The Construction of Walt Disney World

At its heart, the story of the Walt Disney World Resort is the story of two brothers, Walt and Roy Disney and their plans to build not just a Theme Park destination but a city, a town and more
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00:00 Introduction
01:06 Disneyland
03:18 From California To Florida
09:15 Squarespace Sponsorship
10:09 Land Acquisition
14:23 E.P.C.O.T
19:47 Constructing the Dream
24:08 October 1st 1971
27:13 Conclusion
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[@jorgegarcia5350]

Florida has one of the worst weather in the U.S! It’s humid most part of the year. And don’t forget hurricane season, from June-September. Winter 🥶 is not that bad.

[@Evangelionism]

Disney should have chosen somewhere cold, white, and wet year round, maybe a bit closer to Canada. No one likes heat, moisture, and boring sunshine all day!

[@TrueLifeAdventures]

Roy is the oft-forgotten hero of Walt Disney World.

[@coffeeNTrees]

his daughter makes sure no one forgets.

[@S.E.C-R]

@@coffeeNTrees Abigail is quite the character!

[@georgeblank2648]

He was a smart man for sure bot no hero

[@TrueLifeAdventures]

@@georgeblank2648 Why not?

[@georgeblank2648]

@@TrueLifeAdventures A hero is someone who puts their life at risk to help others- not a smart business person or athlete

[@coffeeNTrees]

if florida didn't have disneyworld, people from up north would think of florida like they think of alabama and regardless of the coastline, would never visit.

[@fifthrider]

I visited in 1972. The paint was still drying on Pirates of the Caribbean. I always swore I'd go back, I just didn't know it would take me 47 years to do it. Unsurprisingly, it had changed a bit.

[@vanvorst1999]

As a 5 year old, I visited the WDW preview center and at 6 visited the Magic Kingdom in April 1972. An experience I won't ever forget - riding the monorail through the Contemporary Resort to a theme park of wonderful attractions. Our family would return every year till my high school junior year. After that, I would go back every few years with friends or family to see new attractions while reliving childhood memories. It's truly a magical place for many of us that grew up along with WDW over the past 50 years!

[@theincfiles]

You got to see such a magical version of Disney, wow. Congrats man

[@WhiteDragon689]

I visited WDW Magic Kingdom 6 mths after they opened in Florida. I remember well and still have one of their lettered ticket books for rides. My pattern has been the same. I lived in Orlando for 3 years and weekend trips were common to see the EPCOT firework shows only. They have gotten way too expensive for common people to afford. Only the rich white people can afford to go there now.

[@VernCrisler]

I got ya beat. Went there the month after it opened and a couple times in 1972. Probably passed each other as kids on main street. Unfortunately, we moved out of Florida in 1972 and I never got to see Epcot or any of the other attractions. Oh well, my dad was stationed in Hawaii in 1972, so that's some little bit of compensation.

[@expensivepink7]

people critique Disney and fair enough but I am so grateful that the original heads of the company (Walt and Roy) cared THIS much about delivering an amazing experience to fans. I am going to WDW for the first time ever this winter and I cannot wait. Grateful for all the work that came before that makes the trip of my dreams possible!

[@abbuhlcharles4006]

We have been going to WDW since 1977, it has been magical times for the most part. Over the last few years things have changed, the magic, and special feeling of being there has gone away. It's all about how much money that first Igar and now Chapek can squeeze out of each family that visits. Such a same that it has come to this.

[@der2397]

It's worse than that with what they believe our children should be taught and enlightened about.

[@Thekidthatwantstodie]

@@der2397 Disney does not feel like Disney anymore it feel like more like a hollywood theme park for gen z.

[@TheOldTapeArchive]

@@der2397 In the words of Tony Soprano......."Disney is dead to me".

[@cwaltw6242]

I’m on WDW Resort property right now and it’s my final night here… Thinking about the memories form this past weekend and then opening up YT to this video was something, dare I say, magic? Great timing :)

[@glennso47]

The magic has become tragic.🫤

[@keithbkessler]

what hotel?

