What attractions are still like they were on day 1?

[PBarton]

Hi,

Not posted for a while... Married life! :animwink:

I was just wondering which attractions are still in their original form, as they were on opening day?

For example, if I was to ride Peter Pans Flight tomorrow (I wish!) would it be exactly as it was on opening day, and if not, what has been changed? And if a ride has been altered, what has been changed (for example, changes to the ending of Snow White's Scary Adventure).

That question also applies to any attractions at Epcot or Disney/MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom is too recent to matter really!

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

Oh man this is a tough question.

Ok so opening day for MK was October 1, 1971


Main Street USA:

Some of the facades of the buildings are the same as they were in 1971, though simply repainted. Many more buildings were later added in, west street was demolished in 2001. The various main street transportation vehciles might be original from 2001.

The majority of the castle is original from 1971 though it has gone through repainting schemes over the years.

Peter Pan might be almost nearly identical to what it was in 1971, what has changed I'm not sure.

The fantasyland skyway station is also mostly unchanged from 1971.

toontown area wasn't even around....

the tomorrowland skyway station is also mostly unchanged from 1971

some of the lamposts in tomorrowland date back to 1971 as does some of the planters and seating areas.

the tomorrowland terrace now called cosmic ray's starlight cafe is very much what it was in 1971, just new chairs tables color scheme and carpeting

nothing else I can think of in tomorrowland

in liberty square the haunted mansion is very and *sadly technologicaly* close to what it was in 1971....NEEDS TLC!!!

the facades of liberty square, the liberty bell, and tree very much the same from 1971.

fronteirland I guess you could say some of the facades and most of the country bear jamboree

adventureland the swiss family tree house, much of the enchanted tiki room and sunshine tree terrace *their newer upgrades are more obvious i.e. the under new management show*

the facades of the long closed adventureland veranda...ughh prime realestate for that restaurant. Much of the jungle cruise ride is the same from 1971. I personally miss the victorain canopies over the boats.

and that's really all I can think of.

I'm sure there's more, but the far majority of it has had some significant or visible alteration to it since 1971.

 

[PBarton]

Oh man this is a tough question.

Ok so opening day for MK was October 1, 1971


Main Street USA:

Some of the facades of the buildings are the same as they were in 1971, though simply repainted. Many more buildings were later added in, west street was demolished in 2001. The various main street transportation vehciles might be original from 2001.

The majority of the castle is original from 1971 though it has gone through repainting schemes over the years.

Peter Pan might be almost nearly identical to what it was in 1971, what has changed I'm not sure.

The fantasyland skyway station is also mostly unchanged from 1971.

toontown area wasn't even around....

the tomorrowland skyway station is also mostly unchanged from 1971

some of the lamposts in tomorrowland date back to 1971 as does some of the planters and seating areas.

the tomorrowland terrace now called cosmic ray's starlight cafe is very much what it was in 1971, just new chairs tables color scheme and carpeting

nothing else I can think of in tomorrowland

in liberty square the haunted mansion is very and *sadly technologicaly* close to what it was in 1971....NEEDS TLC!!!

the facades of liberty square, the liberty bell, and tree very much the same from 1971.

fronteirland I guess you could say some of the facades and most of the country bear jamboree

adventureland the swiss family tree house, much of the enchanted tiki room and sunshine tree terrace *their newer upgrades are more obvious i.e. the under new management show*

the facades of the long closed adventureland veranda...ughh prime realestate for that restaurant. Much of the jungle cruise ride is the same from 1971. I personally miss the victorain canopies over the boats.

and that's really all I can think of.

I'm sure there's more, but the far majority of it has had some significant or visible alteration to it since 1971.

Wow, you have done your homework there for sure! :sohappy:

This is exactly the sort of answer that I was looking for! Anything for Epcot/MGM?

 

[mousermerf]

Epcot.. umm..

*thinks hard*

The large open plaza behind the Fountain of Nations as you approach World Showcase still has the giant original EPCOT Center logo in the ground.

The wall, the thermal mosaic, as you enter the preshow at the Universe of Energy is the same.

That's about it. Even the countries have changed things around, from renaming and moving shops and restuarants.. not much is the same or in the same location at Epcot. El Rio del Tiempo is about as close to being original as you can get, and so is Impressions de France.

None of Future World remains though save for a few trees and shrubs or something minor like that. A tree/shrub of importance.. the large square hedges behind Innoventions which face Energy are originals. They were part of a large landscape pattern that pointed toward Horizons. The others in the area died because the soil of the area has a layer of hard clay, so once they reached a certain height, they couldn't get any bigger.

That's about it though...

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

Epcot:

Much of the entire entrance area of Epcot continues to remain the same. You can find alot of original directional singage to telephone, guest relations, restrooms, etc.

