A Televised Celebration of Disney’s Florida Dream
Walt Disney World opened to guests on October 1, 1971. At the time, media reports predicted crowds as high as 300,000 people. Hoping to avoid the kind of chaos Disneyland saw on its 1955 opening day, Disney instead held official dedications and media events later in the month. That strategy paid off. Opening day drew around 10,000 guests, offering valuable time to smooth out the first-day kinks.
NBC Broadcasts the Grand Opening Special
On October 29, 1971, NBC aired “The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World,” a nationally televised special that showcased the celebration held October 23–25. Edited for television, the show included performances, park tours, and special appearances from Hollywood icons.
Among the stars participating were Bob Hope, Julie Andrews, Rock Hudson, Annette Funicello, Fred MacMurray, and Jonathan Winters. Their appearances added glamour and excitement to Disney’s bold new venture in Florida.
Highlights from the Three-Day Celebration
Filming for the television special began on October 23, but most events took place on the 24th and 25th. On October 24, Disney officially opened its two resort hotels: the Contemporary and the Polynesian Village. That evening, guests witnessed the debut of the Electrical Water Pageant and the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks show.
October 25 marked the official Dedication Day. That same day saw the openings of Peter Pan’s Flight, the Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Music, Parades, and Disney Magic
The TV special featured unforgettable performances. Glenn Campbell sang “Today is Mine,” and Julie Andrews delighted viewers with renditions of “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.” Bob Hope took a ride on the monorail to dedicate the Contemporary Resort, then joined the festivities at the Polynesian Village’s inaugural luau.
The special also included sneak peeks of Walt Disney World-exclusive attractions such as the Country Bear Jamboree, The Mickey Mouse Revue, and The Hall of Presidents. Buddy Hackett made a comedic appearance as he drove Herbie the Love Bug around the Grand Prix Raceway.
Julie Andrews even sang “It’s a Small World” while touring the park. The grand finale featured the Walt Disney World Grand Opening Parade with Meredith Willson leading a 1,000-piece marching band down Main Street, U.S.A.
This historic TV event helped introduce Walt Disney World to the nation and marked the beginning of a new era in Disney storytelling—one that continues to evolve today.
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