1973 Magic Kingdom Parade Donald Duck Photo

Here is a photo from 1973 of the parade at Magic Kingdom.  The photo features Donald Duck riding on a vintage Fire Engine.

1980s Epcot Center Figment Journey Into Imagination Character Patch

Back in the 1980s, Epcot Center sold a number of patches that were themed to the park.  Here is one of the Figment character patches that was for sale.  The patch is still in its original plastic baggie.  The bottom is embroidered (c) 1982 Walt Disney Productions.    

Epcot Center Florida Press Day Guest Badge

On October 2, 1982 a day after the official opening,  Epcot Center held the Florida Press Day where media organizations were invited to experience the new park. This badge would have been given to one of these invitees and worn.

 

1973 View of Disney's Contemporary Resort from the Tomorrowland Skyway Station

This picture shows a view of Disney's Conpemporary Resort taken looking toward the exit at the now extinct Tomorrowland Skyway Station.  The picture in from February of 1973.  It's not clear in the photo whether Space Mountain had begun construction yet or not.  The Walt Disney World Railroad tracks might be visible toward the bottom of the picture.

     

Epcot Center Short Film Donald Duck Video Phone

Here is a bit of a Disney Mystery.  This appears to be an animation cel from an Epcot Center short film with a futuristic Donald Duck using a video phone.  Which film and in what capacity the film was used [education, attraction kiosk] is unknown.  Any thoughts or ideas comment below.  

Walt Disney World 12th Birthday Button Epcot Center Horizons

This month marks the 30th Anniversary of the opening of the classic and much missed Epcot Center attraction Horizons.  Horizons officially opened October 1, 1983 coinciding with the 1st Anniversary of Epcot Center and the 12th Anniversary of Walt Disney World.  As in years past, a button was released for Walt Disney World’s 12th Birthday.  Pictured below, the Horizons 12th Birthday Button is a white plastic button painted on the front in light blue [raised areas] with a glued on pin clasp on the back.  The back also reads (c) 1983 Walt Disney Productions.  Long Live Horizons!  More Horizons posts to come this month. 

 

Walt Disney World Opening Name Tag

When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, most cast members were issued a very simple and somewhat small name tag.  As seen below, the opening name tag is a thin plastic oval with a white surface adhered to a red plastic oval. The cast member’s first name was engraved into the name tag appearing red due to the red plastic used for the name tag.  The oval outline and original WDW Mickey ear logo is in black paint.  A pin clasp was glued onto the back.  This particular version of the name tag was used from 1971 until the mid 1970s when the bicentennial American on Parade name tag came into use.  Not all cast members used this name tag, but it was the most common during the early years of Walt Disney World.