49 - Horizons Part I - The Prologue

Welcome to Episode 49 of the RetroWDW Podcast: “Horizons – Part 1: The Prologue” – We appreciate your support and hope you have been enjoying each and every episode. Be sure to check out some of our previous shows.

For this episode, one of our top donors Ted Linhart got to sit in because of his generous donation and also because of his amazing archive. Take a look at what he has going on, over at DisneyDocs.net – If you would be interested in joining us to get a behind the scenes listen, be sure to check out our Donation Page. Thank you Anthony!

Corrections  

1. Lucy wrote us to discuss The Timekeeper, regarding a scene filmed for the movie. We reached out to the director to get the facts for Lucy.  Thanks for writing!
2. Another Timekeeper question came in, asking about the years on the Timekeeper’s display, stopping at 2000. We discuss this and also confirm some video evidence.
3. How helps us out with this last question, from John Kitty. He was asking about the EPCOT name, with the word ‘Center’ being used. Danny Kaye has an explanation and so does How, so we hope this helps you out John. 

Listener Mail

The mail bag is full and we love that! Every month, you can possibly get on the show, so be sure to write us!

1. Rick Webster wrote in about The Timekeeper, letting us know about the grand opening of EuroDisney. Rick is asking about the wording “If you had wings, I’d let you go”. We discuss how this is before nodding to other attractions. Once again, we reach out to Jeff and he said it wasn’t a deliberate plug, but many writers were swimming in the same Disney Soup. So yes and no… We actually got more information on this after we recorded the episode.
2. Maverick is up next, letting us know what it was like working in the old Penny Arcade. Maverick is looking for the old band organ and How actually fills us in on where it is this very day… Happy hunting Maverick!
3. Josue wrote us about The Timekeeper and the concept car featured at the end. Josue here is a car nut and we get some more information, relating back to an old Renault.

Thank you for all the emails, tweets and comments you have sent our way. We try to respond to almost everything and do our best to pick unique questions for the show. 

Questions, Comments & Concerns

We love feedback and hearing your memories!

Drop us a line at podcast@retrowdw.com or call us and leave a voice mail at 978-71-RETRO. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Audio Rewind

Our audio rewind this month turned out to be the Star Tours! We have three winners this month, each getting a LBVHS Vacation Kingdom Poster and a shirt, size small. Nathan Hartman, Trenton Gladding & Kelly Daly all win! Congratulations everybody and thank you for playing.

If you think you know the answer to this month’s audio rewind, email us! contest@retrowdw.com – This month, the winner will be getting a VHS copy of ‘A Day at The Magic Kingdom’ – All entries due 5/20/2019 and a random winner will be selected. In our discussion, we talk about the ‘Day at The Disney Studios’ VHS as well and how the word ‘MGM’ is digitally blocked out.  If you’d like to watch that, click here.

Main Topic Horizons: Part 1 – The Prologue

The moment you have been waiting for is finally here. The classic attraction from EPCOT Center is finally getting time on our podcast and we couldn’t be more excited. Horizons is here and get ready: this is going to take more than one episode!

For Part 1 – The Prologue, we get into quite a bit of the origins of EPCOT, going over mission statements, concepts and much more. This is all important and leads up to the start of Horizons. Ted is on board with us this month too, as he is pulling original documents to quote and use for reference. This is absolutely amazing!

We get into the Imagineer design process and also what kind of company GE was at the time. With them being one of the largest in the world, it only made sense that they would be taking on this type of attraction. Ted chimes in often, with on hand documents and facts to fill in the blanks often. How has so much information, regarding the design of the building, who came up with this and also the small details you may have not noticed before. We also learn that the exterior was designed first, with the interior pieces, track and screens all being fit to match. There is so much packed in this episode, everything from how GE provided input on the attraction to cast member documents, used as evidence to share the original visions, way back when. Finally, our facts and numbers machine is fired up, ready to give you tons of great facts and figures about Horizons.

The sad part is, we end here for this month. Next month is Part 2, which will take us deeper into the attraction and ride aspects. We wrap up with some current updates, shirt ideas, drink ideas and much more. We really hope you enjoyed the first part, which has been years in the making. While you wait, take a look at EPCOT Center in 1982 – this amazing restored film has the footage we discussed, showing construction workers on the roof of Horizons. Enjoy!