Pictures from 'back in the day'

[epcotisbest]

Yep it would start by the gift shops by the World Showcase entryway and have minor stops..Interestingly you get to see what it looked like with No Norway, A sign by where Equitorial Africa would be and Morrocco being built in this video.

Thanks for sharing this.

 

[MinnieM123]

Yep it would start by the gift shops by the World Showcase entryway and have minor stops..Interestingly you get to see what it looked like with No Norway, A sign by where Equitorial Africa would be and Morrocco being built in this video.

Unless I'm mistaken, I could not see the International Gateway. Was that built years after EPCOT opened?

 

[MinnieM123]

Yes, but they didn't do it for very long, comparatively. As you will notice, people are oblivious to their surroundings. They would sooner step in front of the bus, unaware that it was there, as blow their noses. Somebody was going to get killed or seriously hurt, if that didn't already happen. So, no more buses.

As soon as I started watching that video, I was really surprised to see the bus driving through crowds of people walking (many with their backs to the oncoming bus). I agree, that could have been an accident waiting to happen.

But I really like the idea of that 2-level bus driving around World Showcase, nonetheless. I think the only way this could have worked with more safety in mind, would have been if CMs were positioned along the route to alert the guests that a bus was coming through. The bus driver honked the horn many times and that would get the attention of many people, but not all.

 

[Matt_Black]

Unless I'm mistaken, I could not see the International Gateway. Was that built years after EPCOT opened?

Not years after, but it was somewhat after the opening. If memory serves, it was done to fulfill contractual obligations to the Swan & Dolphin, giving a "back door" and transportation options much like the Monorail does at Disneyland.

 

[fauna]

Tons of great old photos in this thread-

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/1970s-walt-disney-world-photos.726652/

 

[JohnHangen]

Yes, as has already been said, the busses ran all day stopping at all the countries. I used to think I wanted to retire down there and drive one of those, but they are long gone. Guess I'll have to find something else to do during the retirement, but that is awhile away yet.

Please note that the position of train engineer at WDW has been already filled...by me after I retire. Just sayin.....

 

[mergatroid]

Dick Tracy

Teenage mutant ninja turtles

Ace Ventura

What were Disney thinking, circus elephants in Epcot

 

[epcotisbest]

Found this with a Google search...strange.

 

[Matt_Black]

View attachment 95633
Found this with a Google search...strange.

It's like being bombarded with pure 1980s radiation!

 

[epcotisbest]

It's like being bombarded with pure 1980s radiation!

Yeah, I never actually saw this. Can't see how it could have ever fit at Epcot.

 

[WondersOfLife]

View attachment 95633
Found this with a Google search...strange.

What were Disney thinking, circus elephants in Epcot

...This makes me actually appreciate Frozen in Norway...

 

[marni1971]

Unless I'm mistaken, I could not see the International Gateway. Was that built years after EPCOT opened?

Opened 1990.

 

[brb1006]

Riding one of the World Showcase Transportation buses at Epcot. Again, 1983. Upper level. Check out the crowd.
View attachment 94899

Why they get ride of the World Showcase Transportation buses? It was more quicker to head to each country instead of walking.

 

[brb1006]

Back on topic, here is another World Showcase Transportation pic from 1983. I miss those cool little double decker busses.
View attachment 94906

The last time Epcot had a bus, was when they would have various Disney characters ride a bus around World Showcase and have a show and do some meet and greets. I think this was back in the late 90's and early 2000's.

 

[brb1006]

Epcot

I didn't know those character did meet and greets.

 

[epcotisbest]

Why they get ride of the World Showcase Transportation buses? It was more quicker to head to each country instead of walking.

It was just something different, fun and convenient to do. It was not for speed or efficiency in getting around the World Showcase.

 

[epcotisbest]

The last time Epcot had a bus, was when they would have various Disney characters ride a bus around World Showcase and have a show and do some meet and greets. I think this was back in the late 90's and early 2000's.

 

[brb1006]

View attachment 95801

I remember seeing that one of the early 2000's Planning Trips for Walt Disney World.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

As soon as I started watching that video, I was really surprised to see the bus driving through crowds of people walking (many with their backs to the oncoming bus). I agree, that could have been an accident waiting to happen.

But I really like the idea of that 2-level bus driving around World Showcase, nonetheless. I think the only way this could have worked with more safety in mind, would have been if CMs were positioned along the route to alert the guests that a bus was coming through. The bus driver honked the horn many times and that would get the attention of many people, but not all.

I love all things Disney but have to believe this was simply a cost cutting measure, at Disneyland they run buses, horse drawn carriages, fire engines, and cars up and down main street and the hub half the day, all at the same time. It's chaotic but with the whistles, horns, and bells everyone gets out of the way even on the most crowded days.

 

[mergatroid]

I love all things Disney but have to believe this was simply a cost cutting measure, at Disneyland they run buses, horse drawn carriages, fire engines, and cars up and down main street and the hub half the day, all at the same time. It's chaotic but with the whistles, horns, and bells everyone gets out of the way even on the most crowded days.

They still do this at Disney World on Main Street, well at least they were doing last October when we rode one.