Walt Disney World is celebrating its 52nd anniversary today. On Oct. 1, 1971, the original theme park – The Magic Kingdom – opened to the public at 10 a.m.
Attendance for the first day was 10,442. Opening day attractions included the Country Bear Jamboree, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Hall of Presidents, the Haunted Mansion, it’s a small world, Jungle Cruise, Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan’s Flight, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Swiss Family Treehouse, Tomorrowland Speedway, Walt Disney World Railroad, and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. The Contemporary and Polynesian resorts also opened on this day, as did the Monorail, connecting them to the Magic Kingdom.
As part of the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversry, Disney has released these photos celebrating Walt Disney World’s history:
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, here’s a look back at how magic has taken shape over the years at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Magic Kingdom Park entrance in 1971 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney) Roy O. Disney and Mickey Mouse at the Oct. 25, 1971, dedication ceremony for Walt Disney World Resort on Main Street, U.S.A., in Magic Kingdom Park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the Walt Disney World Monorail in 1975 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park in 1976 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)Mickey Mouse arrives in the LiMOUSEine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in 1989. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park during its opening year in 1989 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)Grand Opening of Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1991. (Disney) Mickey’s Toontown Fair in 1996 at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)Spaceship Earth décor in 1999 for the millennium celebration at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in 2001 as part of “100 Years of Magic” celebration. (Disney)Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park received new decor in 2005 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)A springtime opening is planned for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a rollicking family-style coaster and the crown jewel of New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in 2014.Floating mountains grace the skyline while exotic plants fill the colorful landscape inside Pandora – The World of Avatar, opened on May 27, 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. . (Kent Phillips, photographer)Frozen Ever After takes guests through the kingdom of Arendelle from the Disney animated hit, “Frozen.” Located in the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Slinky Dog coils twist and turn around the curves, hills, and drops of Slinky Dog Dash at Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other Disney pals celebrate during the dedication ceremony for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, March 3, 2020, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The new attraction opeed to the public March 4, 2020. (Abigail Nilsson, photographer) Walt Disney World Resort celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Earth Day on April 22, 2023, (David Roark, photographer)Mickey Mouse and friends show off their 100th anniversary costumes.
