Starport 75

Orlando Sentinel Special Section – 10/27/71

DizWiz — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:03:11 +0000

This is a special section from the October 27, 1971 publication of The Orlando Sentinel. This is an editorial section that covers the Grand Opening celebrations that took place on 10/25/71 and gives an overview of the resort. What’s so unique about it is that it’s printed in color. Full color pictures were pretty rare for newspapers until the ’80s, so seeing a whole section with them is pretty neat.

Here’s a link to the PDF with no watermark.

Firecracker 400 – 1976

admin — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 22:37:47 +0000

Yes, this isn’t Disney related, but I wanted to share anyway because NASCAR is racing at Daytona tonight. Our first trip to WDW was in June, 1976. We also took a side trip to Daytona Beach to visit Daytona International Speedway because my dad was a huge racing and Richard Petty fan. I couldn’t care less about racing at the time, but now that I’m a racing fan, I appreciate things like this brochure for the Firecracker 400. But more than anything, I wish my brother and I could have gone to a race with my Dad and shared the experience with him before he passed away. So, because this is the brochure that my Dad got when we went on that trip, it’s extra special to me.

Here’s a link to the PDF with no watermark.

Preview Guide to Walt Disney World – 1970/1971

DizWiz — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 02:32:33 +0000

This is the preview guide book that was given out to visitors to the Preview Center in Lake Buena Vista. This is a scan of the actual book from 1970, not the 2011 reprint from the D23 Destination D event.

Here’s a link to the PDF with no watermark.

Walt Disney’s Guide to Disneyland – 1964

DizWiz — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 04:05:27 +0000

This is “Walt Disney’s Guide to Disneyland” from 1964. A co-worker bought this at a book fair last week, and he was kind enough to lend it to me. It’s very interesting reading some of the language used in the book, and I love the “Coming Attractions” page that describes New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.

The other thing I found curious is the order the lands are presented. Usually they are shown in order going clockwise or counterclockwise. These appear to be in random order.

Pre-Opening Guide to EPCOT Center – 1982

DizWiz — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:18:22 +0000

This is a pre-opening guide to EPCOT Center. It includes concept art and construction photos.

Countdown to Extinction Mousepad – 1998

DizWiz — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 06:07:08 +0000

Here’s a mousepad from “Countdown to Extinction” in Animal Kingdom. This is before the ride was renamed “Dinosaur.” The ride really didn’t change much during the renaming of the attraction. It would have been nice if they would have kept the original name and not tried to tie it in to a forgettable movie, but that’s just my opinion.

Lights of Winter at EPCOT

DizWiz — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:52:54 +0000

Christmas at EPCOT

Originally uploaded by gpwelch

The Lights of Winter are no longer part of Epcot’s Christmas celebration, which is a shame. They were wonderful to watch and walk through, with the Christmas Tree at the end.

I took this photo on Thanksgiving Day, 2006.

Animal Kingdom Guide Book – Opening Day

DizWiz — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 07:17:28 +0000

This is the Guide Book from April 22, 1998 – Opening Day. My wife and I went to Animal Kingdom after we both got off of work for the day. It was crowded, but we managed to pick up this guide and one of the opening day posters. We had been to Animal Kingdom for preview days, but we wanted to be there on the official opening day.

My wife and I loved going to the preview days for Animal Kingdom, mainly because it wasn’t too crowded and we experienced all of the attractions.

Click the images to enlarge.

Mickey and Goofy Explore the Universe of Energy – 1985

DizWiz — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 05:15:10 +0000

I’m sure everyone either has a copy of this comic book or has seen it at some point. If you haven’t, well, this post is for you.

This is a complimentary comic book that was given out at the Universe of Energy in the 1980s. It is pure propaganda for Exxon and fossil fuels, and it’s kinda weird seeing Mickey and Goofy talking about fossil fuels in a comic book, but Disney has to pay the bills somehow.

It is a great souvenir from my first trip to EPCOT Center. It was free (which is always a plus), and Communicore and the Energy Exchange are both gone now, as is the original UoE show, so it’s a great way to remember the old EPCOT Center.

Click the images to enlarge.

Picture of Doug McClure as the “Star of the Day”

DizWiz — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 03:27:22 +0000

Related to the previous post, here’s a picture of Doug McClure as the “Star of the Day” at Disney-MGM Studios in 1989.