Vintage Park Elements You Can Still Find at EPCOT

EPCOT first opened in 1982 as a modern park that was inspired by Walt Disney’s Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. EPCOT’s original spirit was educational fun, as well as cultural celebration. EPCOT has seen great changes throughout the years with several new attractions added, and some original attractions changed. For those visiting EPCOT for the first time in several years it might appear to be an entirely different park. However, many vintage park elements from the EPCOT of the 80s and 90s still remain to this day. Keep an eye out for these vintage elements during your next visit to EPCOT.

Wonders of Life Pavilion

In 1989, EPCOT’s Wonders of Life Pavilion opened and contained several attractions. Body Wars, a Star Tours-like attraction taking guests through the human body, Cranium Command, a theater show with audio-animatronics about the brain, and The Making of Me, a short film about pregnancy and birth, were a few of the attractions featured in this pavilion. In 2004 the pavilion changed to seasonal operations, and in 2006 the pavilion closed permanently. The pavilion, while not accessible to guests, can still be seen and still remains to this day. Disney announced plans to reopen the pavilion with new attractions and a new theme, but this was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and it is unclear whether or not these plans will still take place.

Puffins in Frozen Ever After

Frozen Ever After, the Norway pavilion’s boat ride through the world of Arendelle, was once a beloved classic EPCOT attraction called Maelstrom. Maelstrom used the same ride system as Frozen Ever After, and took guests through various Norwegian scenes and settings. The attraction closed in 2014 to make way for Frozen, but if you look carefully you can see a certain ride element that remains. Puffin animatronics from Maelstrom can be seen hanging out during the celebration scene at the end of Frozen Ever After. While there are 3 instead of 5, these are definitely original vintage ride elements that pay homage to the original attraction.

Spaceship Earth’s Murals

The original EPCOT of the 1980s had some great artwork, and some of this artwork still remains. Guests boarding Spaceship Earth will notice a large mural depicting mankind’s progress on the outside of the attraction. This mural was created by Claudio Mazzoli, and was original to the attraction. This mural has remained unchanged, and is still appreciated by guests to this day.

Jumping Fountains

Upon exiting Journey Into Your Imagination with Figment, and just before you enter The Magic Eye Theater for Pixar and Disney Short Film Festival, you’ll come across fountains that seem to jump or spit water. This water feature has been entertaining guests since EPCOT’s opening day. The jumping water fountains seem to communicate with each other and water dances through the feature. This fountain area is a great place for kids to play and try to catch water. With a few attractions nearby, this cooldown spot has been an EPCOT staple since 1982.

Were you an EPCOT guest during the 80s or 90s? What do you remember from that time? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured Photo: Megan Woodard