Disney World Turns 50 & INTERCOT Reflects

As Walt Disney World turns 50, many of us are taking time to reflect on what it means to us - but for me, the words that comes to mind are FAMILY and FRIENDS. From the moment I stepped foot in the Magic Kingdom for the first time in 1974, to visiting EPCOT opening year in 1982, I was forever changed.


My life is full of so many wonderful memories because of the time spent there and the people I've met as a result. To my parents and specifically my Dad - the master of the AAA TripTik and Mobil Travel Guide - thank you for teaching me to always put family first - and to make "magic" a part of my everyday life. And to my wife, Stacey thanks for putting up with the Disney fanatic that lives inside me.


While WDW turns a half century old today, we at INTERCOT celebrate 24 years online in a few weeks and next year - will turn a quarter century old. For those who have been with us the whole ride - thank you - and to those new to the INTERnet Community Of Tomorrow, we look forward to seeing you real soon.


John Yaglenski - Founder & Chief Imagination Officer
INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Inside & Out


PS. Below are the earliest "digital camera" pics I could find today circa 1988 - things weren't exactly "high res" then.


#WaltDisneyWorld50

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Great thoughts Jon! My first trip was September 1982 just before Epcot opened, but I've been a fan ever since. I remember being amazed on that first trip and feeling like we truly were transported into a different world. 39 years later lots has changed between our lives, technology and the world. Despite all the criticisms, We still think its a very special place. We'll be back with new adventures and new faces for many years to come!

Thank you for the beautiful thoughts and pictures, John. My time on INTERCOT which I shared with my beautiful son who is no longer with us was such an incredibly special time in my life - as were my annual family trips which I still cannot believe I was so blessed to be able to take.

While I watch the ABC Disney special tonight, I reflect on not only the incredible Disney World trips I was able to adventure upon, but also all of the amazing INTERCOT friends I met along the way. Love to all that I miss each day on INTERCOT that I developed such touching and amazing relationships with!


:mickey:

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Originally Posted by John

As Walt Disney World turns 50, many of us are taking time to reflect on what it means to us - but for me, the words that comes to mind are FAMILY and FRIENDS. From the moment I stepped foot in the Magic Kingdom for the first time in 1974, to visiting EPCOT opening year in 1982, I was forever changed.


My life is full of so many wonderful memories because of the time spent there and the people I've met as a result. To my parents and specifically my Dad - the master of the AAA TripTik and Mobil Travel Guide - thank you for teaching me to always put family first - and to make "magic" a part of my everyday life. And to my wife, Stacey thanks for putting up with the Disney fanatic that lives inside me.


While WDW turns a half century old today, we at INTERCOT celebrate 24 years online in a few weeks and next year - will turn a quarter century old. For those who have been with us the whole ride - thank you - and to those new to the INTERnet Community Of Tomorrow, we look forward to seeing you real soon.


John Yaglenski - Founder & Chief Imagination Officer
INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Inside & Out


PS. Below are the earliest "digital camera" pics I could find today circa 1988 - things weren't exactly "high res" then.


#WaltDisneyWorld50

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Disney has been a happy place for me. It's hard to believe I've been a member of Intercot for 20 years!!!

Great pics!!

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Originally Posted by faline

Disney has been a happy place for me. It's hard to believe I've been a member of Intercot for 20 years!!!

Great pics!!

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It has been about 18 years on INTERCOT for me...Joined shortly after my first WDW trip, back in 2003.

Now time to get cracking on the 25th INTERCOT celebration - October of 2022

Let's not forget that Epcot turned 39 on 10/1. Hopefully they will have finished the re-imagining of Future World by the 40th next year. Just got back from a visit. Very disappointed with all of the construction walls.

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Originally Posted by John

Now time to get cracking on the 25th INTERCOT celebration - October of 2022

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I was in the middle of moving so missed the 20th. Looking forward to the 25th!!

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Originally Posted by John

Now time to get cracking on the 25th INTERCOT celebration - October of 2022

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Well, this is one I could make plans for. It will be in the middle of my (soon to be activated) AP (grandfathered Platinum Annual Pass, so ALL old benefits are still available!) and is in a time frame that I would 'normally' visit!!!

Will be taking our next trip next week with granddaughter (making four generations of Disney fanatics). Now as a Disney Vacation Club Member. I have lost count of the number of trips we have made starting in the early 1980's. All Magical!
One of my biggest regrets has been in 1973 (I'm really old) I was working a college job in Clearwater, FL and had an opportunity to go to DisneyWorld, but as a college student I was "too cool" to go to a kids park. Had no idea what I would be missing.

