Retro Futurism: The TTC - show notes for episode 116
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 11:21PM 
On this weeks WEDWay Radio we take a look at an area of Walt disney World that was a part of the plan from the very beginning, the Transportation and Ticket Center, although the site and purpose saw some drastic changes from its original plan for EPCOT City.
The TTC has probably seen its busiest days and will never again be the bustling area that it was in the 1970's and 80's, but for a long stretch of time, it was a vital core of transportation for WDW Resort guests.
As far as the monorail helmet, unfortunately it isnt well documented, but heres a link that talks about it
Enjoy our look at the rise and slow decline of this functional relic of Walt Disney World.
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Reader Comments (6)
Hey guys. This was a fun look at the TTC. I came here to look for the pic you said you'd post of the monorail pilots wearing helmets, but alas, there's nothing here. Did you forget, or were you unable to find any? Just wondering.
As for my own experiences with the TTC, my very first trip to WDW was in 1975 at age 5 and again the next year when we drove up from Naples, FL with my Mom, Aunt and Grandma. Even though it was only MK then, we came up for 3 days (since it was a 3.5 hour drive) and stayed over at the Holiday Inn in Haines City, directly across from Circus World, which became Baseball World (or maybe it was the other way around, I'm not sure). I remember parking at the TTC, making a note of where we parked the car (Okay, everyone remember "Minnie 7") and then the LONG wait to buy tickets and wait for the monorail or ferry boat. I also remember taking the boat over to Discovery Island, which I'm sure also left from there, but that's a topic for another show. :)
These days, you're right. Staying on property and not driving, I don't have any reason to go to the TTC other than changing monorails if I'm riding the MK to Epcot loop. This past trip I did have to go there though to pick up my MCMCP tickets at the MK Will Call Window there.
Great podcast as always though. Keep up the good work!
I did forget! I'll find it and add it. - Nate
As long as the Travelodge Suites behind Big Orange offers reasonably-priced quasi-suites, there will always be a TTC to service the great unwashed known as the off-property Guests. Although I'm firmly in love with Port Orleans Riverside and Coronado Springs, I'll always treasure the memories of getting sky high at the TL, gorging at the adjacent Waffle House, and heading off to the Animal Kingdom to be the only weirdo making a beeline for Countdown to Extinction at rope drop.
You continue to be the finest Disney podcast anywhere, keep up the great work.
CM Venom,
I feel the same way about Buena Vista Suites off property. Also, I like CTX too. Thanks for the kind words.
The fact that you guys even devoted a podcast to the TTC is exactly why I enjoy listening to your show so much. You guys just flat out get it.
Sure, for a lot of guests the TTC was the bland building they had to pass through as they hurried to the Magic Kingdom in the morning. But aside from its functional and utilitarian purpose, it served just as important a symbolic purpose. It was the gateway to an entirely different world, a world so remote and special that you couldn't just drive your car up to the front gate like every other tourist attraction in the country. Here you needed an extra step, something different and exciting that served to build a child's anticipation just that much more. I have very fond memories of those monorail rides from the TTC, listening to the spiel and craning my neck out the window for the first glimpse of the castle. Getting to the park, the TTC included, was practically an attraction in and of itself.
Great show, as always. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Mike. I think that you're right in that it builds your anticipation. Its too bad Disneyland doesn't have anything similar to this. Glad you are enjoying the show.