Walt Disney World Through the Years; Then to Now, to What’s Next?

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.

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.

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