[@1838isfake]

Hold onto the good memories, especially if you have kids, there's a dark story behind a lot of 'blue-sky, innovative thinking. You never knew this while you were in the magic when you were there

[@jondavidtheauthor6318]

Possibly your best video. WOW, only 5,000 made the cut, huh? Back when I worked there in the late 90s, I had a trainer who OPENED the park in 1971. I wish I had asked more about the experience and such but I didn't want to seem like a bother. A shame, he was a cool guy. Sadly, no longer with us. RIP, Steve.

[@trtommy3337]

I grew up watching the Walt Disney Show every week on our old B&W tv. At 5 years old I cried my heart out at the ending of the movie Old Yeller. Living in a small town, the movie theater was packed full and it seemed like a huge event being so small. In April of 1973, my new bride and I drove nearly a thousand miles to Walt Disney World. I don't remember a lot, but it seemed more like a construction site than an amusement park. One thing I'll never forget is having the song, "It's a Small World" burned into my brain lasting for days.

[@boatlover2296]

Disney had a incredible vision. With a humble start. I was there as a 12 year old kid in 1972 and it was truly an amazing place. It’s incredibly tragic what it has turned into. A giant festering pile of corporate greed. Rest In Peace Walt.

[@NA-me6sh]

from swamp to kingdom and back to swamp RIP Disney

[@Anynom]

Feeling my age I can remember the 10th anniversary well and then the next "every five years" ones were fun.

[@Seawizz203]

From swamp to kingdom and back to swamp.

[@dave1956]

I think Walt Disney would be appalled at what Disney World has turned into. I have been there three times and will not go back. All of the truly educational attractions have been removed for more roller coasters.

[@blabbermouth777]

I agree and that park should have been called Disney Worlds Fair and still made the real Epcot. That being said rides like Horizons and World of Motion were educational and more entertaining. I don’t mind if they add theme rollercoasters and expand but why tear down rides that were the essence of a worlds fair or worthy of a park with the name Epcot. They could at least keep the Walt spirit.

[@lukegreen5341]

16:29 Awesome Storytelling Mr Walt Disney From Disney's Mary Poppins The Movie In 1964. X

[@barbj9785]

Been to both WDWorlds. I liked the Anaheim better due to the better weather and far less people. Florida is so hot/humid and was overcrowded, waiting in line for 2 hours for one ride. Too many people.

[@mikegruber172]

Even Walt got confused with the name, EPCOT at 16:00 he called it City then a minute later called it Community

[@timmc6009]

I can't help but wonder what Walt would think of the development of the Florida property. What he likes and dislikes.

[@TMan151993]

What a great tribute for the 50th. Awesome job.

[@toddcribbs12]

Thank you you do a better job at giving great appreciation to Walt Disney and Roy Disney then Bob Iger and Bob Chapek people are buying so much merchandise and food you got the ride lines were easy to get on

[@dillysoutfits]

I am so happy you mentioned NJ! That history is like a Myth around here but we have Farmers who had contact with their agents but declined to sell the land!

[@cassidybb10]

Would love to learn more about that

[@josephstruk7974]

I now work for Reedy Creek after 30 + years of waiting and i have to admit it was worth it . I love my job

[@rustyshackleford2007]

Thoughts on the recent developments?

[@juliam.mallen9019]

Just the thought of that they took swampland and turned it into a beautiful magical kingdom it's freaking incredible!

[@Kevsterguy]

9:35 I'm not sure if this is an Easter egg or just something I noticed, but the music here is the music from Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 - Summer Air, and it brought back a happy nostalgia for me. Thanks for that and for the great video ❤️

[@lightningwu]

Probably your best video I’ve been able to watch thus far and I love so many! Happy 50 and a great dedication!

[@glennbroadley6683]

Bravo. Thank you for telling this story so well, providing so much dignity to Walt and Roy. I really enjoyed it a lot. Thank you again.

