6. The Decade of Beginning (70s)
Walt Disney World opened its doors on October 1, 1971, with exciting rides, attractions, shops, and restaurants, along with four Disney-themed lands, plus Liberty Square. The Magic Kingdom was the only theme park opened on that day. The rest of the “World” would arrive later.
Rides and Attractions on Opening Day:
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride-Fantasyland
Skyway ride-Tomorrowland-Fantasyland
Snow White’s Adventures-Fantasyland
Walt Disney World Railroad
Peter Pan’s Flight-Fantasyland
Dumbo, the Flying Elephant-Fantasyland
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel-Fantasyland
The Haunted Mansion-Liberty Square
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room-Adventureland
Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse-Adventureland
Jungle Cruise-Adventureland
Country Bear Jamboree-Frontierland
Alice’s Mad Tea Party-Fantasyland
It’s a Small World-Fantasyland
Skyway Connecting Fantasyland and Tomorrowland
The Grand Prix Raceway/Tomorrowland-later renamed Tomorrowland Speedway
**In 1976 Walt Disney World joined in the celebration of this Nation’s Bicentennial Anniversary, with special events, parades, and lots of red, white, and blue banners and flags.**
Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness and Campground Resort welcomed guests from all over the world on that opening day weekend.
New Rides and Attractions That Opened Later in the 70s
Tom Sawyer’s Island and Tom Sawyer’s Island Rafts-Frontierland
Pirates of the Caribbean-Adventureland
Star Jets-Tomorrowland/later refurbished and renamed Astro Orbiter
Space Mountain-Tomorrowland
Carousel of Progress-Tomorrowland
Wedway PeopleMover-Tomorrowland/later renamed Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
