Experimental Prototype Cookie of Tomorrow
Wait, was Walt’s true vision for EPCOT Center to be the Experimental Prototype Cookie of Tomorrow?
Did he foresee the social media influencers and vloggers that would be storming the kingdom over the latest cookie and cupcake? We may never know…
But the most exciting, by far the most important part of our Florida project—in fact, the heart of everything we’ll be doing in Disney World—will be our experimental prototype cookie of tomorrow. We call it E.P.C.O.T spelled E-P-C-O-T: Experimental Prototype Cookie of Tomorrow. — Not Walt Disney
You never know what strange things you will run across while doing research for articles about Disney World history. In the August 8, 1980 issues of Eyes & Ears, there is a blurb about an Epcot Cookie Contest being held a little more than two years from the grand opening of EPCOT Center. I wish we had some color photos of these cookies of the future! But we will just have to live with these black and white images from the newsletter.
I think those are Fischer Price Little People surrounding the lagoon.
EPCOT COOKIE CONTEST
Inspired by the EPCOT Cookie Contest (Experimental Prototype Cookie of Tomorrow) held recently at WED in California, the Resident Engineering office sponsored a cookie contest open to all offices in the Admin Area. Judging was held on July 18 and prizes were awarded in five categories: “Funniest Cookie,” “Biggest Cookie, ” “Best Tasting Cookie, ” “Cookie That Best Resembles the EPCOT Project, ” and “Cookie of the Future.”
The “Grand Prize” winner was a model of Spaceship Earth entered by the WED Model Shop. The Resident Engineers’ Freeze-Dried Cookie won the “Cookie of the Future” award, and Betty Andrew of Finance won the “Best Tasting” category with her “Muck Yucks.”
Anyone know what a muck yucks cookie is?
This quirky contest not only revealed Disney employees’ creativity but also reflected the playful spirit of the time. The idea of transforming EPCOT’s forward-thinking philosophy into something as simple as cookies is a perfect example of how Disney could extend creativity into every corner of the company. Whether through model Spaceship Earth cookies or freeze-dried creations, the contest highlighted the imaginative and humorous culture that made Disney a unique place to work.
Part of the fun with this research is seeing how the company showcased its staff at the Walt Disney World Resort. In the early 1970s, there were softball leagues, employee clubs, and staff-exclusive events. The cookie contest reminds us how employees brought creativity and joy into their daily work—even through cookies.
I also like highlighting staff names for future researchers.