A Surprisingly Crisp 30+ Year-Old Home Video Taken in the MK !

[Joshua_me]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnuvu_V2FE4

^ Courtesy of the good folks over at "Widen Your World".

For those of you who care about such things, (which, come to think of it, is most likely everyone reading this.. )

It's very rare to find an amateur video of this length and quality.

I was 12 in 1982, (Yes, I'm old, be quiet...) and it's odd to see this video in contrast to how I remember things at the time.

A couple of things:

1) Is it me, or does the park seem cleaner and more well maintained ?

2) Do the guests seem somewhat more quiet and in awe of things and in general more mellow and less stressed ?

And 3, I'd forgotten just how, um, SHORT "shorts" were back then !

And orange polyester, to boot ! Good heavens, you could see all the way to Florida !

<ahem>

But, I digress.

Enjoy !

 

[sjs314]

my first trip was ot until 1989 so this will be a treat to watch!

 

[Joshua_me]

Enjoy, sjs !

(Don't forget to "upgrade" the vid to 480p, and "fullscreen it", everyone...)

HOW is there a video from 1982 in 480p ???

Corey... I'm betting YOU know...

 

[kbelle8995]

I enjoy this video on really two levels.

"Oh my goodness we wore that?" AH the 80's fashion I remember those.

Also all the ways WDW has changed through the years.

 

[warrenite]

Don't forget back in 1982 (yikes I remember that year too); the Internet didn't exist we didn't get to see many videos or pictures of WDW. We only saw what family and friends took

There was a lot more room to be amazed it was not nearly as routine as it seems now.

Just my $0.02.

JSP

 

[k5jm]

Did you see everyone on their smartphones?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Thank you for posting that. 1982 was my first trip!

 

[Pumbaa7287]

Very cool watch. I just can't believe how EMPTY it seems for being in the middle of August! I would love to have crowds like that any day of the year, especially in a peak time like that!

Great share. Thanks so much for this!

 

[CarrieR]

I often wonder about the quality of our home videos from the 80s. We used a large video camera, wired to a giant recording box... Might be interesting to try to find, as I recall it having decent quality.

Anyways, that video was shot on my first birthday - It is amazing to see not only the many changes, but the things that have remained identical (or been moved back retro.) The tea party sign, for example. Small World was so DARK inside!! I had to laugh at myself, as they panned through Fantasyland - "What's that ticket booth looking thing?" Yeah , that would be a ticket booth... Lol. Also interesting that they seemed to be on some sort of guided tour.

Anyways, thanks for pointing out this gem. My first trip wasn't until later in the 80s and my memories are limited. Awesome to see how the park has evolved over the years.

 

[Revan]

Amazing video. I kept being drawn to the differences in the people.
- I saw a bunch of people walking around smoking - no designated smoking areas.

- The Disney marketing machine was non-existent - no funny hats or Disney shirts to be seen.

- Most people were so thin, this is pre-high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners (for the most part) and before the government demonized fat in favor of carbohydrates...

- I did see a couple with matching outfits (orange shorts & white shirts), no families or large groups with crazy tie-dyed shirts

- Didn't get the sense that people were touring the park commando, but more leisurely - this may have something to do with less attractions/parks to see during their stay.

 

[bcrook]

That was an incredible film. Adventureland looked more lush in that movie, and the unique shops seemed more fun.

I went to the Magic Kingdom in 1973, 1977, and 1985. I can remember nearly everything about my visits except the If You Had Wings ride. It didn't require a ticket, so I am sure I had to ride it multiple times, but I can't remember it all.

And even the walkways looked less crowded, the peoplemover and its a small world lines looked much longer than I am used to. The shooting gallery was much more lively, that was one of my favorite things to do as a kid.

The cars on the raceway looked as slow or slower than ever. I remember them as being fast! .

The magic kingdom lost a significant key image when they closed the skyway.

 

[Joshua_me]

- The Disney marketing machine was non-existent - no funny hats or Disney shirts to be seen.

^ That's a good catch, Revan !

I re-watched the video, (again) and I couldn't spot a single Disney T-Shirt, or even a mouse-ear hat.

