Walt Disney's Epcot: The New World of Tomorrow

by Richard R. Beard, Walt Disney Company

Offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of EPCOT, a showcase of urban planning, technological developments, and world cultures

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Travel, Reference, Art

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Mansour S منصور السدحان · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epcot…if you haven’t been to it in its golden era (today it’s a cheap sad heterogeneous mixture of very few surviving old relics and new cheap commercial franchises, no spirit at all, died years ago), then you won’t be able to appreciate my fondness, my attachment to it. This book basically is almost a promotional book. It advertises the place in a way that invites you to come, visit Epcot! But while doing the promoting bit, it describes many narratives from the many original rides, really interesting stuff. There’s also a lot of amazing behind the scenes photos, imagineers at work!
I have fond memories of this theme park, beyond the fun times, good times..obviously that but a bit more. The art, the scenes and the music and of course, the promise of a bright utopian future, man I’ve believed it all! Swallowed every bit of it! Was anticipating it as a kid! 🎶Tomorrow’s child charting a brand new way for the future world is born today🎵…🥲
Anyway, enjoyable book but I wish it had more photos.

🎵…🐉One little spark of inspiration, is at the heart of all creation. Right at the start of everything that's new. One little spark lights up for you….🎶 veggie veggie fruit fruit🥦🍌🍍🍅🎇🎆🎵🎶…

NOSTALGIA.

[David Harton · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was getting ready to review this book, I came across a blog that discussed the fact that there are three separate editions of this book, all a bit different. Unfortunately, it appears as if I have the third version which is much shorter than the other two. While it supposedly contains the same information, there are significantly less photos. As a result, I will be adjusting my rating accordingly. Overall, I loved this book. It has a lot of interesting information regarding Disney's Epcot park (one of my favorite places in the entire world) and I think any Disney fan would enjoy this. I originally rated this five stars because I thought this was the only version. Now that I know there are larger versions out there, I am dropping my rating by one star because my only issue with this book is that there doesn't seem to be fair distribution of photos per attractions. Some have plenty while others, like the chapter on CommuniCore, only have two pictures. I also wish that Disney would have released, perhaps in the 90s, a follow-up book with all of the additional pavilions and attractions that Epcot eventually received.

[Josh McConnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

No longer in print, Walt Disney's EPCOT Center is an incredibly thorough book that talks about the construction of EPCOT and the readers that were available when it opened from the perspective of the Walt Disney Company. There are two versions of the book:

1. Made before the park opened, so all of the pictures are of the park in construction, miniature models and drawings.
2. Made after the park opened, meaning many of the pictures were replaced with actual pictures of the attractions opened. They also changed the font on the cover.

Other than the pictures and cover font, the actual content of the book is the same. I lucked out and scored one of the former copies, meaning it is a first edition and extra hard to find.

Used mainly as marketing material to hype up the park around its opening in 1983, you won't find any dark secrets here. But that is to be expected and therefore doesn't hurt the overall score. The book is fantastic for Disney collectors and for those who are big fans of nostalgia like me. It is well worth tracking this gem down if you can.

[Lady Brainsample · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate that my library had one of the earlier editions of this book -- the one that was released before the park opened. According to another reviewer, they differed in that this version had great pictures of models and behind the scenes of the park being built, and the later version had pictures of the finished attractions instead.
It was great to read descriptions and histories of attractions that I'm sure I rode as a child, but that I have no memory of. It was also great to read and see pictures of attractions that I have vague memories of. The best part was seeing pictures of the original Imagination ride with the Dreamfinder and Figment. I'll always miss that ride.
The edition of the book I read also had great little nuggets of plans that never worked out such as the Africa pavilion.
All of this was rambling, I know, but it was a pleasure to look at pictures of Epcot, and even more of a pleasure to think of all my family's memories together there.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one has been on my Disney History to-read bucket list for a while and it was worth the wait. Now, it reads like a time capsule as to what the park was going to be opening day. It mentions the famed lost attractions as well as the attractions that never got built. In some ways, it reminds me of a park I can just barely remember, and in others, reminds me of a park I still miss. Epcot has always been my favorite of the Disney parks and this book is a loving tribute to what she was going to be, what she became, and, possibly, what she could have been. Also, Marty Sklar's introduction is, as always, a highlight and a gem to find in this book as he was so integral to the project.

Side note: there were going to be SO MANY BOOKSTORES in World Showcase! Disney, you break my heart. I can't find a book on property these days and I clocked no less than three book stores mentioned for Epcot pavilions. *sob*

[H Grimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cool book. It’s a coffee table book style guide to Epcot that was published while Epcot was still being built, so it’s full of concept art, models, and behind the scenes photos of the park being built. It was fascinating to learn about the original concepts behind Epcot, from Walt’s vision of an experimental utopian city, to an educational World’s Fair, and read about so many attractions that no longer exist (some that I have vague memories of), and especially attractions that were meant to exist and never came to be like the Africa pavilion. I’d recommend this specifically to devout Disney Parks nerds.

