Disney World celebrates 50 years of magic and make believe
After 6 years in the making Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, first swung open its gates at 7.35am on Oct. 1, 1971.
Even though the park was uncompleted at the time it still drew crowds in their thousands ready to experience a timeless world of make believe. Later that month saw the official dedication take place on Oct. 25.
The following excerpts are from an AP article featured in the Tyler Morning Telegraph, dated Oct. 26, 1971.
Disney World of Florida Formal Opening Celebrated
Orlando, Fla. (AP) - This newest "magic kingdom" in the late Walt Disney's world of fantasy that began with a "gentle mouse, a bad tempered duck and seven mixed up dwarfs" was formally opened Monday before crowds much larger than expected.
The quotes came from comedian Bob Hope, one of the many Hollywood stars who came to join in the dedication of the $400 million playground built in a central Florida swamp near here.
Attendance hit 30,000 a day during a three day opening celebration that began Saturday. This was several thousand more than expected for October, the slowest period of the year in Florida's bread and butter tourist industry.
Disney World was expected to have a tremendous impact on holiday business all over Florida.
Joe Fowler, 75, a retired Navy admiral, points out the spot being prepared for the Disney World project near Orlando, Florida, May 2, 1969. Fowler is senior vice president for engineering and construction. (AP Photo/Jim Kerlin)
Steel forms are used to mold plants into shapes of animals. These will be part of the landscape at Disney World near Orlando, Florida, May 2, 1969. (AP Photo/Jim Kerlin)
[…] Roy Disney read a plaque placed in the town square as a tribute to his brother who founded the Disney entertainment empire. It said: "May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place - a Magic Kingdom where the young of heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn together."
E. Cardon Walker, chief operations officer, said a prediction made 2 1/2 years ago that Disney World would have 10 million visitors in its first year was being borne out.
"We are bringing more people to Florida," he said. "If somebody else has a good show, they're going to see that, too."
But if other attractions are going to benefit, he added, "they're going to have to have a quality show. The people are going to have to get their money's worth."
The Magic Kingdom, made up of Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Tomorrowland and a Main Street from the turn of the century with horse-drawn street cars and gas lights, covers 2,000 acres of the 28,000 acre site. Construction will continue for many years and include the building of a domed, air conditioned "City of Tomorrow." A 7,500 acre tract inhabited by deer, alligators and a few panthers and bears has been set aside as a permanent wildlife refuge.
Eastern seaboard architecture of turn of the century America is being recreated in Main Street U.S.A. at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park in central Florida, Nov. 1970. Aerial view shows progress of development, scheduled to open in October. Phase 1, which covers 2,500 acres, is a total "Vacation Kingdom," including theme park, similar to Disneyland in California. (AP Photo)
The Cinderella Castle serves as a backdrop for workmen who prepare the proper concrete "carpet" at Walt Disney World, under construction near Orlando, Fla., July 7, 1971. (AP Photo/Steve Starr)
This is a view of the dock and teen swimming pool in the Bay Lake at Walt Disney World which is being built near Orlando in central Florida July 7, 1971. (AP Photo/Steve Starr)
This general view shows Walt Disney World under construction near Orlando in Central Florida, on July 7, 1971. At center is the amusement park's Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom. (AP Photo)
Monorail tracks and concrete pilings lead into Contemporary Hotel under construction at Walt Disney World, July 7, 1971 Orlando, Florida. The tracks go through the 1,057-room, 9-level A-frame hotel. (AP Photo/Steve Starr)
Contemporary Hotel under construction at Walt Disney World, July 7, 1971 Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/Steve Starr)
A family ride into Disney World aboard the Monorail train which circles the $400 million amusement on Saturday, Oct. 2, 1971 in Orlando, Florida. Monorail runs through the unfinished 14-story Contemporary Hotel in the background. (AP Photo)
Hundreds of balloons are released into the sky after a grand opening ceremony and Main Street parade at Disney World near Orlando, Fla., Monday, Oct. 26, 1971. The Cinderella Castle is in the background. (AP Photo)
