Something that hasn't been part of the EPCOT World Showcase in over three decades just quietly made its way back to the second Central Florida Disney park.
A Display That Doubles as a Time Capsule
A new 360-degree merchandise display has appeared at Disney Traders, a retail location on the walkway connecting the World Celebration neighborhood to the Mexico Pavilion at the World Showcase entrance. The structure is built to resemble a vintage double-decker bus in classic blue, with a “World Showcase Transportation” sign across the top. Mickey Mouse and Pluto — outfitted as tourists with towering stacks of luggage and Disney Pin Trading lanyards around their necks — stand watch from the upper deck.
Below them, the lower level functions as the actual merchandise display, stocked with Disney Trading Pins, World Showcase Passports, and assorted small souvenirs. Postcard-shaped images of Disney characters are arranged alongside World Showcase Pavilion logos and the distinctive silver EPCOT World Showcase compass icon.
EPCOT World Showcase Bus Transportation
When EPCOT opened on October 1, 1982, real blue, green, and red double-decker buses circled the World Showcase, carrying Walt Disney World Resort guests around the 1.3-mile loop that connected Mexico, Germany, China, Italy, the American Adventure, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Norway and Morocco later joined the park lineup.
The service ran into an unavoidable problem: as pedestrian traffic grew heavier with the park's popularity, the buses were forced to crawl so slowly that they offered little advantage over walking. The Friendship boats, which ferry guests across the World Showcase Lagoon between pavilions rather than around the loop, proved far more practical.
The bus service faded out sometime in the late 1980s or early 1990s, and aside from occasional appearances for character greetings and entertainment events over the years, the double-deckers have been largely absent from the World Showcase ever since.
Should Walt Disney World Resort bring back the buses around the EPCOT World Showcase? Share your thoughts with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
