Before EPCOT, before Disney-MGM Studios, and long before Animal Kingdom, there was just the Magic Kingdom and a handful of Disney Resorts. This rare and inspiring 1980 promotional film, A Dream Called Walt Disney World, takes viewers back to that simple and magical beginning of the Walt Disney World Resort.
Setting the Scene in 1980
This 1980 special captures Walt Disney World just nine years after opening day. The program opens with the iconic line: “If you ever had a dream, and had that dream come true, then you know a little something about the Magic of Walt Disney World.”
At the time, Walt Disney World included only the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, and the newly opened Golf Resort (now Shades of Green). There were no theme parks beyond the Magic Kingdom, yet the resort was already being hailed as a full-fledged “Vacation Kingdom.”
Attractions, Resorts, and Entertainment
The film showcases everything available to guests in 1980 — including vintage views of classic Magic Kingdom attractions like:
- The Jungle Cruise
- The Haunted Mansion
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
- Country Bear Jamboree
- and the recently updated Tomorrowland
It also highlights the nightly Electrical Water Pageant on Seven Seas Lagoon and a peek at the recreation and relaxation available across the resort’s hotels and campgrounds.
Closing Message: The Magic of Dreams
The show wraps with an emotional narration that still resonates today:
“When dreams come true, it’s magic. It’s evident here, in the smiles, the laughter, the happy faces… It’s living proof of what can happen when you reach for the stars to make those dreams come true.”
A True Time Capsule of Disney Magic
A Dream Called Walt Disney World is more than just a promotional film. It’s a time capsule that captures the heart and imagination of what Walt envisioned. If you’re a Disney fan, a historian, or someone who remembers visiting in the early years, this is a must-watch.
