Welcome back to 40 Days to 40 Years; a series that records 40 years of magical Disney memories. We are rapidly approaching the 40th Anniversary of EPCOT, and today, our guest author and esteemed blogger Stuart, founder of everyone’s favorite WDW Fan Zone, will take us back to Epcot’s 10th Anniversary. It’s EPCOT 1992.
EPCOT 1992
Back To The Future World – EPCOT 1992
In 1992 EuroDisney park opened in Paris, France. At Walt Disney World the Walt Disney Story closed its doors in the Magic Kingdom but Splash Mountain opens in Frontierland wowing audiences with its high-tech audio animatronics. 1992 was also the year Voyage of the Little Mermaid opened at Disney’s MGM Studios in the Animation Courtyard.
There were two new resorts added to Walt Disney World property, Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Dixie Landings Resort. Over at Pleasure Island the Cage nightclub was closed and re-themed as a dance club, 8 Trax. Though not a new addition to Disney World but certainly not to be overlooked was the milestone reached by Epcot Center which celebrated its 10 year anniversary on October 1, 1992.
World Showcase
Back in 1992, there were 11 countries holding residence in World Showcase and in 2012 those same countries still comprise that section of the park. Quite a few changes have taken place in World Showcase since 1992. Some of the restaurants have been re-themed and re-named and World Showcase pavilions have been refurbished as well. However, the changes in World Showcase do not compare to what has taken place in Epcot’s Future World. In 1992, there were 10 Future World pavilions and today there are 8.
Future World
So, what was Future World like during Epcot’s 10th Anniversary year? To find out we begin our journey back in time to Epcot’s Future World 1992.
Spaceship Earth: Sponsored by AT&T – This attraction takes you through the history of communication culminating with a satellite view of planet earth.
CommuniCore East: Backstage Magic – Learn about computers Energy Exchange – Presented by Exxon information on future energy options Future World Brass & Future Corps: Band performances Character Appearances – Meet Disney characters at the Odyssey Restaurants Places to eat – Stargate Restaurant & Beverage Base
EPCOT CommuniCore West: FutureCom – Presented by AT&T high-tech telecommunications Expo Robotics – Robots sketch portraits Epcot Outreach – Get answers to technical questions about Disney and Epcot Epcot Teacher’s Center – Find educational media and study guides here Places to eat – Sunrise Terrace
Both Communicore East and West closed their doors in January 1994. This area reopened in 1994 as Innoventions East & West
Universe of Energy: Sponsored by Exxon – Ride this attraction in solar powered cars and travel through time from Dinosaurs to the future of energy alternatives
Universe of Energy underwent a refurbishment in 1996 and reopened as Ellen’s Energy Adventure.
The Living Seas: Sponsored by United Technologies – Travel to a manmade coral reef known as Sea Base Alpha where you can talk to divers and explore the living seas Places to eat – The Coral Reef
The Living Seas underwent an extensive refurbishment and reopened in 2006 as The Seas With Nemo & Friends
Wonders of Life Pavilion
The Wonders of Life: Sponsored by Met Life this was a smoke free pavilion
- Body Wars – Simulator ride travels through the human body
- Cranium Command – An amusing look at the workings of a 12 year old brain The making of Me – A film presentation on the beginnings of human life
- AnaComical Players – Fun to watch improvisational skits Coach’s Corner – Have your baseball, tennis and golf swing assessed
- Frontiers of Medicine – Updates on medical research Wonders Cycles – for exercise
- Goofy About Health – An animated look at your health Sensory Funhouse – Test your senses here
- Met Lifestyle Revue – Take a health survey
This pavilion closed permanently on January 1, 2007.
Horizons: Sponsored by GE – This attraction begins with a DNA model and takes you to a shuttle launch then explore the future in space, sea and the desert
Horizons closed forever on January 9, 1999 and the pavilion was then removed.
The Land: Sponsored by Nestle USA
- Harvest Theater – Learn about our connection with the land
- -Kitchen Kabaret – Vaudeville type show on nutrition
- Listen To The Land – Take a boat ride through agricultural technologies of the future
- Greenhouse Tour – Make reservations for a 45 minute greenhouse walking tour
- Places to eat – The Land Grille Room & Farmers Market Food Court
World of Motion: Sponsored by General Motors – Tour the progress of the mobility of civilization Transcenter – Preview new GM cars and transportation of the future
World of Motion was closed January 2, 1996. The pavilion was re-themed as a new attraction, Test Track which officially opened on March 17, 1999.
Journey Into Imagination: Sponsored by Kodak Magic Eye Theater
- Explore Captain EO an innovative 3D musical space movie adventure from George Lucas starring Michael Jackson and directed by Francis Coppola
- The Image Works – A creative and imaginative play area Character Appearances
- Dreamfinder & Figment
Journey Into Imagination was rehabbed in 1998 and reopened in 1999 under a new name Imagination.
EPCOT’s 10th Anniversary
I hope you enjoyed your journey back in time to Epcot’s Future World 1992! Wishing EPCOT a very Happy 40th Anniversary!