Metro Line and Omnibuses for Epcot's World Showcase

A discussion on the boards of WDWMagic got me to thinking of days of EPCOT Center past. Wow. Now, here's a photo for you. This old omnibus used to travel between the end of Future World and World Showcase. Giving guests wonderful views of the country pavilions, these busses added some kinetic energy, charm, and an opportunity for visitors to rest their feet. Now, the crowds are just so big for each of the year round food festivals (Flower and Garden is our favorite!) that the busses would be fighting an uphill battle to get from one country to another. It's just too bad! Transportation within the park is now limited to boats on the World Showcase Lagoon.

Wouldn't this real life Metro station with a working train been great if it were added 

to France's World Showcase?

In my fantasy build of the park, there would be a Metro/Tube line that deposited guests to the back of a few separate countries. Imagineering could make it seem like it went underground, but it wouldn't have to. Think of it as the in-theme Peoplemover or Railroad. The countries known for such transportation would have to have been relocated (France, U.K., Japan), but to alternate bus stops, boat docks, and metro stations would have created plenty of enjoyable ways to navigate a very large space. All this would have taken is some imagination and a lot more money!

Disneyland's Hidden Attraction Posters

There's a whole slew of Disneyland attraction posters that might be unnoticeable until you see them and then you can't unsee them. No, not the ones under the railroad tunnels leading past the Mickey Mouse floral garden. The other ones. The Imagineers did something pretty sweet- and it only happens at the original park. Have you figured it out yet? (And did you know Disneyland was originally going to have ONE tunnel? The concept art is here.) Keep thinking where you'd find these before reading more. 

Those Main Street Omnibus advertisement / attraction posters are just terrific, aren't they? The Imagineers took segments of the full sized attraction posters and created a brand new advertisement that fits the busses. They feel purposely designed for it- they're that good. When you're walking down Main Street U.S.A. toward the castle and you see the Omnibus go by, there's a bit of excitement that hits: "I'm really at Disneyland!" It's a special world with its own rhythm, design, and feel. There's no place in the world like Walt's Magic Kingdom! Not in Florida, not in Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong or Shanghai. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Design Detail: Disneyland's Omnibus Attraction Posters

For lovers of attraction posters, the ads that used to be displayed on the Disneyland omnibus are almost as equally appealing to collect. Here's a cool looking one for Storybook Land Canal Boats in Fantasyland. Or just Storybook Land. 

From Dizavenue.com

                                                                               

These eye catching pieces traveled up and down good old Main Street U.S.A. providing a bit of charm and promotion of what could be found in lands beyond the hub. Quaint, charming, and unique. 

It's these little touches of detail that make Disneyland that great place it is- a place where the feel of Walt Disney can be found at every turn. 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)