“Welcome to this special place, EPCOT Center; Walt Disney’s dream is now a reality.”
That’s how this vintage souvenir VHS cassette begins—offering guests in 1983 a guided video tour of Walt Disney World’s newest and most ambitious theme park.
Originally sold at EPCOT Center during its early years, this keepsake video captures the spirit and scope of the park just after its grand opening in October 1982.
A Vision of the Future
The video opens by focusing on Future World, described as “a showplace for new ideas and new technologies.”
In this section, guests explore pavilions like:
- Spaceship Earth, the iconic geosphere
- CommuniCore, the interactive hub of technology
- Universe of Energy, featuring animatronic dinosaurs
- World of Motion, celebrating transportation innovation
- The Land, focusing on agriculture and ecology
- Journey Into Imagination, with Dreamfinder and Figment
Each pavilion was a celebration of progress, discovery, and optimism—just as Walt had envisioned when he first shared his ideas for EPCOT.
A Community of Nations
The video then shifts to World Showcase, highlighting the eleven original country pavilions.
Each nation is presented as part of a “community of nations,” featuring; Authentic architecture, Cultural performances, International cuisine and Handcrafted merchandise.
You’ll see how pavilions like Mexico, France, Japan, Canada, and Italy looked in their earliest days, with classic entertainment and attractions that helped bring their cultures to life.
A Time Capsule of EPCOT’s Beginnings
This 1983 EPCOT Center VHS offers a rare look at the park just months after opening.
From early footage of the Friendship Boats to shots of classic cast member costumes, the video is filled with moments long-time Disney fans will recognize and treasure.
It’s also a reminder of how bold EPCOT Center was—an educational, entertaining park unlike anything Disney had done before.
