==== Disneyland Texas Resort: The Pre-opening development and construction years 1971-1984====
On October-1st-1971 Walt Disney World and the second Disney Park in the World Magic Kingdom opening bringing the final dream of Walt Disney to the world so everyone can experience the magic of a Disney park in the Sunshine State the resort is a success from the start with the Magic Kingdom drawing guests to Florida so much that the Contemporary, Polynesian and Campground are booked up fast and the company was very impressed and happy about the success of WDW in Florida they begin to plan what is next for the destinations in Florida and California plus WDW has 27,000,400 acres to use for development and expansion which the company is going to use through the 70's-today to grow the resort further but by December when WDW is it's just holiday season it is clear their is high demand for Disney theme park destinations around America and the world so before the world lost Roy O Disney on December 20th, 1971 he allows the recreation division of Walt Disney Productions to go begin a search for a 3rd Disney Destination in North America was a team setup by then Executive Vice President Dick Nunis of WDW and Disneyland who is the one who suggested that the company look into further expansion because WDW will eventually need a relief resort to manage capacity so with the site search committee formed the company has started a journey to a Texas resort. Almost One year later on December-15th-1972 Dick Nunis has a meeting with President of Walt Disney Productions Card Walker along with Imagineers John Hench and Marty Sklar in addition to Roy E Disney and other executives running the company at the time to present a list of potential sites for a 3rd North America Disney Destinations the sites on the list are Orange County,New York( where Legoland New York is today), Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada, Chicago, Illinois( Where Mariott's Great America would open in 1976), Washington DC/Baltimore( where the National Harbor development exists today), Quebec, Canada, Mexico City, Mexico, St. Louis, Missouri, New Orleans, Louisiana, Phoenix, AZ, Edmonton, Alberta Canada, Houston Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth Texas and between Austin/ San Antonio Texas the meeting want well but Marty and John are tasked with drawing up proposals to present ideas to those cities and regions over the next 6 months site planning for the proposed sites have been formed but in June 1973 Mariott bought the DC and Chicago sites they are no longer available for use and shortly after The Energy Crisis of 1973 happened freezing the 3rd North America Disney Destination until the company and nation recover from this energy crisis event as a result WDW goes ahead with all projects for 73-76 that in progress such as Pirates, Space Mountain, Peoplemover, Carousel of Progress, Disney Village, Lake Buena Vista development, Treasure Island and River Country but other projects not in progress all cancelled like the never built Venetian, Persian and Asian hotels and the biggest cancellation was the Epcot City which is now going to be 2 separate theme parks instead so the focus was on the existing properties in Florida and California for the foreseeable future but the dream was not over yet and Marty Sklar saved the list of sites for a future time when the economy and politics go back to normal again ultimately the company is waiting out until things are good enough to resume the 3rd Disney Destination in North America project known as project Frontier.
4 years Later in June 1977 The Company and the economy of North America thinks to Jimmy Carter who has got America to the point where people are traveling like they use to before 1973 so the Disney destinations in Florida and California are very successful and overcrowding a lot of times over the last 4 years that Project Frontier the plan Marty saved was brought back and Dick Nunis along with the rest of the 3rd Destination committee regroup to present the proposals to the cities and regions well WED Enterprises are now working on the plans for Epcot Center a 2nd Gate for Florida and Tokyo Disneyland for OLC in Urayasu, Japan so they had to move before the opportunity to do the 3rd Destination closes again so by December 1977 they realize the site proposals for Texas are the best options to build a Destination resort given the cheap land purchases and suitable land for development but 2 weeks Marty, John and Buzz price go on a site evaluation trip to Texas with Card Walker, Dick Nunis, Ron Miller and Roy E Disney to find the perfect site during the trip Houston is ruled out because of high flooding and hurricane risks that are going to be an even bigger problem than Orlando and the 3,000 acre site would need very expansive construction and flood control to build a resort the company deems it a financial risk immediately and when they go look at the 4,000 acre DFW site it is very freezing like 15 degrees with Snow and Ice everywhere it was hard to get to the site but Marty is like no we are not building here and everyone agrees finally in January 1978 after the holidays they all go to the 8,600 acre site between San Antonio and Houston and the site is very suitable for development in addition the land was cheap and the weather was just right for a Destination so right at the moment the team realizes this is the site for the 3rd Destination and they go to the state Capital in Austin to meet with the governor and lawmakers about buying the property and they come to an agreement with the state by November 1978 very similar to the one they have with Florida and on December5th-1978 Walt Disney Productions bought the property that is now 8,800 acres for a great price immediately at purchase the Central Texas Development and Tourism District was created under the agreement with the state of Texas the company can now forward with the development and planning of the resort itself as outlined in the agreement for the special district and WED Enterprises got to work on the planning and design of the Destination Resort to be ready for groundbreaking in 80/81 to meet a Fall 84 opening under the agreement that must be meet or the land goes back to the state of Texas so WED and Disney get moving immediately on the design and planning the Vacation Kingdom of the Lonestar State set to open in 1984.
