Originally Posted By FerretAfros I'm currently writing a paper on the original construction of EPCOT, for a construction management class, and I was wondering if anybody knew of any good sources of information. I'm already using David Koenig's Realityland, but I'm not sure if there's enough information there to write the whole thing. There's no limit to the number of sources, but it's a 10-12 page paper, and I have about 3-4 right now, so any help would be great. I'm looking for anything that deals with individual pavilions or the entire park in general, but related to how they actually got it done rather than a press piece about the new stuff. I'm also using an article in the most recent issue of Modern Steel Construction about Spaceship Earth, which is pretty interesting (though fairly technical) if anybody's interested: <a href="http://www.modernsteel.com/uploads/FullFiles/Epcot.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.modernsteel.com/upl...pcot.pdf</a>
Originally Posted By mousermerf It's gonna be tough to get past the fluff. You kinda have to focus on the element of the individual pavilions. Spaceship Earth you can find information on the steel and the structure. Seas - look into the acrylic panels and the ionization system that was created to prevent the tank salinity from destroying the concrete of the walls. There are many scientific journals written on that aspect of it. Energy has information in old issues of Popular Science and Popular Mechanics on it's ride system and turntables. Also, the Universe of Energy Companion website is a helpful resource, starting with it's construction photos: <a href="http://www.energy.planet7.org/companion/pavilion/gallery_construction/thumbnail.htm" target="_blank">http://www.energy.planet7.org/...nail.htm</a> Book's to hunt down include: Walt Disney's Epcot Center Creating the New World of Tomorrow Architecture of Reassurance (though this is more design process then construction.)
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Go for “ Vinyl Leaves: Walt Disney World and America", by Stephen M. Fjellman. ...I used it for a mythology thesis last semester, it's a great book, and has lots of sources.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros That looks like it will have a ton of information! It's in our library, so I might just have to head over there in a little bit and check it out! Thanks!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Good stuff, let me know how it works out for you. Hope your copy of the book is in better condition than mine was. Someone wrote ALL over it...
Originally Posted By sjhym33 Orlando Magazine followed the construction of EPCOT Center as they did the opening on WDW with lengthy monthly articles. They are fascinating to read so many years later. Unfortunatly their online archives dont carry those editions but you may want to try to track them down in a library or call the directly and see what they can do for you. They are really great.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I went to the bookstacks and got Vinyl Leaves, and it looks like exactly what I needed. There's a ton of information on Epcot, as well as MK and MGM and some of the earlier hotels. I'll have to check and see if I can find a library with Orlando Magazine somewhere. Our library's computer system went down earlier today (though I did get the VL ID number before!), so I can't check right now. In other news, this was the first time I've actually gone into the bookstacks! Yes, somehow I made it until a month before graduation without ever setting foot in there. It's super creepy (apparently it's where they filmed the creepy bookstack scene in Ghostbusters!), and I really want to play hide-and-seek in there some time. There are tons of great hiding spots...
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ I LIVE in our Stacks...LOL. Where I am now, as a matter of fact. But yeah, it's a great book. A bit outdated, but it's great. Written when Disney was still doing great, new, INTELLECTUAL things. I doubt a book would be written like that today.
