Q: I have several questions. First, were there any specific factors that led to the abandonment of the original EPCOT concept (The City of Tomorrow), or was it just simply Walt Disney’s death? Did they legitimately try to do it in the years after his death, or did the enthusiasm and vision die with Walt in December 1966? Lastly, who is your favorite Disney character, who is your favorite Muppet, and what is your favorite Pixar movie or character? You the man, Dave!
Kenny, Lithonia, Georgia
A: EPCOT was indeed Walt Disney’s pet project and after he died, Disney executives were unsure of what to do about the project. Walt had been unable to refine his ideas. When the executives began studying Walt’s ideas of a community where people would actually live and work, questions arose as to possible problems with trying to regulate the lives of residents, essentially having them “living in a fishbowl.” It took almost a decade for the Imagineers to come up with something they felt would really work. My favorite Disney character is Pluto and my favorite Muppet is Sam the Eagle. My favorite Pixar film is Ratatouille, with my favorite character being Remy.
Dave Smith