The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World 1971 TV Special

[@odnak]

I couldn’t imagine how the 50th Anniversary Celebration is going to be this October! I wish it’s going to be as festive as this.

[@mpwheatley]

11:05-14:34 is one of the the most awesome 70s things I have ever seen! So wonderful. And boy, do I love Julie Andrews - what a classy, elegant lady and such a star, absolutely the perfect person to host this.

[@neccowafer1299]

Well, it certainly evoked choreographer Dee Dee Wood's other work - "Mary Poppins," "Chitty...," and "The Sound of Music." Albeit, in a subpar manner. In this case, it looked more like some of those dance numbers on Carol Burnett.

[@albertpeterson5585]

...definitive version of "when You Wish Upon a Star."

[@johnjarjoura889]

Brings back childhood memories, it's such a shame they changed up main street. The penny arcade, the magic/joke shop, ect...

[@tomxconn]

Julie Andrews has such talent and grace

[@vinnypadovano4942]

God Bless you Mr. Walt Disney for giving us such wonderful parks to enjoy both young and old.

[@bearsfallimmmyassva9801]

Lsland

[@heatrman1010]

@@bearsfallimmmyassva9801 lllll)))kpp kopp lo 9yt9yt99y0pp]kkkkkkkk

[@heatrman1010]

L

[@jaysantos536]

EPCOT was closed forever....today.

[@坂本夏子]

💟💟💟💟💟

[@taetems2536]

They never did find Margaret. It's said that to this day, you can see her running through the Disney World campgrounds, forever eluding her husband and kids.

[@TheTheoTherone]

"WE'RE GONNA TRACK DOWN MOMMY!" yikes

[@BAKER22-l4u]

Lol.. WTF

[@willcox4561]

I was a part time member of the original cast of WDW as a costumed character and I stayed on for 10 years. I was an Aristocrat in that grand opening parade. It was a magical time and a great place to work there during those first 10 years.

[@theCFseries12]

Tomorrow marks 50 years since the place opened up.

[@litealite]

So glad I watched this . What an amazing marching band at the end !!! And every band member singing at the end was spectacular !!!

[@DH-oi4kr]

I was there in 71 , December I was scared to death of the haunted mansion. What a place we never wanted to leave

[@KristerNielsen]

Videos like this deserve better quality. Disney must have the original reels in their archives right? One thing i wished they would do with Disney+ is to add more park related material.

[@mattlawson2669]

I miss the Vault Disney shows... Now Disney Channel is nothing but a tween magnet. But this show, the opening of Walt Disney World, brings back a lot of wonderful childhood memories.

[@hopeschannel]

Matt Lawson honestly. this looks so much cooler than that descendents trash lol

[@rf-bh3fh]

Life memories what matters to you?

[@planetpihl660]

me too!

[@jamessm5012]

Nothing will beat Wizards of Waverly Place though

[@tjsells9288]

@@jamessm5012 ya that male actor was a handsome man lol

[@beverlybelanger9330]

my very special job..started with Disney world in 74...many memories..Loved my time with them

[@albertpeterson5585]

...when built, the American Institute of Architecture listed it as the greatest feat in urban planning ever designed; many corporate partners (including United States Steel), two former military engineers (Fowler, Potter), and one visionary (Walt) and his financially minded brother (Roy) imagined, designed and built the basis of what we see today; 50 years later and still going strong; to all those who made it possible, thank you.

[@roccosophie6498]

I've worked for this company for more than half of my life. Things change, good, bad. What hasn't? I was Sharon Disneys personal chauffeur when the Studios opened, I even met Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards. I owe everything I have to this company. It's been very good to me. And I will always be very, very grateful.😊

[@pegbutwin7189]

My son is a CM in the Magic Kingdom. He loves it and feels very fortunate to work there. 😊

[@BAKER22-l4u]

​@@pegbutwin7189lol.. I doubt that, based on how woke its become

[@STEP2004]

Happy 50th Birthday Walt Disney World.

