Disney in a Minute: What was Future World?

Future World is in the past, but not so far in the past that you won’t come across the term when you read about Disney World. Today, EPCOT has World Discovery, World Nature, World Celebration, and World Showcase. But when it officially opened in 1982, there were just two: World Showcase and Future World.

Future World was split into two sections, Future World East and Future World West, which became Innovations East and Innovations West in 1994. As you might guess, Future World was designed to look to the future, but it’s fair to say that it was focused on the journey. Both East and West sides offered attractions showcasing different areas of progress, highlighting current knowledge and cutting-edge tech. But these attractions often presented stories about the past and how we got to the (then) present, as well as giving a peek into what the future may hold.

Spaceship Earth (the attraction in the giant golf ball) is a perfect example. As you climb to the top of the dome, you’ll learn how historical breakthroughs in communication tech supported the spread of civilization. On the way down, you’ll see a personalized vignette in your vehicle that shows how tech that’s “almost ready for prime time today” could change our civilization in the future.

The problem with this forward-looking approach to attractions was the speed of technological advancements. Unanticipated breakthroughs made it difficult for Future World to stay relevant. Some of the “almost ready for prime time” technologies you can see on Spaceship Earth have been commonplace for a decade now!

A second, and perhaps more important issue, was the decrease in corporate sponsorship for the various attractions. Disney had relied on sponsors to help fund the cost of building and upkeep. When their financial assistance decreased or was withdrawn entirely, the cost of staying current and maintenance fell on Disney. Today, only Living with the Land is sponsored by Nestlé, and Test Track by General Motors.

Original attractions in Future World that many long-time visitors recall with a sense of nostalgia include the Universe of Energy, Cranium Command, Body Wars, Kitchen Kabaret, the original Journey Into Imagination, and Captain EO.

Since its opening on October 1, 1982, Future World in EPCOT has seen several transformations as it strove to keep up with the present. On October 1, 2021, the most recent transformation divided it into the three new worlds we have today: World Discovery, World Nature, and World Celebration. The name “Future World” was discontinued, although you will likely still hear it and read it for years to come.

Disney in a Minute is a series of short posts designed to help you better understand a Disney term or planning topic. Do you have a Disney term that you think needs a little more explanation? Let us know in the comments!