36 Photos of What Walt Disney World Looked Like in the 1970s

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 11/21/2024 in wow

On October 1st, 1971, Walt Disney World opened its pearly gates in Orlando Florida for the first time, and the world of entertainment changed forever.

Planned as an additional park to California's Disneyland, the Florida location was chosen specifically for its lack of surrounding development, giving Disney the ability to put up whatever they wanted, and however much of it they wanted.

Walt Disney World has undergone significant developments since its opening, but there is something about that original aesthetic that sparks a wonderful feeling of childhood nostalgia. Here are 36 photos of Walt Disney World in the 1970s.

List View
Player View
Grid View

1.
Pinocchio walking Walt Disney World, 1975.
2.
“My mom so excited to meet Tigger for the first time, Disney World, 1970's.”
3.
My parents at Disney World between 1972-1974.
4.
More photos from 1972-1974.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
“My mother and her friends at Disneyland, 1977.”
11.
“Visiting the Magic Kingdom, 1979.”
12.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at Walt Disney World, Dec 18, 1978. Photo by Tony Petzold.
13.
“My grandparents with my mom and aunt at Disney World, 1979.”
14.
Julie Andrews hosting the grand opening of the Disney World TV special in 1971.
15.
“My Mom at Disney World in 1974.”
16.
Disney World officially opened with the Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida on October 1, 1971.
17.
18.
19.
Borden Ice Cream Parlor at Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL, 1971.
20.
Photos from 1977.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
Following photos by Paul Heaton.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.

1.
Pinocchio walking Walt Disney World, 1975.
2.
“My mom so excited to meet Tigger for the first time, Disney World, 1970's.”
3.
My parents at Disney World between 1972-1974.
4.
More photos from 1972-1974.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
“My mother and her friends at Disneyland, 1977.”
11.
“Visiting the Magic Kingdom, 1979.”
12.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at Walt Disney World, Dec 18, 1978. Photo by Tony Petzold.
13.
“My grandparents with my mom and aunt at Disney World, 1979.”
14.
Julie Andrews hosting the grand opening of the Disney World TV special in 1971.
15.
“My Mom at Disney World in 1974.”
16.
Disney World officially opened with the Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida on October 1, 1971.
17.
18.
19.
Borden Ice Cream Parlor at Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL, 1971.
20.
Photos from 1977.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
Following photos by Paul Heaton.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.