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.

The First Postcard

Contemporary Resort
pre-opening postcard
(Fl-024)

It all started with a....postcard.  This pre-opening postcard of the Contemporary Resort is sequentially the first postcard created for the 1971 opening of Walt Disney World.  Why Fl-024 if it is the first card?  Great question.  My research has yet to figure that one out.  You can read more about these early postcards at WDW in Postcards.

Christmas Party in July

Cast Christmas Party ticket
1973

Merry Christmas in July!  Here is a ticket from the '2nd Annual Cast Christmas Party' from 1973.  It is hard to say whether or not the holder of ticket 01493 made it to the party or not.  The hole punch in Mickey's feet would say yes but the non-detached ticket stub would say no.  Either way, I'm sure it was a very merry & magical time.  Click here for more vintage cast member Christmas items.

Bob, Bob, Bob....

Water Recreation
pre-opening postcard
(FL-026)

Sorry, Al, the girl in the picture does not come with the hotel.  At least that is Bob's joke on this pre-opening WDW postcard.  But there are "...many like her down here asking for you."  The postcard was created prior to the 1971 opening (notice the future tense in the text) but Bob's visit and stay in the Contemporary was in March of 1973.

Wigwams and Ducks?

Wacky Wigwam
Parker Brothers, 1972

Wigwams and ducks? Interesting topics for an early Walt Disney World game, right? This 1972 Parker Brothers game is labeled as "A Walt Disney World Game", although there is no reference to the resort in the game itself. 

The object: be the first to cover all of your ducks under wigwams.  First, cover all of the ducks based on the number shown on the spinner.  Then fun begins by trying to find your opponents' ducks and uncovering them first. 

The game was made in Canada, thus (instructions en francais a l'interieur).  The back shows two other WDW games that I am on the lookout for now.

Thanks to my daughter for testing this game with me.  (I won)