Opening Day

Guests exploring Future World in the spring of 1983 noticed something new. An entire new pavilion had opened near the Land. What once could only be viewed from afar, through construction walls, was now open for all guests to enjoy. Sleek white wings reach up the sky as the nose of the pavilion points downwards towards the pavement. This captivating architectural feature symbolizes an airplane, evoking the theme of the sky and aviation even from the outside of the pavilion. As guests begin to walk closer to the pavilion the encounter the entrance sign proudly declaring this as The World Above presented by Boeing. This same sign is also on the walls flanking the entrance/exit of the pavilion.

Proceeding into the entrance, guests are greeted by the sight of The Mouse - Walt Disney's Personal Plane. This historic plane has been placed on an elevated platform with fencing around it, allowing guests to get close to this piece of Disney history, but not close enough to touch or damage it. Above guests is a rounded ceiling with skylights that let light pour in from the sky above. To the left of guests is the entrance to Take Flight. A large plane turbine spins its propellers slowly with the name of the attraction on the blades, while the wait time is displayed below the turbine. Near the entrance to Take Flight is a set of elevators to the second floor, and tucked away in this hallway of elevators is a door that leads to the Boeing Flight Deck Lounge, a lounge for the corporate sponsor of the pavilion.

On the first floor of the pavilion, opposite Take Flight, is the quick service restaurant, Tastemosphere. Tastemosphere gets it name from the layers of the atmosphere, as this is actually the secret sixth layer of taste! The dining area is out in the open, giving diners views of the amazing skylights in the center of the pavilion, and giving guests a view of some amazing bites that are great to eat! Near the Tastemosphere is Runway Gifts, the pavilion's gift shop for all sorts of amazing trinkets, tchotchkes, and merchandise! Walking through the pavilion towards the back guests come across a large cloud marquee proudly displaying the name Forecast Follies, an animatronic musical revue focused on weather. Turning the corner, guests will find restrooms for the pavilion, and escalators (along with stairs) up to the second floor.

On the second floor, guests can look down towards the first floor and see all the people meandering through the pavilion. Upstairs, guests will find the entrance for The Sky was the Limit: A History of Aviation, a walkthrough attraction with a small theater that gives the history of aviation to guests in an interesting way. Nearby is the Aviator's Lounge, a table service restaurant that offers unique views from above. Finally on the second floor is a secondary entrance into the Boeing Flight Deck Lounge.

A Boeing-Disney Air Extravaganza: An Opening Day Celebrairion

Aired on TV, Spring 1983

Higherups at Boeing were excited to put on a grand ceremony to show off to their fellow rivals that they were part of the iconic Disney legacy, and Disney was the happy to host the spectacle in their park. The media was notified and invited to film the celebrairion, giving both Disney and Boeing free press with broadcastings all over the country and even the world! Boeing housed planes at nearby airfields and airports that would later takeoff and fly over The World Above Pavilion and then towards World Showcase Lagoon, demonstrating the greatness of their products. The lineup of aircraft includes a variety of aircraft that show off the line of aircraft Boeing had. In a spectacle similar to what the Blue Angels are known for, Boeing displayed various aerial tricks and stunts over the World Showcase lagoon to get people excited for the pavilion opening. The planes performing in the show over World Showcase lagoon were painted with the palettes of various Disney characters. For the grand finale, Boeing brought out the Space Shuttle Enterprise for a test flight prior to the Paris Air Show of 1983, followed by Disney parading out a Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck balloon on loan from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, giving it that last Disney touch as the celebrairion came to a close. The entire event was hosted by star Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the end of the Star Wars franchise (for then), in which Lando does many amazing tricks like those on display in the air show!