Labor Day Construction Preview
As the (then) largest privately funded construction project in the history of the world, nearly 3,000 designers and 4,000 construction workers combined efforts to create Epcot Center. During that 3-year span of building the project, more than 10,000 construction workers representing 18 unions worked on the job -- 22 general contractors and 500 subcontractors.
Entrance Plaza Aerial of Labor Day Preview September 6th 1982 — 25 days before opening
In many cases, these workers worked very long hours under challenging conditions so as the park was approaching completion it was only natural that these individuals and their families be the first people to experience the “Newest Wonder of the World”.
Due to their enormous complexity, most attractions were barely functional and many of the façades were incomplete. Still, the day was enormously successful with 26,061 in attendance and with less than 10 available with each family getting to experience an impressive 4 attractions on average. Additionally, the day proved invaluable to EPCOT Center’s Cast Members who got their first chance to “rehearse” their roles with guests.
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