![]() Accompanied by the first Walt Disney World Ambassador, Debbie Dane, they were driven up Main Street to Cinderella Castle where the Walt Disney World marching band played “When You Wish Upon a Star”. from nearby Lakeland, Florida who was accompanied by his pretty blue-eyed wife, Marty, and their sons Jay-who was three years old-and Lee-who was nearly nineteen months old. That lucky sandy-haired father was William “Bill” Windsor Jr. Operating hours for the Magic Kingdom in October were daily from 10 a.m. on October 1, 1971, Director of Marketing Jack Lindquist had already picked the first family to enter the new Disney theme park. When the Magic Kingdom officially opened at 10 a.m. It will be an experience none of us will forget…You, the cast, are responsible for making Walt’s dream come true…yesterday, today and tomorrow.” Years of planning and long hours of work have brought about this historic moment. “On the eve of Walt Disney World’s opening day, may I thank all of you for your spirit-your cooperation and the fine job all of you have done in getting ready for our opening. In the very first issue of the cast member newsletter, Eyes and Ears of Walt Disney World, the Vacation Kingdom of the World (with a little pennant saying “Florida” waving above the word “Disney”), dated simply October 1971, the first page had this statement on the front page from Chairman of the Board Roy O. ![]() Actually, the traditional Magic Kingdom that some of us fondly remember was not fully up and operating until 1975 at the earliest. I think the two major misconceptions many people have about the Magic Kingdom are that it is similar to Disneyland Park (there are many more significant differences than similarities) and that, once it opened, it stayed pretty much the same with some gradual changes and additions over the years. ![]() Obviously, today it is a much more expensive activity with many new attractions never dreamed of decades ago, but there are other differences, as well. With the celebration this year of the opening of Walt Disney World in October 1971, forty years ago, I thought it would be fun to look back at how visiting the Magic Kingdom in its first few weeks was different from a trip today. ![]()
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