Difference between revisions of "Magic Kingdom"

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Magic Kingdom
Cinderella Castle the icon of the Magic Kingdom
Theme	Fantasy
Website	Magic Kingdom Homepage
Opened	October 1st, 1971
Icon	Cinderella Castle

The Magic Kingdom is a theme park located in Walt Disney World.

History

Conception

In 1959 Walt Disney Productions began to look for a place to build a second theme park. Disneyland, which opened in 1955, and was located in Anaheim California, was already a success however Walt Disney felt he could do better. Walt wanted to build a “Disneyland East”, and market research done by the Disney Company found that even though 75% of the population was located east of the Mississippi, only 5% of Disneyland's guests were from the east. Walt wanted the people living in the Eastern United States to be able to experience Disneyland. Adding to Walt's frustration, the area around Disneyland had become rundown by local business hoping to capitalize on Disneyland's success, and Walt wanted to have control over much more land than he could in Disneyland. It was with these goals in mind that Walt and his planning team (WED Enterprises) began to search for a location for their new theme park. By 1963 WED Enterprises had decided that the new park would be built in Florida. Florida was already the top state in terms of tourism, and the Florida climate would allow the new theme park to be open year round. Walt Disney himself flew over one of the potential sites, Orlando, in November 1963. Disney decided Orlando was the perfect location for his new park. The well-developed road system including the already planned Interstate 4 and Florida's Turnpike further added to the appeal of the area. After much research WED Enterprises and Walt eventually selected a centrally-located site near Bay Lake for construction of their new park.

The purchasing of land for the new park (now called the Florida Project) began in 1964. To avoid an increase in land prices, Disney used various dummy corporations to purchase the land. All in all Disney bought 27,443 acres in land from more than 100 property owners. The total coast of the land was nearly 5.5 million (about 200 dollars per acre). Walt Disney announced his plans for The Florida Project to the public on November 16, 1965.

Construction

One year after Walt Disney's death on December 15, 1966, The Walt Disney Company began construction on the Florida Project. Walt's brother Roy took charge of the project and carried on his brother’s dream. Although Walt had died before construction had even started. his influence on the park was apparent. One of the major problems that Walt had with Disneyland was that guests were exposed to the day to day operations of the parks. Walt told the story that one day in Tomorrowland he saw a cowboy from Frontierland walking by, heading to the costume room. Walt felt that this ruined the magic of the futuristic Tomorrowland and wanted to do better with the Florida Project. A second problem that Walt had hoped to avoid was that guests in Disneyland were exposed to the world outside the park. Walt said he once saw a family leave because they could see that traffic was getting congested while riding the Skyway. Because of these issues, it was decided that the first floor of what was now called the “Magic Kingdom” would be a series of tunnels, called utilidoors. Due of Florida's water table, the utilidoors could not be built underground. Instead, Disney Engineers decided to make the utilidoors the first story of the park, with the actual Magic Kingdom the second (meaning that the park itself is actually 14 feet above ground). The utilidoors allow cast members to move freely though out the park without being seen by the guests above. With the utilidoors, it only takes cast members about 10 minutes to walk from one side of the park to the other. The utilidoors also allowed the everyday functions of the park to be hidden from guests. Food, garbage and costumes could all be transferred around while keeping the illusion of the lands intact. Besides everyday operations the utilidoors also house the operating systems for the park, as well as offices and cafeterias for the Cast Members. Another upgrade to the Magic Kingdom was the Avac Systems, which were devolved in Sweden. This trash collecting system which allows garbage to be suctioned away through a series tubes, to a centralized dumping point. This allows cast members to keep the trash under control and out of the view of the guests.

Walt's influence could also be seen in the design of the park. Like Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom followed the hub and spoke layout, and the majority of the lands were carbon copies of the ones in Diseyland. Construction on the Magic Kingdom finished in August 1971.

Opening

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. 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 attendence. 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). 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.

"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 expansion to the Magic Kingdom came in 1988 when Mickey's Birthdayland was built. The land was built 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 area. Although originally intended to be temporary, Mickey’s Birthdayland was so popular with gueststhat 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.

