Cinderella Castle under construction at Magic Kingdom Park, before Walt Disney World opened Oct. 1, 1971. Photo courtesy Walt Disney World Resort.Photo by Disney /Disney
Opening day of Walt Disney World (Oct. 1, 1971) was highly anticipated and the state of Florida was ready for anything that might occur. Archived news stories from that day show the Highway Patrol called in extra cars to help handle traffic. Two National Guard helicopters were used to monitor traffic flow. Parking lots had been built to accommodate 12,000 cars.
Inside the theme park, an eight-acre basement running underneath the park was filled with thousands of workers getting rides ready, checking electrical systems, donning costumes and much more. About 11 miles of similar-looking tunnels in this basement led to at least 25 employees getting temporarily lost that day. Employees were also getting ready to feed hungry crowds. Hot dogs cost 40 cents and a prime rib of beef dinner could be had for $4.25; 16,000 gallons of soft drink syrup — enough to make 16 million cups of soda — was on hand.
Calgary Herald, July 29, 1966.
Calgary Herald, Dec. 6, 1968.
Calgary Herald, Jan. 8, 1971.
Calgary Herald, Jan. 29, 1971.
Aug. 24, 1971.
This ad appeared in a weekend magazine distributed in the Herald on Oct. 9, 1971.
Construction of Walt Disney World created 5,000 jobs. Here are seven archived photos of that construction from half a century ago.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride is worked on at Walt Disney World in 1971. Photo courtesy Walt Disney World Resort.
The Haunted Mansion under construction at the Magic Kingdom Park in 1971 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Photo courtesy Walt Disney World Resort.
Here’s a shot of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as it was being built at Magic Kingdom 50 years ago. Photo courtesy Walt Disney World Resort.Photo by Disney /Disney
Castle tops are put in place for the Cinderella Castle in 1971. Photo courtesy Walt Disney World Resort.
Cinderella Castle under construction at Magic Kingdom Park, before Walt Disney World opened Oct. 1, 1971. Photo courtesy Walt Disney World Resort.Photo by Disney /Disney
Another shot of the Cinderella Castle under construction. Photo courtesy Walt Disney World Resort.
Main Street, U.S.A. under construction at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. Photo courtesy Walt Disney World Resort.Photo by Disney /Disney
Here are a couple of pages from a daily newspaper in Orlando, marking the opening of Walt Disney World.
From the front page of the Orlando Sentinenel on Oct. 2, 1971:
