We’ve grown accustomed to modern Walt Disney World, a huge destination filled with activity and large crowds. During its early years in the 1970s, the park had a quieter look without as much visual noise. I love both versions, but it remains surprising when I see photos of the original resort. Thankfully, my parents visited in the summer of 1972 less than a year after opening. I wasn’t born yet, so my childhood memories only go back to the ’80s.
This collection of slides was taken by my dad on that initial trip to Walt Disney World. I’m fascinated by more than just the differences in attractions or entertainment. They provide a glimpse at a resort that was still finding its footing in 1972. The opening shot of Cinderella Castle above represents a perfect example of the differences. If you set aside the colors, the castle largely is similar to today’s version. It’s the area surrounding the park icon that has changed. I’m amazed by the limited amount of trees and objects nearby and appreciate a clear view of Cinderella Castle.
A Very Different Walt Disney World
Let’s start with this amazing shot of the Contemporary Resort a long time before the convention facilities and Bay Lake Tower arrived. It’s great to have such a clear view of this cool structure, which opened with the resort in October 1971. I appreciate the unobstructed shot of the Monorail track around the hotel and nearby water. Even today, the Contemporary feels like it’s been dropped into Florida from the future.
This might be my favorite picture from the entire group! I love seeing Dumbo the Flying Elephant in its original location next to Cinderella Castle. The move works better for capacity and fits well in Storybook Circus today, but it’s fun to see Fantasyland in the early days. I suspect this photo was snapped from the Skyway, and you can see the other buckets in the picture’s top-left corner. There’s also the massive show building of “it’s a small world” at the back of the shot, and it reminds me just how big that attraction is despite a fairly small entrance.
It’s too bad that Disney couldn’t find a way to keep the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea subs. I like New Fantasyland, but it’s hard to beat a stunning lagoon with vehicles using Harper Goff’s remarkable design from the film. This shot provides a clear look at how impressive the attraction was from above; and you can spot the underwater sets. A red Skyway bucket in the far corner of the frame helps us get our bearings.
This long shot depicts Cinderella Castle from a different perspective in Tomorrowland. There is so much on display in this picture, including the Speedway in the foreground. My favorite part remains the castle, which stands out against the cloudy sky. It’s another great look at how different The Magic Kingdom was in 1972. I would love to have a picture from this spot today to compare how much has changed.
A Parade of Classic Characters
Disney parades have become ambitious big-budget presentations, but the early years offered simpler entertainment. The Character Parade from 1972 is a perfect example. Like the title indicates, the draw was our favorite Disney characters (and others). Mickey leads the marching band in this photo, which I suspect was the start of the parade. I like this perspective from right at street level on Main Street, U.S.A.
Another surprising aspect is how close the guests are to the action. There are no ropes or dividers separating anyone from the characters. It makes sense because the people want to meet the characters. Today’s organized meetings did not exist back in the ’70s. You got the chance to interact with a lot of them during the Character Parade. This photo reveals Mickey having fun while Pluto entertains guests in the background.
This photo includes characters that you rarely see in the parks today. Our home videos and photos from early trips always include the Three Little Pigs. It’s also cool to have Thumper and Flower on display; Bambi doesn’t receive much attention now at Walt Disney World. The White Rabbit is also hanging out in the background on a vehicle leading another marching band. This picture exemplifies Disney parades in the ’70s.
Speaking of the ’70s, Winnie the Pooh was one of Disney’s most popular characters at that time. The character design appeared quite different from the version we see today. The honey pot on his head and strangely shaped stomach are a bit much, yet I find it endearing. An early Donald Duck also entertains from one of the Main Street Vehicles, and you can spot Tigger working the crowd in the background.
An Excellent Start for a New Destination
Our Character Parade ends with a fife and drum band leading guests down Main Street, U.S.A. You can spot the crowds ready to follow the musicians and start the rest of their park day. You can spot even more people milling around that area in the below picture. I hope that you’ve enjoyed this glimpse back at Walt Disney World in 1972! If you visited during this time, I’d love to hear your thoughts about that trip. Leave your comments below! There are similar photo essays from 1975 and 1984 on the way, and I can’t wait for you to see those pictures.
I also recorded an audio commentary recently on YouTube! I gave a slide-show presentation of this pictures and described the specifics of each shot. The Tomorrow Society Podcast channel includes home movies from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s plus all the podcast episodes. If you enjoyed this article, you should definitely subscribe!
Related Articles: Walt Disney World in 1972
A Visit to the Disney/MGM Studios in 1989
Parades at Walt Disney World in the ’70s and ’80s
Checking Out Home Movies of Walt Disney World from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s
All photos in this article are by Paul Heaton and may not be used or reproduced without permission.
I was there in September 1972! I remember it just like these photos show. No lines, ticket books, low crowds — it was wonderful. I was 20 years old, and I fell in love with it. Almost fifty years later, I still love it. We are APs and locals, so we have visited the parks too many times to count. We brought our children when they were growing up, and our grandchildren, too. Now that it is usually just my husband and me, we go to Epcot — it’s our Happy Place. Thanks again for sharing.
