Chronology of
Walt Disney World

This document is an attempt to bring various published sources together to present a timeline about Walt Disney World.

Note: This document is not sponsored or endorsed by the Walt Disney Company in any way. No infringement of any of their trademarks is intended, and it is acknowledged that the Disney characters and theme park attractions mentioned within this document are registered trademarks of the Walt Disney Company - including, but not limited to: Walt Disney, Disneyland Paris, Euro Disney, Magic Kingdom, Main Street USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Discoveryland, Festival Disney, Audio-Animatronics, Adventure Isle, Space Mountain, Mickey Mouse, Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, and Captain EO.

References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2021 August 12.

1958

• Walt Disney commissions Economics Research Associates to find a suitable location for a second Disney attraction. The recommendation is Florida. [23] [48.333] (1959 [267.249])

1961

• A study for a location of a second Disney park recommends Ocala or Orlando in Florida. [23] [48.333]

1963

• Roy Disney gives his proposal for buying land in Florida to company lawyer Robert Foster. Foster agrees to begin quietly buying 5-10,000 acres. [267.278]

November

• Walt Disney and others take a plane trip across the US, to make a final selection of location for a second theme park. Central Florida is chosen, so as to not compete with areas on the Atlantic Ocean of the Gulf of Mexico. [48.334] [1102.605]

1964

April 15

• Disney lawyer Robert Foster leaves New York bound for Florida, to begin land purchases for Disney. He uses the name Robert Price to keep his identity secret. [267.279]

(month unknown)

• Disney lawyer Robert Foster agrees to an option to purchase 12,400 acres in Florida owned by three Orlando home builders for US$145 per acre. [267.281]
• Robert Foster buys 1250 acres of land north of Bay Lake, Florida. [267.282]
• Robert Foster buys an 8500 acre cattle ranch in Osceola County, Florida. [267.282]

1965

May 4

• The Orlando Sentinel newspaper reports rumors of an "East Coast Disneyland". [1073.97]

May 27

• The Miami Herald newspaper reports Disney may be one possible buyer of some 30,000 acres 12 miles southwest of Orlando. [1364.126]

October

• To date, Disney planners have acquired 27,443 acres (43 square miles) in central Florida, at a cost of just over US$5 million. [5] [24] [48.337] [91.31] [113.315] [328.311] (late 1964 [34.262])

October 24

• The Orlando Sentinel newspaper runs a story with headline "We say: 'Mystery' Industry is Disney". [267.284] [1342.8] [1364.154]

October 25

• Florida Governor Hayden Burns confirms reports that Walt Disney Productions is purchasing large amounts of land in Florida. [1073.97] [1102.607] [1342.9]

November 15

• At the Cherry Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Florida, Walt Disney, Roy Disney, and Florida Governor Hayden Burns make the first public announcement of plans to build a new Disney theme park near Orlando. (It will open in six years as Walt Disney World Resort.) [22] [24] [40.282] [48.337] [91.31] [238.205] [267.285] [481.46] [501.596] [1073.97] [1102.607] [1342.8] [1364.12] (November 16 [192.46] [252.16]) (September 15 [23])

1966

December 17

• Roy Disney gives a speech to Disney management and the Imagineering team, making it clear that the company will continue to be run according to Walt's wishes. He also announces that Walt's first name would be added to the title of the Florida theme park project. [328.344]

1967

February 2

• Disney releases the documentary film EPCOT for showing in Florida, to inform residents of the plans for Walt Disney World and EPCOT. [23] [36.27] [228.166] [481.46]
  vvv advertisement vvv
  
  ^^^ advertisement ^^^
  

February

• In the Florida legislature, a film made by Disney is shown to explain the rationale for Disney having its own government on its Florida property. [371.26]

May

• The Florida Legislature approves the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which would give the Disney company powers of an independent municipality. [371.27] [481.47]

May 12

• Florida's Governor Claude Kirk signs legislation creating the Reedy Creek Improvement District, enabling Walt Disney Productions' operation of Walt Disney World. [23] [48.357]

May 30

• Groundbreaking begins in Florida for Walt Disney World. [22] [1073.103] (summer [481.47])

(month unknown)