By December 1979 The Planning and Design of the Disneyland Texas Resort have reached the point to where it is announced to the public with a scale model and artwork of the first phase of the resort coming in Fall 1984 the public approve of the plan along with the state government who express excitement about the economic and tourism opportunities this will bring to the state and at the press conference held by Disney, WED and Texas Card Walker said " We are excited and looking forward to bringing the magic and wonder of Disney to the great state of Texas we have designed a resort that has the best of what Disney can create with a Texas flair and the heart of the resort is a 150 acre 1st Gate named Disneyland Texas will have 6 lands including one exclusive area based on Texas culture and history that will contain one of the most advanced AA show WED enterprises has ever created but beyond that the Park will have the best of Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland along with exclusive to Texas attractions we promise to follow the saying of Everything is bigger in Texas in addition to the park the resort will have a lagoon very similar to Florida with 3 hotels and a Transportation plaza to the South of the Park and the property will have a lake to the East of the lagoon connected in the same way Bay lake and Seven Seas Lagoon at WDW but Disney Village Texas will be along the Southeast shore of it but the Western shore will have a Campground and to the West of the Lagoon is a golf course we have created the Vacation Kingdom of the Lonestar State which will now be 10,000 acres thanks to the state of Texas we are ready for the next step see you all at the groundbreaking in April 1980" the announcement is covered locally, nationally and internationally as the next great Disney Destination well this is happening Epcot Center in Florida and Tokyo Disneyland in Japan broke ground earlier in the year for 1982 and 1983 openings so WED Enterprises in this alternate reality has 3 Major projects happening back to back and this would lead to a new leadership duo being installed in 1984 but that is still is about 5 years away from happening at this point but the things under the current leadership are not good especially on the studio side but all projects go ahead but times are going to change in the 80's for the company to redefine the future of the company built by Walt Disney but right everything is about what Walt would do but even that was going to change forever. On April-10th-1980 The Disneyland Texas Resort first phase with the Park, hotels, village, campground, transportation plaza, campground, lagoon and supporting infrastructure broke ground becoming the 3rd major park to enter construction for a 1984 opening after Epcot Center in 82 and Tokyo Disneyland in 83 the destination was on the way for the center of the country and the ceremony was celebrated across the state of Texas it was a historic day in the history of the Lonestar State and Six Flags welcomed Disney to Texas even though they are competition but they say it as positive to both companies especially in a state with no major Destination resort but that will change in 1984 forever but right now it is under construction with WED Enterprises Tony Baxter was named the lead of the project so something great was coming to Texas which is exciting and a neverbuilt attraction by Marc Davis is a part of the resort and Marc will join Tony and Bob Gurr because those are the imagineers that we're available even though they we're doing Epcot to and that has caused some Epcot attractions to be adapted for Texas this is going to be very special the state of Texas is going to be very proud to have it in their great state but elsewhere in the state unknown to the company was that MCA Universal bought a sites in Orlando and DFW on the 3,800 acre site they gave up on both sites are for Universal Studios parks/studios so the competition between the mouse and universal has started 6 years early but they will open it in 1990 along with the Florida park so Texas was going to change forever by 1990.
