You Never Noticed Half of EPCOT Is On A Second Floor
Vložit
- čas přidán 19. 06. 2024
- Overcoming the Impossible: How Disney Built Epcot
The surprising reasons and ingenious solutions that brought Walt Disney's dream to life.Join us as we dive into the fascinating, untold stories behind the creation of Epcot. Discover why Disney kept Mickey Mouse out of the park and how this decision led to the birth of Figment, one of Disney's most beloved characters. Learn about the monumental challenges Disney faced, from building a massive lagoon to overcoming a hidden sinkhole, and how they revolutionized ticketing for a new kind of park experience. Uncover the relentless effort behind Epcot's intricate walkways and the tireless work of the landscaping team, who often had to redo their work overnight. Hear about John Hench's perfectionist vision that shaped Epcot's meticulous design. Don't miss out on these captivating behind-the-scenes stories that showcase Disney's innovation and dedication.
![Spaceship Earth [Its Creation and Design]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/iGdYf9eOwbE/mqdefault.jpg)
Fun fact: There was only one place where Mickey was and at Epcot and that was at The Odyssey when it was still a restaurant. He and his friends wore their Space Mickey outfits and did character dining there. That was the only place you could see any classic Disney characters. If I recall, it was just Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy in silver spacesuits with rainbows on them.
So wild.
@@HeyBrickey There are many Epcot traditionalists that are opposed to any Disney characters at the park regardless of fit. For me, I dislike forced IP so it's important that IP placement fit with the devised story for the area. I am one of those that cringes every time I see Monsters Inc Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom. Love Monsters Inc and that can be a fun attraction, but it replaced The Timekeeper, which fit much better with the concept of Tomorrowland. It's tragic how Tomorrowland has major problems at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom.
@@FlyRick78Hyperspace Mountain makes me sick and it’s not the lift tunnel effects.
I’m also one of those weirdos that still likes the franchise despite its complete destruction.
Space Mountain and Star Wars don’t fit, even if it seems natural.
It’s just idiotic the IP slapping.
Remember that show quite well, should have kept it going longer
Was referring to Odyssey Restaurant
These videos are much more interesting than those where people walk around talking about wait times for attractions or critique the recent arrival of a new snack at a quick service counter. Thanks Brickey.
Thanks Ken. I appreciate that ❤️
So glad everyone from Orlando is getting to experience brickey and his awesome perspective. Dude deserves lots of success. 🎉
Thanks, bud, I appreciate that.
Disney needs a John Hench today. Hiring these corporate design companies that build Marriott’s and college campuses is not working.
who designed epic universe?
UF is doing much of the design in WDW. I discovered this as I listened to a guy with a clipboard talk to a retired Disney engineer while I was at the Fort Wildrness Pier waiting on a boat.
Iger the terrible and Killeen Kennedy the slayer of franchises and their woke cronies aren’t working. The woke destroy all they touch.
@theseamazingplaces University of Florida?
@@christopherbernhardt Yes.
Epcot’s design literally threw out every advancement that Walt Disney created in theme parks. They threw out the hub and spokes design, they threw out the tunnel system, they make people walk uphill at the end of the day rather than downhill. The entire design is an absolute disaster.
And no, good designers understand what the workers are going through and design accordingly.
This vlog is a masterpiece. A true joy for Epcot fans to watch. Thanks for this. A+. This is the kind of content we crave as Disney fans.
Agree, so darned good.
Great video…so much history and backstory! People forget that it was Roy that built MK and EPCOT. Roy Disney is also a legendary leader of the WDC.
Epcot is seemingly the last major project Disney finished on time. Since then, they have lost the will, or ability, to construct anything in a timely manner. The ENTIRE Epcot park was completed in less time than the current “refresh” of CommuniCore.
Epcot Center will always be my favorite theme park. I went to it in 1982 and and it blew my 9 year old mind and embodies everything I ended up loving as an adult... tech/computers, travel, food and drink, experimentation.