[@luciaterrizzi1881]

What our World would of been without you Mr. Walt Disney! You are a Genius. See you in The New World here on Earth in The resurrection of The Dead soon to come.. I will look forward to meeting you and shake your Hand perhaps with tears. My dreams will come true as well then soon to come......

[@johndeveney3878]

I wish we could bring simple times back before internet, wifi, smartphones and the like. I believe our society today lacks a sense of "community" and family values. Where did we go wrong!?

[@michaeljordan6008]

John Deveney I wish I could give you a thousand thumbs up.

[@melvindockery815]

Social media.

[@YokozunaNumber1]

Yeah, man. I don't even know my own family anymore, because they now only communicate via social media (which I don't have or want). I'd give anything to go back to those old days when most people were living in the "now," face-to-face. Even at WDW, it's common to see families burying their faces in their phone and not enjoying the moment. Depressing.

[@epcotman32]

That type of technology was to make our lives easier and better, but it has been used for evil purposes as well, so we did mess up, and yes I wish we could go back to those times.

[@teganbigone2366]

We went wrong in the 50s, and today is the result of it.

[@i2iDisney]

Surprisingly entertaining for how dated it is! Thanks for sharing this bit of history Lou!

[@heisenberg7218]

Now it's all Marvel and Star Wars these days... I almost forget at times that Disney had all this 'other stuff' lol

[@1978rga]

I enjoyed the graceful Julie Andrews so much, and it was awesome seeing original park attractions ( like Mickey Mouse a Review) that I never saw before.

[@spazzman90]

I miss the stronger emphasis on education that permeated Magic Kingdom and Epcot in the 70's and 80's. Not sure Walt would approve of the current direction the parks are heading.

[@albertpeterson5585]

...another one of those Sherman Brothers made up words; edutainment.

[@JayRaphaelJiaoInot]

The Carpenters also did a music video here in the 70's,made it feel like they were also part of the opening celebration of WDW!!!

[@billserratore6416]

I was 8 years old when this aired & I remember it well. We visited for the first time in Feb, 72'- It's been a love affair for me ever since! I keep going, dreaming, learning & growing; I have now passed that love along to my kids, nieces, nephews and hopefully one day my grand children! Thanks for posting this.

[@boaterbil]

Country bear jamboree is probably my favorite. It never gets old.

[@christinajacobs4318]

Do the girls still sing about rejection, and the other bear sing about blood? Lol

[@gc4644]

We were there on october 25, 1971 (It was my sisters birthday present). I remember we saw Roy Disney read the wdw inauguration opening statement. There werent alot of attractions open yet, so we pretty much saw & rode everything within 4-5 hours. I loved the Penny Arcade, and miss it now (they should bring it back). Lots of Good memories going to wdw thru most of the 70s (we lived near orlando), but it seems wdw just doesnt have the same magic like it had thru the 70s..

[@omegaman1409]

Should had recorded the event. It was a milestone moment. I got to be there in 1980. First of many visits.

[@glory3339]

Walt Disney was the creative genius and force behind Disney, he had such imagination and vision. When he died I feel Disney lost that vision.

[@Canjo19]

When he died, the world lost that vision.

[@tlud67]

Wow this is so cool. My mom was just telling me yesterday in wake of Glen Campbell's passing how she met him opening year at WDW when she was a child. It's so cool to see a glimpse of what that could look like!

[@ChatGPT1111]

And did you know that squeaky clean Glen Campbell was the most famous celebrity in the 50's....after Elvis. If not for Elvis, wholesome Glen would've been #1.

[@moose583]

Wow! I really miss the old Disney channel! and this looks like after the Disney Channel had been a premium channel. Could never see them airing anything old and classic like this.

[@albertpeterson5585]

Clientele has aged out.

[@ChatGPT1111]

Wow, actual benches at 7:30. What happened Disney? Now you gotta bring chairs with you. All of EPCOT has one bench 😂

[@djtechnoid]

I remember when this was on, and I was glued in front of the TV... just as I was anytime our Disney Night of the week took us into the Parks! Good times!

[@King_Colombia_Inc]

50 years of Wild Rides, Scary Adventures, and my mother’s constant screaming.

