What’s That Random “Golden Dream” Ship in EPCOT, and What’s It For?

[Disney4me]

Since Disneyland first opened just about seven decades ago, the company’s parks have been defined in part by “the little things.” Small thematic details that, while not being integral rides or attractions, add to the immersive nature of the parks in ways that guests don’t even realize.

American Adventure

EPCOT’s World Showcase is full of such details, with each international pavilion meticulously crafted to recreate the versions each country that exist in guests’ minds, if not always exactly in real life. Today we’re looking at one of those details that many may initially miss: The American Adventure’s Golden Dream.

The American Adventure is one of EPCOT’s more interesting World Showcase pavilions. During the initial development of the park (after it had already evolved from the original E.P.C.O.T. city idea) there was back and forth amongst Imagineers as to whether the World Showcase should have an America-themed pavilion at all, as some argued it was redundant.

©Disney

Eventually, it was decided that there would be an American pavilion, but original plans called for it to be a modernist steel and glass building housing an animatronic show which would be situated at the FRONT of the World Showcase, acting as “host” that would beckon guests from Future World. As development of the park progressed, those plans were altered to the colonial-themed pavilion at the back of the World Showcase that opened with the park in 1982.

American Adventure

The animatronic show remained, and since opening has been headlined by the song “Golden Dreams.” However, the well-known track isn’t the only Golden Dream located in the pavilion. On the shores of the World Showcase Lagoon, just in front of the America Gardens Theater sits another: a scale recreation of an 18th century rum runner ship that bears the same name!

©Disney

The ship was designed by Dering Consultants and debuted at the park in 1993. According to the company’s website, “Dering designed and developed Disney’s Golden Dream 18th Century Revolutionary Warship from concept to completion” for display at the park. It’s a “historically accurate replica of a 1776 Continental rum runner sloop. A sloop is a sailing ship with a single mast and a fore-and-aft rig. Sloops have been both war and trading ships with a flat deck to hold a vast array of supplies.”

©Disney

For just over a decade, the ship sat free-floating in the waters near the pavilion until it was heavily damaged by Hurricane Charley in 2004 and removed. Due to a push from Cast Members and Imagineers, the ship was brought back in a newly restored form. In fact, the new ship, designed by BlueDock, isn’t a “ship” at all, but rather a facade built around a floating dock.

Currently, the best vantage point to see the Golden Dream ship is from the Italy Pavilion.

Golden Dream

While the Golden Dream may not be a headline attraction by any means (in fact, many guests may not even know it’s there), it adds to the thematic immersion of the American Adventure! Stay tuned to DFB for more on the nooks and crannies of Disney World!

This Is the ONLY Ride Hack You Need for Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

---

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

Have you ever noticed the Golden Dream at EPCOT? Let us know in the comments below.

The post What’s That Random “Golden Dream” Ship in EPCOT, and What’s It For? first appeared on the disney food blog.

View the full article