EPCOT Center, Walt Disney World’s second gate opened to the public on October 1, 1982. By all accounts, however, October 1st was really soft opening, with only Spaceship Earth being dedicated on that day. A grand opening week was held from October 15-27 for celebrates, Press, VIPs, and top executives from corporate sponsors. The television special Epcot Center: The Opening Celebration aired on CBS on October 23, 1982, the night before the official park dedication. You can still find the dedication plaque from then CEO E. Cardon Walker dated October 24th, 1982 at the entrance of the park.
To all who come to this place of Joy, Hope, and Friendship – Welcome. EPCOT is inspired by Walt Disney’s creative vision. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, wonders of enterprise, and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all. May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire, and above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man’s ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere.
The television special was hosted by actor-singer-comic Danny Kaye and was filmed before the actual EPCOT Center dedication ceremonies which were plagued by bad weather. The special starts with Danny Kaye standing on top of the American Garden Theater during the dedication weekend, which was incorporated into the final special at the last minute, his reference to “..speaking to you live, and wet, from EPCOT Center” made reference to the bad weather during the actual dedication.
Danny Kaye is joined by a 7-year-old Drew Barrymore, who is being introduced to the wonders of a Disney theme park. Other performances include Marie Osmond and Roy Clark with Alex Haley, in front of the soon to open Equatorial Africa Pavilion in World Showcase, and Eric Servereid who spoke of the legacy of Walt Disney.
Check out Opening Day at Walt Disney World, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Euro Disneyland
