Any personal old stories from WDW in the 1970s or so?

[Walt Disney1955]

I didn't go until 1991. That was my first time. My dad went with a buddy of his and my grandparents in 1973. About a year and a half after the park opened up. He was in his 20s then. My grandparents were in their 60s. He never went again until he took our family in 1991. So I always like hearing stories about when he first went.

For starters, my grandparents apparently really got a kick out of Country Bear Jamboree. So did my dad, it remains a favourite of his. But while they were in the line-up there was a woman who fainted due to heat stroke. It made me ask a couple of things: Would they not have been inside the waiting area in the (presumably) air conditioned environment? Or if they were lining up outside I am just wondering how hot it really would have been since it was in March of 1973. Not exactly the hottest month. Anyway, it is always a story my dad tells me, I guess it impacted him where he never forgets it.

Does anyone else have some unique stories for their first time, or a family member's first time? It doesn't have to be in the 1970s if that wasn't your first time.

 

[Todd H]

First time I went was the 70's. I was pretty young so I only remember a few things. I remember I LOVED 20k Leagues and Mr. Toad (both sadly gone). And I remember getting separated from my family and crying. A nice lady stayed with me until they found my family.

 

[Clamman73]

Have some vague Poly Luau '70s memories, but earliest pin point memory is being at the monorail station platform at Epcot summer '82 for the preview.

I remember crying on Main Street for some reason long, long time ago, but that might have also been this past year too.

 

[TomP]

I went to the WDW preview center in about 1970. I still have PR material I got there; its packed away somewhere. Then in 1972, I went and stayed in the Poly. I don't remember exactly when, but it was love bug season. Going into MK, I was completely awestruck at the size of the place and how big the castle was. I had been going to Disneyland since about '57 and was expecting about the same thing in FL. I remember that it wasn't very crowded and characters just roamed the park...no M&G.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I didn't go until 1991. That was my first time. My dad went with a buddy of his and my grandparents in 1973. About a year and a half after the park opened up. He was in his 20s then. My grandparents were in their 60s. He never went again until he took our family in 1991. So I always like hearing stories about when he first went.

For starters, my grandparents apparently really got a kick out of Country Bear Jamboree. So did my dad, it remains a favourite of his. But while they were in the line-up there was a woman who fainted due to heat stroke. It made me ask a couple of things: Would they not have been inside the waiting area in the (presumably) air conditioned environment? Or if they were lining up outside I am just wondering how hot it really would have been since it was in March of 1973. Not exactly the hottest month. Anyway, it is always a story my dad tells me, I guess it impacted him where he never forgets it.

Does anyone else have some unique stories for their first time, or a family member's first time? It doesn't have to be in the 1970s if that wasn't your first time.

I remember going in the 70s and vaguely remember that Country Bear had an outside queue, pre show area, then show theater. Back then country bear was "attractive" to more guests.

 

[Ben_since_1971]

I was 5 when we first went in 1972. I remember:

• Getting to ride in the front of the monorail
• Country bear jamboree (especially Big Al)
• Having Cleopatra wink at me in Small World and getting all embarrassed (silly yes I know but I was 5!!)
• I only remember the ballroom scene in the Haunted Mansion. After getting in the Doom Buggy the first scary noise had me bury my face in my father's knee. He coaxed me to look at the ballroom scene and then the next scary noise back to the knee. When I returned years later I laughed during the whole ride at 'I was scared at that!!'
• Seeing the water pageant on Bay Lake
• 20K Leagues Under the Sea. I thought it was so cool that you went SOOOOO deep. Rode it years later and realized I was SOOOOOO wrong lol.
• Mission to Mars
• If you had wings
• Main St

Geez........is it any wonder I still keep going back???? 26 more days!!!!!

 

[Walt Disney1955]

I'll add that in 1991 it was my first trip. I was a whiz kid in French at school. Our family was on the Skyway lining up and there was an elderly French couple waiting in line ahead of us. They would have had to be at least in their 60s, but then again I was 10, everyone looked old. Either way, they couldn't speak a word of English barely, but I could speak French with them fluently. My parents tried to speak English with them, but they just stared back at them, hehe, and I kept telling my parents that they "can't understand you."

