The History of Disney World

The history of Disney World begins over 40 years ago, when Disneyland creator Walt Disney wanted to expand on his original creation. Disney World has been such a part of the landscape for so many years; it is hard to imagine a time without it-or what it looked like on opening day, October 1, 1971. Planning and construction for Disney World began a full decade prior to the opening of the Magic Kingdom, when Walt Disney began seeking a spot for another theme park to complement his California original, Disneyland.

Planning and Construction:

Disney chose Orlando, Florida for its great weather, inexpensive property, and the proximity of major thoroughfares. The company began purchasing land in secret, hoping to avoid rumors and a huge jump in prices. By 1965, all of the desired land had been purchased, and Walt Disney announced his plans for a new park-plans that included both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, along with resorts and transportation systems. Though Walt Disney died a year later, in 1966, his brother Roy was able to complete the project, and the newly named Walt Disney World opened five years later.

Grand Opening:

While Walt's original plans and dreams were larger in scale, the Disney World that opened to guests in 1971 was small compared to what visitors experience today. Along with the Magic Kingdom, guest accommodations opened that year in the Polynesian, Contemporary, and Fort Wilderness resorts. Many of the attractions we enjoy today were present at the opening of the Magic Kingdom, including the "Haunted Mansion", and the "Jungle Cruise". Disney world continued to grow in the 1970's, adding several new resorts, and a shopping district that would eventually become Downtown Disney.

Epcot:

Epcot was part of Walt Disney's original plan for Disney world, and it opened on October 1, 1982. Epcot's unique design is modeled after a "city of tomorrow", and the park features two sections, Future world and World Showcase. Future World was created to hold "World's Fair" type exhibits, some of which are still open today. Others, like Horizons and World of Motion, have been replaced by updated attractions. World Showcase allows guests to enjoy a mini trip around the world, and learn a bit about each of the countries represented. World Showcase has retained all of the countries it had on opening day, though some exhibits have been updated.

Hollywood Studios:

Disney's Hollywood Studios, originally named Disney-MGM studios, opened May 1, 1989. The park was originally a working animation and movie/television studio, allowing guests to get a behind the scenes peek at how movies are made. Today, the studio no longer produces entertainment, instead, it focuses on movie themed rides and attractions like "Star Tours", "The Great Movie Ride" and "Toy Story Mania".

Animal Kingdom:

Disney's Animal Kingdom On April 22, 1998, Disney's fourth large theme park opened. The Animal Kingdom features live and animatronic animals from all over the world-and a few that exist only in memory. Visitors can take a safari trip, scale Mount Everest, and travel millions of years into the past to meet a dinosaur.

Throughout its almost 40 years, Disney World has continued to grow and change. In addition to the four large theme parks, Disney now houses over 20 resorts, several shopping and entertainment districts, and two water parks. Visiting Disney soon? Be sure to visit the Hollywood Studios' attraction One Man's Dream-it is all about Walt Disney and the History of Disney World.

History of Disney World - How Walt Disney World Came About

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Although Walt Disney never saw the fruition of Disney World while he was still alive, it was really his concept to make it. That's why relating the history of Disney World would naturally begin with him. His concept lived on even after he died through his brother, Roy Disney.

Walt Disney's Idea

Walt Disney didn't just want another Disneyland. He dreamed of something much more than Disneyland and yet similar to it. He still wanted to bring entertainment in his theme parks. But he wanted to have a place where he could constantly add or develop something new to his original park and structures. Not only that, he wanted to test his concepts of urban planning through this project. True enough, what now emerged as the EPCOT or the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow was actually sprung out of his ideas.

From Opening Up to Now

Walt Disney World opened in October 1, 1971, five years later after the death of Walt Disney. It opened up with Disney's Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

In the following year, Disney's Village Resort with the tree house and the vacation villas was added. Then Disney's Golf Resort and Discovery Island were next opened in the next two years. In 1975, the Fairway Villas and the Walt Disney Village Marketplace were built up.

Come June 1976, Disney's River Country Water Park was added. In 1980, the Walt Disney World Conference Center and another village resort, the Club Lake villas, were put up. Then in 1982, EPCOT came about.

In 1988, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Caribbean Beach Resort became available. And then 1989, more parks were added. The MGM Studios, the Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Pleasure Island were opened.

In the years 1990 to 1992, more resorts were made for the guests. These were Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort, Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort, Port Orleans Resort, Old Key West Resort and Disney's Dixie Landings Resort. Disney Vacation Club and Bonnet Creek Golf Club were also added to the growing Walt Disney World.

