Magic Kingdom

Cinderella's Castle, the icon of the Magic Kingdom

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 but Walt felt he could do better. Walt wanted to build a “Disneyland East”, market research done by the Disney company found that although 75% of the population was located east 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. Walt wanted to have control over much more land then he could in Disneyland. It was with these goals in mind that Walt and his planning team (WED Enterprises) began to search for a new location.

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. Orlando was the perfect location for his new park, because of the well developed road system. The already planned Interstate 4 and Florida's Turnpike further added to the appeal of Orlando. 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 then 100 property owners. The total coast of the land was nearly 5.5 million (about 200 dollars and acre). Walt Disney announced his plans for The Florida Project 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 brothers dream Although Walt had died before construction started his influence on the park is apparent. A major problem that Walt had with Disneyland is that guests were exposed to the day to day operations of the parks. Walt told the story that one day in Tommorowland he saw a cowboy from Frontierland walking by heading to the costume room. Walt felt that this ruined the magic of the futuristic Tommorowland and wanted to do better in the Florida Project. Another problem Walt saw in Disneyland was that guests were exposed to the day to day operations of 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 the Magic Kingdom would be a series of tunnels. The tunnels were called utilidoors. The utilidoors would allow cast members to move freely though out the park without being seen by the guests above. It only takes cast members about 10 minutes to walk from one side of the park to the other. The utilidoors also allowed the every day functions of the park to be hidden from guests. Food, garbage and costumes could all be transferred out of the guests sight, keeping the allusion of the lands in tact. 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. The Avac systems which were devolved in Sweden. They were a trash collecting system which allowed garbage to be suctioned away through a series a tubes, to a dumping point. This allowed the cast members to keep the trash under control and out of the view of the guests. Because of Florida's water table, the utilidoors could not be built underground. Instead, Disney Engineers decided to make the utilidoors the first story with the actual Magic Kingdom the second. This means that the park is actually 14 feet above ground.

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

Opening

The Magic Kingdom was opened for soft openings on Labor Day 1971. Disney employees, construction workers and local leaders were invited to the openings until September 31. On October 1, 1971 The Magic Kingdom welcomed it's first guests. 10,000 people showed up on October 1, to a smooth opening day. Unlike Disneyland which had been overwhelmed on it's opening day Walt Disney World ran smooth, 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 potentially created a fear that the park was going to be overwhelmed and may have led to the lower then expected numbers. 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 astonish 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.

"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 <p> Roy O. Disney

Also on hand was the 60-nation World Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Arthur Fiedler. NBC taped a a program called “The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World” which aired October 29th. Taking part in the televised opening were Julie Andrew, 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 for the event.

Lands

Main Street USA

Main Article: Main Street USA

Main Street USA is the first land that guests see after 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's Castle. Although Main Street does not have particular “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.

Frontierland

Main Article: Frontierland

Located in the Northwest Corner of the park, Frontierland allows guests to visit the wild west. Featuring many old west styled buildings, including the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade, Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, and the Frontierland Trading Post. Frontierland also hosts some of the Magic Kingdom's biggest thrill rides, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Also included in Frontierland is the original Country Bear Jamboree, and the Walt Disney Railroad. From Frontierland you can board rafts and cross the Rivers of America, to 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 in Asia, Africa, South America, 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, Management, 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's Castle, Fantasyland takes its inspiration from the Disney movies themselves, allowing guests to “ride through” different Disney movies. Classic Disney 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's 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 is supposed to serve as an intergalactic convention center, where aliens and humans alike can come, meet, and 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 Company that they would not be able to continuously update the land as technology changed. Instead, they decided to, give the park a retro-future feel to it. 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 1670's and ending at the entrance to Frontierland (1880's), 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 the only land in the park not to go through a significant update. Every one of the opening day attractions still exists and no major attractions have been added.

Former Lands

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. The land replaced Mickey's Starland. Toontown Fair took its inspiration from the 1989 movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale could all be found in the Judges Tent, and other surprise characters would pop up from time to time. Other attractions in Toontown Fair included Mickey's Country House and Minnie's Country House, where you could take an open house to see how Mickey and Minnie lived. Although Mickey's Toontown Fair was full of areas for kids to play, the only real “ride” in Toontown Fair was The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm, a tame roller coaster aimed at kids.

Fun Facts and Trivia

Cinderella's Castle is not made of a single brick (it is made of steel and fiberglass).
There are about 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.
Disney's Fastpass option is available for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, The Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, The Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey's PhilharMagic. Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain.
Additional “surprise” Fastpasses are available for the Carousel of Progress and the Country Bear Jamboree.
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 January 2012 are, The Walt Disney World Railroad,The Main Street Vehicles, The Country Bear Jamboree, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Mad Tea Party, Snow White's Scary Adventure, Cinderella's Golden Carousel (Renamed Prince Charming's Regal Carousel), 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.