Visiting Walt Disney World in 1975 (Photo Essay)

The Tomorrowland Speedway looked different in 1975, especially with the Skyway turn station in the background. — Photo by Paul Heaton

The first visit that I remember taking to Walt Disney World happened in 1980 when I was four. It’s just a few moments that stick with me, and most of those are from the Polynesian. Apparently, I was there as a baby and even saw America on Parade in 1976. One year earlier, my parents visited with my older brother and sister. My dad recently passed along slides from that trip, and it looks like a great vacation. I’ve pulled together some of the best examples into this article.

My favorite shot is the image above of the Tomorrowland Speedway, which opened with The Magic Kingdom in 1971. The best part of this picture is seeing the station where the Skyway turned in the background. This basic metal structure helped shift the buckets in the right direction as they journeyed from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland. Let’s take a brief voyage back in time and see Walt Disney World less than three years after its beginning!

The Great Seal appears in the grass at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. — Photo by Paul Heaton

Here’s a shot of the grounds near Main Street, U.S.A., which are pretty sparse. It’s a bit hazy, but I believe that’s the Great Seal of the United States in the grass. This trip was one year prior to the Bicentennial celebration in 1976, so it makes sense. What’s always surprising about The Magic Kingdom in the ’70s is how much simpler it looked. I’m not saying it was better; there was just less visual clutter in the park’s early years.

Chip and Donald Duck have a standoff in Main Street, U.S.A in 1975. — Photo by Paul Heaton

In this shot from Main Street, Donald has a stand-off with Chip (or possibly Dale?). I believe this may be part of the Character Parade based on the guests lined on the street in the background. However, the street is so vacant that it’s hard to say for sure. Regardless, it’s fun to see two Disney characters basically interacting on their own with just a few onlookers. The height disparity between the pair is strange, though I suspect it may relate to the camera’s location.

Character greetings with Donald Duck and others were very different in the early years of Walt Disney World. — Photo by Paul Heaton

Here’s a fun picture of Donald interacting with my older brother up close. It’s a good example of what character meetings were like in 1975. You can see how guests were all spaced nearby and hanging out while Donald met the kids. A woman standing behind Donald is also wearing quite a colorful skirt! I understand that the same low-key approach isn’t possible given today’s higher attendance and the emphasis on the characters. The trick is striking a balance of spontaneity and scheduling for the character greetings in the future.

Lonely watercraft are ready for guests in 1975 at the Seven Seas Lagoon with the Contemporary Resort in the background. — Photo by Paul Heaton

It’s a grainy shot, but I still love this look at the early Seven Seas Lagoon. Having the Contemporary Resort in the background just makes everything fit together perfectly. It’s weird seeing the boats without any passengers; I suspect they’re docked since this picture was likely taken from the shore.

This pontoon boat was a common form of recreation at the Walt Disney World resort in its early years. — Photo by Paul Heaton

Continuing the focus on watercraft at Walt Disney World, this pontoon boat looks ready for a fun cruise. I have no memories of doing this activity as a kid, and it still sounds like a good time today. There was a lot more attention in Disney marketing at this time on the relaxing aspects of the resort, and this is a perfect example. I hope you enjoyed this brief trip back to 1975 to a different kind of Vacation Kingdom!