==== Timeline of progress from 1980-1984====
April-10th-1980: Groundbreaking of the first phase of the resort.
May-10th-1980: MCA Universal bought a 3,800 acre site in DFW for a sister property to be built along with Universal Studios Florida.
October-20th-1980: Land prep and early infrastructure work is moving along as scheduled.
December-15th-1980: The Manmade water features including the lagoon and Frontier lake along with the cannal with tunnel road connecting them begin to take shape and the first cast members are hired to lead construction of the property.
April-11th-1981:The first steel beam for the park goes up 1 year and 1 day after groundbreaking and the first steel beams for the hotels also go up with a ceremony hosted by the president of Disney Outdoor Recreation Dick Nunis and President Ron Miller.
June-11th-1981:The Campground and Disney Village go vertical joining the rest of the resort and the golf course started construction as more people are hired by WED to get things to remain on schedule.
August-30th-1981: The resort started to make progress on roads and infrastructure for the property and the showbuildings in the park start to be built along with prep for the foundations for monorail track in addition the Transportation plaza is getting ready to go vertical meanwhile 200 people work for the resort including at Preview Center at the Northeast property entrance and this 70,000 square foot preview center is first operational part of the resort to open.
October-20th-1981: The Central Icon started to go vertical and the resort is 15% completed with some infrastructure coming online.
December-20th-1981: Frontier Lake is completed along with some roads and basic service areas in addition more of park has gone vertical as well other guest areas.
March-1st-1982: The first of the 3 hotels top out and the golf course sees vertical construction begin and more infrastructure gets done and a office building for the resort opened in the resort services area behind the Theme park in the North part property along with a few other buildings beyond that the first rides start to be built including Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion plus Western River Expedition begins to really come together and the Castle is on track to,
April-10th-1982: The Resort enters year 3 of construction by reaching 20% completion with the Lonestar Seas Lagoon and the connecting canal to Frontier lake and a 2nd hotel tops out in addition Transportation plaza and the first monorail supports go up to plus the park is well underway with its attractions and areas achieving great progress.
July-1st-1982: The Resort was now 30% complete with the golf course nearing completion and a 3rd hotel has topped out in addition The Park, Village and other guest areas are on schedule.
October-1st-1982: The Resort was 40% complete with the golf course wrapping up construction so landscaping can grow in and a lot of Campground enters a similar phase as the golf course in addition to more roads and infrastructure and the park begins landscaping and begins to see some areas near completion including Jungle Cruise and Adventureland plus the monorail track is making progress. meanwhile Epcot Center opened at WDW in Florida and the company begins to experience financial issues under Ron Miller's leadership in addition Tokyo Disneyland will be opening in April 1983 with the OLC owning and operating it,
December-27th-1982 The Resort reaches the 50% completed milestone with the Park, Village, hotels and other guest areas reaching 20 milestones including the first attractions and areas to be completed and the Monorail is 40% complete plus water filling of the lagoon, canal and lake start along with landscaping around property.
April-15th-1983: The Resort was now 60% complete with construction picking up speed on the Park and the other major guest areas along with roads and more infrastructure plus the monorail was 50% complete. Disney and OLC open Tokyo Disneyland the first international Disney park and the 4th Disney Park in the world but the company enters the beginning of Save Disney Campaign of 1984.
July-30th-1983: The Resort was 70% complete now with the Campground now complete as well as 70% of roads and Infrastructure in addition landscaping and theming starting in the park, hotels and other guest areas and the Monorail was 65% complete 1 of the 2 loops around the lagoon is done now.
December-17th-1983: The Resort was 80% complete now with the Village reaching near completion along with 90% of roads and infrastructure on property in addition to the Park being 75% complete with most attractions and areas nearing completion as well as other guest areas plus 90% of the monorail is complete now. Meanwhile the Save Disney Campaign continued to happen under the leadership of the company in 1983.