In 1996, the once temporary land was again re-themed. Now called Mickey's Toontown Fair, the new land took place in the fictional Toontown. Toontown was larger than Mickey's Birthdayland, although it did carry over the Mickey's house attraction. Added to Toontown were Donald's Boat, The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm, and the Judges Tent where guests could meet various Disney characters. In 2011 Mickey's Toontown Fair was closed to make way for the Fantasyland Expansion.

In 2012 Storybook Circus opened in the former location of Mickey's Toontown Fair. Included in the new area was the attractions: The Barnstormer Featuring Goofy as the Great Goofini, a relocated Dumbo the Flying Elephant (now featuring a second set of Dumbos), the Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station and Pete's Silly Sideshow.

In December of 2012 the rest of the Fantasyland Expansion (sans the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train) opened to guests. This phase of the expansion included the attractions: Under the Sea: Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Ariel's Grotto. Lastly, on May 28, 2014 the final attraction in New Fantasyland, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train officially opened to guests.

Lands

To see the current Magic Kingdom map Click Here.

Main Street USA

Main Article: Main Street USA

Main Street USA is the first land that guests see upon entering the Magic Kingdom. Located at the front of the park, Main Street is modeled after a small, turn of the century, American town. Main Street gets its architecture from different regions in the United States including Boston and Missouri. The change in architecture is easiest to see when at the four corners of the land. Main Street begins when guests emerge from under the Walt Disney World Railroad, and ends when they reach the base of Cinderella Castle. Although Main Street does not have “rides” like the rest of the lands, it does have its own unique attractions including the Walt Disney World Railroad and the Main Street Vehicles. Also on Main Street are individual shops and restaurants which add to its small town appeal.

The 2015 Magic Kingdom map (click to enlarge)

Frontierland

Main Article: Frontierland

Located in the Northwest Corner of the park, Frontierland allows guests to visit the Wild West. The land features many Old West styled buildings, including the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade, Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Café, and the Frontierland Trading Post. The land also hosts some of the Magic Kingdom's biggest thrill rides – Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Also included in Frontierland is the Country Bear Jamboree and the Walt Disney World Railroad, and guests board rafts From Frontierland, to cross the Rivers of America and explore Tom Sawyer's Island.

Adventureland

Main Article: Adventureland

Located in the Southwest corner of the Magic Kingdom, Adventureland represents the 1950's view of exotic places. Taking its inspiration from jungles of Asia, Africa, and South America (as well as The Middle East and the South Pacific) Adventureland is full of lush plants and exotic scenery. Parts of Adventureland also take guests to tropical Polynesia and the great deserts of Arabia, where they can ride on a flying carpet. Adventureland is home to classic Disney attractions, such as the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, and the Swiss Family Treehouse.

Fantasyland

Main Article: Fantasyland

Fantasyland is the land that is dedicated, “to the young and those young at heart.” Located at the exit of Cinderella Castle, Fantasyland takes its inspiration from the Disney movies themselves, allowing guests to “ride through” different classic films. Attractions such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan's Flight and, “it's a small world” can all be found in Fantasyland. In total, Fantasyland is home to seven major attractions and five dining opportunities, including Cinderella's Royal Table which gives guests the opportunity to eat inside Cinderella Castle.

Tomorrowland

Main Article: Tomorrowland

Billed as the future that never was, Tomorrowland lets guests visit the tomorrow of Julius Verne and H.G. Wells. Tomorrowland also serves as an intergalactic convention center, where aliens and humans alike can come, meet, and see the promise of tomorrow. Originally built to give guests a view of what the future would be like, it quickly became evident to the Disney that they would not be able to continuously update the land as technology changed. Instead, they decided to give the park a retro-futuristic feel. Fan favorite attractions such as Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin can be found in Tomorrowland.