• Roy O. Disney declares the official name of the Florida Project "Walt Disney World". (This is his last official act as CEO.) [48.357] (1971? [56.97])

1968

January

• Disney sells US$40 million of Walt Disney Productions Convertible Debentures, to raise money for the Walt Disney World project. [267.305]

1969

February

• Disney officials reach an agreement with eighteen labor unions, pledging regular pay increases in exchange for no strikes during construction of the first phase of Walt Disney World. [481.47]

April 30

• Disney shows the 16-mm film Walt Disney World - Phase 1 at a Florida press conference. The film shows the master plan and artists' depictions for Walt Disney World. [23] [267.317] [501.595] [1364.155]

May 6

• Roger Broggie and Earl Vilmer of the Disney company arrange the purchase of five railroad engines in Yucatan, Mexico, for use in Walt Disney World. Price is US$32,750. [328.320]

September

• Disney releases the 16-mm film Walt Disney World - Vacation Kingdom. [23] [501.597]

October 30

• Disney hosts a press conference at the Ramada Inn in Ocoee, Florida, unveiling models and plans for Phase One of the Walt Disney World resort. [1342.9]

1970

January 10

• In Florida, Disney opens the Preview Center for Walt Disney World. [228.399] [1342.9] [1364.157]

(month unknown)

• In Florida, the Reedy Creek Improvement District passes the EPCOT Building Code, allowing construction of Walt Disney World. [228.166]

1971

April 15

• The last of 337 concrete beams completes the 6-mile long monorail transportation system for Walt Disney World, and the first Martin-Marietta Mark IV Monorail train is lowered onto the beam. [1342.14]

June 19

• Walt Disney World opens its own post office, with its own Zip Code: 32830. [1342.19]

July 18

• The Walt Disney World phone system beins operation, part of the world's first all-electronic telephone company. [1342.19]

September 30

• In Florida, the Preview Center for Walt Disney World closes. Since opening, 1,332,927 people visited the display area. [228.399] [1364.157]

(month unknown)

• Dick Nunis becomes executive vice president of Walt Disney World. [409.2] (1972 [228.363])