Being a part of this website from the early years and sharing stories with many friends has only made the journey more special.

Think Positive!!

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Originally Posted by pjbs35a

Will be taking our next trip next week with granddaughter (making four generations of Disney fanatics). Now as a Disney Vacation Club Member. I have lost count of the number of trips we have made starting in the early 1980's. All Magical!
One of my biggest regrets has been in 1973 (I'm really old) I was working a college job in Clearwater, FL and had an opportunity to go to DisneyWorld, but as a college student I was "too cool" to go to a kids park. Had no idea what I would be missing.

Being a part of this website from the early years and sharing stories with many friends has only made the journey more special.

Think Positive!!

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Enjoy your trip! It's awesome that you are able to enjoy with the entire family! Hopefully the temps are high and crowds low.

I'll miss you by about a week Frankie - ICOT 25 coming up at the end of the year. Planning starts soon. Hope to see you there!

Can anyone visiting in the next month provide some brutally honest updates on the state of the World? Beside the higher that average crowds, I've been hearing about low cast morale and more than average maintenance issues. I don't know if its the labor challenges or just Disney tightening its belt, but neither sounds fun.

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Originally Posted by John

I'll miss you by about a week Frankie - ICOT 25 coming up at the end of the year. Planning starts soon. Hope to see you there!

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When are you there, John? I get there on the 18th. Staying for a week.

Great sentiments John.
WDW was such a big part of my life as a father, taking our daughter regularly was very important.
My wife and I are at WDW right now, it’s been good but it is so much more meaningful when our granddaughters can be here with us.

I’ve been on INTERCOT for many years. The advice I received here was instrumental in turning me and my family into Disney fans.
Thank you John and INTERCOT members!

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Originally Posted by Jeff

Great sentiments John.
WDW was such a big part of my life as a father, taking our daughter regularly was very important.
My wife and I are at WDW right now, it’s been good but it is so much more meaningful when our granddaughters can be here with us.

I’ve been on INTERCOT for many years. The advice I received here was instrumental in turning me and my family into Disney fans.
Thank you John and INTERCOT members!

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Thank you my friend. Hope to see you at ICOT25 late this year. Dates to be announced Monday….

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Originally Posted by baldburke

Can anyone visiting in the next month provide some brutally honest updates on the state of the World? Beside the higher that average crowds, I've been hearing about low cast morale and more than average maintenance issues. I don't know if its the labor challenges or just Disney tightening its belt, but neither sounds fun.

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We’ve been here since 15JAN, leaving on 04FEB. Crowds have been fairly heavy the whole time. Festival of the Arts, at EPCOT, may have something to do with it. Cast members are all working hard to please everyone, but it’s clear that short staffing is taking a toll. World Showcase is mainly staffed by Disney personnel: many countries have curtailed travel, so foreign staff is missing. If you’re on a tight schedule, probably need to look into Genie+, but we think it isn’t worth it - we just do the standby lines and and take our time. MK is very crowded, as usual. They’re very hard over on mask-up indoors, which I think is ineffective, unnecessary, and just plain bothersome at this stage of affairs. EPCOT is torn up around Spaceship Earth: a bit of a maze. Long lines for Flight of Passage in AK, even at rope drop. Similar for Rise of the Resistance at HS. All the shows have been modified so that performers stay distant from each other: Lion King has no tumble monkeys or high flyers. Audience participation is non-existent. No character dining or close meet and greet (not a loss from our perspective).


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I feel lucky to have discovered Intercot years ago while planning a trip to Disney World. It's helped me a lot over the years. Reading others' Trip Reports helped me the most. I used to consider myself a Disney expert but things have changed so much especially in the last few years that I need Intercot even more than usual. I've been three times during the plague, err, pandemic, and had totally different experiences on each of the trips. That's the key to help from Intercot, it helps with the latest information as much as anyone can predict Disney activity.

Have not been back since 2013. When we lived in Florida at the time, we went there with extended family there.

John,

Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Intercot has been a great resource for many years. It seems like we were just discussing Intercot's 10th and ordering the special edition t-shirts.

It is fun to look back at our many WDW trips. Despite the recent changes, I hope that there will be a "great new wonderful tomorrow" again at WDW.