A lot of us feel that way but unfortunately the science/tech stuff is going by the wayside fast, in favor of movie related stuff. It's a bummer.
same!
@@eric_in_florida It's impossible for a theme park to keep up with science and technology stuff without constantly having to update everything. We went to WDW for our one-year anniversary in 1987 and everything was exciting and cutting edge. Went again several years later and thought "meh, everyone has this stuff in their home now."
@@CharleneCTX I wouldn't say impossible but yes difficult and likely expensive. Old Epcot relied heavily on sponsors. Let them showcase their new stuff and change it up as needed. I would rather see this than another meet and greet of a person in a foam costume.
Brother, even your WDW videos are soo detailed, when do you enjoy the park. Thank you for what you are doing, and this info is prefect. The little things makes the difference
I appreciate that. This is how I enjoy the parks haha
Agree. Very well done.
Walt’s dream was an actual city. They did not build Walt’s dream. They built a tribute to several of Walt’s dreams.
That's not a bad thing. Having thousands of actual residents living within the resort property would have created a MASSIVE collection of problems for everyone involved. The original EPCOT concept would have denied its residents the option of home ownership, deprived them of customization choices, made all of them a collective test bed for corporate marketing departments, denied them self-rule, and been somewhat like living in a zoo exhibit. They DID eventually peel off part of the property and build a credible mixed-use New Urban community with a decent variety of housing types. In Celebration, at least you can actually choose to OWN a home and equip and decorate it as you wish!
@@colormedubious4747 It's actually doable. I've been working on a project for about the past 4 or so years. It's not intentionally the planned Epcot concept, but it ultimately is going to end up with a lot of similarities. Disney covered a lot of new ground in his day. It's now 60+ years later and unfortunately the Disney company hasn't continued to innovate, instead just copying & pasting the 1950s/1960s/1970s Disney concepts over & over again. And more recently, just treating the parks as a giant gift shop for their IP instead of providing entertainment.
That was why they got the special district status. Technically it was voided when they changed from that city but they were able to get away with it for 50 years.
@colormedubious4747 it's called a corporate city. They know it going in. They apply to work for the company they know they get company housing.
@@mattt233 It was NOT going to JUST be "company housing," regardless of what the Wikipedia article states (the same article also states that all adult residents would be required to be employed but it doesn't say by whom). The 1960s era plan proposed a population of 20,000 residents. Even by 1971, WDW had merely 8,000 employees, many of them students working seasonal jobs. That would not provide enough people to fully occupy good old Walt's proposed Orwellian hellscape. Also, they didn't "get away" with Reedy Creek's special tax and regulatory status. They NEGOTIATED it into the law, which benefitted them tremendously until they screwed up and called all the wrong kinds of attention to themselves by interfering with state politics for indefensible reasons.
Amazing! I remember visiting EPCOT the first time in 83 and we were blown away. Great vid and background!
Brickey, I really appreciate that you put together this kind of content. Maybe it’s not for everybody, and maybe it’s not mainstream, but the way you put it together and the way you share your emotional attachment and personal expertise to what you were delivering, to me,makes it mainstream. I hope you keep doing this and I hope that your subscriber count hits 100 K and beyond very soon. Much love.
Thanks bud for “getting it”
Nice trove of fresh EPCOT construction tales! Thanks.
If there's one thing I've learned from Disney's recent park expansions, it's that no backstage area is truly sacred. No matter how large or complicated the backstage area is, the need for expansion eventually necessitates the relocation of support facilities. It's just unfortunate that Disney doesn't have the foresight to plan ahead for expansion. Imagine if Disney actually had built World Showcase with an underground Utilidoor. Then we might have twice as many pavilions--or twice as many attractions. 😢
Not necessarily true. in regard to more pavilions, there were several more planned but never came to fruition as the country’s in question didn’t commit. So even if they did build the underground infrastructure, you would still need countries to sponsor said pavilions.
The biggest issue is money. To raise the ground level in order to facility underground services, it would drastically inflate the price of construction. Realistically, though, they would only serve best as their intended purpose to get around the park in secret.
