Walt Disney World Construction, May 1971
Who likes dirt? I do, I do! That's why I enjoy looking at these pre-opening photos from the Magic Kingdom. (Am I crazy, or did "The Magic Kingdom" once refer to Disneyland?)
This lady is standing somewhere in Fantasyland, but there isn't much to see. Those rough, unpainted plywood sheds behind her might have held tools or supplies or beanie babies. The Skyway's pylons look ready to go. In the distance, some of the Fantasyland buildings are still being partially framed. I'm not familiar enough with WDW to know exactly where the photographer was standing, or which direction he was facing.
Cinderella's Castel is just out of frame to our right, we can see the walkway that crossed the moat (that big muddy ditch in front of us). You can also see part of Main Street, and a tower that I presume was used to make time-lapse movies of the construction of the park, much like the ones made for Disneyland's construction.
12 comments:
ahh, construction of a new land of fun.
this lucky lady is standing just inside Fantasyland near pretty much next to where you will still find our Skyway to Tomorrowland chalet, which is located on the left in this photo.
if she were to walk toward us, she would be heading into Liberty Square and just beyond that she will see the beginnings of Frontierland. turn around and walk away, all the way thru Fantasyland, and she is in Tomorrowland : )
in the second photo, we are standing to the left of the Castle, (the right if you are looking at the Castle from Main Street) where behind us will be Snow White's Scary Adventure and a shop called Sir Mickey's.
eventually this dirt area in front of us will be a walkway where there is now Cinderella's Wishing Well where you can walk thru a nice garden, which is a sister to Snow White's Grotto at Disneyland
thanks for these, Major :D
Rare shots Major. Very Nice.
Sorry, but I'm going to have to disagree with Nancy above. The first shot is taken near to where the Dumbo attraction sits. The towered building in the distance houses the Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant and It's A Small World. Just beyond that one can see the Fantasyland Skway chalet and, if I'm not mistaken, one can just make out some of the rooftop features of the Haunted Mansion. If the photographer were to walk backwards he would find him or herself in the 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea lagoon. God, how I miss that attraction! Especially after seeing the Nautilus at Disneyland Paris last Sunday!
Sorry, I have to agree with Pegleg Pete....that's the Small World building to the right and just beyond that last Skyway tower in the distance is the Haunted Mansion with it's main turret and two little side chimneys. The castle and carousel would be to our left.
Great WDW pics! Dig the groovy plaid pants on the guy traipsing around in the dirt.
I love these photos! I agree with Pete and Tokyo, I've only been to WDW once (last year) but I checked out this area pretty good, then again, what do I know! Fun post, thanks!
It's just a nitpick, but I think that judging from the distance this was probably closer to "inside" the future 20K lagoon than where Dumbo is... Great pics!
Thanks for the great, rare photos. I know your focus is Disneyland, but as a Florida native I would love to see the occasional Magic Kingdom feature :)
Brer Dan
Thanks for all of the info, everybody! I am completely useless when it comes to anything regarding the Florida parks.
Brer Dan, I don't have much about WDW, but perhaps I will try to post some more images for folks like you!
I agree, I think she is standing "in" the 20K attraction, possible the queue area. More to her left (right of the picture) would probably be in the lagoon. If you were talking about today, I think it's a popcorn stand just outside the Pooh area (BOO!)
Dirty dirty post! hehe
I don't know where she is standing, but the guy with the plaid pants in the background is awesome! I think I am going to try to get me a pair like his!
Its a dirty post but its the place where the Walt Disney World was constructed.
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