A look at EPCOT's 40th-anniversary celebration

Oct 01, 2022 in "EPCOT"

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EPCOT 40th Anniversary

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Posted: Saturday October 1, 2022 9:38am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

EPCOT turns 40 today, and the park is marking the occasion with a low-key event mostly centered around merchandise.

EPCOT 40th Anniversary

At the park entrance, EPCOT 40 banners welcome guests.

EPCOT 40th Anniversary

Commemorative maps are available, and the original 1982 background loop is playing.

EPCOT 40th Anniversary

The queue for EPCOT 40 merchandise hit four hours shortly after the park opened, spanning the entire front half of the park. See the EPCOT 40 merchandise.

Guests have a 4 hour wait to enter Creations Shop

The queue begins on the other side of the park

In World Showcase Lagoon, the Harmonious hardware is showing EPCOT 40 graphics.

EPCOT 40th Anniversary

At 11 am, an anniversary moment took place at the American Gardens Theater featuring performances from Mariachi Cobre, Voices of Liberty, the Disney Ambassadors, and EPCOT VP Kartika Rodriguez.

EPCOT 40th Anniversary

EPCOT 40th Anniversary Celebration at the America Gardens Theater

See photos and video of the EPCOT 40 ceremony.

In attendance today are Disney Parks boss Josh D'Amaro, and Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle.

Disney Parks President Josh D'Amaro

Later in the evening, a special EPCOT 40 Beacon of Magic lighting sequence will debut on Spaceship Earth, but we do not expect to see any special firework tag following Harmonious.

EPCOT 40th Anniversary

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Inspired FigmentJan 16, 2023

It’s because it isn’t a threat to their business, because they genuinely think people only want their current ‘mostly’ bland, low effort, generic offerings. Their thinking is “ about that “unfavorable” Disney IP they’re utilizing and selling. Isn’t a threat to us” That or they just don’t want to cause a commotion & further bad publicity for themselves cause, in actuality, it’s only ‘promoting’ them & their business positively. (Which truth be told, is the best way to go about it.. see the way they targeted daycare centers using their characters.. not a good idea PR or legacy wise). Their product quality, reception of it, & sales should speak for themselves..

NunuJan 15, 2023

Happened to us last month, too! 😌

CaptainAmericaJan 15, 2023

Just saw the 40th Anniversary beacon of light show on Spaceship Earth for the first time. More than one of us were singing along loudly and conducting the ROE fireworks finale during "We Go On."

Billy6Jan 10, 2023

When there in October, none of the Cm's knew about it either... I want one!!!

Figments FriendJan 10, 2023

I have always been curious as to how these Etsy people can sell what is essentially ‘bootleg’ items with stolen graphics and not be shut down. I am all for artistic expression, but it’s more then obvious a lot of money is being made on someone elses’ clearly copyrighted imagery and nobody seems to call them out on it. So how do they get away with it? Some of these sellers have very slick looking social media pages and websites that can easily lead someone not in the know to think this stuff is official Disney merch. I’ve been observing this for years and have always wondered. -

Vinnie MacJan 09, 2023

Someone did a video of them in like an 80's/early 90's type filter and it even looked fitting for that era of Epcot. I love it

Coaster LoverJan 09, 2023

Goo Good to see they are maintained this. It truly is one of the best things to come from the 50th anniversary of WDW.

TheEPCOTHistorianJan 09, 2023

It never released... I have been checking every. single. day. and it hasn't been in.

stuartJan 09, 2023

I have said this for years. Why must everything be so garish and in your face? And when it is subtle on the front the back has a ridiculous design. I got very, very lucky and nabbed one of those in July. Seemed like they came out or baxk into stock then. The girl at the till said they sell out instantly, and have been super popular. As you say, simple polo ans logo is all so many want. Even a store at Downtown Disney where you choose a shirt colour, choose a park / resort / ride logo. I'm fortunate to have the tools at work, so made myself this....

TiggerishJan 09, 2023

I see that's a Citizen. We were at WDW last week and the only watches we saw were Citizen, and they were minimum $275.

Cmdr_CrimsonJan 08, 2023

Simple, because they would shut them down and think their merchandise is better... https://disneytips.com/small-business-owners-beware-disney-is-cracking-down-on-unauthorized-merchandise-ir1/

ThelazerJan 08, 2023

I mean hell, they should just buy in bulk from Etsy and sell it in the parks. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1318747292/epcot-40-epcot-40th-anniversary-shirt?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=Disney+40th&ref=sc_gallery-1-16&plkey=d565b5e447846e29084ccd32de9041410c87bf35%3A1318747292 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1195578643/retro-inspired-epcot-forever-coin-epcot?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=epcot+40th&ref=sr_gallery-1-5&sts=1&organic_search_click=1 https://www.etsy.com/listing/963215902/epcot-shirt-the-land-vintage-epcot-shirt?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=epcot+40th&ref=sr_gallery-1-22&pop=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

TouchdownJan 08, 2023

How about a simple grey polo with the logo stiched over The left breast, if you want to get fancy hint the SE triangle pattern on the collar. After all what’s the one mens 50th item that has been impossible to find? The Nike dry fit navy polo with the gold WDW logo and castle. Simple sells.