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78. How Bowers on Retro Magic, EPCOT Center, and the Opening Day of the Disney/MGM Studios

08.05.2019 by Dan Heaton // Leave a Comment

The Retro Disney World podcast focuses on lost attractions like the original Disney/MGM Studios.


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Later this month, Disney will unveil the latest plans for Epcot’s “transformation” at the D23 Expo in Anaheim. I’m nervous about what we’ll hear during that event, but I realize that EPCOT Center was a product of its time. This expectation sets the framework for my conversation with How Bowers on this episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast. We discuss the unique situation in the late ‘70s for what made the park possible. The landscape for Disney is different today from that retro time as we approach Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary.

How and I also cover his experiences visiting the Disney/MGM Studios on the park’s opening day. This story also reminds us of just how much has changed at Disney since 1989. With Galaxy’s Edge set to open on August 29th, there is little connection between that original park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In a similar vein as Epcot, shifts in the movie world have changed the environment where the original version existed. Disney is still trying to figure out how to structure this park to match guests’ expectations.

As a co-host of the Retro Disney World Podcast, How delves into the surprising details on Walt Disney World’s past attractions. Along with Todd McCartney, Brian Miles, and JT Kuzior, he tackles a new attraction or other topic each month. They’ve also organized an incredible event called RetroMagic for October 13 as part of the podcast’s fifth anniversary. Their guests for RetroMagic include Bob Gurr, Rolly Crump, Tom Nabbe, Jim Sarno, and so many other talented figures. It was amazing to speak with How again on The Tomorrow Society Podcast.

How Bowers is the host of the Retro Disney World Podcast, which is a great resource for fans of Disney's earlier days.

Show Notes: Retro Disney World

Listen to the Retro Disney World podcast at retrowdw.com and learn about the Lake Buena Vista Historical Society at lbvhistory.com.

Learn more about the Retro Magic event on October 13th at Walt Disney World and its speakers, which include Bob Gurr, Tom Nabbe, and other former Imagineers.

Follow How Bowers on Twitter @GoAwayGreen.

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Categories // Tomorrow Society Podcast Tags // Disney/MGM Studios, EPCOT Center, Interviews, Podcasts, Walt Disney World

About Dan Heaton

Dan’s first theme-park memory was a vacation at the Polynesian Resort in 1980 as a four-year-old. He’s a lifelong fan who has written and podcasted regularly about the industry. Dan loves both massive Disney and Universal theme parks plus regional attractions near his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. His favorite all-time attraction is Horizons at EPCOT Center.

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