The World's Fair

The 1964-65 New York World's Fair has always interested me. It's mostly because Walt Disney created four attractions for the World's Fair and much of it still is used today at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World's Carousel of Progress originated at The World's Fair; and so did Disneyland's Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and the original "it's a small world." The Magic Skyway was the fourth attraction, and although it wasn't used at the Disney parks, many of its aspects have been incorporated into current attractions. For example, the dinosaur audio animatronics from The Magic Skyway are now part of the Disneyland railroad.

Magic Skyway Model

Last month I went to The Eastern States Exposition, more commonly known as 'The Big E'. It's part country fair, part carnival, and part exhibition, with a focus on the six New England States. I go because it's fun, but it doesn't hold a candle to Disney. I was very excited, however, when I discovered they had a special exhibit dedicated to The World's Fair this year for its 50th anniversary. It had displays of old souvenirs, a model of The Magic Skyway, and video clips playing from the fair.

It's fascinating to learn about The World's Fair. Both my parents have fond memories going to the fair as young children and agree that many of its ideas were brought to EPCOT, where the focus is on the future and different countries.

Magic Skyway Exterior

by auntie rain

 Two EPCOT pavilions eventually used concepts from The Magic Skyway. The Dinosaur animatronic section inspired Universe of Energy's Primeval Diorama (new versions though, as the original animatronics remain along the Disneyland Railroad.) It also had concepts used in World of Motion. The Magic Skyway and World of Motion's exterior have a striking resemblance. They are both wheel shaped buildings with ride vehicles looping outside the buildings. World of Motion however used the entire circular building for its attraction, while Magic Skyway has a show building in the back that its cars travel to outside. It also had a similar scene to The World of Motion depicting the invention of the wheel, cavemen, and a futuristic city depicting the future of travel. Magic Skyway featured narration by Walt Disney himself. My father remembers receiving a clip with the exterior of the building on it and the state the visitor was from written on their clip. They would then add that to the count of visitors from there and show how many have visited the fair from each state/ country. Here's a souvenir clip on display at The Big E:

Souvenir Clip

                                          More pictures of The Magic Skyway Model:

1965 Ford Mustang at The Big E

Magazine souvenir

A few souvenirs from "it's a small world" were at The Big E as well. There were miniature dolls from the attraction as well as a souvenir record featuring the song. It says Disneyland on the record though so I'm not sure if it's from The World's Fair.

Souvenir puzzle with the World's Fair attractions

  More souvenirs displayed at The Big E:

 

 

Souvenir Toy Tram

Miniature version of U.S. Royal Tire Ferris Wheel

Other side of the Ferris Wheel

Old souvenir camera

Souvenir bags

Souvenir hats

 Many companies at the fair eventually represented Disney attractions as well. General Motors sponsored The Futurama II, a sequel to the original attraction at the 1939 World's Fair. GM still is present at EPCOT. It sponsored The World of Motion and its successor Test Track. Test Track is now sponsored by Chevrolet which is a part of GM. General Electric sponsored The Carousel of Progress at the World's Fair, and at Disneyland/ WDW until 1985. They also sponsored Horizons from 1983 through 1993 at EPCOT.

 This exhibit was fascinating to look at. The Big E is over and the exhibit is now closed but I'm glad I got to see it. I also discovered a few other attractions from The World's Fair I didn't know about. They had their own versions of the Skyway buckets called the Swiss Sky Ride, and a monorail! Both of these were already operating at Disneyland but I had no idea the fair had them as well. The monorail at the fair had a track above the monorail, while Disneyland has its track below the monorail.

In a way The World's Fair lives on at Disney World and Disneyland. Its attractions exist in some form and they inspired new attractions as well. Hall of Presidents and American Adventure are more advanced versions of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, while World Showcase at EPCOT is still a celebration of nations where you can learn about and experience different cultures around the world, like The World's Fair.

Please comment below if you enjoyed this topic or have any knowledge of the World's Fair that you want to discuss. Tell me if you have suggestions for my next subject as well.