Where In The Park Podcast - Discovering the Details of your Favorite Theme Parks

Why EPCOT Exists: The Story Behind World Showcase

WhereInThePark.com Episode 34

Before EPCOT had pavilions, festivals, or a lagoon lined with countries, it was something entirely different.

In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast, we’re laying the groundwork for a brand-new monthly series by diving deep into the history of how EPCOT came to be—and why half of the park is dedicated to the World Showcase.

From Walt Disney’s original plans for the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, to decades of annual reports, leadership changes, abandoned ideas, and major pivots, this episode traces the long and winding path that led to the EPCOT we know today. Along the way, we explore early concepts like International Street, Little Europa, permanent World’s Fair ideas, and the moment when EPCOT officially stopped being a city and became something else entirely.

This episode sets the stage for what’s coming next: a pavilion-by-pavilion exploration of the details, stories, and design choices that make World Showcase such a unique place to wander.

If you’ve ever wondered why EPCOT feels different from every other Disney park, this is where the answer begins.

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