World of Motion Ramp by FigmentJedi on Flickr.
This is the first time I’ve read about this. Amazing find!
Son et Lumière: A Rare Look at EPCOT Center’s First Night Spectacular
These rare 1982 press shots gives us a rare insight to one of EPCOT Center’s shortest lived and obscurest shows: Carnival de Lumière.
The precursor to the now famous line of IllumiNations shows, Carnival was rather basic, in the fact that it only preformed on the entrance part of World Showcase Promenade. Instead of the quadrant of barges that form a loop in the center of World Showcase Lagoon, as in IllumiNations, Carnival had a fan of three barges that stretched from Mexico to Canada, much in the same way Disneyland’s World of Color is preformed today. The barges were solely for the purposes of projecting imagery onto large screens of misted water, a precursor to Laserphonic Fantasy employing actual lasers to paint bright shapes and images on larger curtains of water. Above, note the fountains positioned higher up, and being shot “down” into the lagoon, so as to be screens for the projections.
Pyrotechnics, meanwhile, were launched from smaller barges in between the fountain barges, and provided for a seamless line of spectacle across the northern shores of World Showcase Lagoon. The pyro effects weren’t as large as today’s presentations, but an assortment of comets, bursts, and streamers were used to accent the musical score.
Although there are no known recordings of the score, we can surmise that it was much like Laserphonic Fantasy’s: the original IllumiNations score, but under the guise of a heavy synthesizer.
However, despite all these negative qualifiers, this was the first! The first EPCOT Center night show that used the classical music of the nations of World Showcase, and the technical wizardry of Future World. A perfect synthesis for the grand and inspiring showcase that EPCOT Center is.
Seriously, andrew-jason, keep this awesome EPCOT gifs coming!
hanging with the internationals…
EPCOT Center Opening Ceremony, October 1, 1982
EPCOT Center (Mission: SPACE) late 2003/early 2004
‘One of the archways in the queue of the Body Wars attraction (long-closed) inside the Wonders of Live Pavilion. This photo was taken in December, 2007.’
Let’s start off March with some FRENCH PLUTO!
This chiot mignon has seen only two changes in his France pavilion outfit over the past 30 years. The first pic dates from 1988, which depicts his more artistic side in his painter’s smock. I like how the gray and dark burgundy hues of his costume reflect the mute, monochromatic color scheme of the pavilion - a natural fit, in fact.
In 1994, with the decision to add more “character” in EPCOT and thus more interest from children who didn’t “get” EPCOT Center, the Omnibus that once catered guests around WS was re-utilized and tacky-fied for Mickey and the gang to come out and meet guests in country appropriate attire. Here’s where we see Pluto’s French outfit redesigned to reflect a more cartoony aspect of the pavilion for kids - note the huge beret tuft and bow. Also note how bright the reds and blues contrast with the pavilion’s color scheme now.
The last pic is from this year’s 5K Family Fun Run. Though I prefer his first costume, I do appreciate that they are reusing the 1994 redesign. After all, they could have just used his default collar self instead.
Dreamfinder and Figment in a 1986 postcard (source: flickr/imagineeringmyway).
Best Doctor and Companion ever.
And I’m so tempted to cosplay the Dreamcatcher. Kilt, vacuum hose, brass steampunk bits and bobs, and a stuffed Figment toy…
President Ronald Reagan made two visits to Epcot during his presidency. The first took place March 8, 1983, where he appeared at the park to address international students who would work at World Showcase. The President returned in 1985 to hold his second-term inaugural celebration at Epcot, which included a parade around World Showcase.
Awesome Dreamfinder costume!
Tomorrow’s Child - Spaceship Earth
Oh, classic EPCOT Center. How I miss the overall ‘positive futurism’ tone and content, and music of the 1982 - 1990 or so park.
