Disney loves an anniversary. On October 1, 1982, the House of Mouse opened the gates to its theme park of the future, EPCOT Center, a.k.a. the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The gleaming silver buildings and global pavilions of EPCOT opened eleven years to the day after its sibling, Walt Disney World. With attractions like Space Mountain and Spaceship Earth, the Florida vacation destinations immediately became a family favorite. We can remember standing in awe when we first watched the Monorail shoot through the massive interior of the Contemporary Resort. And, of course, there were the costumed characters skipping down Main Street, U.S.A.  Start the Slideshow