The secrets Disney revealed 50 years ago about Walt Disney World
A major historic milestone in the creation of what would become Walt Disney World took place on April 30, 1969, at the Ramada Inn on Highway 50 in Ocoee, Florida. This was where the public received a detailed look at the construction of Disney World and the announcement of the theme park’s opening on October 1, 1971.
It had been more than four years since Walt Disney had made the announcement that Disney was coming to Florida. And nearly two years since work on the property had actually commenced.
Site preparation for the massive new resort started on May 30, 1967. Roadways were built, some infrastructure was in place and now it was time to start building the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Resort and the Polynesian Village Resort.
The press conference was invitation only and headlined by Walt’s brother Roy O. Disney, Donn Tatum (president of Walt Disney Productions), Card Walker (a Walt Disney Productions executive), Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr., and top executives from RCA, Monsanto, Aerojet-General and United States Steel.
A large tent was built outside the hotel to show off the models and artist renderings of what was to come.
“You should know that the dedication of our staff to Walt’s goals is tremendous. And I know Walt would like what his creative team is doing because these are the ideas and plans he began. Everything you will see here today is something Walt worked on and began in some way. And today, the Walt Disney organization is dedicated to carrying out these wonderful plans in Walt Disney World,” Roy O. Disney told those who gathered.
Handed out at the event was a 28-page booklet A Complete Edition About Walt Disney World “The Vacation Kingdom of the World.” (You can read the complete booklet on Disney Avenue.)
The booklet contains extensive detail of all the plans and the partnerships Walt Disney Productions sets up for the construction of the resort.
“Inside the ‘Magic Kingdom,’ visitors will literally bridge time and theme when they step into its seven realms – Main Street, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Liberty Square
We also find out what attractions are expected to open on the first day:
- Thunder Mesa – a panorama of the old West and will include several water and land attractions.
- Space Mountain – “20 stories tall, encompassing a number of adventures and attractions themed to the world of the future in Tomorrowland.”
- Country Bear Band – a foot-stomping’ country and western hoedown starring on stage in Frontierland the zaniest troupe of bears ever assembled
- Western River Expedition – a musical parody of the old west in which boat-riding explorers come face to face with cowboys and Indians in a frontier
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After the press conference, the group of attendees were taken to the nearby Parkwood Cinema Theater to watch a 17-minute film called “Walt Disney World – Phase 1.”
The group was then taken by bus to the Walt Disney World site. The Seven Seas Lagoon, at the time, was still a dry lakebed.