While Disney World has the utilidors, those corridors don't exist under the entirety of the park, as rides and attractions still need proper bed rock anchoring to build on. The park still needs backstage areas to do most of the site-unseen work.
In the case of modern DisneyWorld, there's tons of space outside each park. The corridor's original purpose to hide mascots and trash can be more efficiently handled. There's plenty of space on the outside parameter to store trash, and costumed characters are not as big a worry if you simply build dressing rooms around the park. No cowboy walking through Tomorrow Land if the actor can change onsite, instead of backstage.
Disney has better foresight than what you think. They are planning things way before you think they are. What the heck do you think they did to make their main gates go to capacity almost everyday? It is the best destination for theme parks in the world and I consider it a privilege for being able to work there during my most adventurous and promiscuous times.
They are thinking a couple steps ahead of you. If you know it or not. I'm not saying they are extra smart. But it's literally a few high-paying people's jobs to predict what's coming next for wdw in the next 2 years. All day everyday that's their job. Even if they had one guy or one girl. That's more Time than we have
@@james112680 This, I don't under why people think they don't have a team of people that it's there job to study data, and understand trends. "oh people are complaining and hate this change!?!" Well guess what there is a thread of data proving that there are more people in favor of said change based on data, not by the vocal minority.
@@james112680 "To capacity almost everyday?" It's not been at capacity since 2019... We drive by WDW often and the parking lots often look like ghost towns, even on holidays. Disney's made a lot of bad decisions in recent years, and continues to do so. I'm a shareholder and I'm pissed.
From 40k to 50k - almost halfway there! You’re adding hundreds of subs daily! Keep it going! 👏🏼👏🏼
12:00 I've been thinking about Just how many trees Universal seems to plant every week and has already planted - I remembered that WDW set up their plant and tree nursery right after they broke ground. I barely remember visiting the visitor center out on I-4 a few years before the park opened.
Opening day was the ULTIMATE vibes not rides park - would have loved to see you walk around and film back when the rope dropped for the first time. It's such a different place now.
Love your solid content on the Disney Parks!
Great video, so much knowledge.
Thanks for sharing Brickey
Brickey and EPCOT are a perfect pair.
So happy you’re finally getting the recognition you deserve @brickey, your knowledge and research is truly appreciated and seeing you break out makes me so happy
Great coverage of Epcot design and build. I would of liked to see the project management team trying to control the chaos. Keep up the good work. Shout out to the sidewalk crew !
Wow! That "backstage" of World Showcase sounds awesome! I never knew about that. It would be fun to take a tour. Thanks, Brickey. 🙂 And I agree- shout out to all Disney landscapers. The grounds always look great!
Love your vids. Hope you get to do more deep dives around Disney World. 🤙🏾
This was great and just wanted you to know I appreciate the work that goes into getting those beautiful night monorail background shots!
Actual the Ticket Book process could be pretty sweet for Epcot, want to just eat, drink, and shop around the World Showcase without doing any rides you could do that for a much lower price. But from Disney's point of view, might as well charge everyone the same flat rate regardless of what you plan on doing.
I love watching you learn my Disney World. I'm assuming we will get a reaction to Luminous in an upcoming vid. It has heart, literally,
No reaction video for Luminous. I do enjoy the show, though. Nice to not have to look at movie trailers while watching a night time show.
Love Epcot. Never new many of the facts you shared. I was very lucky to visit in 1984 to see OG Epcot Center.
This was such a great vid, thank you for all the info and the cool walk
Thanks Brickey! That was fantastic
Great video man! Love the various trivia bits you've been able to share with us!
Glad you enjoyed!
I love your details in all your videos. You can tell you truly love what you do and you aren’t just doing it because it’s cool. Some of the Disneyland content creators make it seem like they are forced to do it. You can tell you do it because you love talking about Disney and the art that goes into it.
This is a passion project. I love Disney parks, exploring their design and sharing it with my friends! Thanks for noticing.
I had no idea there was a sinkhole in EPCOT, that's a neat fun fact I'll definitely be sharing.