Anyway, they kept talking about a Disneyland opening up in 1993. I swear to this day they said 1993 and not 1992 when Disneyland Paris opened. Maybe they were wrong, but I always remembered that. This was March of 1991 and they were really excited to get their own Disneyland. Our conversation was about 10 minutes. Man, I've practically lost all of my French since then.

 

[unkadug]

Sorry if this is too long, but as I wrote, memories started flowing back...

My first visit was in March of 1972. We stayed with friends in Orlando and drove down World Drive for, as others have said, what seemed like miles of nothing but trees. The anticipation was huge as there were a lot more topiaries all over property and no signs to distract you at all. Finally... the Main Gate loomed up ahead. If you have seen the episode of Family Guy when Peter takes Stewie to Disney, that is how we felt.

We took the Monorail around the lagoon and it was simply amazing and clean! One of the main thing that sticks out was how clean everything was and if you dropped something on the ground it was swept up within seconds.

Mickey Mouse was greeting guests in front of the Train Station and there were no handlers back then. People just formed an impromptu line and I got my picture taken with him. I remember wondering what his head was made out of so I reached up and kind of knocked on his head.....Well thats a mistake I'll never forget...Mickey took his flattened hand and poked me right in the ribs!

I'll also never forget that first time walking under the Train Station and around the corner and seeing the Castle looming up ahead so majestically.

Main Street seems so magical and there was also a Magic Shop on Main Street that was an attraction in itself.
I spent at least an hour in there shopping and watching the Cast Members show off all the magic tricks.
I bought a set of spring loaded flowers that fold up flat and when released make a bouquet of vividly colored flowers.

There were 6 "E" tickets as I remember: Haunted Mansion, 20K, Hall of Presidents, IASW, Jungle Cruise and Country Bear Jamboree. We hit all of these and used up all of our ticket books except for the "A" tickets in one day!

The whole atmosphere of Adventureland was so exotic with the Steel Drums bands playing, something I had never seen before, and I was simply amazed. It seems like the band was right by the big Tiki Statues.

Jungle Cruise was not near as grown in as it is today, but the jokes seemed fresher then as I'm pretty sure they are still telling some of the same jokes.

I loved the Swiss Family Robinson tree house. What boy has not dreamed of having such a fantastic fort in his backyard.

The rain scene in Tiki Birds fascinated me as did the little unexpected surprises as seemingly inanimate objects suddenly spring to life and join in song.

The Haunted Mansion also was very sparsely landscaped compared to today and the show building was plainly visible, but nobody really cared as it was painted light green and seemed to vanish. I remember not noticing it until I was leaving the exit corridor and opened up an unmarked door, it was fire exit that ran along the length of the building and I was amazed at how big the building looked. The fire exit corridor was lined with some very large empty glass bottles that I still wonder what their purpose was. At the time I convinced myself that they held ectoplasm!

While waiting in line for the Hall of Presidents, the attraction went down and they told everyone to come back later (which everyone did and I don't recall anybody complaining and expecting perks because of it). We went back later and I was enthralled with the technology of the Audio Animatronics and I made up a story that the reason the attraction went down was that Abe Lincoln had popped an eyeball and they had to put it back in!

Between the heat and the excitement of being a WDW I developed the only migraine headache I've ever had in my life. My parents look me into Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch and after eating and sitting in the dim light and cool air I was finally ready for more fun.

The Skyway added a certain kinetic motion to the park. We didn't ride it on this trip, but I did on subsequent trips and I always enjoyed the view. Regardless of what others have said about the unmagical rooftops, the view was great.

Tomorrowland looked nothing like it does today either in size or in architectural detail. The towering spires with the waterfalls were a spectacle to behold and would also get you kind of damp crossing the bridge over the moat if the wind was right. The first attraction that I saw in Tomorrowland was Flight to the Moon, which even then seemed a little dated.

Space Mountain was not there nor was the TTA and CoP. 1975 brought many additions to Tomorrowland and CoP was a crowd pleaser which I still enjoy it to this day, because it takes me back to those first trips.

One more thing that stands out was another Magic Shop in Fantasyland. I know I spent at least an hour in there also!

