Help settle a disagreement

[shuflemstr]

I hope someone out there knows the answer or can tell me where I might find the answer. I know they alway say that the Magic Kingdom in WDW opened on October 1, 1971. He is very persistant saying that he visited the Magic Kingdom in June 1971. Is it possible, could they have had a silent opening or something? Please help me.

Brian

 

[Don L Duck]

Don't think so if you look at my avatar it's dated October 1971.

 

[WDW1971]

WDW opened in October 1971...the same month I was born!!!

 

[shuflemstr]

i know that it opened in oct. 1971 but he got two of his high school friends on the phone to tell me that they all went right after they graduated high school in june of 1971. i know that when i have opened new stores for two different retail companies we have always opened them without advertising it and then a couple of weeks later we would have a grand opening. is there any possible way that that could have happened? i so badly want to tell him that he couldn't have been there in june 1971. is there a place where i can find the information rather than from a disney site because he says that they will all say october 1, 1971 because that is what Disney wants people to think. thanks for your help.

Brian

 

[WDW1971]

I think the park opened to the public on October 1st. The Grand Opening ceremony took place later in the month...around the 20th, I believe.
http://members.tripod.com/matt.meckley/coastercrazy_walt_disney_world_history.htm

 

[Disneyanna0521]

it opened on my dad's birthday oct.1 1971

 

[DisneyCP2000]

Did your friends have connections inside Disney? That could have been a reason why they got in so early.

If they actually did go in June, check the Disney books to see if work actually went as planned. See if Imagineers were behind on schedule even on opening day? If they were I'm pretty sure the parks couldn't have been opened then. I guess that could be another way to prove the validity of thier story.

 

[shuflemstr]

where would i find out if the Imagineers were either on schedule or behind schedule.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I thought I read somewhere that there was an Information/Visitor Center in Lake Buena Vista before the park opened. Either way, I think you've provided enough proof, it's time for your buddies to bring some proof of their own.

Quote from Since the World Began by Jeff Kurtti pg 38
"The Walt Disney World Preview Center opened in nearby Lake Buena Vista in June 1970. In this attractive temporary building, visitors could see a large model and view paintings, drawings and demonstrations about the forth coming vacation kingdom. Prior to the opening of the resort in October 1971, more than one million visitors had a sneak preview of Walt Disney World from a staff of tour guides using artists' rederings, models, slides and a motion picture. Also, from Labor Day through September 30, employees and their families, constructionworkers, civic leaders, and local business people were admitted to the Magic Kingdom for 'test runs.'"

I hope that helps.

 

[SirNim]

That'll settle it, PhD!

 

[tigsmom]

I'd have to agree. Was just about to get my copy of that book, too!:lol:

 

[cuteypatooty78]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
I thought I read somewhere that there was an Information/Visitor Center in Lake Buena Vista before the park opened. Either way, I think you've provided enough proof, it's time for your buddies to bring some proof of their own.

Quote from Since the World Began by Jeff Kurtti pg 38
"The Walt Disney World Preview Center opened in nearby Lake Buena Vista in June 1970. In this attractive temporary building, visitors could see a large model and view paintings, drawings and demonstrations about the forth coming vacation kingdom. Prior to the opening of the resort in October 1971, more than one million visitors had a sneak preview of Walt Disney World from a staff of tour guides using artists' rederings, models, slides and a motion picture. Also, from Labor Day through September 30, employees and their families, constructionworkers, civic leaders, and local business people were admitted to the Magic Kingdom for 'test runs.'"

I hope that helps.

We've got a winner!!! Great detective work PHD!!!

 

[shuflemstr]

Thank you so much everyone for your help. Thanks DisneyPhD this should shut him up for good. Thanks again.

Brian

 

[Bagheera]

Thanks for saving me the effort of getting out my Kurtti book (and my Van France "Window on Main Street" book) for the contractor/Imagineer preview info, Mrs. PhD! By the way, while the park opened to guests on October 1, 1971, the official opening ceremonies with Meredith Willson conducting the 1,076-piece marching band (complete with 76 trombones) took place on October 25, 1971. (I believe that the info is on the plaque by the "Sharing the Magic" statue of Roy and Minnie in Town Square.) It's 16 years to the day before our wedding.

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
I thought I read somewhere that there was an Information/Visitor Center in Lake Buena Vista before the park opened.

the building is still there. It's now the AAU building on Hotel Plaza Boulevard

 

[iluvepcot]

Originally posted by mkt
the building is still there. It's now the AAU building on Hotel Plaza Boulevard

What does AAU stand for??

 

[djmatthews]

I thought construction was behind schedule and things weren’t actually open on opening day. "With that opening came trouble. Tomorrowland was not ready for opening along with some of the attractions in other lands." - Source Oralndo Rock. I doubt that in June there would be any previews or soft openings.

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by iluvepcot
What does AAU stand for??

Amateur Athletic Union?

 

[jcraycraft]

Originally posted by mkt
Amateur Athletic Union?

Here is the address for the AAU(old preview center) ----> 1910 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

also a link to more info on it : http://home.cfl.rr.com/omniluxe/prvwctr.htm

I plan on making a stop there and take a few photos on my up coming trip.

 

[SpongeScott]

Originally posted by mkt
Amateur Athletic Union?

correct.