Yesterday was a fantastic day at Epcot. While you could tell the celebration was prepared quickly, it was still impressive. While many Disney fans wanted more, they should be cautioned. If Disney turned this into an elaborate festivity, the celebration would be geared to the media. With this informal celebration, it was truly guest and cast focused, which is the way it should be. At the rededication ceremony, cast members from each pavillion were brought on stage, which is appropriate because they are the ones that bring the pavillions to life. In fact Jim McPhee, the Vice President of Epcot and an opening day cast member of Epcot, brought a personal touch to the ceremony. I was also very proud of the assembled crowd for giving Jim the rousing applause he deserved, not only for being an opening team cast member but for putting together this celebration in his short time at Epcot. Speaking of the crowd, I could not go ten feet without bumping in to someone I know. It really made Epcot feel like Disneyland in many ways. The C of community was pretty evident throughout the day. It was also great to see cast members, of all levels, enjoying the celebration throughout the day. I would say there might be more cast members in the park than annual passholders. In fact, as we waited through the rain delay before the special IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, I noticed a slew of Epcot executives waiting for the show to begin as well. I am also aware that Disney held a "Party of the Senses" just for the cast, in addition to giving them a shirt, pin, and special park map.
The Story of Why Rebekah Will Not Get A Button: Normally, I give any Disney buttons I get to Rebekah, for she passively collects them. I had every intention on giving Rebekah the Epcot button we received as we entered the park. As I was heading towards the enterance I bumped in to an opening day Epcot cast member I know. She asked me if I knew if there were any more buttons as hers fell off while she was working. I told her I heard they had run out but she could have mine. She didn't want to take mine, but I told her I had another. She deserved this button more than me, and while I wish I had one to give to Rebekah, I know she would have wanted the cast member to have it as well. I wish I could have thanked every Epcot cast member personally, for they do bring the dream to life.
The tone of the day put me in a nostaligic mood. And while it was frustrating that I could not ride Spaceship Earth, knowing an enhanced version is just a month or so away, softened the blow. As I reflected upon Epcot as I walked around the World Showcase, I tried to understand what made Epcot so special. Its unique identity as well as its connection to the entire Walt Disney World concept has made life difficult for Epcot sometimes as the park tried to find itself amongst changing times, but it also made Epcot the most special of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Epcot is Walt Disney World and Walt Disney World is Epcot. While the Magic Kingdom might have opened first, that was just a way to let Disney get its feet wet in Central Florida. With the opening of Epcot, Walt Disney World began to grow in ways many could have never imagined. I am excited about seeing how Epcot and Walt Disney World will continue to grow in the next 25 years. There are many exciting possibilities, and we've only just begun to dream.