Tinkin' About... PBS Walt Disney Documentary Tomorrow!

Good afternoon, Tinkers!

     Hope you're having a great weekend! Just wanted to remind everyone that PBS is airing a two night documentary about the life of Walt Disney, called American Experience: Walt Disney,  on Monday, September 14th and Tuesday, September 15th, at 9pm EST. If you're at all Walt-obsessed like I am, you'll love seeing rarely seen photos, hearing stories from those that knew Walt best and more.

Photo credit: PBS.com

     I know how I'll be spending the next two nights! Enjoy!

Ask Tink: What does EPCOT stand for?

"What does EPCOT stand for? Does it mean something?"

     Thanks to the Tinker that sent in this question. I think everyone should know what the letters EPCOT stand for, since Walt picked them very deliberately and carefully. 

   
     EPCOT is an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. When the original plans for EPCOT were being developed, Walt imagined it to be a living community, a sort of "utopia" which combined technology and learning with everyday life. One of the original concepts can be seen when you ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, or PeopleMover, in The Magic Kingdom. After Walt's passing, the concept changed around a bit, and it became more like a World's Fair, showcasing new technologies and concepts, as well as displaying life in our global community in World Showcase. 

   
     It wasn't until the mid 90's that Epcot became more of a word than an acronym, with only the "E" being capitalized. What happened to the original EPCOT concept? Well, you can draw some parallels between today's town of Celebration, which was developed by Disney, and the plans for the prototype community, but Celebration was not truly meant to be the realization of Walt's vision. 

     So, there you have it... Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. Although, there are some really fun alternatives that Guests and Cast Members have created over the years. Here's a few, just for kicks...

- Every Person Comes Out Tired

- Every Parent Carries Out a Toddler

- Every Paycheck Comes On Thursday

- Employee Polyester Costumes Of Torture

- Every Pocketbook Comes Out Trashed

Tinkin' About... Disneyland's 60th Anniversary!

Good evening, Tinkers!

         I know I am late to the game, but I do not want today to go unrecognized. Today is Disneyland's 60th Anniversary. What an incredible achievement. Can we all just take a moment and ponder the incredible gravity of that achievement? I'm not talking about the fact that it merely lasted 60 years. No, it's not amazing that a theme park stuck around for 60 years, or that it's still making billions annually today, (it IS). What I am referring to is that fact that one man's dream... a dream for a place for children and parents to have fun together, where magic knows no limits, and where cleanliness and friendliness are as necessary as flying elephant rides... one man's dream has blossomed into the dreams of millions. 

        Walt's wisdom, imagination and genius has inspired the dreams of millions of kids who only want to one day meet their favorite character. The dreams of millions of families who want an escape from the everyday troubles of unemployment, taxes, war, illness, poverty, inequalities and injustices. The dreams of many Guests and Cast Members who met their spouses there, or took them on their first date there, or got married there. The dreams of an excited new family, who after years and years of heartbreak and disappointment, finally got to bring their two newly adopted kids, (not even adopted yet, just moved in!), to Disneyland to celebrate. (I may have infused my own experience here.) The dreams of millions of past, present and future Cast Members, who only hope to pass on a bit of Walt's magic to their Guests. 

         One man's dream not only lasted, but grew exponentially, for 60 years!!! And it will continue to grow. As long as there is imagination left in the world. 

         Happy 60th, Disneyland! Thank you, so very much for making the world a more magical place!