If you are just joining us on our nostalgic journey through the last 50 years of Walt Disney World, please follow #50Daysto50Years for prior and future posts. Today we are thrilled to welcome Heidi from What’s Going On In Heidi’s Head who will review Disney World in 1977.
Walt Disney World 1977 Review
In 1977, I was 7 years old and in the 2nd grade. I don’t even know if I knew what Walt Disney World was, but I do recall watching episodes of The Mickey Mouse Club on TV. While I was sitting at home, totally oblivious to the fun, lots of great things were happening in Lake Buena Vista, Florida . . . (And I wouldn’t get to visit for the first time until 11 years later – in 1988 – but that’s a story for another post!)
In January, the Baby Care Center (sponsored by Gerber) was first opened. At the time, of course, the Magic Kingdom was the only park at Walt Disney World. Now, 34 years later, there are Baby Centers found in all 4 Disney theme parks.
Plans were in the works for a Disney park to be opened in Japan. In March, the name was settled on – Tokyo Disneyland.
Two months later, in May, the Empress Lilly riverboat, named after Lillian Disney, opened in Lake Buena Vista, bringing elegant dining options to the “Walt Disney World Village” (as it was referred to at the time). This “boat” included three restaurants, a bar/lounge, and a banquet room. The Empress Lilly became Fulton Crab House, and is now known as Paddlefish Disney Springs.
Disney World Welcomes the Main Street Electrical Parade
June saw the beginning of the long-running Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom. The parade ran from 1977 until 1991, when it was replaced with the Spectromagic Parade. In June of 2010, the Main Street Electrical Parade returned for a limited time – bigger and better with new lighting and audio technology. I have seen this parade (in it’s more recent showing) and can attest to the fact that it’s pretty great!
That’s not all that happened in 1977, though. Here are a few more interesting happenings from 1977:
- Jimmy Carter was added to The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square
- Treasure Island was renamed “Discovery Island”
- The Fort Wilderness Railroad was dismantled, due to numerous operating problems
- Rock Hudson narrated the Candlelight Processional
- Attendance for the year was 13,057,154.
Because I was too young and clueless to know Disney World in 1977, I’d like to credit the following sites for providing such detailed information, some of which I shared in my post:
- WDWMagic.com
- MiceChat.com
- MousePlanet.com
- Wonders of Disney
50 Days to 50 Years
Heidi Strawser is a stay-at-home, work-at-home, homeschooling mom of 3. She and her family live in Amish Country (PA), but head south to Walt Disney World whenever they can. One of Heidi’s favorite pastimes is planning trips to Walt Disney World. In fact, she’d like to live there one day! (Yep, right in the park!) Heidi blogs at What’s Going On In Heidi’s Head.
Isn’t it remarkable? So much at Walt Disney World has changed over the years, but SO much remains familiar. Thank you Heidi @HeidiSays. When you finally get permission to live in the Magic Kingdom, I believe you will have a lot of us as neighbors!
Thank you so much for stopping by today for our “Hurricane Party”. Hopefully, everyone will be powered up again by tomorrow for our next guest blogger’s post; Mike, of My Dreams of Disney will bring us back to the year 1978.
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