I'd like a video about sink holes in WDW & why the problem can't be solved & how design & ideas have to be changed to adapt to them.
a couple of years before EPCOT opened in 82, WDW had already switched primarily to the passport system. you could use both, but most guests had switched to passports, because the buffet approach to MK was just a nicer experience.
as part of the Disney University experience (one-day classes for high school students on various topics), we got to visit a number of backstage areas (including the utilidoors) at MK and EPCOT.
Correct it was the early stages of panning EPCOT where they realized they were getting ready to create a park that wouldn’t be able to operate like the other and it began to create the mindset shift
I must admit, as an avid Epcot aficionado since opening, I never knew about the underground part of Epcot. I don’t even know how that escaped me.
Very Early Epcot there were computer terminals that you could book restaurant reservations via these guest front touch screen terminal. Like at that time a computer network that could do that was basically unheard of. However my parents couldn't get it working (not that my parents were computer illiterate, my father was a mainframe operator and my mother was data entry at that time)
I actually learn a lot I did not know they had an underground basement at Epcot but also I never been to Epcot
Fun Fact: The first theme park to institute a one price for all system was Six Flags Over Texas, a park inspired by DisneyLand California.
Walt's idea of EPCOT was to be a living village for the park workers. That is why Disney was given a special district designation.
After the plan changed because it wasn't feasible it was never rescinded. And they were able to get away with it for 50 years.
Tishman also built the Swan and Dolphin Resorts.
and they're gorgeous, inside and out...
You feel that grade if you have to make the looooong trek to the busses / monorail after watching the fireworks in WS
Great video! Central Florida "land" is much too soggy for ACTUAL basements, of course. What everyone refers to as "basements" at WDW are simply one-story buildings built at ground level and then topped with soil, plants, walkways, and other buildings. Whatever you want to call them, the concept was clever and super-duper cool. I'd like to know if the same technique was employed at any of the other parks, resorts, or facilities within WDW.
Great video 😊
The more you know 🌈⭐Also, shoutout to the walkway (sidewalk) gang, and the chefs who made it all possible. 🍔
You know I can't stay away from the SIDEWALK GANG!!!
Remember Walt got the idea from the perisphere of the 1939 worlds fair
I worked at EPCOT for a while back in the early 2000's, and I've been ALL over that park. I had never heard of or saw any "basement" there. There are tunnels at Disneyland, but you can't put one in FL at all. The ground water is at about 6 feet down. (I also worked operating heavy equipment in FL. I've hit water 4 feet down in some areas) We travel back stage everywhere, our break rooms were inside each area we worked in, the cafeterias were in a few buildings on the grounds, but nothing underground that I know of. If there were, I would have found them or heard someone talk about them. All people talked about was how it would be nice if we had tunnels like at Disneyland.
Well you're just wrong about their having none at Disneyworld because I took the VIP tour, as part of a corporate group at the underground at the Magic Kingdom in Florida. It is huge and is exactly as he says with the color coded corridors. Very large basement at Magic Kingdom.
I was told by someone that used to work at epcot that there is also a basement under The Land, which is the cast cafeteria, which im assuming shares the same food from seasons.
That would explain the extreme uphill climb to get there.
But the “No Mickey” rule also brought us Hidden Mickeys! The imagineers didn’t like that rule so they snuck him in. At least that’s what I thought I read long ago in the popular Birnbaum guide books back then.
Honestly even as a kid (34 now) Epcot was my favourite out of any park.. I loved reading history geography thank my grandfather for that, I was so excited to see every country even had the little passport book and all the stamps! Id say my favorite time was when my sister was taking a photo in Italy next to the "statue" the actress bent down slowly to smile next to my sister, OHH MY.. shrieks of pure terror 😂
That is an awesome memory!!! Thanks for sharing. Love imagining you with your passport full of stamps.
Great video! Disney back then had lots of heart and spirit. Today, it's a mess, insanely overpriced and crazy. Will never go back...