The trees in the Hub were simply amazing at dusk as the twinkle lights came on creating a sparkly oasis that cannot compare to the concrete jungle of the hub today.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Sorry if this is too long, but as I wrote, memories started flowing back...

My first visit was in March of 1972. We stayed with friends in Orlando and drove down World Drive for, as others have said, what seemed like miles of nothing but trees. The anticipation was huge as there were a lot more topiaries all over property and no signs to distract you at all. Finally... the Main Gate loomed up ahead. If you have seen the episode of Family Guy when Peter takes Stewie to Disney, that is how we felt.

I remember the topiaries as well. Seem to recall a bunch on the monorail line.

 

[TomP]

Sorry if this is too long, but as I wrote, memories started flowing back...

My first visit was in March of 1972. We stayed with friends in Orlando and drove down World Drive for, as others have said, what seemed like miles of nothing but trees. The anticipation was huge as there were a lot more topiaries all over property and no signs to distract you at all. Finally... the Main Gate loomed up ahead. If you have seen the episode of Family Guy when Peter takes Stewie to Disney, that is how we felt.

We took the Monorail around the lagoon and it was simply amazing and clean! One of the main thing that sticks out was how clean everything was and if you dropped something on the ground it was swept up within seconds.

Mickey Mouse was greeting guests in front of the Train Station and there were no handlers back then. People just formed an impromptu line and I got my picture taken with him. I remember wondering what his head was made out of so I reached up and kind of knocked on his head.....Well that a mistake I'll never forget...Mickey took his flat hand and poked me right in the ribs!

I'll also never forget that first time walking under the Train Station and around the corner and seeing the Castle looming up ahead so majestically.

Main Street seems so magical and there was also a Magic Shop on Main Street that was an attraction in itself.
I spent at least an hour in there shopping and watching the Cast Members show off all the magic tricks.
I bought a set of spring loaded flowers that fold up flat and when released make a bouquet of vividly colored flowers.

There were 6 "E" tickets as I remember: Haunted Mansion, 20K, Hall of Presidents, IASW, Jungle Cruise and Country Bear Jamboree. We hit all of these and used up all of our ticket books except for the "A" tickets in one day!

The whole atmosphere of Adventureland was so exotic with the Steel Drums bands playing, something I had never seen before, and I was simply amazed. It seems like the band was right by the big Tiki Statues.

Jungle Cruise was not near as grown in as it is today, but the jokes seemed fresher then as I'm pretty sure they are still telling some of the same jokes.

I loved the Swiss Family Robinson tree house. What boy has not dreamed of having such a fantastic fort in his backyard.

The rain scene in Tiki Birds fascinated me as did the little unexpected surprises as seemingly inanimate objects suddenly spring to life and join in song.

The Haunted Mansion also was very sparsely landscaped compared to today and the show building was plainly visible, but nobody really cared as it was painted light green and seemed to vanish. I remember not noticing it until I was leaving the exit corridor and opened up an unmarked door, it was fire exit that ran along the length of the building and I was amazed at how big the building looked. The fire exit corridor was lined with some very large empty glass bottles that I still wonder what their purpose was. At the time I convinced myself that they held ectoplasm!

While waiting in line for the Hall of Presidents, the attraction went down and they told everyone to come back later (which everyone did and I don't recall anybody complaining and expecting perks because of it). We went back later and I was enthralled with the technology of the Audio Animatronics and I made up a story that the reason the attraction went down was that Abe Lincoln had popped an eyeball and they had to put it back in!

Between the heat and the excitement of being a WDW I developed the only migraine headache I've ever had in my life. My parents look me into Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch and after eating and sitting in the dim light and cool air I was finally ready for more fun.

The Skyway added a certain kinetic motion to the park. We didn't ride it on this trip, but I did on subsequent trips and I always enjoyed the view. Regardless of what others have said about the unmagical rooftops, the view was great.

Tomorrowland looked nothing like it does today either in size or in architectural detail. The towering spires with the waterfalls were a spectacle to behold and would also get you kind of damp crossing the bridge over the moat if the wind was right. The first attraction that I saw in Tomorrowland was Flight to the Moon, which even then seemed a little dated.

