1971 WDW Grand Opening

[5thGenTexan]

I recently read about this special that was on NBC in 1971 for the grand opening of WDW. I have never seen it, and I imagine there are other that have not either. There are parts that are 70's cheesy, but that is what makes it good I guess. Skip the parts that are over the top cheese.











http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLuRnR9K6F4

 

[DfromATX]

This looks cool, thanks for posting. I'll have to check it out later (since I'm at work now).

 

[Horizons78]

Skip the parts that are over the top cheese.

That's a lot of skipping!

Good post.

Can't believe how clean everything looks - the monorail beams are practically white!

 

[Jakester]

How I would of loved to been there on that day. Oh well, I'll be there 10-1-2021 for the 50th

 

[BigRedDad]

I remember when nothing was out there. The Contemporary/Poly were the Haves and the Have-nots were at FW. I was there shortly after opening and dumping in a diaper still. I loved going a couple times of year, swimming in the lakes, River Country, and waiting in massive lines for Space Mtn several years later. So many memories.

 

[Sneezy62]

Thank you about a thousand times for this! I had no idea it was out there. I was only 9 but I remember my mom took a group of elderly folks from our church for one of the sneak previews and they saw Bob Hope. She took my grandparents next and they met a celeb, might have been Glenn Campbell. I imagine much of this was filmed during those sneak preview days. I think between she and dad they went 4 or 5 times before it opened with different groups. They wouldn't take my little brother and I though until after it had been open a few weeks cuz they just weren't sure it was a safe place to take kids. LOL Downloading and if see anybody I knew I'll make a note.

Also the opening part about Cape Kennedy being so close is spot on. The moon landings and Disney World opening were the two big deals in central FLA and I think they are completely linked in everybody's mind who grew up there.

 

[dave&di]

I love the history of WDW, seeing how it began and how it's changed is fascinating.

 

[Knothead]

Fascinating and equally depressing... Akin to watching a supermodel turn into a meth addict.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I watched it the night it was on TV. I remember it well. We sat enraptured by it. We had a trip planned for Christmas Week 1971 including my 8th Birthday (Dec. 27th) at the Poly.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

It's funny seeing it posted...every now and then I start watching it at work when I need a solid pick me up.