I ran across this link to Waltopia on Savedisney.com and viewed this amazing film of Walt Disney explaining his plans for EPCOT. http://www.waltopia.com/film.html Thought I'd pass it on - if you haven't seen it, take a look. Wow, what a genious Walt was, I was floored to see the incredible optimism for the future he had.

It's the ultimate business plan, but done in a way no one else could get away with - presented with honesty and charm - and a real period piece.

I don't think anyone who runs Disney will ever create the kind of excitement he could. In light of Disneyland's 50th announcements you realize how trivial everything they are doing today is compared to the grandiose plans the master had. True showman of the 20th century and a genius!! No I don't think we'll see another like him.

I'd be interested to view any reactions to it, especially from those who have never seen it.

Hmm, well since I can't seem to get the film beyond the plaque in town square, I can't give an opinion. :(

"The EPCOT Film," as it is sometimes known, is expected to be on the Tomorrowland DVD in this month's Walt Disney Treasures release. I'm looking forward to owning it on DVD.

If you have a slower connection to the internet, then it will take quite along time to download the whole film. A little patience is needed for this Uncle Walt treat. :fez:

I saw this film when I was a child, probably on Wonderful World of Disney. Between that and the model on the top level of the Carousel of Progress at Disneyland, I was intrigued. I wanted to live in Epcot when it was finished.

I was sorely disappointed when they opened it and from what I saw on TV, it was just another theme park, not a real city. It seemed nothing at all what Walt had envisioned.

He was such a visionary. Although in retrospect, I don't think the project as originally planned could work (No birds or animals in the domed downtown area? No retired grandparents allowed? How do the disabled get to and from home on the WedWay?) I think there are a lot of elements still worth exploring in city planning.

Thanks for the link!

You're welcome. I found it interesting that his plans were, well, optimistic; and very naive to us now. You get a sense from his narration that he is throwing out the ideas like he would a story of a film, to see what works. What doesn't work would be thrown aside, and what does would be expanded on.
Yes, no grandparents sitting in the park, no birds downtown - very sterile. Also interesting is that the Disney town of Celebration in Florida today is almost the opposite of Walt's original plan. It is a retirement community really - no one works there (if they can afford to buy property there!!). But it has a sterile feeling also. It had it when it opened and it has it today. Kind of like the 'Stepford' community.
But what intriques me about the original version is the emphasis on mass transit in the initial plan and working out how everything would flow. I wonder if the original EPCOT as planned, had actually been built, would it be a deserted curiosity by now, or something still thriving?

great link! I really enjoyed watching this film. Makes me miss the old Vault Disney on the Disney Channel. :crying:

I was sorely disappointed when they opened it and from what I saw on TV, it was just another theme park, not a real city. It seemed nothing at all what Walt had envisioned.

Agree.

But that's because what opened in Florida was called EPCOT Center. At that time the official "pushed" story was that this wasn't actually the fulfillment of Walt's whole dream, just sorta the first part. The World's Fair part. EPCOT was supposed to fan out around EPCOT Center and other parts of this central core area.

Of course that story and that spin quickly changed, and they soon chopped the "Center" part off and now it's just Epcot. A theme park. Some at Imagineering still consider the entire Florida property EPCOT.

But that's because what opened in Florida was called EPCOT Center. At that time the official "pushed" story was that this wasn't actually the fulfillment of Walt's whole dream, just sorta the first part. The World's Fair part. EPCOT was supposed to fan out around EPCOT Center and other parts of this central core area.
I think that would go well with the Disneyland Legend - Fact or Myth thread.

Of course that story and that spin quickly changed, and they soon chopped the "Center" part off and now it's just Epcot. A theme park. Some at Imagineering still consider the entire Florida property EPCOT.
It wasn't really that quick. It took twelve years to make the change. (New name debuted as "Epcot '94," then annual versions through (I believe) "Epcot '96," before finally becoming the trademarkable "Epcot."

I've heard that full-property EPCOT idea before. While I can see it a little bit (AVAC system, utilidors, etc.), it doesn't really work large-scale. A good try on their part, though.