In 1994, Disney's All-Star Sports Resort and Disney's Wilderness Lodge were made available. Then in 1995, Disney's All-Star Music Resort, Blizzard Beach Water Park and Fairytale Wedding Pavilion were installed.

The following year, the Disney Institute and Disney's Boardwalk Resort became ready. The Coronado Springs Resort followed in 1997. Disney's Wide World of Sports and Downtown Disney West Side came that same year too; while Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney Quest just came in 1998. In 1999, it was Disney's All-Star Movies Resort that was added. In 2001 and 2003, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Pop Century Resort were added respectively. Finally, Disney's Saratoga's Springs Resort and Spa came about in 2004.

This completes the list of facilities made available through the years. The history of Disney World has really come a long way and it still continues each day as it touches the lives of many of its guests.

Norway at Walt Disney World is History, an Authentic Menu to Enjoy and Simply a Very Nice Visit

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Welcome to Norway, some say the home of the real discoverer's of the Americas, by the Viking son of Eric the Red, Leif Ericsson, nearly a half a millennium before Christopher Columbus. The Norway at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida that is, found in the World Showcase at Epcot.

Just traverse the bridge between Future World and World Showcase, take a left and just up the road between Mexico and China and discover Norway. [And remember kids, when you're in geography class don't refer to a Disney map for your test answers.] Take a pathway into Den pittoreske landsbyen og bytorget i Norge. [Hopefully these translations are correct from Google Translate).

The culture, history and art the Scandinavian people is very evident here. There are much art and particularly sculpture not to mention the authentic architectural building design. There is music and food and gifts and a lot of trolls of all sizes and shapes. And although Norway is a more recent addition to the Epcot World Showcase in 1988, it hasn't changed much at all; but a beautiful location to spend time in.

So what do we have here to see and do? The most action is in the Maelstrom, a dark ride something akin to Pirates of the Caribbean in its design; but actually a little more exciting because you move backwards for a while and drop just a bit. But this is anything but a thrill ride so the entire family can participate. Some say that little kids might be a fearful of the trolls that populate the darker areas of this boat ride, but maybe not; and this is not one of these rides your teens will seek out, but many enjoy it.

Accompanying Maelstrom at its conclusion is the Spirit of Norway film. Both the ride and the film are under 10 minutes, so it is not a long experience. And if you've seen the film once since the attraction opened, it hasn't changed. You can bypass it, but why not watch it again; maybe you missed something.

The buffet here is very popular, so Advanced Dining Reservations are essential. The Akershus Royal Banquet Hall hot and cold (koldtbord) buffet is the home of Princess Storybook Dining. Akershus is a replicated castle building from Oslo, and has American food for breakfast and authentic Norwegian cuisine for lunch and dinner. The banquet hall is very decorative and intended to be regal since this is where the Disney Princesses will make their rounds from table to table for autographs, pictures and hugs. Among the characters that may be found here are Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Mary Poppins and Ariel. Please make reservations in advance, even 180 days prior to your vacation, by calling (407) WDW-DINE.

You should download the menus from several Disney fan sites, to read about rotating lunch entrees such as Akershus Salmon Burger, Traditional Kjottkake (Ground Beef and Pork Dumplings served with Mashed Potatoes, seasonal Vegetables, and Lingonberry Sauce) and Grilled Venison Sausage Sandwich. Then rotating dinner items include Mustard-glazed Seared Salmon, Citrus-marinated Mahi Mahi plus many lunch items repeated.

The native wines are also very attractive, but for many it's the desserts. You can have Sweet and Savory Chocolate Mousse, Traditional Rice Cream topped with Strawberry Sauce, Flaky Puff Pastry filled with Mascarpone Mousse topped with fresh Berries; or take a walk over to the Norway bakery, Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe. Children's menu choices include pizza, pasta, hot dogs and grilled chicken. There is a mix of family style, buffet but also a la cart items.

Then there is the Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, a wonderful bakery for fresh baked native pastries. And for souvenir shopping, there is The Puffin's Roost with Norwegian books, fragrances, candy, hand-knit woolens, trolls, glass, porcelain, pewter, toys and more.

The Stave Church is with the Norway pavilion, with statues, paintings and artifacts is styled after Gol Church of Hallingdal, built around 1250 A.D. Yes, you can go in. But some people stand outside just looking at this wonderful structure, and then move on instead of going in. Here you will find the "Vikings: Conquerors of the Seas," a collection of authentic Norse weapons and artifacts.

Nyt opplevelsen av et besøk til Norge (check that Google translate).