Walt Disney World Discover Guide, Spring Summer 1987

Obviously we'll be looking at several brochures from Walt Disney World during our month-long look at Orlando-area attractions brochures. This is our first from WDW.

The year this guide was produced, also happened to be the 15th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Look carefully at the cover, and you'll see one of my favorite, and largely forgotten Disney logos: The castle superimposed over Epcot (Center's) Spaceship Earth. Yes, long before Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios) there were only two fine Disney parks in Central Florida. The guide lists several attractions that have since disappeared: River Country, Discovery Island, and the Disney Inn to name a few.

In a time before the internet, that contact info on the back was key. I was always bothered by the fact that Disney didn't have an 800/toll free phone number. I think they've gotten by just fine without it.

Rivership Romance on the St. John, Sanford Florida

The name of the attraction isn't quite clear from the front of the brochure. Inside though, we see people having a grand late 80's time on board the Rivership Romance on the St. John's River near Orlando (Sanford). The Rivership Romance still sails, but it's not the same ship. Maybe someone out there can help solve the mystery of what happened to the original Rivership Romance. It's the way to "cruise the heart of Florida."

Cedar Lakeside Inn Kissimmee, Florida

There were many, many trips to the Orlando area in my youth, but none ever took me to the Cedar Lakeside Inn. I love how this brochure captures a simpler time in the tourism boom of the Orlando area. There's a pool! (and you'll notice everyone in it is looking at the camera. I suspect these may have been family/friends of the owners...)

Now I have to decide whether I want to take advantage of the $5 coupon. No expiration, and there is a La Quinta at the location of the previously independent Cedar Lakeside Inn. They just don't make them like this anymore...

Florida Best Western's Savings Bond Offer!

I don't know about you, but when I stay at a hotel, I want to save. No, I don't mean in the get the best price you can on priceline way, I mean savings for the future! So if you're like me, you would've loved this promotional brochure from Florida Best Westerns. Granted, the offer sours a bit when you look at the back and see you have to stay TWELVE nights to get the $50 savings bond. Bear in mind, that means the savings bond cost Best Western $25. Oh, and one more thing: these aren't just any twelve nights: they had to be booked at a Best Western, NOT through the 800 number or travel agents. Come to think of it, maybe our current bargains aren't a bad thing after all.

Ponce DeLeon Springs, DeLeon Springs, Florida

I don't know how old this brochure might be, but the artwork is definitely retro cool. Actually, in doing a little wikipedia research, the state of Florida purchased the park in 1982. I was relieved to make this discovery, as sadly most vintage attractions are long gone. The 72 degree all-year-round pool remains.

I might just put Ponce DeLeon Springs on the itinerary for my next Florida trip. Have you been to DeLeon Springs? How has it changed through the years?

Econo Lodge, Cocoa Beach Florida

Look it's an Econo Lodge, ok? What do you want? Cocoa Beach is an interesting place with its close proximity to Kennedy Space Center, and Port Canaveral cruise ships. That said, I don't think I'll take them up on their "Seventh night free" offer. Six days is more than enough at the Cocoa Beach Econo Lodge, thank you.

St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains

If the ALL CAPS type on the front sucks you in, be ready to spend some serious time figuring out which of the eight tour packages you want to pick! St. Augustine can still be seen by sightseeing "train" today.

St. Augustine Florida: Our Nation's First City

I've always thought it must be tough for St. Augustine to lure visitors off of Interstate 95. After all, if you're headed to a Florida beach by car, you're probably going to Daytona Beach, just down the road, yet far enough that you want to keep driving. And let's not forget that other Florida attraction. If you've got a car full of kids, and Disney World is less than two hours away, would you stop and potentially have to deal with the whiny kids while you explore history?

For those who do venture to St. Augustine, it's a fine destination with a lighthouse (worth the climb) and a Ripley's Believe it Or Not. St. Augustine takes pride in its claim as "Our Nation's First City" although I've never seen people walking around in period garb as shown in this brochure.



Also, without this pamphlet, I would've never known that Hastings Florida is "Potato Capitol of the world." I know some folks in Peru who may take issue with that claim.

Sunshine Key Camping Resort, Florida

If you only make a quick glance at this brochure, it looks like Sunshine Key Camping Resort is a fairly run of the mill campground. Sure there's amenities like a fishing pier, diving gear, and boat rental that might give away it's proximity to the water. (Not to mention the word "Key" in the name.)

It's not until you look at the picture on the back that the true selling point become obvious: Sunshine Key isn't a campground on an island/key, it IS the island!

Sunshine Key still exists today, and it probably ranks as one of the most unique campground locations in the U.S. I'd love to make the trip sometime. It doesn't look like everyone shares my enthusiasm for the place, though. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a website for Sunshine Key.

Sunbird Towers Condominiums, Panama City, 1987

This brochure for the Sunbird Towers Condominiums in Panama City from 1987, makes a lot of use of white space, long before it was a hip design trend. I think Sunbird's choice may have less to do with design esthetics, and more to do with not having much to say. After all, once you've made it clear that you offer cable TV and HBO, haven't you said it all?


The pictures also tend to indicate the rooms are more crowded than the beach. And what a cold and un-inviting beach it seems to be. They must have done something right, because The Sunbird Towers still exist today, and it's interesting to see how the surrounding area has changed.

Any current/former Sunbird residents out there?