The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

EPCOT Opening Day: Walt’s Vision, Eisner’s Changes, and the Park’s Evolution (Ep. 20)

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In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey take you back to EPCOT’s grand opening on October 1, 1982. They dive deep into how EPCOT evolved from Walt Disney’s ambitious dream of a futuristic living community to the park we know today.


What We Cover:


  • Walt Disney’s original vision for EPCOT as a living, breathing city
  • How Disney leadership navigated the project after Walt's passing
  • How close Disney actually came to breaking ground on Walt’s original city vision – spoiler: they nearly did!
  • The creation of Future World and World Showcase, born from two distinct Imagineer pitches
  • EPCOT’s rocky opening day, including malfunctioning rides and a surprising merchandising misstep
  • The pivotal role EPCOT played in Michael Eisner’s rise to power at Disney, and how his vision reshaped the park

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