World's Fair 1964

Corona Park in Queens, New York, was home to two World's Fairs. I take a walk around the grounds to explore what's left of the 1964 World's Fair and through the miracle of technology, go back in time. Featuring clips from the 1964 NBC special, "A World's Fair Diary." Also featuring clips from Disney's World's Fair promotional film and Disney's "Wonderful World of Color" episode, "Disney Goes to the World's Fair." Notes: The Queens Museum building was originally built for the 1939 fair and Shea Stadium was closed in 2008.

[@richardbaroff4911]

Thanks for bringing me back to when i was 8 years old. My day at the World's Fair with my mom and dad-both now gone-was one of the best days of my life.

[@tonycollazorappo]

I was born in 1961 in Brooklyn NY. I was taken to the World Fair in 1964 at age 3 by my foster parents, and I still remember most of the day there.

[@debbiemartin2026]

I was 7 in 1964. We lived in Flushing but I don’t remember going often bc my brother was 2 and it was probably hard for my parents to take us. So many memories that can be relived in Epcot and Disney which we have enjoyed living in Florida. Im not sure I went on the rides though bc of my brother and probably couldnt leave the stroller anywhere

[@robertbdesmond]

I was there in 1964. It was awesome, so much so that I went to work for Disney in 1987 and had a 25 year career with the company. Epcot is our permanent World’s Fair! I have visited the World’s Fair site about 10 years ago and many memories of the Fair came flooding back to me! It was like Deja Vu. Only mom and dad weren’t there with me :-(

[@MichaelDJ68]

I just went to Epcot for the first time. Yes, it's the ultimate World's Fair and it won't be torn down. I appreciated that idea as I wandered around the place. I think it was my favorite of the 4 big parks at Walt Disney World.

[@debbiemartin2026]

@@MichaelDJ68 I was 7 when I went to the worlds fair. Moved to florida as an adult and the first time I went to Disney I was shocked to see the small world ride. Brought me way back-also the GE pavilion. Pretty much the same .

[@rashaddancer]

This look more futuristic then today...

[@kevochallen283]

The fair was spectacular at night. It was magical to walk to each pavilion with the neon lights.

[@ponkkaa]

Excellent video sir. I live 2 blocks away when I was 5 years old. My cousin took me there almost everyday. (My uncle had passes for everything). I love seeing the old World's Fair. I passed it on the way to work everyday ,I still see the unisphere and the New York State Pavilion.

[@sunsethouse1]

I was born in 64, so the only way to attend is through great videos like this. What a shame how the American society has become so low, nowadays the only thing is sports, the days of talent and intelligence to create world fairs are long gone. This is bow far we've sunk. I bet in 1964 they didn't think this would be the wave of the future.

[@MichaelDJ68]

Ray Bradbury said he bonded his friendship with Walt Disney over complaining about the people who tear down state fairs. I suppose that is one of the reasons for the existence of Disneyland, EPCOT and the like. However, there is something amazing about running a grand fair that showcases world achievements for two years and then letting it close so we can go forth and apply the lessons learned. We are missing that part today.

[@kgmaj]

I was born in '65 in the Bronx. :( I'm obsessed with these vids of the Fair.

[@nungalaiabdali7522]

13:15 the guy throwing the axe. his name is mr. Kylie he was my 5th grade teacher in 1996. this is 1964 so he is young here. its more than a small world after all.

[@binyon7]

Just great... an axe weilding teacher. All I had was Mr. Benson in 7th grade. Ever seen a quiet, reserved guy actually LOSE IT?! OMG. If he had at axe at hand... he woulda chopped up little Joey Choate there and then!

[@sjtom57]

One of the fondest memories of my childhood. Hard to believe that was nearly 51 years ago. Very nice video.

[@emintey]

I was 13 and 14 at the time of the World's Fair and visited many times. My friends and I found a way to sneak in, over the Grand Central Pkwy, over a fence and across the tracks (careful to avoid the 3rd rail, yikes!) over another fence and in! To this day I'd still be able to find my way around if I were transported back. I was there on the last day and remember them playing Auld Lang Syne just as they were closing, which made me sad.

[@tennissir1986]

My brother found a way to sneak in.

[@johnnychronicles3221]

im jeaslous...u guys had the best time the world could offer..now 2020 look around...its dog shit.

[@demetradecember205]

Same here! I was 3 years old and went several times with my grandmother!

[@conniecrawford5231]

I am actually old enough that I was able to go to the1964-65 World’s Fair, the 1982 Knoxville World’s Fair, the 1984 New Orleans World’s Fair, and Expo’86 in Vancouver! I miss the old days when we had World’s Fair in North America ! They were so futuristic and fun!

[@georgebethos7890]

How come there are no more Worlds Fairs in North America

[@geoben1810]

I was born and raised in Queens N.Y. I was 8yrs old then. My parents, rest their souls, took me and my brother. It was magical! Years later as I grew older I would go to the park with family and friends to picnic or just hang out when ever the weather was nice. In the late 70s and through the 80s I had a girlfriend who lived on 108st just off Roosevelt Av. You could see the globe from her living room window on the top floor of the old house she lived in. So long ago.... Thanks Mom and Dad, I miss you both. 💖

[@done1675]

It's not the New York City Pavilion - it was the New York State Pavilion. The Queens Museum was built for the 1939 world's fair and still exists. My Father attended the 1939 fair, and my Mother worked at the IBM pavilion in 1964 (which means my Father also went to that fair). Alas, I was born in 1970, so all I have is the memorabilia I have collected over the years.

[@dged492]

The Queens Museum was the original home of the United Nations General Assembly in 1946, before it was a city building and a roller skating rink.

[@michaelcolletti790]

I was born in 1960 and I visited the fair for both the 1964 & 1965 seasons. I have vivid memories of that fair despite being only 4 & 5 years old. Over the years, I’ve tried to find as much as I could about the fair. In doing so, I discovered a lot of information about the 1939 & 1940. I wish I had the opportunity to visit that fair too.

[@mikec4409]

Before the fair back in the 50's and early 60's, the New York City pavilion was an indoor skating place. There were both a roller rink on the right side of the building as you look at it and an ice skating rink on the left side. My parents and I went every Saturday to skate. The session was 2 1/2 hours and it cost 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for kids like me. Those were the days.

[@michaelcolletti790]

Thanks for your interesting reply. If I’m not mistaken, that skating rink structure was originally built for the 39 / 40 Worlds Fair. @@mikec4409

[@sonyalum1027]

Thanks. How lucky we are to watch this flim in 2019 I never thought I would see the fair again

[@Doones51]

i was 13 when i went to this World's Fair. I remember seeing some college-age people running by as i was standing in a line. They had on cool surfer style wide-stripe t-shirts and they looked to be having more fun than anybody. Recently i saw a DVD called Magic Trip about the Merry Pranksters trip across country from CA to NYC and the World's Fair. It was a long time ago but they looked just like the people i saw.

[@lohphat]

Note that people dressed nicely when in public. Not like today where "schlub couture" is standard. No one cares about how they look as long as "they're comfortable".

[@debbiemartin2026]

@@lohphat yes its incredible. People got dressed up. The casual culture imo started with the transit strike in MYC in the late 70’s. People started wearing sneakers to work. I always got dressed up for a night in Manhattan. Once you get comfortable its hard not to be. The new tech culture and Steve Jobs dress code. I remember working in Manhattan and every man had a suit and tie on and we wore dresses to work or skirts. Or at least dress pants.

[@lohphat]

@@debbiemartin2026 My first trip to NYC was in 1997 and there were still places where a dress shirt and "no dungarees" were enforced at the door. No more. Only Neary's on the east side requires a buttoned shirt. No tshirts or shorts for men.

[@debbiemartin2026]

@@lohphat I do remember restaurants where if the man came in without a sports jacket, they would provide him with one. I live in Florida since 1990 and I remember the first time I went to a Mexican restaurant, on a Saturday night, I was shocked to see guys wearing Khaki shorts and t shirts and sneakers. Culture shock. You always wore your nicest clothing on Saturday night. And well, with the discos we always got dressed up anyway. Ah the glorious 70’s

[@gregburns5638]

My sincerest thanks for your wonderful video. I was there twice with my Dad, and am shedding some happy tears remembering those fabulous times... 😞😓😩😤😡😠😞

[@BikerDad49]

Lived in Mineola Long Island and went both years! Thanks so much for the great images and memories!

[@bradfordgarrigues3917]

This is wonderful. I went when I was 8 while visiting my grandparents who lived in the Bronx . I saw my first Frisbee and touchtone phone. Thank you so much for posting this. My grandsons saw the GE exhibit at Disney world. I freaked them out by singing the song to them.

[@deplorabledave1048]

I was there in 1964 with my mum and sis. I was 8 years old. I remember the GE exhibit pretty well and a few other things. I def remember the giant sculpture. I think the subway was a nickel back then.

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

Thanks for the memories! I too became enthralled with the NY World's Fair - as it happened - all it took was the Daily News Coloroto Special Section on the Fair to get it started. I was 7-8 years old during the Fair and went 3 times. The Fair was such a big thing that there were amazing product tie-ins. One sponsor (can;t remember which) published a map with footsteps so you could calculate how long it would take to walk from place to place. I had sent away for Post Cereal puzzles of the Fair. It was a 2 puzzle set, each 6" x 6" and each puzzle was double sided - four puzzles!! Thanks to a semi-eidetic memory I still remember wathcing the Danny Thomas film and the Gemini spacecraft in the Hall of Science - inside the wavy-walled theater - and yes, light did shine thru the walls. Thanks again!!

[@winstonsmith9533]

Thank you for this great video. I was 14 when I went twice. We lived in Forest Hills about 10 minutes away. It was beautiful and the pavillions and shows were top notch.

[@corlando52]

I was 12 and lived on 69 th Avenue between Olcott Street and Metropolitan Avenue, across the street from Bohack's and I went to the World's Fair so many times! I still have my guide book, an Ash tray, and a bracelet! My brother still has those vinyl disks of The Triumph of Man from the Traveler's Insurance Pavilion! We used to have a few of the State plastic badges from the Ford Pavilion but they were stolen.

[@sheilagrant2583]

I remember the Worlds Fair of 64 my parents took us to it.

[@Sassyellechica]

I wish the worlds fair could have continued to today. this is such a lovely look at it. all I know is the unisphere

[@MichaelDJ68]

I just visited Epcot Center for the first time. Clearly, that place is intended to be a permanent World's Fair--it acts just like one.

[@andreajoki9758]

@@MichaelDJ68 It definitely is one. But that changes this year as they completely remodel and remove all the front part of the park. Only the World Showcase will have the last vestiges of a Worlds Fair left. On the plus side, EPCOT becomes less corporate like the WFs were.

[@MarcAndre1]

They still do

[@JanuszKrysztofiak]

They are called "World Expo" now. The next one (Expo 2020) is to take place in Dubai.

[@robertjohnston8690]

@@JanuszKrysztofiak Don't go to Dubai they are locking up westerners like there is no tomorrow. It's so bad there is a Charity group called banged up in Dubai that tries to help people get out of there. I know a guy who went to work as a waiter for a 5 star restaurant and had a cannabis seed stuck to the sole of his shoes and they gave him 2 years for that. From the airport straight to the Jail.

[@NYCgirl927]

Fantastic video. I went to the fair 2 times in spite of living close. My mother-in-law was the Belgium Waffle lady. She worked there from opening day to closing day. I didn't know my husband then (lol) I was 9 years old. Thanks for posting. The park is Flushing Meadow-Corona Park. The theater has great off Broadway shows. I remember the Ford pavilion & fell in love with the Ford Mustang. When I was 20 I bought a new Mustang.

[@yaelrar.4460]

True story: My parents went to the fair and right by the belgium waffle house a sailor pinched my mom's bum as he walked by. My father made sure the sailor got back on his ship👊!!!

[@ATMAtim]

Was there at age 12 and still remember a ton of the park. Well done video.

[@marilynlarosa7449]

A special time with my Belgian grandmother who arranged our Trip Started with Mass in the morning followed by a Bus trip to NYC and then transported to Magical world where anything is Possible At 13 I wanted the Day never to End

[@jonjohn8414]

Thanks for posting this interesting video that you made Michael. I was 7 years old when the World's Fair was open. I do remember some of it. I wish I was older in a way. I went there many times. My dad worked for Eastman Kodak at the time. They had a pavillion there. He was given an employee of the fair pass. That enabled my whole family to cut the very long lines. I do remember in particular the very long line to see the Pieta. We cut right to the front! I remember it was encased in bullet proof glass and had an electric powered walkway to keep the crowds moving. They had awesome fireworks and lighting by the beautiful fountains around the globe. Everything was awesome. So many different nationalities of people visited there and everybody got along and had fun. Such different times in many ways. I know that years ago Walt Disney wanted to make a Disney themed park there after the fair shut down. He faced a lot of opposition due to traffic and congestion issues. Be well!

[@MichaelDJ68]

Nice to hear your memories.

[@InFltSvc]

This is wonderful to see because I was born in 1964 and I have a picture of my beautiful grandmother there to see it ...this was a much better time in America from what I remember her saying ...it’s so sad to see what has happened to America and the world

[@davidkish9829]

I was 7 yrs old and my Mom, Grandmother, brother & I took the 'World's Fair Bus' from Connecticut to the Fair. The lines were long, so we only went to the Disney attractions. If I could relive a day in my life it would be the 1964 NY World's Fair! The book: 'The 1964-1965 New York World's Fair Creation and Legacy' by Bill Cotter and Bill Young is a wonderful book that tells you everything that went on before, during, the winter shutdown and after the Fair. And has amazing pictures. I highly suggest it.

[@markellis879]

I was there put my feet in the water of earth shape structure. I still remember the 1st showing of mustang an I had never been on a subway. Found memories. Ty for posting it.

[@eschaefer6512]

Nice trip down memory lane. As a 14 year old at the time I must have gone about 20 times because it was a short bus ride away.

[@SoundofSilence492]

Thank you for this beautiful collage! As an 8 year old from Florida I was lucky enough to go twice with my older cousin (on the Subway Special LOL). I still pay homage to the Bavarian waffles :) Riding through the Small World pavilion at Disney World with my own child many years later, it took me right back to 1965. Good memories :)

[@debbiemartin2026]

I was 7 and I have always remembered those waffles and the smell walking by. My mother did buy one for me.

[@sdyoungii]

Thanks for making this! I was really interested in the world's fair and what a great way to know a lot about it!

[@dappertom7722]

I WAS there as an 11 year old in 1964. I loved it and now my favorite Disney park is EPCOT!

[@fantansam]

In 1964 I was living with my parents in Elmhurst Queens. I was still in grade school attending P.S.89. Going to the Fair was amazing…!!!. I remember taking the number 7 Flushing subway line, it was only about four stops away. It was a wonderful time to be a kid. The world was at peace and everything was shiny and new. I realized now how lucky I was to have been part of it all.

[@user-md4di6yg2p]

I lived a few minutes from the fair and we went quite a number of times when I was a kid. Thanks for a trip down memory lane!

[@karenstrycharz1499]

How I loved this fair & still appreciate my Nana taking me in The Peter Pan Bus for a day trip to this incredible fair, from West Spld, Ma! I remember our going on It’s a Small World( Disney) & many other bldgs., exhibits & exciting pavilions! It was exciting beyond belief for me( still is)! Loved that fair & my Nana! ( May she Rest In Peace!)❤️

[@janineharrison5186]

I was 6 years old when my parents took me. Wish I remembered more.

[@1956paterson]

Thank you so much for producing this video which brings back happy memories. I was nine years old when I was there at the New York World’s Fair.

[@strafrag1]

It was a fabulous fair. I went 9 times in 64&65 combined. I was sad when it closed. I wished it had lasted forever.

[@stevendenton4965]

When I was 11 my family all went to Disney World in Orlando Florida. We got to see that same Lincoln speech in the Hall of Presidents. We also saw Its a small world after all.

[@christopheroliver8902]

I just stumbled on this. Thank you so much for the memories, these pictures brought back my very first memories. Have a lot of it on my late dads home movies. One day will convert them to dvd. We went many a Sunday, I was 4 but remember it vividly . I played my "Small world" record into the ground,lol. Still remember the night we went. Favorite expedition was the coca cola building. You would walk through different parts of the world, my favorite was the swiss alps, from there you would walk on to a cruise ship.. Could go on and on. Thank you again! Ps grew up on Long Island, but grandma lived in Queens, tore my heart out when they were tearing it down, had to see it every time we went to grandmas ,lol

[@guycortesi]

Thanks for the wonderful video and memories. My parents took me to the fair several times. I was 9 when it opened. Loved it. I especially liked the monorail and observation tower. The fair helped me learn more about the potential future with the Bell Telephone Picture phone, Disney’s auto animatronics (Lincoln) and “It’s a Small World”, GE’s Carousel of Progress, General Motors future cars, and IBM’s computers. It was all so amazing. I decided that I’d be an engineer and that allowed me to later work at GE and IBM and other companies!! My one major memory of the fair was the Clairol Hair color booth. My Mom went in as a brunette and came out as a blonde! She remained a blonde for the rest of her life! Certainly surprised my Dad and I.

[@demetradecember205]

My favorite was "It's a Small World!" I was almost 4 when my grandmother took me.

[@d.a.gunbunny7550]

Wow, memories I didn't't realize I had. I was 8, with my brothers , 6 and four and mom and dad. The Japanese house is the clearest memory, but this brought back alot. Thanks

[@patriciaseybold7396]

I lived in Stamford CT as a kid, and we made several trips to the ‘64 World’s Fair. I’m so lucky to have seen it as a 10 year old. My fav rides were GE and Ford Motor Company. Such fantastic memories.

[@paulocohenA_]

My grandparents were their and so was my uncle, my grandma was pregnant of my father at the time

[@nmorales]

Wonderful to look back and remember what it was like!

[@lindam3333]

My mom, dad and I went when I was 11. This was fun to see ( again) Good family times. I am 70 now, both mom and dad have passed but I reminisce often about my childhood and all the great family memories. I feel very blessed to have had a wonderful childhood, loving parents and family and my life, (thus far.) Everyone have a blessed day.

[@poppynurse]

This is a great video. Like some others have mentioned, I look back fondly at the time I spent at the Fair. I went twice, once with my 4th grade class, and once again with my mom. I seem to have been the only kid to take pictures on that class trip, and they came in handy for our 40th school reunion. Now all my classmates have a disc of our time at the fair. Just took a tour of the park, few realize what took place at the site.

[@OsbornTramain]

As a kid, at the age of five, I was totally freaked out by the GE exhibit and also the Dinosaurs at Ford......scared the you know what out of me!!!!! My favorite was the Chrysler pavilion and also giant Tire Ferris Wheel.

[@robertheidler5315]

My family went to the fair twice when I was a teenager. Wonderful experience! Thank you so much for posting this. It brought back many wonderful memories!

[@thegest3922]

Sad to see how the park looks today. Sad to see how my home looked before since I live 1 block away :(

[@emintey]

I remember this so well, I was 13-14 at the time. If I could suddenly be dropped down there in 1964 I could still navigate my way around, which I would so love to do.

[@davidsaaf8667]

Wow ,the Music REALLY brings me back those memories again. Really great video . Nice Job . One of my favorite videos of the 64 Fair now. . Can't believe I hadn't seen it after it being on KZbin for 9 years 😂 but thanks for this

[@MichaelDJ68]

Thanks! It's one of my early videos, but people seem to really like it and it's still my 2nd most viewed video. However, all I see now is how I could have made it better. I wish I could make it again--that first camera I used didn't yield a high quality picture compared to what I use now.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Thank you 😊 I went to the 1964 NY World's Fair with my family and we had a blast! I'm glad someone took good video (film) of these aspects of the fair! 👍 Dad took pictures but it was of us in front of exhibits, in our matching shirts/dresses. subscribed 😊

[@wolfpack4694]

I remember going there with my grandmother. Rode the "It's a Small World" ride a million times....

[@kathymackie2768]

I went to the fair every weekend the summer of 1964. It was wonderful to see through the eyes of an 8 year old. We took the subway over from NJ I road on so many of the attractions and amusements. The shows were just great. The Piata was stunning with a mirrored background. Sang to the Small World songs. Great memories. Such simple times and we were oh so happy!

[@debbiemartin2026]

You must have had money. We went a couple of times-Im thinking maybe my parents couldnt afford what would be 60.00 today. The price of Disney is catastrophic compared to the worlds fair

[@kathymackie2768]

@@debbiemartin2026 Not much money. We were low middle class. But we brought food for our meals with us each time. (Sandwiches, Hi-C drink in large cans and twinkies) We saved money to buy ice cream waffles later in the day.

[@debbiemartin2026]

@@kathymackie2768 well as I thought about it I was 7 and my brother was 2, and 3. It had to be hard with my mother pushing a stroller - and not being to get into the rides and such. I was wondering if there was a place for stroller etc like at Disney. Maybe not. I really only remember a few things about the fair. Mostly begging my mother for a Belgium waffle and getting it! And the pavilion with the future and the car one. Not much more.

[@kathymackie2768]

@@debbiemartin2026 Hey Deb, we didn’t even see it all for all the times we went. I do believe I did see stroller places to park, here and there. Back then you didn’t need to worry about your carriages getting stolen. Different time and place. Alas!

[@debbiemartin2026]

@@kathymackie2768 thats for sure….

[@hansflyer]

Thanks for the memories! I was 4 when my family went to the Fair. Great Job putting this together!

[@howie9751]

I went to the Fair four times, twice in 1964 and twice in 1965. The first two times my family took us, the third time my JHS glee club sang at the NYS Pavilion and we got in free. The last time my friends and I were old enough to take the special bus there ourselves, the bus that would also take us to Shea Stadium for two years. Loved every minute of our time at the Fair.

[@timothystockman7533]

I went to this World's Fair. Some of my memories: (1) I got to talk to someone in Chicago on one of Bell's "oval" picturephones of the time. The one which they eventually released had a rectangular case. (2) I saw a touch tone telephone for the first time in the Ham Radio "shack". It was interesting watching how fast the guy dialed it. The next touch tone phone I saw was when I moved into my own apartment for my first job in 1976, but they put a tone-to-rotary converter on the line, which I could out-dial. (3) I remember whine of the turbine cars. (4) An aluminum can of Coke cost and outrageous $0.25 from vending machines.

[@ATMAtim]

Brilliant! I remember so much of the footage from being at the fair. Those days were so special.

[@barrysmith1174]

Found this video today. It brought back wonderful memories of going to The World’s Fair when we lived in New Jersey. I was almost 5 when we went. Loved the video!

[@philpots48]

Excellent! Brought back memories I want maybe 4 times in the two years and there is a lot I didn't see but this was a good way to see what I had missed.

[@gmp3699]

Fantastic video and commentary. Thank you for taking the time to post this. I attended the World's Fair as a young child and have wonderful memories. I'd love to be able to experience it as an adult. The closest I come to it now is the "Carousel of Progress" in Disneyworld. From what I remember the entire exhibit was shipped down to Florida by trucks as soon as the World's Fair ended. Going into that exhibit today brings me back to 1964-65 all over again!

[@MichaelDJ68]

Shipped to Disneyland in California first, along with Small World, Lincoln and the dinosaurs. Shipped to Florida when that park opened in the early '70s and the carousel theater in California installed a new show called "America Sings." When that closed, those characters ended up in Splash Mountain in the 1980s.

[@SubmarineSquid]

Thank you for the documentary. As a newcomer to Queens who has went to the park often, I wondered about the history of some of the structures. You nailed it. Thanks again.

[@wr4157]

Thank you for making this video. I was around 11 years old and went twice as school trip. I wish I could have gone more; I was fascinated by everything! For some reason, I most remember the Swedish pavilion.

[@rolandpedraza1341]

Thanks! You brought back wonderful memories when I was 6 years old, I even recalled in my memories when I was on the Car ride through time a pteranodon flew before watching the dinosaurs. It's amazing how wonderful experiences can be kept in our minds so many years later.

[@swisscamperronniecool5419]

Came over from England on the Queen Elizabeth to visit this Fair 😃 Thanks for the video !

[@guylomonaco5999]

Great video, I lived in Queens at the time and visited the fair numerous times. Brings back great memories

[@yaelrar.4460]

This is great!! Thanks for sharing. The music is wonderful!

[@joemcdonald7798]

Thankyou for your great post. So many great memories

[@stevebulota4687]

We visited the Fair on July 20, 1965. Rode on the Swiss Sky Ride and the US Royal Ferris Wheel, saw the Santa Maria replica and the porpoise show at the Florida Pavilion. My parents insisted that we hold hands so we wouldn't get separated. It worked, although at one point my hand got tired, so my father had me hold his thumb.

[@stacy9240]

Walking on what used to be the fair is so fascinating and seeing what it was. It just makes me wanna go back in time and never comeback

[@carriestevens9391]

Really nice job of creating this. Thank you so much.

[@4cats2008]

I'd forgotten a lot of this so tks for bringing it all back!

[@djdavemick]

In some ways, the EPCOT of the 60s.

[@jerseyforhawks]

This epi is so dynamic, thank you.

[@fayeteville]

Great footage of the fair! I didnt have chance to be there but my parents did, it seems they enjoyed very well their visits to the fair, and what seems to me more interesting is the fact that for my parents and a group of friends coming from a south american country ,different from today ,and such an effort that this people made to be there .it caused a tremendous impact for them. Thanks for the video!

[@jesseblackhawk]

This is so nostalgic. I grew up and still live not too far from Flushing Meadow park, and spent a lot of time at Disney's parks as a kid. I had no Idea I was looking at Worlds fair stuff when I left NY. I remember I and my siblings used to ride that carousel so often they gave us the old music cassette when they changed the soundtracks they use.

[@tommcconville4270]

I was extremely privileged to go to the 1964 1965 World's Fair in New York City, the borough of Queens. We went twice with my parents, my sisters, brother and I.The Disney shows were great and the GE exhibit And GM exhibits were excellent. Loved the City of Tomorrow too,

[@debbiewood3104]

Thanks for the memories! Loved every moment of this!

[@jimm3370]

The memories I have are the best kind- fuzzy around the edges, but the wonder and fascination a six year old boy had is still there. I treasure my own sepia colored memories today. For the grownups of the time, Camelot had ended six months earlier. But my memories from our visit are filled to bursting with optimism and excitement for the 'Future' that was coming soon. Thank you for creating this video. I hope that you too have childhood memories as filled with wonder, joy and hope as I had back then.

[@BleedBNG]

This was nice. Thanks for taking me back. It was fun.

[@hebneh]

I think we spent about a week in NYC to go to this in June 1964. I was 10. The audioanimatronic Abe Lincoln - eh. The General Electric round theater - OK, but cheesy. The Ford Pavilion - pretty fabulous, partly because I got to sit in the driver's seat of a new Mustang convertible. The dinosaurs were the most impressive. "It's A Small World" - a little bit of hell on earth. I got to hate the endless moving figures repetitively jerking back & forth in their limited motion pretty quickly, but the never-ending song was the most torturous part. The boats jammed together about 3/4 of the way through and then very gradually bumped their way to the finish, when we finally got back outside. But the song didn't stop! It continued to play on loudspeakers. To this day I cannot tolerate it.

[@alexreyx77]

Great video! A lot of effort went into it and it shows. Thank you!

[@d.e.b.b5788]

I was 8 years old when the worlds fair was there; my family made two trips to the fairgrounds that summer. I barely remember it, but your video brought those memories back to life for me. It was the most amazing time for an 8 year old back then. My best memory? I got to sit in the drivers seat at the Ford pavillion, in a new mustang convertible. 9 years later, my first car was a used '66 mustang, the same as the one I rode in when I was 8.

[@jsmurd]

That's Great! My parents owned a 66 mustang that had the vinyl top. It was a great car. I wish I could have been at the Worlds Fair but I wasn't born until 1968.

[@stevenlitvintchouk3131]

I loved that Fair. My family lived in the Bronx at the time. We were too poor to travel beyond the city, so we couldn't go to Disneyland. The World's Fair was the closest thing to a theme park reachable by subway. They had fireworks every night. Just a great way to end the visit.

[@coasterbear]

Thanks Michael for all the great advice. Looking forward to seeing what's left of the site.

[@randyrobinson7079]

Thanks so much the memories. I was 8 years old on my family's visit. Good to know some of it is still there. I loved the Futurama

[@rickw1954]

This really was Walt Disney's fair. The Disney team was responsible many of the shows at the fair. Too bad there wasn't a better film record.

[@jaitanmartini1478]

This is amazing! Thank you! (Corona Park, bizarre coincidence)

[@coasterbear]

Native Californian here born in July '65, going to NYC for my 50th birthday. Planning on spending a whole day checking out the former site of the '64-'65 World's Fair. Can't wait. Thanks for this great video, it will aid us greatly in our exploration of the site.

[@MichaelDJ68]

coasterbear Hello, just a walk around Corona Park won't take the whole day unless you plan to go through the Queens Museum, zoo and Science Hall. The Science Hall is geared towards kids and the zoo is nice, but small. The Queens Museum is worth a visit for sure. The 7 train takes you directly to the park from Manhattan. Get on an express train because the trip is a lot shorter that way.

[@josnaz1]

Thanks for this, Michael. You did an excellent job. And I can understand your interest in the Fair, even though you never went: I've been interested in the history of my town in southern New York State, including the part of that history which was before my own time. That music from the Fair which you integrated into your video was a nice touch: it is what at least used to be called "semi-classical music," and it symbolized both the fact that the 60s were a critical junction in our history (our culture, sociology, and technology), as well as the promise of the future. I guess you also know that a few of the buildings in the Fair had been used in the previous Fair of 1939-40.

[@nancyknight2183]

josnaz1 of

[@richardandrewdixonrousseau2924]

What a great video! Enjoyed so much being a native New Yorker especially. Thanks so much for sharing...

[@sherri7673]

This is really cool. I came upon your video because I wanted to see what America looked like the year i was born, 1964. It was beautifully done and I liked the way you compared the present time when you shot the video to the 1964 Worlds Fair. I also enjoyed looking at the fashion and the technology they used to create all the displays. Thanks for the upload!

[@robribant6716]

The grounds today are just as beautiful.

[@drtravel47]

Great video! Brings back wonderful memories. I'm reading Tomorrow-Land right now. Good book about the Fair. I have lots of Fair souvenirs; but, unfortunately, they're not worth what I expected when I saved them 50 years ago!

[@jackjohnson7396]

Went to it twice as a kid luckily. GM exhibit rocked! 👍

[@unclerudy9797]

Thank you... I remember it well... I was sitting by the Ford Pavillion when they unloaded the first Ford Mustang anyone had ever seen onto the turntable for display... We used to go almost every weekend....

[@dansmith1254]

Michael, Thank you for posting this video. I went to the New York World's Fair with my family when I was 8 years old. My dad was in the Army at the time and had been stationed in Panama from 1962 through 1964. When we returned to the States, he took us on a great road trip that included a visit to the World's Fair. A memorable moment for me was in the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show. About all I knew about Lincoln was that he was assassinated. So, when Lincoln stood and began to talk, I put my hands over my ears thinking someone was going to jump up and shoot him. (To put this experience into context, I had just started second grade when John F Kennedy was assassinated the year before this). I also remember my dad letting my sister Karen, who was 10 at the time, drive the convertible in the Ford pavilion. She thought she was actually driving the car and she got really nervous. I also remember the rocket exhibit, which included an Atlas with a Mercury capsule. Thirteen years later, I went to work for General Dynamics in San Diego, working on the Atlas program. I was cleaning out some old files and found a one-sheet drawing that installed the flashing red light on top of the Mercury Atlas exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair. I still have that somewhere.

[@debbiemartin2026]

Interesting post. I was 7 and remember the Lincoln pavilion. You are right Kennedy was shot the year before and it was a very depressing time in history. And a lot of fear

[@reenougle]

I was 6 when the World's Fair opened and I remember the visit so well. I grew up in Brooklyn but going was still a huge adventure. The IBM and Ford exhibits were so futuristic and cool but It's a Small World blew me away. I still have the 1964 guide book!