April-15th-1984: The Resort was 90% complete with the Village getting completed along with 100% of all roads and infrastructure in addition the Park was 95% complete with most of the attractions and areas complete in addition the Monorail and Transportation plaza are completed and the resort is planning an October 84 opening. Meanwhile Roy E Disney resigned from the board beginning a key moment of the Save Disney Campaign after the company was almost bought out and this will see new leadership before the Fall of 1984.
May-31st-1984: The Resort is 95% complete with most guest areas complete a lot of the infrastructure comes online and the park was 98% complete with all attractions and areas complete in addition testing of attractions and training begins and the Monorail was testing well the rest of the resort is having finishing touches done. Roy E Disney was getting close to finding new leadership for the company to begin by October.
July-17th-1984: The Resort was 98% complete with testing, training and finishing touches going on through all guest and resort service areas in addition the Castle and Park are fully complete with testing and adjusting beginning and Imagineers and high level executives are the first people on the attractions in the park in addition most of the opening day team are being trained for the first time and most of the infrastructure is coming online for the resort.
August-30th-1984: The Resort is 99.7% complete with all guest areas in the early previews, training and finishing touches phase of construction and preparations and the Park was in active test and adjust in addition the whole opening day team nearing completion of training ahead of an October-1st-1984 opening. Previews are held for the public mainly people from Texas and Oklahoma from 8/30-9/22/84
September-22nd-1984: The Resort wraps up previews to begin final preparations through the whole property for grand opening on October-1st-1984 including final training of the opening day team and the final testing phases of all guest areas. Meanwhile Michael Eisner and Frank Wells become CEO and President of the Walt Disney Company and Roy E Disney returns to the board with all new leadership installed who begin to immediately save the company with huge plans to invest in all areas of the company including the Parks and Resorts division of the company as well as the studios.
October-1st-1984: The Resort opened to the world for the first time as the third Disney Destination in America and the park is the 5th Disney Park in the world at the time.
The Resort was now fully operational after being in the works since December 1971 and now we can begin the history of the first decade of the resort 1984-1994 which would see major investment along with WDW, Disneyland and rest of the company under the leadership of the Eisner and Wells who have big plans for the company going forward from now into the 2000's.
On October-1st-1971 Walt Disney World and the second Disney Park in the World Magic Kingdom opening bringing the final dream of Walt Disney to the world so everyone can experience the magic of a Disney park in the Sunshine State the resort is a success from the start with the Magic Kingdom drawing guests to Florida so much that the Contemporary, Polynesian and Campground are booked up fast and the company was very impressed and happy about the success of WDW in Florida they begin to plan what is next for the destinations in Florida and California plus WDW has 27,000,400 acres to use for development and expansion which the company is going to use through the 70's-today to grow the resort further but by December when WDW is it's just holiday season it is clear their is high demand for Disney theme park destinations around America and the world so before the world lost Roy O Disney on December 20th, 1971 he allows the recreation division of Walt Disney Productions to go begin a search for a 3rd Disney Destination in North America was a team setup by then Executive Vice President Dick Nunis of WDW and Disneyland who is the one who suggested that the company look into further expansion because WDW will eventually need a relief resort to manage capacity so with the site search committee formed the company has started a journey to a Texas resort. Almost One year later on December-15th-1972 Dick Nunis has a meeting with President of Walt Disney Productions Card Walker along with Imagineers John Hench and Marty Sklar in addition to Roy E Disney and other executives running the company at the time to present a list of potential sites for a 3rd North America Disney Destinations the sites on the list are Orange County,New York( where Legoland New York is today), Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada, Chicago, Illinois( Where Mariott's Great America would open in 1976), Washington DC/Baltimore( where the National Harbor development exists today), Quebec, Canada, Mexico City, Mexico, St. Louis, Missouri, New Orleans, Louisiana, Phoenix, AZ, Edmonton, Alberta Canada, Houston Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth Texas and between Austin/ San Antonio Texas the meeting want well but Marty and John are tasked with drawing up proposals to present ideas to those cities and regions over the next 6 months site planning for the proposed sites have been formed but in June 1973 Mariott bought the DC and Chicago sites they are no longer available for use and shortly after The Energy Crisis of 1973 happened freezing the 3rd North America Disney Destination until the company and nation recover from this energy crisis event as a result WDW goes ahead with all projects for 73-76 that in progress such as Pirates, Space Mountain, Peoplemover, Carousel of Progress, Disney Village, Lake Buena Vista development, Treasure Island and River Country but other projects not in progress all cancelled like the never built Venetian, Persian and Asian hotels and the biggest cancellation was the Epcot City which is now going to be 2 separate theme parks instead so the focus was on the existing properties in Florida and California for the foreseeable future but the dream was not over yet and Marty Sklar saved the list of sites for a future time when the economy and politics go back to normal again ultimately the company is waiting out until things are good enough to resume the 3rd Disney Destination in North America project known as project Frontier.
