Walt Disney World Celebrates 40 Magical Years (And So Does A Certain Magical Film)

Today marks 40 years since Walt Disney World firs opened its gates in 1971.. and just a few days later, on October 6, 1971, Disney's musical-fantasy film Bedknobs and Broomsticks had its world premiere in London. So it was only natural that one opening was used to help promote the other, and vice versa. As you can see from this image from the Bedknobs pressbook, Nestle's Quik sponsored a tie-in sweepstakes with a prize of a free trip to the newly opened Vacation Kingdom—all to promote Disney's lavish new film. 10 families won the grand prize (the Quik sweepstakes was promoted in more than 25,000 supermarkets throughout the U.S.) of 3 days-2 nights at Walt Disney World, plus transportation and meals for the winners (it was required they be 18 years or less, as this promotion was aimed at children, or "Hey Kids!" as the Quik can front had it) and two parents or guardians. Did anyone reading this win one of these trips? If so let's hear from you so you can tell us about your experiences.

It's Fireworks with America On Parade!

The Fourth of July brings out the fireworks, so the timing is perfect for a firecracker of an article about America on Parade. This was Disney's Bicentennial salute to the history, people, achievements and amusements of America on her 200th birthday, a patriotic-plus pageant presented at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 1975-1976. To celebrate Independence Day I wrote "A Fourth of July Salute: Disney's America on Parade" and it's on the D23 website. There have been Disney Theme Park parades before and since of course, but there's never been anything quite as unique as this Bicentennial bash with its specially created band organ score, mammoth float-like mobile stages and—most memorable of all—those towering People of America costumed characters. So in the spirit of '76 (both 1776 and 1976) go to D23.com (it's a FREE site for everyone) for a look at the fascinating fireworks behind America on Parade, written by Jim Fanning. (Above is the FanFare email sent to D23 members. Click on the image for a larger version.)

86 Happy Years

On this day, October 16, The Walt Disney Company was founded in 1923. To celebrate here's a Walt Disney World Guide from 1973, complete with the fantastic 50 Happy Years logo (click on the image at left for a larger view) from the year-long celebration. To see the entire Guide be sure and visit the great Vintage Disneyland Tickets blog here. In the meantime, remember that, as D23 reminds us, it all started in 1923.

A Walt Disney World

On this day in 1971, Walt Disney World opened to great acclaim and great promise for the future. Note the title: Walt Disney World, not Disney World or Disneyworld, for Roy O. Disney had decreed that this new "Vacation Kingdom" would be specifically named to honor the man whose vision and artistry was responsible for this massive new project and giant step forward in Disney entertainment. How appropriate, then, that this day in 2009 is opening day for another project named for—and directly honoring—the man himself, the Walt Disney Family Museum. This state-of-the-art salute to Walt was created, as its title implies, by his family. Daughter Diane Disney Miller and grandson Walter E. D. Miller have spearheaded this spectacular museum, for which I had the honor of providing some research and writing, thanks to Disney historians and Family Museum team members Jeff Kurtti and Paula Sigman Lowery. The Museum and its opening are being covered all over the internet, and the consensus is that it gives an amazingly intimate and detailed glimpse at Walt the man as he was known by his family and creative associates. Visit the Museum's website for more information. The Walt Disney Family Museum is an authentic Walt Disney world.