magic kingdom
Disney’s Magic Kingdom
On opening day, October 1971, the Magic Kingdom was the only park in the sprawling new resort destination, named The Walt Disney World Resort. There were a couple of hotels and a lot of great excitement over this new park that had been in development for the better part of the previous decade.
Roy Disney
The man responsible for seeing the design through to opening was Walt’s brother Roy. Roy Disney was always the business half of the Walt’s creative vision. From early in their career at the Disney Brothers Studios, Walt created and Roy insured there was a way to produce Walt’s vision.
Opening Day
On opening day, there were 6 themed lands, since growing to 7, 23 rides, numerous shops and restaurants. Although opening day was October 1, the actual dedication was a bit later on in month on October 25. This was the start of Disney’s process of opening soft, working out any kinks and then having a grand opening to celebrate; these soft-openings are used to this day throughout Disney’s parks around the world.
A visitor to the park that day would have been able to see:
Walt Disney World Railroad, operating locomotives were:
- the Walter E. Disney
- the Lilly Belle
- Roger E. Broggie
Town Square:
- Town Square Cafe
Main Street transportation:
- Fire truck
- Horse-drawn street cars
- Horseless carriages
- Jitney vehicle
- Omnibus
Main Street:
- Market House store
- Camera Center
- Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner
- House of Magic
- Penny Arcade
- Main Street Confectionery
- Emporium
- Main Street Bake Shop
- New Century Clock Shop
- Main Street Cinema (retired)
- Crystal Palace Restaurant
Adventureland:
- Adventureland Veranda Restaurant
- Jungle Cruise
- Swiss Family Tree House
- Sunshine Pavilion attraction (Tropical Serenade)
Bear Country:
- Country Bear Jamboree
Fantasyland:
- Dumbo Flying Elephants
- Mad Tea Party
- Snow White’s Adventures
- Pinocchio Village Haus
- Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (retired)
- Mickey Mouse Revue
- It’s a Small World
- Skyway to Tomorrowland (retired)
Frontierland:
- Frontier Shooting Gallery
- Frontier Trading Post
- Pecos Bill Cafe
- Mike Fink Keel Boats (retired)
- Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (retired)
- Mile Long Bar
- Diamond Horseshoe Revue
Liberty Square:
- Hall of Presidents
- Columbia Harbor House
- Heritage House
- Liberty Tree Tavern
- Haunted Mansion
Tomorrowland:
- Skyway to Fantasyland (retired)
- Grand Prix Raceway
- Mickey’s Mart store
- Tomorrowland Terrace
Cinderella Castle:
- King Stefan’s Banquet Hall
By the official dedication, October 25, some other ride’s had come online as well:
- The Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (retired)
Today
Over the years, the park has grown to its current size, maintaining some of its original roster of attactions and adding a few more. The stage shows have changed over time as have the parades, but this is all to keep the entertainment fresh year after year for the guests.