Space Mountain was not there nor was the TTA, but CoP was a crowd pleaser, and I still enjoy it to this day, because it takes me back to that first trip.

One more thing that stands out was another Magic Shop in Fantasyland. I know I spent at least an hour in there also!

The trees in the Hub were simply amazing at dusk as the twinkle lights came on creating a sparkly oasis that cannot compare to the concrete jungle of the hub today.

Thank you Unkadug. That was a wonderfully written recollection. We must have been there close to the same time (maybe me a month or so later?) and I remember it much the same way. I wish I could write as eloquently as you did. You brought back many memories of WDW for me.

 

[a2grafix]

I have been very fortunate to visit Disney World when I was a kid. The first time was in 1976 when I was 6 and my sister was 4. My father became very involved with Disney in being on a council of business executives and I recall additional visits in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990.

My first visit I remember riding down with mom and dad and sister from Ohio to Florida, stopping in Georgia and being freaked out at a hotel during a rainstorm and tornado nearby. When we made it to Disney World we stayed outside of the property on I-4 I believe but back then there was a hotel here and a hotel there. Very sparse. From what I recall are the many Disney character topiaries lining a street near the Transportation and Ticket Center. I remember the monorail and how all the doors opened with a press of a button. They didn't slide like the subway sliding doors nowadays and there were rows and rows of seats. You got in and slid down. No handrails.

I also remember riding on a double decker bus and a fire engine / street car and the Main Street horse-drawn trolley that looped around the castle. Also there were many trees in the center hub where the partners statue is. I remember the Hall of Presidents going up to President Gerald R. Ford. I think my parents took me and my sister to Fantasyland a lot and I remember walking up and through the castle drawbridge and through the castle and into a side shop and looking at the pretty mosaic murals, Dumbo, the railroad, the carousel, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, America The Beautiful in an ampitheatre near the Carousel of Progress, something called the Magic Carpet (which then became If You Had Wings), some kind of 360-degree movie in the center of Tomorrowland, and the Mickey Mouse Revue (where Philharmagic is) and I remember these really cool but small guidemaps. There was one for the Magic Kingdom and the other for the Walt Disney World Village, or the Village Marketplace. I also remember the Tommorowland spires, and going on a trip to Mars.

In the next set of years I remember flying Eastern Airlines, the official airlines of Walt Disney World, having an awesome time in the arcade at the Contemporary, attending Sunday service at the Polynesian luau, sliding down slides and walking through a wine shop at the Village Marketplace. I also remember some kid or teen buying a Darth Vader mask from the Main Street Magic Shop and wearing it on the platform of the monorail at the Magic Kingdom. He turned his red coat backwards and someone buttoned up his coat, just to be different. I also remember the amazement of seeing the monorails whisk through the middle of the Contemporary. Unreal.

I also have this special memory of watching the Jungle Book somewhere in one of the upper floors of the Contemporary with other kids. Yeah, Disney set up a projector and a screen for us to watch a movie. I do remember drinking a whole can of Coca-Cola. I also remember getting a ton a autographs from the Kids of the Kingdom entertainment team, who performed during my father's annual convention. I think it was on the second or third floors of the Contemporary.

I also remember little tiny "D-world" shaped butters while eating at the Top of The World restaurant and some cool Las Vegas-style show and sitting with my parents in Coconino Cove. I also remember the WDW 10th anniversary parade, winning THREE free trips to WDW in 1981, 1982 and 1990 and getting pictures with Mickey Mouse in the grassy area near the castle, and staying at The Disney Inn, which is now the Shades of Green.

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

I inherited the "Disney Nut" gene from my Dad so trips to Florida were fairly regular for us in the 70's and 80's which was quite a deal being from Nova Scotia.

Things that stand out from the early trips:

Meeting Mr Smee from Peter Pan. he was the very first character I met and after that I made an effort to get a photo with him on every trip. He wasn't always available (I haven't seen him for a couple of years now) but I basically have a flip book of Mr Smee and I from the ages of 4 to 37.

The characters used to wander more through the parks and they would go to the castle and wave. I remember seeing Tweedle Dee and Dum, the characters of Robin Hood, Mickey and Goofy all just wandering towards the castle.

