At Walt Disney World's $1 billion Epcot Center computers run the show, but also entertain while doing day-to-day data processing chores.
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The public is getting a first-hand look at computers in action at the $1 billion Walt Disney World Epcot Center which covers a 550-acre site near Orlando, Fla. Epcot Computer Central was opened last month by Sperry Univac giving the facility a triple role: as a working data processing site for the entire Walt Disney World complex; as a permanent public entertainment exhibition, and as a conference centre.
The press was invited to the world premiere dedication of the computing complex, replete with a multimedia special effects extravaganza starring a noted Broadway stage personality Ken Jennings. Designated the ‘Astuter Computer Revue,' Jennings plays a whimsical British music hall character, Earlie the Pearlie. The actual functioning data processing area becomes the stage for this electronic dramatization and the computers themselves serve as part of the cast. The electronic theatrical presentation relies on never-before seen special effects, say Disney officials, although some suggest that holographic effects are used to project the electronic revue onto the computer room. Visitors view the performance from galleries overlooking the computer facility.
The Sperry exhibit also incorporates a gallery of new business-oriented computer games, to inform visitors about key roles of computers in business and government.
In addition to providing entertainment and information to Epcot visitors, the facility provides of course working data processing services. Here four V77 minicomputer systems and related peripherals monitor the environment and control all special entertainment events, live shows, multi-media presentations at the Epcot Future World, and World Showcase pavilions. A V77-800 mini operates as Show Monitor and Control Systems (SMACS) and a V77-500 is dedicated to the environmental Automatic Monitoring and Control System (AMACS) and two V77-800 systems support a Special Event Control System (SECS).
Walt Disney's Florida Data Center at Lake Buena Vista, houses a general purpose Sperry Univac 1100/62 H2 multiprocessor configuration to perform on-line production as well as application development tasks. For shared file purposes, this system regularly transmits data to the firm's other DP centre at Burbank, Calif., where a Sperry Univac 90/80 is in use.
The Florida Center includes an extensive group of terminals, mass storage, printing and distributed communication sub-systems. Major applications include automated admission and control systems, point of sale consolidation and reporting system, employee time recording system, and Project li, an interactive critical path planning and modelling system. In addition a Sperry Univac financial planning and modelling system is being used.
Sperry Univac and Walt Disney Production have had a business relationship dating back to 1971 and the entertainment firm is a major user of Sperry equipment. It was thus decided to transform the working data centre into a showcase for the computer industry, with Sperry becoming a participant among other major American corporations at Epcot.
For Canadians heading to the sunshine state this winter, a visit to Epcot Computer Central's ‘Astuter Computer Revue' is recommended, if only to demonstrate to non-EDP friends that computers can be downright entertaining. Line-ups at opening day indicated that the 15-minute revue is a popular one.
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