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Why is Epcot where it is?

tdonald

tdonald

Active Member
Original Poster
I've always wondered why Disney decided to build Epcot so far south from MK. Was it just because that was Walt's original spot for it in the 60's? As far as I know there's nothing "wrong" with the land between MK and Epcot. There must have been a good reason to build it far away, considering how much it must have cost to extend the monorail, and if it was close enough, they could have even just added to MK's massive parking lot and have everyone park in one huge lot.

Anyone have an explanation? I'd like to hear everyone's theories because I'm sure there are many.
 
DisneyDellsDude

DisneyDellsDude

New Member
Remember, EPCOT Center was actually supposed to be a city. It would have been the center and main focus of WDW, so it's in the actual center of WDW.
 
Wilt Dasney

Wilt Dasney

Well-Known Member
All of the later theme parks are a good bit south of MK. I've always assumed it was to keep MK separated from everything else.
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
The EPCOT plot is one of the 3 highest areas on property - the others being LBV and the MK area.

A lot of the land north of EPCOT is unsuitable for this scale of development. The original World Showcase was to have been built north and west of EPCOT, roughly where EPCOT Center and World Drives meet - but the site reverted to Walts original location for the city, since preliminary surveys had indicated this was least prone to flooding.
 
T

tigfan

New Member
tdonald said:
I've always wondered why Disney decided to build Epcot so far south from MK. Was it just because that was Walt's original spot for it in the 60's? As far as I know there's nothing "wrong" with the land between MK and Epcot. There must have been a good reason to build it far away, considering how much it must have cost to extend the monorail, and if it was close enough, they could have even just added to MK's massive parking lot and have everyone park in one huge lot.

Anyone have an explanation? I'd like to hear everyone's theories because I'm sure there are many.
Click to expand...

If you have never seen this video, check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9M3pKsrcc8

It is of Walt explaining the original plan for Epcot.
 
tdonald

tdonald

Active Member
Original Poster
marni1971 said:
The EPCOT plot is one of the 3 highest areas on property - the others being LBV and the MK area.

A lot of the land north of EPCOT is unsuitable for this scale of development. The original World Showcase was to have been built north and west of EPCOT, roughly where EPCOT Center and World Drives meet - but the site reverted to Walts original location for the city, since preliminary surveys had indicated this was least prone to flooding.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. I knew it was the original location for Epcot... I just didn't know why it had to be there.

BTW, does that mean there will never be much built in that area?
 
maryszhi

maryszhi

Well-Known Member
i have alot of theories however: (this is what I think)
A. to give distance so the theming wouldnt be interupted
B. How it was going to be a town with people living there
C. they just liked the location
D. the space they needed
 

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