I remember a shopping area - not sure what years - called something like Buena Vista Village.

We used to spend a full day at River Country. I love our old videos from there. When my mom had the camera there would be videos of us sliding down the slides and splashing in the pool and when dad had the camera it would be a shot of us kids until a woman in a bikini walked by then the camera would slowly turn in her direction before snapping quickly back to the kids

We loved Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Pirates of the Caribbean. We hated 20,00 leagues under the sea - it was just an uncomfortable ride where you saw really fake looking fish hanging on very visible ropes. My mom thought IASW was the best and she still loves it.

We used to do the Skyway a couple of times each trip. Dad would joke about spitting on someone though none of us ever did (honestly!). We would point out attractions from seeing their roofs and just marvel at whatever was going on below us. "That guys eating ice cream!" For some reason seeing things from that angle made everything so amazing.

We used to wear sun visors (brimmed hat with no top, just an elastic around the back of your head) and all the characters would pull it down around our necks.

We got on a bus to go to a mini golf course and it stalled on some train tracks. We heard a large horn and thought we were about to be hit by a train. Instead we got rear ended by an 18 wheeler. My grandmother was in a neck brace the rest of her trip and I had a hard time eating because I had bitten a chunk out of my tongue but for some reason we all just carried on like nothing happened. My grandmother even still did some rides.

I do have old photos but my scanner isn't working now. When I can I'll scan some and post them. My mother was a fantastic photographer so she always had a huge camera bag with her...like mother like daughter (I have two bodies and 4 lenses packed for my trip next week)

 

[JohnD]

Went with family in the early 70s. I was born in 1969 so memory is vague. I remember my Dad renting a boat in Bay Lake and he took it all the way to the boat docks at MK. He went on the wrong side and got yelled at.

As a kid, we loved to ride the trams around Fort Wilderness. Don't think they have those anymore.

I'm told I once latched onto Mickey's hand (where else but MK, no other park) and my parents eventually found me.

Riding the Skyway, Swan Boats, If You Had Wings, 20k. Seeing Mickey Mouse Revue.

 

[a2grafix]

Another thing I remember from my 1970s trips is this one time the Country Bears characters were in the Tomorrowland midway having drag races in the old strollers. I have a picture I need to find. It was a crazy scene.

I remember seeing Mr. Smee walking around outside of the Contemporary Resort too. Strange to see a character walking around at a hotel.

I also had this fascination with Brer Fox and constantly tried to get my picture taken with the character as well autograph. I do admit that when I was 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 years of age I did not want to be a scientist or a fireman or astronaut. I wanted to be the next Brer Fox.

 

[ryguy]

One of the earliest photos I have is me with Mr. Smee I was about 5, which would be 1980. I remember paper straw and paper bags, a great arcade and movie theater at the Contemporary. I miss resort specific soaps. I remember my dad having to wake up early and get to EPCOT and run to guest services for dining reservations. There was a Mickey show where philharmagic is now, Mickey was a leader of a symphony. The Empress Lilly had a character breakfast with Pinocchio characters. There was a great burger place next to Moana Mickeys Fun hut at the Polynesian. River Country of course and me and my bro loved to rent boats. The Poly had great artwork on the walls and a really cool map of the seven seas lagoon which I thought was cool. ( I actually saw one for sale on Ebay a few years ago and it went for like three grand so I must not be the only one who thought it was cool.) My first trip they still had the ticket books, the one's that had the e tickets in them. The market place had interesting shops that had something different rather than stuff I can find at my local mall. There was a radio station that you could tune into once you arrived on property, which was good because I remember there always being a long line to park. Overall I miss the less hectic Disney World, the very clean one with outstanding employees. It still is a great place, but it was magical in the 70's and 80's.

