The Opening of Disney World
Walt Disney had a project where he wanted to open a new site that incorporated multiple Disney parks in Florida. He called his vision the “Florida Project.” He wanted to have six different areas within the main park. His death on December 15, 1966 didn’t allow him to see his project come to life, so his brother Roy came to take over the project, and helped develop his vision. October 1, 1971 was a big day in Disney history, the opening of it’s new park Disney World. Only about 10,000 people can to Disney World on its grand opening, a small amount compared to Disneyland’s packed opening in 1955. In June, 1971, Disney World opened their own post office, with the zip code of 32830. A month later the park opened the world’s first all electronic telephone line.
Multiple attractions still running today were opened that first day, including the Dumbo Flying Elephants ride, Snow White’s Adventures attraction, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride attraction, Grand Prix Raceway, and more. Mickie, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Cinderella all appeared in front of Cinderella’s Castle. When you first walk in the park, you walk down main street. Main street had different shops for souvenirs and foods. NBC broadcasted the opening event, and released a ninety minute documentary on the park later that month.
When the park first opened, guests would purchase a book of ride tickets. The “Eleven Adventure Ticket Book” cost $5.75 for adults and $4.75 for children, allowing eleven rides per person. General Admission, which allowed unlimited access to all transportation, shows, and exhibits, was $3.50 for adults and $1.00 for children. Parking cost 50 cents per car.
The park had also opened two hotels for vacationers to stay at, the ten story Tempo Bay Resort (later re-named The Contemporary) and the fifth teen story Polynesian Village Resort. Both resorts had a monorail system connected to transport guests from their hotel to Magic Kingdom. The monorail consisted of three hundred and thirty seven large beams to support the system, all made by the Disney staff in California. The Tempo Bay resort was designed so that the monorail went directly through the A-frame shaped hotel.
Here is a link to the video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxXv9gr1cis
Multiple attractions still running today were opened that first day, including the Dumbo Flying Elephants ride, Snow White’s Adventures attraction, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride attraction, Grand Prix Raceway, and more. Mickie, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Cinderella all appeared in front of Cinderella’s Castle. When you first walk in the park, you walk down main street. Main street had different shops for souvenirs and foods. NBC broadcasted the opening event, and released a ninety minute documentary on the park later that month.
When the park first opened, guests would purchase a book of ride tickets. The “Eleven Adventure Ticket Book” cost $5.75 for adults and $4.75 for children, allowing eleven rides per person. General Admission, which allowed unlimited access to all transportation, shows, and exhibits, was $3.50 for adults and $1.00 for children. Parking cost 50 cents per car.
The park had also opened two hotels for vacationers to stay at, the ten story Tempo Bay Resort (later re-named The Contemporary) and the fifth teen story Polynesian Village Resort. Both resorts had a monorail system connected to transport guests from their hotel to Magic Kingdom. The monorail consisted of three hundred and thirty seven large beams to support the system, all made by the Disney staff in California. The Tempo Bay resort was designed so that the monorail went directly through the A-frame shaped hotel.
Here is a link to the video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxXv9gr1cis