[@jonsmith6496]

Great channel

[@sararestivo6044]

NOW THE THEME FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD IS TO TARGET KIDS!!!!!!

[@melvingeloneck3344]

Thank you for posting this! This was a superb video!

[@SagaciousSilence]

A fantastic video! Please keep the wonderful content coming!

[@jameswilson4426]

Excellent and informative video, thank you contributing this!

[@ifamilymoments1965]

Thank you for sharing this video. Looking forward to the book.

[@Richy.Boi.]

Great job guys 👍 i’ve seen loads of these WDW history stories on KZbin, this is one of the best.

[@michaeltaylor1603]

I'm nearing the 1st time I visited the Magic Kingdom 20 yrs. ago. I was @ an IAAPA Expo. My Mom's b-day was that week I was away on vaycay. Minnie Mouse blew a HaPpY b-day kiss as I filmed her. I presented that video to her as a gift. THAT'S the "magic of Disney!!!" Clandestine (was the venture) of land acquisition. As a teen I knew Dis had Reedy Creek (and could set their own bld codes) My science teacher didn't believe me. Finally (factiod I didn't know was helicopters drying concrete!) That's truly Disney (like a BOSSS) Great video Luke!

[@kyocat999Tasuki]

I love your video!! Very educational and Informative

[@dynakor]

An excellent video! More history than I knew.

[@Looking1231]

I get the comments made at the start about Walt wanting more control of the land but I almost.. ALMOST... feel in that case it is a plus. Yes, the real world is RIGHT THERE past the front door but let's be honest. Once you walk through the front gate and go under the train, are you looking at the real world? Heck I am not even THINKING about it! Disneyland is a world in itself which is a part of the magic Walt did. I heard that he made it a point to have the Matterhorn the ONLY thing you could see from the outside world so kids could see it and get even more excited. I know I personally did when I saw it when I went there in the 1970's! Also heard about WDW when Walt was wondering if they had enough property in Florida, Roy went to him and said Walt, how would you like to now own all that property around Disneyland right now? Walt looked at him and went BUY AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! GO FOR IT! I worked for the WDW call center in Tampa for awhile and was surprised to hear that all the stuff that is made IE the parks, hotels, admin building etc. is only, at least in 1999, only a small percentage of the land that Disney owns in the area (I want to say like at the time only like 35-40% of the Disney owned land was developed) which made me wonder exactly how much land they own down there and where is the non developed land they own

[@valtoton2982]

I can't believe it was so new when I visited WDW in 1979! I also got to Disneyland in 1990!

[@madmax2010ok]

Well presented. Very Factual (great research). Great alternate tilt on the WDW history!

[@jonny5777]

That was a great presentation as always. I can’t see this getting built today what with more rules and regulations to adhere too. It should probably be called Roy Disneyworld though as he built the place

[@bustercherry2054]

So many memories here, father use to bring us every year from 1983 to early 2000s . One day I want to go on Christmas day just cause.

[@mountainmandale1587]

Having grown up in Brevard county, I have been there over 40 times and it still amazes me!

[@WaaGriever]

Disney + need to make a drama series about the life of Walt. Love his story so much. I think 5 seasons would be enough. 1 early years 2 Animation studio 3 Disney Land etc….

[@EspenSGX]

That would be interesting, but I heavily doubt Disney would make a truthful series. They keep pushing the "Walt got the idea for Disneyland at a carousel" fantasy and I seriously doubt they would tackle Walt's d!ck-ish side with favouritism (certain animators were payed way more and had perks like a private floor with utilities like a gym) and the studio strike. Just look at Beyond the Attraction, which has an incredible amount of "Walt worship".

[@juliam.mallen9019]

Brilliant location is everything! Genius to spot the major highway system!

[@ZebraLens]

Goodness gracious, I'm in tears 😖😖😭😭😭👏👏👏👏 excellent video! #DisneyWorld50

[@rondadams]

I'm fascinated by the cloak & dagger like operation that went in to the land acquisition to make it happen. Doubtful this could be pulled off in this day.

