Epcot 30th Anniversary

Yesterday, marked the thirtieth anniversary of Epcot. Cast members distributed special maps and pins. The inside of the Epcot 30 maps had the different park map designs over the last 30 years. It also had a timeline of important dates for new attractions, events, and shows.

Some started to arrive as early as 8am. Guest were let in the park about 15 mins before 9am.

Special events were planned for yesterday at World Showplace ( aka Millennium village ) by D23. 
-Disney Imagineers who worked on the Epcot project Jason Surrell, Jason Grandt, Alex Wright and others each talked about their role in the Epcot project.
-Former WDW imagineer creative executive Marty Sklar talked about some of the "inside story" on the birth of Epcot.

Band group marching through World Showcase.

At the American Gardens theater a ceremony for Epcot's 30th was at 3pm. Erin Young (VP Epcot), Meg Crofton, and Epcot cast members. With performances by Mariachi Cobre and The Voices of Liberty.

VIDEO of the end of this special ceremony:
To end the night, a spectacular finale added on to the daily Illuminations show.

VIDEO Epcot 30 fireworks finale:

A lot of Epcot fans went straight to the different shops upon entering for some Epcot 30 merch. At one point the line stretched from Mouse Gear to Spaceship Earth early in the AM.

Some of Epcot 30 merch.

Other things around Epcot:
New meet and greet area at France opening soon.

A look at Test Track from monorail

Special fireworks barges placed in the lagoon:

Duffy Fan anyone? can now meet him at Epcot in his Pumpkin costume:


<!~~~ Check out other post you might have missed:

Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2012

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2012

Enchanted Tales with Belle preview