[Theresa F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read an early edition of this book that was illustrated with concept art from the development of Epcot Center, as well as photos showing various aspects of the construction of the attractions. I think this particular edition would be a great resource for people interested in the history of Epcot. However, according to other reviewers on Goodreads, later editions of the book are significantly different. So I'm limiting the scope of this review to the edition I've read, rather than to the book as a whole. As they say, your experience may vary.
Did I like it? Yes.
Would I reread it? Maybe.
Would I recommend it? Yes.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re an Epcot or WDW fanatic like I am, this book is an essential piece to have. It captures a unique period in time right prior to Epcot’s actual opening, and chronicles the various attractions and features throughout the park, including ones that never made it off the drawing board.

It seems to have been written with a promotional mindset, so bear that in mind before purchasing. Also brace yourself for some pretty uncomfortable 80’s racism

[David Harton · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the shorter edition of this book, I'm so happy I discovered there are two longer ones (one with content from before the park opened vs. one with content from after the park opened). The longer editions are much more balanced with the information in each section and the sketches are amazing.

[Mathew Duman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a special place in my heart. I received it as a gift after my first visit to EPCOT when I was in my early teens. It introduced me to the Imagineers, their amazing creative process & ignited my fascination with their work that influences me to this day. It is very dated now, in content & design but remains a fascinating read for Disney enthusiasts.

[paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

just so epic… i love epcot so much.. “May Epcot forever be a source of joy, inspiration, hope, and new knowledge to those who come here from across America and around the world” being the last line like OMG COME ONNN SO GOOD. also love that every og ride was in a who can have the most audio-animatronics competition we should bring that vibe back

[Leslie Hester · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like knowing the history behind Epcot. I like knowing the chances the park went through considering this book was published in 1982 and things in the park has widely been update since the park is always transforming.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's rather dated now (two pages praising touch screens would do that...) but in an optimistically nostalgic way, much like EPCOT. It's still really interesting to read and has SO many lovely pictures. I would recommend, even if just for fun.

[Adrienne Organa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun throwback to the opening days of Epcot!

[Shaun Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic look at Epcot as it was being built. Very cool all these years later to look back and see what was planned vs what was actually built.

[ais · Rating 2 out of 5]

Find me on StoryGraph under aislinnkeane!

[Ryan Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic time capsule at what EPCOT was and what it could have been… an absolute must have for any self respecting Disney fan.

[Judah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had to get the original full version via inter-library loan, I finally feel accomplished in reading the book that captured the ideas behind EPCOT. A beautiful idea of a permanent World's Fair, touting culture, and optimistic futurism by a Disney company so vastly different from the bloated monster it is today. The thing that strikes me is the sense of sadness of it all. Almost 100% of the named expansions (Germany's River Cruise, the Africa pavilion, and dozens of others) were never completed and abandoned. Only two countries ever joined world showcase (Morocco, and Norway), and dozens of things have been gutted. The park lost its identity in the mid 90s, and survived a planned 'thrill park' rethemeing. What has remained are remnants of a dream... That is a barely up kept dream.
Most pavilions are either still in partial completion or are shamefully outdated. Now with the introduction of Frozen and other non-EPCOT properties, perhaps the dream will be put out of its misery.

[David Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book that lays out the ideas for EPCOT Center. This book was written before the park opened, so most of the pictures are artist renditions and construction photos. I was working at Walt Disney World in 1982 when the EPCOT opened and visited there many times. It is a truly amazing place. This book may not give you an accurate description of what it is like now, I'm sure a lot has changed in 34 years. It will give you an insight as to what it was like in the beginning.

[Megan Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dad actually picked this up for me at a library book sale. It's very cool to see what the original plans were for EPCOT and what it looks like now. I actually remember some of the things that were once there.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific account of what they were attempting to do with EPCOT Center at the beginning of that park. Also a bit of a downer when you realize just how far away they have moved from that initial concept today.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit dry and obviously very dated (many of the attractions featured are long gone), but still worth a look for hardcore Walt Disney World fans as the book extensively features rare behind-the-scenes photos and information on Epcot's development and early years.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful pictures of EPCOT prior to opening. This book includes so much info on early/non-existant attractions. A real treat.

[Amanda Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun reading this one when the information is so date. Man Epcot was amazing in the late 80s.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look at the creation of EPCOT Center, with an exhaustive behind the scenes peak at the pavilions and attractions.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love EPCOT. I want this.