back the acryllic monolith that was in the middle of it. That would make it look like it use to. And I don't think that it would change how it looks out in front of SSE, in fact it would improve the looks, IMHO.:D :animwink:
 
Omnispace

Omnispace

Well-Known Member
You all have come up with a lot of excellent similarities to the logo design on the backs of the scientists in the movie!! The particular logo in question is actually for Rockwell International. Rockwell was a heavy industries conglomerate, but their connection to Close Encounters was their involvement in the aerospace industry. They even built the Space Shuttle. I remember taking a special tour of their plant in Downey, CA where they had a full scale mock up of the Shuttle. Considering their importance at the time, it's understandable how Spielberg would include them in his fictitious national effort to make contact with extraterrestrial life. Another example of government working with US industry to improve our lives. :)

I agree that the fountain in front of Spaceship Earth looks empty without the acrylic spires. It's a shame they were removed. It was such an uplifting design which I suppose made it clash with the drab monoliths...
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom