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| photo: Google Images |
The death of Walt Disney in 1966 left many worried about the future of his dream to build an east coast resort, Disney World. However, Walt's brother, Roy O. Disney, postponed his retirement to see the first phase of the Florida Project completed. On October 1, 1971, Roy opened the renamed Walt Disney World to the world in honor of his late brother.
Over the next 50 years, this park has become the biggest, most-visited tourist destination in the world. Join Disney SUPER Fans as we look back at what's changed and what's stayed the same in the Most Magical Place on Earth!
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| Photo: Google Images |
Phase One consisted of Magic Kingdom, 2 hotels (the Contemporary Resort Hotel and the Polynesian Village), Fort Wilderness campground, The Palm and Magnolia golf courses, a shopping village and a monorail.
Main Street USA: Main Street Vehicles, Walt Disney World Railroad, Main Street Cinema, Penny Arcade
Adventureland: Jungle Cruise, Sunshine Pavilion, Swiss Family Treehouse, Tropical Seranade
Frontierland: Mike Fink Keel Boats, Diamond Horseshoe Review, Frontier Shooting Gallery, Country Bear Jamboree, Davey Crockett's Explorer Canoes
Liberty Square: Haunted Mansion, Hall of Presidents
Fantasyland: Snow White's Adventures, Mickey Mouse Review, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Cinderella's Golden Carousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mad Tea Party, It's a Small World, Skyway
Tomorrowland: Grand Prix Raceway
Before the end of the month, several more attractions would open including:
The Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat
Peter Pan's Flight
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Electrical Water Pageant and the
The Circlevision 360 film America the Beautiful
1972 saw the addition of more shops and locomotives in Magic Kingdom along with the new If You Had Wings attraction sponsored by Eastern Airlines in Tomorrowland. By the end of the year, construction would also begin on Space Mountain.
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| photo courtesy of disneyopolis.com |
In 1973, the Walt Disney Story film and attraction open on Main Street USA. Spring saw the opening of the Tom Sawyer Island rafts and attraction along with the Richard F. Irvine Riverboat and the Plaza Swan Boats attraction.
In December of 1973, Pirates of the Caribbean opened in Adventureland.
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| photo courtesy of Renee Ovelgone-Kahn |
1974 saw the opening of Pioneer Hall in April and the premiere of Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue as a summer workshop program. By September, the Revue became a permanent attraction. Still running today, it is one of the longest running dinner shows in the country.
This year also saw the film America the Beautiful replaced by Magic Carpet Round the World, the opening of the Disney Village Resort Hotel, the Treasure Island nature preserve and the Buena Vista Golf Club. By late fall, Star Jets opens in Tomorrowland.
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| photo courtesy of Kristi Killian Scott |
In January 1975, Space Mountain opens. Colonel James Irwin, pilot of Apollo 15 lunar module, is the first official rider. The same year, these attractions were also added to Tomorrowland:
Mission to Mars
Carousel of Progress
WEDway Peoplemover
Harmony Barber Shop also opened on Main Street U.S.A.
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| photo courtesy of Renee Ovelgone-Kahn |
In 1976, the first water park opened at Walt Disney World opened: River Country
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| photo courtesy of Leslie Schneps Hornstein |
Walt Disney World also celebrated America's bicentennial with America on Parade!
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| photo courtesy of Renee Ovelgone-Kahn |
In 1977, Lillian Disney christened the Empress Lilly Riverboat.
The Main Street Electrical Parade premiers and Treasure Island is renamed to Discovery Island.
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| photo courtesy of Leslie Schneps Hornstein |
1978 is the first year that sees no changes at Magic Kingdom
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| photo courtesy of Donna Hawkins |
In 1979, as the decade comes to a close, Walt Disney World looks to the future and the next phase. Groundbreaking begins for EPCOT.
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| 1978 Marci Gentry Nowell |
From the beginning, Walt Disney World has been entertaining their huge crowds with parades. Here is the parade timeline for Magic Kingdom:
Character Parade 1971 - 1975
America on Parade 1975 - 1976
Cavalcade of Characters 1977 - 1978
Mickey's 50th Birthday Parade 1978
Dumbo's Circus Parade 1979
Here are some 1970s photos submitted by our SUPER fans for you to enjoy:
Stay with us as we move into the next decade to see the exciting changes at Walt Disney World in the 1980s!
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