The architecutre of spaceship earth, its two winged buildings are very much the same, expect for some color scheme changes over the years. The most outer ring of flower planters in the entrance area are original from 1982 as are some of their trees.

The majority of Spaceship Earth (cavemen to the early 20th century) are mostly the same, but please not that the narration used to describe them has changed three times. 1982, 1986, and 1994 respectively.

The basic design of Innoventions East and West are somewhat the same, as wall as the central fountain, otherwise entirely redone in the past few years.

One can still find carpeting in Innoventions West that still has the old communicore carpeting in it, possibly dating back to 1982.

The mosaic murals on the entrance to the land are original from 1982, as well are the structural designs of the imagination pavilion, test track, and universe of energy.

One can still ride the original universe of energy theater vehicles, and can see the original unchanged 1982 tiled mural when entering the area.

The odyssey pavilion/building might be original from 1982 in some way shape or form.

Much of world showcase is the same.

The american adventure has a new ending and technology dating back to 1993, otherwise everything else is from 1982.

Impressions de France and O' Canada are both original films from 1982...that's not nessicerally a good thing.

Mexico is much the same from 1982, but will soon be closing in january for a refurbishment.




MGM...

the entrance area and many of the facades of the buildings on hollywood and mickey blvd are the same.

Much of the great movie ride is the same from 1989.

The earful tower is the same, with the exception of being repainted with new designs and logos on it over the years.

some of the backlot is also original from 1989.

Basically everything else was added in after opening day May 1, 1989 with the exception of the backlot tour *now heavily refurbished and changed over the years* and the great movie ride *somewhat changed*

 

[marni1971]

I thought the EPCOT logo was ironically part of the `94 overhaul? Had it in my head it used to be a round planter.

The Epcot Monorail station, and plaza side buildings are pretty much the same, apart from the colour scheme. I *think* the bus station still has the plexiglass roof over part of it too. Earthstation looks virtually the same from the outside, and arn`t the `82 murals still on the walls in The Lands entrance?

Main showbuildings themselves are pretty much the same in Epcot and MGM as they were when built; apart from signage and colour. The biggest change you`ll see is how the foliage has grown if you compare retro pics to todays views. Look at Indy for example.

edit... Expo beat me to it with another list :wave:

I forgot the Odyssey. Apart from paint it`s 1982 vintage. As the inside may possibly be too. Same for the Imageworks; that seems to be a time capsule by its very nature (what`s left anyway)

 

[PBarton]

This is great - there are some really knowledgable members on this site!

Respect!

:king:

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

Yup the large EPCOT Center logo in the plaza was from a much later rehab. It was really just a large circular planter with a flagpole in it.

P.S. Martin last night I downloaded and watched your ultimate Tmrrland Tribute part 1: great as always can't wait to see the rest!

 

[marni1971]

Dig a little deeper..... the very first permenant building in WDW is still there, and looks virtually as it did in 1970; on the north side of Hotel Plaza Blvd. it`s the single story, square building that looks like it has a McDonalds shaped roof. The original WDW Preview Center. Now The Amateur Athletics Union.

Expo; gload you liked the vid :wave:

PBarton; welcome back!

 

[PBarton]

Dig a little deeper..... the very first permenant building in WDW is still there, and looks virtually as it did in 1970; on the north side of Hotel Plaza Blvd. it`s the single story, square building that looks like it has a McDonalds shaped roof. The original WDW Preview Center. Now The Amateur Athletics Union.

Expo; gload you liked the vid :wave:

PBarton; welcome back!

We miss most of these places, such as the Hotel Plaza Blvd. as we never rent a car, and rely on Disney Bus transportation. I would love to just spend a day driving up, down and all around the Walt Disney World property - probably a chore to most local residents, but it would be great!

Been married 7 months now!:animwink:

 

[utrythinkinof1]

Not to divert this thread but I just have one nagging question that I've been meaning to ask but didn't find a proper thread to ask it in! this one seems good enough. What does the EPCOT Center logo mean and why/when did they get rid of them?

 

[Epcot82Guy]

If I remember correctly, the logo's official statement was not really released. However, it was meant to symbolize the cooperative effort of improvement and achievement (there is a nice explanation here on WDWMagic). It had a lot of different elements that people have interpreted. HOwever, it started to disappear in the mid-90's. The Millenium celebration became sort of the final end of the Epcot logos. Basically, they have been removing logos when appropriate and not replacing them (despite some of us who would like the return of some new logos).

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

As far as I know the EPCOT Center logo, while it does technically represent the entire park, it really only pertains to Future World.

In the center of the logo is an abastract depiction of Earth with latitude and longitude lines. Similar to the Mickey Mouse face in the original WDW logo.

