Help Me- Making ADRs in the 1980's

[hapandpam]

A friend and I were talking about our first trips to WDW in the mid 1980's and both of us remember making same day reservations to dine in Epcot using a terminal. However, neither of us can remember exactly where this was. I thought it was in one of the Innovation buildings and she thought it was in Spaceship Earth. I am sure someone out there will remember this, or knows the answer.

Also, has SE always had an attraction in it?

Thanks for the answers. You guys are great!

 

[buzz5985]

It was in one of the Innovations buildings. There was a terminal and you actually saw the CM on the screen as they made your reservation for you.

 

[Abharmagic]

I remember that too... and loved it. It had been a while since my last time at WDW (big break between trips in early 1990s until Oct 2007) and before I got an updated guide book, I thought that's what you still did- hahaha.... good thing I read up and made some ADRs

 

[hapandpam]

I remember that too... and loved it. It had been a while since my last time at WDW (big break between trips in early 1990s until Oct 2007) and before I got an updated guide book, I thought that's what you still did- hahaha.... good thing I read up and made some ADRs

Imagine how surprised you would have been!

 

[BCV23]

I remember making reservations in SE itself.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Used to, Spaceship Earth would deposit you right in the area where the touchscreen video terminals were. I can't remember the name of the area - it was community "something" I believe. Anyway, you'd snake through a line, and CMs would direct you to the first available reservationist, who'd beam at you from the screen. You'd talk directly to him/her and make reservations the day of. Fun! And, there were signs posted that told you which restaurants were already booked for the day.

There was another kiosk near Germany with the same screens.

Those were the good old days, but these are the good old days for other folks.

 

[hapandpam]

OK. So we have 2 for SE and 2 for Innovations. Anyone else?

 

[marciemi]

I'm going to vote with the SE crowd. I remember coming out of SE as someone else mentioned and passing by it right there. I believe it was still under the "globe" part.

And to answer your other questions, I'm pretty sure there has always been a ride there. I went with my family (in HS at the time) in October of 1982, within a few weeks after Epcot opened, and know we rode it then because we got stuck on it for a very long time (or at least it seemed that way!).

 

[BCV23]

Used to, Spaceship Earth would deposit you right in the area where the touchscreen video terminals were. I can't remember the name of the area - it was community "something" I believe. Anyway, you'd snake through a line, and CMs would direct you to the first available reservationist, who'd beam at you from the screen. You'd talk directly to him/her and make reservations the day of. Fun! And, there were signs posted that told you which restaurants were already booked for the day.

There was another kiosk near Germany with the same screens.

Those were the good old days, but these are the good old days for other folks.

That's what I remember from our first trip to Epcot too which was in May of 83 although I don't remember the kiosks by Germany.

I love your last sentence. So true.

OK. So we have 2 for SE and 2 for Innovations. Anyone else?

I suspect that both are right. I'll bet it started in SE and then later moved to Innoventions.

I'm going to vote with the SE crowd. I remember coming out of SE as someone else mentioned and passing by it right there. I believe it was still under the "globe" part.

And to answer your other questions, I'm pretty sure there has always been a ride there. I went with my family (in HS at the time) in October of 1982, within a few weeks after Epcot opened, and know we rode it then because we got stuck on it for a very long time (or at least it seemed that way!).

Love your picture! Such joy!

 

[sotoalf]

The reservation terminals were located at "Earth Station," the name for the exiting area in Spaceship Earth. I remember it vividly. Disney hasn't known what to do with that space since.

 

[dvcdisney]

I remembered it was a Kiosk as you enter Epcot so I would vote for SE as well. The last time I remembered using it was mid 90's when my husband and I were on our honeymoon and I mentioned to my husband that we should make the reservation for Coral Reef and he said not to worry about it, we can just go and wait. He was correct. At that time, you can walk up to most restaurants with minimal wait. We walk up to all of the ones we wanted and, except for one (wait was about 30 min), we had no wait.

Wow, it's strange for me to think of it. I get nervous if I don't have all my adrs booked at the earliest possible time (90+10 days now, but I did book 180+10 days in advance when it was offered).

 

[hapandpam]

The reservation terminals were located at "Earth Station," the name for the exiting area in Spaceship Earth. I remember it vividly. Disney hasn't known what to do with that space since.

After doing some research, I found that dining reservations were, if fact, made at Earth Station inside Spaceship Earth. I could not find any reference to it being in Innoventions as I thought. Guess I just didn't make enough trips to WDW back then. Thanks to everyone who responded.

 

[Mickeefan]

The reservation terminals were located at "Earth Station," the name for the exiting area in Spaceship Earth. I remember it vividly. Disney hasn't known what to do with that space since.

I remember these kiosks. I distinctly remember making reservations for a same-day dining experience at Rose & Crown.

Wasn't this area located where the wait-time board is now?

 

[Donna]

OK. So we have 2 for SE and 2 for Innovations. Anyone else?

It was definitely Spaceship Earth, did it many times. Back then INNOVENTIONS was called Communicore East and West but the dining kiosks were in Spaceship Earth, which was narrated by Walter Cronkite at the time.

 

[mwerner2]

I remember on my first trip to Epcot watching people run at opening time to screeens somewhere by SE. We thought it must be some great attraction, and when we found out it was to make meal reservations we thought everyone was crazy.

I mean, really, who would go to that much trouble to make a meal reservation?

 

[marciemi]

Thanks for the comment on my pic!

And is it just me, or is this thread making anyone else feel old? Is it bad that I can remember how to make an ADR 25 years ago better than I can remember things from our trip 2 years ago?

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

This thread makes me feel nostalgic! I loved those good ol' days.

I remember feeling like Epcot was on the cutting edge of technology in every respect. I remember thinking that if we can make dining reservations via a two-way audiovideo conference in 1983, what will we be doing in the year 2000??? I was envisioning holograms.

I wonder why Disney hasn't kept that cutting edge? Of course, they do in some respects. But based on what I saw the year Epcot opened, I expected more by now. I know it must be a big capital outlay, but I am surprised corporations have not done a better job of supporting Epcot.

I loved making dining reservations via those touchscreens. I couldn't believe how cool it was....

 

[BriarRosie]

I remember some sort of teleconference thing in Communicore, but that was unrelated to the dining reservations. Same concept, though, as you'd talk to cast members while watching them onscreen.

I agree with them being near Spaceship Earth and in World Showcase. I think I remember the one near Germany.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

When we started going in 1999 we always stayed off property most of time so the only way we ever made ADR's until the last couple of years was to walk into the customer service halls and do face to face reservations with a CM. We always ate at a World Showcase restaurant we we visited Epcot. This last September with free dining we took the opportunity to branch out and called way ahead to get great ADR's at places we'd never been.

 

[Donna]

I remember some sort of teleconference thing in Communicore, but that was unrelated to the dining reservations. Same concept, though, as you'd talk to cast members while watching them onscreen.

I agree with them being near Spaceship Earth and in World Showcase. I think I remember the one near Germany.

i think the one near germany now sells crystal or glass souvenirs. that bldg. used to house the terminals. i remember the HARD reservation to get back then was Coral Reef.