Expos to Epcot

Delve into the visionary ideas behind world’s fairs and their lasting influence on the design and storytelling of Walt Disney World.

In Expos to Epcot: How World's Fairs Gave Us Walt Disney World, Smithsonian museum specialist Bethanee Bemis examines how international expositions shaped Walt Disney’s creative vision, particularly through immersive environments, technological optimism and utopian planning. Taking place Friday, October 24 at The Wolfsonian on Miami Beach, the talk focuses on key moments such as the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, a pivotal testing ground for many of Disney’s most enduring concepts.

Presented in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition World’s Fairs: Visions of Tomorrow, the event includes one complimentary beverage with admission. Produced in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution.