Best Throwback Ever: April 9, 2015

Daisy Lauren is enjoying a well-deserved vacation this week. So we’re firing up the Way Back Machine and going to 1985.

From the very first edition of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, we bring you:

Live Entertainment in EPCOT Center

Live entertainment in EPCOT Center is somewhat more diversified, as might be expected, than that of the Magic Kingdom. World Showcase provides almost unlimited potential for representative entertainment from the respective nations, and Future World allows for a new wave of creativity in live entertainment offerings.

Some information concerning the live entertainment on the day of your visit can be obtained from the information desk in the Earth Station lobby. Our experience, however, indicates that the Earth Station lobby attendants are not usually too well informed. Another source of information is the WorldKey Information Service. WorldKey usually has the answers, but it is not as direct as quizzing an attendant. EPCOT Center, like the Magic Kingdom, is very lax and inconsistent about having any sort of printed handout available concerning the day’s performances.

Listed below are some of the performers and performances you are likely to encounter. In addition, fireworks over the World Showcase Lagoon and a daily parade are being planned.

Future World Brass	A roving brass band that marches and plays according to a more or less extemporaneous schedule near Spaceship Earth and at other Future World locations.
Robot Characters	Costumed characters who lurk in the CommuniCore area of Future World, playing with children and posing for pictures.
American Gardens Stage	The site of EPCOT Center’s premier live performances is near The American Adventure, facing World Showcase Lagoon, in a large amphitheater. Top talent imported from all over the world play the American Gardens Stage on a limited engagement basis. many shows highlight the music, dance, and costume of the performers’ home country.
LaserPhonic Fantasy	An after dark show, consisting of music, fireworks, erupting fountains, special lighting, and laser technology performed on the World Showcase Lagoon when the park is open late.
Around World Showcase	A variety of unscheduled, impromptu performances take place in and around the various pavilions of World Showcase. You may encounter a strolling mariachi group in Mexico, street actors in Italy, a fife and drum corps or a singing group (The Voices of Liberty) at The American Adventure, traditional songs and dances in Japan, comical street musicians (the Pearly Kings and Queens) and a bagpipe band in England, white-faced mimes in France, and a versatile musical group, the Maple Leaf Brass, in Canada.
Dinner Shows	The restaurants in World Showcase as well as the Odyssey Restaurant, serve up healthy portions of live entertainment to accompany the victuals. Examples of restaurant floorshow fare include folk dancers and a baskapele band in Germany, singing waiters in Italy, and electronic music at the Odyssey. Restaurant shows are performed at both lunch and dinner seatings. Reservations are required except at the Odyssey.

 

Bring back memories? Have any photos of the Future World Robots? Share them in the comments below.