Walt Disney World, March 1976
Let's head on down to Orlando, Florida, to visit Walt Disney World, circa March 1976. The park had been open for less than five years at that point! As I've said before, I sure wish I could have seen it in its early state, but... I still haven't visited. D'oh. Today's images are from a small batch of only five slides.
First up is this view from near Cinderella Castle, which I assume is more or less behind the photographer (?), with part of the moat in front of us, and a pretty bridge crossing over the water. Notice the flowers on the lawn to the right, making a Bicentennial graphic.
OK, I'm going to need your help with this one, because I have NO idea what this restaurant is; it looks like it's in Fantasyland, though it also has some odd architectural details that might be Adventureland-ish too.
This next one appears to have been taken from a Monorail, which was either leaving or arriving at the A-frame Contemporary Hotel. Our photographer grabbed a quick shot looking out at the Seven Seas Lagoon (I believe). Look at how flat Florida is! But it always has those pretty clouds. I would imagine that a similar photo taken today would show a lot more hotels and other development surrounding the lagoon.
This next one is pretty great, a beautiful view of Space Mountain, which had debuted on January 15th, 1975. The Skyway is overhead, adding color and kinetic movement.
And finally, we have this shot of the Sunshine Tower located outside the Tropical Serenade, (aka The Tiki Room). Just look at those light crowds! I'll bet March was a great time to be outdoors in Florida, though I've heard that daily rain showers were (and still are) frequent.
I hope you have enjoyed these photos from Walt Disney World!
7 comments:
Major-
In the 1st image, the Crystal Palace Restaurant should just be out of frame on the left. And on the right: Adventureland. The 2nd image reveals the Pinocchio Village Haus Restaurant, in Fantasyland. And the 3rd image shows the monorail beamway, just south of the Contemporary Hotel, with the Seven Seas Lagoon in the distance.
That's a lovely shot of both Space Mountain and a part of the Peoplemover.
Thanks, Major.
1) My, what a beautiful shot! The grass looks like green velvet. I don't think I would make a very good Floridian. The heat and high humidity would (probably) kill me. And the flatness of it all is somehow disturbing to me. It makes me edgy and depressed.
In the mystery restaurant photo, I don't think the guy on the right with the beard and dark glasses wants us taking a picture with him in it. Maybe he's an undercover agent. Really nice architecture on display in this building.
3) Pretty sure you are right about this being the Seven Seas Lagoon, Major. The Monorail beam, that we see in the background with a Monorail gliding along the track, makes a big loop around the Lagoon. As you surmised, the Contemporary Hotel would be near us, and the Magic Kingdom would be to our right. The Polynesian would be to the left. Of course, I could very well be turned around, as is often the case.
4) Wow! The puffy clouds really elevate this photo to the next level! (As Nanook noted) In addition to the Skyway, the covered PeopleMover track is featured prominently, with a PM train on the left.
5) The Tower sure makes a good 'weenie' to entice people to come see what it's all about. Apparently, that's the only purpose the Tower had, as an eye-catcher?
Really nice WDW photos, Major. Thanks.
Nanook, unless I'm turned around, I believe that Adventureland is just to the left, after crossing that bridge in the first pic.
In the Monorail pic, we can also see the waterway that connects the Seven Seas Lagoon with Bay Lake. If that beam wasn't in the way, we would also be able to see the road that goes under that connecting waterway. Also, those very dark brown buildings on the far left of the pic are a part of the Polynesian Resort.
I would imagine that a similar photo taken today would show a lot more hotels and other development surrounding the lagoon.
Not to mention large congregations of alligators and massive cultures of brain-eating amoebas.
Major, I also wish I had been able to see WDW in it's early years! I finally made it there, and multiple times, but at this point I don't think I would ever go back.
Thanks for these early WDW pics, Major!
Apparently, that's the only purpose the Tower had, as an eye-catcher?
JB, Lillian Disney used to have an apartment at the very top of the tower. Sometimes she could be spotted leaning out of the window, hurling Florida oranges down at passersby.
^ Ah yes, of course. I shoulda known!
Sometimes she could be spotted leaning out of the window, hurling Florida oranges down at passersby.
JB, and sometimes just hurling!
These are lovely pictures, and just similar enough to my first trip in the early 80s to ping the old nostalgia button. I can imagine the walkaround Orange Bird lurking just out of frame in the last picture (dodging Lilian's citrus projectiles, of course) and hear the cannons from the roof of the Pirates building.
Post a Comment