4 years Later in June 1977 The Company and the economy of North America thinks to Jimmy Carter who has got America to the point where people are traveling like they use to before 1973 so the Disney destinations in Florida and California are very successful and overcrowding a lot of times over the last 4 years that Project Frontier the plan Marty saved was brought back and Dick Nunis along with the rest of the 3rd Destination committee regroup to present the proposals to the cities and regions well WED Enterprises are now working on the plans for Epcot Center a 2nd Gate for Florida and Tokyo Disneyland for OLC in Urayasu, Japan so they had to move before the opportunity to do the 3rd Destination closes again so by December 1977 they realize the site proposals for Texas are the best options to build a Destination resort given the cheap land purchases and suitable land for development but 2 weeks Marty, John and Buzz price go on a site evaluation trip to Texas with Card Walker, Dick Nunis, Ron Miller and Roy E Disney to find the perfect site during the trip Houston is ruled out because of high flooding and hurricane risks that are going to be an even bigger problem than Orlando and the 3,000 acre site would need very expansive construction and flood control to build a resort the company deems it a financial risk immediately and when they go look at the 4,000 acre DFW site it is very freezing like 15 degrees with Snow and Ice everywhere it was hard to get to the site but Marty is like no we are not building here and everyone agrees finally in January 1978 after the holidays they all go to the 8,600 acre site between San Antonio and Houston and the site is very suitable for development in addition the land was cheap and the weather was just right for a Destination so right at the moment the team realizes this is the site for the 3rd Destination and they go to the state Capital in Austin to meet with the governor and lawmakers about buying the property and they come to an agreement with the state by November 1978 very similar to the one they have with Florida and on December5th-1978 Walt Disney Productions bought the property that is now 8,800 acres for a great price immediately at purchase the Central Texas Development and Tourism District was created under the agreement with the state of Texas the company can now forward with the development and planning of the resort itself as outlined in the agreement for the special district and WED Enterprises got to work on the planning and design of the Destination Resort to be ready for groundbreaking in 80/81 to meet a Fall 84 opening under the agreement that must be meet or the land goes back to the state of Texas so WED and Disney get moving immediately on the design and planning the Vacation Kingdom of the Lonestar State set to open in 1984.
