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
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