Manifesting the Magic

Friday, July 10, 2020

Flashback Fridays: Topping Off

Putting the top of the Earffel Tower on before the Studios opens.

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Disney After Dark: Mickey Visits EPCOT.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Gardner's Shack: Vintage Resort Landscaping

To finish are look at these vintage landscape photos from the late 80s or early 90s, I wanted to show the few resort shots that were in the collection. Three from the Contemporary. All focused on the long entrance area of the resort and it's amazing upside-down cup topiaries.

One photo from the Polynesian Resort. The original lobby with its waterfalls and lush jungle. This was replaced in recent years with a very open and minimalistic look that is nice but in my opinion, doesn't set the theme very well. It's a Polynesian Village not a Polynesian office complex.

Lastly a few lobby shots from the at the time brand new Grand Floridian. Live plants and live flowers need I say more. However, would have liked to see some pictures of the lawns in the early days to compare how they look now. They are always well-manicured but I bet they were amazing back then.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Gardner's Shack: Vintage Epcot Landscaping

Today we continue our look at vintage landscaping photos from the late 80s to early 90s. Epcot has always been a beautiful park with top-notch landscaping. But really look at some of the details from this time period that no longer grace us with their presence. Some are dated like the mall like planters inside the Imagination Pavilion. But some are timeless like the flowers around Future World. And let others help tell a story like the native plants from each country in the World Showcase.

Monday, July 6, 2020

Gardner's Shack: Vintage Magic Kingdom Landscaping

A while back I found these images online. I have dated them from between the late '80s and early '90s. They included pictures from the Grand Floridian and the Norway Pavilion so it's at least late 1988 and I see the old Tomorrowland entrance and no Partners statue so I would guess no later than 1993.

That said take a moment to absorb the beauty that once graced the Magic Kingdom. As beautiful as the park is today what happened to this level of love and care in the horticulture department. I am sure its because money, like everything else. but look at how much more story and atmosphere a little landscaping can add. If a little plant can add this much warmth and comfort I say it's worth it.

Tomorrow we will look at the Epcot photos from this collection. So keep in mind what I'm talking about here with how the landscape adds to and even tells it's own story. I think you'll see it is the same case in Epcot. In a time where we have a Flower and Garden Festival that focuses on food I think it's time to go back to green thumbs and storytelling.

Sunday, July 5, 2020

Family Vault: The Spirit of America parade

The Spirit of America Parade ran from 1987-1988 at the Magic Kingdom. It replaced the 15th Anniversary Parade and was replaced by Mickey's All American Birthday Parade which reused several floats including the Lighthouse and the Barn.

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Audio Archive: America on Parade Full Audio

Happy Independence Day! To celebrate we wanted to share the full audio of America on Parade. The Magic Kingdom Parade that ran from 1975-1976. Below is the song list so you can listen along.