Disney 1985....what a difference 21 years makes

[MickeyNicki]

The summer of 85 my mom and dad sent my sister and I to Florida for 2 months to stay with my aunt and uncle. They took us to WDW for a few days in July. We had recorded our stay on Beta and my mom had it transferred to VHS years ago, now she transferred it to a DVD and mailed me a copy. Wow has the world changed. My aunt recorded everything, the rides, the fireworks, the show, us, the restaurants, EVERYTHING!

DH and I watched it last night and could not believe it! Carousel of Progress had a different song, the Tiki Bird was the original, County Bears had a different song, Epcot had the coolest computer technology, 20000 Leagues Under the Seas, the Living Seas had the ride, Captain EO, World of Motions, Horizons, the sky ride in MK, The Odessey was still a restaurant, Kitchen Karbaret!!! The most amazing thing that we noticed was no crowds, the parks were so low on attendance! The worst thing we saw was the bright blue high top Reboxs with white sunglasses and JAMS shorts! Man what was I thinking???

Now if only I could invent a machine to take me back in time.

 

[CFioren317]

I have a video from my first time in 1991 and the saddest thing for me is seeing the old Journey Into Imagination ride...that was one of my favs and the new one is not nearly as good. I also liked the World of Motion and Horizon's rides too....

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks for the memories!
Bobbi

 

[QT Pooh]

The worst thing we saw was the bright blue high top Reboxs with white sunglasses and JAMS shorts! Man what was I thinking???

Now if only I could invent a machine to take me back in time.

Hee-hee! That's so funny! Did you see a lot of 'big' 80's hair in that video too? I'm sure the ticket and resort prices have changed quite a bit since that time too.

I love going back and reviewing all our old pics from WDW (been going since it opened! - you should see some of the '70s styles. A lot of plaid and flowers - yikes)

 

[Tiffer]

I have a video from my first time in 1991 and the saddest thing for me is seeing the old Journey Into Imagination ride...that was one of my favs and the new one is not nearly as good. I also liked the World of Motion and Horizon's rides too....

Journey to Imagination was my FAV too!!!! I was so sad when they closed it. Glad Figment is still around b/c he's my favorite character, but it's just not the same.

I MISS the 80's!! I loved JAMS Shorts, I forgot all about them, they were the best, sweet-orrs ( I think that was a North East Thing), multi-colored pin striped Jordache, Capizios and leg warmers.

I think there is a photo thread for then and now or something. I have a pic of me (now 32) in a stoller from the late 70's, I have to try and post it. The WDW pop-corn is in the pic and the container is so old!! (like me I guess)

 

[Simba's Mom]

Oh, how you make me wish we'd had a video camera on our first visit in 1987. At least we have lots of still pictures. But I'm kicking myself that we didn't take pictures of the construction of what was to be the Grand Floridian. And no where do we have pictures of the area of Epcot that's now the International Gateway (there was no such thing then). It's so hard to predict what's here today that will be gone tomorrow (or the other way around).

 

[Harvest02]

Journey to Imagination was my FAV too!!!! I was so sad when they closed it. Glad Figment is still around b/c he's my favorite character, but it's just not the same.

I MISS the 80's!! I loved JAMS Shorts, I forgot all about them, they were the best, sweet-orrs ( I think that was a North East Thing), multi-colored pin striped Jordache, Capizios and leg warmers.

I think there is a photo thread for then and now or something. I have a pic of me (now 32) in a stoller from the late 70's, I have to try and post it. The WDW pop-corn is in the pic and the container is so old!! (like me I guess)

Disney was MUCH cheaper then too! But, as far as the 80's, they were great! So many fun memories for me! I was in high school then, graduating in 1987. I remember the leg warmers too!!! How funny!!! The music was great back then too! Billy Ocean, Huey Lewis and the News, Lionel Richie, Billy Joel, I could go on and on! Those videos and pictures are truly worth a thousand words, aren't they????

 

[goNDmay9]

DH and I watched it last night and could not believe it! Carousel of Progress had a different song, the Tiki Bird was the original, County Bears had a different song, Epcot had the coolest computer technology, 20000 Leagues Under the Seas, the Living Seas had the ride, Captain EO, World of Motions, Horizons, the sky ride in MK, The Odessey was still a restaurant, Kitchen Karbaret!!! QUOTE]

Those were the times! My family remembers that original COP song - now is the time, now is the time - now is the best time of the year" or something like that. It is sad - i used to LOVE COP when i was little. Now - it is so empty i am afraid it is going to be gone soon.