[@nathanielmancini4582]

Thanks Roy Disney ;-)

[@Kodachrome40]

Now this is a perfect example of how the television shows about the parks started to suck after Walt died. Walt would have shown how it was built, the behind the scenes magic. This is just singing and dancing crap.

[@albertpeterson5585]

...did you see the ratings for the 50th anniversary special they just did? Awful, and they did exactly what you suggested; only Disney geeks like us enjoyed it.

[@Howrider65]

The parks are not the same.. If Walt came back to life he would fire everybody in charge today.. His dream has been ruined buy corporate thugs..

[@Alola_Hanna-Barbera_TMS_Fan]

I know it was the daytime but I felt like after the choir was done singing there should've been a lot of fireworks signaling that Disney World was now open for business

[@triedandchew]

Julie Andrews needs to do a voiceover in the 50th Anniversary Magic Kingdom fireworks show! She was wonderful in Disneyland's 50th show, Remember...Dreams Come True.

[@CoaTravelNut]

they need the chorus singing at the end again for the 50th anniversary!

[@disneydjmike1890]

It looks so different. Too bad it's all a $$$$$ grab now. We go all the time and I wish it was simpler and not so rushed. I hope Disneys new streaming service will offer stuff like this.

[@joejacko1587]

i think back then they were still charging per ride

[@Jesuscares7680]

Now WDW is all about the almighty dollar...like most things that have changed over the years...I was in WDW in Fla in 1973...graduation choir class field trip...Great memory...

[@bethany3371]

My favorite part was Herbie. I loved those movies! And I loved that Julie Andrews was a part of it.

[@coreylevine3856]

I were born in 1971 8 months before Disney World open

[@icbmman]

How awesome and appropriate to show this as we remember Glen Campbell. Thank you for posting this!

[@maureensmith1247]

Dave Hilton I

[@jerseyforhawks]

Just watching now, I was 7 back then, and did not watch on TV live; Glen Campbell fits well and seems quite the ambassador.

[@debanjannandy7795]

Dave Hilton h v,kkkk KKW er

[@serenatwilite4005]

Ah, the good ole days, when Glen was his own authority, instead of being ruled by his wife and Christianity to the point of making him lose his mind. He looked a lot healthier and happier then.

[@sandypandys]

"you just walk in here and ya get 30 years for good behavior" I love that

[@bearsfallimmmyassva9801]

SandyPandy McMullenww

[@willy7369]

Just hearing the opening theme music makes your heart Smile. The pure goodness of Early Disney. Quality shows for all ages. Progress is necessary but, the values set forth by Walt should still hold true.

[@coolmint853]

Thank You Glen Cambell For that Song !!!

[@DinoNardelli]

+1. RIP Glen Campbell and Jerry Reed (wrote this song "Today Is Mine" in 1968)

[@MrUABama]

Jonathan winters best performance was in It's a mad mad mad mad mad World, tearing up that gas station..

[@joanieanderson1162]

Disney World will always be a very special part of my life.

[@jj_blair]

I cannot believe they had sir Jackie stewart there and that he had the least applause of the drivers. Criminal. Guys a legend

[@albertpeterson5585]

...Americans.

[@ChatGPT1111]

Gee, ya think it might have something to do with the fact he never won any American races, not even the Indy 500. He entered in quite a few but crickets. I never heard of Jackie Stewart until 1980 as all we cared about was NASCAR. Oh and how many NASCAR drivers can you name? Guessing nada, zilch, zero.

[@waltereturner]

Thank you for sharing this video with those of us who were not even thought of yet. 😁

[@Jackpot76]

I think I speak for everyone here Lou, we would all like for you to recreate the dance down Main Street. Sweater and all

[@jeannesmith3442]

What a wonderful song sung by Glenn Campbell.

[@eventvisionsinc]

truly blessed I grew up in the 70’s such nonsense in today’s world family was everything just think adult admission was $3.50 and $1 for children. A booklet of tickets for rides.

[@Emily-lb7rf]

This Julie Andrews section is so magical 1:00:16

[@therealgwyngrim]

Dude is Margaret okay

[@Mszahnclass95]

now this is when i loved Disney. i wish Disney would of stayed rhis way. i understand that changes with time , but what Disney coro did to it now zis not good . children should stay wholesome . i dont think Walt would not be e happy if he saw what direction Disney is going . i think walt wanted wholesome an innocent fantasy for the children

[@CidellvanOliveira]

Nossa é de errepiar a idéia de que se um dia Walt Disney não tivesse acreditado no seu sonho a Disney e tudo que ele nos fez acreditar até hoje não teria existido 👏👏👏 Obrigado Walt Disney Onde estiver pelo presente que deixou pra humanidade 🙏❤

[@epcotman32]

50 years later, it's still the happiest place on earth, though it's hard not to enjoy the original stuff.

[@ericdunn7352]

I guess the only thing missing was a USAF flyover.

[@albertpeterson5585]

...there was a TFR over WDW at that time by Disney request.

[@guitargeorge1874]

I'm 30 years old and watch in absolute astonishment. Entertaining from start to finish. Walt wouldve been so proud! RIP Glen Campbell. We miss you!

[@MissAshley-jq9gl]

same I'm turning 33 this October agree

[@neccowafer1299]

Actually, I think that he might have been appalled.

[@DeweyDuckTales-xt7rm]

1:14:39 When You Wish Upon a Star (From Pinocchio) 1940s Disney Movie

[@venusxaino]

Wow, this park isn't even *that* old.

[@MissAshley-jq9gl]

its 48 years old not yet 50.

[@mike9147]

A little disappointed in the grand opening video. wish they had shown more of the park and rides. A lot has chanced since 1971.

[@serenatwilite4005]

Me, too. I would rather have seen that than all the celebrity performances. That's what would have sold tickets, so I"m surprised. Maybe they thought making it more mysterious would pull people in.

[@warrencleversy2773]

Trips to the M K will always have a special place in my life. I've been to the park and the other parks there over 100 times and alaways notice something new. Hope the future holds many more visits. Thank you Walt Disney may your dream live on for many years to come.

[@daverumbear7668]

i feel bad for Margaret

[@jcuonze]

20:00 Well Bob Hope wouldn't have survived in 2019 loll

[@teganbigone2366]

What a wonderful park. What a depressingly horrendous opening special.

[@DisneyTiger10]

AWESOME!! Needed this magic today! THANKS!!

[@lindabradford9591]

And even more these days.

[@3373-g8z]

Got to go in 1978. Peak of my life

[@robertjacobtysz650]

I think Margaret may be having a stroke!

[@WTFblondiee]

But what about the husband?! Poor guy had to sit in that seat and suffer through all those pot holes! He’s the real victim, don’t you forget it

[@kevinrobinson1552]

Poor Margaret, her job was never done

[@JILLYYBEAAN]

that intro was chaotic and i loved it

[@MisterMoncivais]

A bit dated with the wife jokes...otherwise, a good glimpse of the park.

[@MarioSonic2010]

Not gonna lie, Glen Campbell did make me smile in this special. :)

[@JLNeis]

Walt was truly a legend and genius in his own time. RIP Walt.

[@allure7744]

Wow that was Awesome!

[@shaneanthony1278]

I was about 2 years old when walt Disney world Resort opened I remember getting to go for the very first time when I turned 6yrs old

[@laangles2002]

My brother just got a place in Windermere and you can see the fireworks from MK. Thank you to the people who built MK and the memories will cherish forever.

[@zig_zagman]

Did anyone notice that during the Jonathan Winters camping segments, in the first one there's six kids, and in the second there's like eight?

[@WTFblondiee]

Zig Zagman I’m too worried about Margaret

[@arvinradfar1610]

Well that’s what happens when the father of the family has to sit in a horrible seat with hundreds of potholes

[@MsDana-mo9fp]

Disliked the Jonathan Winters skit!!!!

[@kianroberts6598]

13:26 the sigh and shrug from Julie pretty much sums up my entire mental reaction to this song and dance number.... It's like she became self aware mid recording

[@williamknight6227]

zippydoda one of my favorite disney songs to bad its from a movie disney wants everone to forget(song of the south).

