4 artist concept drawings of the original Disney World

In 1959, only four years after Disneyland was open, Walt Disney started looking to create another theme park. Research suggested the East Coast was the best location, but Disney wanted to have larger control of what is built around his park.

In November 1963, he flew over Orlando, Florida and decided the proposed roads and airport made this the prime location for the what was dubbed “The Florida Project.”

WED Enterprises, the research and development art of The Walt Disney Company which has turned into Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, Inc., then went to work. Here are some artists conceptions from the State Archives of Florida.

The theme park opened Oct. 1, 1971.