Liberty Square

Main Article: Liberty Square

Themed after colonial America, Liberty Square gives guest the opportunity to go back and see America as it grew. Starting at the Haunted Mansion in the 1670s and ending at the entrance to Frontierland (1880s), Liberty Square gives guests the feeling that they are watching America expand and unite. At the central hub of the land, the flags of the 13 original colonies fly along with the American flag. Liberty Square is unique in that it has only lost one opening day attraction, The Mike Fink Keel Boats.

Former Lands

Mickey's Birthdayland/Mickey's Starland

Main Article: Mickey's Starland

Mickey's Birthdayland opened as a temporary land in 1988, in celebration of Mickey Mouses' 60th Birthday. The land was set in the fictional town of Duckburg, and a new train station was built so that the Walt Disney World Railroad could drop off guests there. Mickey’s Birthdayland featured the attraction Minnie's Surprise Party (which was a show about Mickey's birthday) and guests could also tour Mickey's House or visit Grandmas Duck’s farm (which was a petting zoo). The star of Grandma Duck’s farm was Minnie Moo, a cow who had what appeared to be a Mickey head on the side of her body.

Although originally intended as a temporary park, Mickey's Birthdayland was very popular. Due to this popularity, the land was renamed Mickey's Starland and it was upgraded to a permanent land in 1990. Due to the change in theme, Minnie's Surprise Party was closed. When it reopened it was called Mickey's Magical TV World Show, a new show which featured characters from the popular Disney Afternoon cartoons including: Darkwing Duck, Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack, Baloo, Louie, and Chip and Dale. Mickey's Starland closed in 1996, and was given buildings that look more permanent. When the land re-opened it was named Mickey's Toontown Fair.

Mickey's Toontown Fair

Main Article: Mickey's Toontown Fair

Mickey's Toontown Fair opened in 1996, and closed in 2011. The land was set in Toontown- the place where Disney's most famous cartoon characters lived. Toontown Fair, which replaced Mickey's Starland, took its inspiration from the 1989 movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and featured a more permanent look. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale could all be found in the Judges Tent, as well as other surprise characters who would pop in from time to time. Other attractions in Toontown Fair included Mickey's Country House and Minnie's Country House (where guests could see how Mickey and Minnie lived) and Donald’s Boat (a water play area). Although Mickey's Toontown Fair was full of areas for kids to play, the only real “ride” in the land was The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm, a tame roller coaster aimed at younger kids. Mickey's Toontown Fair was closed in 2011 to make room for the new Fantasyland expansion.

Fun Facts and Trivia

• Cinderella Castle is not made of a single brick - it is made of steel and fiberglass.
• There are 1100 Audio-Animatronic figures in the Magic Kingdom.
• The Magic Kingdom is about 107 acres.
• There were about 5,000 performers on opening day of the Magic Kingdom, not including the 5000 doves that were released.
• The Magic Kingdom can hold up to 100,000 people.
• When The Magic Kingdom opened on October 1, 1971, adult admission cost just $3.50, a seven-ride attraction ticket book cost $4.75 and an 11-ride attraction ticket book cost only $5.75.
• The opening day attractions still operating as of February 2013 are: the Walt Disney World Railroad, the Main Street Vehicles, the Country Bear Jamboree, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the Mad Tea Party, Cinderella's Golden Carousel (Renamed Prince Charming Regal Carrousel), it's a small world, the Hall of Presidents, the Haunted Mansion, the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway, Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, the Jungle Cruise, and the Swiss Family Treehouse.
• When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, it was the first theme park to have continuously playing ambient music on pathways between attractions.
• William Windsor, Jr. and his family were officially first visitors to visit the Magic Kingdom.
• According to a sign near the entrance to Main Street USA, the population of the Magic Kingdom is 600,000,000. The sign was added in 1998, when the Magic Kingdom welcomed its 600 millionth guest.

References

http://allears.net/tp/mk/mk.htm

http://www.startedbyamouse.com/archives/GrandOpeningWDW01.shtml

http://www.wdwmagic.com/walt-disney-world-history.htm

http://www.wdwradio.com/2007/09/main-street-usa/

http://www.florida-project.com/magic-kingdom-guidebooks-guidemaps

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id27.htm