I always loved the tiki birds too - i was afraid that was going to be gone when people literally starting getting up and walking out in the middle of the show! Thanks goodness they just revamped it.

We only have stil pictures to look at too! Wish we would have lugged that big huge video camera around now!

 

[JRawkSteady]

I have so many pictures...I wish it had been a video though.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Hee-hee! That's so funny! Did you see a lot of 'big' 80's hair in that video too? I'm sure the ticket and resort prices have changed quite a bit since that time too.

I love going back and reviewing all our old pics from WDW (been going since it opened! - you should see some of the '70s styles. A lot of plaid and flowers - yikes)

You should see the big hair, mine included! There is a shot of a guy walking by us with a bad comb over, white socks pulled to the knees, tight white shorts and a striped shirt...so funny!

My uncle said the prices were no where near what they are now....he said I argued with him because I was not 12 I was 14 and the price cut off for a child back then was 12! Can you imagine that?! Actually considered a child at 12?????

 

[monetnj]

DH and I watched it last night and could not believe it! Carousel of Progress had a different song, the Tiki Bird was the original, County Bears had a different song, Epcot had the coolest computer technology, 20000 Leagues Under the Seas, the Living Seas had the ride, Captain EO, World of Motions, Horizons, the sky ride in MK, The Odessey was still a restaurant, Kitchen Karbaret!!! QUOTE]

Those were the times! My family remembers that original COP song - now is the time, now is the time - now is the best time of the year" or something like that. It is sad - i used to LOVE COP when i was little. Now - it is so empty i am afraid it is going to be gone soon.

I always loved the tiki birds too - i was afraid that was going to be gone when people literally starting getting up and walking out in the middle of the show! Thanks goodness they just revamped it.

We only have stil pictures to look at too! Wish we would have lugged that big huge video camera around now!

I miss the old COP song too. I think the present one is supposed to be the original World's Fair one, but I grew up to the old one. "Now is the time, now is the best time, now is the best time of your life!" Something like that.

 

[minijeanie]

I hate to admit it but I liked the parks better in the 80's as well.

Even though techonolgy is better, rides faster, I prefer the leisurely stroll around Epcot where you weren't banging into each other. I also think the crowds weren't as bad. But then again you didn't have as many inside resorts either.

 

[Mary Anne]

Yes,the COP song now is the Original one from the NY World's Fair in 1964. I remember going to see it there when I was a little girl. OK not so little 13. That song to me is the Original not the other one.

 

[monetnj]

Yes,the COP song now is the Original one from the NY World's Fair in 1964. I remember going to see it there when I was a little girl. OK not so little 13. That song to me is the Original not the other one.

Ah, Flushing Meadows in 1964. Must have been quite a site back then, with Shea Stadium brand-spanking new too. I was actually born in Flushing in 1971. Missed the World's Fair, but played amongst what was left over for many years on weekend afternoons in the park. I remember getting quite a thrill seeing that stuff play a prominent role at the end of the first Men in Black movie.

Anyway, still like the non-original COP song better. Tune seemed catchier to me. Or maybe it is just loaded with more emotional content because it reminds me of boyhood trips to WDW with the my family.

 

[monetnj]

Did a bit of research and found the "Now is the Time" lyrics:

Now is the time.
Now is the best time.
Now is the best time of your life.
Life is a prize, live every minute.
Open your eyes and watch how you win it!
Yesterday's memories may sparkle and gleam,
tomorrow is still but a dream.
Right here and now,
you've got it made.
The world's forward marching and you're in the parade!
Now is the time.
Now is the best time.
Be it a time of joy or strife.
There's so much to cheer for, be glad you're here.
For it's the best time of your life.

Apparently, the song was inspired by the GE, COP sponsor at the time, "We bring good things to life" advertising campaign. According to the Disney website:

The show's original theme song: "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" and its newly-penned "Now is the Time" were both written by the Oscar®-winning Sherman Brothers.

Great stuff on Wikipedia too:

Wikipedia COP info