4. EPCOT Discovery Center/ WorldKey Information System

For the first decade of its life, Epcot was intentionally designed to blend education with fun. One of the core ideas was that guests would learn a great deal simply by interacting with the park’s new technological marvels. Those who wanted to dig deeper, however, could head over to the EPCOT Discovery Center in CommuniCore West (previously known as EPCOT Outreach and Ask EPCOT).

At a long counter, a staff of researchers and librarians were available to answer virtually any Disney-related question guests could imagine. They often had an answer at their fingertips, but if a query required additional research, they would take the guest’s name and home address, and send information later through the mail. This area was also home to the EPCOT Teachers’ Lounge, a private room for the exclusive use of educators.

Technically, the WorldKey Information System was not a part of CommuniCore, as its kiosks were located in Spaceship Earth’s Earth Station and throughout the park. However, it was an important part of the high-tech linking system that was a major component of the early park experience.

The kiosks primarily used laserdiscs to give guests touch-screen access to park maps and information. However, at the touch of a button, visitors could also video chat with a Guest Services representative. In the early years, this was the only way to make dining reservations at the park, as advance reservations were not yet accepted. In addition, some guests used the WorldKey system as a sort of extension of the EPCOT Discovery Center. If a question occurred to you as you were walking around, you could pose the question to a Guest Services cast member via a nearby WorldKey kiosk, who would pass it along to the Discovery Center research team.

5. Age of Information

Part of the highly interactive FutureCom exhibit, located in CommuniCore West, the Age of Information was actually relatively low-tech. It used stylized wooden figures to show the wonders of the coming computer age. However, it also turned out to be arguably the most accurately predictive exhibit. At a time when the personal computer was just beginning to become a reality, the Age of Information correctly foretold the power of the Internet. It did get some things wrong, especially in that its predictions stopped with telephone-based data modems, and it did not predict the sheer magnitude of the Internet’s importance in our daily lives. But for 1982, it was amazingly accurate. The exhibit would have little practical purpose in today’s Epcot, but the nostalgic value would be overwhelming.