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[[Image:Openingroy.jpg|thumb|Roy O. Disney giving the dedication speech on the Magic Kingdom's opening day.]]
The Magic Kingdom had soft openings starting on Labor Day 1971, with Disney employees, construction workers and local leaders being invited to the openings until September 31. On October 1, 1971, The Magic Kingdom opened its gates and welcomed its first guests. 10,000 people showed up on October 1, to visit Disney’s newest park on opening day. Unlike Disneyland which had been overwhelmed on its opening day, Walt Disney World’s opening ran smoothly, and any issues were quickly resolved. Before the opening of Disney World, Florida State Troopers issued a warning saying that a potential 300,000 people could show up on opening day. This possibility created a fear that the park was going to be overwhelmed by the number of guests and may have led to the lower than expected numbersattendence. Some pundits began to predict that Disney World would be a failure; however by the end of 1971 400,000 people had attended the park (including an astonishing 50,000 on November 26th). William Windsor and his family were the official first visitors of the Magic Kingdom - and thus Walt Disney World. The climax of the grand opening happened between October 23 and October 25, 1971 when the Magic Kingdom was officially dedicated. Roy O Disney, with Mickey Mouse by his side gave the dedication speech.
{{Quotation|"Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walt Elias Disney . . . and to the talents, the dedication and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place . . . a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn -- together."| Dedication this 25th day of October, 1971, Roy O. Disney}}
Also on hand for the event was the 60-nation World Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Arthur Fiedler. NBC taped a program called “The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World,” which aired October 29th. Taking part in the televised opening were Julie Andrews, Glen Campbell, Buddy Hackett, Jonathan Winters, Bob Hope, Rock Hudson, Annette Funicello and Fred MacMurray. Other prominent figures in business, government and industry were also on hand.
===After the Grand Opening===
The first major addition to the Magic Kingdom came in 1988 when Mickey's Birthdayland was built. The land was built in the park in celebration of Mickey Mouse's 60th birthday. Mickey’s Birthdayland consisted of the fictional town of Duckburg, and allowed guests to tour Mickey's house. The land also featured Minnie's Surprise Party, which was a show dedicated to Mickey's birthday. A train station was built in Mickey's Birthdayland so that the [[Walt Disney World Railroad]] would be able to drop guests off in the new land. Although originally intended to be temporary, the Mickey’s Birthdayland was so popular with guests, that Disney decided to make the land permanent, renaming it Mickey's Starland in 1990. Minnie's Surprise Party was re-themed and became Mickey's Magical TV World. The new show featured characters from the popular Disney Afternoon cartoon shows.
