Disney News

For many years, Walt Disney envisioned an Utopian city of the future. His ideas for his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow – or EPCOT for short – were part of the “Florida Project” plans.

Opened on October 1, 1982, EPCOT Center was a park inspired by Walt’s vision. The park served as a showcase for innovation, cutting edge technology, and international cultural achievements. EPCOT Center was a discovery park!

Plans for EPCOT Center were announced just 4 years before opening. The park would open with two “lands” – Future World and World Showcase. Future World would showcase the land, the seas, communication, imagination, energy, and technology. World Showcase would feature 9 countries and their respective cultural heritage, arts and entertainment. From ground breaking to opening day, the 305 acres park took exactly 3 years to construct.

EPCOT Center has seen plenty of changes over its 30 year history, even to the parks name. In 1994, EPCOT Center was renamed  to Epcot®. World Showcase has added two additional pavilions since opening day (Morocco and Norway) and many of Future World’s attractions have changed.

On Oct. 1, 1982, E. Cardon Walker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Walt Disney Productions, presented EPCOT Center to the world during an opening ceremony. 30 years later, we think Epcot® is still living up to its name and holds true to the words inscribed on its dedication plaque. The plaque reads:

To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship, welcome.

Epcot Center is inspired by Walt Disney’s creative genius.  Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, the wonders of enterprise, and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all.

May Epcot Center entertain, inform and inspire.  And, above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man’s ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere

This offer is no longer valid. Please click here to view all current Walt Disney World® Resort specials.

The holidays are the most magical time to visit the Walt Disney World® Resort! Cast Members use over 150 tractor-trailer loads of decorations to decorate the entire resort! Guests delight over the 16 foot tall gingerbread house inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the retelling of the Christmas Story at Epcot’s® nightly Candlelight Processional, and the amazing display of Christmas spirit at the The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. And that’s just the beginning!

Now’s your chance to experience this blend of yuletide traditions and Christmas cheer in Florida’s own “wintry wonderland,” the Walt Disney World® Resort! For a limited time, guests can save up to 30% at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights Nov. 1, 2012 – Nov. 16, 2012 and Nov. 24, 2012 – Dec. 22, 2012!

Offer Details:

Book by Oct. 31, 2012, for stays most nights Nov. 1, 2012 – Nov. 16, 2012 and Nov. 24, 2012 – Dec. 22, 2012 and:

• Save 15% – 20% at Disney’s Value Resorts (excluding Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Little Mermaid Standard Rooms)
• Save 20% – 25% at Disney’s Moderate Resorts (excluding Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort)
• Save 15% – 20% at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (excluding Magic Kingdom® Park view), Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani/Jambo club level rooms and 2-bedroom villas)
• Save 25% – 30% at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (standard view), Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani/Jambo standard view rooms and 1-bedroom villas), Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

Ask your Magic Maker® about adding tickets and dining to this promotion for even more savings! As with all Walt Disney World® Resort special offers, availability is limited so contact us today!

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Length of stay requirements may apply. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Additional per adult charges apply if more than two adults per room. Excludes 3-bedroom villas and is not valid at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – The Little Mermaid rooms. Advance reservations required. No group rates or other discounts apply.

This weekend, thousands of runners and their families have traveled to the Walt Disney World® Resort to take part in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler Weekend. This runDisney event consists of three race – Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler, the Disney Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run, and a runDisney Kids’ Races.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler is a reincarnation of a scarily popular 13K race that was last held in 2009. Kicking off tonight at 10p, it is one of only two runDisney races that takes place at night! Starting and ending inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, the course takes runners through the set of Lights, Motors, Action!® Extreme Stunt Show® and past the iconic Sorcerer Mickey’s Hat. Appropriately enough, the race finishes near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ attraction.

After the race, runners and their families can enjoy a special Disney Villains Hollywood Bash where they can celebrate their recent accomplishment until 4a. Attendees will enjoy a live DJ, character meet and greets with Disney Villains, and many of their favorite Disney’s Hollywood Studios® attractions including Rock ‘n Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith and Toy Story Mania!®.

runDisney hosts many different events throughout the year at both the Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort. Earlier this year, our Magic Maker® Joe DeFazio shared his experiences from participating in a runDisney event. You can read all about it here.

For a list of runDisney events and details on how to get registered, contact your Magic Maker®.

On Monday, Epcot® will celebrate it’s 30th Anniversary at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Along with some special events, Epcot’s® merchandising team will make available some great items to commemorate the event.

While many of the items will go on sale starting today at various Epcot® merchandise locations located throughout Future World and the World Showcase, some items will not be available until Monday.

Much of the merchandise plays off of past designs, attractions, and characters that have been found at Epcot® over the past 30 years. How many do you recognize?

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