Kodak at WDW

EPCOT Center Guide Book
1985

Since Kodak is in the news recently, I thought we would take a look at its relationship to Walt Disney World thru the lens of this 1985 EPCOT Center Guide Book.  (pun intended)  Eastman Kodak was a very prominent sponsor in WDW from the 80's until they filed for bankruptcy in 2012.

I am sure that many of us remember the "Photo Spots" sign stanchions located all around the parks, indicating "prime photo-taking locations" containing the Kodak logo.  The Guide Book maps also highlighted these locations with a circle in a square icon.

Kodak took over after GAF gave up its sponsorship in the late 70's.  You can read more about GAF by selecting the link above.  Kodak's sponsorship included giving their own "photo tips" in the guides.  They also sponsored attractions, such as Journey Into Imagination and Mickey's PhilharMagic.  And of course, they sold Kodak film all around the parks.

Something I was not aware of until reading the back of the Guide Book: "Borrow a Kodak Camera Free!"  At the Camera Center under Spaceship Earth, you could borrow (with a refundable deposit) a Kodak Disc Camera or KODAMATIC Instant Camera.  Kodak had it good for awhile.  Now let's see what they can do with round #2.  Maybe they could sponsor the first-aid stations if the drug thing works out for them.

World of Motion

EPCOT Center Future World Tin Tray
World of Motion
1982

The World of Motion was an opening day attraction at EPCOT Center on October 1, 1982.  This tray shows a pre-opening drawing of the attraction. It was closed in 1996 and replaced by Test Track...possibly because the copywriters did such a lack luster job on describing the experience on the back of this tray.

Partnerships With 'The Land'

EPCOT Center Future World Tin Tray
The Land
1982

Our second tin tray from the pre-opening of EPCOT Center in 1982 features an artist rendering of The Land pavilion.  I am not sure exactly when or where these trays would have been purchased but I can only assume by the future tense of the description, and the fact that they used drawings instead of photos, that it was prior to Oct. 1 1982.

Spaceship Earth Tin Tray

EPCOT Center Future World Tin Tray
Spaceship Earth
1982

Here is an early souvenir from EPCOT Center, 1982.  This tin tray, made by Fabcraft, Inc., is 6" x 4 3/8".  It features an artist rendering of Spaceship Earth on the front and a description of the "Future World Theme Attraction" on the back.  The logo uses the flat Walt Disney World font without the Big D/Globe Head that was common on most of the early EPCOT Center logos.