William Windsor Jr. carries his son Lee, 1 1/2, past Cinderella's Castle as Disney World opened in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 1, 1971. Windsor and family slept in their car to be the first into the park. (AP Photo/Steve Starr)
Walt Disney World has its grand opening dedication ceremony with a parade down Main Street in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Oct. 25, 1971. Mickey Mouse waves from atop a huge drum. (AP Photo)
Tourists flock to Disney World's Magic Kingdom, near Orlando in Florida, Sept. 22, 1972, daily to see the sights and enjoy the rides. Main Street with Cinderella’s Castle in the background. (AP Photo/Charles Bennett)
Card Walker, right, president and chief operating officer for Walt Disney Inc., kicks off Disney World's tenth birthday celebration by welcoming the William Windsor family in Orlando, Oct. 1, 1981. The Windsors were the first to see the Magic Kingdom, when it first opened ten years ago. (AP Photo)
EPCOT Center, Walt Disney World's $800 million international showcase at Orlando, is shown July 20, 1982. The center, built at Disney World, will feature pavilions from various countries including the Republic of China and is scheduled to open October 1. (AP Photo/Scott Maclay)
Florida Transportation Secretary Paul Pappas snips the ribbon while Walt Disney World Vice President Bob Allen assists in dedicating new monorail line to the EPCOT Center construction site in Florida, June 1982. (AP Photo)
The Cason family, the first family to enter EPCOT Center, walk into the park after leaving the Spaceship Earth in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Oct. 1, 1982. The Casons are, from left, Paula, Jennifer, Jody, Richard, Chris and father Richard. (AP Photo/Doug Jennings)
President Reagan and Mrs. Nancy Reagan are shown embracing Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse at the EPCOT Center in Walt Disney World, in Orlando, Florida, on May 27, 1985. (AP Photo/Scott Stewart)
A youngster takes a moment to investigate a hot air balloon in the shape of Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World, Florida, Oct. 4, 1986 during the 15th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
World-renowned Disney characters Minnie and Mickey Mouse wave to crowds along Main Street during a preview parade commemorating the 15th anniversary of Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Oct. 3, 1986. The actual parade was held on Friday. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Mickey and Minnie Mouse lead a group of 4000 children from 116 cities down Main Street during Mickey Mouse’s 60th birthday party at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on Nov. 18, 1988. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Actress Bette Midler and Walt Disney Co. Chairman and Chief Executive officer Michael Eisner flank Mickey Mouse during the ribbon cutting ceremony opening the Backstage Studio Tour at the new Disney/MGM Studio attraction Saturday, April 29, 1989 at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ray Fairall)
Family members of the late Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, join cast members to officially open the Here Come the Muppets show at the Disney/MGM Studios at Lake Buena Vista, Calif., June 15, 1990. From left are children Lisa, Brian, character Miss Piggy, son John, Kermit, ex-wife Jane, Gonzo the Great, Disney CEO Michael Eisner, daughters Heather and Cheryl and character Fozzy Bear. (AP Photo/Cho)
Princess Diana, far right, smiles as she rides along Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on August 26, 1993. The Princess is spending a few private vacation days at the theme park with her sons William and Harry. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton hugs Alberto Cruz, right, after he sang When You Wish Upon a Star during the 25th anniversay rededication of Walt Disney World Tuesday, Oct. 1, 1996, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Michael Eisner, chairman of the Walt Disney Co., is on the left. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Roy Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, reads the proclaimation his uncle read 25 years ago when Walt Disney World opened, during ceremonies Tuesday, Oct. 1, 1996, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Mickey Mouse stands with Roy during the reading. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Text excerpts from the Tyler Morning Telegraph, dated Oct. 26, 1971.
Text and photo editing by Kathryn Bubien