50 Years of Magic: The History of Walt Disney World

On October 1, Walt Disney World celebrates its 50th birthday. On this Harklist, we take you back to that day in 1971 and to the history behind the park.

On October 1, Walt Disney World celebrates its 50th birthday. On this Harklist, we take... more

Curated byLauren Passell, Hark Editor

11 CLIPS33 MINS

Clip 1 of 11

The Florida Project

Walt Disney announced The Florida Project, which would end up being the land buy for Walt Disney World, in secrecy in 1965. Laurie of ‘The Walt Daily’ explains why the purchase had to be kept under wraps, and how Walt and his team managed to do it.

The Walt Daily

2 MINS

Clip 2 of 11

How Roy Got Disney World Right

Walt Disney was the visionary, and his big brother Roy had real business sense. After a disastrous opening of Disneyland in 1955 and Walt’s death in 1966, Roy was tasked with fulfilling his brother’s dream.

DDP Today

2 MINS

Clip 3 of 11

Walt’s Dream: The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow

When Walt dreamed of the Magic Kingdom, he envisioned it to be the home of EPCOT, the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. On ‘Look Both Ways,’ hear moments from ‘The EPCOT Film,’ where Walt explains his ambitions for the community.

Walt’s Dream: The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow

Look Both Ways

3 MINS

Clip 4 of 11

Who Was the First Paying Guest to the Magic Kingdom?

On opening day, three college students were able to make a beeline to the front of the line at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. But Disney wanted the first guests to be a wholesome family.

Who Was the First Paying Guest to the Magic Kingdom?

Disney Travel Secrets - How to do Disney

2 MINS

Clip 5 of 11

Waiting in Line for ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’

The queue for Pirates of the Caribbean isn’t like the queue for any other ride—it’s an experience in itself. If you find yourself waiting for an hour or more, you’ll be entertained by a Spanish fort, cannons, chess-playing pirate skeletons, and more.

Waiting in Line for ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’

The Walt Daily

2 MINS

Clip 6 of 11

Disney World’s Haunted Mansion: Entering Alive and Leaving Dead

‘Those Happy Places’ takes us through The Haunted Mansion attraction, and explains a theory that ride goers are “murdered” during the ride, and when they leave, they are ghosts who are forever part of the ride’s story.

Disney World’s Haunted Mansion: Entering Alive and Leaving Dead

Those Happy Places

3 MINS

Clip 7 of 11

Disney World For Adults

On ‘Greetings from Somewhere,’ Zach Mack went to Disney World for the first time, and met many fans there who were adults. ‘Very Amusing’’s Carlye Wisel explains why adult Disney fans might be more evolved than non-Disney folk.

Greetings from Somewhere | A Travel Show

3 MINS

Clip 8 of 11

Follow the Brown Concrete to Liberty Square

Addicted to the Mouse brings us to Disney World’s Liberty Square, with facts about a huge, living tree that can be found there, and why it doesn’t have any bathrooms.

Follow the Brown Concrete to Liberty Square

Addicted to the Mouse: Disney Podcast | Disney World, Universal, & Cruise Vacation Planning

1 MIN

Clip 9 of 11

A Real Disney Princess Tells All

Amanda Lund was a princess in the park. On ‘Podcast the Ride,’ she explains some of the strange questions she would be asked by guests (particularly the dads,) and how the princesses were expected to respond.

Podcast: The Ride

3 MINS

Clip 10 of 11

The ‘Jungle Cruise’ Skipper

On The Jungle Cruise, riders go on a boat ride through the jungle, guided by a skipper. On ‘Those Happy Places,’ ‘Iconography’’s Charles Gustine explains why the skipper makes The Jungle Cruise unique.

Those Happy Places

2 MINS

Clip 11 of 11

The Future of Disney World

One reason people love Disney World is because they are nostalgic for memories they had when they visited as children. On Very Amusing, comedian Paul Scheer talks about what it’s like to return to Disney World as an adult with his kids.

Very Amusing with Carlye Wisel - A Theme Park Podcast

3 MINS

Curated byLauren Passell

11 CLIPS33 MINS

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50 Years of Magic: The History of Walt Disney World

The Florida Project

The Walt Daily

How Roy Got Disney World Right

DDP Today

Walt’s Dream: The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow

Look Both Ways

Who Was the First Paying Guest to the Magic Kingdom?

Disney Travel Secrets - How to do Disney

Waiting in Line for ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’

The Walt Daily

Disney World’s Haunted Mansion: Entering Alive and Leaving Dead

Those Happy Places

Disney World For Adults

Greetings from Somewhere | A Travel Show

Follow the Brown Concrete to Liberty Square

Addicted to the Mouse: Disney Podcast | Disney World, Universal, & Cruise Vacation Planning

A Real Disney Princess Tells All

Podcast: The Ride

The ‘Jungle Cruise’ Skipper

Those Happy Places

The Future of Disney World

Very Amusing with Carlye Wisel - A Theme Park Podcast

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