Disney Dish Podcast: Epcot's "Person of the Century" Poll & Park History

Epcot's "Person of the Century" Poll

• 💡 Michael Eisner announced a decade-long poll in 1989 to determine the "Person of the Century," launching January 14th, 1990, with 89 candidates across eight disciplines.
• 🎯 The poll aimed to leverage Disney's electronic forum to gather feedback from a large audience, partnering with 2500 universities worldwide.
• 🔑 Initial candidates included figures like Gandhi, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, and Adolf Hitler, with pushback leading to the inclusion of spiritual leaders.
• ⚠️ The poll faced technical challenges with touchscreen interfaces and the unexpected rise of a cast member's name in the top rankings due to write-in votes.
• 📉 The entire "Person of the Century" initiative, along with Communicore East and West, was quietly removed in 1994, derailing a major Disney endeavor.

Walt Disney World Park Updates & History

• 🚀 "Remy's Ratatouille Adventure" in Epcot was nearing its opening, with walls down and minor painting remaining.
• ⚠️ "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom" was set to close on January 24th, with no announced replacement, causing concern among fans.
• 🏨 The Contemporary Resort's tower rooms were scheduled for closure from April to September for renovations, including plumbing and soft goods.
• ✈️ Disney announced the end of the Magical Express service on December 31st, 2021, surprising even its operator, Mears Transportation.
• 🚗 The discontinuation of Magical Express is attributed to lower-than-expected ridership and the rise of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, making off-site travel easier and cheaper.
• 🏥 Disneyland in California is being used as a vaccine site, with Walt Disney World considering ESPN Wide World of Sports for a similar purpose.
• ⏰ Extra Magic Hours have officially ended, replaced by 30 minutes of exclusive early entry for resort guests, dubbed "Extra Magic Minutes," which creates a disadvantage for off-site guests.
• 🚢 The second Harmonious barge has been placed in World Showcase Lagoon, described as unsightly, though water features are expected to make them less visible during the show.

Vintage Walt Disney World Photos

• 📸 A collection of photos from the first Walt Disney World Christmas in 1971 offers a glimpse into the park's early days.
• 🌳 Early photos reveal a landscape with fewer trees, particularly between the Contemporary Resort and Tomorrowland, and a less developed Main Street.
• 🎢 The Tomorrowland Speedway track was significantly larger in 1971, with no shade trees in sight.
• 🏰 Views from the Skyway provided unique perspectives of undeveloped areas and early park layouts, including Cinderella Castle and the Swiss Family Treehouse.
• ☀️ December 1971 in Florida experienced a heatwave, explaining why guests were seen wearing shorts during the holiday season.

Future Park Developments

• 🦁 Zootopia is confirmed for Animal Kingdom, despite initial reservations from Joe Rohde about its thematic fit, due to a new company direction prioritizing franchise expansion and addressing a character deficit.
• 🚢 The Brightline train is expected to connect Orlando International Airport to Disney Springs by 2023, though its utility for park-goers is questioned due to the need for further transport to hotels.