A Little Bit Of History About Disneyworld
by danddsummers
Are you planning a trip to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida soon? Have you ever wondered how Walt Disney conceived of then carried through with the plans for what has become the largest conglomerate of theme parks on the planet? Read on and find out how Disney Magic came to Florida.
After Disneyland opened its gates in 1955 to great commercial success, Walt began looking for locations for yet another theme park. Although 75% of the country’s residents lived east of the Mississippi River at that time, they only accounted for a tiny fraction of Disneyland’s visitors. Walt knew that he would have to create a vacation destination that would be more convenient for most Americans to go to.
Ever pragmatic, Walt knew that his new theme park would have to be located in a place that sported good weather year-round, and he began to do fly over research trips over the state of Florida. A full nine years after Disneyland opened, the first parcel of property was bought for the new enterprise near Orlando: the site appealed to Walt because of its good network of roads which would provide for easier access.
It’s hard to believe now, but that part of Florida was practically nothing but orange groves then, and it must have taken a lot of vision for Walt the dreamer to think the area would ever become able to sustain a major tourist attraction. But he was right.
After huge tracts of land were purchased surreptitiously but legally, the news of Disney’s ventures were leaked to a local newspaper, and Walt Disney himself held a press conference to announce his plans in 1965. He would die just a year later, and never saw the fruits of his labors in Florida.
On October 1, 1971, the Disneyworld Park officially opened. The Magic Kingdom, which was the resort’s only attraction then, was an oasis in the orange groves along with the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort, and campground: all linked together by the famous monorail system.
Disney has kept adding to the area nearly continuously since then. EPCOT opened in 1982, followed by Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 19889, then Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998. The resort also boasts 23 themed hotels, two water parks, and nearly countless dining and shopping venues.
It’s probably safe to assume that Walt would have loved seeing the results of the idea he imagined over 60 years ago: the lives of millions of yearly visitors are brightened and gladdened thanks to his vision.
