Walt Disney World General
Topic: WDW circa 1971, what was there?

#	Author	Message
1	X-san Sun 5/18/2008 5:57a	Just curious, what was already "up and running" when the Magic Kingdom opened up in '71? (1971 was the opening right?) I'm thinking Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, Poly, Golf Resort (thus one golf course right?), the water attractions on Bay Lake and the 7 seas lagoon?, Fort Wilderness, River Country?, the treehouse villas and Disney Village? Which were open right away? Which came soon after? And am I missing anything?
2	dshyates Sun 5/18/2008 6:12a	Poly, Contemp, MK, FW, and palm and magnolia golf courses. In the 7 saes lagoon they had the night light parade thing, and the worlds first wave machine that sent waves towards the Poly. The Disney Village opened in 1972. Disney's Golf Resort in 1973. Discovery Island in 1974. WD Village Marketplace in 1975. River Country opened in 1976.
3	Coconut Telegraph Sun 5/18/2008 6:28a	What of those are still open? I know River Country is closed and just sitting there rotting right? I just saw the night light parade thing about a year ago from the Wilderness Lodge. It was beautiful and a neat surprise. Has it been running all these many many years? One thing I love about WDW is when I get to go (once about every 4 or 5 years) I walk through certain archways, or stand in certain spots, and I instantly am back in 1975 (my first visit) and am a kid all over again. That to me is the magic. I love photos from the old 70's era of WDW. I juust love WDW. Someday I want to go to Disneyland so bad.
4	brotherdave Sun 5/18/2008 7:08a	I believe that on opening day, all that was there was the Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness, Contemporary and Polynesian. I think the Golf Resort opened slightly later, although at least one course may have been open. As for the roster of MK attractions, I think they were the following (though some may have opened within the first few months): WDW Railroad Main Street Vehicles Walt Disney Story Main Street Cinema Plaza Swan Boats Swiss Family Treehouse Jungle Cruise Tropical Seranade (Tiki Room) Country Bear Jamboree Tom Sawyer Island Hall of Presidents Liberty Square Riverboats (yes, there were two) Mike Fink Keelboats Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes Haunted Mansion It's a Small World Mickey Mouse Revue Peter Pan's Flight (though I read it opened a few days later than Oct 1) Snow White's Scary Adventures Cinderella's Golden Carousel Dumbo Mad Tea Party (minus roof!) Mr. Toad's Wild Ride 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Skyway Tomorrowland Speedway Most of the rest of Tomorrowland wasn't finished until the following year (Flight to the Moon, If You Had Wings, Circlevision), with it finally being completed in 1975 with the opening of Carousel of Progress, WEDWay Peoplemover, Starjets, and Space Mountain. Also, Pirates of the Caribbean wasn't added until late 1973 and Big Thunder Mountain opening in 1980.
5	mickey_ring Sun 5/18/2008 7:13a	For great info on the WDW of the past, try: http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/
6	beamerdog Sun 5/18/2008 7:13a	Does anyone know when the Swan Boats were pulled? I never got to go on one :-( I do remember thinking to myself that the park was huge, lol.
7	beamerdog Sun 5/18/2008 7:16a	Thanks, mickey ring. Can't believe I forgot about that site.
8	Disneymom443 Sun 5/18/2008 7:48a	With time I think that some of the attractions need to be updated or removed. I would have loved to stay: were 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and one of my fav was Mr. Toad's wild ride. I really6 miss that one. And yes you can still see it at DL.
9	Disneymom443 Sun 5/18/2008 7:49a	where did that 6 come from????? Sory :(
10	demderedoseguys Sun 5/18/2008 9:57a	Disneymom- I also miss Mr Toad, so much so that I took a trip cross country to DL and rode it about 20 times over a two day period, laughing like a little kid each and every time.

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