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.
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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                                                           Â
- 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.**
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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.
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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