The park has clearly undergone more transformation since its opening day than any other park in Orlando (Universal Studios Florida has changed its attractions roster even more robustly, but the basic infrastructure and layout of opening day are basically intact), so I thought there should be a place to celebrate its "First Age" (which I'd roughly classify as anything pre Lights Motors Action, but personal mileage may vary!). Use this space to talk about favorite experiences that are no longer around, share relevant videos/photos/memories, and generally just appreciate aspects of the park that are no longer around (or have perhaps been overshadowed by all the changes).
It was not a perfect park in that initial era (and it still isn't, though it's getting closer to finally being a "full day" one), but it did a pretty remarkable job of bringing its thesis to life, and I don't think it's a coincidence that the two areas I still enjoy the most on purely an aesthetic, atmospheric level -- Hollywood Blvd. and Sunset Blvd. -- are ones steeped in that "Hollywood that never was, but always will be" approach.
To kick things off, I stumbled across this video, which apparently was produced for a local Tampa television station, and which features some excellent behind-the-scenes footage and interview clips. And it's somewhat less fluffy than the standard Disney specials tend to be (though those can be fun, too).
It was not a perfect park in that initial era (and it still isn't, though it's getting closer to finally being a "full day" one), but it did a pretty remarkable job of bringing its thesis to life, and I don't think it's a coincidence that the two areas I still enjoy the most on purely an aesthetic, atmospheric level -- Hollywood Blvd. and Sunset Blvd. -- are ones steeped in that "Hollywood that never was, but always will be" approach.
To kick things off, I stumbled across this video, which apparently was produced for a local Tampa television station, and which features some excellent behind-the-scenes footage and interview clips. And it's somewhat less fluffy than the standard Disney specials tend to be (though those can be fun, too).
