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Epcot

Originally conceived as a futuristic, working city, Epcot eventually became the second theme park at Walt Disney World when it opened in 1982. It sprawls across a massive 300 acres, making it almost three times as large as the Magic Kingdom. Despite this, it's still not the largest theme park at Walt Disney World - that crown is taken by Disney's Animal Kingdom. To build the park, some 54 million cubic feet of dirt was excavated.

Before:

Epcot's icon is Spaceship Earth, which weighs some 16 million pounds. The outer skin is made up of 11,324 aluminum and plastic-alloy triangles. You can see an early model of it below, followed by several images of it being put together.

Spaceship Earth construction (1)

 

Spaceship Earth construction (2)

 

Spaceship Earth construction (4)

 

Spaceship Earth construction (5)

 

Future World construction (1)

 

The World Showcase area of the park sits around an enormous lagoon, which covers some 40 acres. If you walk around the entire World Showcase lagoon, from Mexico to Canada, you've covered a distance of some 1.25 miles.

World Showcase construction

 

After:

Spaceship Earth.jpg

 

Epcot

Image: Greg Goebel, via Flickr

 

Morocco Pavilion

Over the years, a number of new pavilions have been added to the World Showcase line-up. Here's a look at the Morocco Pavilion, which debuted in 1984.

Before:

Morocco Pavilion construction

 

After:

Morocco Pavilion

 
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Comments

I believe the third photo under Spaceship Earth is actually World of Motion.

I believe you're right. Removed for now.

In reply to by Visitor (not verified)

It isn't. It definitely is Space Mountain. Just look at the foreground, and you'll see Cinderella Castle. You wouldn't see the castle at Epcot.

wow what a great write up that was and to see some old pics of then and now love it

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