They had a bunch of use back then jr high school students there in 1983. Bus loads of children from all around the country were there. Haven’t been back since then!
Nobody wanted the land but the wildlife.
Raised in Anaheim so I’m a Disneyland loyalist ALL THE WAY forever because Walt actually walked our park & it will always be THEE best!!
Never forget… Disneyland ran so Walt Disney World could walk!!
Even though I’ve been to Walt Disney World a couple of times and I do think it’s pretty cool, my heart doesn’t lie there at all. I even have my face on a leave-a-legacy plaque at one of those new brightly colored walls by the Epcot entrance. My bday is also Oct 1st & I STILL think WDW is just fine lol 😂 However, your design vids are pretty rad! I can get into learning about WDW as well. It will NEVER be Disneyland (weather alone, haha) but I can appreciate the Disney name all over it 😃
The original definitely has a charm that's hard to quantify.
It's not a contest, and these parks aren't opposing sports teams. It's all Disney. Can't we like them all, since they each have unique aspects that the others don't?
Half of it has been closed for the past few years due to construction. It’s like a mini Mk tunnel only with half of the tunnel funk.
Cool video!
IIRC, WDW experimented with flat-rate passports at MK in the late 70s in the slow season. I went in early de ember in like 1979 and we had passports, ot ticket books. You had to show the passport to get on each ride, so people bought buttons to pin them to jackets etc.
Do you think they are going to regret boxing themselves in with the world showcase back stage? Seems like they should have left themselves an easier way to expand the park in the future.
Epcot is a concrete hot plates. They made more that experience with their latest construction work.
There is really nothing special about the Epcot tunnels now. It is more or less storage and support for communicore buildings. There is also a bulldozer in that sinkhole you are at, but we'll hidden from the guest view. The support Rd backstage of Epcot is called avenue of the stars.
I don't think Brick has eyeballs!👀
I have a prosthetic lens in both of my eyes. I'm very sensitive to sunlight during the day, and in the evening, my camera reflects in them, making me look like I have cat's eyes. The effect of seeing into someone's eyes can be very off putting and creates more questions than I feel like answering. So sunglasses on when the camera is on.
Plus I shot on a pro-grade camera and I'm never looking in the lens, I'm looking at meters, gauges and also keeping an eye out for guests. I try to never be rude or show anyones face in my videos.
Now you know why you never see my eyes. I assure you, it's not because I'm cool. I gave up being cool when I became a Disney vloggger
No worries...I have eye sensetivity as well. Love your videos as they are more in depth to architectural aspects and working through how it can work.
Epcot bts❤
Also a quick comment on your editing. Make sure to leave a little bit more space at the end so that people have time to get back to the video and like it if they haven’t and look at those videos that you were describing. CZcams is much too quick to switch to the next video and sometimes, I honestly have to hit the back button go back to your video and like it and make comments. If I am an eager person to get to the next video, I’m already there but sometimes people are just listening in the background. Just give them some extra time maybe five more seconds.
have you discussed drinking fountains?
No way is there 600,000 feet of walkway in Epcot. With 5,280 feet per mile, that would be over 113 MILES of walkway, NO WAY!!!
Yeah if they poured it all in one straight line 0.25” wide 😂
All the walkways combined volume was an estimated 600,000 feet
15:23 - Major mistake or Genius Business Strategy... 🤔
Actually, Disneyland introduced the passport system just before EPCOT opened.
Yes while planning EPCOT they realized it was time for a change.
💙
& Yet . . .
I . . . 🤔 . . . do not recall hearing just what the second story was all about.
???
how do they maintain water levels in these giant bodies of water?
Nuts to think it all started with silly cartoons.
😊
Two years less than the center park reno 🤦🏻♂️
I don't think this is true. I worked there and it was in my very early twenties like even before I turned to 20 and I worked there for 4 years. 4 years. I had a job where I could take a company vehicle anywhere I wanted and I took advantage of it because I'm a curious guy.