By December 1979 The Planning and Design of the Disneyland Texas Resort have reached the point to where it is announced to the public with a scale model and artwork of the first phase of the resort coming in Fall 1984 the public approve of the plan along with the state government who express excitement about the economic and tourism opportunities this will bring to the state and at the press conference held by Disney, WED and Texas Card Walker said " We are excited and looking forward to bringing the magic and wonder of Disney to the great state of Texas we have designed a resort that has the best of what Disney can create with a Texas flair and the heart of the resort is a 150 acre 1st Gate named Disneyland Texas will have 6 lands including one exclusive area based on Texas culture and history that will contain one of the most advanced AA show WED enterprises has ever created but beyond that the Park will have the best of Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland along with exclusive to Texas attractions we promise to follow the saying of Everything is bigger in Texas in addition to the park the resort will have a lagoon very similar to Florida with 3 hotels and a Transportation plaza to the South of the Park and the property will have a lake to the East of the lagoon connected in the same way Bay lake and Seven Seas Lagoon at WDW but Disney Village Texas will be along the Southeast shore of it but the Western shore will have a Campground and to the West of the Lagoon is a golf course we have created the Vacation Kingdom of the Lonestar State which will now be 10,000 acres thanks to the state of Texas we are ready for the next step see you all at the groundbreaking in April 1980" the announcement is covered locally, nationally and internationally as the next great Disney Destination well this is happening Epcot Center in Florida and Tokyo Disneyland in Japan broke ground earlier in the year for 1982 and 1983 openings so WED Enterprises in this alternate reality has 3 Major projects happening back to back and this would lead to a new leadership duo being installed in 1984 but that is still is about 5 years away from happening at this point but the things under the current leadership are not good especially on the studio side but all projects go ahead but times are going to change in the 80's for the company to redefine the future of the company built by Walt Disney but right everything is about what Walt would do but even that was going to change forever. On April-10th-1980 The Disneyland Texas Resort first phase with the Park, hotels, village, campground, transportation plaza, campground, lagoon and supporting infrastructure broke ground becoming the 3rd major park to enter construction for a 1984 opening after Epcot Center in 82 and Tokyo Disneyland in 83 the destination was on the way for the center of the country and the ceremony was celebrated across the state of Texas it was a historic day in the history of the Lonestar State and Six Flags welcomed Disney to Texas even though they are competition but they say it as positive to both companies especially in a state with no major Destination resort but that will change in 1984 forever but right now it is under construction with WED Enterprises Tony Baxter was named the lead of the project so something great was coming to Texas which is exciting and a neverbuilt attraction by Marc Davis is a part of the resort and Marc will join Tony and Bob Gurr because those are the imagineers that we're available even though they we're doing Epcot to and that has caused some Epcot attractions to be adapted for Texas this is going to be very special the state of Texas is going to be very proud to have it in their great state but elsewhere in the state unknown to the company was that MCA Universal bought a sites in Orlando and DFW on the 3,800 acre site they gave up on both sites are for Universal Studios parks/studios so the competition between the mouse and universal has started 6 years early but they will open it in 1990 along with the Florida park so Texas was going to change forever by 1990.
==== Timeline of progress from 1980-1984====
April-10th-1980: Groundbreaking of the first phase of the resort.
May-10th-1980: MCA Universal bought a 3,800 acre site in DFW for a sister property to be built along with Universal Studios Florida.
October-20th-1980: Land prep and early infrastructure work is moving along as scheduled.
December-15th-1980: The Manmade water features including the lagoon and Frontier lake along with the cannal with tunnel road connecting them begin to take shape and the first cast members are hired to lead construction of the property.
April-11th-1981:The first steel beam for the park goes up 1 year and 1 day after groundbreaking and the first steel beams for the hotels also go up with a ceremony hosted by the president of Disney Outdoor Recreation Dick Nunis and President Ron Miller.
June-11th-1981:The Campground and Disney Village go vertical joining the rest of the resort and the golf course started construction as more people are hired by WED to get things to remain on schedule.
August-30th-1981: The resort started to make progress on roads and infrastructure for the property and the showbuildings in the park start to be built along with prep for the foundations for monorail track in addition the Transportation plaza is getting ready to go vertical meanwhile 200 people work for the resort including at Preview Center at the Northeast property entrance and this 70,000 square foot preview center is first operational part of the resort to open.
October-20th-1981: The Central Icon started to go vertical and the resort is 15% completed with some infrastructure coming online.
December-20th-1981: Frontier Lake is completed along with some roads and basic service areas in addition more of park has gone vertical as well other guest areas.
March-1st-1982: The first of the 3 hotels top out and the golf course sees vertical construction begin and more infrastructure gets done and a office building for the resort opened in the resort services area behind the Theme park in the North part property along with a few other buildings beyond that the first rides start to be built including Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion plus Western River Expedition begins to really come together and the Castle is on track to,
April-10th-1982: The Resort enters year 3 of construction by reaching 20% completion with the Lonestar Seas Lagoon and the connecting canal to Frontier lake and a 2nd hotel tops out in addition Transportation plaza and the first monorail supports go up to plus the park is well underway with its attractions and areas achieving great progress.
