Blog

This week in 1967, we formally broke floor in Florida for what would grow to be Walt Disney World! And immediately, to mark the event, we’re digging into the archives and sharing a couple of uncommon photos (some by no means shared right here earlier than) in addition to a enjoyable, fast have a look at a tremendous summer time forward at Disney World. 

As you’ll be able to see on this fascinating picture that we’ve by no means shared earlier than from the Walt Disney Archives Picture Library, the long-lasting Cinderella Citadel was one of many first constructions to be constructed on the positioning. It was spectacular from the start – created with practically 280 tons of metal and different supplies.   

To the left of the picture is the long run location of “it’s a small world” and within the high proper, the early construction for the 20,000 Leagues Below the Sea amongst different future points of interest.   

Disney artists created and sculpted the Citadel’s options, just like the turrets, gargoyles and stonework, throughout early work on the property. Lots of the fascinating decorative additions to Cinderella Citadel had been created offsite after which delivered to the positioning and added by cranes.  

After work started on Cinderella Citadel, Magic Kingdom Park started to return collectively as you’ll be able to see in one other uncommon picture above. The park opened with experiences much like these discovered at Disneyland, in addition to its personal distinctive points of interest, together with The Nation Bear Jamboree.

As it began to return collectively and blueprints had been labored on, a press occasion in 1969 gave guests a primary have a look at what Disney World would really be.    

On the Ramada Inn Tower in Ocoee, Florida, guests had been among the many first to discover scale fashions and paintings for the creation of Disney World – and Audio-Animatronics figures!  

Disney leaders who spoke and signed autographs included Roy O. Disney, Charlie Ridgway, John Hench, Donn Tatum and Card Walker. And in the course of the occasion, leaders additionally introduced Oct. 1, 1971 as Walt Disney World Resort’s opening date. 

Throughout the occasion, Roy O. Disney advised a crowd how completely satisfied he was to supervise Walt’s dream of a brand new Disney theme park saying, “Every little thing you will note right here immediately is one thing Walt labored on and started not directly. And immediately, the Walt Disney group is devoted to finishing up these fantastic plans in Walt Disney World.”

For the reason that historic opening in 1971, Walt Disney World has continued to develop with the opening of EPCOT in 1982, Disney-MGM Studios (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) in 1989 and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in 1998 – together with different main openings through the years that have impressed generations of friends who’ve made Walt Disney World probably the most visited theme park vacation spot on the planet.

Disney’s influence on Florida continues immediately, fueling Florida’s economic system, supporting small companies, and giving again to nonprofit organizations doing superb work in the neighborhood. To learn extra about these efforts, go to DisneyFlorida.com.

We hope you loved this look again at this particular Disney World anniversary. Now, trying forward, this summer time will probably be further magical throughout the Resort. Listed below are a couple of of the numerous issues to get enthusiastic about: 

• This summer time, you’ll be able to take pleasure in “Disney Goals that Soar offered by AT&T” at Disney Springs that includes state-of-the-art drones choreographed to create designs within the sky with a tremendous musical rating.

• Get able to knee slap and toe-tap to a bit of nation twang because the Nation Bear Musical Jamboree returns to  Frontierland in Magic Kingdom this summer time. 

• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Pixar’s Pleasure is headed to Pixar Plaza on June 10, the place she’ll be a part of different Pixar stars.  She’ll be in her new house simply in time for Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” premiering in theaters on June 14. 

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom will have a good time the thirtieth anniversary of Disney Animation’s “The Lion King” all through the park from June 10 via Sept. 6. 

• And at EPCOT,  everybody will probably be speaking about Bruno starting on June 10 with a brand new summer time sing-along that includes the beloved songs and story of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto.” This new limited-time present “¡Celebración Encanto!” will run a number of instances all through the day on the newly unveiled CommuniCore Plaza Stage. 

And there’s way more to return at Walt Disney World. Take a look at our earlier Disney World 2024 experiences story for extra particulars and proceed to observe alongside for extra tales like immediately’s sooner or later.