 

[fauzha7]

The first time visiting WDW was on July 4, 1976. My best friend and I graduated high school in 1975 and went straight to work. By the summer of 76, I was switching jobs and he was getting ready to go away to college. We happen to both be off for the holiday and said "Who would have the BEST fireworks for the Bicentennial?" and decided it would be WDW. A couple days later, we jumped in his car and drove straight down from northeast Ohio (back then it was a 21 hr drive even with no or very high speed limits on the interstates). We slept a few hours then went to the MK at opening. I remember we got there early and parked with in the first couple rows of parking. Don't remember many details of individual rides but I do remember that the fireworks were better than I had ever seen. We stood on Main St and they were behind the castle AND over the Train Station as well. We stayed until the end then went back to our cheap motel room and slept a couple more hours.
The next morning, we went to the now closed water park to swim and at 2pm, we jumped back in the car for our 21 hr ride home. By the time we got home, we were so sleep deprived grumpy, it was 2 weeks before we talked to each other. One of us (can't remember who) called the other and said "Notice I haven't called you in 2 weeks?" And the reply was "Notice I haven't called you either?". We laughed and still today, that is a running joke with us.

 

[networkpro]

My earliest memories of Disneyworld are from its earliest years.. like spring 1972. My grandparents took me and my brother many times to such exotic places as the luau cove for the Polynesian Review...very different than what currently is in that same location as it was uncovered, lacked lots of the concealing vegetation, served alcoholic drinks out of punch bowls (the bees just loved the Blue Hawaiians and made a nice halo) , the show was more culturally based and less warm fuzzy than today's incarnation. We also ate at the Top of the World for dinner which had a floor show (glorious polyester suits!) and also surprised to see Phyllis Diller for a short set!

The Park ? It was Magic Kingdom only... a glorious Main street with individual shops each with their own entrances, specialties, and atmosphere. 20,000 leagues was my favorite.

 

[Figments Friend]

-

Earliest memory would be seeing the 'Mickey Mouse Revue' in what i believe was 1979, my first visit to WDW.
Only the Magic Kingdom was present, as well as the Contemp, Poly, and Fort Wilderness resort spots...so we stayed 'off site'...likely I-Drive.

I also remember visiting the old Disney Village and shopping around with Mom.
I was all of eight, and my Theme Park passion was already manifesting in unusual ways.
An example - my favorite souvenir of the 79' visit was this paper bag.



Absolutely loved the graphic art on it...and kept it for all these years.
Still really like the graphic.




I remember flying into Tampa instead of MCO for some reason...perhaps Mom found a more reasonable airfare.
Other then that, not much else i really recall from that first visit.


It was not until April of 1983 when i was twelve and returned for my second visit was my memory was really sparked.
This was when i experienced EPCOT Center for the first time, in it's original form, and it blew me away.
Monumental would be a understatement!

A luggage tag from that particular visit....yeah, i kept odd things for 'souvenirs' back then.

 

[GrammieBee]

My husband and I were in our early forties when we first visited WDW with our middle school aged children in 1974. There was only the Magic Kingdom with it's A to E tickets. Space mountain was not yet coomplete. There was the Contemporary Hotel, the Polynesian Hotel and Fort Wilderness Campground. The campground had a limit of a one week stay and was $25.00 a night regardless of the day of the week or the time of the year. That was an expensive campground at the time.

There were no Disney characters to be seen or greet other than a very rare glimpse of Mickey. We loved the MK, but other things we particularly remember include the full sized steam train you could ride for free that ran around the perimeter of the campground, there was time to do other things besides visit the park, the incredible theming and attention to detail inside King Stephen's Banquet Hall in the castle, including the rest rooms, and the Top of the World nightclub on the top floor of the Contemporary which had big name entertainment. This was a time when there were a lot of people who smoked. There was one busboy at the Top of the World who's job was to quickly replace any ashtray as soon as it had any ashes in it with a clean ashtray. Funny how some things stick in your mind.

Our main overall impression of WDW was that it was CHARMING. With each subsiquent visit over the years it has become busier, more crowded with infants and toddlers, has four lane highways with heavy traffic and is now still a great place to visit, but has lost its charm.

 

[a2grafix]

One of the earliest photos I have is me with Mr. Smee I was about 5, which would be 1980. I remember paper straw and paper bags, a great arcade and movie theater at the Contemporary.

Paper straws! I remember those. Red and white twisty. Very unique at the time as well as all the themed-specific napkins - 15th anniversary, WDW logo designed napkins.