I KNOW they existed back then, I remember my Mom buying me T-shirts, but I think they were meant to be worn when you got back home. Turning your chest, in essence, into a walking billboard for the park.

I'm not sure when things shifted and people started wearing their Disney gear in the parks themselves....

 

[DisneyKevin]

This video brought back great memories and made me a bit sad.

I understand that things change and evolve, but when the podcast conversation turns to My Disney Magic +. 180 days, rope drop, commando touring, running to get fast passes etc...I cant help but think of the time when these things weren't necessary.

John and I were driving yesterday and the topic of this video came up.

I have been going to WDW since 1971 and watching this film reminded me of how grateful I am to have the memories of going before things were "improved".

All my life, I've been into the "here, now, what's next" mindset. New and different has usually equated to "better".

As I get older, this has changed a bit and watching this video is the perfect example of what I'm talking about.

Thanks for the memories.

 

[DaeHyFoog]

Thanks for posting the video. My family went to Disney World several times in the late seventies and early eighties, but as the baby of the family I don't have many memories from these trips. It was really cool to see how much has changed and how much has stayed the same.

 

[WaDiWo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnuvu_V2FE4

1) Is it me, or does the park seem cleaner and more well maintained ?

2) Do the guests seem somewhat more quiet and in awe of things and in general more mellow and less stressed ?
:

This is awesome in so many ways. Oftentimes our memories are clouded by "nostalgia" and a "wish for simpler times..." BUT you are right-- the park WAS cleaner!!

really, our memories of how disney world was and should be -- as you said clean, well maintained, manicured, with well behaving guests marvelling at the detail of disney -- is not a false memory, it is the way it really was!

great find.

 

[GAN]

Okay... Now I feel old

 

[HeatherLassell]

Very cool! And omg all those men in short shorts. LOL

 

[laura_<3]

Wow what a treat! Thanks for sharing It's great to see what it was like back then.

 

[BriarRosie]

I was very much mocking our fashions from 1982. We wear short shorts, indeed!

I noticed the tour guide, when she was still in Town Square, used ONE FINGER to point! The horrors! I also noticed how empty it seemed at first, but as the park filled, it still didn't seem overly crowded.

We also have to keep in mind that in August of 1982, the only park was the Magic Kingdom. I'm pretty sure they didn't stop the A-E ticket book system until Epcot opened, and the multiple day passport was introduced.

I also noticed were there were strollers, but much fewer of them around. Most people were walking.

 

[Joshua_me]

This video brought back great memories and made me a bit sad.

I understand that things change and evolve, but when the podcast conversation turns to My Disney Magic +. 180 days, rope drop, commando touring, running to get fast passes etc...I cant help but think of the time when these things weren't necessary.

John and I were driving yesterday and the topic of this video came up.

I have been going to WDW since 1971 and watching this film reminded me of how grateful I am to have the memories of going before things were "improved".

All my life, I've been into the "here, now, what's next" mindset. New and different has usually equated to "better".

As I get older, this has changed a bit and watching this video is the perfect example of what I'm talking about.

Thanks for the memories.

A thoughtful reply, thanks as always, Kevin.

It brought to me a memory I hadn't thought of in years.

I can remember my Great Grandmother (who was nearing the age of 100 at the time) sitting me down one day and trying to explain to me the concept of how when one gets older, the world seems to go by more and more quickly, both in regard to the passage of time and in the actions of people.

"No one seems to stop and smell the roses anymore", and other quotes such as that.

Of course, at age 10 or so most of this flew right over my head. But, as I am now getting older myself I am beginning to understand the wisdom that she was trying to impart to me at the time.

I too am thankful for my memories of the parks during a more "relaxed" time, but as you said, things change and evolve - both in reality and our own perceptions of it.

And so it goes...

P.S. And, for whatever reason, just knowing my thread sparked up a conversation between you and John brings a smile to my face.

and

P.P.S. For all of you above who have thanked me for this clip, you are very welcome. It makes me extremely happy to spread a little Disney cheer whenever possible.