It's true that magic Kingdom has that bottom floor. It's not all that glamorous that you might think. But I thought it was pretty damn cool back in the era that I could explore it. Before cameras were $05. I could actually explore as a young kid and if I wasn't dumb I could get away with it.
I did that everywhere.
Epcot had a couple "underground places" but it was just like under a particular building or two. I would have been in that ring if it would have existed.
14:00 😏i am nearly 40 but have the mind of a teenager
In some ways the hassle of “carnival ticketing” has returned via Genie, LL, and virtual queues. We now have the worst of both worlds.
Who wears sunglasses at night 😂
A guy with two prosthetic lenses in his eyes. When my camera reflects in my eyes or other lights it makes me look like I have cat eyes which can be very off putting to so some folks. So I rad rather get made fun of for wearing sunglasses by a couple of people versus explain my eyes to everyone.
Sun glasses at night time?
I have a disability which required me to have prosthetic lenses placed in both of my eyes and at night they reflect both my camera monitor and the lights around me into my eyes. Which can be very off putting to viewers because it appears that I have cat eyes where you can see into my eyes. So instead of having to constantly answer questions about my eyes I’d prefer to wear sunglasses and only have to respond to the people that make fun of me for wearing glasses at night. Have a great day.
Title is misleading
How? Title Topic is fully explained.
It's not future world anymore
Yeah I’m sticking with it. The new name is not for me.
This is Completely False. I worked at EPCOT and ALL of WDW parks. MK is the only park with underground structures
I found the guide to the tunnel, saw the blueprints, researched it in several books and you can clearly see the height difference.
@@HeyBrickey ask any current or past EPCOT cast Member there are no tunnels or underground utilidors in Future World
The basement in front is small very very small nothing like MK. Your video is not exactly true.
No where did I say it was big as Magic Kingdom in fact I go out of my way to say it was much smaller due rising costs a decade later.
Biggest waste of money on the planet. Way to many people ,to long of a wait for crappy rides. Never will go agian
Disney World, Epcot was filthy. Gum that was black all over the walkways. Trash all over the flower beds. Restrooms were a mess, I thought I was at six flags. Custodial staff was not picking up trash. They were seen constantly standing around looking at their phones. I will never ever go back to that dump again. We are from Southern California and Disneyland is clean, pristine and the example of Walter Elias Disney’s true vision of his park.
Man Walt dying before Disney world sucked. It would have been totally different and better. It’s still awesome but what he was dreaming wow. Shame all that went down after his death and his daughters being stupid and weak and not charming and smart like Walt. The company today is a joke and they make trash they are ruining everything now. Marvel even sucks now too. All Growing up I never had to worry about a Disney movie mom and dad knew it was safe to watch not bad humor or stuff a 4 year old should be thinking about or talking about but now you do have worry about every movie that comes from them. So sad. Maybe if he had a kid who thought like him smart like him and had his charm they’d be down a different path today with better leaders maybe still his family members. Oh had he lived just 10-15 years more my god Disney world would be insanely great perfect from the movies to the parks instead of now the idiots that killed the movies are working their way down to the parks…..
Ok. Back to the videos I like. Engineering and construction. That figment video almost had me un sub.
If one video that's "off-topic" is going to make you unsubscribe, feel free to leave whenever you want. The Figment video is just as much about design as this video is.
@@HeyBrickey As someone that grew up with Figment and the original Epcot, I greatly appreciate how you researched that video and then shared the history, decisions, etc to understand how we got where we are today with Figment. Loved that video as much as your other videos.
The Figment Video was great
@@FlyRick78 thanks bud. I figured if I was curious that others would be and it was cool to learn how Figment was DESIGNED to solve a lot of problems while serving several purposes at the same time. So much more than a dragon it’s the story of designing a marketing icon. Which is just as hard as designing a ride or building.
@@HeyBrickey A lot of pressure to get a character design right at that point and so different from traditional Disney characters that had a chance to evolve into their modern forms. Figment needed to be the right look and feel at launch - and they nailed the design right down to his original voice.
shout out to @MainStreetMoments for the heads up!