DBC’s History Lesson: Epcot Idea in 1966

Note: DBC stands for Disney By Chris.

For our history lesson for today, let’s go back to 1966.

Walt Disney showed his viewers on television his Disney World Project in Florida. First he showed his his idea for a theme park in Florida. It’s similar to his Disneyland Park in California.

Then, he showed his:

Experimental

Prototype

Community

Of

Tomorrow

He called it Epcot!!

Walt’s Original Idea was to make Epcot a city.

Which includes: Recreational Parks, A Big Hotel, Convention and City Centers, Monorail and PeopleMover Stations, etc.

However, Walt passed away on December 15, 1966 and the Epcot plan was on hold.

After the Magic Kingdom Park in Florida opened in 1971, Disney Imagineers wanted to revive the Epcot project.

Instead of making it into a city, they decided to make Epcot a second Disney park in Florida. Disney Imagineers did that because they can’t run a city without Walt’s supervision.

Epcot was later opened to the public on October 1, 1982. 30 years ago!!!

That’s our history lesson for today!!!

PeopleMover

This is one of the most popular Tomorrowland attractions of all time. The PeopleMover was first opened at Disneyland in 1967 and it was closed in 1995. Rocket Rods replaced it in 1998.  That attraction didn’t last long as well.  We’ll talk more about it in the future.
Eight years after Disneyland opened it, Disney Imagineers opened another one in 1975 at the Magic Kingdom in Florida. However, they called it the “WED-way PeopleMover” and later in 1994, it was renamed once again the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. The one in Florida is still open today.
Check back later and see which current Tomorrowland attractions in the Magic Kingdom can be seen as part of the PeopleMover tour.

DBC’s History Lesson: The Hall of Presidents

Note: DBC Stands for Disney By Chris
For our History Lesson for today, let’s go back to 1993 at the Magic Kingdom Park in Florida.
The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square was closed so the Imagineers could create and install the Audio-Animatronics figure of Bill Clinton, who was elected President of the United States in 1992.
Disney Imagineers recorded President Clinton’s voice and he became be the first of the U.S. Presidents to provide his own voice for the Animatronics' figure. 
Since then, the current U.S. President now provides his/her voice for the Audio-Animatronics figure designed after them. A new president is added every time the People of the United States elect him/her into The White House.
That’s our History Lesson for today!!!!

C.A.T. (Chris’s Attraction Trivia): The Haunted Mansion # 1

Did you know there are a couple of famous Voice Overs in The Haunted Mansion?
Paul Frees as The Ghost Host.
Paul was best known as Ludwig Von Drake and as Boris from Rocky and Bullwinkle. He was the narrator of the 1959 Academy Award nominated short Donald in MathMagic Land.
He also did narrations for other attractions including Adventure Through Inner Space and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
Thurl Ravenscroft aka Tony the Tiger as One of the Singing Busts.
Thurl was the voice of the Narrator of the Mark Twain Riverboat, Fritz the Bird from Enchanted Tiki Room, and as one of the singing pirates in Pirates Of The Caribbean. 
Candy Candido as The Ghost Prisoner in the Graveyard.
Most recognizable as the voice of The Indian Chief in the 1953 Disney Film, Peter Pan and as the voice of Fidget in The Great Mouse Detective in 1986.
Eleanor Audley as Madame Leota.
Best Known as the voice of The Evil Stepmother in Cinderella and as Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty.
And also,
Kat Cressida as The Black Widow Bride.
This is the new character that was added in 2007 at both Disneyland Park and Florida’s Magic Kingdom Park.
Kat was remembered  for her work on television for both Cartoon Network and NBC Sports.
Here’s the pictures of the Black Widow Bride.
Photos by disneybychris.



Now, All of you are wondering,
How did Disney Imagineers create these Ghosts for The Haunted Mansion?
All will be revealed when you check back.