Walt Disney World - October 1972

My first visit to Walt Disney World was in October 1972. My father shot one roll of 8 mm film -- that's about 3 minutes of film -- of our visit (though I've cut out the family shots except for me interacting with a blinking Goofy).

In this silent digitized video (with music by YouTube's AudioSwap) of that film, you'll see:

Topiaries in front of the Contemporary Resort on the Seven Seas Lagoon.

A sign for the "World Cruise" on the Seven Seas Lagoon & Bay Lake.

An outdoor band stage with Bambi's friends Flower and Thumper dancing.

The 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Submarines

Brief views of Frontierland, Liberty Square and Adventureland from near where Splash Mountain now sits, including a view of The Haunted Mansion which is no longer possible from the original Walt Disney World Railroad station in Frontierland. Of course, there was no Big Thunder Mountain either.

The river was drained during this visit, so there is no steamboat in the Magic Kingdom, but the burning cabin was ablaze, some of the scenes along the river are in place near the railroad tracks, the skyway's 90º turn is completely unobstructed and operating and the speedway has no Space Mountain next door.

[Note: I've re-evaluated the date of this film based on snapshots where I am wearing the clothes and hats shown here. Those snapshots are absolutely October 1972 (the processing date shown on those snapshots). While the film canister I digitized this clip from included film from Spring 1973 based on a Chicago-area parade with a banner, but I'm now pretty sure that this clip was shot six months earlier.]

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• WDW
• Disney World
• Walt Disney World
• Magic Kingdom
• 1972
• film

[TombraiderTy]

At about 1:53-1:57, the Sky Ride appears to take a dip between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, similar to how the attraction is laid-out at Busch Gardens Tampa. Was this dip always present? Up until the 1990s when they removed the Sky Ride? And, if so, was it ever themed more than the metal shell that it was in this video?

By the way, great footage- it's interesting to see how much the park has expanded and grown. Thanks for uploading it =)

[asdTubeU]

@TombraiderTy I don't believe that the 90º turn on the Skyway was ever themed. In 1996, I shot video of a ride on the Skyway from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland and posted it to this page as a Video Response. You can see the turn structure in that video at 1:28 to 1:50 -- there are more trees, but no theme.

[englanddg]

Brilliant!

[CofCGuy]

I was at the Magic Kingdom the day before opening day. I was 3 so I don't remember much. This film is two years after opening day and carries many of the same memories.

[TombraiderTy]

@asdTubeU Thanks for letting me know, I was clueless there had ever even been a turn up until your video.

[fgyu4]

Thanks for the upload! =)

The music choice just made it that much more awesome.

[TheAC29]

Walt Disney World videos from past. This video contains the attractions that we haven't seen before, today it turns into a magical place. Thanks for showing this film from 1973.

[ImagineerJonas]

This video brings back so much memories on how Walt Disney World evolved into something breathtaking and magical. Thank you for your kindness of sharing this video to all who see it. :)! - First Comment XD