D23's EPCOT 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
AT THE WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT, COMMEMORATES

'THE DAWN OF A NEW DISNEY ERA' THAT BEGAN OCT. 1, 1982

The Official Disney Fan Club Salutes Three Decades of Epcot on Sept. 30, 2012,
as the 21st Century Begins Again With the Most Comprehensive Retrospective Ever Mounted

BURBANK,
Calif. – June 7, 2012 – Hailed as the most groundbreaking theme park of
its time, Epcot marks its 30th anniversary on Oct. 1, 2012, and D23:
The Official Disney Fan Club is preparing a unique celebration of one of
Disney's crowning achievements.

On Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, D23's Epcot 30th Anniversary Celebration
will whisk D23 Members back to a time touted as when "the 21st century
begins"-those early Epcot years when guests first marveled at "Astuter
Computers," "Smellitzers," and the novelty of "riding on sunshine," and
were awed by a massive geodesic sphere called Spaceship Earth.
This
journey to yesteryear, the future, and around the world takes place one
day only: on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. inside
Epcot (Park admission is required and not included in the event ticket
price). Each D23 Member may bring up to three guests.
"When
Epcot opened in 1982 it was a monumental achievement and its opening
was an unforgettable moment for Disney fans everywhere," says Steven
Clark, head of D23. "We know our members have a deep passion for this
park, and we're producing a memorable experience that lets our members
relive some of their favorite Epcot shows and attractions of the past
while experiencing the incredible Epcot legacy that continues today."

D23's Epcot 30th Anniversary Celebration
will offer the most detailed look at the design, development, and
evolution of Epcot ever presented by The Walt Disney Company and will
include rare and never-before-seen artwork; film and video footage and
photos; along with a number of pioneers of Epcot, including such Disney
Imagineers, Legends, and Epcot luminaries as Marty Sklar (exclusive
pre-taped presentation), Tony Baxter, Ron Schneider, Charlie Ridgway,
Ron Logan, Bill Sullivan, Bob Garner, Jason Surrell, Jason Grandt, Alex
Wright, Duncan Dickson, and Steve Taylor.

Tickets will be available for purchase on June 21 at 10 a.m. on D23.com. There are two levels of D23 Member participation:
World Passport general admission is $65 per guest and includes:

• Access to all presentations
• A commemorative gift
• Access to exclusive D23 merchandise

World Key level admission is $185 per guest and includes:

• All features of the World Passport admission
• Reserved seating for all presentations
• A special dessert reception at 8 p.m. inside an exclusive Future World lounge
• Exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity with Disney Legends and Epcot luminaries
• Reception will also include screenings of rare film footage of Epcot's early days

Presentations Include:

• Hooray for the 21st Century
  – Disney Legend and former Walt Disney Imagineering Principal Creative
  Executive Marty Sklar joins D23 guests via a virtual presentation, where
  we see and hear what it was like to work with Walt Disney on his
  original vision for an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.
  Along the way, learn about Marty's favorite memories working on the
  EPCOT Center project with a team of passionate Imagineers.

• The Music of EPCOT Center
  – Some of Epcot's most passionate fans agree that the park's soundtrack
  has created one of its most lasting legacies that continue to help
  "makin' memories" around the world. Join Disney historians and
  songwriters as we explore the incredible world of Epcot music,
  celebrating the talents of such Epcot songwriters and composers as Bob
  Moline, Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, George Wilkins, Buddy Baker,
  X. Atencio, Peter Stougaard, Russell Brower, Edo Guidotti and others who
  have left a permanent musical mark on the park's creative legacy. Along
  the way, hear stories about the recording sessions, learn about some
  fascinating alternate versions of some of your favorite melodies, and
  sing along to your favorite Epcot tunes!

• "We Can Do It!"
  – Disney Legends and EPCOT Center creators review the immense challenge
  that loomed ahead of them when bringing Epcot to reality in the late
  1970s and early 1980s. Guests will hear stories of trips to foreign
  countries to secure participants in the World Showcase concept, what
  life was like inside the largest private construction project in the
  world, and how they readied its highly anticipated opening day.

• "We've Just Begun to Dream"
  – Join Disney Legend Ron Logan and other key Disney entertainment
  veterans as they reminisce about the official EPCOT Center opening
  festivities that remain among the most elaborate Disney has ever staged.
  This presentation will include rare footage from the grand openings of
  various Future World and World Showcase pavilions, which were held
  throughout October 1982.
• "Makin' Memories: Epcot on Film"
  – Join former Disney Imagineer Bob Garner and Disney author and
  historian Tim O'Day as they cast a "Magic Eye" on the marvelous world of
  Epcot on film. Bob was closely involved in the creation of film
  documentation and production at Epcot, including special video elements of Future World and World Showcase pavilions and such promotional films as EPCOT Center: The Opening Celebration.

• "Looking Back at Tomorrow"
  – Few Epcot visitors, even its most avid fans, realize The Land
  pavilion was almost called "Harvest Tomorrow" or that Figment was slated
  to co-host an "Images & Imagination" pavilion with "Professor
  Marvel." With recently discovered materials from the Walt Disney
  Archives, join Disney archivists as they examine how the "dreamers and
  doers" developed favorite Epcot attractions of the past including Horizons, Journey into Imagination, Kitchen Kabaret, World of Motion, the Astuter Computer Revue, and the original Universe of Energy.

• "The EPCOT Center That Never Was"
  – Using rare concept artwork, guests will glimpse what it was like to
  design Epcot with Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Vice President Tony
  Baxter, designer and producer for several beloved Epcot pavilions, and
  explore early versions of Epcot attractions that never made it off the
  drawing board.

• "Imagineering Epcot: An Extra Perceptive Close-up Of Things
  – Fans of wall-to-wall carpeting and leapfrog fountains unite! Disney
  Imagineers Jason Surrell, Jason Grandt, and Alex Wright return with a
  humorous exploration of the details that make Epcot so unique. From
  miniature gardens to massive buildings (and every international food and
  beverage offering in between), they'll show what makes Future World and
  World Showcase like no place else on earth.

More details about the program and tickets for D23's EPCOT 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION can be found online at www.D23.com.

D23:
The Official Disney Fan Club celebrates the remarkable past, present,
and future of Disney, taking its name from 1923, the year Walt Disney
founded his world-famous company. D23 brings its members a host of
exclusive benefits, including a weekly email newsletter; an array of
discounts and special offers; free gifts throughout the year; as well as
exclusive events created especially for its members.

Disney fans can join the world's only Official Disney Fan Club by visiting www.D23.com, or at select shops at the Disneyland® Resort, the Walt Disney World® Resort and www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow "DisneyD23" on Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

*Talent is subject to availability. All events are subject to change.