On this day 40 years ago, what was then known as Epcot Center opened at Walt Disney World Resort. This was a park that celebrated the magic of possibility. Over the next four decades, the park has grown and changed. In fact, it is currently in the midst of a massive transformation. However, it celebrates imagination and possibility as it looks forward to the next four decades.
On October 1, 2022, the 40th Anniversary of EPCOT was celebrated. D23 hosted a special morning that gave D23 members the chance to get into the park early for shopping, enjoy a continental breakfast with some special photo opportunities, and then get reserved seating for a ceremony commemorating the day.
The magic began the moment guests walked in. The maps given were special for the day. The original entrance music was playing at the entrance of the park as people walked in toward Spaceship Earth. It sounded better than ever and gave a healthy dose of nostalgia to guests who were there to celebrate.
Shopping began during early entry for the park with a line that wrapped around the center of the park from Creations almost all the way to the Imagination Pavilion. Once guests were inside, there was a mad dash to get the commemorative offerings. This was particularly true for the merchandise that was specific to the day. Mobile checkout was a huge benefit to those who used it, otherwise, the lines for the traditional checkouts were quite long.
At 9:30, the continental breakfast for the D23 event began. This included pastries, hard-boiled eggs, coffee, and juices/water. It was held in World Showplace. There was also a photo opportunity set up by the entrance with a big figment, a scrim with the monorail in front of Spaceship Earth, and giant numbers 1982 to take photos with. On the other side of the venue, there was another photo opportunity with Disney photographers taking photos with multiple background options that attendees could choose from. At 10:30, the group gathered together for the walk over to the America Pavilion where the ceremony was to be held in the America Gardens Theater. Once there, the group was ushered to their seats near the front of the theater. Special guests and Club 33 members had the very from section, and then some stragglers filled in the empty seats at the beginning of the ceremony.
The ceremony began at 11:00 AM and started off with the Mariachi Cobre ensemble performing. This is a group that has been performing at EPCOT since the day it opened. In fact, two members were there from the very beginning and were recognized during their performance. They played some classic mariachi music and also some music from Disney and Pixar’s Coco.
Following the Mariachi Cobra performance, Walt Disney World Resort Ambassadors Ali Manion and Raevon Redding took center stage. They started off by recognizing the challenges that many in Florida have faced this week due to Hurricane Ian. They also recognized how Walt Disney World Resort cast members come together during times like this to help each other. They also talked about what EPCOT is and where it came from. Throughout the ceremony, multiple people shared about how it was the guests and the cast members that truly make EPCOT what it is today. Following the Ambassadors, the Voices of Liberty were invited on stage to sing. This included some classic Voices of Liberty Music (This Land is Your Land) and also some classic EPCOT music (New Horizons).
EPCOT’s Vice President of Operations Kartika Rodriguez was then brought on stage. She recognized cast members who have worked at EPCOT since day one and they received hearty applause. She also talked more about EPCOT and its legacy before looking at the exciting things going on now and then looking forward to the next 40 years. The ceremony wrapped up with Ali Manion and Raevon Redding closing things out in a positive and uplifting moment. The ceremony was a wonderful look at the past, present, and future of a park that is completely unlike any other in the world.
After the ceremony, a brief announcement was played over the speakers throughout the park from Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle commemorating the day. Banners celebrating the day could also be seen throughout the park on different poles, on the Harmonious barges, and also at the entrances.
In the evening, a special Beacon of Magic was presented that highlighted iconic musical moments throughout EPCOT’s history. Guests could be heard cheering and reacting to the different moments throughout the beautiful presentation. As guests left for the day, they were given an embossed poster celebrating EPCOT’s 40th anniversary.
EPCOT’s 40th Anniversary was a day that was full of spirit, heart, excitement, and celebration. Guests were happy to be there and lots of new friends were made. EPCOT’s spirit of imagination and possibility continues to live on and looks to be even stronger as the moves into its next four decades.
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