Wandering the World
1/2/07

Journey back to the early 1980s...


As we ring in the New Year, Tom McPherson takes us to an earlier time in Disney's history -- these photos were taken from 1982 through 1984. He notes:

"The children in the pictures are our daughter, Heather, and our son, Craig. The kids have grown up and WDW has certainly grown so much since then. I remember calling for hotel reservations in February 1982 for the opening of EPCOT the following October. They were completely booked for the Polynesian and the Contemporary hotels for the entire month of October, but wide open availability started November 1. I then realized that Disney had set aside all the rooms for the media and VIPs. So... not being a relative of John Hench or any other Disney executive, we went in November."

MAGIC KINGDOM
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
20,000 Leagues

20,000 Leagues
under the Sea
20,000 Leagues

20,000 Leagues
under the Sea
20,000 Leagues

20,000 Leagues
under the Sea
20,000 Leagues

20,000 Leagues
under the Sea
EPCOT
Image Works (Imagination)

Image Works (Imagination)
The Land >

The Land

Kitchen Kaberet - The Land
When Epcot opened, there were no Disney characters, however there were characters representing the countries of World Showcase.