February 10, 1990

The Secret of EPCOT Success

We promise this will be the first and last Disney World piece we will inflict on you, but there are a few secrets about the success of EPCOT Center that may surprise you.

To bring you up to date, EPCOT is the adult-theme park that youngsters at least six years old also will enjoy. A preponderance of circle-vision movie screens, blooming stereo sound and grown-up ideas may be too much for toddlers.

One of the impressive achievements of the Disney staff is not obvious – crowd control. Authorities come from all parts of the world to observe how masses of people can be herded without anyone noticing.

The process starts before you reach the front gates. Roadside signs direct on-coming motorists to tune in a special frequency on their radios. After a little welcome speech--and assurance you are about to have a great time - instructions are given on what lanes to follow and gates to enter.

Attendants point to parking spaces. Shuttle buses rush you to the long stretch of ticket booths. No waiting there. Plenty of signs identify attractions. Everyone gets a map.

Plastic disks in walkways look like lawn sprinklers, but they conceal sockets for stanchions. As crowds grow or shrink, employees rearrange the stanchions and string rope around them in a maze that compacts people into manageable order.

The que lines are sneakily devised. Wide at the beginning, they gradually narrow. Folks sort themselves into single file as they shuffle forward.

Mechanical “people movers” ensure that everything is seen, but no one dallies. Moving sidewalks or strings of carts do the job.

When you get weary, three-quarter- size double-deck buses carry you along. Boats crisscross a central lagoon to let you by-pass exhibits if you are so inclined. A monorail train carries people through the vast Disney World complex.

A battalion of “sanitary engineers” patrol the grounds, sweeping up trash. Dedication to cleanliness is so apparent that even the most careless litterbugs become self conscious and dispose of their waste in thousands of containers scattered about. Flowers are everywhere.

Wheelchairs and baby strollers are for rent at nominal charge. Attendants at each exhibit assist the handicapped. Doctors and nurses are on instant call for emergencies. Lots of benches, drinking fountains and well-marked restrooms cater to creature comforts.

Not much needs to be said about the mind-stimulating attractions. The genius of Walt Disney and his successors has been well publicized. However, we digress from our headline premise for a few personal observations.

Don’t miss Spaceship Earth presented by AT&T, Universe of Energy by Exxon, and World of Motion by General Motors.

Avoid that part of Wonders of Life which features “body wars.” It is downright uncomfortable and not very instructive. People with heart problems, bad backs or proneness to sea sickness are warned away. Expectant mothers and small children are prohibited from riding.

The World Showcase of villages is outstanding. Eleven nations have built replicas of structures representing their culture. Restaurants serve national specialties. Gift shops offer quality art and craft articles.

Having traveled to the various countries (at considerable expense) we can attest to the authenticity of the replicas. They are staffed by nationals who are replaced every six months to make sure they are always friendly and enthusiastic.

We especially liked Mexico, which features an Aztec temple pyramid and a boat ride; and Morocco, which creates a suuk (bazaar) without the dirt and smell.

We must admit disappointment with the American Adventure. Remarkably animated manikins are interesting, but distracting from the presentation of history. Acoustics are bad and the history fleeting.

Inasmuch as thousands of foreigners visit EPCOT, the American exhibit should be designed to impress them. The three things they want most to see in the United States - after Disney World itself-is (1) space centers, (2) wild west cowboys, and (3) our natural wonders.

The principal secret of success for all three Disney World theme parks is full control by the corporation over construction of exhibits and facilities.

When Walt Disney first presented his plans to Orange County officials, they started to nit pick. Nothing like the proposed buildings and ride structures had ever been built.

Disney put his foot down. Either exempt him from zoning, building codes and inspections or he would go elsewhere. The County Commission shuddered, but agreed.

The result is the eighth wonder of the world - accomplished without government money or interference.

Now that the secret is out-pass it on!

THE PASSING PARADE

South Africa Foreign Minister Pik Botha complains that the visit by Jesse Jackson at this time is “inopportune.” We don’t understand Botha’s concern. Jackson is there to shake up the government, not ride the buses.

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist