More WDW Construction, May 1971
Here are the last of my pre-opening construction photos from Walt Disney World (see the others here, here, and here).
As usual, I don't have much to add in regards to commentary, since I am not familiar with Florida's Magic Kingdom. I guess I'll have to rely on my super-genius readers to help fill in the blanks!
This first photo shows an area in front of Cinderella's Castle (I think!), looking towards Main Street. I have no idea what those barely-begun buildings are to the left, or what that sunken cement area is in the middle (the moat?). There's plenty of dirt and mud, for you fans of that sort of thing!
We're still in Fantasyland, but beyond that I don't know what that building is in front of us... I imagine that it eventually contained one of the famous Fantasyland dark rides. To our left, the Skyway towers, and in the distance, is that the Haunted Mansion?
Jeez, what a mess! Piles of junk everywhere. The peak-roofed building just to the right of center resembles one in Disneyland's Fantasyland. And there's still lots of structures that are only just framed in... it's hard to believe that in just five months, the park will officially open for millions of visitors to enjoy! 
6 comments:
I can't get my orientation with the first pic...is that the backside of Main St. off in the distance?
The construction in the second pic shows the Pinocchio Village Haus Restaurant. And you are right Major, that is the Haunted Mansion way in the background.
The tower just to the right of center of the third pic is part of the Fantasyland Skyway building. The construction to the right of that is Small World. What I'm wondering is about the building on the left....it's either part of the MM Revue Theater or the Peter Pan ride....or maybe the corner where the two come together?
Great WDW construction pics!
Another peek at the "real" World. Thanks much!
Now that it's morning and I'm taking a second look at that first photo, I believe that white wall in the center of the pic is the backside of the east side of Main St., making the plaza off to the right. The train station should be that tall kind of domed structure to the left with the oval window and the flag pole on top. You can even see a tiny portion of the roof/awning over the train loading area. That would make the construction in the foreground.......one of the Tomorrowland buildings??? The CircleVision Theater??? Someone else out there chime in!
its always great to see the "before" photos...hard to imagine that it was just piles of construction materials and trash at one time
thanks for these rare images :)
In the first picture, I'm pretty sure it is taken from what is now Tomorrowland, probably from somewhere close to the present Speedway. The end of Main Street (specifically Casey's Restaurant) towards the castle is recognizable, as is the train station at the other end, so the concrete foundation in the foreground may be the old Tomorrowland Terrace/ current Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, while the steel frame may be the Flight to the Moon show building or even the Circlevision Theatre.
The concrete slab also may simply be the Tomorrowland portion of the Utilidor, not yet covered with either pavement and landscaping or buildings.
Beautiful article with a very beautiful photos.
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