[@s.rosesmith6525]

Epcot is my favorite. Visiting different areas of the world symbolically is so relaxing. i went often in the 90's. I have a ticket purchased when the fee was $33. for an adult..

[@Lantana1]

Nice job!

[@nonya13]

27:23, dude in the background throwing "The Shocker", LOL!

[@cm7142]

Ha. Saw that and had to check the comments!

[@robertbdesmond]

Excellent.

[@imrickjamesbricks]

Another great video guys

[@lag767]

Thanks!

[@stukaman1162]

A better title for this video would be: "Disney World - from the swamp to success and then back to the swamp."

[@Mark_Hafer]

Hope you guys will find a chance to come over to Europe once the pandemic is over to visit all the wonderful, quirky and often world-class theme parks here, I'd love to see some of your classic theme park reviews talking about the parks I've grown up with.

[@doinjusfine1]

27:24 the kid with the two in the pink one in the stink hand gesture..

[@johnzeszut3170]

Never went to the place but I always liked Uncle Walt and watched his t.v. programs.

[@S2iAm]

Excellent job :)

[@lukegreen5341]

0:04 I've So Excited For Going To Walt Disney World Resort In Orlando Florida In The United States Of America During My The City Of Orlando And Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Museum And Universal Orlando Resort And Walt Disney World In Florida Holiday Megatrip On My 30th Birthday Celebrations Next Year In March 2023. Wish Me Luck. Thanks Mate. X

[@jeremyfowler1519]

The shocker yea baby! 26:28

[@theenlightenedexchange4817]

Awe Roy n Walt God bless u

[@crystalgalvez6446]

been to disneyland many times, hopefully one day i can visit WDW!

[@atribecalledjudah5436]

Just left Disneyland Resort, this makes me wanna go back. Orange County wouldn’t be a destination County if it wasn’t for Disneyland.

[@ZontarDow]

Little known fact is that Walt did consolation work on La Ronde for Expo67 on the side during the Florida project.

[@philrabe910]

The preview center blew us away but mom wouldn't take us for a first visit for about 9 months. She didn't want to be in the crush crowds everyone expected from that first 'soft opening' day forward. WDW changed my life, or at least it gave me a career course...

[@jeffnaslund]

Growing up in south Florida, been to WDW many times. First time in 1974

[@ginadoyle4089]

Ahhh the days when the imagineers were able to make 🪄 magic! Now the show buildings destroy sight lines and barges destroy planned beauty.

[@ma7673]

From swamp to Kingdom, back to swamp!

[@jakekuhl1]

I miss how green the park used to be

[@RSLpunk]

What was it like working and living in the US? Did u work at all the parks or just in one? So jealous, so many questions 🤣👍🇦🇺

[@EPiche09]

His plan was never about a theme park. The theme park was just an amenity. He would have been pissed.

[@stephenjones5282]

They should make a Disney movie about Disney

[@IMEMINE.]

I to enjoy standing in line for hours

[@coloradostrong]

_too_

[@severussnape835]

watching thin in the car otw to WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!

[@MrMoe158]

That sucks that place blows now

[@ErikWestcot]

When did you work there? Looks like about 2013-2015 if I guessed correctly. I used to work PAC on MS too!! I was there in 2013-2014

[@ReviewTyme]

Hey Erik we would have just missed each other by the sounds of it I started in January of 2015! - Luke

[@leewhite82]

@11:59 where did you find the map border for WDW? Its different to the Bay Lake border on Google Maps

[@glennso47]

Next video: Kingdom back to Swamp.

[@robstroup7620]

Im 51 years old and have been more than 40 times. My mom and dad would take us ever summer , sometimes multiple times a year. When i became a parent i would take my children , not as ofter but about every other year. The mid 2000s things started to change, subtle at first but obvious enough. It has since become a shell of its former self. Nothing more than a huge money vacuum and woke ideology. Families used to go for an escape from the realities of everyday life.

