History of Disney World – How Walt Disney World Came About
Although Walt Disney never saw the fruition of Disney World while he was still alive, it was really his concept to make it. That’s why relating the history of Disney World would naturally begin with him. His concept lived on even after he died through his brother, Roy Disney.
Walt Disney’s Idea
Walt Disney didn’t just want another Disneyland. He dreamed of something much more than Disneyland and yet similar to it. He still wanted to bring entertainment in his theme parks. But he wanted to have a place where he could constantly add or develop something new to his original park and structures. Not only that, he wanted to test his concepts of urban planning through this project. True enough, what now emerged as the EPCOT or the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow was actually sprung out of his ideas.
From Opening Up to Now
Walt Disney World opened in October 1, 1971, five years later after the death of Walt Disney. It opened up with Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
In the following year, Disney’s Village Resort with the tree house and the vacation villas was added. Then Disney’s Golf Resort and Discovery Island were next opened in the next two years. In 1975, the Fairway Villas and the Walt Disney Village Marketplace were built up.
Come June 1976, Disney’s River Country Water Park was added. In 1980, the Walt Disney World Conference Center and another village resort, the Club Lake villas, were put up. Then in 1982, EPCOT came about.
In 1988, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Caribbean Beach Resort became available. And then 1989, more parks were added. The MGM Studios, the Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Pleasure Island were opened.
In the years 1990 to 1992, more resorts were made for the guests. These were Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort, Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort, Port Orleans Resort, Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Dixie Landings Resort. Disney Vacation Club and Bonnet Creek Golf Club were also added to the growing Walt Disney World.
In 1994, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge were made available. Then in 1995, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, Blizzard Beach Water Park and Fairytale Wedding Pavilion were installed.
The following year, the Disney Institute and Disney’s Boardwalk Resort became ready. The Coronado Springs Resort followed in 1997. Disney’s Wide World of Sports and Downtown Disney West Side came that same year too; while Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Quest just came in 1998. In 1999, it was Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort that was added. In 2001 and 2003, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Pop Century Resort were added respectively. Finally, Disney’s Saratoga’s Springs Resort and Spa came about in 2004.
This completes the list of facilities made available through the years. The history of Disney World has really come a long way and it still continues each day as it touches the lives of many of its guests.