July-1st-1982: The Resort was now 30% complete with the golf course nearing completion and a 3rd hotel has topped out in addition The Park, Village and other guest areas are on schedule.
October-1st-1982: The Resort was 40% complete with the golf course wrapping up construction so landscaping can grow in and a lot of Campground enters a similar phase as the golf course in addition to more roads and infrastructure and the park begins landscaping and begins to see some areas near completion including Jungle Cruise and Adventureland plus the monorail track is making progress. meanwhile Epcot Center opened at WDW in Florida and the company begins to experience financial issues under Ron Miller's leadership in addition Tokyo Disneyland will be opening in April 1983 with the OLC owning and operating it,
December-27th-1982 The Resort reaches the 50% completed milestone with the Park, Village, hotels and other guest areas reaching 20 milestones including the first attractions and areas to be completed and the Monorail is 40% complete plus water filling of the lagoon, canal and lake start along with landscaping around property.
April-15th-1983: The Resort was now 60% complete with construction picking up speed on the Park and the other major guest areas along with roads and more infrastructure plus the monorail was 50% complete. Disney and OLC open Tokyo Disneyland the first international Disney park and the 4th Disney Park in the world but the company enters the beginning of Save Disney Campaign of 1984.
July-30th-1983: The Resort was 70% complete now with the Campground now complete as well as 70% of roads and Infrastructure in addition landscaping and theming starting in the park, hotels and other guest areas and the Monorail was 65% complete 1 of the 2 loops around the lagoon is done now.
December-17th-1983: The Resort was 80% complete now with the Village reaching near completion along with 90% of roads and infrastructure on property in addition to the Park being 75% complete with most attractions and areas nearing completion as well as other guest areas plus 90% of the monorail is complete now. Meanwhile the Save Disney Campaign continued to happen under the leadership of the company in 1983.
April-15th-1984: The Resort was 90% complete with the Village getting completed along with 100% of all roads and infrastructure in addition the Park was 95% complete with most of the attractions and areas complete in addition the Monorail and Transportation plaza are completed and the resort is planning an October 84 opening. Meanwhile Roy E Disney resigned from the board beginning a key moment of the Save Disney Campaign after the company was almost bought out and this will see new leadership before the Fall of 1984.
May-31st-1984: The Resort is 95% complete with most guest areas complete a lot of the infrastructure comes online and the park was 98% complete with all attractions and areas complete in addition testing of attractions and training begins and the Monorail was testing well the rest of the resort is having finishing touches done. Roy E Disney was getting close to finding new leadership for the company to begin by October.
July-17th-1984: The Resort was 98% complete with testing, training and finishing touches going on through all guest and resort service areas in addition the Castle and Park are fully complete with testing and adjusting beginning and Imagineers and high level executives are the first people on the attractions in the park in addition most of the opening day team are being trained for the first time and most of the infrastructure is coming online for the resort.
August-30th-1984: The Resort is 99.7% complete with all guest areas in the early previews, training and finishing touches phase of construction and preparations and the Park was in active test and adjust in addition the whole opening day team nearing completion of training ahead of an October-1st-1984 opening. Previews are held for the public mainly people from Texas and Oklahoma from 8/30-9/22/84
September-22nd-1984: The Resort wraps up previews to begin final preparations through the whole property for grand opening on October-1st-1984 including final training of the opening day team and the final testing phases of all guest areas. Meanwhile Michael Eisner and Frank Wells become CEO and President of the Walt Disney Company and Roy E Disney returns to the board with all new leadership installed who begin to immediately save the company with huge plans to invest in all areas of the company including the Parks and Resorts division of the company as well as the studios.
October-1st-1984: The Resort opened to the world for the first time as the third Disney Destination in America and the park is the 5th Disney Park in the world at the time.
The Resort was now fully operational after being in the works since December 1971 and now we can begin the history of the first decade of the resort 1984-1994 which would see major investment along with WDW, Disneyland and rest of the company under the leadership of the Eisner and Wells who have big plans for the company going forward from now into the 2000's.