Around Earth are 5 circles. Each circle represents the 5 original futureworld pavilions present on opening day.

Communciation: Spaceship Earth

Communications Core: Communicore

Energy: Universe of Energy

Transporatation: World of Motion

Land: The Land

Notice Imagination is not on the list...I believe it was used on and off with the Land.

the logos for the pavilions and EPCOT Center disappeared overtime simply because during the 90s they represented what Disney was trying to get away from...EPCOT Center...and yet with vintage and retro popular these days...new logos would be nice to see...once again reconnecting the elements of Future World.

 

[marni1971]

I would love to just spend a day driving up, down and all around the Walt Disney World property - probably a chore to most local residents, but it would be great!

Off topic a little, but I did this on our last visit (thanks Michelle!)

- talk about an untouristy geek. We went to Team Disney, took pictures of the sundial (don`t laugh), walked the ramp in casting, went into the SunBank building (historical significance, not for money), and drove around the East service area (oooh look - another huge shed...) and finally got lost on Reems (sp?) Rd.

My, the fun. You should see the list for next time. Yes, it includes stopping at the Hess Station at the MK (remember when it was the Gulf Car Care Center..?)

PBarton - congrats BTW! :wave:

 

[tirian]

the logos for the pavilions and EPCOT Center disappeared overtime simply because during the 90s they represented what Disney was trying to get away from...EPCOT Center...and yet with vintage and retro popular these days...new logos would be nice to see...once again reconnecting the elements of Future World.

You know, the sad part is that many companies are now trying to get away from needing text so that they can enhance their brand consciousness with a simple symbol; yet Epcot doesn't have its logos anymore. Target, Apple, Best Buy, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren are great examples of the icon recognition. Target doesn't even put its name on the front of its salespaper anymore.

Meanwhile, Imagineering has removed the original Future World logos (which, by the way, still look very futuristic) and replaced them with Microsoft Word-quality "Word Art." Talk about taking a huge step backwards in design trends!

 

[unkadug]

You know, the sad part is that many companies are now trying to get away from needing text so that they can enhance their brand consciousness with a simple symbol; yet Epcot doesn't have its logos anymore. Target, Apple, Best Buy, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren are great examples of the icon recognition. Target doesn't even put its name on the front of its salespaper anymore.

Meanwhile, Imagineering has removed the original Future World logos (which, by the way, still look very futuristic) and replaced them with Microsoft Word-quality "Word Art." Talk about taking a huge step backwards in design trends!

Trends are just that. They go in cycles and eventually come back full circle.


So whether WDW is/was ahead of the game or was/is extremely behind is the only question. :lookaroun

Off topic a little, but I did this on our last visit (thanks Michelle!)

- talk about an untouristy geek. We went to Team Disney, took pictures of the sundial (don`t laugh), walked the ramp in casting, went into the SunBank building (historical significance, not for money), and drove around the East service area (oooh look - another huge shed...) and finally got lost on Reems (sp?) Rd.

My, the fun. You should see the list for next time. Yes, it includes stopping at the Hess Station at the MK (remember when it was the Gulf Car Care Center..?)

PBarton - congrats BTW! :wave:

Actually, that sounds like alot of fun (in a non-touristy sort of way) :wave:

 

[mousermerf]

Meanwhile, Imagineering has removed the original Future World logos (which, by the way, still look very futuristic) and replaced them with Microsoft Word-quality "Word Art." Talk about taking a huge step backwards in design trends!

Computer design geeks. I blame them.

They're font-junkies. They're the ones who only use cyber models (why the concept art for M:I is not so great looking and computer rendered boring) and think that lighting design can be done entirely via computer.. which is really not the case.

Computer are tool, but not the final medium. Neglecting the physicality of their medium is their downfall.

 

[csaribay]

You know, I really love the Epcot logos and sometimes fail to understand why they were phased out. Modernization is one thing, but so is heritage. You can update old classics and make them just as compelling (if not more so) as they were on their premier date.

Take for instance the great updates Gedeon Maheux (of Iconfactory fame) of the Epcot Logos ("Epcot Network Nodes").

 

[Rob562]

Nice logos. But where's the Wonders of Life logo? (Yes, it had a logo. Not a very widely used one, but it had one)

-Rob

 

[tirian]

Computer design geeks. I blame them.

They're font-junkies. They're the ones who only use cyber models (why the concept art for M:I is not so great looking and computer rendered boring) and think that lighting design can be done entirely via computer.. which is really not the case.

Computer are tool, but not the final medium. Neglecting the physicality of their medium is their downfall.

I am a designer, but not for Imagineering.

Most good designers despise those display fonts...

...but apparently not the ones that made the newer Epcot logos!

P.S. To a previous post: Iconography is hardly a "trend"; it's been around for thousands of years. :wave: