History of Walt Disney World
Over 50 years ago, Walt Disney opened his theme park to visitors. October 1st, 2022 marked its 50th anniversary.
1965-Walt Disney announces his "Florida Project" to the press Walt and Roy Disney joined Florida Governor Haydon Burns to launch their new "Florida project" on November 15th, 1965, with the greatest media assemblage in Florida history. Walt's large-scale land acquisitions were well known to the general public, but their intended use remained a mystery.
1967-Construction begins at Walt Disney Resort The entertainment resort complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, has broken ground and construction has begun.
1971-Magic Kingdom theme park opens The very first Disney park in Florida to open to the public was Magic Kingdom, which did so on October 1st, 1971. Entranced park visitors were struck with a jolt of wonder and awe as they passed through the gates onto Main Street. The park included attractions such as the Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, The Hall of Presidents, and many more.
1973-Disney’s golf resort opened In December 1973, Shades of Green debuted as the Golf Resort, a Disney-owned hotel with 151 rooms. At the center of the Palm and Magnolia golf courses was the Golf Resort. The resort was constructed in the form of a country club out of wood and volcanic rock.
1982-Epcot theme park opens On October 1, 1982, Epcot became officially open after three years of construction. Of the four Disney parks in Florida, this was the second to open. Epcot had tons of attractions and restaurants when it opened in 1982, but in August 2019, Disney announced that Epcot would undergo the biggest transformation of any Disney park in history. This will bring new attractions, restaurants, and experiences.
1989-Disney Hollywood Studios opens The third theme park to open at Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, was Disney Hollywood Studios, which opened on May 1, 1989. It is a movie-themed park and is best known for its thrill rides and other film-centric themes.
1998-Disney opens Animal Kingdom theme park The park opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998, and was the fourth theme park built. The park is themed around nature and animal welfare. philosophy once pioneered by Walt Disney. It is a complete theme park with rides, safari tours, and many dining options. Animal Kingdom has approximately 2,000 animals that roam the park.
2018-Toy Story Land opens Toy Story Land opened on June 30, 2018 as the newest addition to Walt Disney World. The land has opened with three new attractions, a new quick service restaurant, and many colorful themes. Those three rides are Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Toy Story Mania.