[@MrUABama]

Song of the South is all over splash mountain...Splash mountain is... Song of the South...but just the cartoon characters.

[@JJdaPK]

It was kind of cool seeing a clip from Song of the South while Julie was singing "When You Wish Upon A Star." In the 70s the movie was advertised as much as the other classics like Snow White, Pinocchio, Peter Pan and Bambi

[@hughmcfadden5669]

Disunplugged

[@456swagger]

Wow, The park is so different and P.C. now. Give it 30 more years and Walt Disney won't even be a memory there. Disney World was created by a visionary but now it's like a ship without a Captain or compass and with a broken rudder. Broken attractions, run down equipment and ever increasing prices. Now you just have to "remember the magic".

[@TubeScrewed]

Whenever I see this old footage, I wonder where all the racism, and insensitivity is. It never existed, except in the mind of the opportunistic globalists that hi-jacked America, and stripped us of the glorious destiny we were headed for.

[@456swagger]

@@TubeScrewed Ditto!

[@TropicalHonduranDominican]

I missed the cheaper and fun days of Disney world. It was nostalgic and memorable

[@davidmarcosguerrero5780]

Patagonitas cuento hadas merin poppins canciones varios artistas música Disney presonaje princesas disney creado wall Disney preparando Disneyland paris celebra 50 aniversario magia espectáculos animacion anastasia blancanieves

[@samanthascott7617]

I wanna see a version of Rise of the Resistance but instead of seeing a wall of stormtroopers it’s just all 46 presidents from the Hall of Presidents

[@christinapyrros72]

I love Walt Disney World forever and ever with Mickey Mouse

[@NaomiKoroma357]

It’s Walt Disney world 50th anniversary

[@Jesuscares7680]

What beautiful lyrics...almost Christian ...so glad I found this today..."to die a little that I might learn to live and give"...awesome..

[@omegaman1409]

I was only 4 months old back then. 20:00 contemporary hotel. Can't believe Bob Hope was there. In later years I walked through the place.

[@PeterRichardsandYoureNot]

Is this recorded off a rebroadcast, cause I’m pretty sure tv-g/ratings labels didn’t come around til the 90s?

[@mclark2288]

It was good to hear Glen Campbell in this!

[@michellealbury6693]

I was born 3 months after it was built and now all this BS has to start , Mr Walt is not happy he was smiling when he built this park wanting all the people and kids to be happy and when all this started I bet he is rolling in his grave right now ... All I got to say is God Bless You Mr Disney for the best park ever ..

[@elizabethhenshaw1052]

Are The Presidents in The Hall of Presidents actors or AAs?

[@serenatwilite4005]

Animatronics. They seemed so real back in the early '70's when that attraction opened, it almost scared people. People said it was like watching the dead come to life.

[@riverag5076]

look at president Abraham Lincoln. the real English. know when to speak and what to speak about that foolish nonsense i will interrupt

[@ericdunn360]

Eight presidents have been added to the hall of presidents.

[@Alola_Hanna-Barbera_TMS_Fan]

During the Mickey Mouse Revue segment they cut the Minnie solo, The Three Amigos and Alice in Wonderland segments

[@OldsVistaCruiser]

Walter Elias Disney would have spun in his grave over this special had he not been cremated.

[@rachelsewell7026]

OK now I’ll admit I did not watch the whole thing but I watched most of it. Did I miss something with the husband and wife taking their family to Disney World? Was the last part with them of the mother running off? That seems like not a great advertisement - you will be exhausted if you come!

[@dasondanielczuk673]

Wait for me in adventure land girls.... holy Jesus, sexual harassment went far back

[@toddsmart5509]

Margaret is a hot mess

[@davidwilliamson2876]

Interestingly the day that Disney World first opened: October 1, 1971 was Julie Andrews’ 36th birthday. How’s that for a birthday present that she got to present the grand opening of Disney World?

[@gueromex3056]

Thanks to Julie Andrew great performance on “Mary Poppin’s’ movie Disney made millions in profits enough to help finance WDW