Thanks Barbara! It’s great that you were able to visit back in 1972 and are still such fans today. I visited a lot as a kid in the ’80s and ’90s, and we have taken our girls a bunch recently. The parks have changed so much over the years, but I still love going there.
My husband and I went to Disney World in Sep t 1972 for our Honeymoon. We fell in love with it. We moved to South Florida in 1974, even closer to our favorite place on earth. We celebrated so many events over the years. I will always love Disney. I could go on and on about all our vacations in Disney and Disney Cruises. Heading down to WDW in august for the last time with my daughter and family. So many changes…… good and bad. But will always have my memories and home movies.
Jeannine, that’s great that you’ve been able to enjoy so many amazing trips and big events at Walt Disney World going back to 1972. There have been a lot of changes, and I agree that some are good while others aren’t so promising. Thanks for the comment!
My parents did not have much money, but my dad wanted his3 girls to see disneyworld. Had a great time, much quieter then.my parents have passed but I will always remember my visit.
Lee, it’s great that you were able to get to Walt Disney World at a very different time. My parents took us when I was a kid in the ’80s, and those trips are some of my favorite memories. Thanks for the comment!
It was April 18th 1972 when I went to Disney World for the first time and I was six days old, I have pictures of riding the train and the monorail. My family went every year twice a year from the time I was six days old until the age of 15 wonderful memories and lots of pictures..
Gina, that’s so great that you were able to go so early in 1972 and have those pictures, even if you don’t remember it since you were so little. I went a lot as a kid in the ’80s and early ’90s, and it was a great time to visit Walt Disney World. Thanks for the comment!
My mother, sister and I went in July, 1972 on our first vacation since Dad’s death the previous autumn. It was such a great trip and was very healing for us. I was a young teenager and remember Main Street, It’s a Small World and the Haunted Mansion, which had the longest line. The other lines were shorter. It would rain a little and then clear up, so we didn’t mind waiting in the lines. The Monorail was so futuristic to us and great fun to ride. We loved our magical trip to the Magical Kingdom at Disney World! Thanks for the photos, which brought back memories.
Thanks for sharing such a great story! I’m glad that the photos helped to bring back fond memories of a trip to Walt Disney World when it was just getting started.
I went with my husband on our honeymoon July 1972 for one day from our hotel in Miami Beach by bus, leaving at 7 am and getting to Disney World at noon. It was a dream come true. Since then I have been over 35 times and love it still. I have a memory of Monorail in the Contemporary and having to climb a ladder to get on..is that correct or just a memory mistake. Went to Hall of the Presidents, Haunted Mansion and 360 theatre. Don’t remember anything else.
June, that sounds like a great trip! I doubt that you would have had to climb a ladder to get on the Monorail, though maybe there was a different way to get to the station during some type of construction? It’s hard to say for sure; I didn’t go that early, and my first memory is from 1980 when I was four. That’s awesome that you’ve been able to go to WDW so many times!
I enjoyed your essay. However, you commented ” before convention facilities and Bay Lake Tower”….. Just wanted to say, in case you weren’t aware, the Contemporary had convention facilities since its opening. The entire 2nd floor, at that time, consisted of several Ballroom/Banquet halls. Probably the most famous was the Ballroom of the Americas where Nixon gave his “Im not a crook speech”. I remember that floor specifically because there were several cigarette machines scattered about for the convenience of the convention attendees and I would get my cigarettes from them until I turned 18 and could buy them from the store on the 4th floor. Lol and yes you could buy smokes in Disney World back then, along with Mickey Mouse Zippo lighters. I was lucky in that my family vacationed at the Contemporary or the Polynesian for a week every year from 1974 until 1982. It was awesome. From 82 until 2005 I went every other year. The Disney Magic was very different back then, especially if you stayed at a resort. Im talking before it went totally corporate and Eisner opened it all up and radically changed everything, Unless people experienced it like we did ( you were young when it started to change) its impossible for them to relate and Im not talking about access to cigarettes. Lol
Thanks Tyler! I appreciate the correction and the memories of the resorts when they were a lot different. We stayed at the Polynesian and Contemporary when I was young in the ’80s, but I don’t remember them that well. I do remember playing in the arcade at the Contemporary maybe in like 1986 or so when I was 10. It was pretty awesome especially for the time period. My memories are mostly from the Eisner era, and I agree that it’s evolved so much – even lately under Iger. It’s definitely changed a lot!
Just found this page while I’m putting together a photo album for my eldest child who was nearly 3 when we visited Disney World in June 1972. She swears she remembers it but I think she just seen our photos a lot. Made a huge impression on her just before we moved to Virginia. She now lives in Clearwater, FL, and has been to Disneyland many times. 1972 was her dad’s and my first Disney amusement park experience; we were more excited than she was. Everyone should see it with a child the first time. Thank you for your photos. several of them match mine.
Thanks Cathy! I wasn’t born until 1976 (these photos are from my dad), but I think that I have a similar experience where I feel like I remember going in 1980 when I was only four. It’s more likely I just remember that trip from pictures and some really grainy home movies. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos!