Welcome to planDisney, Elias! Did you know you share that name with Walt Disney's dad? And Elias was Walt's middle name. You're in magical company! Speaking of magic, you arrive for your
Walt Disney World Resort adventure any moment, so let's travel back to 1971 to see what was around that you can still enjoy today.
I did an online search for "opening day attractions at
Magic Kingdom" and found that dozens of rides and areas are currently operational. Keep in mind that attractions are updated and refurbished to keep them fresh and safe, so almost everything has been altered a little. But here are some experiences that will be very similar to the ones guests were thrilled by on October 1, 1971.
Peter Pan's Flight, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, and "it's a small world" are a few classic rides that are very similar to their 1971 versions. If you're hoping to feel Walt's spirit, I recommend enjoying those singing feathered friends in the
Enchanted Tiki Room. Walt helped design the animatronic birds and envisioned a show highlighting their talents. Disney lore has it that his initial idea was to open a bird cafe, but he decided to create an attraction instead. He feared guests might not be happy about eating beneath such realistic birds!
A quick online search found that only a handful of opening-day attractions are still available at
EPCOT. Spaceship Earth remains similar to its original 1982 iteration, as do Living with the Land, Impressions de France, and The American Adventure. Since I taught a history of communications class,
Spaceship Earth is one of my must-do rides every single visit. I have the script memorized; I guess I can thank the Phoenicians!
As for resorts,
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and
Disney's Contemporary Resort were the two flagship hotels that opened in 1971. Both have undergone updates and additions since then, but I always get chills when I enter their lobbies. Look for the Mary Blair mural in the Contemporary lobby, and try to find the unusual goat; he's my 5-legged favorite!
Elias, you sound like a true Disney fan and history buff, so I hope you have a fantastic time during your visit. Please stop by
planDisney anytime!
Magic awaits,
Elaine