October 1

• At 10:00 AM, the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World Resort opens in Orlando, Florida. Similar to Disneyland, seven themed areas are Main Street, Adventureland, Bear Country, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Tomorrowland. Attendance on opening day is 10,422. First guests to enter the park are William Windsor Junior, wife Mary, and sons Jay and Lee. The day, a Friday, was chosen as the likely slowest day of the week and slowest time of the year for tourists in Florida. Organizers did not want a repeat of the mass crowds during the opening day of Disneyland. Cost of creating the theme park is US$400 million. [1] [5] [6] [14] [22] [23] [34.271] [92.120] [113.315] [192.104] [210.15] [225.41] [62] [226.170] [228.304] [238.207] [234.120] [252.49] [432.42] [475.49] [501.596] [1073.110] [1342.16] (Magical Kingdom [36.27]) (October 23 [40.304] [48.359]) (October 31 [90.61])
• The Walt Disney World Railroad attraction opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. It includes three locomotives: the Walter E. Disney (#1), the Lilly Belle (#2), and the Roger E. Broggie (#3). [328.391] [501.595]
• The Fire Truck begins operation on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.186]
• The Horse-Drawn Streetcars begins operating on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.242]
• The Horseless Carriages begin operating on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.242]
• The Town Square Cafe opens on Town Square in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [501.567]
• The Market House store opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.311]
• The Camera Center shop opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.75]
• The Jitney vehicle begins operation on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.264]
• The Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.96]
• The House of Magic shop opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.243]
• The Penny Arcade attraction opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.382]
• The Main Street Confectionery shop opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.306]
• The Emporium store opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.164]
• The Main Street Bake Shop opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.306]
• The New Century Clock Shop opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.354]
• The Main Street Cinema attraction opens on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.306]
• The Omnibus vehicle begins operation on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.369]
• The Adventureland Veranda restaurant opens in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.6]
• The Swiss Family Tree House attraction opens in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [501.534]
• The Jungle Cruise attraction opens in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.269]
• The Sunshine Pavilion attraction opens in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Sponsor is the Florida Citris Growers. [501.530]
• The Country Bear Jamboree attraction opens in the Bear Country area in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.106]
• The Dumbo Flying Elephants attraction opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.154]
• The Mad Tea Party attraction opens Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.303]
• The Snow White's Adventures attraction opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [501.510]
• The Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.388]
• The Cinderella's Golden Carrousel attraction opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.93]
• The Mr. Toad's Wild Ride attraction opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.336]
• The Mickey Mouse Revue Audio-Animatronics musical attraction opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.323]
• The It's a Small World attraction opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.259]
• The Skyway to Tomorrowland attraction opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [501.504]
• The Frontier Shooting Gallery opens in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.197]
• The Frontier Trading Post shop opens in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.197]
• The Pecos Bill Cafe restaurant opens in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.381]
• The Mike Fink Keel Boats attraction opens in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.330]
• The Mile Long Bar opens in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.331]
• The Diamond Horseshoe Revue attraction opens in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.124]
• The Hall of Presidents attraction opens in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The show is the result of fifteen years of Audio-Animatronic work. [22] [23] [228.225]
• The Columbia Harbor House restaurant opens in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.98]
• The Heritage House shop opens in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.233]
• The Liberty Tree Tavern restaurant opens in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.287]
• The Haunted Mansion attraction opens in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.229]
• The Skyway to Fantasyland attraction opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [501.504]
• The Grand Prix Raceway attraction opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.216]
• The Mickey's Mart store opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.327]
• The Tomorrowland Terrace restaurant opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [501.563]
• King Stefan's Banquet Hall restaurant opens in Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.276]
• The Crystal Palace Restaurant opens in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.110]
• The Monorail system opens at Walt Disney World. [228.338]
• The Fort Wilderness Resort campground opens at Walt Disney World, on the south shore of Bay Lake. It occupies 640 acres of forest. [10] [228.191]
• Disney's Contemporary Resort hotel opens at Walt Disney World, on the west shore of Bay Lake. It has 1046 rooms, and the monorail passes through its interior. [10] [228.103] [1247.55]
• The Top of the World restaurant opens in the Contemporary Resort hotel at Walt Disney World. [501.565]
• The Gulf Coast Room restaurant opens in the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World. [228.221]
• Disney's Polynesian Village Resort hotel opens at Walt Disney World, on the south shore of Seven Seas Lagoon. [10] [228.397]
• The Coral Isle Cafe restaurant opens in the Great Ceremonial House of the Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World. [228.104]
• The Papeete Bay Verandah restaurant opens in the Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World. [228.379]

October 2

• The Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat begins operation in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.5] [235.92]

October 3

• The Peter Pan's Flight attraction opens in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.385]

October 14

• The 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [501.576]

October 15

• The cover of Life magazine shows 1500 Disney employees and characters in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. [423]

October 23

• A three-day gala Grand Opening ceremony begins at Walt Disney World. Arthur Fiedler conducts the World Symphony Orchestra, formed by musicians from 60 countries, playing to 2500 invited guests. [267.329] [1342.16]

October 24

• During the three-day gala Grand Opening ceremony at Walt Disney World, a three-hour torchlit luau and show are held on the beach of the Polynesian Village for 1000 invited guests, with the debut of the Electrical Water Pageant. [267.329] [1342.19]

October 25

• On the final day of the three-day gala Grand Opening ceremony at Walt Disney World, a dedication is read by Roy Disney. The world's largest marching band with 1076 instruments plays "76 Trombones". A 1500-voice choir sings "When You Wish Upon a Star", and thousands of balloons are released. [192.41] [252.7] [267.184,329] [1073.110] [1342.16]

October 29

• The NBC TV network airs the TV special The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World. Approximately 52 million people in the US view the 90-minute show. [226.170] [228.216] [422.80] [1342.19] [1364.158] (Disney World - A Gala Opening - Disneyland East [386.127])

November

• The floating parade of lights Electrical Pageant is first run, on the Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World. [228.158]
• The Tinker Bell Toy Shop opens in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [501.559]

November 25

• The Circle Vision 360 film America the Beautiful opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [228.21]

December 1

• The #4 locomotive, the Roy O. Disney, begins operation in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. [328.391]

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