The History of Walt Disney World
by Sam Howzit
In 1955, Mr. Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California and after a somewhat rocky start, he saw great success in its creation. Market surveys conducted that same year illustrated that most of the US population resided east of the Mississippi River, a market that Mr. Disney wanted to tap into. Also, he was unhappy with the kinds of businesses that were taking up residence around the park and wanted a chance to control a larger piece of land.
In 1959, Walt Disney Productions began the search for a suitable piece of land, and finally after viewing many locations, Mr. Disney liked what he saw in Orlando. In 1963, he flew over the city and liked the well-developed transportation networks, as well as the McCoy Air Force Base. Over the next three years, Orlando deals for land were put together under dummy corporations so as not to raise suspicions and subsequent prices. When the news finally hit the media, a press conference was given in which Walt Disney explained the plans for the site. Sadly, he died on December 15, 1966 before seeing his dream come to fruition.
Roy O. Disney, Walt’s brother, held a press conference on February 2, 1967, in which he showed the last film his brother made before his death. The film emphasized the importance of EPCOT Center and ultimately lead to legislation forming municipal districts, which in turn would make it possible to begin construction on the park. Because the land was largely made up of swamp, drainage canals were the first thing to be constructed, then roads and then the Magic Kingdom itself. Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort and Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground were completed in time for the opening of the park on October 1, 1971. The park was dedicated to Walt Disney and dubbed Walt Disney World by his brother Roy, who died only three months after it opened.
EPCOT center was a concept Walt Disney developed late in his life and was the main purpose of the Orlando property buy. EPCOT is an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. He meant the planned city to be a stimulus for American corporations to come up with new technology. He wanted it to be an evolving project, always testing and demonstrating new materials and gadgets for the general public. Although his vision of an entire futuristic city was never built, EPCOT center remains a central icon at Walt Disney World for both its founder and his vision.
When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, the site had 5500 cast members employed. To date, it now has 66,000. As the largest single site employer in US, Walt Disney World operates a Walt Disney World College Program and International College Program which is highly regarded in business circles. Many of the front-line cast members who work in the park, also live in several Disney-owned apartment buildings located on the grounds.
The Magic Kingdom is one of four theme parks located at Walt Disney World, and was the first to be built. It is most recognized by Cinderella Castle, a towering white and blue castle with multiple turrets. It reaches a height of 496 feet at its tallest point, but through an optical trick, seems even larger. Many Disney vacation specials offer tours of Cinderella’s castle along with their Orlando hotel deals.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the third of the four theme parks to be built (1989) and its theme is show business, specifically focused on the 1930’s and 1940’s. Many movie enthusiasts enjoy this particular park as it offers many hands on movie and television ‘sets’ where visitors can play and pretend they are in the production themselves.
Walt Disney World Resort was the fantasy brainchild of Walt Disney, and thanks to his brother Roy, we have seen it come into reality. Even if Walt’s planned city could not be created, the passion and creativity behind him has been represented in both the parks bearing his name for many generations to come. One cannot help but wonder if Walt is, even now, gazing down and enjoying the sight of children gazing in wonder at their first sight of Cinderella Castle.