[@nicholashall4639]

Wonder if one of those parcel owners didn’t want to sale? What would have happened

[@tpg5974]

27:25 Uhhhh, is that dude giving the Shocker hand gesture???

[@glossandlove69]

Lmao sure is

[@delaynerulo6287]

From swamp to kingdom and now money pit

[@ThePrissy11]

WDW is still a hot, humid swamp with the mouse.

[@orenalairlines6101]

My dad has that book buts it’s for decoration

[@davidpeek191]

And, back to swamp.

[@citizenofcorona8783]

I live in the building where Walt gave the press conference with his brother and the governor of Florida.

[@gigimia13]

Not all heroes wear capes

[@jakekuhl1]

You mentioned a lady not selling unless she received a lifetime pass, was this the bonnet creek land?

[@ReviewTyme]

Nah the woman mentioned sold her stake in the late 1960's before Disney World would open

[@jakekuhl1]

I ask because the bonnet creek property was not sold to Disney till much later, therefore it was non Disney property surrounded by Disney, therefore the only way to get to it was through Disney, and that's the reason the hotel properties in that area are so much different from the other 3rd party hotels on property

[@masanorininomiya720]

17:40 Now 55th years later, Walt Disney is pass away... It´s a great myth!!

[@stevengalloway8052]

👏

[@thomassaehler9038]

It was not swamp land....it was orange and grapefruit orchards

[@oldhick9047]

And back to swamp

[@commycasty]

The way things are going we'll be seeing a video of the demolishing of Disney world. It'll be well deserved too.

[@melvingeloneck3344]

Walt never dreamt of EPCOT as a second theme park at Disney World. He envisioned a functioning city. So Walt Disney's vision for EPCOT never happened.

[@robertpalin2161]

There is a functioning city, it's called Celebration, FL

[@cuntbag6969]

Um epcot is full of functioning cities...really?

[@robertpalin2161]

@@cuntbag6969 ok, um, I said there was a functioning CITY, one city, singular. I don’t know how you got cities out of that. Maybe I should’ve spoke in simpler terms so you can understand. Learn how to read

[@nondescript2892]

good thing it never happened...controlling people's vacations is one thing..controlling people's actual lives is quite another....if you take a closer look at the actual implications of his epcot plans they scare me ...big brother would certainly have been watching you..and kicking you out if you didn't fit the form...good thing these facistoid ideas were quietly dumped

[@michaelashcraft8569]

I wonder, if Walt, and, Ray were alive TODAY, to see what WDW has become, what would their opinion be? I was born in 1951, watched the Mickey Mouse Club as a child, but, NEVER been to any Disneyland properties, time, and, chance just never came..

[@toddcribbs12]

You got to remember Coca-Cola sponsors Casey's corner on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom

[@donnyzavicci8121]

From swamp to kingdom to....nah, just kidding...still the swamp.

[@sonic23233]

American Coaster Enthusiasts can get discounts to Disney parks

[@bear6323]

From the Kingdom back to the swamp. Disney has ruined its great name and reputation and it will be a very very very long time before they can ever regain that.

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

Nope - that only a dirty trick from small greasy backwater politician who wants to trump himself up to the primaries, nothing else. Disney Kingdom is by definition inclusive, happy, family - no matter what

[@kurtbarlow9402]

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you can build anything you want without submitting plans for approval, or getting permits. It also helps when you can convert swamp land at will, with no concerns about wildlife or EPA regulations and oversight (same goes for their waste water)

[@robertbdesmond]

I worked for Disney 6-1/2 years Salaried CM, 2 years Hourly CM and 17 years under various Disney Professional Contracts. I am sad to say it ain’t what it used to be. It used to be great and magical. Now it’s all about profits. It has become a playground for the wealthy. I’m not sure Walt would be impressed with what it has all become. I can take or leave the place these days. Seldom do I go anymore, and if I do go, it’s no more than 3-4 hours per visit. I still love the Disney Monorails though, and Peoplemover.

[@eastonbiggins]

What about it changed for the worse?